I didn't really communicate my point very well in this thread and provoked different reactions than I expected. That's probably because I really didn't have a fully formed point to make.
Just to try again...a doogman thread from the very dark, distant past popped into my head. A furious doog effort to poke holes in what Oregon did with Bellotti and Kelly, with typical message board shit talk etc, turned out to be all for naught. It was a great example, as it turned out, of the proper way to run a program that was positioned well, but not quite getting there.
I dont think Jimmy Lake is going to impact the program or the game the way Chip Kelly did. That was a rare occurrence and would take a retard to expect even if Lake was bringing something as impactful as the hyper speed, shotgun spread. Lake is an innovative coach and obviously detail oriented and all that, but hes not bringing anything revolutionary to the table.
The parallels, or maybe just similarities, that I see are the status of the two programs at the time the changes came, and the fact that a big change that was surprising on the surface was actually by design. There was a plan in place and it was executed well. They identified the guy they wanted in advance, made the necessary moves to get/keep him in the on deck circle until the time came, and made the change. It wasnt tumultuous or damaging in the immediate or short term like it can be when a successful HC steps away (or is demoted via promotion). I dont see much happening as far as recruiting losses or transfers. Lake is in a position to keep any staff he wants to but has the funds and support to make changes as he sees fit. He may end up sucking, but the transition is going to be smooth.
That's really all i meant.
Two Words: Manny Diaz.
If you think internal promotions of the popular player's choice coordinator is the right way to do it, then you did it right.
I've already answered your question: No. Oregon just got lucky.
Was Kelly popular with players? I really doubt it. That move didn't have anything to do with what players wanted.
Thus one doesn't either. Lake has been in line for the job for years now and I never caught any hint that opinions of the players had any part in it.
Oregon got lucky with Cristobal, not Kelly.