Don’t Panic Over Rick Trickett’s Contract Extension
Sept 22, 2012; Tallahassee, Florida, USA; Florida State Seminoles quarterback E.J. Manuel (3) gestures at the line of scrimmage during the first half of the game against the Clemson Tigers at Doak Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Vastola-USA TODAY Sports
Every now and again, something happens that sends the FSU fan base spiraling into an abyss. A meltdown, if you will. This time around, FSU fans have been whipped into a frenzy over FSU extending Rick Trickett’s contract by 2 years. And I wondered, “is all of that huffing and puffing really worth it?”
The answer is an emphatic NO.
I’m not sure why everyone is so up in arms about FSU extending Trickett’s contract. Can you name one offensive line coach that can do better and is willing to come here? I’m sure Jimbo Fisher would be able to find one but by signing Trickett to an extension, he is telling the world that he has the best offensive line coach he can find.
Many lambaste Trickett over his alleged shortcomings. I can only find two transgressions:
- Running too many players off; and
- Not retaining a single offensive lineman from the 2010 and 2012 recruiting classes.
You then say, “what about his coaching his style?” To that I say, “so what?” He’s turned several players into NFL talent. He has future NFL talent sitting on the offensive line right now–players that were underrated out of high school that he has developed into solid and serviceable linemen. He took someone who played 8 games of football in his life and turned him into a first round prospect in the NFL draft. His coaching style breeds NFL talent. His coaching style is not all that different from Sal Sunseri, but because Sunseri is a little bit more charming, you are willing to forgive him for his abrasiveness.
I also request that you reconcile his alleged recruiting ineptitude with the fact that we almost secured three 4-star lineman in last year’s recruiting class but for reasons beyond Trickett’s control, we were not able to secure their commitments. Specifically, we almost had Austin Golson but for his girlfriend attending Ole Miss; Denver Kirkland but for Matthew Thomas saying he was going to USC; and Richy Klepal but for his concussion issues.
I understand we whiffed in 2010 and 2012, but if things were truly as bad as people make them out to be, then we wouldn’t have been this close to getting those three players.
At this time, I think you also need to either buy-in to Jimbo’s program, or sell. Trickett’s extension coincides with Jimbo’s 5 year plan. We are about to enter into years 4 and 5 of Jimbo’s plan. Coincidentally, Trickett has been given an extension for those two years. This is no coincidence. This is a plan. This is a clear indication that after year 5, Jimbo is going to overhaul the offensive side of the ball. There is a reason why Coach Brewster and Coach Graham have 2 year contracts. Jimbo may not expect them to stay past 2 years, but this much is absolutely evident: They got 2 year contracts because at the end of Jimbo’s 5 years, he will carry through with his plan and rebuild the offense, starting with a new offensive coordinator and offensive line coach in 2015. I can only hope that means we have a shot at landing Mike Bloomgren.