FSU football: Is it lack of coaching or lack of talent?

FSU football fans want to blame any and everyone for the 0-4 start in Tallahassee. The FSU coordinators, Adam Fuller and Kenny Dillingham have caught a lot of heat, particularly Fuller, after last year’s shell of a defense allowed record numbers. Do the coaches deserve most of the criticism?

Most offensive issues relate to the poor quarterback and offensive line play, but more on the former. We’ve seen the quarterbacks throw terrible interceptions, make incorrect reads, and take sacks that were their fault and not on the offensive line. The wide receivers have not done them any favors with multiple drops and struggle to get open against man coverage. Injuries have plagued the offensive line.

Defensively, they defend the run quite well and do a good job of getting teams into predictable passing downs. The struggle is allowing teams to convert on third downs. Is it a lack of talent(or development of talent) on the roster that’s at fault?

I want to present two things for thought here. The same defensive coaches were here last year, and Asante Samuel Jr. was one of the best cornerbacks in the nation. He became a second-round NFL Draft pick, and the Los Angeles Chargers are already reaping the benefits. Asante Samuel Jr. had two different defensive coordinators while at FSU but was solid no matter what.

I’m sure some of that was due to his father playing multiple years in the NFL, but it still goes back to being a highly talented player. Did FSU coaches get worse after Asante Samuel Jr. left? No, they don’t have another player in the secondary with his talent/development. How many FSU defensive backs get drafted right now?

Let’s take a look at the defensive end position for FSU in 2020. Janarius Robinson and Joshua Kaindoh had three sacks, and five QB hurries combined in nine games(these stats are all Robinson). Both players got drafted, but that process was more on their measurements and potential than them as a player.

The same coaches are at FSU 2021, and Jermaine Johnson already has 5.5 sacks and three QB hurries in four games. Did the defensive coaches get better, or did they upgrade in talent at the defensive end position? We often see players in a position to make plays, but they haven’t made the plays more often than not. Is that on coaching?

FSU coaches are not without fault, no question. Some game-planning has been questionable. They continue to put players on the field who make the same mistakes over and over. However, the reality is there are not many options on the roster at several positions. It’s why I said they are going to have to recruit their way out of this abyss last week.