we're in right now.
Hey, I preferred Ken two years back because he was easily the better hire on paper. But Kalani brought the prospect of great recruiting -- which till our dumpster-fire season he was on course of fulfilling with FLYING colors.
We made our bed--Kalani's delivered for what he was billed to deliver on--& we got rid of the coaches who obviously weren't delivering in the ways that we had hoped. Whether or not Kalani has a solid HC in him, I just don't know. But between he, Grimes, Lamb (& our two new former-OC position coaches) I have a lot more confidence in the leadership viability of this staff than last year's.
Hating on Kalani over Ty is just stupid. Yes, I didn't always like his public handling of the situation & his failure as HC to correct it -- but I also realize that Ty was NOT a Kalani hire to begin with. I honestly think (& there's good reason to think), that Kalani's hands were tied throughout this season outa respect for as huge a personality & icon as our beloved Ty). I think the sideline dynamics throughout the season proved Ty got to run his show ultimately even when his competence to do so was obviously not there. Yes, other coaches were called on deck to heavily assist, but were not allowed to step on his toes too much.
And I mean this in no disrespect to Ty. He was a huge mistake as a hire -- but having made that mistake it was probably right to treat him with utmost dignity, even if it cost us 2 or 3 games. At this point I believe that's what went down, basically -- & I'm fine with it. (Or at least I've come to terms with it.)
And to use the metaphor of being thrown under the bus--to describe his firing--is beyond silly. Whatever criticism of our staff is to be made (& the blame definitely spreads wide), Ty Detmer was clearly the weakest link in terms of responsibility & product. And one we just couldn't allow to continue for another season.
That said, Tuiaki better be on watch, at least. He definitely looked the part of a position coach in over his head--more than a few times in the course of the season.
mutu.