Is Joe Krivak Worth Keeping at Maryland?

If, within the last several weeks, you have heard anyone describe Joe Krivak as a good football coach, go to the window, throw it open and shout, “Joe Musn’t Go.”

Now that the long, pregnant silence has subsided, we can place the grid mentor situation at College Park, Md., in perspective.

Y’know, it’s kind of lucky the football season ends just as the holidays crowd in around us. The suspicion here is that some coach arranged it that way to help himself over the down years, those pesky 3-7-1 type seasons.

And kids. Did you ever notice football coaches have lots of kids? And gray hair? I think they dye it. And a paunch? And a weary, don’t-pick-on-me look about them?

What Judas, what Simon Legree, what hard-hearted Hannah would even consider dispelling a molder of men, a builder of character with cranberry sauce in vogue and chestnuts roasting on an open fire right around the corner?

Believe it or not, it happens on occasion. Recall George Allen getting a can tied to his tail right around Christmas. People who despised ol’ George had to feel something, especially when he took off the baseball cap, pushed aside his ever-present dish of vanilla ice cream and wept on cue, unashamedly.

Based on observation of Maryland games live, on television, on radio and through the newspapers, this corner concludes that the job Krivak turned in this year does not warrant even the slightest consideration for any coach of the year awards.

On too many occasions the Terps appeared unprepared, undisciplined, uninspired and just plain uncoached. Delay of game penalties or wasted timeouts because the play from the sideline was dispatched via the Cape of Good Hope. A sorrowful lack of quick adjustments to meet the game situations.

Dumb penalties and senseless cheap shots fairly screamed of a lack of concentration, control and training. For a guy carrying a reputation of being a fine offensive teacher, Krivak either slipped into an amnesiac state on Saturdays or his sideline headset was tuned to classical music, not intelligence from his assistants in the press box.

Total bewilderment generously describes the scene when those nasty eggheads from Duke showed up at homecoming and had the temerity to send eight men at quarterback Neil O’Donnell on every play of the first half. A draw, a quick screen, traps -- anything to slow down or beat the rush -- weren’t forthcoming. Naw, Maryland had to hit the locker room and think about it for a spell before figuring out what to do.

Earlier in the season, the Terps had armed O’Donnell with the plays to thwart such defensive maneuvers. But, darned, the Duke blitzes were completely unexpected and those countering plays had not been practiced in a while and who could ever expect the boys to remember assignments over a couple of weeks?

Quite a few folks took umbrage with Maryland kicking a field goal in the last minute to tie Penn State in Baltimore. The debate took attention away from the laughable play selection leading up to the final decision.

Krivak himself indicated halfway through the season that he was overjoyed with the efforts of many of his charges while hinting strongly that others were doing little more than going through the motions. He seemed resigned to this, with little hope of the situation changing.

The coach said “It’s been a long, tough grind,” so many times, the least Joe can do is have these words inscribed on his Christmas cards. He should have stopped feeling sorry for himself long enough to dive headlong into solutions.

On occasion since closing out with a one-sided loss to Virginia last week, Krivak has appeared almost lethargic about his future. Imagine a guy saying, “I’m leaning toward returning,” as people hammer away at his office door with a battering ram.

The man has a year remaining on a four-year contract. Instead of saying, “I’m tired. I’ve got to take some time, sit back, think and assess the whole thing,” would it be too much to expect him to charge out on the recruiting trail, hustle back and grade film and make like a guy who might turn it around?

He complained of not having enough talent, although he and his assistants recruited the players. He talked about the sudden lofty academic standards at Maryland leaving top players no other alternative but to head for schools perhaps not so selective -- such as co-conference champs Virginia (10-2) and Duke (8-3) perhaps?

Just 12-20-1 in three seasons as the head man, Krivak, after he “takes some time, sits back and thinks,” will sit down and discuss the situation with Athletic Director Lew Perkins. He says, “When I’m ready to terminate my contract from coaching, either Joe Krivak or the people who hired me will make that decision, not my critics.”

Which is the way it should be. Mr. A.D., we await your command. But go with the facts as you find them and forget the calendar. The question isn’t if Joe Krivak is a nice guy or not, but if he can coach a whole football team.