If Bud goes when Beamer does - and they both have pressers about it being retired and not spurned for new staff...i think its fine. I think Bud would still be here if it weren't for the health stuff that came up in 2018 that he decided to retire in 2019. I think many recruits saw writing on the wall for Bud's remaining years and we definitely unsure about joining the defense knowing it was likely to change.

As far as Fu and the offense - I think its been more circumstance, especially this year! Losing the guy that was designed and groomed all of his redshirt year to finally be able to take the top off the def to injury is a major setback to scheme. This year we can finally see what the plan and design for the Oline is....and its looking great more often than not. Getting Oline churning, allows the run game to go...run game opens the passing. Taking the top off makes it too many places to cover.

To be fair to this year's defense - outside of the setbacks of Covid, lack of so much practice and scheme install - we are still down the 1st round pick in Farley. That can not be understated. Waller not ready to go hurts too...for sure. Losing the new safety that surely got 100% of the reps a week before the season. Losing Webb who would have probably stepped in directly next to Waller. So many moving pieces I think our staff and players have done amazing to just get 11 guys on the field, dressed, and heading in the same general direction.

As far as salary and staff go, Fu has been fighting an uphill battle since he set foot onto campus. Funding just wasn't, and really isn't now, to hire the support staff and such that is needed to push the program to the highest echelons. Even now, Bud's salary was paired down to pay for a multitude of coaches. I don't think a star DC with no support staff budget fairs any better than Bud did those last couple years. Or, as well as JH and crew will given the funding issues.

I feel the programs has made a good bit of progress is a relatively short amount of time with much of the behind the scenes issues that we as a fan base were totally oblivious to in the Beamer years. In the early 2000s Beamer and staff were a top 5(if memory serves) paid staff - with new facilities and buildings. However, we didn't continue to grow and others in CFB passed us by.

I think Fu has taken a ton of heat since day 1 with an unreasonable expectations. I do feel like he is a long term Beamer style coach given his humble nature and personality. I think he actually fits well in the program.