His leadership and managerial skills seem to be better. He seems to motivate guys to do more work and play at a higher level. Because in the end, it comes down to the PLAYERS figuring out how to perform. A good motivator is always good. Wilson’s motivation ability likely peaked at 6-7 records. I mean I can tell you that guys weren’t necessarily motivated to work at a high level, put in extra work, or stop partying. It seems like CTA is the kind of leader who actually motivates guys to not want to do that, and to get their butts in the film room/taking care of their bodies.
It’s hard to be a decent college football players. There’s a lot of work that has to go in. It’s hard to be in the film room. Like now it’s 11:25 on a Saturday, and there are guys at OSU, Alabama, Wisconsin ect who are resting their bodies, recovering from the week, and learning. They’re motivated to do so because of the environment/coaching. That’s the standard that you can tell CTA sets because of the defensive improvement. Tegray Scales transformed into a completely different man under CTA. He went from a guy who depended on athletic ability alone, to a guy who started treating his body differently, preparing at a high level, and became a leader. A bunch of guys bought in and followed, thus the defense is the best it’s been at Indiana in a long time. That is the “sign” that CTA brings of excellent leadership, in comparison to CKW. CKW was a good X’s and O’s Guy, and the best/most intense motivator IU has had in a long time. He did get the program to that 6-6 level from the college football cellar, but he wasn’t in the upper percentile as a motivator as other coaches/programs around the country. CTA seems to be in that upper percentile of motivating guys. The success that CKW has as an OC did benefit IU, but that alone is limited. There’s a special level of motivation that you have to bring to the table. If your program doesn’t have that, it will be mediocre.