From the beginning of his tenure in 2000, NC State football coach Chuck Amato has cultivated a contentious relationship with the media, seemingly deriving pleasure from the back-and-forth sniping with his program's beat writers. Since my days with The Wolfpacker, I knew that as soon as Amato started to fall on difficult times, the media would relish the opportunity to even the score and pile on. In Raleigh, that day has come.
The Charlotte Observer is the latest to join the growing sentiment that this should be Amato's final year at State. The brash coach has become a caricature of himself ... the bravado that endeared him to Wolfpack fans has grown tiresome. The bold statements that the Pack faithful used to wait for now causes embarrasment among some alumni. The confident talk of national championships now sound like hollow, empty promises to many. Some feel that the gleaming new facilities hide trouble within, like a golden fence in front of a boarded-up shotgun house.
Tomorrow, Amato, himself like a character out of "Goodfellas," will turn to Daniel Evans, straight out of a Disney movie. Evans is the son of a former NC State standout, All-America punter and quarterback Johnny -- now a color commentator for Pack radio broadcasts. Daniel grew up a rabid State fan, shagging footballs on the Wolfpack sidelines. He went on to a phenomenal career at hometown Broughton high school, whipping passes to brother Andrew -- the duo comprising half of a set of quadruplets. Both players now wear the Red and White. Daniel was a late addition to State's signing class three years ago, offered a last-second sholarship after the Pack was jilted by a higher-rated signal-caller. He paid his dues with two-plus years on the scout squad, toiling in obscurity while continuing to connect with his brother.
Now, Evans has come on in relief of starter Marcus Stone to try to revive a pathetic Wolfpack offense. First start at quarterback. Hopes of a renewed season on his shoulders. Former ballboy. Hometown boy. Son of the former star. Dad in the booth trying to remain partial while his son plays below. Brother on the sidelines cheering him on. Saturday night primetime television game. Nationally ranked foe. The only thing missing from this Disney story is a donkey to come on and kick extra points.
Does Amato's fate really rest with a skinny, unheraled quarterback who weighs less than the coach's left pec? Will Evans be able to handle the pressure of playing against a tough conference opponent? After demoralizing losses to Akron and Southern Mississippi, the NC State program is currently in such dire straits that any semblance of hope could rejuvenate the fan base.
Evans offers hope, something in short supply in these parts this year. After seven seasons and the arrival of a ton of flashy recruits from Florida, it seems improbable that Amato could be banking on a relatively unwanted quarterback from around the corner to save his job. But that just might be the case when a pivotal moment in Amato's tenure coincides with an after-school special, Movie of the Week, Hallmark Hall of Fame feature and Disney flick all rolled into one tomorrow evening.
Good luck, Daniel Evans. No pressure or anything.
4 comments:
a few good wins will quiet the "get ride of Amato" crowd.
if you've watched the team, "a few good wins" is not going to come easy...
Evans isnt likely to be the savior, but at least it is hope or a chance. Stone gave us no chance... we will see
They're going to be pinning their ears back and coming after him early and often. No question they stack the box and dare him to throw...word on the street is he is a good fit for Trestman's offense.
We are still 0-0 in the ACC, if ever we needed a glimmer of hope, it's now.
Is that Chuck's real hair?
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