The one thing that is apparent in reading this board is that people that think Lovie is on a downward trend, have only observed the info that supports their claims following the season. The same can be said of people that think Lovie is the answer.
Indications that we be bowl eligible next year:
One more year of strength and conditioning and one more year of experience coupled with the recent influx of playmakers to a team that was otherwise borderline good enough to qualify for a bowl (I'm thinking USF and Northwestern were winnable games). With the improved quality of transfers and players in this class are all indications that next year will be better than last year.
Indications the sky is falling (I would write Lovie's career is over, but this more accurately captures the way most posters are relating to the information):
Coaches leaving along with the long drawn out hiring process with only one legit coach hired (out of 3 positions, DB, LB, DC). This lack of continuity, lack of bodies to support recruiting and strategizing are all indications that the team will not do as well.
If we look at the top category, I think it is hard to see that the team won't be in a better position.
If we look at the bottom category, there are two primary factors: coaches leaving, poor hiring. Ultimately with the poor hiring, there are a lot of unknowns. Could he not find anyone (doubtful)? Was he trying to give his son a shot (possibly)? Is he tied to his system (definitely the case)? Ultimately, people don't prefer nepotism. Got it. This also doesn't guarantee this won't work. Ultimately, I will attribute the poor ability to hire based on Lovie being tied to his system. Not many have as much experience with his system and Lovie and Miles talk football all day and night. I am not opposed to Miles being hired. But, if it doesn't work, I think Lovie should be fired. Lovie has put himself on the line and is willing to take the chance. It is his career. If this doesn't work, it will be a mistake and we will hire a new coach. If it works, then maybe Lovie wasn't as blinded as some people think.
When it comes to coaches leaving, large quantities of coaches leaving is not ideal. There are multiple different reasons for this. On the offensive side and strength and conditioning wise, we had a really strong showing of health from our line, which propelled a pretty strong season for running the ball. Rod's play calling was great, but if we had lineman injured the way receivers were injured, this team would have been awful. The RB coach leaving after the last season, where every running back performed well, is not a surprise. Same with the offensive line coach. It is unlikely the same results (no injuries) will be replicated next season (I hope it does, but I wouldn't count on it). There are rumors that Butkus was upset with something and that he was hard to work with. But who cares about speculation? From the optics, it is not such a bad time to leave if you are one of those coaches. What will be more telling will be how the hiring process goes for offensive coaches and strength and conditioning coaches. But, ultimately, there is no reason to believe the sky is falling. Whether or not Lovie wins 5 or 6 games (whichever stand you think JW takes with firing Lovie) is uncertain. And whether you think you know the answer is yes or no is irrelevant. All we can do now is watch and see how the season goes. Either Lovie will win or he won't.