Here is the fact that keeps staring me in the face

Occasionally players will regress for whatever reason, but that is not the usual trend. Usually they get better, even if only marginally. And, they tend to be considerably better in their second year at the D1 level. Billings, Hagins, Isler, Osse and White will all be in their second year of playing D1 next year. Throw in the fact that Evans, Isom and Poulter have all had a year to absorb as much as they can of D1, even though they could not play. We lost three key players, but we have a lot of key players  back, and some players who OUGHT to be considerably better next year. Throw in the fact that we will have a couple of scholarship seniors this year, which we did not have last year.

Sure, Shields' coaching needs to improve, and I am hopeful that it will. But regardless, he should have more of a talent/experience/maturity combination to work with, and better talent helps make better coaches.