Yes, I think it was and that is a fair criticism. We needed a grad transfer at QB but honestly why would a good QB come to the program at this point in time. We have to build a base first and the base it going to take time.
Collins is trying to do 2 primary things with his always positive message: 1) sell the program to the recruits, fanbase and new fans. He wants it to be a program that recruits/fans are excited about no matter what happens on the field. I expect he knows on field results are likely to be poor 2) Make sure the current players are engaged and don't desert or give up on the program; he needs them to buy-in so that they can help the new freshmen buy-in and ingrain the culture.
Change is hard, if the fanbase makes Collins' job harder by telling him, "you have to do it our way" then it will delay the process and harm the results.