Are there programs you just can't win at?
For whatever reason, I still own a copy of Athlon's 2004 I-A Football Preview. I skimmed it last night as I internalized yesterday's Missouri State game. While parts of it are amusing to read (how soon will Bill Callahan compete for national championships at Nebraska?), I was intrigued by a section where the writers posed various questions to comtemporary head coaches, such as "which coach do you try to emulate?" (the majority answer of "Joe Paterno" aged pretty poorly, too bad we can't make fun of certain people because the coaches were allowed to remain anonymous), but one question caught my eye because I find it personally relevant:
"Are there programs you just can't win at?"
This question received the most diverse answers in the column. Anyone who has read anything I have posted on here knows my answer to this. I just found it intriguing that head coaches of major programs would agree.
To expand the scope of this thread, if you were a credible booster of a Missouri State or Indiana (a program called out by name by a coach in the article as being impossible to win at), what do you think would need to be done to raise programs like this to national competitiveness? Would it be possible, or how realistic would it be?
Re: Are there programs you just can't win at?
What would you consider a "credible booster" as you said?
Someone that would donate multiple millions of dollars for many years would be one IMO. I believe if MSU could still be a FCS power with those facilities and geographic area. I don't know what they spend on the FB team but if they had the money to up their pay, recruiting footprint and probably marketing to fans, they could turn the corner in the Valley IMO.
I thought they would give UND a game yesterday....:(
Re: Are there programs you just can't win at?
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Originally Posted by
Bison Fan in NW MN
What would you consider a "credible booster" as you said?
Someone that would donate multiple millions of dollars for many years would be one IMO. I believe if MSU could still be a FCS power with those facilities and geographic area. I don't know what they spend on the FB team but if they had the money to up their pay, recruiting footprint and probably marketing to fans, they could turn the corner in the Valley IMO.
I thought they would give UND a game yesterday....:(
I'm not expecting any T. Boones or Phil Knights to respond - generally anyone who contributes enough for university leadership to notice beyond printing your name in the game programs. You are at least asked for your input...
We don't have any big money donors. The Hammons estate is tied up in court, and none of the prospective heirs care about MSU athletics. I believe Stec's hiring was "the big swing" being taken to fix football, and if it didn't work, no further investment would be made. Why pay $300k for a coach to lose when a mediocre MIAA coach can do it for a third of the price?
I also disagree with your assessment of our facilities and geographic area - we have no indoor practice facility, actually no dedicated practice area at all. Practices are conducted at the stadium. Our geographic placement hurts in an upper midwest-focused conference. If we split into divisions, we'd be with the Dakotas and UNI and it really would be impossible to gain traction.
Re: Are there programs you just can't win at?
Again I think it rather amusing that a civilian school that is no different than any of the other 800 just like it wants to throw in the towel when The Citadel is a Top 15 team.
Re: Are there programs you just can't win at?
If Nicholls can turn the corner and be competitive, any program can.
Re: Are there programs you just can't win at?
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Originally Posted by
citdog
Again I think it rather amusing that a civilian school that is no different than any of the other 800 just like it wants to throw in the towel when The Citadel is a Top 15 team.
Well, Navy occasionally slips into the top 25 while Tulane spins its wheels for decades. I'd argue one part of it is emotional investment. The Citadel community is emotionally invested in the program, the Missouri State community has viewed it as a diversion at best.
Re: Are there programs you just can't win at?
Bob Stitt cant win at Montana.........
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Re: Are there programs you just can't win at?
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Originally Posted by
ALPHAGRIZ1
Bob Stitt cant win at Montana.........
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That's becoming abundantly clear. Seems to me it's hard NOT to win at Montana considering everything that program has.
Re: Are there programs you just can't win at?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
citdog
Again I think it rather amusing that a civilian school that is no different than any of the other 800 just like it wants to throw in the towel when The Citadel is a Top 15 team.
Newberry and Presbyterian are quality wins?
Re: Are there programs you just can't win at?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
ALPHAGRIZ1
Bob Stitt cant win at Montana.........
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True but an actual DI head coach can.