Dartmouth did it. Indiana State, too. And Prairie View's decades of discontent is in the rear view mirror. Are these the next five toughest programs to turn around?
1. Savannah State
(9-34 in last four years)
Pros:
- Lots of recruits in Georgia
- Joining MEAC this season, opens new areas to recruit
Cons:
- Last winning season 1998
- Constant turnover: 11 head coaches since 1993
- Struggles to compete for in-state recruits
- Couldn't win as an independent, can they win consistently in the MEAC?
2. St. Francis
(6-37 last four years)
Pros:
- Lots of recruits available in Pennsylvania
Cons:
- Last winning season 1992, no winning tradition
- 10th smallest program in I-AA, geographically isolated
- Offers fewer scholarships than other NEC programs
- Little visibility in recruiting against other PA schools
3. Idaho State
(6-39 last four years)
Pros:
- Winning tradition of football within state
- Facility improvements to Holt Arena
- Adding 6 scholarships next season
Cons:
- Three straight 1-win seasons
- Penalized by NCAA for low APR scores
- Struggles recruiting locally against Idaho, Boise St.
- Still offers less scholarships than other Big Sky schools
- Big Sky remains very, very competitive
4. Georgetown
(7-36 last four years)
Pros:
- Academic reputation and career opportunities
- Location (Washington D.C.)
- Big East visibility in other sports
Cons:
- Last winning season 1999, struggles for local attention vs. basketball
- No permanent football facilities
- SAT of 1460/1600 makes it very dificult to admit recruits under PL rules
- One-third the budget of most PL schools, can offer very few equivalencies
5. VMI
(11-33 last four years)
Pros:
- Tradition
- Tremendous alumni loyalty and support
- Football has always been a priority
Cons:
- Last winning season 1981
- Cadet obligations daunting to many recruits
- Must account for annual attrition due to cadet commitments
- Left SoCon as noncompetitive, still struggling in Big South
Others to add to the list?
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