You are talking like the ones at the beginning of this year calling for 8-9 wins.
Assume new coaching staff. Predict wins/losses.
- Thread starter mildone_rivals
- Start date
If we only spend $1.25MM for the next coach, which I admit is a real possibility, then I think we can pretty much count on the next 5 years being all about the tailgating experience. Because the outlook for out-recruiting and out-competing the nine Big Ten teams we'll face each season, and the stronger OOC teams, will be bleak for sure.
The thing about lightning striking is that while it happens, it's a lot more like playing the lottery than playing blackjack.
When Schiano was hired, RU had only been to one bowl game in the seventies and was coming off a historically awful run of seasons for any college football program. Yet, Schiano was able to sell "the idea" of being part of a program's rise. He got some great players to commit to RU even though it was highly unlikely that RU would ever find itself in a New Year's Day bowl game -- unless we had a simply amazing season -- and one where we rarely had games on television.
Fast forward to today... the next coach can sell playing in the Big Ten - in a conference that includes games in some of the biggest stadiums in the land, where you don't have to be perfect to play on New Year's Day, and where EVERY SINGLE GAME is on television.
We used to pride ourselves on being a sleeping giant -- a program located in a good recruiting area in the world's biggest media market. There are aspects that can help sell the program and take it to a level its never seen before with the right coach. I'm sure of it.
Turning things around won't be easy, but it doesn't have to take forever as well. I can honestly see a good coach going .500 or more in the first year with big jumps each season. We don't have to think of ourselves as a Big Ten bottom-feeder. We just need a good coach and good recruiter. I do not believe Flood is either.
"If we only spend $1.25MM for the next coach, which I admit is a real possibility"
And I do not believe the budget will be that low. I really don't.
Fast forward to today... the next coach can sell playing in the Big Ten - in a conference that includes games in some of the biggest stadiums in the land, where you don't have to be perfect to play on New Year's Day, and where EVERY SINGLE GAME is on television.
We used to pride ourselves on being a sleeping giant -- a program located in a good recruiting area in the world's biggest media market. There are aspects that can help sell the program and take it to a level its never seen before with the right coach. I'm sure of it.
Turning things around won't be easy, but it doesn't have to take forever as well. I can honestly see a good coach going .500 or more in the first year with big jumps each season. We don't have to think of ourselves as a Big Ten bottom-feeder. We just need a good coach and good recruiter. I do not believe Flood is either.
"If we only spend $1.25MM for the next coach, which I admit is a real possibility"
And I do not believe the budget will be that low. I really don't.
Flood is not the guy. Almost nobody disagrees. The question is, who IS the guy and are we going to be smart enough and generous enough to get him.
I hope you're right about the budget.
I don't think even the most virulent of the anti-Flood crowd would predict anything above 7 wins next year (even with a new staff and Rettig at QB). It's certainly going to be a process; Flood has put us in a pretty deep hole and it's going to be tough to get out of it, what with the talent gap and other issues plaguing the roster.
I think what we should all agree on is that the next coach, whoever he (or she! Julie could really throw us for a loop with that one) should get five years before the seat gets hot. Get acclimated. Recruit a class from start to finish. Clean up the mess of the program. Pro-Flood supporters wonder why Flood isn't entitled to the same five years; the difference is, Flood took a solid program and tanked it. But, in order to do a rebuild, we need to give someone the time, patience, and money, to do this thing right.
In light of that, I'd say the next couple years under a new staff would be 6-6; maybe by year five we can nab eight wins. More importantly, I think the losses we'd have under a different, smarter, and more flexible coaching staff won't be blowouts. It won't happen overnight, but it's possible.
I think what we should all agree on is that the next coach, whoever he (or she! Julie could really throw us for a loop with that one) should get five years before the seat gets hot. Get acclimated. Recruit a class from start to finish. Clean up the mess of the program. Pro-Flood supporters wonder why Flood isn't entitled to the same five years; the difference is, Flood took a solid program and tanked it. But, in order to do a rebuild, we need to give someone the time, patience, and money, to do this thing right.
In light of that, I'd say the next couple years under a new staff would be 6-6; maybe by year five we can nab eight wins. More importantly, I think the losses we'd have under a different, smarter, and more flexible coaching staff won't be blowouts. It won't happen overnight, but it's possible.
Mildone, I know this is the free board by why even ask the question until there is knowledge of any new coach. Just doesn't make any sense and adds to the pain we all are suffering. Spare us the agony during the current and upcoming holiday season. Most can't wait until it's over
Agonizing? Pain? Really?
Why would anybody be agonized or in pain over a sports team? Never understood that. If people are truly agonizing over such a trivial thing, I'd suggest they diversify their lifestyle a bit and gain a sense of perspective. It's a game. In the grand scheme of things, it doesn't matter.
Agonizing should reserved for people getting cancer or terrorists blowing up innocent people. Stuff like that. Not over a form of entertainment that isn't producing like we all hope it will.
I'm excited at the prospect of change and I'd like to see RU do it right. That seems more fun to talk about, to me, at least, than bashing Flood for the 1,000th time.
That there's some serious blue sky thinking. That has to be good for some karma points.
Wait. I was remiss. 15-0, after we win the B1G championship, and the two games after. We could . . . . go . . . . . all . . . . . the . . . . . way!!!!!
Here is what I feel is reality based on what a high-profile coach did at a school with a mediocre football heritage, namely Steve Spurrier at South Carolina. First, tremendous anticipation and excitement was created. This resulted in donations flowing in by rich alumni. Next, he used that money to build "state of the art" facilities like a new practice field, improvements to the stadium, a new academic advisement building devoted only to student athletes. This attracted better student-athletes and improved performance on the field. The first 10 years in the SEC were painful with little success but substantial money filling the coffers. How does this relate to Rutgers? Much like South Carolina, Rutgers facilities are inferior to every Big Ten school. Maryland, the other new Big Ten member has much better facilities than Rutgers. RU has made strides toward improving its athletic facilities but still has a long way to go! So in answer to the original question about "wins and losses", I see us going 500 overall and being "bottom feeders" in the Big Ten for the next 5 years until facilities compare with the rest of the league. A high-profile coach will help get things started. In the meantime RU must sell itself based on its OUTSTANDING ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE and that it graduates its players. Presently, beyond that it is incredibly difficult to consistently recruit the best talent. Finally, Rutgers needs a President that embraces the many benefits affiliation in the Big Ten offers. Our current President is not that individual. As for Ms. Hermann, the jury is still out IMO.
I would agree with you except for the fact that New Jersey offers a much better recruiting area than many Big Ten states. You're basically ignoring the head start that we have over the bottom of the pack. A good coach turns that around imo. Kids no longer have to go somewhere else to be seen on television or play in 100,000 stadiums. We do that every year.
Others in the Big Ten -- especially those in the bottom third -- do not have a good recruiting area to work with.
Do you really think our facilities are that bad? We probably one of the best academic support and facilities situation in thr country. Much like USC, improvements were made to our stadium and since we can't fill it now some of the other improvements might be on hold but online there are some additional suites on the drawing board. Din first and the need and demand will follow. What's wrong with our practice field and the Bubble. Our weight room is excellent as are our athletic training facilities. We are not losing ot not getting some of the players wr all may want because of dome of the aforementioned items...the only thing that seems to br missing is more wins, a total commitment znd solid coaching! 'Nuff said.
If Rutgers gets a name coach (ie. Schiano, Bill Obrien, NFL retread, etc...) that can convince a few top recruits to decommit from elsewhere and keep the current class then we can be a 7 win team. If it is an AAC, CUSA, or coordinator than we are looking at 3-5 wins since we will lose some of the current commits and likely will not turn any of the better rated guys who are committed elsewhere.
An interesting name may be Jags head coach Gus Bradley who has some college experience and grew up in B10 country. He makes $3.5 mil currently.
Knowing Rutgers they will probably go after someone like the Fordham coach, who is doing well at the FCS level.
An interesting name may be Jags head coach Gus Bradley who has some college experience and grew up in B10 country. He makes $3.5 mil currently.
Knowing Rutgers they will probably go after someone like the Fordham coach, who is doing well at the FCS level.
Rutgers sold its chance for consistent 8+ win seasons when it grabbed the bucket o gold the Big Ten offered (and yeah, we had little choice unless we wanted to enjoy Mid-Tier Bowl games, finishing 3rd or 4th in the American, and continuing to subsidies the athletics as we had)
We couldn't beat the American Teams much less the old OR New Big East teams with any kind of dominance..so expecting us to do so in the B1G is a joke.
We have 2 options.. spend A TON of cash on a Big Time Coach and staff or go the conservative route of spending a bit more and hoping we strike magic.
My 40+ years leads me to bet we settle on #2.
My only hope is we find a staff that can make Saturdays a HOPE and not a HOPELESS. A reason to go to games, have fun, and chance to turn a few game and get to 7 or 8 wins.
We are getting paid to be the Washington Generals of the Big Ten Football League. I can only hope Women's teams, and Men's Baseball, BBall and Soccer can give us some reason to hold our heads up.
We couldn't beat the American Teams much less the old OR New Big East teams with any kind of dominance..so expecting us to do so in the B1G is a joke.
We have 2 options.. spend A TON of cash on a Big Time Coach and staff or go the conservative route of spending a bit more and hoping we strike magic.
My 40+ years leads me to bet we settle on #2.
My only hope is we find a staff that can make Saturdays a HOPE and not a HOPELESS. A reason to go to games, have fun, and chance to turn a few game and get to 7 or 8 wins.
We are getting paid to be the Washington Generals of the Big Ten Football League. I can only hope Women's teams, and Men's Baseball, BBall and Soccer can give us some reason to hold our heads up.
Drop the " Proset" offense. That offense depends on having superior talent and go to a spread or read option. If RU isn't going to win, let's be fun and exciting to watch. Lesser talented teams even the playing field when the QB can spread the field! Next coach must get rid of this offense which is like watching grass grow!
Yes, I truly believe our facilities are not as good as the other Big Ten schools. The current facilities are certainly an improvement from where we were, we still have a long way to go IMO. I realize we are focusing on football, but there is no comparison to the other Basketball arenas and practice facilities (lack thereof) compared to the other Big Ten schools. The improvements to the RAC are asthetics only.....how Coaches Jordan and Stringer recruit is like having one hand tied behind their back. Net/net, we need a new facility with accommodations for practice. The other thing is money....in the aforementioned comparison with South Carolina, they had the resources b/c of TV money from SEC and an influx of donations when Steve Spurrier was hired. A high-profile coach can do more generating donations than any AD. I understand it is one of the key responsibilities of the AD to do this, but hiring the right coach is critical to financial success.