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Post by BearDownMU on Mar 2, 2016 15:00:23 GMT -5
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Post by FUBeAR on Mar 2, 2016 22:25:34 GMT -5
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Post by BearDownMU on Mar 2, 2016 22:27:15 GMT -5
Lol. I was waiting on you to say something about that.
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Post by smokeybear on Mar 2, 2016 23:02:11 GMT -5
I saw on another sports message board speculation that UTC might be a candidate to move to the SlumBelt now that they are giving the boot to NMS and the other football team.
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Post by Clueless Fan on Mar 3, 2016 8:04:33 GMT -5
I saw on another sports message board speculation that UTC might be a candidate to move to the SlumBelt now that they are giving the boot to NMS and the other football team. Football at the non P5 level is a losers game. The only thing UTC might perceive a benefit from is being back with some of their peer public universities like App St, GaSouthern, and even GSU. As Frank the Tank always advises in maters of conference moves, "Think like a college president." |
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Post by jackal on Mar 3, 2016 11:56:22 GMT -5
I saw on another sports message board speculation that UTC might be a candidate to move to the SlumBelt now that they are giving the boot to NMS and the other football team. Football at the non P5 level is a losers game. The only thing UTC might perceive a benefit from is being back with some of their peer public universities like App St, GaSouthern, and even GSU. As Frank the Tank always advises in maters of conference moves, "Think like a college president." I am no longer surprised when I see the SunBelt connected to any university. I have no idea how that conference has any long term viability. They take virtually anyone, and everyone already in is trying to get out. |
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Post by FUBeAR on Mar 3, 2016 12:27:49 GMT -5
Football at the non P5 level is a losers game. The only thing UTC might perceive a benefit from is being back with some of their peer public universities like App St, GaSouthern, and even GSU. As Frank the Tank always advises in maters of conference moves, "Think like a college president." I am no longer surprised when I see the SunBelt connected to any university. I have no idea how that conference has any long term viability. They take virtually anyone, and everyone already in is trying to get out. Hate to give the Sludge Burp any props....but jettisoning Idaho & New Mexico State is a BIG step in the right direction for them, IMHO. With CCU coming in, 10 teams in a nice Southern 7 state 'arc' - NC, SC, GA, AL, LA, AR, TX of similarly-sized (I think) and similar academic attributes/missions (I think) makes sense. I think they still might want to 'grab' 2 other teams and get back to 12 - If they are looking to fill in 'holes' in the footprint - I think Southern Miss and UTC would be 2 prime targets. Jax St would be another good possibility for them, but they already have 2 AL schools and I don't think the media market is as strong there as Chattanooga is. Just some ramblings since the Slurp Blah came up on this thread... |
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Post by jackal on Mar 3, 2016 12:34:02 GMT -5
I am no longer surprised when I see the SunBelt connected to any university. I have no idea how that conference has any long term viability. They take virtually anyone, and everyone already in is trying to get out. Hate to give the Sludge Burp any props....but jettisoning Idaho & New Mexico State is a BIG step in the right direction for them, IMHO. With CCU coming in, 10 teams in a nice Southern 7 state 'arc' - NC, SC, GA, AL, LA, AR, TX of similarly-sized (I think) and similar academic attributes/missions (I think) makes sense. I think they still might want to 'grab' 2 other teams and get back to 12 - If they are looking to fill in 'holes' in the footprint - I think Southern Miss and UTC would be 2 prime targets. Jax St would be another good possibility for them, but they already have 2 AL schools and I don't think the media market is as strong there as Chattanooga is. Just some ramblings since the Slurp Blah came up on this thread... Right. I mean, if you are a sinking ship you'll take on any strong oarsmen you can find. I get why these moves benefit the SunBelt. What I don't get is why these moves benefit a school like UTC. Coastal is in a bit of a different spot. They have been spurned by the SoCon for years and do not really seem to have long term viability in the Big South. |
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Post by FUBeAR on Mar 3, 2016 13:13:50 GMT -5
Hate to give the Sludge Burp any props....but jettisoning Idaho & New Mexico State is a BIG step in the right direction for them, IMHO. With CCU coming in, 10 teams in a nice Southern 7 state 'arc' - NC, SC, GA, AL, LA, AR, TX of similarly-sized (I think) and similar academic attributes/missions (I think) makes sense. I think they still might want to 'grab' 2 other teams and get back to 12 - If they are looking to fill in 'holes' in the footprint - I think Southern Miss and UTC would be 2 prime targets. Jax St would be another good possibility for them, but they already have 2 AL schools and I don't think the media market is as strong there as Chattanooga is. Just some ramblings since the Slurp Blah came up on this thread... Right. I mean, if you are a sinking ship you'll take on any strong oarsmen you can find. I get why these moves benefit the SunBelt. What I don't get is why these moves benefit a school like UTC. Coastal is in a bit of a different spot. They have been spurned by the SoCon for years and do not really seem to have long term viability in the Big South. I think I've come to understand the 'deal' with these schools moving up....As usual...FOLLOW THE MONEY....but, no...not the supposed windfall for the school...I ain't buyin' that. It's about the disparity of compensation for FBS G5 Coaches and FCS Coaches...and, I would guess AD's. I'm sure the data is available, but I'll throw 50%+ out there as a number. If an FCS Head Coach makes 200k...he's gonna make 300k+ if that school goes to FBS. Someone else can do the research and throw out the accurate numbers to support OR refute mine, but I think I'm in the ballpark. So, the Coach (and I'm guessing the AD's increase is comparable) and the AD start pushing, get the numbers for the school to look the way they want them to look and they make it happen....something like that....and also....now an easier 'jump' for that HC and his Asst's and probably the AD to add another 0 to those numbers at a P5 school...Don't blame 'em though. Faster way to get PAID than moving up the ranks in the coaching ladder....get your school to buy a taller ladder. |
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Post by smokeybear on Mar 3, 2016 15:26:06 GMT -5
Presidents make the decision, not ADs and certainly not coaches. JMU has had an offer from the Sun Belt for some time. Their fans want to "move up" but their Prez doesn't want to be associated with most of the schools in the SB.
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Post by FUBeAR on Mar 3, 2016 15:57:42 GMT -5
Presidents make the decision, not ADs and certainly not coaches. JMU has had an offer from the Sun Belt for some time. Their fans want to "move up" but their Prez doesn't want to be associated with most of the schools in the SB. I didn't say the Coach/AD made the decision. I think a decision of that magnitude is typically made by the Board of Trustees/Board of Regents/Board of Whatever....lots of influences applied to that type of decision; regardless of who is the final signatory. Smart Coaches/AD's (which, in my experience, most of them are....VERY smart) are smart enough to know how to influence those decisions at 'bubble schools'...or, if they find they just can't...as we saw at JMU this year....they'll take the 1st bus out of town bound for G5ville...with Everett Withers leaving after 2 seasons as the Head Duke....to be Head Coach of the Texas State Bobcats of....you guessed it...the Sorry Blot Conference. FBS salaries make retention of successful FCS coaches challenging"At JMU, Withers annually made $325,000. At Texas State, he’ll make $650,000 in his first year" |
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Post by FUBeAR on Mar 4, 2016 9:20:53 GMT -5
From the article...
MERCER
2015 Records: 5-6 overall, 2-5 Southern (Tie/6th)
Spring Practices: Feb. 8-March 4
Storyline:
Year 4 of the return to football brings a highly experienced squad as coach Bobby Lamb has welcomed back ̶1̶1̶ 10 starters on offense and 10 on defense.
Last year's team upset Chattanooga, but it needs to play with consistency if the Bears are going to winning more often in the SoCon.
John Russ returns for his fourth season as the starting quarterback and there always seems to be plenty of running backs (Alex Lakes and Tee Mitchell included) and all-purpose threats.
Injuries hurt the Bears last season, so their depth has to be better.
One of the players returning from injury is linebacker LeMarkus Bailey, who was off to a great start before he was lost in the third game of the year.
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OTHER 2015 Starters who missed multiple games due to injury
*Wilson Heres, OG (Graduated) *Alex Avant, CB (Graduated) *Chandler Curtis, WR, RS (Returning) **Tosin Aguebor, OLB (Returning)(Missed or seriously limited - not 100% sure) *Alex Lakes, RB (Returning) *Robert Brown, TE (Returning) *Kyle Williams, OLB (Returning) Tunde Ayinla, DL (Returning) Tripp Patterson, ILB (Returning) * Previously named to 1 or more All-SoCon Teams ** Previously named All-PFL Hate to see the Bears lose those two 3-year (4-year, if you count their practice year) All-SoCon-Level Starters, but losing only 1 starting on each side of the ball is still pretty good in terms of experience returning. Getting back Curtis, Aguebor (at full strength), Lakes, Bailey, Brown, and the others should be a BIG boost for Mercer. Add the maturing classes who did play last year, the 15+ redshirts who did not, another 'scholarshipped' recruiting class, and a few transfers sprinkling in and I think the Bears should be right in the mix for the SoCon Title in 2016. Might even catch those FBS Yellow Jackets sleeping off a heavy Guiness hangover after they play Boston College in Ireland the week before the Bears make their 'big-stage' debut in the ATL. Should be FUN to watch to see how an almost-grown BearSquad does this Season.
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Post by jackal on Mar 4, 2016 12:37:05 GMT -5
Presidents make the decision, not ADs and certainly not coaches. JMU has had an offer from the Sun Belt for some time. Their fans want to "move up" but their Prez doesn't want to be associated with most of the schools in the SB. I didn't say the Coach/AD made the decision. I think a decision of that magnitude is typically made by the Board of Trustees/Board of Regents/Board of Whatever....lots of influences applied to that type of decision; regardless of who is the final signatory. Smart Coaches/AD's (which, in my experience, most of them are....VERY smart) are smart enough to know how to influence those decisions at 'bubble schools'...or, if they find they just can't...as we saw at JMU this year....they'll take the 1st bus out of town bound for G5ville...with Everett Withers leaving after 2 seasons as the Head Duke....to be Head Coach of the Texas State Bobcats of....you guessed it...the Sorry Blot Conference. FBS salaries make retention of successful FCS coaches challenging"At JMU, Withers annually made $325,000. At Texas State, he’ll make $650,000 in his first year" Money certainly talks. I just think if I am the board of trustees at an FCS school, and my coach leaves to make twice as much money somewhere else, then I wish him well. I certainly would not let that influence whether I mortgage the future of the university. I realize maybe for some that is a different calculation. There's no guarantee that won't happen anyway even if at the FBS level. Georgia Southern just lost Willie Fritz to a program that averages about 3 wins per year largely because of money. |
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Post by FUBeAR on Mar 4, 2016 17:54:15 GMT -5
I didn't say the Coach/AD made the decision. I think a decision of that magnitude is typically made by the Board of Trustees/Board of Regents/Board of Whatever....lots of influences applied to that type of decision; regardless of who is the final signatory. Smart Coaches/AD's (which, in my experience, most of them are....VERY smart) are smart enough to know how to influence those decisions at 'bubble schools'...or, if they find they just can't...as we saw at JMU this year....they'll take the 1st bus out of town bound for G5ville...with Everett Withers leaving after 2 seasons as the Head Duke....to be Head Coach of the Texas State Bobcats of....you guessed it...the Sorry Blot Conference. FBS salaries make retention of successful FCS coaches challenging"At JMU, Withers annually made $325,000. At Texas State, he’ll make $650,000 in his first year" Money certainly talks. I just think if I am the board of trustees at an FCS school, and my coach leaves to make twice as much money somewhere else, then I wish him well. I certainly would not let that influence whether I mortgage the future of the university. I realize maybe for some that is a different calculation. There's no guarantee that won't happen anyway even if at the FBS level. Georgia Southern just lost Willie Fritz to a program that averages about 3 wins per year largely because of money. I also didn't say a school should/would make such a major decision to retain a Coach. The 'question' (I think) was why would a school jump to FBS when it doesn't seem to be in the interest of the school. My response was to look to who has the most to gain PERSONALLY/FINANCIALLY from such a move. I believe that answer is Football HC, AD, Football Asst. Coaches. And I believe, in most cases, that is a group of very smart people who are very experienced at influencing the decisions of others... "How can I 'work' this Booster, who is also on the Board?" "The Provost has the 'ear' of the President & her Husband is a HUGE Panthers fan. Hmmm...my former player is on their staff. Super Bowl tix for hubby. We'd have a lot more of those opportunities if we were FBS, y'know?" If y'all would contend the tail can't wag the dog, I would submit that you have never had a teenage daughter. |
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