PRE-SEASON COACHES METER

we have a 9-7 year miss the playoffs and we feel like it was a tremendus failure, when we look over to Texans fans they are giddy about a 9-7 year and missing the playoffs. Would I like to to be in the NC hunt yes, but do we need to take it step by step yes. Lets focus on winning the BE first then lets worry about a NC. Do I think Stew can get us there yes I do.

I really think the difference in our opinions comes down to our view on WVU’s potential, and realistic expectations based on that potential. I welcome you to have a civil discussion with me on this issue.

At this point, I agree with your assessment of our place in the college football world between OSU, USC, Texas, etc., (with the exception of VT, who I think we’re on par with) and Marshall, UVA, Kentucky, etc. I also agree that we should strive to get into that upper eschelon. So, where does that leave us?

I think those schools that are above us have some built-in advantages that WVU doesn’t have. Those include recruiting base, money (which brings better facilities, coaches salaries, recruiting budget, etc.), and tradition (national titles, heisman winners, fan base, pro prospects, etc.). I don’t think anyone could say that WVU has an advantage over OSU, USC, Texas, etc. in any of these categories.

Given those disadvantages, how does WVU get into that group? I think the model is to have a coach who is going to stay at WVU over a long period of time and establish a winning tradition. Nehlen made some great strides by putting players in the pros, playing for two national titles, and drawing large crowds. Rod followed along the same path, but did a lot of damage when he left for Michigan (in part by creating the impression that Michigan is a better program than WVU). Obviously, this approach takes time and patience. But if a coach can win and develop pro talent over a long period, more money will flow into the program and the gap between us and those other schools will close.

I don’t think it serves WVU well to pull the plug on a coach who wins 9 games in each of his first two years. Is 9 wins what we’re striving for? Of course not. But it’s not a sign of utter failure either. It at least buys the coach more time to see if he can get to the 10-11-12 range (remember, nobody has ever won 12 at WVU). Firing and hiring coaches is risky. It’s hard on the players, it leaves the program unstable, and it might make it hard to attract other coaches if they are worried about getting fired for going 9-3 (elite coaches won’t be scared off by this, but an up and coming coach may consider it, and other coaches may use the instability to recruit against WVU). Further, you never know what you’re going to get with a new coach. You might get a Kragthorpe (looked like a homerun hire, ran Louisville into the ground) or you might get an Urban Meyer (turned Bowling Green into a winner then left for a better job and BG went back to being mediocre). Neither one of them gets you where you want to go.

Given all that, I’m open to hear your opinions on how WVU can get into the elite class. Am I wrong in any of my premises? Is there a flaw in my logic?

I’m not saying Stew is the guy to get us there, but I’m not saying he’s not either. I do admit that I didn’t like the hire or the way it was made, but he is our coach and I’m going to support him given his first two seasons. IMO, 9 wins is enough to buy him more time. If he doesn’t win the Big East this year, I’ll concede that his seat should start getting warm. If he still hasn’t won in 2011, I’ll be ready to start looking at making a change. I know you feel differently, so I’ll stop with this line of thinking.

Finally, analogizing WVU as a football program to you as a “driven and successful individual”: I have no idea how old you are, what you do for a living, or how you got there. Let’s say you work for Company A. Are there people in your company who are inherently smarter, more personable, and more talented? Assuming the same work ethic, do those people generally work their way up the ranks faster than those who aren’t as smart, personable, and talented? Both people may eventually get to the top, but doesn’t it take longer for some people who don’t come in with the same advantages? It’s not a perfect analogy, but to me, WVU is the guy without the advantages. The drive is still there, it just takes a little longer to accomplish the same things.