APP: Jeff Towers: Rutgers boosters firmly behind Kyle Flood

[miketd1]

If the goal was to win 6-7 games on the cheap, Flood was the guy for the job.

I was "OK" with this type of thinking as long as he ran a clean program we could be proud of.

I no longer have faith in Flood.

Now, if the goal is still to win 6-7 on the cheap, Schiano is the guy for the job.

Finally, if the goal is to build a Wisonsin-level program, then we will need Wisconsin-level commitment (ie:$$$) for Wisconsin-level coaching salaries and facility upgrades.

 

[MozRU]

Why choose a photo of halftime during a game where it was pouring rain, and not post a picture of the student section during the Penn State and Michigan games? I guess you felt the need to take the same slanted approach as the Star Ledger.

OK. How about this pic to support my claim, you'll get what you pay for.

 

[AreYouNUTS]

There's got to be a meeting of the minds, and a proper alternative come up with, in order make the situation work for all parties involved, in an effort to ease the burden of 1000's and 1000's of students attempting to board buses 20-minutes prior to kickoff. There is a lot at play here, no doubt, but to think we're going to keep student attendance at its potential peak EVEN IN potentially good seasons, with students now partying almost exclusively on College Ave now, is a tad short-sighted IMHO.

There just HAS to be a better way and I've already told Julie I'm willing to sit down and work on things with whomever, whenever, regardless of what others have attempted to come up with prior to now.

 

[bitnez]

You really are something else NUTS..."Most people I know wanted Flood gone since early 2013...as a matter of fact , OFF of these boards, I'd say maybe 10% of the fans actually like Flood." ...this board is made up off armchair , Monday morning QB's who love self flagellation...the fact is simple ...the same complainers now were the same complainers back in early Greg Schiano...those folks wanted a B1Gtime coach...since we had no $$$$ then and still don't they wish to assume Flood will be gone after the season even if we win only 3 games... in the famous words of Mr. Corso" , just wait a minute there"...there is a very good chance Flood will be here in 2016 unless there are more issues going forward...

whether flood remains the coach moving forward i am surprised that there are fans out there that have not heard complaints about flood and calls for a new coach. i get it every monday when i come to work from casual watchers of the team/program. i have not heard anyone come out in support of him. and, in order to provide context, these are the same people that spoke highly of flood before the season started.

 

[ruhudsonfan]

I'm pretty sure writing a check for $1.4 million is more on his mind than access to a crappy program.

Then he's a total moron.

Because there was little chance Flood saw the end of his contract, regardless of email gate, arrests or LC's issues.

If he made a decision purely based on the safety of his investment, it's a good thing he didn't get that job in the program. Because he's too stupid to be in charge of anything.

Rich people don't plunk down money on college sports as a means of protecting their capital. They do it for ego.

 

[RUInsanity]

Now, if the goal is still to win 6-7 on the cheap, Schiano is the guy for the job.

Schiano would likely cost in the range of $3 mil per year for his salary alone. Not sure how you classify that as "cheap" for 6-7 wins.

 

[AreYouNUTS]

You really are something else NUTS..."Most people I know wanted Flood gone since early 2013...as a matter of fact , OFF of these boards, I'd say maybe 10% of the fans actually like Flood." ...this board is made up off armchair , Monday morning QB's who love self flagellation...the fact is simple ...the same complainers now were the same complainers back in early Greg Schiano...those folks wanted a B1Gtime coach...since we had no $$$$ then and still don't they wish to assume Flood will be gone after the season even if we win only 3 games... in the famous words of Mr. Corso" , just wait a minute there"...there is a very good chance Flood will be here in 2016 unless there are more issues going forward...

You do realize I'm talking about people NOT on the boards, right?

You do realize that Greg - regardless of record early on - was setting up the program, off the field, in the right direction?

You do realize that I AM "something else"? I'm not you!! Okay, just kidding, but put me on "ignore" if you don't want to deal in REALITY, sound good

Funny thing is, Bob, it's actually YOU who are "something else," as once again, when there are plenty of others here to ATTACK, you choose me, unreal.

 

[RUJohnny99]

Here's a challenge for everyone: using your investigative skills, find some documentation that Towers has given to Rutgers beyond the pledge to fund Flood's extension. Absent any other info, calling him a Rutgers booster is a stretch.

This is another example of the university kissing a rich guy's ass who has no affiliation with the school, in the hopes of getting this giant windfall out of him. Last time we got a bell & a school name that is synonymous with "complete joke" nationwide. Can't imagine this time will end any better.

 

[WhiteBus]

Schiano would likely cost in the range of $3 mil per year for his salary alone. Not sure how you classify that as "cheap" for 6-7 wins.

I keep seeing people post this number, simply because they hate Schaino and don't want him here. I'm sure he would take half that to come back. He made $3 million in the pros. Why does anyone think he would make the same in college??? Stop posting nonsense

 

[ruhudsonfan]

Here's a challenge for everyone: using your investigative skills, find some documentation that Towers has given to Rutgers beyond the pledge to fund Flood's extension. Absent any other info, calling him a Rutgers booster is a stretch.

This is another example of the university kissing a rich guy's ass who has no affiliation with the school, in the hopes of getting this giant windfall out of him. Last time we got a bell & a school name that is synonymous with "complete joke" nationwide. Can't imagine this time will end any better.

I don't know the answer but this does mirror one of my first posts in this thread.

Aside from trying to buy a job he is wholly unqualified for and pledging money he is now publicly lobbying to not have to pay, what has Towers actually donated (beyond his ticket/parking access)?

I think if he is going to be making statements in the media, the question is fair game.

 

[RobotHunter]

Fire Kyle Flood and your team will be set back permanently...Kyle Flood...not Saban or Urban Meyer...Kyle Flood...is this some type of joke?

 

[RC1991]

Why choose a photo of halftime during a game where it was pouring rain, and not post a picture of the student section during the Penn State and Michigan games? I guess you felt the need to take the same slanted approach as the Star Ledger.

Not that he needs my help but the point he was making was that if we continue in the direction we are going the crowd/student section in the picture will be the rule and not the exception moving forward.

 

[OldManRiver]

There's got to be a meeting of the minds, and a proper alternative come up with, in order make the situation work for all parties involved, in an effort to ease the burden of 1000's and 1000's of students attempting to board buses 20-minutes prior to kickoff. There is a lot at play here, no doubt, but to think we're going to keep student attendance at its potential peak EVEN IN potentially good seasons, with students now partying almost exclusively on College Ave now, is a tad short-sighted IMHO.

There just HAS to be a better way and I've already told Julie I'm willing to sit down and work on things with whomever, whenever, regardless of what others have attempted to come up with prior to now.

Agree with you 100%....gotta come up with plan to get students to game...or do they feel better off staying away from stadium lots to avoid underage drinking tickets.

 

[BoogieKnight]

If the goal was to win 6-7 games on the cheap, Flood was the guy for the job.

I was "OK" with this type of thinking as long as he ran a clean program we could be proud of.

I no longer have faith in Flood.

Now, if the goal is still to win 6-7 on the cheap, Schiano is the guy for the job.

Finally, if the goal is to build a Wisonsin-level program, then we will need Wisconsin-level commitment (ie:$$$) for Wisconsin-level coaching salaries and facility upgrades.

I agree with all except this: Greg won't be on the cheap. We will be ponying up $3M per year just to be respectable off the field (academics, discipline, recruiting) and probably go 6-6, 7-5 on the field but at this point I will take it. With Greg, there will be BUZZ around the program again and there will be an identity. Recruits will take notice because he has cache (whether he's worthy of it or not, it doesn't matter...see James Franklin). Now you can take that $3M and invest it on an upstart like Tom Herman and his staff but it's more of a roll of the dice than Greg is simply because Greg coached here 11 seasons, is the architect of the program so he knows what strings need to be pulled at all times regarding control of communication/perception of the program and he's still highly revered by many in the area. With Greg having the backdrop of the B1G behind him we will never lose recruiting battles with Syracuse or BC and we will actually win our fair share vs. PSU. Even better, Franklin is as bad if not worse on game day as Greg so we may actually have chances to beat PSU on the field in some years which will go a long ways toward winning those recruiting battles. I doubt we ever would seriously challenge OSU or a Harbaugh-led Michigan for the division but we may get a 2006 type season once every 3-4 years as opposed to once every 6-10. Also, the landscape of the division will change. MSU will always be tough/competitive, but I think this year may be the peak of their recent resurgence. Dantonio's questionable health leads me to believe he's got 4-5 more years tops and with Michigan expecting to rise again, MSU will level off somewhat. Best case scenario for us under Schiano: duking it out with PSU for third in the B1G eastern division behind UM and OSU which given where we came from in our history is actually something I'd sign up for the next 5-7 years.

 

[ruhudsonfan]

There's got to be a meeting of the minds, and a proper alternative come up with, in order make the situation work for all parties involved, in an effort to ease the burden of 1000's and 1000's of students attempting to board buses 20-minutes prior to kickoff. There is a lot at play here, no doubt, but to think we're going to keep student attendance at its potential peak EVEN IN potentially good seasons, with students now partying almost exclusively on College Ave now, is a tad short-sighted IMHO.

There just HAS to be a better way and I've already told Julie I'm willing to sit down and work on things with whomever, whenever, regardless of what others have attempted to come up with prior to now.

Introducing AreYouNuts...

The Middle Aged Assistant to the Assistant Athletic Director in Charge of Gameday Student Experience.

lol

 

[lighty]

"the same complainers now were the same complainers back in early Greg Schiano...those folks wanted a B1Gtime coach"
Doubt it. I'm sure many people (like me) that want to see another coach were excited about the Schiano hire -- a young guy from Jersey coming off a good coordinator resume at Miami. Flood did not have a strong resume, Schiano did with his defensive work at Miami. The idea that people are just always going to complain about the coach or want someone better is wrong. Flood basically got the job by default. That bothers a lot of people.

"Schiano would likely cost in the range of $3 mil per year for his salary alone. Not sure how you classify that as "cheap" for 6-7 wins."
Do people ever stop and think that there are far more things of value than just getting an extra 2-3 wins a year. Schiano installed an identity for the program. He got people excited about the program and the university. Think back to the 90s, how many cars had R stickers on them? How many students chose to wear Rutgers gear as opposed to gear from places like Penn State or Syracuse? I'd say he helped double attendance as well. Between the merchandise, extra revenue from the games, and bowl games -- his value marketing wise was well worth his salary and facility improvements imo.

Best argument for keeping Flood
The BEST ARGUMENT I've heard for giving Flood another year is the idea that he's earned a down year after the success of last year. Regardless of the blowout losses, last year was a successful start to Big Ten football for RU. Few people nationally predicted 8 wins and a bowl game for Rutgers. I can buy the idea that he deserves another year because of that.

Worst argument for keeping Flood
Don't say he deserves to come back because the team is young, inexperienced, or he's using a new QB. This is college football, that stuff happens to everyone, every year. If other programs used that logic, coaches would never get replaced.

 

[cohwx]

Stopped reading the article at:

“A change in the head coaching position at Rutgers now will set the program back for years, if not permanently.”

That alone totally discredits anything else he may have said...such an example of cowardly thinking. Very similar to the idea of using the QB who is a better game manager as opposed to the one who might (yes, might) be a game winner.

Top to bottom, this program is filled with cowardly thinking.

 

[RUScrew85]

The culture surrounding the program is just not developed to the point that the student section will be filled, regardless of on field performance and/or opponent.

Hopefully, many of us live long enough to see the day that changes.

Sadly we will not - and not because we'll die early either.

 

[rucoe89]

Simple answer to this thread. If you want Flood out open the checkbook (or find a friend that can) and write a much bigger check than Mr. Towers.

 

[AreYouNUTS]

Introducing AreYouNuts...

The Middle Aged Assistant to the Assistant Athletic Director in Charge of Gameday Student Experience.

lol

Damn man what does my AGE have to do with any of this? Plus isn't "middle-aged" like 55-70 these days (which I'm not close to just yet...)?? Let's roll with that lol!

 

[BoogieKnight]

"the same complainers now were the same complainers back in early Greg Schiano...those folks wanted a B1Gtime coach"
Doubt it. I'm sure many people (like me) that want to see another coach were excited about the Schiano hire -- a young guy from Jersey coming off a good coordinator resume at Miami. Flood did not have a strong resume, Schiano did with his defensive work at Miami. The idea that people are just always going to complain about the coach or want someone better is wrong. Flood basically got the job by default. That bothers a lot of people.

"Schiano would likely cost in the range of $3 mil per year for his salary alone. Not sure how you classify that as "cheap" for 6-7 wins."
Do people ever stop and think that there are far more things of value than just getting an extra 2-3 wins a year. Schiano installed an identity for the program. He got people excited about the program and the university. Think back to the 90s, how many cars had R stickers on them? How many students chose to wear Rutgers gear as opposed to gear from places like Penn State or Syracuse? I'd say he helped double attendance as well. Between the merchandise, extra revenue from the games, and bowl games -- his value marketing wise was well worth his salary and facility improvements imo.

Best argument for keeping Flood
The BEST ARGUMENT I've heard for giving Flood another year is the idea that he's earned a down year after the success of last year. Regardless of the blowout losses, last year was a successful start to Big Ten football for RU. Few people nationally predicted 8 wins and a bowl game for Rutgers. I can buy the idea that he deserves another year because of that.

Worst argument for keeping Flood
Don't say he deserves to come back because the team is young, inexperienced, or he's using a new QB. This is college football, that stuff happens to everyone, every year. If other programs used that logic, coaches would never get replaced.

I can see what Towers is saying in this sense...Graber got us off to a similar start in the Big East as Flood did last year in the Big Ten and Grabes probably got sent packing prematurely and his replacement took things from mediocre to God-awful. So there is some trepidation if we relieve Flood of his duties at this time as to what direction we head in. That said, the fact that Greg is still out there and two of the names I've heard Julie fancies over the past couple of years are Dan Mullen and Tom Herman so I think she has an eye for talent if she wants to put her stamp on this program. Not saying we are going to get either but she already supposedly made a play for Mullen which tells me that not only does she have a vision but she has the balls to go for what she wants if the money is there.

 

[ruhudsonfan]

What does my AGE have to do with any of this? Plus isn't "middle-aged" like 55-70 these days? Let's roll with that lol!

I'm just breaking balls

But, if you were seeking my honest counsel--which I'll presume you aren't, but that never stops me--I'd suggest that an EARLY 40 something year old man, randomly e-mailing the AD about where to land the hoards of underage student drinkers, is PROBABLY not going to result in a response from Julie.

 

[RUInsanity]

I keep seeing people post this number, simply because they hate Schaino and don't want him here. I'm sure he would take half that to come back. He made $3 million in the pros. Why does anyone think he would make the same in college??? Stop posting nonsense

Nonsense? Your claim is that Schiano would come here for $1.5 million per year? Simply put, you are fvking retarded.

Greg was making $2.3 million per year when he left Rutgers.

Greg was hired by the Bucs in January 2012 to a 5 year $15 million dollar guaranteed contract.

He was fired by TB in December 2013 with with 3 years ($9 million) still owed on his TB Contract. This means he will be paid $3 million per year until 2016.

He has not "found" another NFL or NCAA coaching position. Which likely indicates that the terms of his TB contract has some type of clause which would nullify the payout terms if he took another position.

......and your premise is that Greg will give up his $3 million from the Bucs in 2016 for the privilege of returning to RU for a $1.5 million salary. LOLL

 

[KJ_RU]

Fire Kyle Flood and your team will be set back permanently...Kyle Flood...not Saban or Urban Meyer...Kyle Flood...is this some type of joke?

I've been asking myself that every since I read that article, Towers loses all credibility with that statement alone. The amazing thing is folks are actually repeating that nonsense as if it were a fact.

 

[AreYouNUTS]

I've been asking myself that every since I read that article, Towers loses all credibility with that statement alone. The amazing thing is folks are actually repeating that nonsense as if it were a fact.

I can't stop laughing at that comment!

 

[BoogieKnight]

Nonsense? Your claim is that Schiano would come here for $1.5 million per year? Simply put, you are fvking retarded.

Greg was making $2.3 million per year when he left Rutgers.

Greg was hired by the Bucs in January 2012 to a 5 year $15 million dollar guaranteed contract.

He was fired by TB in December 2013 with with 3 years ($9 million) still owed on his TB Contract. This means he will be paid $3 million per year until 2016.

He has not "found" another NFL or NCAA coaching position. Which likely indicates that the terms of his TB contract has some type of clause which would nullify the payout terms if he took another position.

......and your premise is that Greg will give up his $3 million from the Bucs in 2016 for the privilege of returning to RU for a $1.5 million salary. LOLL

He will cost us $3M. Maybe he gives us a little discount ($2.8M) to help pay for his staff but $1.5M?!?! Bus, what are you smoking???

 

[miketd1]

Insanity: Obviously Schiano would only be in play if he offered some sort of "hometown discount" like our basketball coach.

If Rutgers officially decided not to retain Flood and began a campaign to bring back Schiano, I'm fairly confident that enough $$$ would surface to make the Schiano-to-Rutgers argument much more viable than you suggest.

 

[ruhudsonfan]

Nonsense? Your claim is that Schiano would come here for $1.5 million per year? Simply put, you are fvking retarded.

Greg was making $2.3 million per year when he left Rutgers.

Greg was hired by the Bucs in January 2012 to a 5 year $15 million dollar guaranteed contract.

He was fired by TB in December 2013 with with 3 years ($9 million) still owed on his TB Contract. This means he will be paid $3 million per year until 2016.

He has not "found" another NFL or NCAA coaching position. Which likely indicates that the terms of his TB contract has some type of clause which would nullify the payout terms if he took another position.

......and your premise is that Greg will give up his $3 million from the Bucs in 2016 for the privilege of returning to RU for a $1.5 million salary. LOLL

Whitebus gets confused sometimes. For Towers, speaking out is all "about the money" because, well, it's always all about the money.

For Greg to come back at close to a $1MM pay cut, it's not about the money...it's about unfinished business or NJ pizza, which we all know is superior due to the water.

 

[RUJohnny99]

Plus isn't "middle-aged" like 55-70 these days (which I'm not close to just yet...)??

Sure. There's plenty of people in their 110s, 120s & 130s to make 55-70 middle-aged.

 

[ruhudsonfan]

Insanity: Obviously Schiano would only be in play if he offered some sort of "hometown discount" like our basketball coach.

Nobody knocking Eddie Jordan's door down. He can't coach his way out of the local CYO round robin tourney.

A good friend is a Sixer season ticket holder. Upon the hire, his first words were, "nice story, but wait till you see him coach every night."

 

[rutgersdave]

Everyone should stop getting excited, let's evaluate the situation at the end of the season. As many of us have mentioned, nothing going to happen during the season. If we get real lucky , we end up with 5-6 wins. I think they will have to see how season tickets for next year sell. A lost of 5,000 or 10,000 tickets will definitely be more expensive than any buyout for Flood. This is no difference than when other fans noticed they had the wrong coach, it take a while to convince everyone we have the wrong coach. Maybe I'm wrong and we have the right coach.

 

[PSU_Nut]

Well the good news is PSU and Michigan fans should be able to get some good discounts for next's years game.

Not to mention it only helps our recruiting. The long Flood stays the easier it will to be able to recruit New Jersey.

 

[RUMBA-JK]

Stopped reading the article at:

“A change in the head coaching position at Rutgers now will set the program back for years, if not permanently.”

That alone totally discredits anything else he may have said...such an example of cowardly thinking. Very similar to the idea of using the QB who is a better game manager as opposed to the one who might (yes, might) be a game winner.

Top to bottom, this program is filled with cowardly thinking.

I won't say "cowardly"
but - unimaginative? yes ... simplistic & methodical? ...yes limited?... yes

there is a portion of the football coaching world that is totally wedded to a very basic fundamentally methodical, system approach (run, run, pass - - or run, run, run ) like a plodding boxer - work the body, work the body - - these are the guys who in their heart of hearts would be happy never throwing a forward pass, would be happy with a QB who is an "administrator". They like long passes like they like jalapeño peppers in their sandwiches - "as few as possible - please... they make me sweat!"

 

[RUInsanity]

Whitebus gets confused sometimes. For Towers, speaking out is all "about the money" because, well, it's always all about the money.

For Greg to come back at close to a $1MM pay cut, it's not about the money...it's about unfinished business or NJ pizza, which we all know is superior due to the water.

If RU retains Flood through 2016 - it would be a much more likely scenario that Greg would return in the $2.5 million range. For RU to bring him back now - they would likely have to add more years on the back end and intangeables (GS Statue, Helicopter use, McMansion, lifetime pass to Fillipo's pizza etc) to make it work.

 

[AreYouNUTS]

I'm just breaking balls

But, if you were seeking my honest counsel--which I'll presume you aren't, but that never stops me--I'd suggest that an EARLY 40 something year old man, randomly e-mailing the AD about where to land the hoards of underage student drinkers, is PROBABLY not going to result in a response from Julie.

All good on the comment, no worries, I still look young LOL!

We'll see if I get a response, or not, but a solution is a solution, no? I'll keep all interested parties updated.

 

[miketd1]

hudson: It was more of a figurative analogy. Eddie could have just kept his cushy approx. 6 figure assistant coaching gig. Instead he chose to try to resurrect what many have deemed dead and damned.

 

[ruhudsonfan]

All good on the comment, no worries, I still look young LOL!

We'll see if I get a response, or not, but a solution is a solution, no? I'll keep all interested parties updated.

Of Course...

When you get her on the horn, tell her you gotta a guy who is willing to call the defense against OSU ;)

 

[ruhudsonfan]

hudson: It was more of a figurative analogy. Eddie could have just kept his cushy approx. 6 figure assistant coaching gig. Instead he chose to try to resurrect what many have deemed dead and damned.

that's fair

I think there is merit to the idea that Greg is still on the sidelines due to some contract issue.

It will be telling to see if Greg has legit interest once he is free and clear. Or maybe he'll be here before then. Who knows.

 

[T2Kplus10]

I'd suggest your circle of friends in Yellow should stick to grilling steaks and pairing their wine and cheese.

If they don't follow the program outside of Saturday afternoon, perhaps they aren't qualified to speak definitively on it?

Next time you pass the Grey Poupon over there, ask them if they think the recruiting of the past 3 seasons has been at a level that will make this year a "cyclical" blip. If they answer anything other than NO, we have our answer...

+1

Let's see what Tower and these other "Everything is Wonderful" fans say after a nice 3-9 season.

 

[derleider]

He will cost us $3M. Maybe he gives us a little discount ($2.8M) to help pay for his staff but $1.5M?!?! Bus, what are you smoking???

Agreed - the idea that he's going to take LESS than what he was making when he left is absurd. Even if we weren't in desperate straits I don't think he would. With us basically being the guy beging his old GF to come back, he's going to soak us for every dime he can get from us. At least $2.5 million. He's not going to be "cheap". Schiano, if he returns would be the highest paid coach RU has ever had, including himself before.