Build the program; Don't attack recruits

[rutgersal]

It drives me up the wall when posters attack elite Jersey recruits, when said recruits leave the state to play college football elsewhere. There is no obligation for instate recruits to remain in New Jersey. The onus is on Rutgers alumni and fans to build Rutgers Football into a program that the best of Jersey will want to choose.

When Jersey Recruits go out of state, they have made a simple calculation: the football product is better elsewhere. I can't blame a recruit for choosing Future Hall of Fame Coach Urban Meyer, Ohio States tradition, and world class facilities. I understand why a recruit might choose Jim Harbaugh, Michigans proud tradition, top notch facilities, and 100K stadium. I understand why a recruit might choose Penn State and now Maryland, thx in large part to their forthcoming 150M football facility.

Now, that said, I don't necessarily agree with their decisions, because I think the Rutgers Football Program is the Best on the planet. But it doesn't matter what I think.

Our value proposition has fallen on deaf ears in the NJ Top 10.
Lets look at where last years Top 10 went:

#1 Minkah Fitzpatrick - Alabama
#2 Brandon Wimbush - Notre Dame
#3 Juwan Johnson - Penn St.
#4 Tommy Hatton - N. Carolina
#5 Kevin Feder OL - Ohio St.
#6 Grant Newsome - Michigan
#7 Irvin Charles - Penn St.
#8 Manny Bowen - Penn St.
#9 Daiquan Kelly - Penn St.
#10 Kareem Ali Jr. - Temple

Not surprisingly, PSU, dominated, with OSU, Bama, Michigan, and ND each taking a single elite jersey recruit.
North Carolina, is ranked #30 in US News survey, whereas Rutgers is ranked #70, so I can see the academic argument there. The only head scratcher on this list is Temple, but i understand there may be a family connection there. What do most of these schools have in common? Better, more powerful football brand, tradition of success, and better facilities.

Rather than blaming the recruits we have to look at our own football product and ask ourselves "What can we do to improve our own football product". The answer begins and ends with money. The bottom line is that Rutgers fans haven't invested enough in a Rutgers Football to make it a viable competitor to Ohio State, Penn State, and Michigan, let alone the Alabama's and Notre Dames. These fanbases have invested in their programs for GENERATIONS, so we have a lot of catching up to do. We, as alumni, can't impact the football brand or tradition of success. But we can ensure that Rutgers is able to improve its facilities.

Even Syracuse and Connecticut have raised millions of dollars to build football facilities, so we can too. Rutgers President Barchi will be presenting his facilities plan to the Board of Governors, June 18th and i'm sure a key component of the plan is going to be to raise money from donors.

With all the large RVs, luxury cars and SUVs dotting Rutgers parking lots, and large presence of grads in nearby pharmaceutical and financial markets, I find it hard to believe that Rutgers Grads can't do more. We've got our share of grads doing much better than six figures. I would bet that we have one of the wealthiest alumni bases on the planet due to proximity to NYC and its high paying jobs and sheer number of alumni. I hope we respond to Rutgers appeal, which seems like it soon will be forthcoming, and build the program.

 

[e5fdny]

With all the large RVs, luxury cars and SUVs dotting Rutgers parking lots, and large presence of grads in nearby pharmaceutical and financial markets, I find it hard to believe that Rutgers Grads can't do more. We've got our share of grads doing much better than six figures. I would bet that we have one of the wealthiest alumni bases on the planet due to proximity to NYC and its high paying jobs and sheer number of alumni. I hope we respond to Rutgers appeal, which seems like it soon will be forthcoming, and build the program.

Guess you missed the memo from one poster who will say you're wrong on this point. LOL

 

[MidwestKnights]

Beating a dead horse here, but we build the program with NJ players who know what Rutgers can do for them, NY players, and cherry pick whenever we can from FL, Pennsylvania and now the rest of the BIG1 states. If we win 7-9 games every year with a 10 win season every 4-5 years more of NJ's top plAyers will be interested. And if they are not, there are plenty of players who will be interested in playing near NYC at a top notch school.

 

[RedSpartan]

This is a very rational and thoughtful post. What have you done with the real RutgersAl?

 

[RU205]

Great post.

I've said it a few time on this board. RU alumni are cheap. When they start giving, the team will recruit better and the team will start winning.

 

[zappaa]

So you're saying we're never going to win? Do you see the level of donations increasing any time soon?

 

[RU85inFla]

Al I agree 100% with your post. I know you follow a ton of other programs and appreciate the call out. Rutgers Alum need to shoulder much of the blame. Stop blaming the state. Stop blaming the Administration. Stop blaming Grunninger. Stop blamming the RU Screw. Man up and put your money where your mouth is.

 

[zappaa]

Al I agree 100% with your post. I know you follow a ton of other programs and appreciate the call out. Rutgers Alum need to shoulder much of the blame. Stop blaming the state. Stop blaming the Administration. Stop blaming Grunninger. Stop blamming the RU Screw. Man up and put your money where your mouth is.

How does that happen…magic? Seriously, why would the "put your money where your mouth is" take place?

 

[MADHAT1]

Good post Al

If, that's a B1G if [winking], RU starts beating some of the Conference Big Boys ( one-two games a year ) RU FB will get more on its bandwagon and some might be heavy hitting donors that want to be part of Rutgers FB rising to the top and those boasters will be part of the reason recruits will look at the Scarlet Knights as their first option. .Then RU FB will be on the road to success and considered a top B1G East program.
Maybe even one of the better national programs and a top 25 pre-season lock every year

Right now that's just a dream, but some RU FB fans who dream BIG, remember the dream many naysayers said wouldn't happen, but that BIG B1G did come to pass.

This opinion is coming from someone who doesn't see the glass half full or empty, but one that puts his hands in the glass and claims it's 3/4 full and rising :cool2:

 

[Scarlet_Scourge]

I agree with everything he said.

 

[JQRU91]

It drives me up the wall when posters attack elite Jersey recruits, when said recruits leave the state to play college football elsewhere. There is no obligation for instate recruits to remain in New Jersey. The onus is on Rutgers alumni and fans to build Rutgers Football into a program that the best of Jersey will want to choose.

When Jersey Recruits go out of state, they have made a simple calculation: the football product is better elsewhere. I can't blame a recruit for choosing Future Hall of Fame Coach Urban Meyer, Ohio States tradition, and world class facilities. I understand why a recruit might choose Jim Harbaugh, Michigans proud tradition, top notch facilities, and 100K stadium. I understand why a recruit might choose Penn State and now Maryland, thx in large part to their forthcoming 150M football facility.

Now, that said, I don't necessarily agree with their decisions, because I think the Rutgers Football Program is the Best on the planet. But it doesn't matter what I think.

Our value proposition has fallen on deaf ears in the NJ Top 10.
Lets look at where last years Top 10 went:

#1 Minkah Fitzpatrick - Alabama
#2 Brandon Wimbush - Notre Dame
#3 Juwan Johnson - Penn St.
#4 Tommy Hatton - N. Carolina
#5 Kevin Feder OL - Ohio St.
#6 Grant Newsome - Michigan
#7 Irvin Charles - Penn St.
#8 Manny Bowen - Penn St.
#9 Daiquan Kelly - Penn St.
#10 Kareem Ali Jr. - Temple

Not surprisingly, PSU, dominated, with OSU, Bama, Michigan, and ND each taking a single elite jersey recruit.
North Carolina, is ranked #30 in US News survey, whereas Rutgers is ranked #70, so I can see the academic argument there. The only head scratcher on this list is Temple, but i understand there may be a family connection there. What do most of these schools have in common? Better, more powerful football brand, tradition of success, and better facilities.

Rather than blaming the recruits we have to look at our own football product and ask ourselves "What can we do to improve our own football product". The answer begins and ends with money. The bottom line is that Rutgers fans haven't invested enough in a Rutgers Football to make it a viable competitor to Ohio State, Penn State, and Michigan, let alone the Alabama's and Notre Dames. These fanbases have invested in their programs for GENERATIONS, so we have a lot of catching up to do. We, as alumni, can't impact the football brand or tradition of success. But we can ensure that Rutgers is able to improve its facilities.

Even Syracuse and Connecticut have raised millions of dollars to build football facilities, so we can too. Rutgers President Barchi will be presenting his facilities plan to the Board of Governors, June 18th and i'm sure a key component of the plan is going to be to raise money from donors.

With all the large RVs, luxury cars and SUVs dotting Rutgers parking lots, and large presence of grads in nearby pharmaceutical and financial markets, I find it hard to believe that Rutgers Grads can't do more. We've got our share of grads doing much better than six figures. I would bet that we have one of the wealthiest alumni bases on the planet due to proximity to NYC and its high paying jobs and sheer number of alumni. I hope we respond to Rutgers appeal, which seems like it soon will be forthcoming, and build the program.

That being said, let's hope Tommy Hatton enjoyed this past year's bowl beatdown. :)

 

[superfan01]

At some point it's on the head coach to pull in the recruits. Schiano did.

 

[Extra Point]

One area that is tricky is not pissing off the young PA players by bashing their state school. Even if they aren't planning to play for PSU they probably have an alliance with their state school, maybe all their friends and relatives are PSU fans. I want the talented PA players to come to New Jersey to play for Rutgers if they have the opportunity.

 

[RUTGERZ_R00LZ]

At some point it's on the head coach to pull in the recruits. Schiano did.

I sincerely hope no recruits open this post. Al has just removed whatever draw RU may have on a potential recruit. Hey buddy, Al understands why you wouldn't want to waste your time going to Rutgers when everyone else has so much more to offer. So thanks for giving us a look-see, but so long and good luck.

 

[RUinPinehurst]

Al = Cocoa Puffs

 

[RU85inFla]

How does that happen…magic? Seriously, why would the "put your money where your mouth is" take place?

How does this happen at schools all across the country? I lived in New Jersey for just a small portion of my life but I often read your posts of Jersey Pride. I know many people in many other states do have real pride in their state and state institutions. This is reflected in donations and contributions to their state university. People can talk all they want about other things to do in New Jersey but people in many many states in this country have great pride in their state universities and contribute significantly to athletics and academics. For a state that has such pride and such income levels, the answer to your question should be quite simple.

 

[zappaa]

How does this happen at schools all across the country? I lived in New Jersey for just a small portion of my life but I often read your posts of Jersey Pride. I know many people in many other states do have real pride in their state and state institutions. This is reflected in donations and contributions to their state university. People can talk all they want about other things to do in New Jersey but people in many many states in this country have great pride in their state universities and contribute significantly to athletics and academics. For a state that has such pride and such income levels, the answer to your question should be quite simple.

Simple..ok, since I do my part in regard to the premise of the OP, I'm now ready to watch everyone else in the state do the same. I'm waiting patiently.

 

[miketd1]

i said it in another thread: Rutgers really needs to streamline its online/mobile donation websites. Heck, even a simple "Give $4 for the next four" button -- no options, just enter payment method -- could be cross-promoted among different media channels. You could put that in the top corner of almost any relevant page.

 

[WhiteBus]

I love all these threads that think this board has so much of an impact on recruiting. Some of you really need to get over your value to "the program". The Rutgers staff doesn't need your help in recruiting. Seriously.

 

[ruready07]

Al, Im on board with what you're saying...but what about the guys we have who did choose Rutgers over all of those big programs? We've beaten osu, mich, psu, usc, and others for recruits before. It just seems like the recruits are getting more and more shallow every year (and parents having less and less of an influence). They are so easily swayed by the fluff of recruiting these days that it has created a really weird vibe around the whole thing.

It seems as if a lot of us, and definitely me, are tired of having to work so hard to win recruiting battles. You'd imagine there is a player pool of guys every year who'd want to stay close to home and play at the highest level. It really is surprising that that player pool is really small or hardly exists these days. Where are the guys like Kevin Malast and Mike Dare? - true NJ guys who don't flinch. Im not saying that the top 10 should all be dying to play here, but how is there not at least 2-3 automatic commitments from top NJ guys every year?

By the way, our program is great and our recruiting methods highlight how great our program is. But we are too busy impressing parents with our program and not the actual player. Parents love the APRs, grad rates, community involvement, support staff, and honest coach... but how often do teenagers want to do what their parent wants them to do?

 

[MADHAT1]

I love all these threads that think this board has so much of an impact on recruiting. Some of you really need to get over your value to "the program". The Rutgers staff doesn't need your help in recruiting. Seriously.

Darn :(

 

[WhiteBus]

Darn :(

Another that thinks he is soooooo important to the program. You're a fan. Nothing more.

 

[rutgersdave]

How does this happen at schools all across the country? I lived in New Jersey for just a small portion of my life but I often read your posts of Jersey Pride. I know many people in many other states do have real pride in their state and state institutions. This is reflected in donations and contributions to their state university. People can talk all they want about other things to do in New Jersey but people in many many states in this country have great pride in their state universities and contribute significantly to athletics and academics. For a state that has such pride and such income levels, the answer to your question should be quite simple.

Florida State endowment is only about 620 million and Miami Univ is about 520 million. Lot of Florida pride.

 

[onesimus]

I love all these threads that think this board has so much of an impact on recruiting. Some of you really need to get over your value to "the program". The Rutgers staff doesn't need your help in recruiting. Seriously.

I get where you're coming from but there's an influence that you can't deny. The CHOPNation moniker came from members of this board and the program and recruits have adopted that fully.

I'm not going to pretend that we are the deciding factor in a recruit's decision but there is a presence there. I made a few #CHOPNation pictures year(s) ago and to this day I see recruits tweeting them out.

 

[Roy_Faulker]

It's the "rep jersey" stuff people get most offended by...

 

[mychaljohn]

Zap, what's your point? Just to point out how much disdain you have for Al? We all know this. You post about it ad nauseum. But Al is the Energizer Bunny of positivity. You can't stop him with your grouchy non-ideas. It's just piss in our corn flakes.

So why post in this thread? Why do you keep trying?

 

[zappaa]

Zap, what's your point? Just to point out how much disdain you have for Al? We all know this. You post about it ad nauseum. But Al is the Energizer Bunny of positivity. You can't stop him with your grouchy non-ideas. It's just piss in our corn flakes.

So why post in this thread? Why do you keep trying?

Zap, what's your point? Just to point out how much disdain you have for Al? We all know this. You post about it ad nauseum. But Al is the Energizer Bunny of positivity. You can't stop him with your grouchy non-ideas. It's just piss in our corn flakes.

So why post in this thread? Why do you keep trying?

I never even addressed Al you dumb ass, I was taking to RU85…Al's post was anything but positive, it was true, but not positive. I simply asked what we could do to change it. SO STFU,

 

[RU85inFla]

Simple..ok, since I do my part in regard to the premise of the OP, I'm now ready to watch everyone else in the state do the same. I'm waiting patiently.

If people in New Jersey really had the pride for the state people talk about you wouldn't wait long at all.

 

[RU85inFla]

Florida State endowment is only about 620 million and Miami Univ is about 520 million. Lot of Florida pride.

With respect to the op this might be the worst post ever. Miami is a mid sized private school that has had athletic success far above expectations and FSU has a fairly successful athletic program and supporting facilities funded through generous alum and non-alum donations.

 

[RUchip]

This is why I've been saying for 3 years Flood is not a head coach and will never coach a P5 team ever again. Guarantee that. The money will be there next year. Don't tell me we can't afford a HC salary of $2 million plus and top assistants and even finish paying off Flood and Co.

Hire a proven coach with excellent assistants who can recruit and you can turn this state upside down in no time and land many of the elite recruits. It's not brain surgery. It's clearly obvious this staff can't recruit for multiple reasons, some not necessarily their fault. Until then nothing will change until the AD makes the change with the HC.

 

[RU205]

This is why I've been saying for 3 years Flood is not a head coach and will never coach a P5 team ever again. Guarantee that. The money will be there next year. Don't tell me we can't afford a HC salary of $2 million plus and top assistants and even finish paying off Flood and Co.

Hire a proven coach with excellent assistants who can recruit and you can turn this state upside down in no time and land many of the elite recruits. It's not brain surgery. It's clearly obvious this staff can't recruit for multiple reasons, some not necessarily their fault. Until then nothing will change until the AD makes the change with the HC.

What proven coach are you getting for $2M a year? Proven coaches are getting $3-4 M a year. For $2M you are getting a coordinator from a big school or an HC from a low school. Please provide a name of a proven coach that will come for $2M.....

 

[Scarlet_Scourge]

Here is the problem I have with that whole rep Jersey crap...

Rutgers has lots of players that are not from NJ, many of whom are the best players on the team. Are the people who get upset that some NJ player went elsewhere also upset that these players decided to come here instead of their home state school?

It is a double standard, IMHO.

 

[RUchip]

What proven coach are you getting for $2M a year? Proven coaches are getting $3-4 M a year. For $2M you are getting a coordinator from a big school or an HC from a low school. Please provide a name of a proven coach that will come for $2M.....

Fair point. I shouldn't have said proven. But atleast a HC who has OC/DC experience. Not a former offensive line coach

 

[Scarlet_Scourge]

What proven coach are you getting for $2M a year? Proven coaches are getting $3-4 M a year. For $2M you are getting a coordinator from a big school or an HC from a low school. Please provide a name of a proven coach that will come for $2M.....

I can't wait to see what HC with a proven record of beating and out recruiting the OSU, PSU, UND, Bama, etc.. only wants $2M a year.

 

[RU#1fan]

I sincerely hope no recruits open this post. Al has just removed whatever draw RU may have on a potential recruit. Hey buddy, Al understands why you wouldn't want to waste your time going to Rutgers when everyone else has so much more to offer. So thanks for giving us a look-see, but so long and good luck.

State Penn getting 4 of the Top 10 NJ recruits and RU getting Zero is an absolute travesty.
Coming off Probation / Sandusky scandal and RU coming into the B1G we should be killing them in getting our own NJ recruits.
This must change or improve somewhat in the very near future.

 

[RUskoolie]

Everyone needs to donate more money to Rutgers, but to associate the lack of donations with getting our teeth kicked in trying to recruit NJ is silly. The issue is the head coach, not because I don't donate an extra $100 or $1,000. We didn't have problems recruiting NJ like this since pre-bowl years, maybe even before Schiano came. We have a lot more money now than in 2000 or 2004 or even 2012.

 

[RU205]

Everyone needs to donate more money to Rutgers, but to associate the lack of donations with getting our teeth kicked in trying to recruit NJ is silly. The issue is the head coach, not because I don't donate an extra $100 or $1,000. We didn't have problems recruiting NJ like this since pre-bowl years, maybe even before Schiano came. We have a lot more money now than in 2000 or 2004 or even 2012.

More money donated,equals more money for facilities upgrades and more money for HC and assistant coaches. Money is a big factor.

 

[imbazza]

Great post.

I've said it a few time on this board. RU alumni are cheap. When they start giving, the team will recruit better and the team will start winning.

Al U R Right on BUT What comes first the chicken or the egg.
50 years ago I asked the same question and in retrospect. It really believe it is the Egg i.e. win something big and money will roll in as well as recruits. we were a 50% winning team in FB for 100+ years before joining the BE we are a 50% team from the BE days to today. Nothing has changed and donations still suck and we are just middle of the road with recruits. Look at other sports across the board and all ~50% winning record (or worse)
We need to win in FB BB Lacrosse wrestling any thing to bootstrap PRIDE AND MONEY AND RECRUITS
FYI as I hope for a turn around it will be a slow process last year was the Michigan win, this year we must have another upset game to build some pride/respect. It will grow slowly but we must keep with one or two upsets a year to move forward.
Money is great Al but the self esteem must be there.
It has never been here, First we lived in the shadows of Princeton and the Ivies. Now it is in the shadows of Michigan, Nebraska & OSU. It will take a full generation or two to be part of the family rather the ugly step child. And it will take wins to earn respect not money, that come after pride.
That is how ND did it and Nebraska did Miami and Florida and yes even PoSU all did it, BE A WINNER and the money rolls in

 

[RU205]

Here is the problem I have with that whole rep Jersey crap...

Rutgers has lots of players that are not from NJ, many of whom are the best players on the team. Are the people who get upset that some NJ player went elsewhere also upset that these players decided to come here instead of their home state school?

It is a double standard, IMHO.

I think it's frustration. To build a program you first need to get local player and build from there. It costs less to recruit locally. Once you get a steady stream of top local players plus players from the region, PA, NY, etc and FLA the program will take off. This has been discussed for over 20 years. Same statement over and over. Just keep top NJ players year after year and this school will be a power but that hasn't happened, ever. So my opinion is that it is frustration boiling over.

 

[mychaljohn]

I never even addressed Al you dumb ass, I was taking to RU85…Al's post was anything but positive, it was true, but not positive. I simply asked what we could do to change it. SO STFU,

Simmer down and take your meds. You're not _really_ asking what else can be done. You're just venting and attempting to emphasize how frustrating it is that none of us can actually improve the situation. And I'm pathologically pointing out that you do it pathologically.

Get a grip. It's a message board. Time for that hug you've always needed.