IMO, Rutgers has such enormous potential as a college football program. Being in the media capital of the world and a heavily populated state that doesn't have another major college football program, it's a unique situation that few (if any) schools have. So, why do people in the Garden State grow up rooting for schools like Notre Dame, Penn State, and Miami?
One reason is that those schools wouldn't have someone hired as head coach with the idea that he could learn and grow into the position of head coach. And they wouldn't keep a guy on the job simply because he was a nice guy.
This may not sound like much, but do you realize how many kids growing up rooting for a school may ultimately attend that school? If non-alums followed the program as fans, their kids would likely grow up as fans. When it came time to choose a college, RU would be on their radar. Ever wonder why so many people from Jersey go to Penn State? Partly it's because they see the college experience on TV with games shown from Beaver Stadium. It looks like a fun place to go.
Between merchandise sales, ticket sales, and future RU students, there is quite a lot to gain from being popular with those who aren't alums.
I wonder how many people became fans of the NY Jets when Rich Kotite was coach. That's what RU has now. A coach that is bringing the program down. Does it really make a difference if he winds up beating 3 teams that have less than 3 wins on the year (Kansas, Army, Maryland) ? If beating Indiana is your best win of the year? Is that all you aspire to be?
Some people here say RU can't be expected to beat teams like Ohio State or Michigan State or even Michigan, Wisconsin, or Nebraska -- in other words, there are people who basically think RU should not be expected to beat any decent or good Big Ten team. I think those people are living in the past. Games against Ohio State are not the highlight of our season schedule anymore -- they are annual games. These teams are conference and division foes. RU NEEDS to expect to be competitive in those games.
Other than being a nice guy, what does Flood have going for him? "Oh, but the players like playing for him." -- I NEVER heard any of my teammates ever say one bad thing about the coach (while he was coaching) even when we hated playing for him. It's rarely done.
I still believe the people in charge will do the right thing. Look at Flood's body of work, look at the recruiting and team depth, and look at the arrests. The right thing is a change at coach.
One reason is that those schools wouldn't have someone hired as head coach with the idea that he could learn and grow into the position of head coach. And they wouldn't keep a guy on the job simply because he was a nice guy.
This may not sound like much, but do you realize how many kids growing up rooting for a school may ultimately attend that school? If non-alums followed the program as fans, their kids would likely grow up as fans. When it came time to choose a college, RU would be on their radar. Ever wonder why so many people from Jersey go to Penn State? Partly it's because they see the college experience on TV with games shown from Beaver Stadium. It looks like a fun place to go.
Between merchandise sales, ticket sales, and future RU students, there is quite a lot to gain from being popular with those who aren't alums.
I wonder how many people became fans of the NY Jets when Rich Kotite was coach. That's what RU has now. A coach that is bringing the program down. Does it really make a difference if he winds up beating 3 teams that have less than 3 wins on the year (Kansas, Army, Maryland) ? If beating Indiana is your best win of the year? Is that all you aspire to be?
Some people here say RU can't be expected to beat teams like Ohio State or Michigan State or even Michigan, Wisconsin, or Nebraska -- in other words, there are people who basically think RU should not be expected to beat any decent or good Big Ten team. I think those people are living in the past. Games against Ohio State are not the highlight of our season schedule anymore -- they are annual games. These teams are conference and division foes. RU NEEDS to expect to be competitive in those games.
Other than being a nice guy, what does Flood have going for him? "Oh, but the players like playing for him." -- I NEVER heard any of my teammates ever say one bad thing about the coach (while he was coaching) even when we hated playing for him. It's rarely done.
I still believe the people in charge will do the right thing. Look at Flood's body of work, look at the recruiting and team depth, and look at the arrests. The right thing is a change at coach.
