First, I read Gabe's lead story and agree that one of the worst things about this loss is how it deflates the entire fanbase. I'm getting old, and I keep hoping for a banner season before I die. Pinkel gave me a couple of wonderful years, and I'd sure like to see more. I've concluded that's unlikely to happen unless HCBO makes some changes. A couple of thoughts:
1. If you wonder why we can't put more butts in the seats, look no farther than the fact that HCBO and staff seem utterly incapable of preparing a team for the start of a season. It's great that they spent the last year building that "great team culture" they like to talk about. But maybe they should spend more time preparing the team to play football. Might help. I suspect we cost next week's attendance at least 2,000 fans in the stands by losing to a team that we were favored to beat by 17.5 points. Barry, that's on you.
2. Barry, this is also on you: You're loyal to the guys you like, which is great. But you did yourself no favors by promoting a guy who utterly failed as a defensive backs coach to defensive coordinator. The camera kept cutting to show Dooley and your buddy in the press box. Your buddy kept burying his head in his hands and looked absolutely clueless. Here's a hint: He is. Giving up 37 points to a team you were supposed to beat by 17.5 is inexcusable. HCBO, if you are not here three years from now, it will be most of all because you refused to hire an SEC-level defensive coordinator.
I give thousands of dollars to the athletic department each year, and, frankly, I feel like I'm getting very little return on my investment. When the athletic department sees the "MU" logo, it apparently thinks "Mediocrity U." I don't want mediocrity. I want a consistent winner like the School of Journalism. I've been giving much more money to athletics than to the School of Journalism. It occurred to me last night that it's probably time to turn that around.
1. If you wonder why we can't put more butts in the seats, look no farther than the fact that HCBO and staff seem utterly incapable of preparing a team for the start of a season. It's great that they spent the last year building that "great team culture" they like to talk about. But maybe they should spend more time preparing the team to play football. Might help. I suspect we cost next week's attendance at least 2,000 fans in the stands by losing to a team that we were favored to beat by 17.5 points. Barry, that's on you.
2. Barry, this is also on you: You're loyal to the guys you like, which is great. But you did yourself no favors by promoting a guy who utterly failed as a defensive backs coach to defensive coordinator. The camera kept cutting to show Dooley and your buddy in the press box. Your buddy kept burying his head in his hands and looked absolutely clueless. Here's a hint: He is. Giving up 37 points to a team you were supposed to beat by 17.5 is inexcusable. HCBO, if you are not here three years from now, it will be most of all because you refused to hire an SEC-level defensive coordinator.
I give thousands of dollars to the athletic department each year, and, frankly, I feel like I'm getting very little return on my investment. When the athletic department sees the "MU" logo, it apparently thinks "Mediocrity U." I don't want mediocrity. I want a consistent winner like the School of Journalism. I've been giving much more money to athletics than to the School of Journalism. It occurred to me last night that it's probably time to turn that around.
