Another de-commitment

[Schadenfreude]

Right...because student athletes and their parents are so oblivious to reality that they can't spot the raging dumpster fire that is our program from a mile away...not to mention the numerous mid level D1 coaches out there pointing out how poorly this staff has performed when they make their pitch.

Exactly.

You have in no way negated my point though.

Ok so where is some proof that being positive or ignoring reality helps recruiting then?

I'm not asking people to ignore reality. But I do think, as ambassadors for the program, we should be careful what we say.

Reality is mediated. Every comment we make about the program is, potentially, part of the filter through which others perceive the program. Players do not rely just on conversations with Falcon coaches for information on the program. They don't just rely on in-person visits or what they see on ESPN3. They also talk to family and friends and they also potentially seek other sources of information. They might check on The Blade. They might check social media. And they might check here.

In 2010 Dave Clawson went 2-10 here and a lot of fans were frustrated. Some wanted to run him out of town. But others here understood that we were in a rebuilding process and said so. To the extent that recruits and their families looked in on this board, they saw some people (including myself) back up what Clawson and his coaches were telling recruits: Clawson is building a winner here and incoming players can be part of that.

Seven years later, the dark forces of negativity are so strong here at AZZ.com and elsewhere that it might be harder for recruits to find other information that validates what Jinks and his coaches are selling.

I still think Jinks can turn this around. Historically speaking, Bowling Green is one of the winningest programs in the MAC, and we've already seen some of the talent Jinks has been able to bring in here (Andrew Clair, for example). We've also seen hints of the difference a talented quarterback can make. If nothing else, there seems a strong chance he stocks us with talent the way Moe Ankney did so that the next guy can step in and win right away (a la Gary Blackney in 1991). And, honestly, we aren't that many players away from contending for the MAC East right now.

I know people are frustrated because I am, too. But the program has certainly been in worse situations. (2000 comes to mind.) Complaining here is not helpful. Also, it could make things worse.

If the point of a negative post here is to let the athletic department know you are angry, it seems to me the best thing to do is send Moose an email or call him.

[bowlgreen]

The negativity of this website...which is the first website any recruit would see if it is googled...will do more to crush recruiting than anything else.

It's one thing to say in a post "what kind of call did HC make by taking that penalty," OR "dang it another interception." That's called being a fan.

But to say, "yeah an 18 year old QB got hurt because coach called a trick play,"...

Honestly, its borderline SICK.

We are talking about real human beings with real names and though our team is playing poorly on the field, I just don't believe it gives us the rights to slam 18-21 year olds by name week in and week out.

I read someone say last week, "I ripped up my seasons tickets." OK. I get it. And I understand. But people tune into this site to get pre game predictions and inside information...and they walk away sick.

We can't continue to rip on young men the way this site rips on them. Terrible.

[Flipper]

Mike Jinks is not Dave Clawson. Dave Clawson had a history of winning at the collegiate level...he got us to a bowl using Brandon's players in 2009 when Brandon failed to do that in 2008. Mike Jinks hasn't shown he can do anything but coach high school football in Texas.

I don't rip on players...I do rip on coaches who are earning ...well, not so much earning as accepting...money for being demonstrably terrible at what they were hired to do.

[Schadenfreude]

The negativity of this website...which is the first website any recruit would see if it is googled...will do more to crush recruiting than anything else.

It's one thing to say in a post "what kind of call did HC make by taking that penalty," OR "dang it another interception." That's called being a fan.

But to say, "yeah an 18 year old QB got hurt because coach called a trick play,"...

Honestly, its borderline SICK.

We are talking about real human beings with real names and though our team is playing poorly on the field, I just don't believe it gives us the rights to slam 18-21 year olds by name week in and week out.

I read someone say last week, "I ripped up my seasons tickets." OK. I get it. And I understand. But people tune into this site to get pre game predictions and inside information...and they walk away sick.

We can't continue to rip on young men the way this site rips on them. Terrible.

Some very good points here.

[guest44]

Uh oh, people are asking for the Louis Orr treatment. The point where you know it won't end well, but stop being mean because he is trying.

[CrazyFan]

The negativity of this website...which is the first website any recruit would see if it is googled...will do more to crush recruiting than anything else.

It's one thing to say in a post "what kind of call did HC make by taking that penalty," OR "dang it another interception." That's called being a fan.

But to say, "yeah an 18 year old QB got hurt because coach called a trick play,"...

Honestly, its borderline SICK.

We are talking about real human beings with real names and though our team is playing poorly on the field, I just don't believe it gives us the rights to slam 18-21 year olds by name week in and week out.

I read someone say last week, "I ripped up my seasons tickets." OK. I get it. And I understand. But people tune into this site to get pre game predictions and inside information...and they walk away sick.

We can't continue to rip on young men the way this site rips on them. Terrible.

You want to know what’s sick? Sick is paying a coach 500k a year to put that crap game plan on the field week in and week out. Sick is having to stick with that joke of a coach for the next 3 years because you can’t find the money to buy him out (I call BS by the way). Sick is to totally steal $500k from a job that you know you have your employer by the balls, and instead of realize that you’re in way over your head and maybe you should do what’s best for the university and the kids and resign, you decide to sit and rot and continue to get demolished on the field by inferior teams. That’s sick!!

I don’t blame any of the kids, nor do I call any of them out. The kids are a product of the system, AND THE SYSTEM IS TERRIBLE. And you know what, if our comments maybe sway a kid from pissing away 4 years of his life, playing for this joke of a coach, and that kid chooses to go to a school that will put him in a better position to win and be successful, then it’s all about the kid, isn’t it? It should be. BGSU is a fine institution and has a wonderful history in its athletic department, and I am by no means advocating for recruits not to come here, but all they have to do is look at the big picture to see that this program is a train wreck right now and there’s no inclinations AT ALL that will change in the immediate future. The recruits should do what’s best for them and puts them in the best position to be successful, not what’s best for us or the university.

[Schadenfreude]

I am by no means advocating for recruits not to come here,

Reread your post. You literally did just that.

[Falconwriter]

People who post on this site are NOT ambassadors for the BG program.

We are FANS. Period.

Fans complain, say things that might or might not be true, and are miserable when they see what they feel should be a better program being run into the ground by a glorified high school coach.

When coaches accept salaries of half a million and up to coach a game, their coaching and decisions are absolutely fair game. If a recruit is turned off because of a few posts on a web site by FANS, then they probably shouldn't be playing college sports. And if they think just because a coach is being criticized that he might be in trouble...they should re-think again. Successful coaches at the D-1 level are more likely to bolt for a better job than those who are at a mid major and struggling -- simply because most mid majors can't afford to buy them out.

The bottom line: pick a school you like and would like to attend...don't base everything on who is coaching at the time.

[MarkL]

Just a quick aside here. Ripping on individual players is and always will be wrong, and I see so little of that around here it is not at all concerning. Ripping on coaches? Totally fair game. They are professionals. Think Mike Gundy: I'm a man, I'm 40.
Which is why criticizing a trick play which puts your true freshman QB at injury risk is totally fair game. The QB did not make that call, he doesn't call plays, he executes them to the best of his ability. The coaches call plays. It is totally in bounds to question why you would put your QB who is moving the offense nicely and who only has a few months of college weightlifting under his belt in a position to get hit buy a veteran at full speed with years of college weightlifting and no offensive blockers around him to protect him. 100% in bounds.
And you know who else questioned the call after the game? One of the reporters in the press conference. Jinks said it was the play called, and injuries are just part of the game. He didn't go on a Mike Gundy rant and storm out of the press conference. He didn't mind the question because it was a fair question.
That is a legit question of strategy, not a rip on a player. And that player has a brilliant future here and it is great to have him back.

[Schadenfreude]

People who post on this site are NOT ambassadors for the BG program.

We are FANS. Period.

Honestly, I don't see much of a distinction here. The NCAA doesn't either. Most of us are boosters, meaning "representatives of the institution’s athletic interests."

http://www.ncaa.org/enforcement/role-boosters" target="_blank

Even if this wasn't the case: Our words do matter.

[guest44]

The NCAA is not reading this board. But if they are.

Dear NCAA,

In the modern history of D1 coaching hires, how many head coaches didn't have an agent when they were hired? Also, how did it take so long to finally rid yourself of Rick Pitino ? One last question, do you recommend making unqualified coaches the highest paid employees, with buyouts numbers you can't afford?

[Flipper]

I have a pretty big ego, but I'm not so full of myself that I think anything I write here is going to influence someone's decision making process.

Having said that...I will now mollify the worriers

Dear possible BGSU recruit

Please come to BGSU...not so much for us...but for yourself. It's an amazing University full of caring and supportive professionals who will do everything in their power to help you earn your degree and prepare you for what us grown ups like to call the "Real World" ( I know..the concept of "real" has shifted a lot since I graduated..but please indulge me and play along).

As an added benefit...we field a lot of women's teams. That means there's a lot of athletic young women roaming the campus..women that will automatically have something in common with you. We also have a very robust Education department..that means there's a lot of really smart women roaming around who cn probably help you with your homework. They're usually wearing glasses so you can spot them. (I know I'm being hetereonormative in assuming your orientation..it's something my generation does a lot. Please don't be offended).

We have awesome training facilities at the Sebo center and the Perry Fieldhouse and Perry Stadium has been upgraded continuously over the past few years with more work on the way.

Sure it can get a little cold...but we have an up and coming men's basketball team and an always entertaining hockey team (if you've never been to a hockey game..you MUST go to one...I promise you..go once and you'll be hooked). So there's warm building full of students to hang out with when it gets a little chilly.

OK..the football team is struggling right now...but our coach isn't a dummy. We're hoping he's learning as he goes and that the young talent (Andrew Clair!!) develops with him we'll soon be winning titles again like we did a couple of years ago.

So don't let our anger and frustration vex you or make you cross us off your list...we're used to winning and we get a little irritable when we lose. It's part of being a fan. I can promise you this...we will never attack you. We save that for the guys who coach you.

Sincerely
Me

[Schadenfreude]

Nice job, Flipper. Seriously.

[Falconwriter]

I have a pretty big ego, but I'm not so full of myself that I think anything I write here is going to influence someone's decision making process.

Having said that...I will now mollify the worriers

Dear possible BGSU recruit

Please come to BGSU...not so much for us...but for yourself. It's an amazing University full of caring and supportive professionals who will do everything in their power to help you earn your degree and prepare you for what us grown ups like to call the "Real World" ( I know..the concept of "real" has shifted a lot since I graduated..but please indulge me and play along).

As an added benefit...we field a lot of women's teams. That means there's a lot of athletic young women roaming the campus..women that will automatically have something in common with you. We also have a very robust Education department..that means there's a lot of really smart women roaming around who cn probably help you with your homework. They're usually wearing glasses so you can spot them. (I know I'm being hetereonormative in assuming your orientation..it's something my generation does a lot. Please don't be offended).

We have awesome training facilities at the Sebo center and the Perry Fieldhouse and Perry Stadium has been upgraded continuously over the past few years with more work on the way.

Sure it can get a little cold...but we have an up and coming men's basketball team and an always entertaining hockey team (if you've never been to a hockey game..you MUST go to one...I promise you..go once and you'll be hooked). So there's warm building full of students to hang out with when it gets a little chilly.

OK..the football team is struggling right now...but our coach isn't a dummy. We're hoping he's learning as he goes and that the young talent (Andrew Clair!!) develops with him we'll soon be winning titles again like we did a couple of years ago.

So don't let our anger and frustration vex you or make you cross us off your list...we're used to winning and we get a little irritable when we lose. It's part of being a fan. I can promise you this...we will never attack you. We save that for the guys who coach you.

Sincerely
Me

How can you write all that to a prospective student and NOT mention the ever-present, ridiculously cold and cutting, winter (or Spring or Fall) winds???!!!

Seriously, I like what you wrote. But we are still fans and not ambassadors. And if anything, our passion (even if it is being expressed negatively) should tell any prospective athlete that fans here support their athletic teams. If we didn't have that passion, we wouldn't care and we wouldn't be on a site like this...or in the stands at games.