The program simply has to re-dedicate itself to building a very good football program while out in the wilderness, without the assistance of conference affiliation, without friends, without charity. Jeff Hathaway didn't get it, neither did the administration. They didn't realize how desperate the situation was; how badly every team with any pedigree at all was jockeying for position for a conference exit. We were just happy to be here. We did not get it.
Teams that have managed to succeed in the wilderness are, in order of importance:
1. Louisville
2. Utah
3. TCU
4. BYU
5. Boise State
6. UCF
7. ECU
8. Marshall
I can't think of any others. These are teams that, without the assistance of a conference, managed to succeed. The top three have been invited in from the cold. The bottom five are still out there. We are out there, so far, without the glimmer of success. The second we become perceived as football legit we will rise to the top of the survivalists, and someone may reach out to us. Until then, every decision is make or break.
Teams that have managed to succeed in the wilderness are, in order of importance:
1. Louisville
2. Utah
3. TCU
4. BYU
5. Boise State
6. UCF
7. ECU
8. Marshall
I can't think of any others. These are teams that, without the assistance of a conference, managed to succeed. The top three have been invited in from the cold. The bottom five are still out there. We are out there, so far, without the glimmer of success. The second we become perceived as football legit we will rise to the top of the survivalists, and someone may reach out to us. Until then, every decision is make or break.