This makes me sick...

[joshvanklomp]

Ok, you drop to FCS - three fourths of you team will bolt, the coaching staff will bolt, nine tenths of the fans will bolt, and the money is all gone. What are you going to do now?

DON"T bother the surrender monkeys with probabilities...

Don't group me with this clown. Dropping down to FCS is a terrible idea!

And there's another reason no one has mentioned yet. If we dropped down a level, you could kiss the rivalry with CSU goodbye!

 

[McPeachy]

Ok, you drop to FCS - three fourths of you team will bolt, the coaching staff will bolt, nine tenths of the fans will bolt, and the money is all gone. What are you going to do now?

Everybody will get a juice box and a participation ribbon!

Oh, and kiss 25+ women's full ride scholarships good bye...you know, Title IX requirements. I guess that means, bye bye tennis, women's diving, and women's golf, and...???

I can't figure out why SD isn't putting blame where it belongs in the first place! The BOT, the UW President's office, and the Athletic Department leaders & staff. Not the team, not UW football. Accountability needs to be placed elsewhere. CSewe got it done (with McElwain), no reason UW couldn't do the same. We will know if ol Bohly is the man to do it in another 3 - 4 years. And if not, as I said, time to clean house this time and not be a bunch of accepting pussies. From the top down. Fuck 'em all.

 

[SDPokeFan]

We're turning into Washington Husky fans. They have a running joke..."it's okay, nothing's wrong, 20XX will be special".

Fuck...I remember a few years ago we thought by 2015 DC would have the program at a point where it would be a top contender annually. I'm not advocating for FCS like SD is, but he's right...he has facts (about recent suckage) and everyone else has pom poms.

...but it's okay, 2018 will be special. Sorry, JMO....but "you're wrong because we're gonna be great in a few years!" isn't a solid argument.

It has nothing to do with being Washington Huskies fans...it has to do with the reality of building a program brick by brick and day by day. History?

I'll take Craig Bohl's recent history now imparted to our program and feel confident in it, patiently watching as the grass grows a little at a time.

The last few weeks it has been nice to see a lot of fans here coming to grips with the reality that building a program that has enduring success takes time and effort.

Let me be more blunt: ANYONE WHO IS PAYING ATTENTION TO WINS AND LOSSES AT THIS STAGE OF THE DEVELOPMENTAL PROCESS IS A MORON WHO HAS NOT AN OUNCE OF UNDERSTANDING ABOUT HOW TO BUILD ANYTHING - MUCH LESS A CFB PROGRAM.

Crawl.

Walk.

Run.

You set out to do something.

You took over a destitute and on its back football program the moment you assumed the role.

You chart your course.

You stay with it.

You don't abandon the plan when things go slow or the seas are choppy, and it appears to an outsider that progress is not being made. Anyone at the helm who deviates so early into a long term plan I don't want leading my program. I want my leader to have confidence in his long range forecast. You don't allow outside influences like nutty and reactionary people on this board to alter your course - you don't let newspaper stories budge you off your well thought out plan. You stay with it - you trust the process.

How many times prior to this season did I tell people that if you were going to judge this season strictly on wins and losses you might as well not even watch any of the games? If any of you think this season will be defined by the final cosmetic record you're as moronic as the dope who wrote the letter to the Boomerang.

WE ARE NOT A GOOD FOOTBALL TEAM YET if being good is defined by you as winning more than losing. Get this through your thick heads and maybe allowing yourself to understand the process of building a football team - or anything else - will become easier for you.

As to the past it is exactly that - and it is not an indicator that things will always remain on the negative side no matter what factual information over a 20 year period indicates. You think Bohl gives a rats ass about anything that occurred before he walked into the room?

I'd love to know how some off you lead your own lives and if your fatalist attitude when it comes to our football program along with your stunningly stupid near term expectations - if this all translates to the way you go about your own personal lives when you are confronted with a host of issues. When you get hit do you hit back? When you get knocked down do you not get back up? When someone doubts you and says you can't do that -- do you simply shrug your shoulders and concede defeat?

I talk about 'building' quite often, and as a fan of the Rockies, I recently found a story online from the Denver Post concerning the Pittsburgh Pirates organization that I believe might clue some people in on how a process of building a perennial loser into a consistent winner works. The organization is the Pittsburgh Pirates. For comparison sake's if we're talking about a 20 year run of losing, instability, changing leadership positions, and a downtrodden fan base with the appearance of no light and the end of the tunnel - I suggest you read through this piece:

http://www.denverpost.com/rockies/ci_28845165/pirates-sprout-from-seeds-success" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Apparently 'insanity' didn't work in Pittsburgh, and with their most recent personnel running baseball Op's they defied the history of the previous 20 years of futility. It's a great example of being realistic, trusting the process, ignoring the naysayers, being patient, and watching with pride as the bedrock built upon in year one then fosters continuing growth and consistency in the ensuing years.

Last time: Wins and losses all you care about at this juncture? Then I suggest you check back in 20017-18, because those are the years the program will rightfully be judged on it's cosmetic appearance in those two columns.

Until then, bitch away, with your insane and non-realistic spewing...you have no idea how ignorant you look.

Quick someone go back through old posts and see if this is a retread speech Dino gave when DC and Glenn were hired. I'm betting it is.

 

[ragtimejoe1]

As to the past it is exactly that - and it is not an indicator that things will always remain on the negative side no matter what factual information over a 20 year period indicates. You think Bohl gives a rats ass about anything that occurred before he walked into the room?

Actually, this is not true. This assumes that every previous coach failed because the coach is bad. Perhaps the coaches were not bad but not good enough to overcome some inherent issue at WYO. An issue that handicaps our football program. An issue that is correctable but only correctable if addressed.

Hopefully, Bohl will be able to overcome this/these issue/issues. Personally, I'd like to address those as well.

 

[ragtimejoe1]

Ok, you drop to FCS - three fourths of you team will bolt, the coaching staff will bolt, nine tenths of the fans will bolt, and the money is all gone. What are you going to do now?

Everybody will get a juice box and a participation ribbon!

Oh, and kiss 25+ women's full ride scholarships good bye...you know, Title IX requirements. I guess that means, bye bye tennis, diving, and golf, and...???

I can't figure out why SD isn't putting blame where it belongs in the first place! The BOT, the UW President's office, and the Athletic Department leaders & staff. Not the team, not UW football. Accountability needs to be placed elsewhere. CSewe got it done (with McElwain), no reason UW couldn't do the same. We will know if ol Bohly is the man to do it in another 3 - 4 years. And if not, as I said, time to clean house this time and not be a bunch of accepting pussies. From the top down. Fuck 'em all.

McPeachy gets it! However, you are chastised as a fan if you dare question anyone above the level of head coach. You are indoctrinated to ride the high of great expectations every time a new coach is hired. You are trained to be patient for half a decade to give the coach time. Then you are encouraged to run that coach out of town should he fail. It has happened over and over yet upper level administration is never held to task.

 

[Yabadabadoo]

Any of you ever run your own business, work for yourself's, ever build something in your life? Relate the stories please...and oh yeah, sarcasm aside, I thought Glenn was fired a year too early.

 

[Yabadabadoo]

We're turning into Washington Husky fans. They have a running joke..."it's okay, nothing's wrong, 20XX will be special".

Fuck...I remember a few years ago we thought by 2015 DC would have the program at a point where it would be a top contender annually. I'm not advocating for FCS like SD is, but he's right...he has facts (about recent suckage) and everyone else has pom poms.

...but it's okay, 2018 will be special. Sorry, JMO....but "you're wrong because we're gonna be great in a few years!" isn't a solid argument.

It has nothing to do with being Washington Huskies fans...it has to do with the reality of building a program brick by brick and day by day. History?

I'll take Craig Bohl's recent history now imparted to our program and feel confident in it, patiently watching as the grass grows a little at a time.

The last few weeks it has been nice to see a lot of fans here coming to grips with the reality that building a program that has enduring success takes time and effort.

Let me be more blunt: ANYONE WHO IS PAYING ATTENTION TO WINS AND LOSSES AT THIS STAGE OF THE DEVELOPMENTAL PROCESS IS A MORON WHO HAS NOT AN OUNCE OF UNDERSTANDING ABOUT HOW TO BUILD ANYTHING - MUCH LESS A CFB PROGRAM.

Crawl.

Walk.

Run.

You set out to do something.

You took over a destitute and on its back football program the moment you assumed the role.

You chart your course.

You stay with it.

You don't abandon the plan when things go slow or the seas are choppy, and it appears to an outsider that progress is not being made. Anyone at the helm who deviates so early into a long term plan I don't want leading my program. I want my leader to have confidence in his long range forecast. You don't allow outside influences like nutty and reactionary people on this board to alter your course - you don't let newspaper stories budge you off your well thought out plan. You stay with it - you trust the process.

How many times prior to this season did I tell people that if you were going to judge this season strictly on wins and losses you might as well not even watch any of the games? If any of you think this season will be defined by the final cosmetic record you're as moronic as the dope who wrote the letter to the Boomerang.

WE ARE NOT A GOOD FOOTBALL TEAM YET if being good is defined by you as winning more than losing. Get this through your thick heads and maybe allowing yourself to understand the process of building a football team - or anything else - will become easier for you.

As to the past it is exactly that - and it is not an indicator that things will always remain on the negative side no matter what factual information over a 20 year period indicates. You think Bohl gives a rats ass about anything that occurred before he walked into the room?

I'd love to know how some off you lead your own lives and if your fatalist attitude when it comes to our football program along with your stunningly stupid near term expectations - if this all translates to the way you go about your own personal lives when you are confronted with a host of issues. When you get hit do you hit back? When you get knocked down do you not get back up? When someone doubts you and says you can't do that -- do you simply shrug your shoulders and concede defeat?

I talk about 'building' quite often, and as a fan of the Rockies, I recently found a story online from the Denver Post concerning the Pittsburgh Pirates organization that I believe might clue some people in on how a process of building a perennial loser into a consistent winner works. The organization is the Pittsburgh Pirates. For comparison sake's if we're talking about a 20 year run of losing, instability, changing leadership positions, and a downtrodden fan base with the appearance of no light and the end of the tunnel - I suggest you read through this piece:

http://www.denverpost.com/rockies/ci_28845165/pirates-sprout-from-seeds-success" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Apparently 'insanity' didn't work in Pittsburgh, and with their most recent personnel running baseball Op's they defied the history of the previous 20 years of futility. It's a great example of being realistic, trusting the process, ignoring the naysayers, being patient, and watching with pride as the bedrock built upon in year one then fosters continuing growth and consistency in the ensuing years.

Last time: Wins and losses all you care about at this juncture? Then I suggest you check back in 20017-18, because those are the years the program will rightfully be judged on it's cosmetic appearance in those two columns.

Until then, bitch away, with your insane and non-realistic spewing...you have no idea how ignorant you look.

Quick someone go back through old posts and see if this is a retread speech Dino gave when DC and Glenn were hired. I'm betting it is.

Hang in there, Matt, things are going to get better.

 

[SDPokeFan]

We're turning into Washington Husky fans. They have a running joke..."it's okay, nothing's wrong, 20XX will be special".

Fuck...I remember a few years ago we thought by 2015 DC would have the program at a point where it would be a top contender annually. I'm not advocating for FCS like SD is, but he's right...he has facts (about recent suckage) and everyone else has pom poms.

...but it's okay, 2018 will be special. Sorry, JMO....but "you're wrong because we're gonna be great in a few years!" isn't a solid argument.

Thank you! Some sanity among the cheerleading! I have new for you people, just because you THINK Bohl is going to turn it around, doesn't make it so. I read the same things about Dimel, Joe Glenn and DC. Wash, rinse, repeat.

I bet your stunted growth is a result of giving up your lunch money every day without a fight.

So, tell us all, what would YOU change the motto "Cowboy Tough" too after dropping a level in competition?

I'm not really worried about a catchy slogan. They have lost their first three games by an average of 16 points, so I'm not sure how "Cowboy Tough" that is to begin with.

 

[ragtimejoe1]

Any of you ever run your own business, work for yourself's, ever build something in your life? Relate the stories please...and oh yeah, sarcasm aside, I thought Glenn was fired a year too early.

Since you are taking the business analogy, do you think our CEO and BOD are doing a bang up job? You obviously think our Departmental Managers (i.e. coaches) are doing things right. What about upper level?

 

[Yabadabadoo]

We're turning into Washington Husky fans. They have a running joke..."it's okay, nothing's wrong, 20XX will be special".

Fuck...I remember a few years ago we thought by 2015 DC would have the program at a point where it would be a top contender annually. I'm not advocating for FCS like SD is, but he's right...he has facts (about recent suckage) and everyone else has pom poms.

...but it's okay, 2018 will be special. Sorry, JMO....but "you're wrong because we're gonna be great in a few years!" isn't a solid argument.

Thank you! Some sanity among the cheerleading! I have new for you people, just because you THINK Bohl is going to turn it around, doesn't make it so. I read the same things about Dimel, Joe Glenn and DC. Wash, rinse, repeat.

I bet your stunted growth is a result of giving up your lunch money every day without a fight.

So, tell us all, what would YOU change the motto "Cowboy Tough" too after dropping a level in competition?

I'm not really worried about a catchy slogan. They have lost their first three games by an average of 16 points, so I'm not sure how "Cowboy Tough" that is to begin with.

And I expected them to struggle and possibly lose all 3 games to date. Here's a news flash: They may not beat New Mexico this coming Saturday.

 

[joshvanklomp]

So SD and others like him seem to think that since the Cowboys have been bad for the last 20 years that there's no chance they'll ever be good again. I disagree, and present a case that shows a turnaround can happen.

The Minnesota Golden Gophers were once a very good Big Ten team, including back-to-back Rose Bowl appearances in 1960 and 1961. However, from 1962 to 1998, the program went through six coaching changes as it stumbled to a 169-222 record and only two bowl appearances (Liberty Bowl and Independence Bowl, 1981 and 1982). I guess the university was stupid to not move down to G5 when they had a chance, because they'll never be a relevant football program at the P5 level.

 

[Yabadabadoo]

Any of you ever run your own business, work for yourself's, ever build something in your life? Relate the stories please...and oh yeah, sarcasm aside, I thought Glenn was fired a year too early.

Since you are taking the business analogy, do you think our CEO and BOD are doing a bang up job? You obviously think our Departmental Managers (i.e. coaches) are doing things right. What about upper level?

Given our standing as the smallest school in the conference, in consideration of resources allocated to an athletic program that includes several other sports teams, if you are referring to Burman specifically, I'm not wielding a pitchfork around a fire demanding his scalp by any means.

 

[SDPokeFan]

We're turning into Washington Husky fans. They have a running joke..."it's okay, nothing's wrong, 20XX will be special".

Fuck...I remember a few years ago we thought by 2015 DC would have the program at a point where it would be a top contender annually. I'm not advocating for FCS like SD is, but he's right...he has facts (about recent suckage) and everyone else has pom poms.

...but it's okay, 2018 will be special. Sorry, JMO....but "you're wrong because we're gonna be great in a few years!" isn't a solid argument.

Thank you! Some sanity among the cheerleading! I have new for you people, just because you THINK Bohl is going to turn it around, doesn't make it so. I read the same things about Dimel, Joe Glenn and DC. Wash, rinse, repeat.

I bet your stunted growth is a result of giving up your lunch money every day without a fight.

So, tell us all, what would YOU change the motto "Cowboy Tough" too after dropping a level in competition?

I'm not really worried about a catchy slogan. They have lost their first three games by an average of 16 points, so I'm not sure how "Cowboy Tough" that is to begin with.

And I expected them to struggle and possibly lose all 3 games to date. Here's a news flash: They may not beat New Mexico this coming Saturday.

Hey look at that we agree on something! I knew we could find common ground! :thumb:

 

[SDPokeFan]

So SD and others like him seem to think that since the Cowboys have been bad for the last 20 years that there's no chance they'll ever be good again. I disagree, and present a case that shows a turnaround can happen.

The Minnesota Golden Gophers were once a very good Big Ten team, including back-to-back Rose Bowl appearances in 1960 and 1961. However, from 1962 to 1998, the program went through six coaching changes as it stumbled to a 169-222 record and only two bowl appearances (Liberty Bowl and Independence Bowl, 1981 and 1982). I guess the university was stupid to not move down to G5 when they had a chance, because they'll never be a relevant football program at the P5 level.

OK, so we are 16 years into a 36-year building plan. At least Josh is providing me with some realistic goals here. I am already looking forward to 2033.

 

[ragtimejoe1]

Any of you ever run your own business, work for yourself's, ever build something in your life? Relate the stories please...and oh yeah, sarcasm aside, I thought Glenn was fired a year too early.

Since you are taking the business analogy, do you think our CEO and BOD are doing a bang up job? You obviously think our Departmental Managers (i.e. coaches) are doing things right. What about upper level?

Given our standing as the smallest school in the conference, in consideration of resources allocated to an athletic program that includes several other sports teams, if you are referring to Burman specifically, I'm not wielding a pitchfork around a fire demanding his scalp by any means.

There is a reason that WYO football is a coach's graveyard. Let's just say we disagree, and, if Bohl fails, it won't be because of Bohl. Did you notice how the independent review of our athletic department was promptly discredited and discarded immediately after the prez was fired? Did you notice how the media went right to the coaches as the individuals as accepting mediocrity but the report of accepting mediocrity centered on the upper level administration?

There are more reasons than location and weather for the difficulties at Wyoming.

 

[Cowduck]

I can tell you I would give way less of a shit about Wyoming football if they dropped to FCS, and one reason for that is that sports fandom is all about bragging rights. What fucking good does it do me if Wyoming is beating ass against FCS competition? Let me tell you something, if a Montana or NDSU fan starts beating their chest about how successful their program is, they mostly get patronizing pats on the head and a suggestion that they should step up and compete with the big boys. There are something like one hundred twenty FBS programs. If we throw up our hands and say we can't compete in that tier, then there is no point to continuing to care. There really isn't.

The other reason is that a huge part of Wyoming's identity as a state, university, and athletic department is a chip-on-the-shoulder, do-more-with-less, underdog mentality. And identifying with the product on the field is what college sports is all about and what makes it unique in this country. I can't identify with a football program that doesn't punch up.

It pisses me off that anyone even entertains this idea.

 

[The Virginian]

Nope, I didn't write it, but I don't have to tell you I agree with it 100%. It's long overdue we move down to where we can compete.

I know you all disagree. I have facts on my side. You have history and hope. So, keep thumping your chests about how good the football program was in the 60s, 70s and 80s, and I will keep pointing out how it's been one of the worst football programs in Division I/FBS since the late 90s. Keep enjoying those three and four win seasons with the occasional New Mexico Bowl thrown in there. Talk about a bowl to get excited about. Keep enjoying getting worked over by Eastern Michigan. But hey, we're FBS, right? Yahoo!!!!

You say I don't care about the program, but look in the mirror. It's you who doesn't care. You don't care how bad the team is, or for how long. You can't see the forest for the trees. You don't care about Wyoming football at all, you care about the FBS designation. Twenty years from now, when three more coaches have been hired and fired and the next guy is "going to turn it around," you'll all still be here, parroting the same things over and over. Those who don't learn from history are doomed to repeat it. The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. Pick your cliche. This program cannot, and will not win at the FBS level on consistent basis ever again. Call it hating if you must. I call it 20 years of reality.

You must be frustrated that moving to France in 1938 isn't an option for you...

I'm convinced that you're projecting your own surrender monkey life experience onto UW Football. Thank God the program's sooooo much bigger than you or your way of thinking. Somewhere in there, I believe, is an agenda to make yourself feel better about settling for whatever instead of getting what you really want (because, darn it, it's just too hard and you're just not good enough) by seeing UW Football do the same. You DON'T have facts on your side. FACT is, it's not an option. UW can either play FBS Football or not play football.

There are two types of people who get lost in the woods. Those who realize they are the ones who will determine whether or not they get out alive, and those who just sit down and, basically, just die of shame.

Which are you?

So you're OK with an uncompetitive football team as long as it's FBS? You wouldn't rather have NDSU's program? You never seem to answer my questions, you just lecture me.

Me, I'm all for being competitive in FBS Football. Because we have no real choice.

So, again, which are you?

Apparently we do have a choice. We haven't been competitive at FBS football for nearly 20 years. You probably believe in Santa Claus and the Tooth Fairy as well. What you call surrender I call common sense. Let me ask you, realistically, how many years of the status quo are you willing to take before enough is enough? Or are you truly OK with never having a winning program?

From 1894 to 1946 Wyoming's football program was a joke. A club sport really. Then came George "Duke" Humphries as the new president of UW. Being from the South and having served as the Vice Chancellor of Mississippi State, "The Duke" knew what it took to bring attention and pride to a university, namely winning football. So what did he do?

He hired young and up and coming coach Bowden Wyatt and set Wyoming off on a program building spree that included constructing the Fieldhouse and War Memorial Stadium. From 1946 to 1970 Wyoming had a premiere football program that was often in the Top 10.

What made Wyoming's football program successful was it was lead by men of vision. Glenn "Red" Jacoby, the Athletic Director of Wyoming was hired by Duke Humphries in 1946 and served as AD until his death in 1973. After Jacoby, Wyoming didn't have the same level of leadership in the Athletic Department until Paul Roach ascended to the AD position in the late '80s. The former assistant to Lloyd Eaton oversaw a mini revival of Wyoming's football fortunes. He was the AD from 1987 to 1996 and also served as head football coach from 1987 to 1990 capping a .700 winning percentage.

Roach was replaced by Lee Moon at AD who hired Dana Dimmel followed by Vic Koenning as Wyoming head football coaches, thus beginning the slide to obscurity.

Tom Burman is now the AD and he's hired Craig Bohl, who had a three-peat as FCS National Champions before coming to Wyoming. Perhaps finally we'll break out of the Lee Moon curse.

 

[Yabadabadoo]

Any of you ever run your own business, work for yourself's, ever build something in your life? Relate the stories please...and oh yeah, sarcasm aside, I thought Glenn was fired a year too early.

Since you are taking the business analogy, do you think our CEO and BOD are doing a bang up job? You obviously think our Departmental Managers (i.e. coaches) are doing things right. What about upper level?

Given our standing as the smallest school in the conference, in consideration of resources allocated to an athletic program that includes several other sports teams, if you are referring to Burman specifically, I'm not wielding a pitchfork around a fire demanding his scalp by any means.

There is a reason that WYO football is a coach's graveyard. Let's just say we disagree, and, if Bohl fails, it won't be because of Bohl. Did you notice how the independent review of our athletic department was promptly discredited and discarded immediately after the prez was fired? Did you notice how the media went right to the coaches as the individuals as accepting mediocrity but the report of accepting mediocrity centered on the upper level administration?

There are more reasons than location and weather for the difficulties at Wyoming.

We agree on more of this than you may notice at first blush. I believe that report was a significant tide-turner and I believe that report is the single biggest reason that Craig Bohl is in Laramie at this exact moment in time. Yes, they eschewed it, but the report was released, it had an impact, and it upped the accountability of everyone in the department of athletics. I believe the report embarrassed certain people and raised the stakes at the University in regard to the 2 major revenue driving sports.

 

[Yabadabadoo]

Nope, I didn't write it, but I don't have to tell you I agree with it 100%. It's long overdue we move down to where we can compete.

I know you all disagree. I have facts on my side. You have history and hope. So, keep thumping your chests about how good the football program was in the 60s, 70s and 80s, and I will keep pointing out how it's been one of the worst football programs in Division I/FBS since the late 90s. Keep enjoying those three and four win seasons with the occasional New Mexico Bowl thrown in there. Talk about a bowl to get excited about. Keep enjoying getting worked over by Eastern Michigan. But hey, we're FBS, right? Yahoo!!!!

You say I don't care about the program, but look in the mirror. It's you who doesn't care. You don't care how bad the team is, or for how long. You can't see the forest for the trees. You don't care about Wyoming football at all, you care about the FBS designation. Twenty years from now, when three more coaches have been hired and fired and the next guy is "going to turn it around," you'll all still be here, parroting the same things over and over. Those who don't learn from history are doomed to repeat it. The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. Pick your cliche. This program cannot, and will not win at the FBS level on consistent basis ever again. Call it hating if you must. I call it 20 years of reality.

You must be frustrated that moving to France in 1938 isn't an option for you...

I'm convinced that you're projecting your own surrender monkey life experience onto UW Football. Thank God the program's sooooo much bigger than you or your way of thinking. Somewhere in there, I believe, is an agenda to make yourself feel better about settling for whatever instead of getting what you really want (because, darn it, it's just too hard and you're just not good enough) by seeing UW Football do the same. You DON'T have facts on your side. FACT is, it's not an option. UW can either play FBS Football or not play football.

There are two types of people who get lost in the woods. Those who realize they are the ones who will determine whether or not they get out alive, and those who just sit down and, basically, just die of shame.

Which are you?

So you're OK with an uncompetitive football team as long as it's FBS? You wouldn't rather have NDSU's program? You never seem to answer my questions, you just lecture me.

Me, I'm all for being competitive in FBS Football. Because we have no real choice.

So, again, which are you?

Apparently we do have a choice. We haven't been competitive at FBS football for nearly 20 years. You probably believe in Santa Claus and the Tooth Fairy as well. What you call surrender I call common sense. Let me ask you, realistically, how many years of the status quo are you willing to take before enough is enough? Or are you truly OK with never having a winning program?

From 1894 to 1946 Wyoming's football program was a joke. A club sport really. Then came George "Duke" Humphries as the new president of UW. Being from the South and having served as the Vice Chancellor of Mississippi State, "The Duke" knew what it took to bring attention and pride to a university, namely winning football. So what did he do?

He hired young and up and coming coach Bowden Wyatt and set Wyoming off on a program building spree that included constructing the Fieldhouse and War Memorial Stadium. From 1946 to 1970 Wyoming had a premiere football program that was often in the Top 10.

What made Wyoming's football program successful was it was lead by men of vision. Glenn "Red" Jacoby, the Athletic Director of Wyoming was hired by Duke Humphries in 1946 and served as AD until his death in 1973. After Jacoby, Wyoming didn't have the same level of leadership in the Athletic Department until Paul Roach ascended to the AD position in the late '80s. The former assistant to Lloyd Eaton oversaw a mini revival of Wyoming's football fortunes. He was the AD from 1987 to 1996 and also served as head football coach from 1987 to 1990 capping a .700 winning percentage.

Roach was replaced by Lee Moon at AD who hired Dana Dimmel followed by Vic Koenning as Wyoming head football coaches, thus beginning the slide to obscurity.

Tom Burman is now the AD and he's hired Craig Bohl, who had a three-peat as FCS National Champions before coming to Wyoming. Perhaps finally we'll break out of the Lee Moon curse.

Lee lives with the Osprey's now

 

[wellpoke]

Look SD, things suck right now. We all get it, and no one's happy with it. Some of us can see the forest through the trees, see some improvement in the team week over week, see improvement in the players being recruited, see improvement in the attitude around the program from top to bottom, and we're willing to give Bohl another couple of years to see if he can right the ship. It's probably gonna suck a lot during those few years. They'll lose some games, but they'll win some too. Some of think Bohl has the right philosophy, the know how, and the willingness to get it done.

It sucks, but dropping to FCS isn't the answer. Why?

Because football pays the bills. Even when we suck, football is our largest revenue generating sport. Football pays for a lot of the other sports. I like the fact that we have a championship contending men's basketball team. I like that we have a women's basketball team that's winning. I like that we have competitive women's soccer and volleyball teams. I like that we have swimming, diving, and track athletes that win championships. We don't get most of that without playing FBS football. Even poorly.

And yes, the fanbase would significantly dwindle. This group on the board probably wouldn't change much. Most of us are here to stay, rain or shine, FCS or no. But the casual fans would likely go away. The athletic department has surveyed fans time and time again, and discovered over and over that fans want to see the Cowboys play the big names (Nebraska, Texas, Ole Miss, Michigan, etc). And THOSE are the non-conference games that sellout. Playing FCS opponents draws some fans, but not to the extent that the big schools do. Drop to FCS, and we get the Montana's and North Dakota's of the world every week. We'd probably never sell out the War again.

And that means a huge cut in revenue, and a significant drop in the competitive ability of all of our programs.

Let me ask you this, if playing in FCS is so great, why do most of the top FCS teams want to be FBS? If we drop a level and become a dominant FCS program, it won't be long until folks start bitching about moving up to FBS. At that point, that ship will have sailed.

No, let's stay where we are and wait this out. I think we'll all be pleasantly surprised in a few years.

GO POKES!