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Alex Neale

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I guess beauty is in the eye of the beholder. While some kids will consider an offer from Idaho, New Mexico, UNLV, etc. a better offer than Montana, others will not. Some kids want to play FBS no matter how bad the program is, others would rather play at the top of FCS rather than the bottom of FBS.

That said, I wish Mr. Neale well at UNLV and if he wishes to revisit his decision in a year or two, we could see him in Missoula yet, just like recent UNLV commits Kjelby Oiland and Trevor Poole.

I think we are also seeing a little more volatility this year due to Mick's retirement and the hiring of Coach Stitt. After he has a few years under his belt in Missoula, even next year's class, Coach Stitt should see some of that volatility disappear, not to mention when we receive our 4 scholarships returned and we're back to a full 63 in 2017,
 
Neale must want the bright lights of Vegas, or is liking the new UNLV coach and what he is selling at the FBS school.

Because UNLV is absolutely a step down from UM. One example of this is the fact that UNLV, at home, narrowly escaped Big Sky Conference doormat Northern Colorado by the impressive score of 12-13 last season. :shock:
 
IntuitiveGriz said:
Neale must want the bright lights of Vegas, or is liking the new UNLV coach and what he is selling at the FBS school.

Because UNLV is absolutely a step down from UM. One example of this is the fact that UNLV, at home, narrowly escaped Big Sky Conference doormat Northern Colorado by the impressive score of 12-13 last season. :shock:
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Griz fans are too hung up on this...A kid that has no emotional ties to a Montana or FCS school will more times than not choose a FBS school. Past performance is a much lesser factor, as most kids will feel that they can change the path of a UNLV or Idaho.
 
grizindabox said:
IntuitiveGriz said:
Neale must want the bright lights of Vegas, or is liking the new UNLV coach and what he is selling at the FBS school.

Because UNLV is absolutely a step down from UM. One example of this is the fact that UNLV, at home, narrowly escaped Big Sky Conference doormat Northern Colorado by the impressive score of 12-13 last season. :shock:
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Griz fans are too hung up on this...A kid that has no emotional ties to a Montana or FCS school will more times than not choose a FBS school. Past performance is a much lesser factor, as most kids will feel that they can change the path of a UNLV or Idaho.
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yep
 
That is your opinion. Mine is we have a 50/50 shot at these kids. If Kamron Johnson signs on Wed., Feb. 4, we beat out not only the UNLV's, Wyoming's and Nevada's of the world, we beat out Wisconsin, a Big 10 powerhouse, bowl winner, and a perennial Top 25 program.

With a successful year or two under his belt and the completion of the new Washington-Champion's Center, not to mention our already impressive academic programs, plus the return of our 4 scholarships in 2017, Coach Stitt and staff will be winning more of our recruiting battles against the mid-bottom feeders of FBS, not fewer !!!
 
I just wonder what UNLV has to tell a kid to flip him from anywhere. Why would a kid leave programs like UM, EWU or MSU for that team? Must not care about expectations of acheivement or fan support. I'm in the move-up camp but LV is one of those FBS programs nobody wants to be.
 
Buttegrizzle said:
I just wonder what UNLV has to tell a kid to flip him from anywhere. Why would a kid leave programs like UM, EWU or MSU for that team? Must not care about expectations of acheivement or fan support. I'm in the move-up camp but LV is one of those FBS programs nobody wants to be.
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Even for UNLV, it is pretty easy to sell a kid on FBS and the MWC as opposed to playing at a "lower level" FCS school, even if it is Montana.
 
While I hope Alex Neale flourishes at UNLV, I agree with you Buttegrizzle--UNLV has been to head-coaching careers what ALS and pancreatic cancer are to the human body--a death sentence.

So in 1-2 years, maybe Mr. Neale will be head-over-heels in love with UNLV. If so, great !!!

And maybe like former GRIZ OL Kjelby Oiland and Trevor Poole before him who went to UNLV and then had a major change of heart, he will want to transfer to UM.
 
If UNLV were an easy sell for recruiting, they would have done better than 106-219 over the past 28 years, with their last bowl win coming 15 years ago in 2000 !!!

I hope new UNLV HC Coach Sanchez does well ! Over the past almost 30 years, no head coach, including former USC HC John Robinson and our own Bobby Hauck, has been able to win consistently in Las Vegas. And unlike Pullman or Laramie, Las Vegas is a major American city, with an estimated 2013 population of 608,000 people--there are local kids to recruit, but most of them don't want to play there !!!
 
grizindabox said:
Buttegrizzle said:
I just wonder what UNLV has to tell a kid to flip him from anywhere. Why would a kid leave programs like UM, EWU or MSU for that team? Must not care about expectations of acheivement or fan support. I'm in the move-up camp but LV is one of those FBS programs nobody wants to be.
Click to expand...

Even for UNLV, it is pretty easy to sell a kid on FBS and the MWC as opposed to playing at a "lower level" FCS school, even if it is Montana.
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UNLV and UNM make a lot more sense than Idaho or NMSU.....those two programs have virtually NOTHING to offer.
 
I think this sucks we lost out on this kid, but in reality...isn't he a 3 star recruit? how many of those does UNLV get regularly? Some ask why UNLV has to "dip down to Montana's recruits" when in reality...kids a 3*. Or maybe he didn't want to run 110 plays a game...
 
billingsgriz said:
If UNLV were an easy sell for recruiting, they would have done better than 106-219 over the past 28 years, with their last bowl win coming 15 years ago in 2000 !!!

I hope new UNLV HC Coach Sanchez does well ! Over the past almost 30 years, no head coach, including former USC HC John Robinson and our own Bobby Hauck, has been able to win consistently in Las Vegas. And unlike Pullman or Laramie, Las Vegas is a major American city, with an estimated 2013 population of 608,000 people--there are local kids to recruit, but most of them don't want to play there !!!
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No one said it is an easy sell...when you are trying to convince a kid that has offers from better FBS schools. But UNLV is an easier sell when you are recruiting a kid that is going to a FCS school.
 
What can programs like UNLV, Idaho, NMSU, UNM , and other lower rung FBS programs sell to recruits?

1. A better education in certain career fields. Hard to believe, but some of these kids do feel their future is beyond the football field.

2. Facing better competition most every game.

3. To be part of history of laying the foundation for future generations. Example something like this, "Most any recruit can attend (insert historical winning FBS or FCS program here). You are competitive and like challenges, right? Wouldn't you rather be part of the class or classes turning (insert mid level to bottom feeder programs here) into a national contending program, with the benefit of playing sooner and making history along with our coaches? We as coaches are committed to becoming a national contending program, how about you joining us making history? Or you can be a status quo recruit and join 100's to 1000's of players recognized as average players elsewhere? What is the bigger challenge, how would you like to go down in school history? "

Granted, it is hard to prospect for those kind recruits and families. Recruiting is sales. Think about it, throw enough questions at a recruit and family to get no less than 3 "yes" answers from the recruit/family, then you have what it takes to possibly turn that recruit into a commitment. Also consider, most all athletes with Div 1 talent/potential are very competitive and like challenges, that is played on and used often to flip recruits.

Realistically, will a bottom feeder program turn it around to be a national contender? More than likely not. However, it is attractive and enticing to have a recruit think, "what if this program does become a national contender and I am part of it?"

I have a feeling many of us just accept things as are, instead of thinking bigger and better.
 
Hey guys, I need to let you know that recruits and their families monitor social media sites like this, just FYI. I am Alex's dad and I needed to respond and let you know Alex loves the Griz and made the decision to join UNLV because he wants to study engineering and UM does not have an engineering school. You may be surprised where UNLV will go under this former coach from Bishop Gorman. UM is an awesome school and place, he loved it but had to make a decision on his future, it broke his heart and was not easy. I just wanted everyone to know that it had nothing to do with UM or wanting to go to school in Las Vegas (he better not be going to strip clubs). I think Stitt and his new staff will do awesome, they are great people and coaches. I know Alex and I will be watching UM and he has friends on the team.
 
Classy post, Dad! Thanks for letting us know and the best of luck to Alex. We really wanted him in Missoula - if it doesn't work out in Vegas I'll bet he would be welcomed in GRIZ Country.
 
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