PlayerRep said:
Grizzoola said:
Any president who doesn't realize what a great marketing tool a winning football program is for his/her school is stupid to deemphasize its football team. Gordon Gee, when pres. of U of CO, had winning teams, went to Ohio State & brought OS to where it is, now. Football puts the school on the map, better than any other marketing program.
Dennison knew this. I'm sure MSU Pres. Cruzado knows this. That's why MSU is where it is, now. I do not know Engstrom's position on the value of Griz football to the school. I believe he had to do something to clean up the program. One of the faults of a pres. who builds a football program for the top spot is bringing in players & coaches who bend the rules too much. I believe Gee had to retire at OS, due to problems in the football program during his tenure. Dennison retired at the right time. Engstrom had to do the dirty work.
I hope Engstrom is committed to keeping Griz football as not only a winning team, but a championship team. The test may be whether he can produce a championship team w/o headlines in the Missoulian of players & coaches appearing on police blotters. Cruzado seems to be doing ok. Nick Saban, too.
I pretty much agree with you, but what, specifically, do you think Engstrom had to do to clean up the program? What, specifically, needed to be cleaned up? What, besides firing two guys, do you think he did to clean it up?
He fired Pflu & O'Day. That sent a message that Engstrom no longer tolerates the practices of the past. Nothing else had to be done. Coach Delaney understands this very well. Every future coach & staff have to understand this. Zero tolerance. It was drastic, cost the program, but had to be done.
All college pres.'s & coaches now realize bending the rules, tolerating off-field misconduct catches up w/ the school & program. Just ask Penn State, Gordon Gee, etc. Ask Pflu & O'Day. It could be fair to say that UM's past success was built on a house of cards. Engstrom flattened it, & now the Griz are starting over.
It's time for the Griz to move on. MD has done a great job of advancing this program from the past, but he's still a reminder of that past. It's time after this season to bring in a new coach & staff, to be here the next 5-10 years. The Griz need program stability; no one knows how long Delaney will opt to be here. He's an interim coach, regardless.
Engstrom, Haslam, & advisors must go out & get the best fit they can find for this program & it does not have to be, maybe should not be, an in-house hire. I think a complete break from the past is in order, and it should be made after this season.