We have undoubtedly had more than our share of questionable hires (1904-1965 & beyond). If you read stories from older Gators, very few even wanted to come to Gainesville to play. Which is funny because I really don't think Ga Tech, Bama or Ole Miss were any utopias. The truth is we haven't had the desire nor Administration in place to make it all happen. 'Wait 'till next year' was the rallying cry from a fanbase that was exhausted from losing.
They are well behind us. Nationally we are #28 and they are #47. Out of public universities, we are #6 and they are #20. That is a significant gap, and we are not in the same tiers.
Easy to say, and I’m good with it. They’re so scared of being sued, they don’t enforce anything though, so don’t get your hopes up on it actually happening. Kids playing at 3-4 schools is not really a super common thing, and I don’t think it will be. It’s another one of those things that gets talked about a lot, but it’s not really something I’m overly concerned with. Most that move more than once are not seeing the field. I’ve seen 3 a couple of times where they used both their undergrad and grad freebie. I’m perfectly fine with making it one total move, and would prefer it be a reward for graduating, putting in your time, and honoring your commitment. I just don’t see it happening, and don’t see them tightening up on the waivers even if they do change the rule.
From 1989-2001 uga was just a so-so program with more losing seasons than they had 10 win seasons. That's twelve meh seasons in a little over 30+ years. Mark Richt righted the ship, and even he had some less than stellar seasons, including many 4 and 5 loss years. Kirby stepped into a competitive program left to him by Richt, and with the Georgia legislature making it impossible for anyone to keep tabs on what they did at uga by passing what's called, "Kirby's Law', he's done great. Not saying he wouldn't have done well anyway, though.
What needs to change is more ruthlessness from the coaches and program till the NIL and Portal changes. Can’t be so nice. Unfortunately I would do terrible in the structure because I like growing a relationship. Relationships during recruiting and business once they step on campus.
Some good and valid points in these. I realize most here will not care, but, I can tell you the fans of every D1 program outside of the P5 are saying "welcome to our world".
I think we’ll be better at football without dropping academically. Just need the old alumni (a.k.a. 2.3 GPA dummies ) who got in before the high academic standards to not mess it up with all their illogical complaining.
I agree with the premise of your question. And that is my point. The game HAS changed. Even if someone figures out a way to reign it in a bit, there is still no going back to good 'ole (I'd argue much better) days. I do not think our University, the UAA, nor our boosters have the same mentality as the ferocious, win at all costs, spend as much as it takes folks in Tuscaloosa, Columbus, Athen, College Station, Austin, and Baton Rouge do. That isn't who we are. I don't think we have enough "Path 2" boosters. Those fan bases/alum do. And, because of that, I don't think we can or will ever have SUSTAINED success or even be what we would consider to be a "successful program" (I would define that as regulary competing for championships). I DO think we can have years, even consecutive ones, that we field a good, competitive team. We are in a recruiting hotbed and have a lot to offer good players. The right combination can produce plenty of wins. But that is very different, IMO, than what the average Gator fan (esp ones on message boards) expect. We expect Georgia/Bama, or at the very least LSU, level of competitiveness. That requires investments of resources that we just will not do, IMO. Can we be an Ole Miss with the right coach? Yes, I think we could be. And to answer your direct question, I don't know. And that makes me sad. Ever since I was a freshmen in 1992 watching Shane, then Danny sling it all over the Swamp, following Gator football has been one of my greatest past times. I was at the Choak at Doak in 1994, followed by the 5th quarter in the French Quarter in Jan. I live in Texas and travel once a year with one of my kids to watch a game in the Swamp. This year I did it twice. Next year, I'm taking an Aggie buddy to the Swamp and plan to see the Gators in Austin. So the thought of being ambivalent is sad to me. But I don't think we are far away from the game being a shell of what it once was. I watch ZERO NFL games a year - no interest whatsoever. But watching one year mercenaries that aren't any more a Gator than a free agent on the Cowboys is a Cowboy fan is unpalatable. As is wondering if our best players every year are going to look for greener pastures. I'll be honest, I WISH I didn't like the game. Because it is becoming (has already become) unlikeable. But I really, really like my Gators on Saturdays.
Unfortunately, you have to take the bad with the good. What you have described is...Bruce Pearl. Thanks but, not my cup of tea.
