I have been following A&M football for over 50 years so I guess that makes me an old. That said, it also gives me some perspective.
During that time, regardless of the coaching staff, Texas A&M has usually recruited Top 20 talent, and at times has recruited at a very elite level. Yet, we have been typical 8-4, 7-5 A&M that we are criticized for with a good year thrown in every 4-6 years. There have been some exceptions beginning in the late 1980s and early 1990s, but by and large we have been typical A&M.
We have gone with offensive scheme guys like Bellard and Sumlin, and have gone the more balanced approach with guys like Wilson, Sherrill, Sherman, and Fisher. We have gone with a defense first guy in RC and I don't quite know where you put a guy like Fran. Be that as it may, we have remained typical A&M. We have gone the cheap route on hiring, we have thrown money at the program. Yet, we still are typical A&M.
For whatever reason, we seem to fall well short of expectations on a regular basis. Regardless if we money- whipped coaches or made the safe hire type of coach. A&M's enrollment has exploded in my lifetime and we now have a palace that seats 100K +. Our athletes have every bell, whistle, amenity that one can imagine. We are continually upgrading facilities and yet we remain typical A&M.
We pay some of the highest ticket prices and donation levels and Kyle Field is filled to 85% capacity or better regardless. Should we accept that that is just who A&M is and will continue to be? I am certainly not saying that you don't stop trying to win but going the money whipping route with coaches has not really worked out. I am merely asking the question should we be ok with 8-4 or 9-3, with an occasional 10-2 and 11-1, or heaven forbid 12-0 season? As long as the 7-5 seasons are rare and there are no 6-6 or worse type seasons, the fans will still be at Kyle Field. Until the fans start voting with their feet and their wallet, would Texas A&M be better served paying for good solid coaches and a middle of the road salary to consistently perform at the level we pretty much have been for my entire adult life?
Not looking to trade insults with anyone but rather have a discussion.
During that time, regardless of the coaching staff, Texas A&M has usually recruited Top 20 talent, and at times has recruited at a very elite level. Yet, we have been typical 8-4, 7-5 A&M that we are criticized for with a good year thrown in every 4-6 years. There have been some exceptions beginning in the late 1980s and early 1990s, but by and large we have been typical A&M.
We have gone with offensive scheme guys like Bellard and Sumlin, and have gone the more balanced approach with guys like Wilson, Sherrill, Sherman, and Fisher. We have gone with a defense first guy in RC and I don't quite know where you put a guy like Fran. Be that as it may, we have remained typical A&M. We have gone the cheap route on hiring, we have thrown money at the program. Yet, we still are typical A&M.
For whatever reason, we seem to fall well short of expectations on a regular basis. Regardless if we money- whipped coaches or made the safe hire type of coach. A&M's enrollment has exploded in my lifetime and we now have a palace that seats 100K +. Our athletes have every bell, whistle, amenity that one can imagine. We are continually upgrading facilities and yet we remain typical A&M.
We pay some of the highest ticket prices and donation levels and Kyle Field is filled to 85% capacity or better regardless. Should we accept that that is just who A&M is and will continue to be? I am certainly not saying that you don't stop trying to win but going the money whipping route with coaches has not really worked out. I am merely asking the question should we be ok with 8-4 or 9-3, with an occasional 10-2 and 11-1, or heaven forbid 12-0 season? As long as the 7-5 seasons are rare and there are no 6-6 or worse type seasons, the fans will still be at Kyle Field. Until the fans start voting with their feet and their wallet, would Texas A&M be better served paying for good solid coaches and a middle of the road salary to consistently perform at the level we pretty much have been for my entire adult life?
Not looking to trade insults with anyone but rather have a discussion.
I know nothing!