Coaching

[MilwaukeeJacksAlum]

Re: Coaching

I guess maybe I have been spoiled over the years with consistent top 20 (usually top 10) finishes, no worse than 9-3 records,  several National Championships, and record numbers of academic all-americans on my favorite team of the past. I reallize that is an established and storied program, but one has to wonder if we have always overachieved, or if we have not played our best players, if we have not lived up to our potential. Losses are one thing, Losses due to incompetance (sp?) are another. I cannot say for sure which it is, but it is a question worth asking.

I'm extremely biased when it comes to Coach Stig, so my opinion is probably not worth much. However, I will say that your old team that used to roll up 9-3 records as a matter of course started griping about their coach after one of those "average" winning seasons. That griping got their coach fired with new blood brought in to take the program to the next level. Well, that next level seems to be losing to teams that have not beaten them in 30 years. Also, those average 9-3 seasons are a distant memory. Think of that when calling for Coach Stig's head. Our recruiting base has widened and our talent pool should benefit. If he can't win when we reach our max scholarships, then I bet he'll be the first to tell you it's time for a change.

[JackTwice]

Re: Coaching

What do you think the coaching change would bring? What do you suppose we are going to get for coaches here? Two of our most recent coaching defections either went down a class (D-II) or took a step down to move up. From what I understand both coaches salaries increased significantly.
Have you looked at what we pay coaches? I thought I saw or read somewhere that the coordinators at NDSU make more than Stig. If you want to make a change that will make a difference, open up your wallet a little bit wider and convince two other people to do the same. Then after allowing the staff time to compensate, if they aren't getting the job done, then I will stand up and defend changing coaches. But only when they have a chance to compete on a level field.

If we are going to change coaches by some of the logic presented here Nagy should be the first to go. He went 10-18 last year and has lost to two top 20 teams already this year (all 5 fb losses were to top 10 finishing teams) and basketball is as highly funded as Kentucky's. Beside not competing there are as many of his 14 players that have fallen outside the law as Stig's 90. Any one here want to start a thread on basketball advocating firing Nagy?

[wererabbit]

Re: Coaching

Milwaukee jack theres nothing wrong about having loyalties . Its good to share opinions and thoughts . maybe i am way out of line with my thoughts and feelings . I know stig is a good person. Jack twice you have brought up some good points also about salaries. any other thoughts out there feel free to join in everyone.

[SDSUFAN]

Re: Coaching

One of the most enjoyable experiences since moving back to the Brookings area is the ability to attend the biweekly Jackrabbit Club meetings in Brookings.  What you come away from these meetings is a little better understanding of the coaches, who they are as people, and where their programs are going.  So far, I have been deeply impressed with all coaches in alls sports. Even the Equestrian Coach is an impressive person in front of a group of fans. At the last meeting, I attended  Coach Megan mentioned that when alums offered to lease or donate horses to the equestrian team, she mentioned that the horses would then go through a thorough 30 day evaluation period. This evaluation is to test the horse on how it will react in equestrian meets etc.

Coach Nagy was up next on the program after the equestrian coach. Coach Nagy quipped that he wished he had 30 days to  evaluate all his basketball athletes like the horses. It sounded like a good deal to Coach Nagy  ;D.

The point is I dont think there is any coaching change needed at SDSU. We got quality people. I think we have problems keeping these people because our salaries are not where they should be and those that come here and express an opinion share some of these responsiblities. One could I am sure donate a gift for the purpose of improving coaching salaries. If we want better coaches, it gets back to putting your money where your mouth is. It sounds cruel, but thats the bottom line.

Years ago, I ran into a former SDSU athlete that had Coach Ginn for his first year at SDSU, Coach Kraigthorpe and also Coach Conrad for football coaches. In other words 3 coaches in 4 years.  Check your media guides and you will find that it happened about 1968-72.  This athlete told me he felt had SDSU found a way to hang on Coach Kraghthrope who went on to Weber State, Oregan State and a few other places, we would have gotten the program back on track like it was in the early 1960's. That was just his opinion. Then as now I think the big problem was money in keeping our salaries competitive.

I really think getting rid of Coach Stig is anything but the answer. If he is shown the door, the next guy has to pick up where he left off and maybe after a season or two, he is gone and then the next guy comes and he is further behind the 8 ball and expected to perform mircles.  Meanwhile all these know it all people can not understand why our program is mediocare at best and terrible at other times.

We got who we need for coaches, what the program needs is funding-- plain and simple. Unless one has given tons of dough to the program, then I really dont think you can say a whole lot negative things about a program that is operating efficently on a limited budget.

[filbert]

Re: Coaching

I really think getting rid of Coach Stig is anything but the answer. If he is shown the door, the next guy has to pick up where he left off and maybe after a season or two, he is gone and then the next guy comes and he is further behind the 8 ball and expected to perform mircles. Meanwhile all these know it all people can not understand why our program is mediocare at best and terrible at other times.

This brings to mind a good point. We do NOT want to get a reputation in D-I as a school with a revolving door for head coaches.

That's not what SDSU is, it's not who we are. We are not a "win at all costs" school, we're a "win the right way" school. This applies to the coaches as well as to the players, the boosters, and the fans.

Well, except for cowbells, of course. Those should be rung at all costs . . .



If you want to worry about something, worry about somebody coming along and giving Aaron Johnston an offer he can't refuse, not whether or not we should give Stig the boot.

(Just to be clear, there are no rumors about AJ which I am aware of, and I do not want to start any. I'm just saying, if you want to worry about coaches, don't start with the football coach who has a winning record but hasn't (yet) delivered a 9-2 season--ok?)

[wererabbit]

Re: Coaching

easy there big guy .One thing when we start to imply that fans shouldnt have an opinion without giving tends to shut people down. A lot of good thoughts so far lets keep them coming. Just for the record i am a fan and am not trying to hurt the JACKS . Lets all keep civilized this is a emotional subject and i do apologize if i rub fans the wrong way,thank you.

[JACKGUYII]

Re: Coaching

One of the most enjoyable experiences since moving back to the Brookings area is the ability to attend the biweekly Jackrabbit Club meetings in Brookings.  What you come away from these meetings is a little better understanding of the coaches, who they are as people, and where their programs are going.  So far, I have been deeply impressed with all coaches in alls sports. Even the Equestrian Coach is an impressive person in front of a group of fans. At the last meeting, I attended  Coach Megan mentioned that when alums offered to lease or donate horses to the equestrian team, she mentioned that the horses would then go through a thorough 30 day evaluation period. This evaluation is to test the horse on how it will react in equestrian meets etc.

Coach Nagy was up next on the program after the equestrian coach. Coach Nagy quipped that he wished he had 30 days to  evaluate all his basketball athletes like the horses. It sounded like a good deal to Coach Nagy  ;D.

The point is I dont think there is any coaching change needed at SDSU. We got quality people. I think we have problems keeping these people because our salaries are not where they should be and those that come here and express an opinion share some of these responsiblities. One could I am sure donate a gift for the purpose of improving coaching salaries. If we want better coaches, it gets back to putting your money where your mouth is. It sounds cruel, but thats the bottom line.

Years ago, I ran into a former SDSU athlete that had Coach Ginn for his first year at SDSU, Coach Kraigthorpe and also Coach Conrad for football coaches. In other words 3 coaches in 4 years.  Check your media guides and you will find that it happened about 1968-72.  This athlete told me he felt had SDSU found a way to hang on Coach Kraghthrope who went on to Weber State, Oregan State and a few other places, we would have gotten the program back on track like it was in the early 1960's. That was just his opinion. Then as now I think the big problem was money in keeping our salaries competitive.

I really think getting rid of Coach Stig is anything but the answer. If he is shown the door, the next guy has to pick up where he left off and maybe after a season or two, he is gone and then the next guy comes and he is further behind the 8 ball and expected to perform mircles.  Meanwhile all these know it all people can not understand why our program is mediocare at best and terrible at other times.

We got who we need for coaches, what the program needs is funding-- plain and simple. Unless one has given tons of dough to the program, then I really dont think you can say a whole lot negative things about a program that is operating efficently on a limited budget.

Not a very bright comment to infer you can't critique unless you have donated tons of money. Can you advise how much that is so I can verify if I have met that level.

[footballfan]

Re: Coaching

I think Stig is an excellent coach. The players respect him and like him, a good coach surrounds himself with good assistants. Stig has done this. Coach Meadows does an excellent job with the OL and Coaches Wilkenson and Garry are good offensive coaches. Coach Bubak is an excellent defensive mind, Coach Sarvis in my humble opinion is the gem of the bunch, he can flat out coach and the D-Lineman love him. Strength Coach Moe is a good one, ask any players about there off season strength and condition program and they will agree. A strength coach is good when he pushes hard

Overall we have an impressive bunch of coaches. Hopefully we can keep all of them and continue going in the right direstion. I believe they know how to get to the next level



Go Jacks !!!!!!

[CatchEmAll]

Re: Coaching

Not a very bright comment to infer you can't critique unless you have donated tons of money. Can you advise how much that is so I can verify if I have met that level.

That's a great question. I guess since I have limited financial resources my six years given to the football program (plus three more working for peanuts in the athletic department) mean I have no right to comment on the program I feel I contributed mightily to. But I'll throw this in just because I'm in a crabby mood tonight. A comment was made about Daly's record being against like funded schools. Here's Stig's record against like funded schools:

1997 4-6
1998 6-5
1999 8-3
2000 6-5
2001 5-6
2002 6-4
2003 7-4

Didn't exactly tear up the football world when he was on equal footing.

Wins and loses aside, one thing that concerns me is staff retention. Coach Meadows is the longest tenured assistant at 4 years, the rest are in year one or two. Argue all you want about coaching pay, but we're not the worst paying school, and we know we're far from the best. Eidsness left for a head gig (Steinbach went with because of their relationship and a DC position), Karl left for his alma mater and a DI job, but who else has left for a "better" job. I would be curious to see a run down of Stig's assistants from day one and see where they are now.

I'll agree that the program needs to be fully funded before any judgement can be made on success or failures at this level. But at what point after full funding is the program evaluated.

In the mean time I'll keep my mouth shut because the pittance that I do (or don't) donate means nothing. And the blood, sweat and years I put into the program obviously mean I have no voice either.

[JackTwice]

Re: Coaching

Catch em -

I was not trying to disparage Daly in any way. Someone had mentioned that they thought we were going in the right direction with Daly. My point was that the results weren't really any different than what Stig has done. It just seemed that much better because Daly did a better job of promoting than Stig.

[Alumguy]

Re: Coaching

Mike Daly did do a good job of promoting. His television show was groundbreaking in South Dakota and did a lot to promote SDSU football. There is no doubt that show helped in recruiting.

That said, the gradual erosion of the Mike Daly Show, then the tailspin of Stig's show was another example of why SDSU needed to separate itself. Here's why. Mike had a difficult time finding and keeping sponsors. Many of the original sponsors soon had USD and Augie officials in their offices saying, "Hey, you are doing this for SDSU, what can you do for us? After all, we are the same, you know." Well, many of those sponsors pulled away because they didn't want to offend the other schools.

[SDSUFAN]

Re: Coaching

Not a very bright comment to infer you can't critique unless you have donated tons of money. Can you advise how much that is so I can verify if I have met that level.

Hey I have given plenty. I have an endowment in my name and have given between 20k and 40k since 1992, and individual gifts before that. I respect our programs and our AD, who knows what he is doing. Don't you think our AD would have forced a resignation if he wanted to make a coaching change? '

I also get tired of carpers/complainers who seem to have a solution to all the SDSU problems, but yet will not come forward with a nickel of financial help. If YOU are one of those folks, then the shoe fits. I am not against people expressing their opinions, but with the need for fiancial assistance at SDSU particularily in athletics its very easy to put your foot in your mouth. :-X

[SDSUFAN]

Re: Coaching

I think Stig is an excellent coach. The players respect him and like him, a good coach surrounds himself with good assistants. Stig has done this. Coach Meadows does an excellent job with the OL and Coaches Wilkenson and Garry are good offensive coaches. Coach Bubak is an excellent defensive mind, Coach Sarvis in my humble opinion is the gem of the bunch, he can flat out coach and the D-Lineman love him. Strength Coach Moe is a good one, ask any players about there off season strength and condition program and they will agree. A strength coach is good when he pushes hard

Overall we have an impressive bunch of coaches. Hopefully we can keep all of them and continue going in the right direstion. I believe they know how to get to the next level



Go Jacks  !!!!!!

Thanks!! These are exactly my conclusions and impressions.

[SDSUFAN]

Re: Coaching

That's a great question. I guess since I have limited financial resources my six years given to the football program (plus three more working for peanuts in the athletic department) mean I have no right to comment on the program I feel I contributed mightily to.  But I'll throw this in just because I'm in a crabby mood tonight. A comment was made about Daly's record being against like funded schools. Here's Stig's record against like funded schools:

1997 4-6
1998 6-5
1999 8-3
2000 6-5
2001 5-6
2002 6-4
2003 7-4

Didn't exactly tear up the football world when he was on equal footing.

Wins and loses aside, one thing that concerns me is staff retention. Coach Meadows is the longest tenured assistant at 4 years, the rest are in year one or two. Argue all you want about coaching pay, but we're not the worst paying school, and we know we're far from the best. Eidsness left for a head gig (Steinbach went with because of their relationship and a DC position), Karl left for his alma mater and a DI job, but who else has left for a "better" job.  I would be curious to see a run down of Stig's assistants from day one and see where they are now.  

I'll agree that the program needs to be fully funded before any judgement can be made on success or failures at this level. But at what point after full funding is the program evaluated.

In the mean time I'll keep my mouth shut because the pittance that I do (or don't) donate means nothing. And the blood, sweat and years I put into the program obviously mean I have no voice either.

It looks like my comment about money/mouth has been taken literally and some seem to enjoy it with sarcasm and thats okay. I know who is making it and consider the source. ;D No offense taken and yes some of the staff people at SDSU do work for peanuts too, so go easy on the ticket staff as they are underpaid, but generous in help to fans alike. ;D ;D


Agreed most of the assistants probably have not left because of not being hired away to better coaching jobs. I think Ballard would be an exception. Going back to CSU was one thing, but I am sure the salary that went with this move was more than what he was getting at SDSU.

The point is the asssistants have often left SDSU mostly because the salary was not enough to raise a family on. Our revolving door of coaches is not slowing down and that is what I see as a problem. We got good coaches now, but can we keep them.

UCD Coach Stig mentioned at the JC has one assistant who have been at UCD for 29 years. Would it be helpful if SDSU had such a person? Probably and probably not.

[jackrabbit1979]

Re: Coaching

Hey I have given plenty. I have an endowment in my name and have given between 20k and 40k since 1992, and individual gifts before that. I respect our programs and our AD, who knows what he is doing.  Don't you think our AD would have forced a resignation if he wanted to make a coaching change? '

I also get tired of carpers/complainers who seem to have a solution to all the SDSU problems, but yet will not come forward with a nickel of financial help. If YOU are one of those folks, then the shoe fits. I am not against people expressing their opinions, but with the need for fiancial assistance at SDSU particularily in athletics its very easy to put your foot in your mouth. :-X

I have to agree with jackguy and catch em on this one.  

Congrats SDSU Fan on your donations to the program.  I would assume every player and administrator is thankful.  However, it doesn't make you more of a fan because you have given financially and in my opinion doesn't mean donors can critique and non-donors cannot.  In fact i would venture to say there are more die-hard, supporting Jacks fans who don't donate then there are that do.  I would hope by the time we all reach our mid sixties (heck mid thirties) we have the financial means necessary to donate to the alma mater, but at this point in many's lives familes, debt, peanut salaries at the university, don't allow us to(at least myself).    If that means i can't discuss SDSU athletics on a discussion board, so be it.