03-15-2013, 01:20 PM
03-15-2013, 09:57 PM
Great interview. He makes me feel good about the direction of the program.
I might get flamed for saying this, but since I think he has more staying power than CGM, I'm almost to a point where I'm okay with a football existence merely to have us in a good conference. I think that if we pour the majority of our resources towards basketball, not only do we have a good shot of having a long term coach in Haase, but I think we could have the program competitive on a national level. It's not that I don't love football, but I'd be happy to be less than mediocre at football if it meant basketball making waves every year in the tourney. Give Coach Haase the resources and I think he does that.
I might get flamed for saying this, but since I think he has more staying power than CGM, I'm almost to a point where I'm okay with a football existence merely to have us in a good conference. I think that if we pour the majority of our resources towards basketball, not only do we have a good shot of having a long term coach in Haase, but I think we could have the program competitive on a national level. It's not that I don't love football, but I'd be happy to be less than mediocre at football if it meant basketball making waves every year in the tourney. Give Coach Haase the resources and I think he does that.
03-15-2013, 10:17 PM
I would think most on here finds it completely unacceptable to have a mediocre basketball team... We should be one of the best basketball programs in the nation; however if we field a football team then it should strive to be a strong program on the national level. With the new bowl game program there is no reason why we cannot make the "BC$" game open to everyone else, and I would love to see us crash this new "playoff" system.
03-15-2013, 10:43 PM
Our football program is why all our sports will be in the "Left Behind Conference" next season. It doesn't have to stay that way, but the football program and football facilities have a long ways to go before a better offer comes our way. UAB has gone from playing Marquette in basketball to playing Florida Atlantic (next season).
03-15-2013, 10:55 PM
In today's environment, the only was we have a long term coach in either McGee or Haase is for them to be mediocre: not good enough to get hired away, not bad enough to get fired.
03-15-2013, 10:59 PM
(03-15-2013 10:43 PM)KevMo4UAB Wrote: [ -> ]Our football program is why all our sports will be in the "Left Behind Conference" next season. It doesn't have to stay that way, but the football program and football facilities have a long ways to go before a better offer comes our way. UAB has gone from playing Marquette in basketball to playing Florida Atlantic (next season).
Come on, quit acting like this has just happened. We've been in the left behind conference for 8 years. You can pick on FAU, but I am actually looking forward to the basketball conference scheduling for the first time in years. Basketball is improving.
03-15-2013, 11:02 PM
Yeah, but I guess what I'm saying is that I think it has gotten that way because we are trying to fund both at the top level. You look at when basketball started it fall and it lines up pretty well with when we started trying to fund football. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying abandon football by any means, I'm just saying, if we strove for excellence (and by excellence, I mean national prominence) in one and let the other ride the coat-tails until the big paychecks started coming in, I think it would be more effective than trying to do things the way we are now.
At some point, we're going to have to pay a coach seven figures in one of the sports if we're going to get off of this roller coaster and remain relevant. I think the best option, and quicker way to national athletic respect, would be through the basketball program.
It's been pointed out, indirectly, several times here that there are football conferences and there are basketball conferences...I feel like the approach that we've taken for the longest time has left us in neither.
I'm basically talking about the way we approach some things. For instance, offering free tickets to schools to football games to increase attendance, but not doing the same thing for basketball (especially for games we expect to draw less). We all know how different the outcomes of games can be when Bartow is full. We need to put as much energy and money into filling up Bartow as we do to get 20k to Legion Field. I personally think that's an easier task.
I'm just tired of being mediocre in both big time sports, and I don't think we can reach a level of national recognition in both while chipping away at them at the same time. I think we should take one there, and then use that success to help fund the other and bring it along later. Maybe that's just me.
At some point, we're going to have to pay a coach seven figures in one of the sports if we're going to get off of this roller coaster and remain relevant. I think the best option, and quicker way to national athletic respect, would be through the basketball program.
It's been pointed out, indirectly, several times here that there are football conferences and there are basketball conferences...I feel like the approach that we've taken for the longest time has left us in neither.
I'm basically talking about the way we approach some things. For instance, offering free tickets to schools to football games to increase attendance, but not doing the same thing for basketball (especially for games we expect to draw less). We all know how different the outcomes of games can be when Bartow is full. We need to put as much energy and money into filling up Bartow as we do to get 20k to Legion Field. I personally think that's an easier task.
I'm just tired of being mediocre in both big time sports, and I don't think we can reach a level of national recognition in both while chipping away at them at the same time. I think we should take one there, and then use that success to help fund the other and bring it along later. Maybe that's just me.
03-15-2013, 11:40 PM
For UAB to have conference champion quality teams in any sport will require a cash outlay for facilities and stadium similar to that of our competition. We don't have to outspend them but we do have to match them in quality of offerings.
Right now the state's Post Secondary schools ( all state JUCOs & public 4 year colleges and universities) are getting a 30% share of the Alabama SETF which the state has reduced since 2008 by a nation-leading $1400 annually per pupil. UAB and the rest can only recoup a part of this deficit by raising tuition and other fees. The rest will have to come from cuts in financial support for programs at the schools unless "financial angels" donate the money to make up the difference.
Over the next several years, even more reductions are likely in the SETF outlays since the new School Flexibility Act may result in major state income tax's revenue reductions due to the newly instituted tax exemptions for those who send their child to new public or private schools - or just continue to do so while enjoying the state furnished subsidy. According to statements by legislators and Dr Bice, they really have no idea of how much tax revenue from state income taxes will be reduced.
Right now the state's Post Secondary schools ( all state JUCOs & public 4 year colleges and universities) are getting a 30% share of the Alabama SETF which the state has reduced since 2008 by a nation-leading $1400 annually per pupil. UAB and the rest can only recoup a part of this deficit by raising tuition and other fees. The rest will have to come from cuts in financial support for programs at the schools unless "financial angels" donate the money to make up the difference.
Over the next several years, even more reductions are likely in the SETF outlays since the new School Flexibility Act may result in major state income tax's revenue reductions due to the newly instituted tax exemptions for those who send their child to new public or private schools - or just continue to do so while enjoying the state furnished subsidy. According to statements by legislators and Dr Bice, they really have no idea of how much tax revenue from state income taxes will be reduced.
03-16-2013, 02:39 AM
People still care about conferences?
03-16-2013, 10:45 AM
(03-16-2013 02:39 AM)tibber Wrote: [ -> ]People still care about conferences?
I used to care about conferences. The farther we slip, the less I care.
03-16-2013, 01:22 PM
You're right-- we don't need national prominence yet in football. We just need to start winning games in our conference. We don't need to be top 25 or anything. We just need to win, start producing a good product, and build a fanbase. Then we can get some facilities going and think about trying to rise higher. However, we don't need to be trying to be the next boise state-- yet.
Basketball, however. We should be in the national spotlight pretty often. Luckily that's easier to do in basketball, because the tournament highlights 68 teams.
We need to be a consistent participator. Every year we go, we're on the bracket for the nation. Hard-core bracketologists will be researching our team. This way any basketball fan who hears "UAB" knows us a bit. They might not know what conference we come out of, or anything else. But they know the name "UAB".
Then if we can start making deep runs in the NCAA tournament... then we're making some noise. That's where I want to be at the least.
Basketball, however. We should be in the national spotlight pretty often. Luckily that's easier to do in basketball, because the tournament highlights 68 teams.
We need to be a consistent participator. Every year we go, we're on the bracket for the nation. Hard-core bracketologists will be researching our team. This way any basketball fan who hears "UAB" knows us a bit. They might not know what conference we come out of, or anything else. But they know the name "UAB".
Then if we can start making deep runs in the NCAA tournament... then we're making some noise. That's where I want to be at the least.
03-16-2013, 08:23 PM
At least the conference we're in right now has a name. And besides, it's not like basketball's been pulling their weight lately either.
03-17-2013, 08:57 AM
(03-15-2013 10:43 PM)KevMo4UAB Wrote: [ -> ]Our football program is why all our sports will be in the "Left Behind Conference" next season. It doesn't have to stay that way, but the football program and football facilities have a long ways to go before a better offer comes our way. UAB has gone from playing Marquette in basketball to playing Florida Atlantic (next season).
Sadly, and reluctantly, I agree. I used to think football was helpful to basketball, but it has gone the other way.
Ya notice where St. Louis Billikens are right now?
That should be UAB.
03-17-2013, 09:04 AM
We can and will have not only a successful basketball program but football and even baseball as well. It doesn't have to be at the expense of the other.
03-17-2013, 11:26 PM
Hmm. So what are we going to do differently in basketball if we de-empahsize football? We have hired an energetic, young coach with a strong basketball pedigree. They are recruiting their tails off. We have a decent basketball arena and a solid history - proving it can be done at UAB. Please tell me exactly what we would we do differently in basketball if we de-emphasized football? A higher level conference offer is not the answer by the way - since no one out there is going to offer that to us at the present time.
Basketball has everything it needs to develop a winning program - starting next year. Five returning starters, plus post and point guard help are on the way - and we have a smart coach with a year of experience under his belt. We'll be at least an NIT team next year, if not better. Mehinti is a jewel in the rough who is going to have a big impact over the next four years, and the point guard from Arkansas is going to seriously elevate the speed of our game by his sophomore year -which is when this offense will start to thrive.
On the other side of the coin - how could we de-emphasize football any further? We are now in the Sunbelt-USA. We have no stadium. We have no decent football facilities, other than a weight room. We haven't had a winning season since Roddy White was a teenager. We have zero momentum in the program, other than the head coach's personality and will to succeed. We spend minimally on everything. How do we further de-empahsize football without stepping down to 1-AA? I'd rather not have football than drop to that level.
What we need is:
1. Strong, energetic leadership/coaching for both basketball and football - we seem to have found that this year.
2. Strong recruiting. I think we have signs of that for basketball, not as sure yet for football.
3. Development of a will-to-win as a team - meaning you refuse to lose games that are within your reach talent-wise, and that you reguarly over-achieve against teams with superior talent. This is where good teams aren't eager to play you. It's been a long, long time since we've seen that here with either program. The Memphis and Tulane games worry me in football - not a good sign - should have won both. Basketball seemed to improve throughout the season - in spite of being woefully under-talented and under-sized in the post and completely lacking any penetration abillity. But we didn't win have any big wins there either. So I don't think we've reached this stage yet with either program.
4. Success - defined as bowl games for football and NCAA tournament for basketball. This is where recruiting and fan support will both begin to gain momentum and take a notable step forward.
5. Elevation of success due to momentum - resulting in higher tier bowls and Sweet Sixteen or better. Success breeds success. This is the stage where people start wanting to donate to make even bigger things happen like the new football facilities (minus a stadium).
6. Championship success - winning the conference regularly in football (a la Southern Miss or Boise or TCU) and moving beyond the Sweet Sixteen occasionally in basketball (a la Gonzaga or Butler or VCU)- will lose coaches at this stage and we must be prepared to re-load with the next guy who can sustain and build.
7. New football stadium
That will take 2- 3 years in basketball and probably 4-5 years minimum in football. Success in one sport only helps the other. UAB should expect success in both - and WILL be successful in both with the right leadership.
Basketball has everything it needs to develop a winning program - starting next year. Five returning starters, plus post and point guard help are on the way - and we have a smart coach with a year of experience under his belt. We'll be at least an NIT team next year, if not better. Mehinti is a jewel in the rough who is going to have a big impact over the next four years, and the point guard from Arkansas is going to seriously elevate the speed of our game by his sophomore year -which is when this offense will start to thrive.
On the other side of the coin - how could we de-emphasize football any further? We are now in the Sunbelt-USA. We have no stadium. We have no decent football facilities, other than a weight room. We haven't had a winning season since Roddy White was a teenager. We have zero momentum in the program, other than the head coach's personality and will to succeed. We spend minimally on everything. How do we further de-empahsize football without stepping down to 1-AA? I'd rather not have football than drop to that level.
What we need is:
1. Strong, energetic leadership/coaching for both basketball and football - we seem to have found that this year.
2. Strong recruiting. I think we have signs of that for basketball, not as sure yet for football.
3. Development of a will-to-win as a team - meaning you refuse to lose games that are within your reach talent-wise, and that you reguarly over-achieve against teams with superior talent. This is where good teams aren't eager to play you. It's been a long, long time since we've seen that here with either program. The Memphis and Tulane games worry me in football - not a good sign - should have won both. Basketball seemed to improve throughout the season - in spite of being woefully under-talented and under-sized in the post and completely lacking any penetration abillity. But we didn't win have any big wins there either. So I don't think we've reached this stage yet with either program.
4. Success - defined as bowl games for football and NCAA tournament for basketball. This is where recruiting and fan support will both begin to gain momentum and take a notable step forward.
5. Elevation of success due to momentum - resulting in higher tier bowls and Sweet Sixteen or better. Success breeds success. This is the stage where people start wanting to donate to make even bigger things happen like the new football facilities (minus a stadium).
6. Championship success - winning the conference regularly in football (a la Southern Miss or Boise or TCU) and moving beyond the Sweet Sixteen occasionally in basketball (a la Gonzaga or Butler or VCU)- will lose coaches at this stage and we must be prepared to re-load with the next guy who can sustain and build.
7. New football stadium
That will take 2- 3 years in basketball and probably 4-5 years minimum in football. Success in one sport only helps the other. UAB should expect success in both - and WILL be successful in both with the right leadership.
03-18-2013, 01:28 AM
Financial commitment is the only thing that I see us lacking. We have to be willing to put forth the money it requires to remain relevant and not take a step backwards the next time we find ourselves in the position to solidify our status as a national power.
That's going to mean a 7 figure payday, deep recruiting budgets and setting the bar instead of trying to keep up when it comes to facilities. You get what you pay for. We went after a young hungry coach in CMA and when it was time to pay, we took a step backwards. Now we have that young, hungry coach again. The question is will we do what is necessary to continue our climb (when the time comes) or are we content to be on a roller coaster ride?
That's going to mean a 7 figure payday, deep recruiting budgets and setting the bar instead of trying to keep up when it comes to facilities. You get what you pay for. We went after a young hungry coach in CMA and when it was time to pay, we took a step backwards. Now we have that young, hungry coach again. The question is will we do what is necessary to continue our climb (when the time comes) or are we content to be on a roller coaster ride?
03-18-2013, 02:43 AM
- Ah, the "we need to invest more" argument. Ok, let's assume there was no black hole named "football" to suck funds away. Of course, that changes our conference and, so, media deals and such. If you do the math, basketball actually ends up with less revenue in a world without football. Which brings me to my next point. CUSA revenue should equal a CUSA budget...and it turns out, in our case, it does. Our budget has actually been just above average in the conference. If you want us to spend ACC or SEC money on our programs, then you need to arrange for us to snag an invite to those conferences. Otherwise, your argument is only valid if we had been taking in CUSA revenues but operating on Sunbelt expenses...not at all the case.
- Football not being successful is exactly what's holding us back. If we strung 3 or 4 seasons of 9+ wins together, we would be almost guaranteed an invite to a Cartel conference. All of this is true...in EA Sports' NCAA Football franchise. Why is it true in that world? Because it's the way fans think it should work, and fans play video games. Or do you really think Southern Miss had an invite virtually in hand (to what...we'll get there) but a poorly timed 0-12 season caused it to be ripped up? Does anyone really believe that? REALLY?!?
- But let's assume that's true. Then if football had its **** together we could be preparing to follow Memphis and add Louisville, Pitt, Syracuse, UCONN, Cincy, et. al. to our yearly conference schedule! Oh, wait...that's not what Memphis is getting. Well, we're still getting jobbed of the chance to spend multiple millions of $$ to really not change anything at all. If we aren't in the Cartel, it really makes no difference as long as we have similar revenues and budgets...as the "A12" (hypothetically), MWC, and CUSA will.
- Without football, let's assume we could have positioned ourselves into the geographically closest basketball conference of note, the A10 (or Colonial...name any conference really as it makes no difference because...). We could be as lucky and stable, counting our blessings, as other southern, non-football schools like...well, I'm trying to think of a successful, southern, non-football school that isn't scrambling to do now what Gene Bartow did in 1989. I'm sure I'll think of one, so just consider that point made, if you will.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
- Football not being successful is exactly what's holding us back. If we strung 3 or 4 seasons of 9+ wins together, we would be almost guaranteed an invite to a Cartel conference. All of this is true...in EA Sports' NCAA Football franchise. Why is it true in that world? Because it's the way fans think it should work, and fans play video games. Or do you really think Southern Miss had an invite virtually in hand (to what...we'll get there) but a poorly timed 0-12 season caused it to be ripped up? Does anyone really believe that? REALLY?!?
- But let's assume that's true. Then if football had its **** together we could be preparing to follow Memphis and add Louisville, Pitt, Syracuse, UCONN, Cincy, et. al. to our yearly conference schedule! Oh, wait...that's not what Memphis is getting. Well, we're still getting jobbed of the chance to spend multiple millions of $$ to really not change anything at all. If we aren't in the Cartel, it really makes no difference as long as we have similar revenues and budgets...as the "A12" (hypothetically), MWC, and CUSA will.
- Without football, let's assume we could have positioned ourselves into the geographically closest basketball conference of note, the A10 (or Colonial...name any conference really as it makes no difference because...). We could be as lucky and stable, counting our blessings, as other southern, non-football schools like...well, I'm trying to think of a successful, southern, non-football school that isn't scrambling to do now what Gene Bartow did in 1989. I'm sure I'll think of one, so just consider that point made, if you will.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
03-18-2013, 06:18 AM
Geez. Stop lecturing. Where did anyone say in this thread that football should dropped?