One of my dislikes also has to do with scheduling. We really have no control over schedules inside the league, so that is a non issue. But outside the conference we have total control and is where a very good AD is valuable - an AD that understands the school, its history and what I call "scheduling for advantage". I really like to have athletic directors who know the school instead of ADs that arrive from outside the area and have no idea what makes us tick.

Some might disagree, but I thought Bubba was that "outlier" who would come and quickly go using TU as a bullet point on his resume' and that's about what happened. I will say he did one thing right and that was to hire and keep TG as FB coach as long as he could, but in the end, thats not enough. And the jury is certainly still out on DG who I think made a good hire in PM as FB coach - if he actually was the enabler on that or not. I'm not so sure about Haith who had an experienced NCAA team and some "peculiar" losses last year.

But back to schedules. I believe the non conference schedules should be based on 3 components. (1) To get butts in seats - both our fans and theirs, and (2) assure a good chance at 6 wins and a bowl and lastly, (3) a team that will sign "fair" contracts (none of those 3 for one contracts please!).

First, the idea of scheduling CFB teams from the MAC will do absolutely nothing to enhance attendance. Noone cares about some jerkwater team from Ohio or Illinois that goes to the Humanitarian bowl every 8 years. No, I'd much rather schedule a team we have a history with and the fans identify with from the old WAC or CUSA and yes, even a DI-AA team from the Valley like Missouri St who is close enough to bring fans. Any school that will put those rear ends in seats is OK with me. But we have the biggest footprint with the CUSA and our old rivals from that conf like UTEP, Rice, North Texas, La Tech. I can easily drive to Denton and Ruston for two of those games in one day and the other two in a short weekend. I'd also take a Sun Belt team over a MAC school because they will bring fans - an example of that was our game against Texas St last year. And a SB school is in our recruiting footprint as well.

IMO scheduling (hiring is second) is the one key component a fan can judge the strength or weakness of an AD. Its all on him and if he fails at that, maybe its time to interview a better candidate for that important job. Raising money and hiring coaches sometimes becomes the perview of the college president, but i can't think of a single president that puts a CFB or MBB schedule together.