What are your expectations for Matt Campbell as the head coach of the Rockets? I'm talking about on the field. Are there a certain number of wins each year? 7,8,9,10..? As he enters his third year next season does he need to start winning MAC championships? Division titles? What if the Rockets are 7-5 next season? Do you think Mike O'Brien has expectations that are different than yours?

Not so much for Coach Campbell but my expectations for each season fall somewhere around MAC championship, top 25 ranking, 10+ win season, bowl game. If we start doing that on a consistent basis, then at some point we'll be in the discussion for one of those playoff bowl games.

(12-21-2013 10:00 AM)Rocket_Fanatic Wrote:  Not so much for Coach Campbell but my expectations for each season fall somewhere around MAC championship, top 25 ranking, 10+ win season, bowl game. If we start doing that on a consistent basis, then at some point we'll be in the discussion for one of those playoff bowl games.

The MAC will never be strong nor will our non-conference schedule be that strong to get Toledo to that playoff until it becomes 8 or even 12 teams.

He keeps getting the top recruiting classes in the MAC, He is coaching in Toledo, The expectation is MAC Titles, period. Bonuses like a top 25 standing or bigger bowl would nice, but given the conference, those are never guaranteed.

(12-21-2013 11:24 AM)falconplucker Wrote:  He keeps getting the top recruiting classes in the MAC, He is coaching in Toledo, The expectation is MAC Titles, period. Bonuses like a top 25 standing or bigger bowl would nice, but given the conference, those are never guaranteed.

I have posted few times, and I am a great believer in Coach Campbell, as some have noticed. I have no qualms with lofty expectations from the coach and his staff. I do however know and like him personally. I realize this may cloud my view.
That being said, with the possible lowering of the status of NUI, a MAC championship should be attainable in the next year or two.
I do find fault with the mixed signals the administration is giving the football program. We are a MAC school. To schedule two SEC teams is saying "we want to make money". But the words spoken are "we want to win the MAC". These may not be mutually exclusive, but I don't find them to be totally compatible either.
Let's hope the staff learns from their experiences. Let's appreciate what they have done. He is at UT to win games, but the academic progress of the program is one that many other schools envy. This staff's W-L record is the envy of many other programs. Believe it or not he may not be Nick Saban, but he is doing a pretty good job.
If I recall right at the sports academic banquet about a dozen years ago, the only football player to make the Deans list was a walk on kicker who never saw the field. (Recollection not fact, so bang away at it)

The schedule next season is a challenging one again. We have to break in a new QB, fill some spots on the O line, find someone else who can catch the ball besides Russell, and somehow come up with a secondary that can play pass defense. Tough spot for Campbell to be in given the disappointment of this season. Another 7-5 season next year will be a big disappointment unless most of the losses come out of conference AND we win the West Division. I'm not convinced Campbell will be here many more seasons...the real question is how does he leave?

(12-21-2013 11:01 AM)utpotts Wrote:  

(12-21-2013 10:00 AM)Rocket_Fanatic Wrote:  Not so much for Coach Campbell but my expectations for each season fall somewhere around MAC championship, top 25 ranking, 10+ win season, bowl game. If we start doing that on a consistent basis, then at some point we'll be in the discussion for one of those playoff bowl games.

The MAC will never be strong nor will our non-conference schedule be that strong to get Toledo to that playoff until it becomes 8 or even 12 teams.

I would think if the program somehow made 2 consecutive BCS bowls and be undefeated in year 3, it would at least put them in the discussion. Probably wouldn't get the nod but it would generate some buzz.

But, I don't think we get to that level with Campbell. I would be satisfied with a 9-10 win season and bowl victory next season.

Consistent play and effort for 4 quarters every game. That should lead to all of the above.

I am in the minority because I believe MC and staff are doing an excellent job. We should compete for a MACC every year.

9 or more wins every season. Flirting with a top 25 ranking. Beat bgsuCKS every year. Win or at least give one hell of an effort in the bowl game. Show progress from the year before. Easier said than done. Go Rockets!

(12-21-2013 04:44 PM)walrus74 Wrote:  To schedule two SEC teams is saying "we want to make money". But the words spoken are "we want to win the MAC". These may not be mutually exclusive, but I don't find them to be totally compatible either."

I assume the Florida game was a money deal (as well as perhaps an investment in future recruiting in the State of Florida), but so was the 2000 Penn State game which probably did more to put Toledo on the national radar than any other game in the past 15 years. With the level of recruiting the coaching staff has achieved, a few of these type games are warranted just to see where your program is at.

As to the Missouri game it is a HOME and HOME deal as I understand it, so your criticism of the scheduling is badly misplaced here IMO. How many non-AQ schools would like a 1 for 1 with a SEC school? All I suspect. How many non-AQ schools actually get a 1 for 1 with a SEC school? Very, very few I suspect. I don't know but I strongly suspect Gary Pinkel was instrumental in this scheduling arrangement for his former school.

Missouri comes to the Glass Bowl next year!! Hell yes, can't wait!

(12-21-2013 05:30 PM)RangerRocket Wrote:  Consistent play and effort for 4 quarters every game. That should lead to all of the above.

Amen.

(12-21-2013 05:30 PM)RangerRocket Wrote:  Consistent play and effort for 4 quarters every game. That should lead to all of the above.

Exactly.

GO UNDEFEATED IN NOVEMBER and DECEMBER!!!! If we would have done that this year we wouldn't have to worry about why we were overlooked and OU got a bowl game. And before it starts...injuries happen thats why you recruit every year to build depth.

Finish the season no lower than 3rd in the MAC West and schedule football games in the fall to help us pass the time until basketball season rolls around.

Win MAC Championships. Not "compete" to win MAC Championships - WIN THEM.

Enough of the "best class in the MAC" every February - show it on the GD field every fall.

Demand better.

(12-22-2013 02:55 AM)utrocks84 Wrote:  GO UNDEFEATED IN NOVEMBER and DECEMBER!!!! If we would have done that this year we wouldn't have to worry about why we were overlooked and OU got a bowl game.

If the Rockets would have that during the past 4 seasons there would 4 additional MACC Trophies in the trophy case.

I think a bigger question is what are the expectations of the AD. I get a sense that we are just trying to keep a coach rather than hire the best coach. Interim coaches should be just that. While I think our defense is better under Campell than Beckmann I think our offense has regressed with years of not picking a QB and we were left with a senior QB that played like a sophomore

My expectation is meaningful games in November. I think we over schedule a bit in the non conference. Maybe some year just schedule a couple more FCS games at home when we are stuck with November home games so the fans have some nice weather games


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there is nothing wrong with winning MAC championships and every couple years playing in a BCS game, look at NIU as an example of what we should expect out of our coaches and team here at UT. The mediocre teams are a reason why the average fan has a hard time getting excited each year for UT sports.
Beckman did some good things here at UT as far as recruiting and establishing expectations from players in the class room. Campbell needs to build on the fine recruiting classes he and Beckman have had and win championships. 7-5 and a potatoe bowl won't sell out the Glass Bowl. 11-1 or 10-2, a mac Championship game win, and a BCS bowl will. And this needs to be our expectations. When we average 30,000 a game, play in revenue generating bowl games, program expansion will surely follow. Isn't that what we all want?