It's truly amazing what Southern Miss can do with pennies which is why it's so scary to think of what we could actually do if we just had an average athletic budget. And to those who say "USM is has had a football team for 100 years, why don't yall have more to show for". Well, it's called the SEC...we are literally surrounded and have to fight tooth and nail for prospects/coaches/administrators/ADs/presidents with Alabama, LSU, Auburn, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Tennessee, Vandy, Arkansas, Florida State, Georgia...just think about the HISTORY and STORIED SUCCESS that those schools have...the fact that we live in the of shadow these schools is exactly why it's so hard to maintain success and grow our fanbase so we can take the next step. You may make the argument "well, everyone has to fight against other big schools"...to which I say: NOT LIKE THE ONES SOUTHERN MISS HAS TO COMPETE WITH!

I would be THRILLED if Southern Miss was having to battle Louisville, Baylor, Va Tech, NC State, WVU, UVa, Texas Tech, UNC, Maryland for players/coaches/administrators instead of the schools I mentioned above. No one has it tougher than USM and LT. You could make the case for UAB but at least y'all live in a big ass city.

clt doesn’t consider Birmingham AL a city, more of a town

(07-04-2019 06:40 PM)TTT Wrote:  It's truly amazing what Southern Miss can do with pennies which is why it's so scary to think of what we could actually do if we just had an average athletic budget. And to those who say "USM is has had a football team for 100 years, why don't yall have more to show for". Well, it's called the SEC...we are literally surrounded and have to fight tooth and nail for prospects/coaches/administrators/ADs/presidents with Alabama, LSU, Auburn, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Tennessee, Vandy, Arkansas, Florida State, Georgia...just think about the HISTORY and STORIED SUCCESS that those schools have...the fact that we live in the of shadow these schools is exactly why it's so hard to maintain success and grow our fanbase so we can take the next step. You may make the argument "well, everyone has to fight against other big schools"...to which I say: NOT LIKE THE ONES SOUTHERN MISS HAS TO COMPETE WITH!

I would be THRILLED if Southern Miss was having to battle Louisville, Baylor, Va Tech, NC State, WVU, UVa, Texas Tech, UNC, Maryland for players/coaches/administrators instead of the schools I mentioned above. No one has it tougher than USM and LT. You could make the case for UAB but at least y'all live in a big ass city.

I sympathize with what you’re saying. On the other hand though, UNT still has to compete with those schools, plus all of the in-state Texas P5s. UT & TAMU get the best of the best in state. It is a 2 hour drive from Denton to Norman, Oklahoma (OU). It’s a little over 3 hours from Denton to Stillwater, Oklahoma (OSU). Once those 4 schools get their picks, the rest are fought over. UNT has been fighting to get into that second tier of Texas schools when it comes to preference (Baylor, Texas Tech, TCU, & UH). We also have to deal with SMU being in the AAC and only 45 minutes away. (Right now) UNT has either separated or started to separate themselves financially or recruiting wise from the third tier of Texas schools (Rice, Texas State, UTSA, UTEP). Basically, with 12 FBS teams in the state + 2 other huge P5 schools within 3 hours, UNT understands your struggle.

And Marshall has to contend with UK, WVU, Cincy, VaTech, and Louisville.

(07-05-2019 11:28 AM)AustinFromUNT Wrote:  

(07-04-2019 06:40 PM)TTT Wrote:  It's truly amazing what Southern Miss can do with pennies which is why it's so scary to think of what we could actually do if we just had an average athletic budget. And to those who say "USM is has had a football team for 100 years, why don't yall have more to show for". Well, it's called the SEC...we are literally surrounded and have to fight tooth and nail for prospects/coaches/administrators/ADs/presidents with Alabama, LSU, Auburn, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Tennessee, Vandy, Arkansas, Florida State, Georgia...just think about the HISTORY and STORIED SUCCESS that those schools have...the fact that we live in the of shadow these schools is exactly why it's so hard to maintain success and grow our fanbase so we can take the next step. You may make the argument "well, everyone has to fight against other big schools"...to which I say: NOT LIKE THE ONES SOUTHERN MISS HAS TO COMPETE WITH!

I would be THRILLED if Southern Miss was having to battle Louisville, Baylor, Va Tech, NC State, WVU, UVa, Texas Tech, UNC, Maryland for players/coaches/administrators instead of the schools I mentioned above. No one has it tougher than USM and LT. You could make the case for UAB but at least y'all live in a big ass city.

I sympathize with what you’re saying. On the other hand though, UNT still has to compete with those schools, plus all of the in-state Texas P5s. UT & TAMU get the best of the best in state. It is a 2 hour drive from Denton to Norman, Oklahoma (OU). It’s a little over 3 hours from Denton to Stillwater, Oklahoma (OSU). Once those 4 schools get their picks, the rest are fought over. UNT has been fighting to get into that second tier of Texas schools when it comes to preference (Baylor, Texas Tech, TCU, & UH). We also have to deal with SMU being in the AAC and only 45 minutes away. (Right now) UNT has either separated or started to separate themselves financially or recruiting wise from the third tier of Texas schools (Rice, Texas State, UTSA, UTEP). Basically, with 12 FBS teams in the state + 2 other huge P5 schools within 3 hours, UNT understands your struggle.

*FIU & FAU fans: I'll see your Mississippi recruiting struggles and raise you* All SEC teams recruit Florida, especially Dade and Broward. In fact 90% of FBS recruit our backyard. Plus 7 in-state teams, 3 with NC rings, one just 7 miles away from your campus. So yeah, we all have to deal with that.

He is on the radar for bigger and better jobs. Another good year and someone will gobble him up. He, Clark and Davis are the best coaches in CUSA. Jmo

(07-05-2019 02:24 PM)SVHerd Wrote:  He is on the radar for bigger and better jobs. Another good year and someone will gobble him up. He, Clark and Davis are the best coaches in CUSA. Jmo

^ Yep. But SL has to stop doing the stooooooopid crap that he did with Fine last year. Other than that, he’s done a great job.

(07-05-2019 12:58 PM)FIU4Ever Wrote:  

(07-05-2019 11:28 AM)AustinFromUNT Wrote:  

(07-04-2019 06:40 PM)TTT Wrote:  It's truly amazing what Southern Miss can do with pennies which is why it's so scary to think of what we could actually do if we just had an average athletic budget. And to those who say "USM is has had a football team for 100 years, why don't yall have more to show for". Well, it's called the SEC...we are literally surrounded and have to fight tooth and nail for prospects/coaches/administrators/ADs/presidents with Alabama, LSU, Auburn, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Tennessee, Vandy, Arkansas, Florida State, Georgia...just think about the HISTORY and STORIED SUCCESS that those schools have...the fact that we live in the of shadow these schools is exactly why it's so hard to maintain success and grow our fanbase so we can take the next step. You may make the argument "well, everyone has to fight against other big schools"...to which I say: NOT LIKE THE ONES SOUTHERN MISS HAS TO COMPETE WITH!

I would be THRILLED if Southern Miss was having to battle Louisville, Baylor, Va Tech, NC State, WVU, UVa, Texas Tech, UNC, Maryland for players/coaches/administrators instead of the schools I mentioned above. No one has it tougher than USM and LT. You could make the case for UAB but at least y'all live in a big ass city.

I sympathize with what you’re saying. On the other hand though, UNT still has to compete with those schools, plus all of the in-state Texas P5s. UT & TAMU get the best of the best in state. It is a 2 hour drive from Denton to Norman, Oklahoma (OU). It’s a little over 3 hours from Denton to Stillwater, Oklahoma (OSU). Once those 4 schools get their picks, the rest are fought over. UNT has been fighting to get into that second tier of Texas schools when it comes to preference (Baylor, Texas Tech, TCU, & UH). We also have to deal with SMU being in the AAC and only 45 minutes away. (Right now) UNT has either separated or started to separate themselves financially or recruiting wise from the third tier of Texas schools (Rice, Texas State, UTSA, UTEP). Basically, with 12 FBS teams in the state + 2 other huge P5 schools within 3 hours, UNT understands your struggle.

*FIU & FAU fans: I'll see your Mississippi recruiting struggles and raise you* All SEC teams recruit Florida, especially Dade and Broward. In fact 90% of FBS recruit our backyard. Plus 7 in-state teams, 3 with NC rings, one just 7 miles away from your campus. So yeah, we all have to deal with that.

Yea you have it to deal with but your state is like 5 normal size states. You could very well sing the hey you can have your away from home experience and stay close enough to mom so she can see you play.

(07-05-2019 02:58 PM)Thegoldstandard Wrote:  

(07-05-2019 12:58 PM)FIU4Ever Wrote:  

(07-05-2019 11:28 AM)AustinFromUNT Wrote:  

(07-04-2019 06:40 PM)TTT Wrote:  It's truly amazing what Southern Miss can do with pennies which is why it's so scary to think of what we could actually do if we just had an average athletic budget. And to those who say "USM is has had a football team for 100 years, why don't yall have more to show for". Well, it's called the SEC...we are literally surrounded and have to fight tooth and nail for prospects/coaches/administrators/ADs/presidents with Alabama, LSU, Auburn, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Tennessee, Vandy, Arkansas, Florida State, Georgia...just think about the HISTORY and STORIED SUCCESS that those schools have...the fact that we live in the of shadow these schools is exactly why it's so hard to maintain success and grow our fanbase so we can take the next step. You may make the argument "well, everyone has to fight against other big schools"...to which I say: NOT LIKE THE ONES SOUTHERN MISS HAS TO COMPETE WITH!

I would be THRILLED if Southern Miss was having to battle Louisville, Baylor, Va Tech, NC State, WVU, UVa, Texas Tech, UNC, Maryland for players/coaches/administrators instead of the schools I mentioned above. No one has it tougher than USM and LT. You could make the case for UAB but at least y'all live in a big ass city.

I sympathize with what you’re saying. On the other hand though, UNT still has to compete with those schools, plus all of the in-state Texas P5s. UT & TAMU get the best of the best in state. It is a 2 hour drive from Denton to Norman, Oklahoma (OU). It’s a little over 3 hours from Denton to Stillwater, Oklahoma (OSU). Once those 4 schools get their picks, the rest are fought over. UNT has been fighting to get into that second tier of Texas schools when it comes to preference (Baylor, Texas Tech, TCU, & UH). We also have to deal with SMU being in the AAC and only 45 minutes away. (Right now) UNT has either separated or started to separate themselves financially or recruiting wise from the third tier of Texas schools (Rice, Texas State, UTSA, UTEP). Basically, with 12 FBS teams in the state + 2 other huge P5 schools within 3 hours, UNT understands your struggle.

*FIU & FAU fans: I'll see your Mississippi recruiting struggles and raise you* All SEC teams recruit Florida, especially Dade and Broward. In fact 90% of FBS recruit our backyard. Plus 7 in-state teams, 3 with NC rings, one just 7 miles away from your campus. So yeah, we all have to deal with that.

Yea you have it to deal with but your state is like 5 normal size states. You could very well sing the hey you can have your away from home experience and stay close enough to mom so she can see you play.

No programs have it as tough as the G5's in Texas, Florida, and California. Those states are targeted by ever P5 like no other states in the country, making it very hard for the G5's in those locations to lure quality regional talent. That's just the truth.

(07-05-2019 02:24 PM)SVHerd Wrote:  He is on the radar for bigger and better jobs. Another good year and someone will gobble him up. He, Clark and Davis are the best coaches in CUSA. Jmo

We are realistic about our future. We know very well Littrell will likely be gone at some point. But, we find it reassuring that our AD appears to be setting us up to land a high quality replacement when the times comes.

In addition to everything I said now also include the fact that Mississippi is one of the smallest and poorest states in the US. And there are not one but TWO SEC teams in the state. Not to mention all the schools that have moved up along the years as peers: ULL, ULM, UAB, Troy, USA...

Southern State Populations:
Louisiana 4.6 million, 1 SEC school
Alabama 4.8, 2 SEC schools
Tennessee 6.6, 2 SEC schools (but we really know it's only one because who really counts Vandy)
Arkansas 2.9, 1 SEC school
Florida 20 million people, 1 SEC, Miami, Florida State and then UCF/USF/Fau/FIU
Georgia 10.2 million, 1 SEC and GaTech

Meanwhile, Mississippi 2.9 million...and with 2 SEC schools surrounded by more SEC schools in every direction. Some people really don't understand what it's like having a non-SEC football program in the heart of SEC territory.

(07-04-2019 12:42 AM)WKUYG Wrote:  

(07-04-2019 12:16 AM)ClaudeFunston Wrote:  

(07-03-2019 10:43 PM)WKUYG Wrote:  So will you still be as giddy if UNT does not win a conference championship? Whats the buyout on UNT's side..if he doesnt win?

Yep, we will still be happy. Why ? Because our university is finally showing that they are willing to spend the money to elevate the football program (among other sports). Paying your staff well sends a message to not only your coaches, but future coaches and players that the school is doing everything it can to build a winner.

So, nobody at UNT is saying this is a win at all costs year. Unexpected stuff happens. Recruiting is better than it has ever been at NT. The administration is solid (thanks to our president and AD). The fan base is excited about the future. But, we are keeping our feet on the ground at the same time (nearly everyone).

That post was directed at one UNT fan. Having a AD and President that supports FB and BB is a major plus. Having the money to spend is a plus. But I've seen this play out a few times where a school spends so much money on coaches (when they did not have to) and then a funny thing happens....

the coach loses and now the school is stuck or has to pay a huge buyout they cant afford. This contract does not stop the coach from taking a P5 job. Most likely he wasnt leaving for nothing other than a P5....

there's not one P5 school this contract will will scare off from going after Littrell if they want him. Last season was a step back for UNT...6th overall in the conference.

No one has seen what this coach can do without Fine. Well I will correct that, we all saw what UNT looked like when Fine went down. It wasn't pretty, it was ugly ugly football.

If UNT takes another step back this season you are stuck with a coach making 1.8 million. When in fact...he still coaching UNT 2019 at 1.2 million or 900k his 2017 pay.

I'm not saying this because its UNT...I've voiced my opinion on this subject when it was Jeff Brohm. A coach that won 2 championships. What a coach is being paid in G5 football is not a indicator of winning. None of us (maybe a couple in the AAC) has the money to fight off the lowest P5 school

Rice could out spend any school in the AAC and A5 if they wanted to, but Rice being Rice is happy being Rice

(07-05-2019 07:59 PM)TTT Wrote:  In addition to everything I said now also include the fact that Mississippi is one of the smallest and poorest states in the US. And there are not one but TWO SEC teams in the state. Not to mention all the schools that have moved up along the years as peers: ULL, ULM, UAB, Troy, USA...

Southern State Populations:
Louisiana 4.6 million, 1 SEC school
Alabama 4.8, 2 SEC schools
Tennessee 6.6, 2 SEC schools (but we really know it's only one because who really counts Vandy)
Arkansas 2.9, 1 SEC school
Florida 20 million people, 1 SEC, Miami, Florida State and then UCF/USF/Fau/FIU
Georgia 10.2 million, 1 SEC and GaTech

Meanwhile, Mississippi 2.9 million...and with 2 SEC schools surrounded by more SEC schools in every direction. Some people really don't understand what it's like having a non-SEC football program in the heart of SEC territory.

Texas is also a southern state with 20+ million, every g5 has its own recruiting problems as well as a bunch of A5 schools but I’ll say southern miss is and has been in a terrible situation
East Texas is southern, out west, not so much

(07-05-2019 07:59 PM)TTT Wrote:  In addition to everything I said now also include the fact that Mississippi is one of the smallest and poorest states in the US. And there are not one but TWO SEC teams in the state. Not to mention all the schools that have moved up along the years as peers: ULL, ULM, UAB, Troy, USA...

Southern State Populations:
Louisiana 4.6 million, 1 SEC school
Alabama 4.8, 2 SEC schools
Tennessee 6.6, 2 SEC schools (but we really know it's only one because who really counts Vandy)
Arkansas 2.9, 1 SEC school
Florida 20 million people, 1 SEC, Miami, Florida State and then UCF/USF/Fau/FIU
Georgia 10.2 million, 1 SEC and GaTech

Meanwhile, Mississippi 2.9 million...and with 2 SEC schools surrounded by more SEC schools in every direction. Some people really don't understand what it's like having a non-SEC football program in the heart of SEC territory.

Kentucky 4.4 million, 1 SEC, 1 ACC

5 other SEC schools and 4 Big Ten schools within a 5 hour radius. I don’t doubt that life is different in the Deep South SEC country, but we’ve all got it pretty tough. Sharing a conference footprint with the SEC makes things difficult.