RE: Will ETSU Grab SoCon Opening?
You don't quit the program because it's unsuccessful. You make changes to ensure success. It's not something that happens within a year, it's more of a long term vision and goal. When you get into grown up land you'll understand the difference between doing something that looks good in the short term but can be devastating long term. But hey, ETSU people were right. Kill football, push Olympic sports hard, it'll really generate community/alumni interest! It'll certainly keep students from skipping homecoming and going to Knoxville!
Bottom line son, as long as they're winning football games and looking at the next expansion at that school on the side of the mountain with no interstate access or airport then ETSU's approach will continue to be proven wrong. Programs are succeeding in places like Troy, Alabama, Jonesboro, Arkansas, Huntington, West Virginia, Boone, NC, etc... because they had people who didn't take no for an answer and didn't quit. They aren't accepting mediocrity and when they are mediocre, they make changes to try and not be. They don't make excuses even though the schools I mentioned above have to fight for fans against Alabama, Auburn, Florida State, Arkansas, Missouri, WVU, Ohio State, UNC, NC State, Va. Tech, Clemson, South Carolina and yes, even Tennessee.
You should listen to Vanderbilt coach James Franklin. He talks about those challenges at length. Here in Nashville he competes against most other SEC schools, the Titans, Predators, and Vandy's history. He doesn't worry about it. Instead of accepting losing he's fighting it tooth and nail, and in one season has taken a team that was 2-10 a year ago to 4-4, with a legit shot at BEATING Florida and Tennessee on the road. Nevermind the beating they'll put on Kentucky and Wake Forest. Instead of quitting, they fight and WORK. It's an attitude and approach. ETSU has always said "We can't." That MUST CHANGE.
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