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(01-09-2015 04:45 PM)blzrclub80 Wrote:  

(01-09-2015 04:13 PM)Ramblin Wreck Wrote:  This is still a huge up hill battle. Watts could agree to only bring back football at a lower level. If that is done, he has somewhat achieved his original goal. If everything works out and football returns to FBS, the program has still taken about 100 steps back. Look how long it is taking SMU to recover. It has been decades and they still struggle even though SMU is loaded with cash from wealthy alumni.

Don't let up and keep the fight going. You need to keep a story in the press every few days to keep public interest and to help ensure this doesn't fade away.

Ramblin Wreck, I was about to make the same point referencing the SMU case. By shutting down UAB football for one year, he has achieved his goal - to kill the UAB football program. It will be 10 years before we will have a chance to see a winning program again. The nay sayers will be louder than ever with their "UAB football is a waste of money" chant. I want someone to go to jail for this atrocity!

I think it could be quicker than that. SMU took so long partially because of self-imposed academic standards which made it difficult to recruit. Basically the academics took over the University after the death penalty debacle.

Maybe 10-15 holdovers from this team will stay and red shirt then we sign 25 this spring (albeit all I-AA level players) red shirt them all. Then sign 25 (mostly jucos) in Feb of 2016. Obviously, we will take a beating in 2016, but I think we could be competitive in 17 or 18.

Another thing that will accelerate the rebound is if construction starts on an OCS or IPF during our off year. This will send a strong signal to recruits that we are here to stay.