(01-11-2013 03:52 PM)BJUnklFkr Wrote: Hawkeye, I admire your stance on this, in principle. However, the simple fact of the matter is, that Tommy Tuberville is paid to win football games.
My comments are meant generically as probably none of us here know exactly what was or wasn't communicated to each recruit. But with regard to UC and TT it's pretty clear we left some hard feelings and are paying a price in terms of publicity. (edit: BTW, there's a new cbssports.com blog article up today hammering UC and TT that I'm not even going to bother to link)
Quote: And, if he has to do that with a class full of kids that he thinks might not be able to win for him, then he is behind the 8 ball from day one.
Well let's not forget that the vast majority of the roster isn't his recruits no matter what happens. As far as this class goes, I think there is a way to communicate quickly, effectively, professionally and mostly honestly with the kids that you don't necessarily want to have follow through with their commitment that would leave all parties feeling OK and achieve the desired results with most of them.
(e.g. "Listen son, it's not you it's me.
I run a certain system, and while it has flexibility, I just don't think your obvious talents are a very good fit for it and will have a very hard time finding playing time over your career. I'll still honor your scholarship if you want to come to UC, but I want to be upfront with you and make sure there are no misunderstandings and to allow you the opportunity to consider if another school and coaching system might be a better fit...") Adapt it as necessary.
Do it the right way and I bet you end up with less than a handful (if any) you don't want and no real hard feelings. Most kids will follow "the love" to where they feel wanted (edit: and where they will get to play early and often as lurker noted). And who knows, the one or two kids who come anyway may be exactly the type of fighter dedicated to proving you wrong who surprises you. If the previous staff took them it's not like they are likely to be crappy players.
If this small potential hindrance is a deal-breaker to the job or will prevent you from winning, then I'd say don't take it then if I was AD. But you will represent this University the right way (again I'm speaking generically).