Quote:This is the latest in Stadium’s “Conference Chain of Command” series in which we polled a handful of veteran coaches in every league to determine the best JOBS in each league, all the way down to the ones that are the most difficult.

Here are the eight categories that were utilized to determine the overall rankings.

Tradition – The history of the program
Media Exposure – Games on national television
Game Atmosphere – Includes attendance
Budget/Resources – Includes coaches’ salaries, recruiting budget, travel budget, private planes, cost of attendance, etc.
Buy Games – Programs who are bought the fewest number of times will rank first
Geographical Recruiting Base – Proximity to players
Facilities – Not just the arena, but also practice facilities, weight room, locker rooms, etc.
Selling Pros – Being able to sell not only NBA players, but also those who play overseas

This is how polling in the WAC shook out among coaches who voted, with one being the best and nine being the worst:



1. Grand Canyon (67) – Dan Majerle led the Antelopes into the D-1 ranks in 2013. The program had success in both NAIA and Division II, but it’s the best job in the league because it ranks first in game atmosphere, resources, recruiting base, TV exposure and also facilities.


Where they win: “The crowd is insane. Incredible home-court advantage. Location is great, right in Phoenix, and the budget is the best in the league. GCU prints money compared to everyone else.” – WAC assistant

Where they lose: “No tradition. Just went to Division 1. No downside other than being in the WAC.” – WAC assistant


2. New Mexico State (59) – The Aggies have history, reaching the Final Four with Lou Henson way back in 1970. They have a handful of Sweet 16 appearances on their resume, and rank second in the league in game atmosphere, TV exposure, resources and facilities. The lack of a recruiting base is its biggest drawback.

Where they win: “Tradition, fan support, name recognition and can get anyone into school. Can also take non-qualifiers — which is huge.” – WAC head coach

Where they lose: “Location. Las Cruces as a city, and also for the fact there aren’t many guys in the area, although they do have access to the JUCOs. Big arena, but it’s outdated.” – WAC assistant


3. Seattle (53) – The Redhawks have history, but you have to go back to the Elgin Baylor days. They’ve been to 11 NCAA Tournaments, but all came between 1953 and 1969. They were D-1 from 1946-80 and then rejoined Division 1 in 2008. Seattle ranks in the top three of the league in five categories.

Where they win: “Great location, best academic school in the league, and budget is right there with everyone except for Grand Canyon.” – WAC assistant

Where they lose: “They don’t belong in the WAC, and don’t have much recent tradition. They belong in the WCC, and need to upgrade facilities.” – WAC head coach


4. Cal State, Bakersfield (42) – The Roadrunners, who are leaving for the Big West next year, went to the NCAA tourney in 2016 and have one of the best game atmospheres, but are hurt by facilities.

Where they win: “Weather, it’s easy to get kids into school and easy to keep them in. It’s also the biggest show in town, and their support has gotten much better the last few years.” – WAC head coach

Where they lose: “Bakersfield. Go and you won’t even think you’re in California.” – WAC assistant


5. Utah Valley (41) – The Wolverines were in the Great West before joining the WAC in 2013. The location in Orem, Utah makes it difficult to recruit, but it’s in the top half of the league in just about everything else.

Where they win: “Great facilities. The venue is really nice. Largest student body in Utah, and they support the program.” – WAC head coach

Where they lose: “They don’t have a ton of money to recruit or to pay their staff, and there’s not much to do in Orem.” – WAC assistant


6. California Baptist (30) – The Lancers entered into D-1 in 2018 after being in the NAIA and D-2 ranks. Rick Croy’s program isn’t eligible for the NCAA Tournament until 2022-23. The lack of history hurts, but it’s in the top half of the league in game atmosphere, recruiting base and facilities.

Where they win: “The facilities are super nice. They didn’t half-ass it when they decided to go D-1. It’s a great location in Southern California.” – WAC head coach

Where they lose: “The fact that they can’t go to the NCAA tourney and don’t have any D-1 history. That’s probably it.” – WAC assistant


7. UMKC (28) – The Roos have never played in the NCAA Tournament, but made their first D-1 postseason appearance in 2017 in the CBI. They rank in the bottom half of the league in every single category — and have to play a ton of buy games.

Where they win: “Kansas City. The fans in the city love college basketball.” – WAC assistant

Where they lose: “The fans may love hoops in the city, but the fans in the city don’t care about UMKC. They don’t have support or facilities.” – WAC head coach



8. UTRGV (21) – Located in Edinburg, Texas, the Vaqueros changed their name from UT-Pan American a few years ago.

Where they win: “Man, I can’t think of many positives.” – WAC assistant

Where they lose: “Facilities — it’s a high school gym. The location is awful.” – WAC head coach


9. Chicago State (19) – The Cougars have been in the WAC since 2013. They rank high in recruiting base, but are either last or towards the bottom in everything else.

Where they win: “Chicago — both the recruiting base and where they play is actually a nice arena.” – WAC head coach

Where they lose: “It’s in a bad, bad part of Chicago, so you need to blindfold the recruits, and if you do that and walk them into the gym, then maybe you can get them. There’s just no fan support, no financial support and they have to play too many buy games.” – WAC assistant

Link

Tldr version for Aggie fans: GCU 1, NMSt 2 because Phoenix > Cruces and Pan Am is big but old

Are the quotes really from wac coaches? They seem more fan made.

(09-30-2019 01:29 AM)Vaqueronation Wrote:  Are the quotes really from wac coaches? They seem more fan made.

Per the article, yes.

(09-30-2019 11:41 AM)CrimsonPhantom Wrote:  

(09-30-2019 01:29 AM)Vaqueronation Wrote:  Are the quotes really from wac coaches? They seem more fan made.

Per the article, yes.

So that's the level of respectful professionalism they exhibit when speaking anonymously.

Also getting a little tired of people acting like UTRGV is located in a remote part of the Amazon. It's 20 minutes from the airport. Meanwhile, in Seattle I once spent three hours in a traffic jam trying to get into Seatac, and Las Cruces doesn't even have an airport.

(10-02-2019 09:00 AM)edinburger Wrote:  

(09-30-2019 11:41 AM)CrimsonPhantom Wrote:  

(09-30-2019 01:29 AM)Vaqueronation Wrote:  Are the quotes really from wac coaches? They seem more fan made.

Per the article, yes.

So that's the level of respectful professionalism they exhibit when speaking anonymously.

Also getting a little tired of people acting like UTRGV is located in a remote part of the Amazon. It's 20 minutes from the airport. Meanwhile, in Seattle I once spent three hours in a traffic jam trying to get into Seatac, and Las Cruces doesn't even have an airport.

I don't think the problem is UTRGV's proximity to the airport, but the lack of direct flight options into McAllen (unless a team is coming from a game in Houston, Dallas, Las Vegas, or Mexico City). A direct flight from Phoenix to El Paso and bus ride up to Las Cruces is still faster than navigating connecting flights and transportation into Edinburg.

I wouldn't get too worked up about it, though. As travel partners, I think UTRGV and NMSU have both benefitted from opponents having to endure that travel grind of getting from/to Edinburg to/from Las Cruces. TSU's proximity to DFW now makes them the most ideal travel partner for UTRGV. Even with an hour+ drive to the airport on the TSU side, travel to Edinburg should be a little easier on the student-athletes.

(10-02-2019 09:35 AM)gleadley Wrote:  

(10-02-2019 09:00 AM)edinburger Wrote:  

(09-30-2019 11:41 AM)CrimsonPhantom Wrote:  

(09-30-2019 01:29 AM)Vaqueronation Wrote:  Are the quotes really from wac coaches? They seem more fan made.

Per the article, yes.

So that's the level of respectful professionalism they exhibit when speaking anonymously.

Also getting a little tired of people acting like UTRGV is located in a remote part of the Amazon. It's 20 minutes from the airport. Meanwhile, in Seattle I once spent three hours in a traffic jam trying to get into Seatac, and Las Cruces doesn't even have an airport.

I don't think the problem is UTRGV's proximity to the airport, but the lack of direct flight options into McAllen (unless a team is coming from a game in Houston, Dallas, Las Vegas, or Mexico City). A direct flight from Phoenix to El Paso and bus ride up to Las Cruces is still faster than navigating connecting flights and transportation into Edinburg.

I wouldn't get too worked up about it, though. As travel partners, I think UTRGV and NMSU have both benefitted from opponents having to endure that travel grind of getting from/to Edinburg to/from Las Cruces. TSU's proximity to DFW now makes them the most ideal travel partner for UTRGV. Even with an hour+ drive to the airport on the TSU side, travel to Edinburg should be a little easier on the student-athletes.

With the addition of Dixie State and potentially Tarleton State, I think NMSU and GCU will become travel partners...

Seattle U/ Utah Valley
Cal Baptist/Dixie State
New Mexico State/Grand Canyon
UT Rio Grande Valley/Tarleton State
Chicago State

GCU having NMSU as a travel partner, should help GCU. Now opponents can't afford to look past GCU (on Thursday) in anticipation for the NMSU game (on Saturday). And, now GCU has NMSU to beat up opponents physically (on Thursday); softening them up for GCU (on Saturday).

(10-02-2019 04:12 PM)NMSUPistolPete Wrote:  

(10-02-2019 09:35 AM)gleadley Wrote:  

(10-02-2019 09:00 AM)edinburger Wrote:  

(09-30-2019 11:41 AM)CrimsonPhantom Wrote:  

(09-30-2019 01:29 AM)Vaqueronation Wrote:  Are the quotes really from wac coaches? They seem more fan made.

Per the article, yes.

So that's the level of respectful professionalism they exhibit when speaking anonymously.

Also getting a little tired of people acting like UTRGV is located in a remote part of the Amazon. It's 20 minutes from the airport. Meanwhile, in Seattle I once spent three hours in a traffic jam trying to get into Seatac, and Las Cruces doesn't even have an airport.

I don't think the problem is UTRGV's proximity to the airport, but the lack of direct flight options into McAllen (unless a team is coming from a game in Houston, Dallas, Las Vegas, or Mexico City). A direct flight from Phoenix to El Paso and bus ride up to Las Cruces is still faster than navigating connecting flights and transportation into Edinburg.

I wouldn't get too worked up about it, though. As travel partners, I think UTRGV and NMSU have both benefitted from opponents having to endure that travel grind of getting from/to Edinburg to/from Las Cruces. TSU's proximity to DFW now makes them the most ideal travel partner for UTRGV. Even with an hour+ drive to the airport on the TSU side, travel to Edinburg should be a little easier on the student-athletes.

With the addition of Dixie State and potentially Tarleton State, I think NMSU and GCU will become travel partners...

Seattle U/ Utah Valley
Cal Baptist/Dixie State
New Mexico State/Grand Canyon
UT Rio Grande Valley/Tarleton State
Chicago State

GCU having NMSU as a travel partner, should help GCU. Now opponents can't afford to look past GCU (on Thursday) in anticipation for the NMSU game (on Saturday). And, now GCU has NMSU to beat up opponents physically (on Thursday); softening them up for GCU (on Saturday).

I'm too lazy to look at a map, but wouldn't UVU and Dixie State become travel partners as well?

I'm too lazy to look, too, but recall that Dixie St might be closer to Vegas than Orem.

(10-02-2019 04:12 PM)NMSUPistolPete Wrote:  

(10-02-2019 09:35 AM)gleadley Wrote:  

(10-02-2019 09:00 AM)edinburger Wrote:  

(09-30-2019 11:41 AM)CrimsonPhantom Wrote:  

(09-30-2019 01:29 AM)Vaqueronation Wrote:  Are the quotes really from wac coaches? They seem more fan made.

Per the article, yes.

So that's the level of respectful professionalism they exhibit when speaking anonymously.

Also getting a little tired of people acting like UTRGV is located in a remote part of the Amazon. It's 20 minutes from the airport. Meanwhile, in Seattle I once spent three hours in a traffic jam trying to get into Seatac, and Las Cruces doesn't even have an airport.

I don't think the problem is UTRGV's proximity to the airport, but the lack of direct flight options into McAllen (unless a team is coming from a game in Houston, Dallas, Las Vegas, or Mexico City). A direct flight from Phoenix to El Paso and bus ride up to Las Cruces is still faster than navigating connecting flights and transportation into Edinburg.

I wouldn't get too worked up about it, though. As travel partners, I think UTRGV and NMSU have both benefitted from opponents having to endure that travel grind of getting from/to Edinburg to/from Las Cruces. TSU's proximity to DFW now makes them the most ideal travel partner for UTRGV. Even with an hour+ drive to the airport on the TSU side, travel to Edinburg should be a little easier on the student-athletes.

With the addition of Dixie State and potentially Tarleton State, I think NMSU and GCU will become travel partners...

Seattle U/ Utah Valley
Cal Baptist/Dixie State
New Mexico State/Grand Canyon
UT Rio Grande Valley/Tarleton State
Chicago State

GCU having NMSU as a travel partner, should help GCU. Now opponents can't afford to look past GCU (on Thursday) in anticipation for the NMSU game (on Saturday). And, now GCU has NMSU to beat up opponents physically (on Thursday); softening them up for GCU (on Saturday).

...and vice versa. Additionally, a GCU/NMSU pairing could conceivably mean that the host each other on Saturday nights, as the only game of the week. While 3 of the last 4 regular season match ups between the Aggies and Lopes have been competitive, I would look forward to seeing them face off when both squads are well-rested and in front of Saturday night home crowds.

(10-02-2019 04:48 PM)gleadley Wrote:  I'm too lazy to look, too, but recall that Dixie St might be closer to Vegas than Orem.

That would be correct.

Would it be easier for teams to travel between UVU and Dixie St or CBU and Dixie St?

(10-02-2019 05:25 PM)TardisCaptain Wrote:  

(10-02-2019 04:48 PM)gleadley Wrote:  I'm too lazy to look, too, but recall that Dixie St might be closer to Vegas than Orem.

That would be correct.

Would it be easier for teams to travel between UVU and Dixie St or CBU and Dixie St?

Looks like way more/cheaper flights between Vegas and Riverside than Vegas and SLC. That makes me lean toward Pistol's original pairings of Cal Baptist/Dixie St and UVU/SU.

GCU arena might be newer but it's not the toughest place to play at in the WAC. The toughest place to win at is the Pan American Center. NMSU is 57-1 at home during WAC play since losing to Nevada on January 26th, 2012.