We would've been fine had Hauck left.
This is the argument Great Falls Tribune columnist George Geise makes in today's paper. I'm not saying I disagree, I'm just wondering if the reasons are right.
In the article Geise's basic argument is the fact that UM is good, was good and inevitably will be in the future. It's not like there is a great assistant waiting in the wings, just a long line of coaches who want to join such a great program. He points to the past coaching exchanges and this year's young Grizzly team.
The reason the Griz are so good is because they draw in great talent (coaches and players) and the reason they draw in talent is because they're so good. I understand this is the paradox presented to every college sports program but the undying expectations aren't so high at most schools. If you expect to be great, no matter what happens, eventually you won't be.
Don't you think Miami of a few years ago or Notre Dame, well, always, believed they couldn't do anything but be great?
As a Notre Dame and Griz fan, I have high expectations that will not be lowered, but at the same time it does cause some concern.
In the article Geise's basic argument is the fact that UM is good, was good and inevitably will be in the future. It's not like there is a great assistant waiting in the wings, just a long line of coaches who want to join such a great program. He points to the past coaching exchanges and this year's young Grizzly team.
[Mike] Dennehy's last team went 9-3, and [Joe] Glenn's first team went 13-2, losing in the I-AA championship game to Georgia Southern.I'm not at all saying Geise is wrong, I mean he's the sports editor of the paper and covered BSC sports for almost three decades, but this notion that Griz fans have, which he mentions, that we will always be good is kind of scary.
Glenn's final team went 11-3, and Hauck's inititial squad went 9-4 in 2003. But Bobby had the Griz back in the national-championship game the very next season, falling to James Madison.
Hauck's team was 12-2 this past season, with a squad dominated by underclassmen. Now that it appears likely Hauck will be back in Missoula in 2007 (although it's possible a job like Air Force might have some lure), Griz fans will expect at least 13 victories next season.
The reason the Griz are so good is because they draw in great talent (coaches and players) and the reason they draw in talent is because they're so good. I understand this is the paradox presented to every college sports program but the undying expectations aren't so high at most schools. If you expect to be great, no matter what happens, eventually you won't be.
Don't you think Miami of a few years ago or Notre Dame, well, always, believed they couldn't do anything but be great?
As a Notre Dame and Griz fan, I have high expectations that will not be lowered, but at the same time it does cause some concern.
Pretty interesting article by Giese. Let's face it, Griz fans have really high standards--maybe too high. That's why a lot of people were booing this year during a 12-2 season. Fans here aren't satisfied with "really, really good," they want "perfection"--on every play, in every game. I think they've been spoiled in the last decade or so with two national championships and want another one every year. I'm probably one of those who think next year we have the team to win it all, but I certainly didn't think that this year. I guess we should think about how tough it is to have a good program and a good team in this league and appreciate what we've got going. And I hope we stop with the booing. You know, "really, really good" after all is "really, really good."
I agree that Griz would probally still be a really be a great team next year but what coaches like Bobby and Coach Wayne Tinkle is love of The University Missoula and Griz nation.