I know... 90% that open this thread will do so with the sole intention of saying "never, we're above that" while continuing to post in other threads wondering why we're stuck in mediocrity as a program and wondering what it'll take to get over the hump.
Unfortunately, in my opinion, to compete in this landscape you have to sell your soul to do it. Should we be able to be a borderline perrenial top 10 program, at least somewhat competitive in the BIG (win it maybe 2x/decade), sniff the playoffs every once in a while etc while keeping a clean program... I think so. The problem is we have an elitist fan base that's so stuck up that most of us think we should be able to compete with the OSU's, Bama's and Clemson's of the world (we say we don't expect it, but when we don't beat ohio, make the playoffs etc the meltdowns and reactions don't match stated expectations) while running a clean program and doing things "the right way." Can't have your cake and eat it too and that's what this fane base wants.
Have to pick our poison as a program. If you want to be elite on the field, you've got to be willing to sell your soul and hire someone like Urban. If it's all about doing it the right way, I'm not saying you shouldn't expect better than we've been this year, but know we're competing for #2/3 in the conference from here on out and 9 win seasons should be the norm/expectation. Can't have it both ways, not in this day and age. That part might be tougher to swallow than Jim not being able to get it done, because it's accepting the fact that "the good ole days" are behind us and they aren't coming back unless there are massive, sweeping changes to the NCAA.
I think MI could get to OSU's level in 3 years or less by bringing in Urban, but that's not something this fan base can (or arguably should) stomach... the potential is there if that's who we want to be. Some of the fanbase would love it, most of the fanbase couldn't stomach it... we're at a bit of a crossroads... just one fan's opinion.
Unfortunately, in my opinion, to compete in this landscape you have to sell your soul to do it. Should we be able to be a borderline perrenial top 10 program, at least somewhat competitive in the BIG (win it maybe 2x/decade), sniff the playoffs every once in a while etc while keeping a clean program... I think so. The problem is we have an elitist fan base that's so stuck up that most of us think we should be able to compete with the OSU's, Bama's and Clemson's of the world (we say we don't expect it, but when we don't beat ohio, make the playoffs etc the meltdowns and reactions don't match stated expectations) while running a clean program and doing things "the right way." Can't have your cake and eat it too and that's what this fane base wants.
Have to pick our poison as a program. If you want to be elite on the field, you've got to be willing to sell your soul and hire someone like Urban. If it's all about doing it the right way, I'm not saying you shouldn't expect better than we've been this year, but know we're competing for #2/3 in the conference from here on out and 9 win seasons should be the norm/expectation. Can't have it both ways, not in this day and age. That part might be tougher to swallow than Jim not being able to get it done, because it's accepting the fact that "the good ole days" are behind us and they aren't coming back unless there are massive, sweeping changes to the NCAA.
I think MI could get to OSU's level in 3 years or less by bringing in Urban, but that's not something this fan base can (or arguably should) stomach... the potential is there if that's who we want to be. Some of the fanbase would love it, most of the fanbase couldn't stomach it... we're at a bit of a crossroads... just one fan's opinion.
