Co-workers of mine and other non-Gopher sports fans I've talked to over the years have consistently argued that Minnesota has a ceiling that can never be broken. That ceiling is occasionally winning the B1G West Title, but NEVER the overall B1G Conf Title much less a National Title.
Asking Gopher fans what they think UMn's ceiling is might not be the best way to get an unbiased answer, but Gopher fans have gotten used to not doing well, so maybe Gopher fans would have the most realistic view as to what our ceiling is.
Me personally? I think the Gophers can get to the playoffs and to the Title game on a regular basis with the right coach and enough university support, and Fleck could very well be that right coach, and it seems the U is showing a lot of support, so far.
Reasons given why we can't break this supposed ceiling?
Not enough money?
Bad location?
Low rent facilities?
Won't be able to keep any good coaches?
Haven't been good for so long?
Now I always ask, if those reasons are legit, how did Clemson rise to where they are?
I'd also argue the money may seem not to be there, but there are a ton of UMn grads out there in the world, some who have felt no reason to support their alma mater probably? Crazy what a successful football team can do to change that!!
I'd argue our location is unique, everyone won't want to deal with the cold winters, but enough will be open to it so if we have a great coach and enough support, they'd give us a look.
I'd argue our facilities have gotten major upgrades recently, maybe not as big or fancy as a few programs out there, but better than a lot of other programs. Don't have to have the BEST facilities EVER to get great recruits, but among the best is a must to keep up.
I'd argue the chance to do something historic is a great reason for someone like Fleck to accept 5 mil a year rather than taking more to go elsewhere. 5 Mil in Minnesota might go further than the same amount elsewhere? And winning 10 games at Minnesota may be just as impressive in outsiders/experts opinion as winning 12 games somewhere else?
I'd argue a lot of schools can start winning with the right coach. Like I mentioned, where was Clemson before they got their current coach? Where was Wisconsin in the 70s and 80s? Remember when we were not impressed with Oregon?
So, what do the rest of you think? Are there reasons why Minnesota could never rise up to the level of an OSU/Clemson or an Alabama?
Asking Gopher fans what they think UMn's ceiling is might not be the best way to get an unbiased answer, but Gopher fans have gotten used to not doing well, so maybe Gopher fans would have the most realistic view as to what our ceiling is.
Me personally? I think the Gophers can get to the playoffs and to the Title game on a regular basis with the right coach and enough university support, and Fleck could very well be that right coach, and it seems the U is showing a lot of support, so far.
Reasons given why we can't break this supposed ceiling?
Not enough money?
Bad location?
Low rent facilities?
Won't be able to keep any good coaches?
Haven't been good for so long?
Now I always ask, if those reasons are legit, how did Clemson rise to where they are?
I'd also argue the money may seem not to be there, but there are a ton of UMn grads out there in the world, some who have felt no reason to support their alma mater probably? Crazy what a successful football team can do to change that!!
I'd argue our location is unique, everyone won't want to deal with the cold winters, but enough will be open to it so if we have a great coach and enough support, they'd give us a look.
I'd argue our facilities have gotten major upgrades recently, maybe not as big or fancy as a few programs out there, but better than a lot of other programs. Don't have to have the BEST facilities EVER to get great recruits, but among the best is a must to keep up.
I'd argue the chance to do something historic is a great reason for someone like Fleck to accept 5 mil a year rather than taking more to go elsewhere. 5 Mil in Minnesota might go further than the same amount elsewhere? And winning 10 games at Minnesota may be just as impressive in outsiders/experts opinion as winning 12 games somewhere else?
I'd argue a lot of schools can start winning with the right coach. Like I mentioned, where was Clemson before they got their current coach? Where was Wisconsin in the 70s and 80s? Remember when we were not impressed with Oregon?
So, what do the rest of you think? Are there reasons why Minnesota could never rise up to the level of an OSU/Clemson or an Alabama?