I made a post in the Ford buyout thread that got me thinking about something.
Obviously, there has been a lot of discussion about replacing Ford and who will eventually replace him. I think the majority of the people involved in these discussions feel that a coaching change will result in more wins, more excitement around the program and increased attendance. However, I am wondering what the chances are that OSU basketball will never return to the level that we all enjoyed when Eddie was at his best, regardless of who the coach is.
I am looking at it from one particular angle and opening up the topic for discussion. It can be summarized in one sentence.
OSU is a football school.
Over the last decade, the football program has risen in stature while the bball program has stagnated. We have a new stadium with state of the art facilities. We have an indoor practice facility. We are almost always in the top 25 and are now getting the annual respect that used to only go to OU and Texas (from the Big 12). Almost every season, we are in the discussion when the topic of who will contend for the Big 12 title is broached.
Can a school have a top 20 football program and a top 20 basketball program on a consistent basis? There are very few schools that can claim to be in that position. The elite basketball programs are mirrored by terrible football programs. Most of the top football programs are mediocre, at best, in basketball.
Obviously, there are a few exceptions to the rule. MSU seems to do pretty well at both. OU has been near-elite in football and solid in basketball. Baylor, albeit over a short period of time, has risen up in football, but their basketball program has slid a bit. There may be 2 or 3 others that can be argued.
OSU does not have the alumni base and donors that a lot of the elite fball/bball programs have. In addition, Stillwater is not super easy to get to, and the surrounding area is not densely populated. That makes it tough to fill GIA for 15 games a season. Especially when the alumni would prefer to spend their money/time on our top level football program which only plays in Stillwater 5-6 times per season.
Just for the sake of argument, let's say that OSU was able to replace Ford with Archie Miller. Let's say he consistently was able to win over 23 games/year and finish 2nd-4th in the conference, while making an occasional run to the Sweet 16/Elite 8 in the NCAA tourney. Would that be enough to bring OSU bball back to the level it was under Eddie? Personally, I don't think we will ever see those days again. Unless, maybe, the football program falls off as the bball program rises. I'm just not convinced that OSU fans will fully support both programs at the same time.
Obviously, there has been a lot of discussion about replacing Ford and who will eventually replace him. I think the majority of the people involved in these discussions feel that a coaching change will result in more wins, more excitement around the program and increased attendance. However, I am wondering what the chances are that OSU basketball will never return to the level that we all enjoyed when Eddie was at his best, regardless of who the coach is.
I am looking at it from one particular angle and opening up the topic for discussion. It can be summarized in one sentence.
OSU is a football school.
Over the last decade, the football program has risen in stature while the bball program has stagnated. We have a new stadium with state of the art facilities. We have an indoor practice facility. We are almost always in the top 25 and are now getting the annual respect that used to only go to OU and Texas (from the Big 12). Almost every season, we are in the discussion when the topic of who will contend for the Big 12 title is broached.
Can a school have a top 20 football program and a top 20 basketball program on a consistent basis? There are very few schools that can claim to be in that position. The elite basketball programs are mirrored by terrible football programs. Most of the top football programs are mediocre, at best, in basketball.
Obviously, there are a few exceptions to the rule. MSU seems to do pretty well at both. OU has been near-elite in football and solid in basketball. Baylor, albeit over a short period of time, has risen up in football, but their basketball program has slid a bit. There may be 2 or 3 others that can be argued.
OSU does not have the alumni base and donors that a lot of the elite fball/bball programs have. In addition, Stillwater is not super easy to get to, and the surrounding area is not densely populated. That makes it tough to fill GIA for 15 games a season. Especially when the alumni would prefer to spend their money/time on our top level football program which only plays in Stillwater 5-6 times per season.
Just for the sake of argument, let's say that OSU was able to replace Ford with Archie Miller. Let's say he consistently was able to win over 23 games/year and finish 2nd-4th in the conference, while making an occasional run to the Sweet 16/Elite 8 in the NCAA tourney. Would that be enough to bring OSU bball back to the level it was under Eddie? Personally, I don't think we will ever see those days again. Unless, maybe, the football program falls off as the bball program rises. I'm just not convinced that OSU fans will fully support both programs at the same time.
