There is a separate thread here about coaches who get more with less and less with more. Tracy Claeys should be at the top of the list of great coaches with talent that was not highly recruited. Only a handful of the current Gopher roster were really sought after by "Helmet" schools. Green, Caughlin and a few others and still we will go to consecutive bowl 5 this year.
What do the great recruiters have in common? Not all of them come from schools with OSU resources, though certainly, it helps. Not all of them are from warmer climates. What they all have in common is that they are almost without exception dynamic and outgoing salesmen. Secondly, they have a reputation for on field success that leads to NFL draftability.
Claeys & staff have begun to do the second, at least on the defensive side. He may now have the right people in place on the offensive side. We'll see soon enough. He will never, however, pass for someone that attracts young people with his dynamism or his slick style.
As a result, I think we will see continued progress on the field but don't expect any great leaps forward. In a lot of ways, however, this may be best for the Gophers. We need to consistently build our brand in Minnesota as we compete with our pro competition and a flashy leader who would get hired away for a fortune following a few good years is not the answer. We need a happier Glenn Mason. One who doesn't yearn to go home to Ohio State or Norte Dame.
Mr. Claeys may be just the right guy at just the right time. I just wish he and his staff got more credit for what they have done shich in my opinion has been pretty amazing considering the valuations of our recruiting classes.
What do the great recruiters have in common? Not all of them come from schools with OSU resources, though certainly, it helps. Not all of them are from warmer climates. What they all have in common is that they are almost without exception dynamic and outgoing salesmen. Secondly, they have a reputation for on field success that leads to NFL draftability.
Claeys & staff have begun to do the second, at least on the defensive side. He may now have the right people in place on the offensive side. We'll see soon enough. He will never, however, pass for someone that attracts young people with his dynamism or his slick style.
As a result, I think we will see continued progress on the field but don't expect any great leaps forward. In a lot of ways, however, this may be best for the Gophers. We need to consistently build our brand in Minnesota as we compete with our pro competition and a flashy leader who would get hired away for a fortune following a few good years is not the answer. We need a happier Glenn Mason. One who doesn't yearn to go home to Ohio State or Norte Dame.
Mr. Claeys may be just the right guy at just the right time. I just wish he and his staff got more credit for what they have done shich in my opinion has been pretty amazing considering the valuations of our recruiting classes.