I'll go back to what I posted earlier in this thread or in another: if people are OK with being the little engine who could and pretend that this is the best we can do, then who am I to say different. I know we can do better, however, and so far both Smith and Monson did better - at least in terms of conference record and postseason appearances - so there's recent evidence that we can indeed do better. At this point, all people have to recommend staying the course with Richard is hope that he's slowing figuring something out and that the program is about to turn some sort of corner - perhaps the "crazy corner" that Jim Wacker referred to. One way or another, only two postseason appearances in 5 years shouldn't be considered good enough for a Big Ten team, injuries or no injuries.
Here's the problem: community perception is solidifying like cement that he's not up to this, and that affects recruiting, especially locally. If I with my optimism and maroon-colored glasses am not sure that this is the place I'd want to send my hypothetical Division 1 prospect son because I'm doubtful that he'd get coached up to the best of his potential, you can bet that there are many other parents of D1 prospects who are feeling the same way. As much as I wish we'd signed McKinley Wright, I seriously doubt whether he'd have emerged and developed here to the extent that he has at Colorado. Part of me wonders whether he'd be as inconsistent and in and out of the doghouse as Washington has been. Hey, I'm probably wrong about that, but the point stands: if I doubt, then sure as sh!t the Hurts and others are seriously doubting.
