Chip Scoggins: Nothing golden about status of U athletics

[BleedGopher]

per Chip:

Lean times are nothing unusual for Gophers athletics, but their current condition is particularly sobering even by their standards.

It’s not inconceivable to think the Gophers could experience a sea change in their most highly visible positions in the next 24 months.

That wouldn’t necessarily be ideal. Change is hard (and expensive) and brings certain risks. Stability within a department remains preferable, if possible, because turnover doesn’t guarantee better results.

But the Gophers find themselves in a tenuous place with their bell-cow programs. If a significant turnaround doesn’t happen quickly, the department could undergo a transformation in leadership.

The school gave Claeys a three-year contract with a $250,000 annual buyout. That means they would owe him only $500,000 if they made a change after next season. That’s not ironclad security.

A successful ’16 season should not be a radical expectation. The Gophers have a senior quarterback in Mitch Leidner, a much easier schedule than they did in 2015 and better overall depth. Another Quick Lane Bowl appearance won’t impress anyone.

http://www.startribune.com/nothing-golden-about-status-of-gophers-athletics/365708131/

Go Gophers!!

 

[Governor Sibley]

This year really is a new low.

 

[swgopherdog]

This year really is a new low.

Volleyball

 

[MNGoldenGophers1]

"Another Quick Lane Bowl appearance won’t impress anyone."

Did it impress anyone this last time?

 

[MNVCGUY]

"Another Quick Lane Bowl appearance won’t impress anyone."

Did it impress anyone this last time?

Only those that think being one of the top 80 teams in the Nation is an accomplishment.

But yeah this has not been a great year for the Big 3. Football below .500, Basketball looking like they might lose every conference game at this rate, and Hockey sitting with an 11-10 overall record at this point. The only slight bright spot is that the Hockey team has won 7 of their last 10 and is tied for first in the BIG so maybe they are figuring some things out.

 

[Hates Monikers]

Nothing new or insightful in the article. It is depressing. But I'll say this: football and basketball both have the potential to snap back quickly next year. If they do, the 2015 football season -- with a mid-season coaching change -- will look like a small blip in its continued growth. And Pitino just may look like he knew what he was doing all along.

Of course, that's the optimistic view. And Big 10 hockey will still be boring.

 

[MNGoldenGophers1]

Nothing new or insightful in the article. It is depressing. But I'll say this: football and basketball both have the potential to snap back quickly next year. If they do, the 2015 football season -- with a mid-season coaching change -- will look like a small blip in its continued growth. And Pitino just may look like he knew what he was doing all along.

Of course, that's the optimistic view. And Big 10 hockey will still be boring.

I'm pretty sure you can find many similar comments dating back to the days of Cal Stoll.

 

[citywok]

The line in the article "They should change the name of Dinkytown to Debbie Downerville, accompanied by a sad trombone playing in the background" is so laughably bad.

Unfortunately Chip's is a pretty accurate take, his writing skills (and the very intentional mash-up picture of all the coaches bleeting) aside. No way they fire Lucia anytime soon, but everyone else could easily be gone before 2017 is over.

 

[bigticket1]

The line in the article "They should change the name of Dinkytown to Debbie Downerville, accompanied by a sad trombone playing in the background" is so laughably bad.

.

I think Reusse or Soup Can may have ghost-written that line.

 

[Lordshawesome]

What a "chicken little" article... The sky isn't falling. All athletics has ups & downs. This too shall pass.

Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk

 

[Ski U Mah 55]

Doesn't he know the dance team just won their 7th national title in a row???

 

[short ornery norwegian]

To have a winning program, you need to have a specific set of circumstances - the right leadership - the right facilities - the right coaches - the right support personnel - and sometimes you need to get lucky on a few recruits who exceed expectations.

For a series of reasons, the Gophers have not been able to line up all the pieces on a consistent basis.

A few sports - Volleyball, Wrestling most years, Women's hockey have found the formula to win. The real trick is finding a way to repeat that formula with the major revenue sports.

And, let's face it - there are no guarantees. Simply wanting a successful program does not make it happen.

 

[A_Slab_of_Bacon]

"Another Quick Lane Bowl appearance won’t impress anyone."

Did it impress anyone this last time?

Yeah I don't think anyone was impressed. It was just nice to see a nice game.... enjoy it a bit sure, impress, not so much.

 

['13Gopher]

"Another Quick Lane Bowl appearance won’t impress anyone."

Did it impress anyone this last time?

Only those that think being one of the top 80 teams in the Nation is an accomplishment.

But yeah this has not been a great year for the Big 3. Football below .500, Basketball looking like they might lose every conference game at this rate, and Hockey sitting with an 11-10 overall record at this point. The only slight bright spot is that the Hockey team has won 7 of their last 10 and is tied for first in the BIG so maybe they are figuring some things out.

In my opinion, a Quick Lane Bowl victory is worth about 15 B1G Hockey Championships. Nothing is more worthless than a B1G Hockey Championship.

 

[Lordshawesome]

Just another example of how the trib will jump at any chance to kick the gophers, so the Vikings stay number one & the U stays in "their place". I'm tempted to boycott the trib until their agenda is addressed.

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[MNVCGUY]

Just another example of how the trib will jump at any chance to kick the gophers, so the Vikings stay number one & the U stays in "their place". I'm tempted to boycott the trib until their agenda is addressed.

Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk

How is this some agenda to keep the U down and promote the Vikings? The only three sports that truly get noticed at the U (football, men's basketball, and men's hockey) are all having/had rough years. It is a slow news time and like it or not the struggles of the three most prominent programs at the U is a valid talking point.

 

[MNGoldenGophers1]

In my opinion, a Quick Lane Bowl victory is worth about 15 B1G Hockey Championships. Nothing is more worthless than a B1G Hockey Championship.

Point taken but how about a B1G Hockey Championship vs. winning the Mayor's Winner Cup against Pedophile State U?

 

[station19]

Just another example of how the trib will jump at any chance to kick the gophers, so the Vikings stay number one & the U stays in "their place". I'm tempted to boycott the trib until their agenda is addressed.

Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk

I'm sure that will get their knees shaking.

 

[Lordshawesome]

If enough people agree with me, it might...

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[GoldenRodents]

Great Dance Team

 

[gopherdudepart2]

Sid said on the Sports show Sunday night

To have a winning program, you need to have a specific set of circumstances - the right leadership - the right facilities - the right coaches - the right support personnel - and sometimes you need to get lucky on a few recruits who exceed expectations.

For a series of reasons, the Gophers have not been able to line up all the pieces on a consistent basis.

A few sports - Volleyball, Wrestling most years, Women's hockey have found the formula to win. The real trick is finding a way to repeat that formula with the major revenue sports.

And, let's face it - there are no guarantees. Simply wanting a successful program does not make it happen.

This was Sid's response as to why Gophers athletics and specifically Men's basketball are so bad right now.
"They are afraid to cheat" because of the past scandals.

 

[GopherWeatherGuy]

This was Sid's response as to why Gophers athletics and specifically Men's basketball are so bad right now.
"They are afraid to cheat" because of the past scandals.

Could be the most accurate thing Sid has said in awhile.

 

[ruppertflywheel]

It is what it is. Hope springs eternal. I'll be patient. We have a great cabin in Ely, Minnesota and a beautiful home below the Sana Rita Mountains in Green Valley, Arizona. I wake up every morning and thank my lucky stars I don't live in a glorified municipal landfill like Madison, Wisconsin.

 

[station19]

It is what it is. Hope springs eternal. I'll be patient. We have a great cabin in Ely, Minnesota and a beautiful home below the Sana Rita Mountains in Green Valley, Arizona. I wake up every morning and thank my lucky stars I don't live in a glorified municipal landfill like Madison, Wisconsin.

Wimpy snowbird.

 

[GVBadger]

It is what it is. Hope springs eternal. I'll be patient. We have a great cabin in Ely, Minnesota and a beautiful home below the Sana Rita Mountains in Green Valley, Arizona. I wake up every morning and thank my lucky stars I don't live in a glorified municipal landfill like Madison, Wisconsin.

Now I know why I have it so good. A Badgers fan for 30 years but born and bred in the Twin Cities. Thanks for shedding some light on the situation.

 

[GophersInIowa]

Now I know why I have it so good. A Badgers fan for 30 years but born and bred in the Twin Cities. Thanks for shedding some light on the situation.

Badger fans: "Minnesota and their fans are so irrelevant" yet constantly has threads about Minnesota on their message board. Oh wow, guess what? There is one about this article and thread. Shocking. There is just as many comments about this on their board as there is here.http://buckyville.yuku.com/topic/83993/StarTribune-Scoggins-Golden-Status-Goofer-Athletics?page=1#.Vp_tuphIjcs

Badger fans: "Ruppert is an idiot". Every time he posts something here about Wisconsin there will be a Badgers fan commenting about it here and on their message board.

For being so irrelevant and pathetic, you guys sure are obsessed with us.

Oh, that's right. It's just entertainment.

 

[Ski U Mah Gopher]

I am posting this in 2 different threads:

Which fanbase is more obsessed with the Gophers?

Wisconsin or NDSU?

 

[1983]

Just another example of how the trib will jump at any chance to kick the gophers, so the Vikings stay number one & the U stays in "their place". I'm tempted to boycott the trib until their agenda is addressed.

Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk

Dumped the rag a long long time ago and I am still living.

 

[bleedsmaroonandgold]

Now I know why I have it so good. A Badgers fan for 30 years but born and bred in the Twin Cities. Thanks for shedding some light on the situation.

Congrats to you. I wish I had it good enough that I felt the need to spend my time logging more than 1000 posts on an opposing team's fan site.

 

[GVBadger]

Badger fans: "Minnesota and their fans are so irrelevant" yet constantly has threads about Minnesota on their message board. Oh wow, guess what? There is one about this article and thread. Shocking. There is just as many comments about this on their board as there is here.http://buckyville.yuku.com/topic/83993/StarTribune-Scoggins-Golden-Status-Goofer-Athletics?page=1#.Vp_tuphIjcs

Badger fans: "Ruppert is an idiot". Every time he posts something here about Wisconsin there will be a Badgers fan commenting about it here and on their message board.

For being so irrelevant and pathetic, you guys sure are obsessed with us.

Oh, that's right. It's just entertainment.

I have to admit you are right. It is awesome entertainment, I talk to Gophers fans all the time, joke around, etc. Never any issue with it accept on this board. Then again, I think the hatred I see between people from Minnesota who truly hate Wisconsin and from Wisconsin who truly hate Minnesota is weird.

I give a lot of you credit who are Vikings and Gophers fans. The Vikings are a big enough back breaker for one to handle. I can't imagine being a Gophers fan along with that.