Hear me out.

[GopherBB12]

I’m curious how the Administration/AD would respond if fans began reaching out (via email/mail) to express their frustration about the lack of a competitive team and a legitimate head coach. I'm not suggesting we approach this unprofessionally, but perhaps it would be effective to mention that, until meaningful changes are made, fans will stop purchasing season tickets, buying merchandise, or dedicating time to watch the games. It could also be worth highlighting how the administration successfully turned around the women’s program as a way to demonstrate that positive change is possible.

 

[bleedsmaroonandgold]

I think Coyle would text his wife to tell her how much he wants the basketball team to make the tournament. And then ponder how a coach who did such a good job blowing him away in the interview is having such a hard time on the court.

 

[gopherbadgerman]

In my opinion emails from a fan board would not mean shit.

 

[Drake University Gopher]

Create a petition and have as many of us sign it indicating we want a head coach with experience winning as a head coach at other programs. Enough emails might be meaningful, but probably harder to quantify.

 

[Drake University Gopher]

Our guys’ text chat just had someone mention that ALL Minnesota teams won yesterday! I politely reminded him that the Gophers Men’s team did not win. That’s how irrelevant we’ve become.

 

[MNVCGUY]

I’m curious how the Administration/AD would respond if fans began reaching out (via email/mail) to express their frustration about the lack of a competitive team and a legitimate head coach. I'm not suggesting we approach this unprofessionally, but perhaps it would be effective to mention that, until meaningful changes are made, fans will stop purchasing season tickets, buying merchandise, or dedicating time to watch the games. It could also be worth highlighting how the administration successfully turned around the women’s program as a way to demonstrate that positive change is possible.

E-mails from fans won't move the needle. The administration can see where the current level of fan interest is by looking at the crowds, or lack there of, at Williams arena.

At this point a coaching change feels inevitable but no amount of bitching and complaining is likely to change the timeline which will almost certainly be very late in the season or right after it ends.

 

[BarnBurner]

E-mails from fans won't move the needle. The administration can see where the current level of fan interest is by looking at the crowds, or lack there of, at Williams arena.

At this point a coaching change feels inevitable but no amount of bitching and complaining is likely to change the timeline which will almost certainly be very late in the season or right after it ends.

Message to Gopher BB fans from Mnvcguy:

Sit down, shut up and let the U Admin work.

 

[Stan]

You think a few emails and letters will change anything? Coyle sure sees it every home game with so few there, he sees it in revenue, merchandise purchased, concessions purchased, TV ratings, corporate sponsorships, people yelling at him at games, etc. Whether he cares enough to make a move is a different conversation, but Coyle knows.

 

[stocker08]

The empty barn will be way more effective than emails which will be deleted immediately.

 

[DarthGopher]

Message to Gopher BB fans from Mnvcguy:

Sit down, shut up and let the U Admin work.

You write a sternly worded email and let us know how it goes. @MNVCGUY is simply being a realist, no matter how much you and several others try to twist their words to fit a specific narrative.

You'd have to be living under a rock not to notice the Sh*tshow on Wood masquerading as a competent basketball program. Like working in corporate America, it takes a lot longer than anyone thinks or wants to move a crappy manager out. Having survived several myself, every day it goes unaddressed, you think leadership doesn't care. The reality is they typically know, but it takes time. I believe the mechanisms are already in motion, but we will be the absolute last to know any details for a plethora of reasons.

 

[BarnBurner]

You write a sternly worded email and let us know how it goes. @MNVCGUY is simply being a realist, no matter how much you and several others try to twist their words to fit a specific narrative.

You'd have to be living under a rock not to notice the Sh*tshow on Wood masquerading as a competent basketball program. Like working in corporate America, it takes a lot longer than anyone thinks or wants to move a crappy manager out. Having survived several myself, every day it goes unaddressed, you think leadership doesn't care. The reality is they typically know, but it takes time. I believe the mechanisms are already in motion, but we will be the absolute last to know any details for a plethora of reasons.

Hey genius, I didn't advocate for any emails. Nor letters.
Mnvcguy has been downplaying the performances of cbj teams men's bb program at Mn since he arrived. Over and over. He's not been in reality at all.
Some called this immediately after the hire. Those folks are living in reality, not Mnvcguy are his ilk.
He could be relieved of his duties at any point, just fulfill the contract terms.
Leadership at the u is horrific.

 

[Ewert86PC]

The empty barn will be way more effective than emails which will be deleted immediately.

This! This is what needs to happen.

 

[Ewert86PC]

You write a sternly worded email and let us know how it goes. @MNVCGUY is simply being a realist, no matter how much you and several others try to twist their words to fit a specific narrative.

You'd have to be living under a rock not to notice the Sh*tshow on Wood masquerading as a competent basketball program. Like working in corporate America, it takes a lot longer than anyone thinks or wants to move a crappy manager out. Having survived several myself, every day it goes unaddressed, you think leadership doesn't care. The reality is they typically know, but it takes time. I believe the mechanisms are already in motion, but we will be the absolute last to know any details for a plethora of reasons.

This is how the "average fan" thinks "Hey! The WBB Team is 9-0 in Non-Conference play! Cool. I wonder how the MBB team is doing? Ewwww...."

Just not talking about them on mainstream media or not going to games makes the biggest impact. Complaining about them only helps commiseration in the misery because it is noise. The silence of apathy and the empty seats makes the deepest impact.

 

[MNVCGUY]

You write a sternly worded email and let us know how it goes. @MNVCGUY is simply being a realist, no matter how much you and several others try to twist their words to fit a specific narrative.

You'd have to be living under a rock not to notice the Sh*tshow on Wood masquerading as a competent basketball program. Like working in corporate America, it takes a lot longer than anyone thinks or wants to move a crappy manager out. Having survived several myself, every day it goes unaddressed, you think leadership doesn't care. The reality is they typically know, but it takes time. I believe the mechanisms are already in motion, but we will be the absolute last to know any details for a plethora of reasons.

I see you are trying to reason with barn burner.....yeah.....good luck with that

I hit the show ignored content from time to time and it appears that Burner is still replying to nearly every post I make and accusing me of ridiculous things....it is just weird the obsession he apparently still has with trying to drag me down constantly but to each their own I guess. The ignore feature is a great tool

It's amazing how much someone trying to see the positive side of things instead of dwelling on the negative bothers people like BB and USAF.....what a sad way to go through life.

 

[BarnBurner]

I see you are trying to reason with barn burner.....yeah.....good luck with that

I hit the show ignored content from time to time and it appears that Burner is still replying to nearly every post I make and accusing me of ridiculous things....it is just weird the obsession he apparently still has with trying to drag me down constantly but to each their own I guess. The ignore feature is a great tool

It's amazing how much someone trying to see the positive side of things instead of dwelling on the negative bothers people like BB and USAF.....what a sad way to go through life.

You read my every post.

Negativity Mnvcguy.

 

[DarthGopher]

I see you are trying to reason with barn burner.....yeah.....good luck with that

I hit the show ignored content from time to time and it appears that Burner is still replying to nearly every post I make and accusing me of ridiculous things....it is just weird the obsession he apparently still has with trying to drag me down constantly but to each their own I guess. The ignore feature is a great tool

It's amazing how much someone trying to see the positive side of things instead of dwelling on the negative bothers people like BB and USAF.....what a sad way to go through life.

There is no question the MBB program is a complete and total train wreck at this point. It makes me incredibly sad. I cut my teeth in earnest during the Year That Never Happened ('96-'97). I was in San Antonio. That atmosphere was magical. I want us to get there again.

We are where we are, and if hoping for a miracle makes me a CBJ apologist, then so be it. I am simply accepting what is and making the most of it. The likelihood he figures this coaching thing out and turns it around is slim to none. He'll be fired at the end of the season, if not sooner. He should have been relieved of duty with the exodus of players this spring. Why he was hired in the first place, we'll never know the real backstory. It doesn't matter at this point. He was not ready for this role, and it was a high risk, high reward proposition that backfired miserably.

The school is going to have to pony up to land a big name hire to resurrect this steaming pile and inject some life into the fan base and boosters. The price to leapfrog this debacle will cost more up front. That coach is out there. Go find them!

 

[MNVCGUY]

There is no question the MBB program is a complete and total train wreck at this point. It makes me incredibly sad. I cut my teeth in earnest during the Year That Never Happened ('96-'97). I was in San Antonio. That atmosphere was magical. I want us to get there again.

We are where we are, and if hoping for a miracle makes me a CBJ apologist, then so be it. I am simply accepting what is and making the most of it. The likelihood he figures this coaching thing out and turns it around is slim to none. He'll be fired at the end of the season, if not sooner. He should have been relieved of duty with the exodus of players this spring. Why he was hired in the first place, we'll never know the real backstory. It doesn't matter at this point. He was not ready for this role, and it was a high risk, high reward proposition that backfired miserably.

The school is going to have to pony up to land a big name hire to resurrect this steaming pile and inject some life into the fan base and boosters. The price to leapfrog this debacle will cost more up front. That coach is out there. Go find them!

Well said....though careful because it kind of feels like you are coming for my president of the Ben Johnson fan club title.... . Joking aside it appears we have a very similar take on the situation which is apparently unacceptable to a handful of posters here. Reading their posts you would think they think we have some control over Johnson's job status.

I was also down in San Antonio and would love to see the program get back to that level again minus the scandal of course.

Hopefully they can find the right coach and give him the resources he needs to compete in this current college basketball landscape.

 

[short ornery norwegian]

with all due respect, I see this over and over again on social media. Some "fan" expresses outrage over the performance of a team, and proclaims "I'm never going to attend another game. I'm not going to watch the games on TV. I'm not going to buy the merchandise."

and in my humble opinion, it amounts to nothing, because it's all BS. the vast majority of these "fans" who say "I'm not going to buy any more tickets" probably attended 1 game a year. and they're still going to watch the games on TV.

Look, I'm not happy with the performance of the men's basketball team. unless Coyle is brain dead (which I maintain is a possibility), he's not happy either. unless the team goes on some crazy winning streak in conference play and makes the NCAA tournament, I think Ben Johnson is gone.

of course, Coyle will try to present it as a "mutual decision," just like he did with Lindsay Whalen (which was a lie).

but as far as Gopher Hole having an impact over the hiring or firing of a coach, forget it.

 

[MNVCGUY]

with all due respect, I see this over and over again on social media. Some "fan" expresses outrage over the performance of a team, and proclaims "I'm never going to attend another game. I'm not going to watch the games on TV. I'm not going to buy the merchandise."

and in my humble opinion, it amounts to nothing, because it's all BS. the vast majority of these "fans" who say "I'm not going to buy any more tickets" probably attended 1 game a year. and they're still going to watch the games on TV.

Look, I'm not happy with the performance of the men's basketball team. unless Coyle is brain dead (which I maintain is a possibility), he's not happy either. unless the team goes on some crazy winning streak in conference play and makes the NCAA tournament, I think Ben Johnson is gone.

of course, Coyle will try to present it as a "mutual decision," just like he did with Lindsay Whalen (which was a lie).

but as far as Gopher Hole having an impact over the hiring or firing of a coach, forget it.

Well said. You will be hard pressed to find anyone that is happy with the state of the program right now. If Johnson gets fired tomorrow you won't hear any complaints. But we have no control over the situation so the choices are to hope for the best or wallow in the negative. Some choose to wallow (we all know who they are), as for me, I will look for whatever bright spots might be there knowing full well that when it is all said and done we will almost certainly be starting over with a new coach and essentially a brand new roster again next season.

 

[60's Guy]

I’m curious how the Administration/AD would respond if fans began reaching out (via email/mail) to express their frustration about the lack of a competitive team and a legitimate head coach. I'm not suggesting we approach this unprofessionally, but perhaps it would be effective to mention that, until meaningful changes are made, fans will stop purchasing season tickets, buying merchandise, or dedicating time to watch the games. It could also be worth highlighting how the administration successfully turned around the women’s program as a way to demonstrate that positive change is possible.

I'd say that conclusion is a bit premature: She finished 11 out of 14 teams in the Big Ten.
The best players are Whalen recruits.
YES, they are 9 an 0 in the non conference. The strength of schedule would make Ben blush...they have played nobody.
Time will tell, but with making the NCAA tournament as even the floor for successful...not optimistic.

 

[Rocksoldier]

This! This is what needs to happen.

It is happening

 

[DarthGopher]

with all due respect, I see this over and over again on social media. Some "fan" expresses outrage over the performance of a team, and proclaims "I'm never going to attend another game. I'm not going to watch the games on TV. I'm not going to buy the merchandise."

and in my humble opinion, it amounts to nothing, because it's all BS. the vast majority of these "fans" who say "I'm not going to buy any more tickets" probably attended 1 game a year. and they're still going to watch the games on TV.

Look, I'm not happy with the performance of the men's basketball team. unless Coyle is brain dead (which I maintain is a possibility), he's not happy either. unless the team goes on some crazy winning streak in conference play and makes the NCAA tournament, I think Ben Johnson is gone.

of course, Coyle will try to present it as a "mutual decision," just like he did with Lindsay Whalen (which was a lie).

but as far as Gopher Hole having an impact over the hiring or firing of a coach, forget it.

What if they also burn their jerseys? I think that can be a difference maker.

 

[leib0039]

With the way money works now in sports, I often wonder if teams in pro sports (make no mistake, college sports are now pro sports) even really care about fans/attendance/winning. Sure they will all 100% say it's their only focus and if they had a choice win or lose obviously they pick winning, but ultimately I truly think most don't care. The Twins, Gophers, Vikings, Wolves etc doesn't matter, sure they make a bit more with full stadiums, but they also make a bulk share of their money from guaranteed contracts with TV, conferences/leagues, boosters etc. It's not like the Gophers are getting kicked out of the B1G if they don't win.

I say all this to say the notion of "send an email, don't show up to games" or whatever it may be sounds great in theory, but I dont think they really care. And let me be clear, this isn't a Gophers thing, it's all of pro sports. The people at the top pulling the strings care about 1 thing, money. And they don't really need us peons for much so why would they care about what we think.

Maybe MN sports has just broken me ha but I feel so disheartened by the whole state of sports.

 

[BarnBurner]

With the way money works now in sports, I often wonder if teams in pro sports (make no mistake, college sports are now pro sports) even really care about fans/attendance/winning. Sure they will all 100% say it's their only focus and if they had a choice win or lose obviously they pick winning, but ultimately I truly think most don't care. The Twins, Gophers, Vikings, Wolves etc doesn't matter, sure they make a bit more with full stadiums, but they also make a bulk share of their money from guaranteed contracts with TV, conferences/leagues, boosters etc. It's not like the Gophers are getting kicked out of the B1G if they don't win.

I say all this to say the notion of "send an email, don't show up to games" or whatever it may be sounds great in theory, but I dont think they really care. And let me be clear, this isn't a Gophers thing, it's all of pro sports. The people at the top pulling the strings care about 1 thing, money. And they don't really need us peons for much so why would they care about what we think.

Maybe MN sports has just broken me ha but I feel so disheartened by the whole state of sports.

Correct.

 

[WilliamsArenaGuy]

Look at the Barn. Fans are already making their feelings heard. It's empty.

Apparently no one at the U cares.

 

[EasyThere Pilgrim]

I’m curious how the Administration/AD would respond if fans began reaching out (via email/mail) to express their frustration about the lack of a competitive team and a legitimate head coach. I'm not suggesting we approach this unprofessionally, but perhaps it would be effective to mention that, until meaningful changes are made, fans will stop purchasing season tickets, buying merchandise, or dedicating time to watch the games. It could also be worth highlighting how the administration successfully turned around the women’s program as a way to demonstrate that positive change is possible.

The AD is simply a mouthpiece for the administration.

And the administration would enjoy letters like this. They would laugh and take satisfaction from it.

 

[GopherBB12]

The AD is simply a mouthpiece for the administration.

And the administration would enjoy letters like this. They would laugh and take satisfaction from it.

That shows us fans all we need to know about the University and direction of the program.

I’ve been warming up to St. Thomas. I’m not saying they’ll ever be my #1. But I’m loyal to the state with my fandom across the board. This would be an easy root for me, especially, if they play a good brand of basketball.

 

[EasyThere Pilgrim]

That shows us fans all we need to know about the University and direction of the program.

I’ve been warming up to St. Thomas. I’m not saying they’ll ever be my #1. But I’m loyal to the state with my fandom across the board. This would be an easy root for me, especially, if they play a good brand of basketball.

There's really no good option as a Minnesota fan.

1) Switch teams.

2) Enjoy the Gophers games...but only for friends, family, barbeque...not concerned with wins & losses.

3) Stay optimistic & delusional about winning every year...and just wait for that magical season once every 40 years.