I was fiddling with the radio this morning....

[gophmeister]

...and heard the tail end of a conversation between Reusse and I think Souhan. They made some interesting points.

1. They think Brett Favre might be the reason the buzz hasn't quite been as great as expected around TCF Bank Stadium.
2. They don't think Brewster will be fired this year, because he still has a enough support among boosters thanks in part to his recruiting acumen.
3. The stadium really gives them a chance to hire a good coach if they eventually fire Brewster.

Neither has much faith in Brewster, which I don't think surprises anyone here. Where I would disagree with them is on their estimated support for Brewster among diehard fans. I have no sample data, but based on what I hear before, during and after games, most fans are either lukewarm toward or completely fed up with Brewster. As for me, I still support Brewster, but I'm starting to waver. The SDSU game really made me question whether he can recruit his way to victory.

Now here's my question....

Is Brewster playing for his coaching career on Saturday?

 

[gophermartin]

no

 

[MBAGuy]

No

 

[MrGopher]

Is Brewster playing for his coaching career on Saturday?

In a way, yes, he is. If we go in there and somehow win, 0% chance we fire him.

In a way, no, he isn't. If we go in there and only get two first downs the whole game. He will get the 2010 season to decide everything.

Do I think he should be fired? No. It hurts us too much in recruiting, plus he hasn't had a single year to play with 100% his own recruits.

Does he really deserve to stay? To be determined, in my opinion.

 

[GopherRube]

No. But if we got blown out 55-0 again, things may be different. Sure, Iowa has been good this year, but they've been in so many close games (i.e. Michigan State who we beat, Indiana, etc.). He better make it somewhat competitive at the very least.

He will get one more year

 

[MaxyJR1]

I support another year or two, but the argument of hurting recruiting is a poor reason to keep him. Get a great replacement and recruiting will take care of itself.

 

[chi-town gopher]

No. But if we got blown out 55-0 again, things may be different. Sure, Iowa has been good this year, but they've been in so many close games (i.e. Michigan State who we beat, Indiana, etc.). He better make it somewhat competitive at the very least.

He will get one more year

+1

I think he should get another year, but all bets are off if they get destroyed again. In my opinion the biggest mistake Maturi has made in his tenure was bringing back Monson when it was very obvious that he needed to go, and then firing him a few games into the season the next year when it was even more obvious. He won't do that again. If Maturi decides that Brewster isn't a good enough coach to lead the program to a higher level, he'll cut his losses. Everybody thought Mase was coming back in 07, but the Bowl game pushed Maturi over the edge. Another humiliating loss could do that again.

But I do think a decent showing in Iowa will allow him to keep his job.

 

[GopherGod]

I support another year or two, but the argument of hurting recruiting is a poor reason to keep him. Get a great replacement and recruiting will take care of itself.

I agree with you, almost every program sees an immediate bump in recruiting the first 2 years after hiring a new coach because that new coach can preach about a new vision/direction. Beyond those two years it is on the coach to sustain the recruiting by winning.

 

[Gopherholefan]

+1

In my opinion the biggest mistake Maturi has made in his tenure was bringing back Monson when it was very obvious that he needed to go, and then firing him a few games into the season the next year when it was even more obvious. He won't do that again.

Was that kind of a tongue in cheek statement?? I sure hope so! Maturi forcing Monson to RESIGN a couple games into the season gave Maturi and his search team a much early start on finding a new coach over the other Universities around the country who ended up firing their coach at the end of the year. Look what happened, we ended up with TUBBY SMITH!! How was bringing Monson back part of that next year a mistake again?

 

[Bayfieldgopher]

I believe we are at a time on Saturday where the teeter is tottering and public opinion will be swayed dramatically based on the Iowa game. Another poor performance will not bode well. Said that, Maturi will hear from certain boosters and face other pressure.

I think the grad data release is very timely and is a positive for Coach Brewster. The AD has made it clear that improved in academics and grad rates is a top priority.

But performance on the field is where it matters most. And there is not enough to sway my opinion one way or the other but my gut say Maturi waits until October 31, 2010 to make a decision. Any longer and it will hurt recruiting for 2011. He knows recruiting is the life line of the program.

 

[ilovethebarn]

Although I hate how much media attention it received this season, player control is a must improvement for Brewster next year. Keep the kids off the blotter and his approval rating will go up. Hearing about the numerous run-in's with the law this year has not helped out Brew at all.

But, all in all, I think he will, and should, get at least another year. Prove to me you can coach Brew!!

 

[chi-town gopher]

Was that kind of a tongue in cheek statement?? I sure hope so! Maturi forcing Monson to RESIGN a couple games into the season gave Maturi and his search team a much early start on finding a new coach over the other Universities around the country who ended up firing their coach at the end of the year. Look what happened, we ended up with TUBBY SMITH!! How was bringing Monson back part of that next year a mistake again?

Looking back now bringing back Monson for part of the year doesn't seem like a big deal because he was able to land Tubby Smith, but that doesn't mean it was handled perfectly.

Keeping Monson way longer than he should have was the mistake, not forcing him out (which is the same as firing him) or hiring Tubby. I know that even Brewster's biggest haters would welcome him back next season if it meant that Maturi was going to hire a coach with a National Championship in January of 2011, but that doesn't mean it is the way to handle the process. He won't expect a Tubby Smith like coach to fall in his lap again, and if he feels like Brewster can't get ever get it done, he'll get rid of him now.

 

[Go Gophers Rah]

No.

It could be the beginning of the end (with the end coming in December 2010) if we have a poor performance.

Don't put too much stock in this board and the opinion of its posters. How many of us give $2,500, $5,000, $10,000, $25,000 etc annually to the athletic program? Those are the people that will haver the most influence on Maturi's decision.

 

[gophmeister]

No.
Don't put too much stock in this board and the opinion of its posters. How many of us give $2,500, $5,000, $10,000, $25,000 etc annually to the athletic program? Those are the people that will haver the most influence on Maturi's decision.

I think that was the jist of Reusse's thoughts on the matter. He said the diehards haven't given up yet. Winning on Saturday would really boost Brewsters status here.

 

[Gopherholefan]

Looking back now bringing back Monson for part of the year doesn't seem like a big deal because he was able to land Tubby Smith, but that doesn't mean it was handled perfectly.

Keeping Monson way longer than he should have was the mistake, not forcing him out (which is the same as firing him) or hiring Tubby. I know that even Brewster's biggest haters would welcome him back next season if it meant that Maturi was going to hire a coach with a National Championship in January of 2011, but that doesn't mean it is the way to handle the process. He won't expect a Tubby Smith like coach to fall in his lap again, and if he feels like Brewster can't get ever get it done, he'll get rid of him now.

But wasn't that kind of his plan chi-town?? Bring him back for part of the year while also quietly searching for possible replacements? I am not a big fan of Maturi, but I thought he played that situation almost perfectly in getting the huge jump on everyone else trying to find a coach...

 

[MNCH]

Was that kind of a tongue in cheek statement?? I sure hope so! Maturi forcing Monson to RESIGN a couple games into the season gave Maturi and his search team a much early start on finding a new coach over the other Universities around the country who ended up firing their coach at the end of the year. Look what happened, we ended up with TUBBY SMITH!! How was bringing Monson back part of that next year a mistake again?

NO! That was a wasted year in the hoops program. Firing Monson early in the season did not help in any way in hiring Tubby here. Tubby fell into Maturi's lap at the end of the season because Kentucky fans were disgruntled with him. But firing Monson in November did not help in any way in hiring Tubby in April.

 

[MNCH]

No.

It could be the beginning of the end (with the end coming in December 2010) if we have a poor performance.

Don't put too much stock in this board and the opinion of its posters. How many of us give $2,500, $5,000, $10,000, $25,000 etc annually to the athletic program? Those are the people that will haver the most influence on Maturi's decision.

EXACTLY! Yahoos on this board who sit in the nose-bleeds have no influence on Maturi's decision compared to what Pinky and the rest of the boys sitting in their suites and club level have. Just ask your average Auburn fan.

 

[chi-town gopher]

NO! That was a wasted year in the hoops program. Firing Monson early in the season did not help in any way in hiring Tubby here. Tubby fell into Maturi's lap at the end of the season because Kentucky fans were disgruntled with him. But firing Monson in November did not help in any way in hiring Tubby in April.

+1

It isn't like Maturi was courting Tubby from December to April. It worked out, but if Tubby had gone to the elite 8 that year who knows where the team would be. Maturi won't risk that happening again.

 

[GophersInIowa]

I believe we are at a time on Saturday where the teeter is tottering and public opinion will be swayed dramatically based on the Iowa game. Another poor performance will not bode well. Said that, Maturi will hear from certain boosters and face other pressure.

I agree with this completely.

 

[GoGophers2005]

Of course the gophers can't get blown out again. But BIG PICTURE PEOPLE!!!!

Let's all remember the Gophers have lost exactly 1 game to a team that Vegas didn't give the points to. And of the 5 losses 4 of them are bowl teams (w/ OSU and PSU possibly being BCS teams). We also played a top 10 team in the non-conference (which we usually schedule a Murray State or Louisiana Lafayette). We lost to 2 Big Ten teams by a combined 6 points.

And oh, we've been playing without our best player for the past 3 1/2 games.

 

[bankonit]

I support another year or two, but the argument of hurting recruiting is a poor reason to keep him. Get a great replacement and recruiting will take care of itself.

That was Mason's philosophy on recruiting.

 

[Carlson 79]

Ferentz and Iowa will not do us any favors, period. They like things as they are and will keep it close to the vest, beat us by 17 or so, and help ensure Brewster stays for at least another year. No way this is a blowout, unless our guys quit. To their credit they have not done so yet this year. In fact, they've often rallied in the 2nd half of games.

 

[dpodoll68]

Let's all remember the Gophers have lost exactly 1 game to a team that Vegas didn't give the points to.

Someone can correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe we were also favored against Wisconsin.

 

[FireDaveLee]

I usually involve the Gophers every single week in betting (not saying I bet the Gophers, actually I think I've bet against them more than I have for them. Here is line the Gophers have had at the time I've made my wager:

vs. Syracuse: -6
vs. Air Force: -4.5
vs. Cal: +14
vs. Northwestern: +2.5
vs. Wisconsin: -3
vs. Purdue: -3.5
vs. Penn State: +16.5
vs. Ohio State: +18
vs. Michigan State: (don't remember the line because I went straight money line on Gophers at +155, so I'm guessing it was +4)
vs. Illinois: -6
vs. SDSU: NL (some places had it anywhere from -12 to -15

Conclussion: Gophers have won 2 games where they were the underdog outright and have lost 2 games when they were the favorite outright.

Minnesota seems pretty par for the course in this regards, so it may not be such an indictment of Brewster. Off hand without looking at the numbers, Northwestern, I believe has 3 wins when underdogs (Purdue, Iowa & Illinois) and 2 losses when favorites (Minnesota & Syracuse). MSU has at least 2 losses when favoried (Minnesota & Central Michigan) and I can't think of them winning once when they were underdogs, one of Wisconsin's two losses was when they were favored (I believe -3 vs. Iowa). Purdue has two losses as a favorite (Northern Illinois & Northwestern) to go along with two wins (Michigan & Ohio State).