We've stagnated. Tough conversation below

Donate To GopherHole
Yah-E said:
Yeah, but WMU didn’t get the full grown older matured Fleck like we did and Fleck wasnt there for 6+ years!

RTB is more immersed into Gophers than anywhere

Should I say, gophers will forever be know as RTB football team

Therefore much weirder when fleck leaves and migrate RTB else where

Not going to miss it, but just saying it’ll be weird because we had this RTB saying for 10+ years!

I still have a “Brew Crew” tshirt! You know many RTB short sleeved shirts, long sleeved tshirts, sweatshirts, caps, sweat pants, underwear, zip ups, posters, screensavers, and decals I have?
Click to expand...

I think there's a chance you hold some sort of record.
 



SallysEnthusiast said:
You're absolutely right. Given the size of our alumni network and proximity to two large metropolitan hubs we have no business not attracting NIL money. It's a matter of communicating effectively with all parties to secure it, which we clearly haven't been able to do.
Click to expand...

What distinguishes Madison and Iowa City from the TCs? Why are they able to attract the talent they do? Why were we able to do that and be a national power prior to 1961? This thread suggests that all we need is the right coach. We've tried ten coaches since 61.
 



Fleck has the best winning percentage for a Gopher coach since Bernie Bierman. There were 13 worse coaches between them and only 4 of those 13 had a winning record.

Odds are that Fleck's replacement will be worse. It's not like there are a pile of amazing coaches we are passing up to keep Fleck.

The biggest criticism about Fleck's performance is that we've mainly beat bad teams and won very few games against top tier teams. There's some truth to that but over the past 70 years, most Gopher coaches haven't beaten bad teams consistently.
 


PMWinSTP said:
I think most would be upset with any HC who started 4-0 and now sits at 4-3.
Click to expand...

You have a right to feel the way you feel. None of us are thrilled by a losing streak, for sure.

That losing streak is now up to three games. Two of the losses were to ranked teams. That's certainly not cause for rejoicing, but then again it may not be the end of the world, either. There are five games (at least) remaining in this season.
Sometimes life demands that we have the strength to persevere through tough times. Anybody can be a fan in the good times. Fair weather 'fans' are a dime a dozen.

In five seasons at Minnesota leading up to 2022, Fleck has had three winning years, including one Top Ten national ranking. Of the two losing seasons, one was the abbreviated COVID year, and the other was his first season.

My opinion: let's see how this sixth season plays out before we get too upset. We're Minnesotans, after all — since we aren't known for being overly exuberant when things are going well, maybe we should keep and cool stay calm when things get a little rough.
 
Last edited:

RememberMurray said:
You have a right to feel the way you feel. None of us are thrilled by a losing streak, for sure.

That losing streak is now up to three games. Two of the losses were to ranked teams. That's certainly not cause for rejoicing, but then again it may not be the end of the world, either. There are five games (at least) remaining in this season.
Sometimes life demands that we have the strength to persevere through tough times. Anybody can be a fan in the good times. Fair weather 'fans' are a dime a dozen.

In five seasons at Minnesota leading up to 2022, Fleck has had three winning years, including one Top Ten national ranking. Of the two losing seasons, one was the abbreviated COVID year, and the other was his first season.

My opinion: let's see how this sixth season plays out before we get too upset. We're Minnesotans, after all — since we aren't known for being overly exuberant when things are going well, maybe we should keep and cool stay calm when things get a little rough.
Click to expand...
Been a fan my entire life, and been to 110+ games, so I know a lot about perseverance through the tough times with Gopher football, believe me.
 



PMWinSTP said:
Been a fan my entire life, and been to 110+ games, so I know a lot about perseverance through the tough times with Gopher football, believe me.
Click to expand...

I hear you. Like I said, you have a right to your feelings.

How tough is this current losing streak, on a scale of 1 to 10, compared to other tough times you've been through as a long-time fan?
 

RememberMurray said:
I hear you. Like I said, you have a right to your feelings.

How tough is this current losing streak, on a scale of 1 to 10, compared to other tough times you've been through as a long-time fan?
Click to expand...
Don't think trying to rank it against others is really fruitful. It's disappointing. Based on these 7 games, they could just as easily win or lose the next five.
 

short ornery norwegian said:
I think Fleck is a good coach.

I do not think Fleck is going to turn MN into a program that wins Conference titles.

I'm not sure any coach could do that under the current circumstances.

IMHO, the only way MN starts winning conference titles and becoming a national player is if a coach is able to attract enough NIL money to go out and buy a roster that is comparable to a Michigan or an Ohio State.

You're not going to win conference titles by recruiting a bunch of 3-star players and "coaching them up." that method will get you a lot of 8-win seasons - and once in a while, maybe you break through for a 10-win season - but to beat the big boys, you have to have at least the same level of talent.
Click to expand...
Totally agree. Minnesota is so far from being a football power. Nick Saban wouldn’t change that
 

PMWinSTP said:
Don't think trying to rank it against others is really fruitful. It's disappointing. Based on these 7 games, they could just as easily win or lose the next five.
Click to expand...

Is it as disappointing as the Brewster years?

I mean, this has to feel better than that, yes?

I guess my point is: if you've seen really tough times as a Gopher fan, can this current situation feel as bad as those dark days? It sure seems like we're in a better place, long-term, than we were back then.

We're making progress! That has to take the sting out a little bit.
 



RememberMurray said:
Is it as disappointing as the Brewster years?

I mean, this has to feel better than that, yes?

I guess my point is: if you've seen really tough times as a Gopher fan, can this current situation feel as bad as those dark days? It sure seems like we're in a better place, long-term, than we were back then.

We're making progress! That has to take the sting out a little bit.
Click to expand...
I think we are at an inflection point right now for the season. Fleck either leads the team out of this or he quite possibly losses them. Comparing it to one of the worst HCs in recent history is not a good place to start, nor does it matter.
 

PMWinSTP said:
Been a fan my entire life, and been to 110+ games, so I know a lot about perseverance through the tough times with Gopher football, believe me.
Click to expand...
For me it is getting non Gopher fans to pay attention. I always talk Gophers they talk Vikings. Were 4-0, ranked and team comes out flat, non traditional fan tunes out.
 

PMWinSTP said:
I think we are at an inflection point right now for the season. Fleck either leads the team out of this or he quite possibly losses them. Comparing it to one of the worst HCs in recent history is not a good place to start, nor does it matter.
Click to expand...

Okay. That's a valid point of view.

Let me ask you this: as a person who sees himself as having paid his dues as a Gopher fan, as in having seen some really bad years, what were your expectations heading into the 2022 season? Be honest.

Maybe you simply have higher expectations than me, despite all the losing you've witnessed. Maybe you're the optimist, and I'm the pessimist.
 

WriterGoph said:
"Decent" is not 9-4. Decent is 6-7, 7-6, maybe even 8-5.
Click to expand...

Mediocre is 7-6, 6-7, maybe 8-5 depending on non-conference and/or losing the Axe and the Pig.
Decent is 9-4 and 8-5 with a tough non-conference schedule and/or winning the Pig, and the Axe.
 


Ewert86PC said:
Mediocre is 7-6, 6-7, maybe 8-5 depending on non-conference and/or losing the Axe and the Pig.
Decent is 9-4 and 8-5 with a tough non-conference schedule and/or winning the Pig, and the Axe.
Click to expand...

Mediocre is Dan Barrierro's favorite word.
 

RememberMurray said:
Okay. That's a valid point of view.

Let me ask you this: as a person who sees himself as having paid his dues as a Gopher fan, as in having seen some really bad years, what were your expectations heading into the 2022 season? Be honest.

Maybe you simply have higher expectations than me, despite all the losing you've witnessed. Maybe you're the optimist, and I'm the pessimist.
Click to expand...
That they have the talent to win the West, and the schedule was favorable to do so. That opportunity was there, and high level coaching is needed to make the difference. Coyle didn't go after Fleck to merely move up one or maybe two spots in the B1G pecking order. And no, I don't want Fleck fired.
 

RememberMurray said:
Mediocre is Dan Barrierro's favorite word.

You and Dan have high expectations.
Click to expand...
Yes, after sitting through the pathetic era of 1982-1986. Smokey Joe followed by the Music Man, requires bumping the definition of Mediocre up the scale.
 

PMWinSTP said:
That they have the talent to win the West, and the schedule was favorable to do so. That opportunity was there, and high level coaching is needed to make the difference. Coyle didn't go after Fleck to merely move up one or maybe two spots in the B1G pecking order. And no, I don't want Fleck fired.
Click to expand...

I had hoped they would win the West this season as well. I am a bit disappointed that they probably won't. But I'm not upset about it, to the point where I can't see a path forward that is positive.

If they play well in the remaining games and make a good bowl game, I'll find solace in that outcome.
 

Ewert86PC said:
Yes, after sitting through the pathetic era of 1982-1986. Smokey Joe followed by the Music Man, requires bumping the definition of Mediocre up the scale.
Click to expand...

What are your expectations, going forward?

In 2023, with no Mo and a new QB, what do you think is a realistic win total, now that we have seen the schedule?
 

RememberMurray said:
I had hoped they would win the West this season as well. I am a bit disappointed that they probably won't. But I'm not upset about it, to the point where I can't see a path forward that is positive.

If they play well in the remaining games and make a good bowl game, I'll find solace in that outcome.
Click to expand...
Like I said, they are as likely to win those five as they are to lose them.
 

RememberMurray said:
What are your expectations, going forward?

In 2023, with no Mo and a new QB, what do you think is a realistic win total, now that we have seen the schedule?
Click to expand...
Straight up, I don't care about the schedule. 8-5 or better every year, no ifs, ands or buts. Anything less is poking fingers in the eyes of alumni, especially those who dragged their asses to Memorial Stadium under Cal Stoll only to be spat on by "The Downtown Club" who insisted on Joe Salem and moving to the Dome.
 


Ewert86PC said:
Straight up, I don't care about the schedule. 8-5 or better every year, no ifs, ands or buts. Anything less is poking fingers in the eyes of alumni, especially those who dragged their asses to Memorial Stadium under Cal Stoll only to be spat on by "The Downtown Club" who insisted on Joe Salem and moving to the Dome.
Click to expand...

Every year?

If the team went 8-5, then 9-4, then 10-3, then 8-5, and then 7-6... would you fire the coach, if it was your decision?
 

RememberMurray said:
Every year?

If the team went 8-5, then 9-4, then 10-3, then 8-5, and then 7-6... would you fire the coach, if it was your decision?
Click to expand...

Its the only way to regain alumni money that trickled away, in the Post Warmath years. The 1980s at UMN were all about crapping on undergrads and establishing a neutering of alumni interested in athletics.
 

Ewert86PC said:
Its the only way to regain alumni money that trickled away, in the Post Warmath years. The 1980s at UMN were all about crapping on undergrads and establishing a neutering of alumni interested in athletics.
Click to expand...

So we should consider firing the coach in 2022 because of what happened in the 1980s?
 

RememberMurray said:
Is it as disappointing as the Brewster years?

I mean, this has to feel better than that, yes?

I guess my point is: if you've seen really tough times as a Gopher fan, can this current situation feel as bad as those dark days? It sure seems like we're in a better place, long-term, than we were back then.

We're making progress! That has to take the sting out a little bit.
Click to expand...
When expectations fall short, yes, that makes it as, if not more, disappointing. We were fooling ourselves but a lot of people on GH expected a good shot at the division championship. I was hopeful; thought we had a good chance. Now, I want to beat Iowa, Wisconsin, and Nebraska but not expecting it. With Brew, it was evident early on where we were going so it wasn't disappointing. Just the same old shit for a Gopher fan who had also gone through the Salem, Gutey, and Whacker years. PJ seems different to me, but, got to admit, the doubts are creeping back.
 

You must log in or register to reply here.



Top Bottom