Would 2016 Gopherhole demand Mason's head after 2003 conference season?

[Winnipegopher]

I say yes, at least the same people who want Claeys gone.

It is funny how memories change. I went back and looked at 2003 and it is a lot different than I remembered.

Although the Gophers had a really talented team and easily the best Gophers offence in living memory (3 RBs who played in the nfl, two TEs who played in the NFL, Eslinger who was all-american, Setterstrom who played in the NFL, quality receivers in Hosack and Ellerson), they beat no one of consequence on the way to a 9 win regular season. They beat up on 4 non-BCS teams in non-conference, had a weak schedule and avoided two of the top 3 in Purdue and Ohio State, but did beat a mediocre Wisconsin team for their best win.

Losses were to lost to Michigan (meltdown) at home and a mediocre Michigan State (also at home) but what would have got the Gopherhole going was the Iowa game. The Gophers went into Iowa 9-2 and going against a strong 9-2 Iowa team (similar to 2016 Wisconsin). Instead of going toe to toe the Gophers were down 40-6 going in the fourth quarter. They scored two late meaningless touchdowns to finish 40-22.

The Gophers five conference wins came against 7. Wisconsin, 8. Northwestern (both 4-4 in conference), 9.Penn State (1-7), 10. Indiana (1-7) and 11. Illinois (0-8).

So is 2003 better than 2016? People may think so but the facts don't bear it out. Maybe a good bowl win will salvage this year like the Sun Bowl did in 2003.

I agree, though, that 2003 was a much funner team to watch than 2016.

 

[Sparlimb]

We hadn't had a 10 win team in twenty five thousand years prior to 2003 (I may be exaggerating) and it felt like we were on the verge of becoming a perennial top 25 team. So there was a ton of excitement at the time. We weren't on the verge and we didn't get there. That said, I remember some of the arguments on this very board about the easy schedule, the fact we happened to play 12 games that year (back then it was usually 11) and that it didn't really mean much. Mason did have the 10 win season, but I've always felt it was more impressive he beat every Big Ten team including Ohio St and Michigan. I don't remember any other coach in my lifetime doing that. So that's why he's still ahead of Kill in my mind and always will be.

 

[MaxyJR1]

And he was fired three years later. It started the firing talks.


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[BleedGopher]

It's a shame Mason couldn't build off that 10 win season. The three following years we went 20-17, including 10-14 in the Big Ten.

The bowl game over Alabama was fun, Shula as coach or not.

Go Gophers!!

 

[Sparlimb]

It's a shame Mason couldn't build off that 10 win season. The three following years we went 20-17, including 10-14 in the Big Ten.

The bowl game over Alabama was fun, Shula as coach or not.

Go Gophers!!

Do you remember all the Bama fans whining about how the Auburn running backs were the best in the nation and they handled them fine? We ran all over them that game. One of my favorite bowl game memories of all time.

 

[BleedGopher]

Do you remember all the Bama fans whining about how the Auburn running backs were the best in the nation and they handled them fine? We ran all over them that game. One of my favorite bowl game memories of all time.

Oh yea! One of the most dominant running attacks in bowl history. A few entire SEC staffs came to Dinkytown that summer to study under our staff on running the ball and pulling linemen. A shame we never built a D to match the O.

Go Gophers!!

 

[ruppertflywheel]

His team's were entertaining. He had none of the amenities Claeys has. I actually think Glen got tired of fighting with the administration ( Maturi in general over ass't coach salaries ) Smith and Brooks are good backs, but they aren't in the same class as Maroney , Barber, and Russell. I would take Asad, Cupito and Cockerham over Mitch in a heartbeat.

 

[Iceland12]

Glen also had the 1999 and 2002 seasons on his Gopher resume by that 2003 season. So no, can't see anybody asking for him to be fired after 2003.

Though if memory serves, there was a lot of dissension among the fans when in his final four Big Ten games in 2002 he lost to, in order,tOSU, MI, IA and WI. The Music City Bowl victory over Arkansas somewhat muted that feeling.

 

[MGGopher]

Do you remember all the Bama fans whining about how the Auburn running backs were the best in the nation and they handled them fine? We ran all over them that game. One of my favorite bowl game memories of all time.

Yes, absolutely great memories! I was also at that game (along with about 2,000 other Gopher fans and 58,000 Bama fans!) and the Bama fans were hilarious. "They gon' give it ta 21! Come on, just tackle 'em!" The ones around us ended up being gracious in losing, though...I will say that. They were really surprised how that team ran all over them. Hopefully we can repeat that with another SEC team this year.

 

[Hates Monikers]

I don't think anybody on today's Gopherhole would've wanted Mason fired after 10-3. Some similarities, yes. But 10 wins, not 8. Niggest game in 30 years vs. Michigan. Finished the season ranked. Odd comparison.

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[Spoofin]

At the time GH's would have wanted him fired. Now they would say no. People don't remember how they felt at the time when looking back. People on here now talk about AW8 like he was a godsend, but I remember what people were saying about him when he was playing. Same goes for others - including Mason.


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[Panthadad2]

I don't think anybody on today's Gopherhole would've wanted Mason fired after 10-3. Some similarities, yes. But 10 wins, not 8. Niggest game in 30 years vs. Michigan. Finished the season ranked. Odd comparison.

I traveled to Iowa to watch that debacle of a third loss that year. I DID want him fired for at least a few hours on the trip back (especially after the soul crushing MI collapse that year); and then I remembered how bad Wacker was.

 

[ruppertflywheel]

Yes, absolutely great memories! I was also at that game (along with about 2,000 other Gopher fans and 58,000 Bama fans!) and the Bama fans were hilarious. "They gon' give it ta 21! Come on, just tackle 'em!" The ones around us ended up being gracious in losing, though...I will say that. They were really surprised how that team ran all over them. Hopefully we can repeat that with another SEC team this year.

Maroney was interviewed by the Birmingham' paper before the game and they asked him how they were going to run against Alabama's vaunted defensive line. " They can't tackle what they can't catch" There were more than 2,000 Gopher fans there.. But yes, 50 plus on the Alabama side along with about the same amount of Confederate flags

 

[csom_1991]

Mason was taking over a team that had not be relevant in 30 years - playing in the worst stadium/game day atmosphere in the NCAA and lacked other facilities and support structures - including the AD. The situation today is apples and oranges. Despite Brewster being a dumpster fire - it was short lived and Kill/TC had a nice new stadium and fan support that Glen never had when he took the job.

Glen's problem is that he turned a lot of people off by openly campaigning for the tOSU job and not putting an emphasis on recruiting. Glen would win despite not doing 100% on recruiting because he could 1.) coach up talent, 2.) choose a system that can succeed despite not having top talent, 3.) recruit a few essential positions (RB, TE) based on his system and the showcase it provided. TC and Kill before him have not shown the same level of ability - at least on offense yet.

If Glen would not have openly gone after the tOSU job and spent a bit more time on recruiting - he would be the head coach here today. I think a lot of the old timers still have Lou Holtz butthurt so they never forgave the tOSU statements.

 

[gopherskynet]

. People on here now talk about AW8 like he was a godsend, but I remember what people were saying about him when he was playing.

Hahaha nail on head!

I wonder if Adam Weber skipped the ball more to receivers than Leidner overthrew them? The godsend was Decker not Weber.

 

[csom_1991]

Hahaha nail on head!

I wonder if Adam Weber skipped the ball more to receivers than Leidner overthrew them? The godsend was Decker not Weber.

The amazing part is how Weber had his best year AFTER Decker was already in the pros...yes, Decker was the godsend. Yes, Decker caught those passes Weber's senior year - little know fact how he dressed up as a different Gopher receiver every Saturday and then played NFL on Sunday.

 

[Spoofin]

The amazing part is how Weber had his best year AFTER Decker was already in the pros...yes, Decker was the godsend. Yes, Decker caught those passes Weber's senior year - little know fact how he dressed up as a different Gopher receiver every Saturday and then played NFL on Sunday.

Win total matters to you for coaches, but not so much for QBs.


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[Mulligan]

If Glen would not have openly gone after the tOSU job and spent a bit more time on recruiting - he would be the head coach here today. I think a lot of the old timers still have Lou Holtz butthurt so they never forgave the tOSU statements.

Pretty much sums it up. Plus he wasn't Media Glen back then and ruffled some important admin and alumni feathers.

 

[ruppertflywheel]

What got Mason in trouble was the quote: " If the phone rings I'll pick it up" and the subsequent
push from tOSU alumni to seek the HC job. And who wouldn't with his previous ties to Ohio State, the poor support from the AD and the administration/ President. The irony of it is Mason and his family still live in Minnesota and he loves it here. I was hoping they would seek him out after the Kill health issue, but he had made a comment about Teague on the B1G Ten Live show
and it included something like this: " I never understood President Kahler decision to hire an AD from a school that had no football program", bringing Glen back after that was a moot issue.

 

[Winnipegopher]

What got Mason in trouble was the quote: " If the phone rings I'll pick it up" and the subsequent
push from tOSU alumni to seek the HC job. And who wouldn't with his previous ties to Ohio State, the poor support from the AD and the administration/ President. The irony of it is Mason and his family still live in Minnesota and he loves it here. I was hoping they would seek him out after the Kill health issue, but he had made a comment about Teague on the B1G Ten Live show
and it included something like this: " I never understood President Kahler decision to hire an AD from a school that had no football program", bringing Glen back after that was a moot issue.

Maybe it is just me and I got see and hear Mason more on BTN and with Dan B. but his personality and charm became much more evident after he was done coaching. When he was coach, he seemed pretty withdrawn, a touch petulant (calling the trophies "trinkets" etc.) and almost surly. Likely he was frustrated with a lot of things but if he showed a more outgoing personality in 2006, he might still be coaching.

I suspect though that he is happier being a media personality.

 

[50PoundHead]

Mason was lazy and petulant. People complain about Claeys dishing out cliches during interviews, but Mason skipped the Mona/Sid show quite a bit, especially after a loss. I can't believe people still overlook his .400 Big Ten winning percentage. All that said, I think he was--and still is--a better X and O guy than either Kill or Claeys. He just never recruited enough athletes and those he recruited all seemed to end up on the offensive side of the ball.