OT: Maryland wants to be "Oregon of the East Coast"
http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/terps/bs-sp-terps-football-1013-2015…
"I would think that this is one of the most attractive jobs in the country for somebody who is ambitious and willing to take risks, ... the potential for growth, the potential of this being another Oregon."
Yeah, good luck with that one, Terps.
October 13th, 2015 at 1:48 PM ^
They want to lay out a path to get there. Oregon didn't do it by hiring a coach already considered elite. UMD isn't competing with USC or UGA for their next coach. They want to be seen as a better job than places like UVA and Illinois for up and coming coaches. Also as a job worth taking for a hot young coordinator, rather than waiting for a better opportunity.
October 13th, 2015 at 2:16 PM ^
well, oregon did it which was the point that you completely missed with your first post.
October 13th, 2015 at 12:55 PM ^
I know we like to make fun of Maryland, but he has a point. Consider:
- Maryland has the financial backing of the owner of Under Armour, Kevin Plank (obvious parallels to Oregon there)
- Extra $ due to joining the B1G
- Great natural recuriting area (much better than Oregon)
Obviously they don't have any great football tradition and the fanbase isn't exactly rabid, but you could've said the same things about Oregon 10-15 years ago. The other problem Maryland faces is that the B1G East is extremely competitive.
However, if they hire the right coach (big if), I could see them seriously competing with MSU and PSU for third in our division on a consistant basis.
October 13th, 2015 at 1:06 PM ^
October 13th, 2015 at 1:24 PM ^
Ok, maybe 20 years ago, still, the point stands. Maryland won 33 games in the first 3 years of the Ralph Friedgen era, for crying out loud ('01-'03).
Also, it's 500+ miles from Eugene to the Bay Area and nearly 1000 miles to SoCal. Maryland's campus is within 500 miles of most of OH, Pittsburgh, NYC & all of Jersey, Philly, Baltimore/DC area, etc. There's no comparison.
However the one thing I will say that Maryland needs to do to approach Oregon's level is to continue upgrading their facilities (already in progress, LINK)....
Again, I know it sounds far-fetched on the face of it, but with the right coach Maryland could really go places. I'm not if he would do it considering he'd have to face his mentor once a year, but if I'm Maryland I'm going all-out for Tom Herman.
October 13th, 2015 at 1:39 PM ^
Instead of pulling out the flamethrower, I'll read your second sentence as a legit question. MD, DC and Northern Virginia house a number of the top prep programs in the country (DeMatha, Good Counsel, etc.) Depending on what metric you want to use, MD is middle of the pack in terms of "where college programs get their players" or "number of 3-star and up" recruits.
But where it gets interesting, and why it's really a huge "upside" situation is that there's virtually no in state competition. The other FBS school is Navy... That's not a program MD is competing with, on any level. If MD could lock down the state in a meaningful way, there are 4 and 5 stars to be had.
And if you build any kind of momentum, you extremely close to NJ and of course VA, which which even with VaTech is a state ripe because of the volume of quality recruits they spit out. And, if you can plant a flag and make a mark in these "soft" target states... Now you can make some noise in PA.
There is a huge opportunity here for MD.
October 13th, 2015 at 2:04 PM ^
distance of Maryland. However "locking down" Maryland is unlikely. U of Maryland is like Rutgers is to New Jersey-there is no loyalty to that program historically. Kids don't grow up hoping to play for Maryland.
October 13th, 2015 at 4:28 PM ^
But when the discussion starts with "be the Oregon of the east" you also acknowledge and tip your cap to what they've been able to do in terms of recruiting and building their brand.
I'm not saying this is going to happen for MD. There is a general ambivalence about the school in this region, despite a basketball program with an extremely rich tradition. The football team used to slug it out with Clemson for the coference title in the 70s and 80s, Bobby Ross had a little buzz going, and Friedgen was moving in the right direction until he wasn't.
That's not a strong history, but it's not non-existent. But, really, the pitch to the recruits is "come build a tradition... new facilities, new coach and Under Armor." If they can get some quality seasons together, they won't lock anything down, but they'll have a better shot at some of the 4 and 5 stars moving through the football factories in the school's backyard.
October 13th, 2015 at 2:06 PM ^
but Eugene to the Bay Area is like a 10-12 hour drive by car. Between Sacramento and Eugene the population is very small. Add another 6 to get to SoCal. If you look at the 18 hour drive radius from College Park, it's mammoth and contains tons of fertile recruiting territory.
October 13th, 2015 at 1:07 PM ^
October 13th, 2015 at 1:14 PM ^
Maryland's recruiting area might seem better, but I think Oregon's actually in a stronger position. Oregon gets a huge portion of their recruits from California (39 on their current roster) where there's a huge population without many Power 5 programs in close proximity (essetially only the other Pac-12 schools), whereas Maryland has to compete against a huge number of more prestigious programs from three Power 5 conferences (SEC, ACC, Big 10) trying to pull players out of their recruiting area.
Essentially, Oregon's able to position itself as the best option for the just below elite players in California that don't get USC or UCLA offers, or that aren't interested in Stanford, for stylistic or academic reasons, but who still want to stay on the West Coast. That's a really rich recruiting area, where the only real other competition are the Arizona schools, Cal, and maybe UW.
October 13th, 2015 at 1:19 PM ^
With the way UM, OSU, and MSU are playing and recruiting and the way PSU is recruiting, I think Illinois would be a more attractive job.
October 13th, 2015 at 1:22 PM ^
Not sure about Oregon's fanbase not being rabid a while back. Autzen stadium has always been known as a very loud and oppressive home environment and I still remember how much the football players at Air Force disliked the Oregon fans they ran across at the Las Vegas Bowl in 97'.
I agree that Maryland seems like a sleeping giant, but I feel like it's a sleeping giant in the way that Arizona St. is, maybe able to make noise every once in a while but just not that scary at the end of the day.
October 13th, 2015 at 12:56 PM ^
They were actually a better program than Oregon for a couple of years. Remember, this was a team that had three straight 10+ win seasons from 2001-03 and three more 8/9 win seasons in the 2000's. The potential is there, but they really need an energetic face that can come in and make everyone excited.
October 13th, 2015 at 1:58 PM ^
I don't know, but I think that is what led them to get rid of Ralph and that didn't turn out well.
October 13th, 2015 at 6:14 PM ^
He was excellent schematically but was having trouble getting any traction recruiting-wise.
Also, I used to live in DC and, much like Rutgers, I don't find Maryland to be an appealing campus. Basketball will probably always be good because that area is an embarrassment of riches in basketball talent, plus a basketball team really only needs 7-10 good players, whereas a football team needs at least 40-50. Anyway the campus is so fragmented by large divided highways and PG County is a relatively dreary and bland place to go to school. Eugene, on the other hand, has a great home field with Autzen and a just a great college feel overall (and, IMO, the most gorgeous girls I've ever seen in my life ... ).
October 13th, 2015 at 12:58 PM ^
As long as we keep thriving every school looking to make a coaching change is going to seek their "Harbaugh" that will turn the program instantly around and make chicken salad out of chicken shit. " I mean if Michigan can do it - why cant we?"
Unfortunately most schools are going to end up with their "Charlie Weis" instead.
October 13th, 2015 at 1:03 PM ^
October 13th, 2015 at 1:05 PM ^
Yeah and they forget it took 3 times to get it right here
October 13th, 2015 at 1:35 PM ^
Yeah and we first hired a Big East rockstar, and then a MAC rockstar before hiring a PAC-10 and NFL rockstar.
Poor AD work gave us RR and Hoke, nothing else.
October 13th, 2015 at 2:25 PM ^
the recruiting chaos for those "Charlie Weis" solution teams with coaching position revolving doors!
October 13th, 2015 at 1:00 PM ^
October 13th, 2015 at 1:02 PM ^
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October 13th, 2015 at 1:03 PM ^
They are in a good recruiting spot, are building a $150 million dollar facility right now, have huge financial backing from Kevin Plank, with the right coach of course they can be good.
October 13th, 2015 at 1:04 PM ^
October 13th, 2015 at 1:04 PM ^
October 13th, 2015 at 1:05 PM ^
is going to legalize weed for recreational use? That would be a great way to be like Oregon. Like right now.
October 13th, 2015 at 1:15 PM ^
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October 13th, 2015 at 1:05 PM ^
I can't blame their President for being ambitious. He's obviously trying to speak with some confidence in order to show that they have a strong hand in front of the donors. Obviously, they are in the middle of a rough season and they have to show that they have some special UA connection in order to attract a good coach.
October 13th, 2015 at 1:06 PM ^
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October 13th, 2015 at 1:06 PM ^
Maryland should be better than they are, as they have some decent recruiting grounds and enough money to spend it well. But I'm not sure Oregon is "Oregon" anymore, at least as the Chip Kelly recruits move on. Maryland should try to be competent like they were under Friedgen first, then worry about national contender status.
October 13th, 2015 at 1:26 PM ^
October 13th, 2015 at 1:09 PM ^
Maryland job is a terrible job. You're in the B1G East, which is neck-and-neck currently with the SEC West and Pac-12 South as the toughest division in college football, the athletic department has no money, they are stuck in a heavy pro sports area with little support, and the athletic department has shown you that they will fire you at any time just because they feel like it. The next hire will either have to be a crazy young maniac looking to ruffle some feathers, or an older coach/retread that has been there and done that, that won't feel pressure at Maryland, and can use Maryland as a retirement home.
October 13th, 2015 at 1:25 PM ^
That's bullshit.
That's like saying Texas A&M is a terrible job and Sumlin shouldn't have taken it because he was in the same league as Saban, Miles, Malzahn...
Now look at TAMU. They're right there with those programs (well Auburn is no where to be found this year).
If you're a good coach, having Michigan and OSU shouldn't scare you (or MSU or PSU). Just like Bama and LSU...and Auburn as of the past 6-7 years.
Rich Rod went to Arizona last year and won that mighty Pac 12 South over the big dogs.
Coaching is about fit with you and your univiersity...not the easiest path to wins due to competition. Coaches come and leave, that should have no bearing on your decision as a man and a football coach. Unless you've got some bitch in you.
October 13th, 2015 at 3:09 PM ^
You cannot compare Texas A&M and Maryland. Vastly different environments.
Sure having to compete with the B1G East's Big Three/Four (depending on whether you want to count Michigan St) shouldn't "scare" anyone, but it's going to be an uphill battle. Again, the athletic department may be saying the right things, but simply put they have mismanaged their finances horribly, which is why they left their forever home of the ACC for the B1G's moneybags.
The founder of Under Armor is a Maryland grad, just as the founder of Nike is an Oregon grad, so that's where the Oregon correlation comes from, but I'm not sure the level of commitment is at the same level as it is at Oregon.
Maybe they can compete with the right guy, but they were just as middling in the weaker ACC, so I'll believe it when I see i t.
October 13th, 2015 at 3:27 PM ^
Any different than TAMU competiting with the SEC West? Or Ole Miss?
Or Arizona competing in the Pac 12 South last year?
I know exactly where the Maryland/Oregon comparison comes from...I'm only responding to this notion that Maryland is a terrible job based on the competition.
That's malarky.
Look at TAMU and Ole Miss...are those terrible jobs because of the big boys in that conference? Nope.
Any coach that looks at it like that shouldn't coach another day in his career.
Find the RIGHT coach, put some money into your facilities, put some money into your assistant coaches...start winning.
The first part is just the hard part. And schools like Maryland LOVE hiring the failed big time coach. They LOVE the Randy Edsall, Al Golden or Greg Schiano hire...but you hire Harbaugh from San Diego or promote Chip Kelly after a season and a career at New Hampshire...and bam, why? Because those are good football coaches.
Stop trying to find something sexy or a name to make you relevant for a week and find the guy who's going to MAKE a name.
Do they want the splash or do they want the solid coach who's going to come in a building something. And are they committed to giving that coach the resources to get top assistants and build top facilities?
All of this is far more important than pissing down your leg because Harbaugh and Meyer are in the conference.
October 13th, 2015 at 1:10 PM ^
October 13th, 2015 at 1:27 PM ^
Don't be biased because he was a Bo guy, Vanderlinden was an awful coach that went 15-29.
October 13th, 2015 at 1:11 PM ^
Whether or not you like the acquisition of Maryland by the Big Ten, it's still nice to a see a Big Ten school willing to spend some of the money on improving their football program. Like some have said, 15 years ago who or what was Oregon. The Big Ten being better is good in general and as we all know is a factor in rankings and playoff committee selections
October 13th, 2015 at 1:12 PM ^
October 13th, 2015 at 1:17 PM ^
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October 13th, 2015 at 1:17 PM ^
Big time donor/money...DC metro area...plenty to do (more than Eugene, Oregon).
They need to renovate all of their facilities and a hire a big time coach. Someone could easliy win at Maryland...but the problem is, they're not good and who knew of Chip Kelly before Oregon?
They're going to have to hire smart...get a top mind of the game, get good, THEN start the comparisons.
Chip Kelly was at New Hampshire before he was at Oregon. It's not like Oregon just went out and got today's Chip and brought him in. Just like Harbaugh...where was he before Stanford? San Diego.
You can't cut corners if you're building something that you want to last. Go find a quality head coach, someone who may leave for a bigger job in 5 years, but will leave you with a winning program and a rock solid foundation - not these B/C list coaches who people have heard of, but no one really wants. Go find someone who can make you great...not good.
In the meantime, dump a shit ton of money into your salaries and facilities.
5 years when that coach leaves you, you'll have a high profile assistant to plug in OR you'll be an attractive program.
So Maryland...you can go find a top mind of the game who's going to build your program...or you can go hire Al Golden and be a decent 7 win team every year until you fire him in 4-5 years. The choice is yours.
October 13th, 2015 at 2:13 PM ^
Maryland now is that Oregon had a solid program (and a solid coach in Belotti) for a few years before naming Kelly the coach. It was Belotti who had the vision to bring in Kelly from New Hampshire to run the spread, and Belotti who agreed to step aside so that Kelly could run the show. Kelly deserves a lot of credit for taking Oregon to the next level but the climb was a lot easier than what a new coach at Maryland will have to go through.
October 13th, 2015 at 3:29 PM ^
And Maryland doesn't have that...agree 100%, but it starts with the leadership to find that coach to take the program to great/elite status.
October 13th, 2015 at 1:20 PM ^
I do think MD has some intangibles that could breed success since there is good football talent around here. But regardless it's going to come down to coaching and who is hired. They can throw money around if they like but most importantly they need to build a program and an identity.
October 13th, 2015 at 1:21 PM ^
UA money will help but it isn't everything. The key is to hire the right coach who doesn't view it as a stepping stone to a more prestigious job in college or the NFL. And in the B1G East I'd be afraid of hiring MSU Saban, a guy who is a great coach but gets sick of recruiting and playing against UM, MSU, OSU, and PSU each year.
MSU got the right coach with Dantonio.
Oregon got the right coach with Mike Bellotti.
Michigan got the right coach with Harbaugh.
October 13th, 2015 at 1:22 PM ^
Although neither has the WOW factor as yet, and they've only been at their new posts one year, but they have the coaching tree pedigree and might be attracted back to the B1G for the right money.
October 13th, 2015 at 1:29 PM ^
Those are both pretty much lateral moves, especially for Herman who might be one and done at Houston before landing a big-time job this coming offseason.