Frank Beamer to retire at the end of the season.

[Uniformed_ReRe]

I feel like either UNC, or NC State, could be a major player one day. North Carolina's population is now about equal to Georgia, and half of Florida's. Only problem is that there are at least 5 big programs in that state (UNC, NC State, Duke, Wake, ECU).

I wouldn't be surprised to see NC State in the SEC in the coming years, similar to Texas A&M. They would bring a big, wealthy state and an easy win for most SEC teams. That's an attractive combination.

 

[CompuGator]

EVERYONE knew UF was THE sleeping giant. The Bear even said something almost identical to DJ's post about UF ("look out if UF ever gets the right guy")

Maybe not "EVERYONE knew", but that was indeed the theme of the feature article, which quoted Bear Bryant in darned-nearly those exact words, in the premier issue of Gator B___[*]. I remember it as a 4-page (1-sheet tabloid spread) issue, bulk-mailed seeking subscribers (and maybe investors).

It appeared after Jack Hairston's Bull Gator failed, in the early 1980s (perhaps 1983, but certainly by 1984), shortly before the season newsworthy for Pell's firing, Hall's championship team, and Tennessee's agitation to vacate that championship. Hairston had been well known as sports editor of the G'ville Sun, but what could that mysterious Stirt possibly know?

-------
Note *: A name no longer attached to this Web site, but to another one entirely. So I'm unsure what verbal contortions the admins require of us for referring to the ink-on-paper publication from 3 decades ago.

 

[GatorGray]

there are at least 5 big programs in that state (UNC, NC State, Duke, Wake, ECU).

Duke, Wake & ECU are "big programs"? Funny. I guess we should add Elon College, UNCC, Appalachian State and Catawba to that list.

 

[passoverGator]

Read THIS, Oozie.

"But then, some might contend that the SEC is tougher today with coaches like Nick Saban at Alabama, Les Miles at LSU and Mark Richt at Georgia."

And 3 yrs later MR might get fired.

 

[TennesseeGator]

"But then, some might contend that the SEC is tougher today with coaches like Nick Saban at Alabama, Les Miles at LSU and Mark Richt at Georgia."

And 3 yrs later MR might get fired.

If Les loses to Bama this year and next. Would he earn the stigma of Mark Richt of the west? Or does he get a.10 year pass for his 2 loss team winning the NC title

 

[passoverGator]

IMO, it would take a lot more than that for Les to equal Mark.

 

[TexanNole]

The state of Georgia has as much talent as anywhere. They always talk about the big 3 states (CA, TX, FL), but Georgia a close fourth.

With the right coach in Athens they could be as successful as any program. They have all the resources you need to win championships.

 

[PacoGator19]

I feel like either UNC, or NC State, could be a major player one day. North Carolina's population is now about equal to Georgia, and half of Florida's. Only problem is that there are at least 5 big programs in that state (UNC, NC State, Duke, Wake, ECU).

I wouldn't be surprised to see NC State in the SEC in the coming years, similar to Texas A&M. They would bring a big, wealthy state and an easy win for most SEC teams. That's an attractive combination.

UNC, NC State, Duke, Wake and ECU are big football programs?? Since when? Maybe if your talking basketball, which is exactly why the ACC is a basketball conference. Those are basketball schools you named.

 

[TennesseeGator]

UNC, NC State, Duke, Wake and ECU are big football programs?? Since when? Maybe if your talking basketball, which is exactly why the ACC is a basketball conference. Those are basketball schools you named.

NC State or UNC have the potential to be big football schools. Mack almost woke up UNC but the flame just keeps fizzling out so far.

 

[whitepug6]

UCLA, yes. VT & UVa don't have the recruiting base, athletics budget nor booster support to be in that group.

I disagree about VT. There is a lot of high school football talent in Eastern VA as well as the metro DC area, and VT has that locked up. If you visit Hampton Roads, all you see are kids wearing VT athletic gear.

 

[whitepug6]

NC State or UNC have the potential to be big football schools. Mack almost woke up UNC but the flame just keeps fizzling out so far.

Disagree about UNC. Basketball will always be far more important than football.

 

[whitepug6]

The Tidewater area doesn't produce enough prospects that you can just build a team from players in that area. Yes they have some top talent but VT, Virginia, etc need more than just players from that area to be any good.

VT also dominates recruiting in the metro DC area. Lots of football talent there.

 

[TennesseeGator]

VT also dominates recruiting in the metro DC area. Lots of football talent there.

They would still need to dip into the south to get some skill position players.

 

[whitepug6]

Man the tidewater area is loaded with talent. They are also next door to DC which produces a ton of talent too. The issue is none of those schools can keep them home. If they did, they'd run train on the ACC. UVA is one of the wealthiest schools in the country too. Idk how much they spend on sports though.

UVA's recruiting difficulty is academics.

 

[TennesseeGator]

Disagree about UNC. Basketball will always be far more important than football.

True but football is more important to UF but we still won titles and constantly competed year in and year out in basketball. Ohio State another example of being good in both. Michigan State so on and so fourth.

 

[TennesseeGator]

If I was Va Tech...and even South Carolina I would be on Doc Holiday's front door step every morning.

 

[93nole99]

True but football is more important to UF but we still won titles and constantly competed year in and year out in basketball. Ohio State another example of being good in both. Michigan State so on and so fourth.

The only reason anyone calls themselves a "basketball school" is because they can't call themselves a "football school".

 

[Michi-Gator]

The only reason anyone calls themselves a "basketball school" is because they can't call themselves a "football school".

No, not true. In the Midwest, outside of Meatchicken and tOSU, basketball is FAR more important than football, including Michigan St who has back to back top 5 finishes

 

[TennesseeGator]

No, not true. In the Midwest, outside of Meatchicken and tOSU, basketball is FAR more important than football, including Michigan St who has back to back top 5 finishes

Notre Dame basketball is far more important.

Michigan State folks are weird anyway.
What football success is enjoyable for Indiana, Purdue, Illinois, and Minnesota?