Thursday, May 26, 2016

Perhaps not realistic, but it is a goal

I wish we were to a point in our program where incoming freshmen just assumed they were not going to play a great deal four a couple of years. I realize that in today's world that probably won't happen at our level, but it ought to be a goal in view. I really like recruiting true freshmen. (I would prefer to redshirt them, but with the graduate transfer rule, that may not be practical.) I also like for freshmen to have to "pay their dues" in learning the game and learning the system. Sure, we would all like to have someone come in who is good enough to immediate upgrade the average talent of the program. Even there, however, if after three years of learning, those seniors have not improved to the point that they surpass even a good freshman, then your seniors just weren't very good to start with.

I guess that is my point: how much your freshmen play ought to be a measuring rod for your program, not only in terms of talent, but also in terms of progress. If your freshmen are playing a lot, then either they are really, really good and your recruiting has taken a giant step forward in talent, or your returning players were not very good and have not gotten much better. I just think that a coach who is a good teacher and disciplinarian and motivator and who recruits players of high character and work ethic can help his players improve to a degree that puts them out of the reach of all but the very most exceptional incoming freshmen.

No comments: