Iowa State’s Most Bone-Headed Athletic Change?

[cyclones500]

(almost) Scheduling Drake to end the 2018 season.

Should have just taken the 7-4 record.

I assume that was a gate-receipts decision of some kind -- maybe ISU was on the hook for full buy-game w/ SD State even with cancellation, and it was a way to make a little dough.

But I thought it was pointless. A win wasn't going to help anything for bowl placement and opened the door for a freak accident that could have made it worse. Plus -- injury risk.

 

[cyclones500]

I don’t think the Mangino hire was stupid.

It didn’t work, but he was the best offensive mind we could get, and it showed at times. That ‘14 team scored enough points to win more than it did, but the defense ALWAYS let them down.

If anything, Mangino hire was a couple of seasons too late, if you're gonna try that approach.

 

[CycloneSpinning]

What do you think are the worst changes within or around the various programs? Parking, game-day traditions, cutting programs, etc?

Personally;

1 - Not using running Cy enough.
2 - Getting rid of the blimp in Hilton.
3 - Getting rid of the Helmet mobile at FB games.
4 - Plan to get rid of half the big parking between Hilton and JTS (BB parking is going to suck ass).

As much as we all love Johnny, could it possibly be not taking Coach K instead? If that happens, and he stays like he did at Duke…where is the entire athletic department now?

 

[CyGuy5]

I will die on the hill that the Chizik hire was not really that bad

 

[madguy30]

I assume that was a gate-receipts decision of some kind -- maybe ISU was on the hook for full buy-game w/ SD State even with cancellation, and it was a way to make a little dough.

But I thought it was pointless. A win wasn't going to help anything for bowl placement and opened the door for a freak accident that could have made it worse. Plus -- injury risk.

Yeah and another thought that I should add to the other post is that perhaps ISU saw a potential to be like 5-6 heading in and thought an 'easy win' would secure the bowl game.

 

[cyclones500]

As much as we all love Johnny, could it possibly be not taking Coach K instead? If that happens, and he stays like he did at Duke…where is the entire athletic department now?

Orr made more sense than K at the time. ISU needed infusion of enthusiasm/hope, and getting it with a successful Big Ten coach, seems like a better bet than a coach whose highest achievement was NIT appearance at Army.

Duke had a somewhat spotty history at the time, but did have success in late-'70s and K was able to pick up and elevate it ... in better shape than ISU success in recent term at the time.

Could he have lifted ISU's program -- then stayed? Maybe.

 

[madguy30]

I will die on the hill that the Chizik hire was not really that bad

He was a huge name and ISU needed that interjection.

And if he had given a **** he likely would have gotten ISU to maybe a little better than the 2011/12 seasons with more good recruits.

 

[Rabbuk]

Orr made more sense than K at the time. ISU needed infusion of enthusiasm/hope, and getting it with a successful Big Ten coach, at then-bargain rate, seems like a better bet than a coach whose highest achievement was NIT appearance at Army.

Duke had a somewhat spotty history at the time, but did have success in late-'70s and K was able to pick up and elevate it ... in better shape than ISU success in recent term at the time.

Could he have lifted ISU's program -- then stayed? Maybe.

Hasn't Duke been like pretty much consistently good since like 1940.

 

[ISUTex]

Easy. ISU shitting on sports in the late 70's early 80's. Basically going Kansas with the football program. Dumbest ******* thing they ever did.

 

[madguy30]

Hasn't Duke been like pretty much consistently good since like 1940.

Yep.

They weren't DUKE until Coach K but they have a very good basketball history.

List of Duke Blue Devils men's basketball seasons - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[Jer]

I will die on the hill that the Chizik hire was not really that bad

In the moment, it was actually seen as an above average hire and a lot of national pundits really liked it.

There should have been huge red flags on a potential culture fit though. It was definitely a roll of the dice and how it was handled is actually one of the few blemishes on JP (one example being the ludicrous coin).

 

[jctisu]

Should have never gotten rid of the random dude coming out before football games trying to pump up the crowd. Kidding. That was was cringe worthy lol

God I was in school during that time, and holy crap we were beyond the point of cringe at that time. During warm ups for the team we always played "Moves Her Body Like a Cyclone" because obviously some older person in charge wanted to be "hip and cool" and the song says "Cyclone" in it so makes sense!

 

[JM4CY]

God I was in school during that time, and holy crap we were beyond the point of cringe at that time. During warm ups for the team we always played "Moves Her Body Like a Cyclone" because obviously some older person in charge wanted to be "hip and cool" and the song says "Cyclone" in it so makes sense!

I was at the end of my student days in that era. What a memory. They also play that song in stripclubs…. I’ve been told.

 

[JUKEBOX]

Not emphasizing football after losing Majors and Earl Bruce. If we had done what Iowa did and prioritize it in the early 80s we are likely in a better spot, from a realignment standpoint.

Iowa had a good run in the 50s but I think we had a better program than them in the Bruce era (and Jack Trice Stadium was brand new). We probably missed an opportunity there to turn the tables and elevate our program over Iowa long-term.

I actually think we could be reaching one of those moments again soon as Ferentz approaches retirement. Think there is a good chance that Iowa botches the next hire, and if we secure Campbell, we could be in a pretty good position.

 

[davegilbertson]

Gold uniforms of any kind and in any sport looks terrible. Basketball is the worst.

You're not wrong, but when I saw Homan or Stinson I see em in Gold cutoff uniforms. It was iconic of the Morgan era IMO, and it holds a sweet spot for me nostalgically.

 

[JohnnyFive]

What do you think are the worst changes within or around the various programs? Parking, game-day traditions, cutting programs, etc?

Personally;

1 - Not using running Cy enough.
2 - Getting rid of the blimp in Hilton.
3 - Getting rid of the Helmet mobile at FB games.
4 - Plan to get rid of half the big parking between Hilton and JTS (BB parking is going to suck ass).

Hilton lighting

 

[davegilbertson]

1) Not hiring Bill Snyder when he begged for the job.

2) Not hiring John Cooper when he begged for the job.

3) Moving away from the tornado logo.

4) Firing Eustachy without giving him a chance to clean up.

5) Not joining the Big 10 when we were invited in the 50’s.

Last one is the worst with a bullet.

Trying to sneak Eustachy into that list is like Eustachy trying to sneak into a rival co-ed mid-week kegger and thinking nothing is wrong.

To me, it wasn't the drinking or the embarrassment. It was the toxic culture and extreme lack of accountability. We're and he are actually lucky that situation didn't end up worse.

 

[davegilbertson]

Shhh, we’re labeled haters if we say that. I fully agree though.

Decent sales on basketball days and that’s even questionable since most of the time people are already struggling to get there after work before tip off.

It’s not a destination place (ie concert venue) and not enough casual traffic during weeknights and summer to make it profitable, let alone a financial driver of any sort. Places with many times the realistic traffic barely survive.

Could be wrong, would be happy to be, but seems like a high risk, low reward gamble.

Agreed P&L in KC is buoyed by the constant rotation of traveling acts and concerts. They ran the #s and figured it's more profitable than hosting an NHL/NBA even if they could attract one.

 

[davegilbertson]

I will die on the hill that the Chizik hire was not really that bad

Chizik and Greg were both good selections with bad outcomes. Do we know more now about what makes solid program builders great? I think a lot more research has gone into it.

 

[NickTheGreat]

I ran into good ole Hayden one day in Ames and out of shock asked him what the heck he was doing in town. He was trying to convince our administration to hire Synder. I remember at the time being against Synder because I thought Hayden was the genius on that staff. Could not have been more wrong...

I think Snyder would have been an interesting hire.

But as an ISU fan or administrator, if Fry is recommending something and said it's good for you, it's probably a trick. There's no way I'd think he would do anything nice for us.