Now that we're going into Year 5 of the McDermott Era at Iowa State, I feel that it is important for the fanbase to come together in support of Iowa State Athletics. We need to speak with ONE unified voice that 18 wins might be a good result for 2 seasons of conference play, but it is COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE for 4 seasons. We need to make it clear to the ISU Athletic Department that while we will still continue to cheer for the ISU Cyclones, no one coach embodies Iowa State University. Our Coaches are caretakers of a legacy that is MUCH bigger than they are as an individual, and none of them should be under ANY illusions that should push come to shove, we WILL choose the school over the coach every time. And while we're at it, it wouldn't hurt to remind them that Administrative Positions are not bigger than the Athletic Department as a whole.
We need to speak with ONE voice and deliver the message that blaming dissatisfied fans & message board "negativity" for recruiting "misses" is a loser move, and it will not be tolerated if you wish to remain in the employment of Iowa State University. We should remind those who would talk about the poor character of this generation that sweeping generalities regarding an entire generation of individuals is intellectually lazy. People who speak of the deficits of this current generation of players typically just got their butts kicked by a better team...who is made up of the SAME generation of players.
We need to let the players know that we appreciate their choice to attend Iowa State, but that we will NOT accept mediocrity from their team or their leaders. We should recognize that the finished product on the court or field is a hybrid of the desire/talent/effort of the players and the leadership of their coaches. Good players can overcome a poor coach & give you an adequate product, but it's much harder to do than it is for a good coach to mold average players into an above average team.
We need to realize that someone who says something negative about our favorite program is not always trying to tear it down. If negative aspects of the program exist, they cannot be fixed until they are brought to the attention of those who have the will AND the ability to fix them. Shooting the messenger just leaves you with a big pile of dead messengers - the message stays the same.
We need to speak with ONE voice and deliver the message that blaming dissatisfied fans & message board "negativity" for recruiting "misses" is a loser move, and it will not be tolerated if you wish to remain in the employment of Iowa State University. We should remind those who would talk about the poor character of this generation that sweeping generalities regarding an entire generation of individuals is intellectually lazy. People who speak of the deficits of this current generation of players typically just got their butts kicked by a better team...who is made up of the SAME generation of players.
We need to let the players know that we appreciate their choice to attend Iowa State, but that we will NOT accept mediocrity from their team or their leaders. We should recognize that the finished product on the court or field is a hybrid of the desire/talent/effort of the players and the leadership of their coaches. Good players can overcome a poor coach & give you an adequate product, but it's much harder to do than it is for a good coach to mold average players into an above average team.
We need to realize that someone who says something negative about our favorite program is not always trying to tear it down. If negative aspects of the program exist, they cannot be fixed until they are brought to the attention of those who have the will AND the ability to fix them. Shooting the messenger just leaves you with a big pile of dead messengers - the message stays the same.
