Coaches and Their One Year Contracts

[#1CoyoteFan (Admin)]

Coyote Fan, when you look through the eyes of Ed and how he will fight for his job, then he is going to bring up youth and he is going to bring up the tough schedule. Do I think he has it on his side? No, but I think it's a very valid argument for him.

Look at how long people have been calling for Les Miles' head, and he still seems to be a head coach.....

[Coyote Fan]

I am not denying that he will use those same excuses in making his case, I just hope Sayler gets a true picture and understands the past characteristics of the program.

Is it possible that USD could move forward and improve under Ed. I think it is possible, but just more unlikely than it is likely. Ed will have to rededicate himself to being a better coach. I actually think more than anything Ed's best leg to stand on is that USD doesn't have a legit D1 offensive coordinator that is likely paid what a coordinator should be making. With that said if he had the opportunity to make a switchout at OC I don't think he would do it anyway. Ed definately needs competant coordinators to succeed.

What isn't going to happen is for everything to basically remain the same and at the same time expecting improvements within the team. It's not going to happen unless change happens from within. I don't think that will happen so that is why I think new leadership is needed.

For those that are majorly pro Meierkort I have yet to hear many legit reasons as to why he should remain employed as head coach besides the team is young or it would "be crazy" to consider another head coach. There is not major a talent problem with this team. It's not an experience issue either.

[GoYotes]

Nov 19, 2010 21:17:22 GMT -6 Coyote Fan said:

For those that are majorly pro Meierkort I have yet to hear many legit reasons as to why he should remain employed as head coach besides the team is young or it would "be crazy" to consider another head coach. There is not major a talent problem with this team. It's not an experience issue either.

You provide one reason in your above comments where you state there is not a talent problem with this team. How did the talent end up at USD? Was is our outstanding facilities? Was it the chance to play in one of the best FCS conferences in the nation? Was it the chance to play for a national championship? Maybe give Ed some credit for his ability to recruit.

[Iceman]

Here are a couple more points to ponder coyote fan. Remember last year? There was no defensive coordinator. Everything I kept hearing, correct me if I'm wrong, was that we didn't have enough money to hire a DC. Another thing I keep hearing is that Meierkort is still being paid as a DII coach. Well now we have a DC who I think will be pretty good if given an adaquate amount of time to develop as a DI DC.

So in conclusion, last year we had no DC, we have a very young OC who probably isn't making near what most OC's are in his position, and a HC who is making a DII coaches salary. So coyote fan, you're telling me that we have plenty of money to go out and get a new HC who will probably bring in his own staff? No way a new coach would be able to come in and fill a whole FCS coaching staff with the money this staff makes.

[#1CoyoteFan (Admin)]

Nov 19, 2010 23:59:30 GMT -6 Iceman said:

Here are a couple more points to ponder coyote fan. Remember last year? There was no defensive coordinator. Everything I kept hearing, correct me if I'm wrong, was that we didn't have enough money to hire a DC. Another thing I keep hearing is that Meierkort is still being paid as a DII coach. Well now we have a DC who I think will be pretty good if given an adaquate amount of time to develop as a DI DC.

So in conclusion, last year we had no DC, we have a very young OC who probably isn't making near what most OC's are in his position, and a HC who is making a DII coaches salary. So coyote fan, you're telling me that we have plenty of money to go out and get a new HC who will probably bring in his own staff? No way a new coach would be able to come in and fill a whole FCS coaching staff with the money this staff makes.

This is a VERY valid point, plain and simple.

[usdfbalum]

Our coaching staff for FB really needs to get paid the going rate in FCS football. I would propose that our HC, and Coordinators are given contracts that are in the ballpark with UNI, NDSU, MT, and MT State.

I would think whether you are Ed's biggest detractor or supporter, you would wish for this.

[Yote 53]

I agree. Raises all around.

[Coyote Fan]

There is no doubt, NO DOUBT that the football coaches need to make no lower than the average salary by the other coaches in the MVFC. I have never disputed that. Lets also keep in mind that we need coaches that are of the talent level to earn the salary of what other MVFC coaches are making. That is also a legit requirement as well.

[#1CoyoteFan (Admin)]

Can't attract those kind of coaches until they give them the raises, plain and simple Coyote Fan.

[Iceman]

That is what I am saying coyote fan. You want Meierkort and staff gone. Well if he is gone, more than likely they are going to bring in someone who is going to want a heck of alot more money than what Meierkort is getting. Then he won't have near the money that he thinks he needs to bring in all of his assistants. They all really do need raises.

Another thing coyote fan, I hope you were listening to the halftime interview Swain did with Sayler. He did a pretty good job explaining about why we got into the conference we did.

[Coyote Fan]

Iceman I heard that interview. Considering the impact and importance the conference decision was I think I have been fairly quick to lay off on my comments.

I want to alter the topic for a moment. We should all be thankfull that USD is starting to make decisions not on the buddy system and basically just handing the job over to an internal candidate. When Meierkort was hired I thought he was the best candidate and I was happy that USD was so open about the process and did their due diligence on the hire. I think ever since USD has good hiring practices and does their homework before making a knee jerk decision. Meierkort was the RIGHT choice back before the 2004 season.

USD has also done a wonderful job coming to the conclusion that Sayler was the right man for the AD job. It's kind of funny because just look at peoples perceptions. Nielson did a pretty good job for USD athletics. He started making better decisions within the Athletic Department. Now that we have Sayler it appears that we are in even better shape. He does seem to get it.

I can live with the decision to go MVFC/Summit if there are other things that will get taken care of in house. If there was one thing I didn't think about as much during the process it was that. The decision will only be a good thing if USD strives to improve USD period. Once USD has their own house taken care of than by all means they should look for the best conference situation where they are wanted.

The most important aspect of the transition is to so see programs striving forward and showing the necessary progress. I see progress being made in volleyball, mens basketball, womens basketball and the track and field related sports. In football I just don't see the progress and I think throwing money at football is a good idea if it's wisely distributed.

Winning is important and should be the ultimate measuring stick. I realise the transition is tough but honestly in football the transition isn't as big of a step up as it is in the other sports. I can live with some growing pains if the programs are indeed progressing, which is vital.

I also see the ultimate importance of facility improvements. Getting a basketball arena is one of the absolute vital steps in the progression of athletics as a whole. I love that Sayler gets that. What used to be a pipe dream and/or 10 year away idea has really been put on the front burner and is getting the attention that it deserves. Next the Dakotadome improvements will happen as well which will obviously improve the program. Granted football does not need facility improvements as much as basketball but both should be high priorities.

The football program will definately be helped by having additional funding. Lets get coaches salaries up and facility improvements made so we can move forward and move forward quickly.