Topic: Read Spears' Mind

[elginherd]

Please answer what you're guessing what Spears is looking for, not what you're looking for.

What does Coach No Brakes need to accomplish for him to get a 5th season?

[MicDrass1]

9 wins

[mu79grad]

Spears is looking for each of his athletic teams to have the same, or near the same, success as the soccer team.

[elginherd]

My guess is that 8-4 might do it IF the Herd is competitive with OSU and the offense is one of the top two or three offenses in the SBC.

[muherd34]

At least .500 in OOC this year and a division title. I could overlook a division title if the offense is exciting (will put more butts in seat and $) but must also be competitive in conference(top 3 ). Either way would want a 9 win regular season in year 4. 

[puma]

The Herd should have a favorable in-conference home schedule next season without any excessive blocks of away games.

Barring any instances of force majeure I'd expect the division. It'll be Huff's year 4 with a QB in his 3rd year. Anything less would be unacceptable. If he can't pull that off, bring someone else in with an actual plan to get it done.

[svherd]

My guess is that 8-4 might do it IF the Herd is competitive with OSU and the offense is one of the top two or three offenses in the SBC.

I think you are on it. Vast improvement across the board. Most notably record wise and offensive production. 

[HerdEcon]

If I'm Spears then I want to appease the fan base and donors.  If that is 9 wins then it is 9 wins, if it is a conference championship then it is a conference championship.  If I'm Spears I don't want frustrated fans and donors.  I want the HC to do what it takes to stop the frustrated fans and donors from sending me emails and telling me how frustrated they are at every fundraising event or when I bump into them at the grocery store.

[luvherd]

At the end of the day fill the seats.

[bbcard1]

Just my guess, but I think it will be moot as Huff will be offered and accept a position at a larger school during the offseason.

[Rockin Herd Fan]

Whatever it is, it has to move the needle.  Whether that is having an exciting offense, or X number of wins, or playing for a conference championship, or a combination of a few things. 

[MLBULL]

Every AD is faced with challenges that were not part of the athletic framework just a few years ago. A successful AD will demand winning and anything else is not acceptable. Fans regardless of bureaucracy issues, portal, NIL or other want to see winning teams. Bottom line is college athletics have become a business. Coaches know this now and being a nice person is good but putting fans in the stands is the name of the game. D-1 Football coaches are going to get axed at an unparalleled rate going forward. It is what it is!

[NewfieHerdFan]

Just my guess, but I think it will be moot as Huff will be offered and accept a position at a larger school during the offseason.

I'm starting to think this might happen. The whole situation is weird. The message Spears posted for fans, on the surface, looks to show support for the HC and a belief in things can be turned around next season. Behind the scenes, there might be an agreement that Huff will leave at the first offer and everyone is fine with it. Who knows?

[Nicks Pizza]

If I'm Spears then I want to appease the fan base and donors.  If that is 9 wins then it is 9 wins, if it is a conference championship then it is a conference championship.  If I'm Spears I don't want frustrated fans and donors.  I want the HC to do what it takes to stop the frustrated fans and donors from sending me emails and telling me how frustrated they are at every fundraising event or when I bump into them at the grocery store.

Christian, is that you?

[BuckHerd]

I'm starting to think this might happen. The whole situation is weird. The message Spears posted for fans, on the surface, looks to show support for the HC and a belief in things can be turned around next season. Behind the scenes, there might be an agreement that Huff will leave at the first offer and everyone is fine with it. Who knows?

I've been thinking along these lines since the announcement. I thought this seems a little fishy. Quite possibly, Huff may already have an offer, but after the bowl game. We will let some other school pay us $775k and then we'll use that as a bonus for a new hire. If true, Spears could be a genius (or, at least very smart). Huff and everyone "saves face".

[herd2win]

I would say the stay/go threshold is 7-5.  I can't see Spears pulling the plug on 7-5.  My bar would be 8-4.  We are not going to be competitive at OSU so that is a throw away game for me.

[Always THE HERD]

If MU was to go 0-12 BUT only lose every game by 3-10 points, would you want to keep him then?

[wasbarryb]

If MU was to go 0-12 BUT only lose every game by 3-10 points, would you want to keep him then?

I'm willing to dump him at 7-5 or even 8-4.

[Always THE HERD]

I'm willing to dump him at 7-5 or even 8-4.

But you didn't answer my question (you only commented).

[banker]

We will have two of the follow - USM, ULM, Texas State - as cross over games. We will have App and Coastal at home. My threshold would be at least 6 conference wins.

[BigJimslade]

At the end of the day fill the seats.

Those seats have rarely ever been filled ? and it is what it is
People that expect sellouts .. which is now approximately 31000 for SBC teams are delusional

[elginherd]

We will have two of the follow - USM, ULM, Texas State - as cross over games. We will have App and Coastal at home. My threshold would be at least 6 conference wins.

Are you guessing that would be Spears' threshold?

[Garbanjo]

Conference championship is the call

It's not gonna happen as this team had plenty of talent and Fluff-pile blew it.

For more see:

https://herdzone.com/news/2023/11/30/marshall-football-has-12-named-as-all-sbc-selections