Topic: Sunbelt Commissioner?s statement about our Opt out.

[Johnnyherd]

https://sunbeltsports.org/news/2024/12/14/football-marshall-opts-out-of-radiance-technologies-independence-bowl.aspx

?We appreciate our partnership with the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl, which has enabled us to expand postseason opportunities for Sun Belt football student-athletes since 2022,? said Sun Belt Conference Commissioner Keith Gill. ?We apologize for the nature and timing of this announcement and for the turmoil it has brought to Bowl Season preparations for Army, the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl, the American Athletic Conference and ESPN.? 

[parshall2marshall]

They won't fix the timing of the portal unless they feel the pain. Not sure who "they" is, just "they" for now.
I'm probably in the minority on here but glad that Marshall "did it's part" to call attention to the problem.

The strong possibility of the severe beat down and resulting embarrassment that the bare bones "team" that so many have called for MU to field for the bowl was a no-win. Especially with Army as angry as a hornet's nest after their upset loss to Navy. We would have had little chance to deal with their sophisto blocking schemes and punishing ground game with so many of our guys and backups that had faced little contact this season.

[herd2win]

We should have played the game.  If for some reason we got blown out it would still draw attention just like Florida State did last year against Georgia after half of their team opted out of the bowl game.

MU brass knew there was a very high chance of this prior to accepting the bowl bid.  Not only had Huff already accepted the USM job a few weeks prior, we had already hired Gibson.  Not knowing but it seems like Gibson may have been hired months ago now that we find out he wanted the job when Huff was hired.  Spears and Smith likely made the decision on Huff prior to this season even happening.

[Johnnyherd]

I was told the reason it opens at the end of season is to give the players time to be recruited, get transferred, find housing and get registered for classes before the start of the spring semester in the 1st or 2nd week in January. 

[GreenDaddy]

Do any of you really get excited for bowls these days anyway? Unless something changes, bowls games are meaningless where a lot of teams don't have their HC's or full roster. This isn't 1999 anymore where we go head to head with a ranked BYU team and both of us are at full strength.

[svherd]

I was told the reason it opens at the end of season is to give the players time to be recruited, get transferred, find housing and get registered for classes before the start of the spring semester in the 1st or 2nd week in January.

Colleges will find a way to get Jimmy All Star in class and settled at just about any point these days. Football and money are the priority now, the actual education part is secondary.
A kid transferring 3-4 times in a 5 year window can't possibly make much progress towards a legit degree. Their transcripts would be a mess.

Open the portal January 2nd and let them go. If schools want them bad enough, they'll find a way. jmho

[wasbarryb]

I was told the reason it opens at the end of season is to give the players time to be recruited, get transferred, find housing and get registered for classes before the start of the spring semester in the 1st or 2nd week in January.

Let's get real.

That may be the reason "they" are giving, but let's be real college football players are no longer students interested in the degree college football players used to go to college for.  College football players of today are semi-pro athletes trying to work their way into the pros.  Few if any of them give a tinkers damn about registration  for classes or anything else to do with education.

[CharlestonHerdGuy]

To me, the most relevant part of the statement is: "After falling below the roster minimum that was deemed medically safe,". It would be interesting to understand whether it was reasonable for the administration to foresee this occurring before accepting the invite. However, I honestly don't know and have a feeling most opinions expressed here are as uninformed as mine would be.

[puma]

To me, the most relevant part of the statement is: "After falling below the roster minimum that was deemed medically safe,". It would be interesting to understand whether it was reasonable for the administration to foresee this occurring before accepting the invite. However, I honestly don't know and have a feeling most opinions expressed here are as uninformed as mine would be.

It honestly reminds me of when the Herd opted out of playing Charlotte in 2020 (after the team brawl) where I can't help but to feel there is a lot more going on behind the scenes than anyone of us will ever know.

https://herdzone.com/news/2020/12/9/marshall-charlotte-football-game-canceled.

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. -- Friday's Marshall-Charlotte football game has been canceled due to injuries and a lack of available Thundering Herd scholarship student-athletes at key positions. This shortage has been exacerbated by a small number of COVID-19 issues.

"Due to the developments this week, myself and our medical team felt that it was unsafe to put the team on the field Friday evening," said Marshall Director of Athletics Mike Hamrick. "I'd like to thank Charlotte AD Mike Hill and the 49ers' administration for their patience and understanding. I also want to thank the Conference USA office for its support and guidance as we worked through this process."

[whf]

To me, the most relevant part of the statement is: "After falling below the roster minimum that was deemed medically safe,". It would be interesting to understand whether it was reasonable for the administration to foresee this occurring before accepting the invite. However, I honestly don't know and have a feeling most opinions expressed here are as uninformed as mine would be.

I spoke with a father of an Army player this morning, they are pissed; to put it blunt.  There is no love loss or understanding for Marshall in this issue. They move from playing the SBC champ, to a 5 -7 C-USA team, while the second and third place teams in their league play P4 teams.  This bowl for ACC, against the Champion of the SBC was a great match and they knew it.  Let's not put our head in the sand, this isn't just about Marshall, its about all involved. There was no creativity in finding a way to go to this bowl, it is highly clear to me that Marshall got exactly the end result they wanted.  And I don't understand that at all.

As many have said, all of this should not have been a surprise to the athletic department; if it was, shame on the athletic department (meaning Christian Spears).

[whf]

It honestly reminds me of when the Herd opted out of playing Charlotte in 2020 (after the team brawl) where I can't help but to feel there is a lot more going on behind the scenes than anyone of us will ever know.

https://herdzone.com/news/2020/12/9/marshall-charlotte-football-game-canceled.

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. -- Friday's Marshall-Charlotte football game has been canceled due to injuries and a lack of available Thundering Herd scholarship student-athletes at key positions. This shortage has been exacerbated by a small number of COVID-19 issues.

"Due to the developments this week, myself and our medical team felt that it was unsafe to put the team on the field Friday evening," said Marshall Director of Athletics Mike Hamrick. "I'd like to thank Charlotte AD Mike Hill and the 49ers' administration for their patience and understanding. I also want to thank the Conference USA office for its support and guidance as we worked through this process."

I personally don't see any "likeness" in these issues, there were many games being cancelled that year, we were just one of many. And they were regular season games that effected the contracts of two teams.  This is a much bigger issue, many organizations involved, straight up TV issue as well.

[puma]

The weird thing about the 2020 cancellation was that it was blatantly obvious that covid was just the excuse to cancel. Unless it was just a total coincidence it happened right after a giant, very public team brawl, with the police involved, that half of Huntington saw.

But yes, this cancelation is a much bigger deal since it impacts multiple conferences, sponsors, and TV contracts. It's just the same sort of nebulous excuse about health and safety.

[herdorbust2]

Funny when I said last year I hoped the basketball team didn't get lucky and win the SB tournament because we would get completely embarrassed in the dance, people said it doesn't matter because you get exposure. Now they don't want to get embarrassed in football so they just take their ball and go home?

[thelonderee]

I spoke with a father of an Army player this morning, they are pissed; to put it blunt.  There is no love loss or understanding for Marshall in this issue. They move from playing the SBC champ, to a 5 -7 C-USA team, while the second and third place teams in their league play P4 teams.  This bowl for ACC, against the Champion of the SBC was a great match and they knew it.  Let's not put our head in the sand, this isn't just about Marshall, its about all involved. There was no creativity in finding a way to go to this bowl, it is highly clear to me that Marshall got exactly the end result they wanted.  And I don't understand that at all.

As many have said, all of this should not have been a surprise to the athletic department; if it was, shame on the athletic department (meaning Christian Spears).

I don't care how Army feels about this. The reality is they would NOT have been facing the Sunbelt championship team. Period. Probably closer to the 5-7 LaTech matchup they ended up with, or worse.

[GreenDaddy]

Funny when I said last year I hoped the basketball team didn't get lucky and win the SB tournament because we would get completely embarrassed in the dance, people said it doesn't matter because you get exposure. Now they don't want to get embarrassed in football so they just take their ball and go home?

Dude, it is the NCAA tournament and if we did go, we would have all of our starters and made a go of it. I'm pretty sure if this years football team made the CFP our players would have stayed and we would have made a go of it. That's why people didn't care to get beat in the NCAA tournament. It still means something.

No one cares about the Independence Bowl when all of our players and coaches are gone. No one around the country cares that we bailed out. No one cares about any of the bowl games outside of the CFP. Our decision to pull out won't even be a blip on the radar in a few weeks.

The college football bowl system is broke. I'd rather end the season with the conference championships and not do meaningless bowl games until something else gets figured out.

[Johnnyherd]

Something that is not being mentioned is that 9 out of 10 coaches left to coach in Hattiesburg.  We thought Lochette was going to coach the team but rumors that he told our players to all go in the portal.  So health and safety is the most justifiable reason to give, but there were a lot of things in motion. 

The staff mutiny, players leaving campus, players going in the portal, new coach expected to handle things, AD going with the soccer team

[Flat Tire 2]

I spoke with a father of an Army player this morning, they are pissed; to put it blunt.  There is no love loss or understanding for Marshall in this issue. They move from playing the SBC champ, to a 5 -7 C-USA team, while the second and third place teams in their league play P4 teams.  This bowl for ACC, against the Champion of the SBC was a great match and they knew it.  Let's not put our head in the sand, this isn't just about Marshall, its about all involved. There was no creativity in finding a way to go to this bowl, it is highly clear to me that Marshall got exactly the end result they wanted.  And I don't understand that at all.

As many have said, all of this should not have been a surprise to the athletic department; if it was, shame on the athletic department (meaning Christian Spears).

No offense and you have a right to your take on the situation. I don't really care what the parent of an Army player thinks about the situation. In reality if Marshall had gone, Army would be playing a shell of the Marshall SBC champion team. Army is going to be playing a team (LA Tech) which will provide a stronger opponent than a Marshall team that is missing its offensive line; all of its QB; receivers and most of its defense including our best LB; defensive backs and the SBC player of the year.

Plus the bowl might be happier with LA Tech since they will travel better than Marshall. More fans will generate the bowl more money.

[herdorbust2]

Dude, it is the NCAA tournament and if we did go, we would have all of our starters and made a go of it. I'm pretty sure if this years football team made the CFP our players would have stayed and we would have made a go of it. That's why people didn't care to get beat in the NCAA tournament. It still means something.

No one cares about the Independence Bowl when all of our players and coaches are gone. No one around the country cares that we bailed out. No one cares about any of the bowl games outside of the CFP. Our decision to pull out won't even be a blip on the radar in a few weeks.

The college football bowl system is broke. I'd rather end the season with the conference championships and not do meaningless bowl games until something else gets figured out.

Lol a blow out is a blow out no matter how it happens.

[herdorbust2]

Dude, it is the NCAA tournament and if we did go, we would have all of our starters and made a go of it. I'm pretty sure if this years football team made the CFP our players would have stayed and we would have made a go of it. That's why people didn't care to get beat in the NCAA tournament. It still means something.

No one cares about the Independence Bowl when all of our players and coaches are gone. No one around the country cares that we bailed out. No one cares about any of the bowl games outside of the CFP. Our decision to pull out won't even be a blip on the radar in a few weeks.

The college football bowl system is broke. I'd rather end the season with the conference championships and not do meaningless bowl games until something else gets figured out.

Then why do we always hear as soon as we get 6?wins "we are going bowling baby"!!!!!!! I have been arguing your thought for years and get bashed for it from everyone on here. Now since we quit the bowl game, everyone says the bowls are meaningless. Hmmm!!!

[MicDrass1]

Not the reputation we want inside and outside the league.  Officials are really coming now. 

[GreenDaddy]

Then why do we always hear as soon as we get 6?wins "we are going bowling baby"!!!!!!! I have been arguing your thought for years and get bashed for it from everyone on here. Now since we quit the bowl game, everyone says the bowls are meaningless. Hmmm!!!

You won't receive any bashing from me for not liking the bowl games. I think you and I both agree that something different needs to happen.

My personal thought is,

1. Reduce the number of bowl games and make it a lot harder to get to one just like it was when we moved up in 1997.

2. Keep the meaningless bowl games, but cancel the CCG's (regular season champs are the champs), create a 4 team G5 playoff (played by the 4 highest rated G5 champs) that ends in a G5 Championship and the winner gets the auto bid into the CFP. It could be billed as part of the CFP, because technically it would be. At the same time, it gives more G5 schools something tangible to play for. Right now going 6-6, 10-2 makes zero difference if you aren't the lucky one that gets the CFP bid.

Thoughts?

[herd2win]

I agree that we need to reduce the number of bowl games but it is my understanding that the worst rated bowl game has better ratings than anything else that was on TV.  People will watch live TV because now everyone streams non live TV.  Bowls wouldn't exist if they did not make money for the network.

I would love to see a 16 team G5 playoff instead on any of the other end of season nonsense.

[JeremyBlake23]

Dude, it is the NCAA tournament and if we did go, we would have all of our starters and made a go of it. I'm pretty sure if this years football team made the CFP our players would have stayed and we would have made a go of it. That's why people didn't care to get beat in the NCAA tournament. It still means something.

No one cares about the Independence Bowl when all of our players and coaches are gone. No one around the country cares that we bailed out. No one cares about any of the bowl games outside of the CFP. Our decision to pull out won't even be a blip on the radar in a few weeks.

The college football bowl system is broke. I'd rather end the season with the conference championships and not do meaningless bowl games until something else gets figured out.

I wouldn't say no one cares about ANY of the regular bowls, but not many. Definitely not one involving Marshall/Army. Alabama/Michigan and those types of games, but that's about it.

[whf]

You guys can deny all the outside impressions and the long term impact that this might have on MU all you want; perhaps you live right in the area or don't have a lot of "sports" fans. Or perhaps you're just so into everything done by our university that you can't make yourself see the harm in this. And maybe you don't see any harm.  Any way, the addage that all publicity is good publicity just isn't true. 

If you're watching these games, you're seeing woven together teams everywhere; we continue to be the only one unwilling to take a chance.

As someone said, I'm stating my opinion, and as many of you; making you no more correct to me with yours than I am to you with mine.  The worst part is that we'll never know the exact numbers, the coaches left to coach, etc.  That would be too much to entrust the public with; opening the kamona to us would/could be disasterous; and (yes, an opinion) I believe the detail is intentionally being guarded.

Our athletic department is in dire straights administratively, in many, many ways. Wish it weren't so, but I believe those who are telling me it is.  So I'm incline to believe we could have prevented all this with some common sense negotiations, everyone eating a little crow, losing pride and jealousy; which just might be much broader than this one football progam issue.

[FilmJunky]

Hopefully this does not affect us in getting good bowls going forward but I am afraid it will. The independence bowl is a pretty prestigious bowl and we walked away.

Regardless if we would have had enough players staff etc this should have been thought about ahead of time but it clearly wasn?t.