Last post I?ll make and I promise I?m not calling you out individually. But the hatred for Dan and the fans threatening to give up season tickets is not cool. This is from a former players perspective, that?s tough to see from anyone. And definitely would only hinder the program and not help. Coach Dan had it right when he said you should support the school, win or lose. It?s Marshall and should be the place we love. And trust me I know this board wants to win and is tough. Probably too tough. Heck I?ve checked in here and get maligned for my coaching decisions of herd that from time to time and how I could be doing better. And that?s something I do every summer with Jon just because our love for the school and wanting to represent it well. Even been maligned for announcing the games and I just do that because Marshall asked me to. I have a day job and have no desire to be an announcer. Moral of the story, I hope fans realize prospective players see this board, players do , former players, etc. I?m going to support win or lose.
You should be Asking not what the team can / should be doing for you, but what you could be doing for the team -ot Elmore
I can appreciate your perspective as a younger person and player and your loyalty for Dan. College sports has changed with the NIL and transfer rule. Players use to trade a scholarship/education for performing, now they can receive compensation on top of their other benefits. The loyalty of most of the players to a school is mostly gone in this new era. A young player gets upset and he can now leave his current employer for any reason or a better deal. Players perform for the public and they have to accept public's reviews. It is part of life, if you are in the public eye you will get critiqued. I do agree that some fans are over the top.
Marshall is selling a product and fans have a right not to spend their money on a product that don't feel is a worthwhile expenditure. I am a lot older than you and I have seen consumers of Marshall's product in the past cancel season tickets, it is nothing new and it is their right. Undying support for a school is ridiculous. You can't expect consumers to invest in a product that they don't feel supplies a need or want.
Fans or the public expressing their unhappiness with a coach or program is nothing new. I remember in the 1960-1970's era when Tennessee supporters hired a moving van and parked it in front of the UT football coach. Do some research in some of the old Chief Justice yearbooks, I remember in the 1950's and 1960's Marshall students hanging coaches in effigy on the campus.
Dan's problem is that he couldn't adapt to the changes in college sports. He also had issues with recruiting; roster management and coaching. I also would there was concern about his work ethic. He approached college basketball as if it was the same as when he was a player in the 1960's. Conditions have changed in the last 60's years and Dan couldn't or wouldn't adapt to the changes. He was failing, you either adapt or you fail. Rumors are now surfacing that he had a ego problem/personality clashes with his superiors. Never bite the hand that feeds you. Everyone is replaceable as apparently Dan found out the other day.