Notes and quotes about Friedgen
--Jared Harrell, a senior defensive lineman, obviously won't be around for another Terps season. But he says he's pleased to see Fridge return. "We never took a day off. And a lot of that is because of the big guy," Harrell said.
--Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller is nothing if not candid. This is what he said about Friedgen's recruiting:
"Ralph is an alumnus, he's a fine person, he's a good role model. He has let down in terms of recruiting the past five years."
Miller said Maryland coaches aren't nearly visible enough recruiting in the D.C. region. "They (kids) have got to be sold and they’ve got to be approached," he said.
--We'll never know exactly what was said in the meetings between Ralph Friedgen and Debbie Yow. We can make educated guesses. Clearly, Yow was concerned that losing seasons (four out of six years) not become the norm. I asked Friedgen's attorney Tuesday about the debate surrounding his client and what specific arguments he would make for Fridge's return. Here is some of what attorney Jack Reale said---his "argument."
"Dating back to 1987, 14 seasons, Maryland experienced only two winning seasons before Ralph’s arrival," Reale said. "Both were 6-5 and they participated in one bowl. This was the body of work of three different head coaches. The combined record from 1991-2000 was 35-64 for the decade and they had not had a winning season (6-5) since 1995. Coach Friedgen’s teams, in nine years, have won 31 more games (66-46) than in the previous 10 years."
Reale also brought up attendance, saying Maryland averaged about 30,000 in the five years before Friedgen and about 50,000 in the Friedgen-coached seasons before last year. "So, I am puzzled," Reale said in conclusion. "Who is it that sees the cup as half empty?"
Comments
"Who is it that sees the cup as half empty?"
Vermicious knids - those amorphous aliens who sometimes wear "Fear the Turtle" and "Garyland" attire.
We's got to be better next year. No other direction to go in. :)
Posted by: smugturtle | December 2, 2009 8:49 AM
Maryland's recruiting has been atrocious since day one of the Fridge regiem. It really went down hill when one of Fridge's recruiters got caught cheating in 2002 with the Gilman prospects who ultimately went to Notre Dame. (Abiamiri, Wooden) The sad part of it was they were probably going to Maryland anyway but shied away when the controversy reared its ugly head. I'm sure Penn State, Virginia Tech and Rutger's use that against us when competing for the same prospects. In 2003 and 2004 Penn State had losing records in successive years 3-9 and 4-7 yet Maryland could not gain a strong hold on recruits from Maryland let alone Pennsylvania during that time frame. In the mean time Rutgers and Temple have built solid programs with recruits Maryland use to attract. (Under Vanderlinden) While I will always root for Maryland with unquestioned loyalty I'm afraid we are looking at another 2-4 4years of a losing program assuming Ralph goes at the end of next year and his successor has to clean up the mess. I for one hope its not Franklin that will just perpetuate the disaster. But thanks a conversation for another time !!
Posted by: Anonymous | December 2, 2009 9:02 AM
For how long has MIke Miller been an expert on recruiting? He's a politician right? Here is the deal with recruiting. A coach identifies the players they want. I'm pretty sure the MD staff goes after the top players, as do a lot of other programs. That player decides on what school they want to go to. Its not all on the coach for recruiting. The school and athletic dept has to build a place that every player want to come to. Recruiting at schools like Texas, Florida, etc have never really changed because of who their coach is. Players want to go there because of the overall package of the school. Maryland needs to improve that portion of recruiting. What is MIke Miller, Debbie Yow and Mote doing to make recruiting for the coaches easier?
Posted by: Guru | December 2, 2009 9:54 AM
Can we start referring to Yow as "Tootsie"? I thought I saw Dustin Hoffman dressed as a women seated behind Gary at the game last night.
Posted by: D-Lut | December 2, 2009 9:58 AM
I like Ralph and agree he has done more for the program than the previous group. However, reading the MD website statement leads one to believe recruiting for 2010 is ranked 26th. Where do they get this number? Rivals ranks it 36th and Scout.com says 53rd.
Posted by: Gerry Ellis | December 2, 2009 10:35 AM
"have won 31 more games (66-46) than in the previous 10 years"
Unfortunately almost all of the difference in the W/L came in his first 3 yrs. Since then the program has REVERTED back to the norm prior to Ralph.
I think most everyone realizes the number one reason his is still around is money. Obviously times are tough and it is a valid consideration especially considering the unknown quantity of a new coach. They wouldn't have enough $$$ to get a known coach.
Posted by: Anonymous | December 2, 2009 12:48 PM
Hey Guru, Wrong, Ralph himself tells us he isn't after the top recruits - he is looking for players of character. That is why we are signing player that no other D-1 program is recruiting.
Posted by: Pat | December 2, 2009 2:02 PM
University of Va fired there coach former alum : still owed 4,3 million over 2 years.
University Of Md : Allowed there ineffective coach to return in spite of the Ad not giving him a vote of confidence just a reprieve: Owed 4 million over 2 years on remaining contract.
DEbbie yow didn't do her job allowing outside influnces { Gov of Md } to scare her enough to bring back a lame duck coach that is on a very short rope.
Bottom line University of Va is about to sign Skip Holtz a young energtic coach who rebuilt east carolina into a good football program.He would have been a ideal choice to coach Md. END OF STORY.
Posted by: blancione | December 2, 2009 2:18 PM
As per Guru: "...Players want to go there because of the overall package of the school. Maryland needs to improve that portion of recruiting. What is MIke Miller, Debbie Yow and Mote doing to make recruiting for the coaches easier?"
I hate this argument more than any. How come MD's package is appealing enough to draw kids from upper middle class neighborhoods in MD, NY and NJ but is not package enough to draw respective FB and Basketball recruits? Are they even more elitist? If it is good enough for the non-student athlete (~25K/yr) than it should be damn good enough for the student athlete. Locally, beyond College Park you have Georgetown, DC, Bethesda/Rockville. That is just a sad excuse.
It does come down to solid recruiting, building relationships with the local high schools and closing the deal.
Nough said.
Posted by: DAG | December 2, 2009 3:25 PM
Dear Mr. Neal,in case you don't watch the games,why are the Terps having difficulty competing against Div.1aa schools on the playing field?Can you say,right now,that Navy won't kicking our butts,game #1,next year??
Posted by: Dan R. | December 2, 2009 8:29 PM
DEAR ANNONYMOUS YOU ANY OTHERS DON.T HAVE ANY IDEA ABOUT OUR LAST 2 RECRUITING CLASSES. THEY WERE BOTH GOOD. WHITE, KLEMM,HAWKINS,ADAMS,DESOUZA,ARNETT,MACKALL ARE ALL GOING TO BE IMPACT PLAYERS. OTHER THEN ADAMS AND KLEMM, THEY ARE ALL LOCAL. MD GOT 5 OF THE TOP 10 IN THE STATE IN THE LAST CLASS. THE CLASS BEFORE THAT WAS ALSO GOOD. WE GOT TATE, CHISM,DORSEY,KERR, ALL LOCAL AND ALL TALENTED. OUR LAST CLASS ALSO INCLUDED PORZEL, ROSS, DRAKEFORD ALL TALENTED REMEMBER THE NAME DEXTER MCDOUGALL FOR NEXT YEAR, HE IS GOING TO BE SPECIAL(another LOCAL BOY) THERE IS LOTS OF YOUNG TALENT. IT IS ALSO A FALLACY THAT RALPH CANT GET LOCAL PLAYER. HE GETS THE MAJORITY. KNOWN YOUR INFO BEFORE YOU MAKE STUPID STATEMENTS
Posted by: RVHH | December 2, 2009 11:59 PM