My fear (and my belief) is that this decision marks the end of the competitive FSC era at Richmond. We will slide slowly (and maybe not slowly) down over the next few years before we undertake an "examination" of football at UR and decide the only "logical" (to the admin - - not me) move is to move down - - or even drop football altogether.
The decision(s) that led to this result were made over the past 12++ months, not the past few weeks. Decisions to back off prior commitments about facilities etc., decisions about people, decisions about resources etc. Most (but not all) of these things discussed on here. These were not a series of isolated decisions - all were consistent with each other - - the way decisions are when they are made consistent with an overriding philosophy. They were not under duress in the last few weeks under a threat, they were decided in calmer times etc. with the chance to understand their full implications. The decisions represent the philosophy adopted around football which I believe to be: while it would fine if we could continue at the same level of success, we were not ready, willing or able to commit to that at the level the Coach says we need and we are happy and willing to step back football to get it into its proper place (i.e. to the admin. - - less high profile, less resources, less compromises ). The decisions represent the philosophy adopted. These decision are not rooted in money for sure and we honestly all know that. There is little doubt we could afford these things and could raise money in support etc. The decision is clearly philosophical about the place of football at UR into the future.
In the end, I don't think the admin. told Danny he doesn't have legit points about what is needed to maintain, they are just saying no, he can't have it. Danny didn't threaten anyone in his public comments last week, he spoke the absolute truth. He doesn't understand the future and vision of football at UR. He heard the no loud and clear on what was needed, but that's all they said. The philosophy wasn't shared because it obviously couldn't be. That certainly left DR confused about the future and he drew the obvious (to me anyway) conclusion that the vision for UR football is that we don't want/need to stay at the level we are at and we'll trade down rather than devote more to stay there. His conclusion is clear by his "lateral" and I agree with his conclusion about the vision for UR football (and as a result his decison to go to UD). He refused to oversee the inevitable slide and flush his own career along with it. I think Danny also feels betrayed by the whole thing - - he did his part and the Admin CHOSE not to do theirs.
My fear is that we didn't lose a coach today - - we lost FSC football as we know it (unless you count the Patriot League).
The decision(s) that led to this result were made over the past 12++ months, not the past few weeks. Decisions to back off prior commitments about facilities etc., decisions about people, decisions about resources etc. Most (but not all) of these things discussed on here. These were not a series of isolated decisions - all were consistent with each other - - the way decisions are when they are made consistent with an overriding philosophy. They were not under duress in the last few weeks under a threat, they were decided in calmer times etc. with the chance to understand their full implications. The decisions represent the philosophy adopted around football which I believe to be: while it would fine if we could continue at the same level of success, we were not ready, willing or able to commit to that at the level the Coach says we need and we are happy and willing to step back football to get it into its proper place (i.e. to the admin. - - less high profile, less resources, less compromises ). The decisions represent the philosophy adopted. These decision are not rooted in money for sure and we honestly all know that. There is little doubt we could afford these things and could raise money in support etc. The decision is clearly philosophical about the place of football at UR into the future.
In the end, I don't think the admin. told Danny he doesn't have legit points about what is needed to maintain, they are just saying no, he can't have it. Danny didn't threaten anyone in his public comments last week, he spoke the absolute truth. He doesn't understand the future and vision of football at UR. He heard the no loud and clear on what was needed, but that's all they said. The philosophy wasn't shared because it obviously couldn't be. That certainly left DR confused about the future and he drew the obvious (to me anyway) conclusion that the vision for UR football is that we don't want/need to stay at the level we are at and we'll trade down rather than devote more to stay there. His conclusion is clear by his "lateral" and I agree with his conclusion about the vision for UR football (and as a result his decison to go to UD). He refused to oversee the inevitable slide and flush his own career along with it. I think Danny also feels betrayed by the whole thing - - he did his part and the Admin CHOSE not to do theirs.
My fear is that we didn't lose a coach today - - we lost FSC football as we know it (unless you count the Patriot League).