Agree with Debbie Yow or not (and sometimes SFN doesn’t — just keep in mind that “SFN” is no one person or unified idea), she clearly has a plan. And unlike her incompetent predecessor(s), her plan — which appears right now to be pragmatic — has been transparent, especially in regards to whenever SFN challenges or questions it.
As a refresher you may want to click first here and then here.
In response to the former, Yow sent the following comments to SFN via email (on her iPad):
As you read this article posted on StateFanNation there are a few things to keep in mind.
1. The requirement to play an equity league team begins in 2017. That said, we will play Notre Dame in 2016, so we begin earlier than required and look forward to that. The writer seems to think the requirement begins in 2015. It does not. Our league picked a year to begin and it is 2017.
2. The notion that our strength of schedule will be poor is not accurate. With 3 built-in opponents EVERY year in the Atlantic who are kicking butt in FSU, Clemson and Louisville, when we add the Power Five game each year, beginning in 2016, we will have a very challenging schedule, when added to the various crossover opponents in the Coastal division, including our permanent partner in UNC-CH.
Coastal Division schools are the ones that need to focus on building their SOS with multiple Power Conference games out of league, at least the way things are now in their division. That could change, of course, in later years.
3. With over 70 freshmen and sophomores and a new quarterback, it is accurate to suggest we are focused in 14 and in 15 on winning more than on strength of schedule. Every game we play will count toward bowl eligibility and we need (a) to get back in the bowl cycle to secure the 15 additional practices for player development and (b) to help in recruiting.
4. We are gradually weaning ourselves off of the longtime need to play 7 home games each year from a financial perspective. While that might happen some in the future, it is no longer easy to achieve with the Power Five opponent expecting a return game and ECU every 3 years.
That will provide opportunities to return additional games when we can sustain the athletics program on 6 home games.
5. For the first time in many years, we ended the Spring semester with ALL returning players eligible for Fall competition…Coach Doeren has set that pace and it is part of getting back on our feet, thinking and doing the right things to lay the foundation for future success on the field.
6. I get concerned that the big picture is not recognized by a few.
They are loyal and well meaning, but seemingly unwilling to accept what Dave inherited in attitude, lack of talent/ recruiting and depth. Our program was on the decline as a result and he and his staff were hired to reverse that downward trend. We hit rock bottom last season, due in part to the unfortunate injuries to key players like Brian Underwood, etc.
Feel free to share this with whomever at StateFansNation you think might be interested. Our intentions are honorable toward our fans and team. They have endured a lot and deserve better things. There are no quick fixes, but we continue to progress and fight the good fight in recruiting and in the classroom. Chemistry and calculus and economics are part of our team’s life and they are making it work, under Dave’s leadership. That stability will eventually show up on the field, as well.
Debbie
A few comments by SFN:
*At least the possibility exists, based on schedule openings, for a home-and-home with Alabama in 2015 and 2018 (being discussed here).
*The comment about the very weak Coastal Division has merit. Keep in mind the ACC is challenging the requirement to have two divisions in order to hold a conference championship game. Perhaps she’s hinting at that?
*As expected, the General Assembly forced ECU series isn’t going away anytime soon. And she reinforces a point SFN has made often: the trend over the past decade shows that very few top-tier programs will go on the road in a non-marquee game (which, like it or not, is what a road game at State is right now).
*She comments on the finances of seven home games. In case you missed it, take a look at the 2013 financials for all NCAA teams (here). You’ll notice that State appears to be one of the better financially-managed programs in the ACC.
*”They have endured a lot and deserve better things.” No truer words have ever been written.
Now, what does the SFN Community have to say?
