All great points but what often goes overlooked is a strong AD, President, and big time university backing of athletics really helped. Hayden walked in with the right plan at the right time. Much has changed since that point. As an example players were not arrested on mopeds and treated like felons. The university no longer supports athletics due to jealousy over salaries and money made.
If it was so easy as to change team colors and say hey we are going to have a winning attitude would this not be adopted by every program?
Everything has to be in your favor to run a winning program.
Everything becomes folklore after you win.
Good opinions from both you and BigD. I suppose my opinion would align closer to BigD's and for these reasons.
If there is the disconnect between the administration, if our AD isn't strong, as you state, then it is up to the fans to make their expectations known in order to facilitate bridging the disconnect. Big doners are fans also, so they are either in line with the administration or have to set their expectations by not donating, if unsatisfied.
The average Joe fan can stop paying for tickets, which affects concessions and they can stop buy apparel, if their expectations aren't met. But, you need to have expectations. To BigD's point, 10 wins next season is my minium expectation. We should be a good team next year and, let's not forget that the 2013 team was well on their way to 13 or 14 wins before they fell apart. I am not going to be fooled by their 9 win season.
As for Hayden, yep, he came in at a great time. But, it worked because he set expectations. Remember back to Iowa going on the road and playing Oklahoma really close, but losing. Hayden was all-fired P.O'd. when the players were feeling good about a close loss. That has nothing to do with the administration, the AD or anyone else. That was Hayden and his expections to win, not play tough teams close.
