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Has there ever been a costlier decision in college sports than GT leaving the SEC?
Posted on 6/29/23 at 5:24 pm
Posted on 6/29/23 at 5:24 pm
In terms of actual money and also in the quality of sports at the school?
Maybe if they had stayed, they just would’ve settled into being a Vanderbilt quality program. Even if that’s true, they still would have made a lot more money. Although, I don’t think that there is reason to believe they would have been that bad. At the time they left, in the mid sixties, they were a decent program historically and had periods where they were a powerhouse. It wasn’t until after they left that their program withered (1990 National Title notwithstanding).
I guess they left because they thought the independent route was a better path to making money. I’ve also heard of a feud between Bobby Dodd and Bear Bryant. I don’t know what role that played.
Maybe if they had stayed, they just would’ve settled into being a Vanderbilt quality program. Even if that’s true, they still would have made a lot more money. Although, I don’t think that there is reason to believe they would have been that bad. At the time they left, in the mid sixties, they were a decent program historically and had periods where they were a powerhouse. It wasn’t until after they left that their program withered (1990 National Title notwithstanding).
I guess they left because they thought the independent route was a better path to making money. I’ve also heard of a feud between Bobby Dodd and Bear Bryant. I don’t know what role that played.
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Posted on 6/29/23 at 5:25 pm to TeddyWestside
I'd trade any of the Big 12 pretenders for them
Posted on 6/29/23 at 5:41 pm to TeddyWestside
Yes, Tulane.
Posted on 6/29/23 at 5:41 pm to TeddyWestside
quote:
I guess they left because they thought the independent route was a better path to making money. I’ve also heard of a feud between Bobby Dodd and Bear Bryant. I don’t know what role that played.
They didn't have the DNA of a true blueblood football program. Bobby Dodd struggled with the idea of so many players on scholarship at the time. They weren't thinking like a powerhouse football program.
Considering the SEC was transitioning to African American players and GT thinking small, it's unlikely they were going to maintain their status as a Southern power regardless of where they resided.
Posted on 6/29/23 at 5:44 pm to bamameister
quote:
They didn't have the DNA of a true blueblood football program. Bobby Dodd struggled with the idea of so many players on scholarship at the time. They weren't thinking like a powerhouse football program. Considering the SEC was transitioning to African American players and GT thinking small, it's unlikely they were going to maintain their status as a Southern power regardless of where they resided.
GT’s very identity and philosophy is the very reason they have slowly sunk from a national power to an afterthought.
They were evolutionarily doomed.
Posted on 6/29/23 at 5:45 pm to TeddyWestside
Chicago leaving the Big 10
Posted on 6/29/23 at 5:46 pm to BranchDawg
Decisions way back than were academic not athletic
Posted on 6/29/23 at 5:51 pm to TeddyWestside
The 140 rule is supposedly what drove Tech President Harrison & Coach Dodd to make the decision to leave. They didn’t get their way & thought they could do better. It was a huge and as you mentioned, costly mistake.
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Posted on 6/29/23 at 6:08 pm to TeddyWestside
GT has had some success since leaving. Tulane fell off the edge of the world.
Posted on 6/29/23 at 6:12 pm to TeddyWestside
The only place you can go to make more money if you leave the SEC is the B1G!
Posted on 6/29/23 at 6:18 pm to TeddyWestside
All time frick up.
And frick Tulane for being a follower.
And frick Tulane for being a follower.
Posted on 6/29/23 at 6:21 pm to shinerfan
quote:
Tulane fell off the edge of the world.
But now they back baby!
Posted on 6/29/23 at 7:15 pm to TigerintheNO
quote:
Yes, Tulane.
The bean counters killed off Tulane after Katrina by eliminating the engineering college. Only chemical engineering remains as part of the science college.
Posted on 6/29/23 at 7:17 pm to TeddyWestside
The SEC adding dog shite tier Arkansas Sows.
Posted on 6/29/23 at 7:22 pm to ArkLaTexTiger
I have been an LSU fan for close to 50 years and always have hated the Tulane game. They just plain suck. Boring team. Boring game. I guess it has to do with being from north Louisiana. Those in Baton Rouge are probably more culturally exposed to annoying Tulane fans so they may beg to differ.
Posted on 6/29/23 at 8:17 pm to TeddyWestside
Suwannee?
Posted on 6/29/23 at 8:19 pm to genuineLSUtiger
quote:
I have been an LSU fan for close to 50 years and always have hated the Tulane game.
I go to New Orleans all the time for work. And every time I drive down St Charles I bemoan the fact that Tulane left the SEC. They’d be another Vandy today, but I’d love a college football weekend in New Orleans in the fall without knowing I had to drive 1:30 to the stadium. Wish they never left.
Posted on 6/29/23 at 8:25 pm to AUTiger789
I guess the word that describes Tulane and it’s fans is mediocre. Could never get excited for that game. The equivalent of playing ULL or ULM.
Posted on 6/29/23 at 9:19 pm to bamameister
quote:
They didn't have the DNA of a true blueblood football program.
They had 4 Natty's in 4 different era's with 4 different coaches.
The issue is at the time a coach (Bobby Dodd) had the power to change conferences with his issues with Bryant. Would not happen today when it takes lawyers, college presidents, and media companies to move a school now.
Schools have been known to prioritize academics over athletics. If Tulane accepts the Rose Bowl in the 1920's, Alabama never gets to take their place. If Chicago did not drop football for academics they would still rule the B1G and Ohio State never gains power it the vacuum created. Don't feel too bad for the Maroons, their research dollars today dwarfs BuckNuts sports dollars.
Posted on 6/29/23 at 9:30 pm to TeddyWestside
The SEC allowing Vandy to stay is extremely costly. 60 million a year in revenue going to a program that contributes nothing. ESPN would pay us more just to leave Vandy’s spot vacant simply to have anyone but Vandy as an SEC opponent for 8 games. They cost the rest of the SEC in unsold tickets whenever they unfortunately end up on a home schedule.
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