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re: Realistically, is there anything that can be done to make Vanderbilt competitive?
Posted on 8/15/24 at 1:34 pm to FootballFrenzy
Posted on 8/15/24 at 1:34 pm to FootballFrenzy
I’m married to a Vandy alum who was a student there when we met. She, nor the vast majority of the folks in her social circle cared much about sports, which is probably how they got in to start with. And, because of the academic workload, fall Saturdays had to be given to studying.
Of course, their student section chant was more ruthless than any other SEC venue I’ve been to…
“That’s all right, that’s ok, we’re gonna be your boss some day!”
Of course, their student section chant was more ruthless than any other SEC venue I’ve been to…
“That’s all right, that’s ok, we’re gonna be your boss some day!”
This post was edited on 8/15/24 at 10:47 pm
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Posted on 8/15/24 at 2:02 pm to FootballFrenzy
There are other things more important to Vanderbilt, and I respect that.
However, given that they choose not to participate - it doesn't seem right that they should occupy a seat at the table, much less cashing big checks mostly generated by other schools.
I would rather have Baylor than Vandy, at least Baylor goes balls out.
But frankly - Vandy's chair would be better filled by FSU. Certainly in terms of the SEC's mission - which is obviously not Vandy's mission.
However, given that they choose not to participate - it doesn't seem right that they should occupy a seat at the table, much less cashing big checks mostly generated by other schools.
I would rather have Baylor than Vandy, at least Baylor goes balls out.
But frankly - Vandy's chair would be better filled by FSU. Certainly in terms of the SEC's mission - which is obviously not Vandy's mission.
Posted on 8/15/24 at 2:26 pm to FootballFrenzy
No. They're on a current 15 game losing streak to South Carolina. Pretty much automatically disqualifies you from being labeled "competitive".
Posted on 8/15/24 at 2:50 pm to FootballFrenzy
The SEC should start discussing the Vandy situation right now, so that it can be definitively addressed before the next TV contract negotiations roll around. Football (and to a lesser extent basketball) revenues are the economic foundation of the SEC. Any school, founding member or not, which makes little or no effort to meaningfully contribute to conference revenues is not a good faith member.
Write benchmark based regulations to ensure that every conference member invests and makes progress toward a meaningful economic contribution. If a school refuses to comply, start hitting them with fines until something gives.
Write benchmark based regulations to ensure that every conference member invests and makes progress toward a meaningful economic contribution. If a school refuses to comply, start hitting them with fines until something gives.
This post was edited on 8/15/24 at 3:02 pm
Posted on 8/15/24 at 5:15 pm to FootballFrenzy
Before the recent changes I think all we needed was to throw all the money at a top coach. Might have lasted a few years until he left.
But now with NIL- that we actually are doing well in for the time being - but these rich guys aren’t going to want to pony up every year- it has changed things. We recruit a good player and he goes to another school (really wish we had a prohibition on going to another SEC school). We had a couple of great NIL guys but then they decided they didn’t want to go to classes or do the class work so they backed out. Next on the agenda is going to a 9 SEC schedule which means we will never see a bowl game again ( and will be really bad for the SEC, you just don’t realize it yet). We just put $350M into facilities. We do have big $ guys putting in for NIL (which was supposed to be for NIL for performance not recruiting) . As to attendance I always went but for students it’s hard to see a guy you know (small school, remember) get killed. Y’all have state populations giving and supporting your programs and NIL. We have 150,000 alum. The SEC or college football hasn’t made a single change to support smaller schools: all to hurt. The beginning of the end was the change to how many players on team in the 1960s. Our walks ons aren’t like yours. Personally I’d prefer for college to blow up and make a semi-pro league that would take a least half the SEC away (just for football, keep the SEC for everything else). I think we’d do great if it was normal true college football( minus the top 30 teams semi-pro teams across the nation).
I just get a little tired of everyone complaining about Vandy not trying. WTF are we supposed to do when every single change in college football has set us back even more. How about a little respect for the kids going out every Saturday against bigger better players and getting crushed. Y’all really ***** me off sometimes.
But now with NIL- that we actually are doing well in for the time being - but these rich guys aren’t going to want to pony up every year- it has changed things. We recruit a good player and he goes to another school (really wish we had a prohibition on going to another SEC school). We had a couple of great NIL guys but then they decided they didn’t want to go to classes or do the class work so they backed out. Next on the agenda is going to a 9 SEC schedule which means we will never see a bowl game again ( and will be really bad for the SEC, you just don’t realize it yet). We just put $350M into facilities. We do have big $ guys putting in for NIL (which was supposed to be for NIL for performance not recruiting) . As to attendance I always went but for students it’s hard to see a guy you know (small school, remember) get killed. Y’all have state populations giving and supporting your programs and NIL. We have 150,000 alum. The SEC or college football hasn’t made a single change to support smaller schools: all to hurt. The beginning of the end was the change to how many players on team in the 1960s. Our walks ons aren’t like yours. Personally I’d prefer for college to blow up and make a semi-pro league that would take a least half the SEC away (just for football, keep the SEC for everything else). I think we’d do great if it was normal true college football( minus the top 30 teams semi-pro teams across the nation).
I just get a little tired of everyone complaining about Vandy not trying. WTF are we supposed to do when every single change in college football has set us back even more. How about a little respect for the kids going out every Saturday against bigger better players and getting crushed. Y’all really ***** me off sometimes.
Posted on 8/15/24 at 5:18 pm to VU fan 43
quote:
How about a little respect for the kids going out every Saturday against bigger better players and getting crushed.
This would've been better without that part.
Posted on 8/15/24 at 5:28 pm to FootballFrenzy
quote:
I appreciate the largely non-trolling responses, guys.
We don't always troll. There is a time to behave like adults and just discuss something normally.
Posted on 8/15/24 at 7:11 pm to themicah85
It’s already happened with James Franklin. Once Franklin started getting Vanderbilt to being somewhat of a threat to other SEC teams, Penn St. immediately swooped in and got him.
Posted on 8/15/24 at 7:15 pm to Archibald
quote:
Archibald
Posted on 8/15/24 at 7:18 pm to MtVernon
quote:
However, given that they choose not to participate - it doesn't seem right that they should occupy a seat at the table, much less cashing big checks mostly generated by other schools.
Here we go. Texas hasn’t generated jack shite for the conference and they already are advocating to remove a founding member.
Who incidentally has a winning record over them.
Posted on 8/15/24 at 7:24 pm to Imber
Sounds like some other SEC team.
Posted on 8/15/24 at 7:29 pm to FootballFrenzy
has the construction on First Bank Stadium been completed for 2024? or will it be a work zone again like 2023's games -
they've committed $$$ for facilities - the NIL orgy that is college football can probably install a winning program on any campus at this point - so Vanderbilt could -
they should hire Coach Prime - that's how you recruit to Vanderbilt in today's environment -
all Deion needs to do is copy the system Dean Smith installed at UNC for basketball - he'll get the players he wants - and they'll stay eligible -
they've committed $$$ for facilities - the NIL orgy that is college football can probably install a winning program on any campus at this point - so Vanderbilt could -
they should hire Coach Prime - that's how you recruit to Vanderbilt in today's environment -
all Deion needs to do is copy the system Dean Smith installed at UNC for basketball - he'll get the players he wants - and they'll stay eligible -
Posted on 8/15/24 at 8:37 pm to WESB59
I honestly love when Vandy is competitive. It's such a wild card and fun when it happens.
I also am a huge fan of Nashville, always enjoy going to our games while in town.
I also am a huge fan of Nashville, always enjoy going to our games while in town.
Posted on 8/15/24 at 10:03 pm to FootballFrenzy
Does Vandy have higher academic standards than Stanford? Tree was able to have a respectable football program for a number of years until fairly recently. I think the Dores could at least match that with a good coaching hire and some alumni support.
Posted on 8/15/24 at 10:06 pm to AggieArchitect2004
quote:Yes, a single poster on the rant has been named spokesman for the Texas admin and thousands of alumni worldwide.
Here we go. Texas hasn’t generated jack shite for the conference and they already are advocating to remove a founding member.
Posted on 8/15/24 at 10:28 pm to FootballFrenzy
Vandy has a $10 BILLION endowment.
Thats 3rd in the SEC and $8 BILLION higher than 4th place OU, That’s 5x Georgia.
So yeah VANDY could easily compete if just a handful of their alumn$ decide to give a hoot about football.
Thats 3rd in the SEC and $8 BILLION higher than 4th place OU, That’s 5x Georgia.
So yeah VANDY could easily compete if just a handful of their alumn$ decide to give a hoot about football.
Posted on 8/15/24 at 10:56 pm to Beau Fontenot
quote:
That's likely not going to ever happen, because Vanderbilt won't lower its standards like other SEC schools
This is BS!
I've a friend whose son went to Vandy on full football ride but didn't get admitted to UF or FSU despite being in-state.
Unless and until VU discloses this fact by reporting the numbers -- like the other 15 (public institutions) SEC members this narrative is BS! There is nothing that stops Vandy from disclosing the same stats as the other 15 members. Vandy hides behind the Private excuse.
Posted on 8/15/24 at 11:15 pm to FootballFrenzy
No. Vandy has a higher admissions criteria and won't lower it for sports. Sorta like Northwestern and a couple others.
The only reason they remain is because they like the pay day.
The only reason they remain is because they like the pay day.
Posted on 8/16/24 at 7:26 am to Beau Fontenot
quote:
That's likely not going to ever happen, because Vanderbilt won't lower its standards like other SEC schools. Stanford is the strictest in this regard, but they have a national brand. Vandy doesn't.
And as another poster stated, the alumni base doesn't care. They prefer to maintain the prestige of a Vanderbilt degree, and you can't do that if you take kids that can barely write and do 6th grade math.
Stanford is the best example of maintaining high academic standards in recruitment.
There isn't a lot of data on the differential between Vandy athletes vs non-athletes in admissions. But, I bet is pretty significant.
But, making such exceptions doesn't necessarily tarnish the brand among such small populations or equate to success on the field.
For instance, Harvard leads the nation in acceptance differentials between athletes and non-athletes. Recruited athletes at Harvard have an acceptance rate as high as 83%, compared to the overall acceptance rate of just 3.4%. That said, the athlete population is among the lowest in class rank given the academic demands of the school and athletics.
The next two are Cal and UCLA who have very high special admit %s for athletes. They have been essentially chasing the same athletes as the rest of the PAC12, but not necessarily translated it into sustained success in athletics.
Not sure there is a better model than Stanford for having sustained overall athletic success without fully compromising their academic reputation.
Given the level of competition in the SEC, I doubt making even more exceptions on admissions would move the needle much for Vandy. The kids still have to go to and pass classes, and then play in the most competitive league in the nation.
Posted on 8/16/24 at 7:29 am to FootballFrenzy
Moving to the B12 or ACC would make Vanderbilt more competitive.
Moving to C-USA/SB/AAC would also make Vanderbilt much more competitive
Moving to C-USA/SB/AAC would also make Vanderbilt much more competitive
This post was edited on 8/16/24 at 7:30 am
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