Sportsfan

Why does UB have the crazy start of classes schedule for students? Most universities return from Winter break in early January.

Sports is a business and the 3 key outcomes required from a Head Coach = Recruiting, Get the players to play hard (as a team) and Program Energy (fans). The X's and O's can be left to the assistance coaches. Unfortunately Jim is average at best at all 3. This will translate (in a conference UB should be 1, 2 or 3 every year) into average results across the board. Alnutt and donors must see this, just look at the Bowling Green attendance.

Or that the coaches want to transition to a TE that can stretch the field and is 6'5.

How would the evaluation go for the program under Stutzman after 7 years? Not much local marketing around the program, but seems to be competitive in the MAC, but not the success he had a Bloomberg.

Buffalo =Top US Universities = Academic Ranking and Funding (see endowment image). Athletic Program = TBD

Maybe redshirting Chatman so he can replace Harnett next year. Mading looked like he will contribute little this year in the early games. Good skills, but very weak. For as big as the roster is, this team is not a strong rebounding team and a turnover machine. Jones will need to score if they have any chance of winning the MAC. No one else on the team can be counted on to score consistently night after night.

I think a percentage of the transfer portal is "dippers" that are just exploring if there is someone that will be interested. There could be many reasons, location, NLI, playing time, P5 bright lights, etc. The coaches in college football are worse than the players (as a %) in regards to transferring. BTW, I think it is very logical for a player that has received their degree to explore/transfer. I think the mindset of many players is that they went to college and picked "football" as their major.

Major areas that needs upgraded in recruiting WR - need to be able to stretch the field DE - need someone who can be disruptive in the backfield LB - someone with speed (Running QB hurt the team all year)

Hopefully the fan experience investment is coming soon. Hard to build a larger fan base with the current amenities. Knowing how much has already been invested in the last 10 years, the next 10 will be interesting (scoreboard, lower football field, remove track, new soccer pitch, new track facilities, football weight room, etc.). A lot to fund with so few "Big Donors"

Not sure the investment needed to drop the field, remove the track, and provide soccer their own pitch will be coming soon, let alone a new domed stadium in Amherst, NY. Got to say, the basketball area is much nicer than the football field. I think the football players stuff is good, but for fans, Alumni is a better venue.

Agree, especially in Buffalo, and a real home field advantage if UB ever gets out of the MAC

I believe the better option is an investment in UB stadium to make it fan friendly, with maybe a yearly game at the new stadium (once built). It seems the investment funding required could be years (if ever) away. UB has the worst stadium in the MAC. Track, soccer lines, 20 year old scoreboard, etc.

I personally feel is all part of the gameday experience. If SUNY wants to call UB it's flagship, investment in athletics is required. My entire point was about $$ investments. AAU school with MAC level investments in Athletics and Band.

An investment by the University in the UB band is really needed. They need 3 times as many member to really sound good at a college football game. With 30K students, there is no reason the UB band should look like a High School Band.

Good that he was at least in the radar of those P5 programs, but not sure I believe he actually picked UB over a Michigan, Florida State or Tennessee unless the NLI was significantly higher.

I do believe it took an unneeded risk by hiring a coach that hadn't even been a coordinator for football, but Mo should be allow time to build the program back from the Lance teams. Not only was Lance's timing back, but it took a number of the key players with him. Only time will time if Mark's risk will pay off for him.

How long will it take, 2, 3 years. Or maybe, is it the schemes? Statistics after 3 games are hard to explain, other than lack of talent or scheme. Defense has give up 5.9 yards a carry against Maryland, Holy Cross and Coastal Carolina, and has 3 sacks and 11 TFL (opponents have 10 sacks and 23 TFL). This isn't Ohio State, Penn State or Georgia as the opponents. Offensive has given up 10 sacks and averaging 2.9 yards per carry. It was just a few years ago the Offensive didn't give up a single sack most of the season. Again, this isn't Michigan, LSU and Alabama as the opponents the first 3 games. Outscored 61 to 23 in 2nd half. This would point to talent gap and coaching adjustments.

How about 9-3 and 8-4 and graduate student. That is what most colleges aim for, except for the Semi Pro College teams.

The OL is not very good. When a former DL walk-on (recently put on scholarship) is playing college OL for the first year and seeing significant action, something is wrong. BTW, at 6'0 , 280, undersized for OL. Also, maybe going back to 3 linebackers would help stop the run. 5 DB's regardless of the opponent is odd.

Doesn't sound much different than a normal leaders challenges in any business.

This is so spot on....besides some cheerleader tweets from Mark Alnutt, his communication is really bad (maybe unless you are in his inter circle) and vision for the athletic department nonexistent. Football scheduling is awful - UMass and UConn...2 of the worst FBS programs...what is the value of these (other than East Coast) games. What player would want to come to play the current out of conference opponents. Put them on 2 big stages per year (high end P5) and get some $$ to invest in facilities. Same with basketball.

Yea...agree, best wishes, but definitely not a school players dream of attending one day and winning a "National Championship".

Agree...the NFL finds players...doesn't matter what school you go to...they have scouts all over the place....once in (either drafted or free agent), you have your chance....only a very, very, very small percentage of players actually make it onto a active roster...heck, there are only 1,696 active each week (53*32) and the average NFL career is 3.3 years. Maybe the USFL will stick around and open up some additional opportunities.

With the alumni base of UB and endowment value, interesting that the athletic department has had minimum success outside of the Murchie family to have significant investments (greater than $1M) in facilities. Could it be the MAC just doesn't excite a lot of alumni that have the wealth to invest, or the athletic department hasn't presented enough of a long term vision, or the university leadership is satisfied with the current status quo.

Is it common for states to provide funding to private schools?