FBS Move Update

[Info Hound]

https://www.delawareonline.com/story/sp ... 495877007/

Yes, it requires a subscription. Good piece by KT.

Among other things:

Chrissi confirms that the $5M fee for the move has been paid by 160 donors.

Me: Thanks to all that have contributed.

Go Hens!

[Bluewyn Gold]

So well again by Kevin. We're lucky to have him still on the beat.

Great news that the FBS entry fee is now in the rear view.

[Udforever1]

Really excellent piece by KT and paints a very optimistic view that we’re ready for FBS, at least off the field. Like the article mentions, now it’s about getting FBS caliber players.

[chapelstwasted]

can be read here.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/other/ ... ngNewsVerp

[UD '01 grad]

Keeler:

“Delaware is going to walk into an environment where they’re going to be playing teams just as good as them every single weekend and that’s what we found this past year.”

[FanSinceHighSchool]

Re: FBS Move Update
Unread post by chapelstwasted » Tue Jul 30, 2024 10:53 am

can be read here.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/other/ ... ngNewsVerp

Thanks chapelstwasted for the short cut.

$45 for a digital subscription to what is left of the News Journal?
Well maybe if we time traveled back to the glory days of sports covered by
the Morning News, it would be worth it.

[Hensfansince03]

Keeler:

“Delaware is going to walk into an environment where they’re going to be playing teams just as good as them every single weekend and that’s what we found this past year.”

Its comforting hearing the formal athletic director of JMU say we are looking good going in from the business side. Infrastructure wise we are middle of the pack in CONF USA. Getting the fieldhouse and stadium projects moving would make everyone feel better. That going to be necessary over the next 3 to 5 years especially if we want to get some better FBS out of conference teams to commit to playing at Delaware stadium and help with recruiting the talent we will need to be good in FBS. The advancement in the NIL and athletics staffing areas are good and getting better.

Very weak schedules the last several years in FCS padded by very weak CAA newcomers have made our win/loss records inflated. That won't be the case once we make the move, we will probably be the underdogs in most of our matchups going in. We haven't been great against the better teams in FCS or even a weakened CAA. The coaching staff has lots of work to do to avoid being embarrassed when we get to CONF USA on the field. Sam Houston was a constant FCS top 5 team before moving up to CONF USA and was competitive yet struggled, they at least put up a fight in most games. UD is a top 20 FCS team on the field going in which is significantly further back than SHSU on the field talent wise. We do have better facilities and infrastructure as of now the SHSU

This season will be telling. IF UD goes 10 an 1 with several new players making ALL CAA or all Americans than I would feel better. Another 7-4 or 8-3 would be a call for concern.

[Bluewyn Gold]

Sam Houston was a constant FCS top 5 team before moving up to CONF USA and was competitive yet struggled, they at least put up a fight in most games.

Don't disagree with anything you wrote; however, let's remember that Jacksonville State came in right away and did not struggle.

Being competitive early is NOT outside of our reach, but it is going to take more than just off-the-field investments. Coaching and recruiting matters. On-the-field results in 2024 - not just wins - will matter tremendously, as will building momentum going into the next off-season.

There are no guarantees, but we CAN do this.

[hensfan40yrs]

Sam Houston was a constant FCS top 5 team before moving up to CONF USA and was competitive yet struggled, they at least put up a fight in most games.

Don't disagree with anything you wrote; however, let's remember that Jacksonville State came in right away and did not struggle.

Being competitive early is NOT outside of our reach, but it is going to take more than just off-the-field investments. Coaching and recruiting matters. On-the-field results in 2024 - not just wins - will matter tremendously, as will building momentum going into the next off-season.

There are no guarantees, but we CAN do this.

Jax State has a proven coach in Rich Rod which makes a huge difference.

[Info Hound]

All I know, is that the opponents are going to be so much more fun to anticipate and see.

I think we all watched SHSU's start last year, and thought: "what a disaster". As noted, there were a lot of close games, and they finished winning 3 out of the last 4. Good for them.

Keep the faith, we'll make this work. As even an apparent naysayer said here, we had no choice but to make the move. I'm glad we did.

[Hengrad07]

All I know, is that the opponents are going to be so much more fun to anticipate and see.

I think we all watched SHSU's start last year, and thought: "what a disaster". As noted, there were a lot of close games, and they finished winning 3 out of the last 4. Good for them.

Keep the faith, we'll make this work. As even an apparent naysayer said here, we had no choice but to make the move. I'm glad we did.

A “disaster”?

Sammy was only “blown” out in 1 game 38-7 by Houston. They lost to the 2 top CUSA teams (Jax St 35-28 in OT) & (Liberty 21-16 & Sammy had the ball inside the red zone when time ran out).

Other losses:
BYU - 14-0;
AFA - 13-3;
NMSU - 27-13;
FIU - 33-27 2OT;
UTEP - 37-34; and
WKU - 28-23.

We can only hope UD is in most of the CUSA games in ‘25! Now, will the schedule makers, take it “easy” on UD & MSU in 25?

[hensfan40yrs]

All I know, is that the opponents are going to be so much more fun to anticipate and see.

I think we all watched SHSU's start last year, and thought: "what a disaster". As noted, there were a lot of close games, and they finished winning 3 out of the last 4. Good for them.

Keep the faith, we'll make this work. As even an apparent naysayer said here, we had no choice but to make the move. I'm glad we did.

A “disaster”?

Sammy was only “blown” out in 1 game 38-7 by Houston. They lost to the 2 top CUSA teams (Jax St 35-28 in OT) & (Liberty 21-16 & Sammy had the ball inside the red zone when time ran out).

Other losses:
BYU - 14-0;
AFA - 13-3;
NMSU - 27-13;
FIU - 33-27 2OT;
UTEP - 37-34; and
WKU - 28-23.

We can only hope UD is in most of the CUSA games in ‘25! Now, will the schedule makers, take it “easy” on UD & MSU in 25?

not sure you can sugarcoat 9 losses

[Info Hound]

Started 0-8, didn't they?

Who wouldn't call that a disaster of a start?

As mentioned, there were a lot of close losses, but finished strong. Good for them.

[Big R]

Good piece by KT. Was hoping to see some mention of the Phase 2 building initiative.

[Hengrad07]

Started 0-8, didn't they?

Who wouldn't call that a disaster of a start?

As mentioned, there were a lot of close losses, but finished strong. Good for them.

In 2025, we’ll throw out the early W vs D2 DSU & lets see how things go (I’m saving these last 2 posts).

We can only hope it’s not a “disaster” & the Hens win at least 4 games not counting D2 DSU. Probably wins vs MO State U & KSU.

Sammy in Huntsville to open up the CUSA schedule???