You misunderstood, or perhaps I wasn't clear. I meant last years sniff of glory and a big payday means nothing to the "settle for Chan and mediocrity" crowd. My point was-I give Chan credit for establishing that we can be a big time program again, we can swing for the fences, we can be competitive at the highest levels of NCAA football---we have all the ingredients now except coaching. But it is the fear of 2-10 that will keep us from 10-2 and perpetually at 7-5 and on the Smurf-Turf. And I don't have an alternative universe, Dick. Live long and prosper.
No, sorry, Dick, you are ****ed in the head and living in an alternate universe when you can compare a program that hasn't had a losing season in 11 years, made it to a bowl game in each of the past 10, won their division last year, was one score from a BCS bowl, and is two field goals from a Top Ten ranking this season to a milquetoast collaborating at the end of a gun barrel with his sadistic occupiers that have overrun his country.
As much as you'd like to pretend that O'Leary's teams were somehow superior and Gailey isn't measuring up, George's last two teams were sent west and had to beg their way into the Peach Bowl (only to get their ass kicked). The one time they finished first, they were sent to the Gator, not the Orange Bowl. And while they beat Georgia, they never could get past F$U.
I don't accept mediocrity, and this program isn't mediocre. In addition to the well-documented obstacles that Gailey has had to face, he's had a learning curve to overcome as well. I think they proved last year that they are turning the corner. Unfortunately, the next lesson always seems to be getting smacked in the mouth, because you've forgotten the focus that is required from the outset in order to maintain that level. Hewitt's team experienced it the year after the Final Four. Our football team hit the same wall against UVA & UMd.
But recruiting has taken a major upturn over the last few years. We finally have a solid OC in place. The DBs are starting to figure what kind of work is required. Our QB is gaining the necessary experience. We're loaded enough at TB that we can lose our top 2 and not feel like the game is already lost to a Top 20 team. We're trying to establish a solid base for long term success.
That includes continuity at HC. Frankly, I don't like Gailey's game plan, but looking back, it is very similar to Dodd's, who had a 4-6 and a 5-6 season in his first six years before going 59-7-3 over the next six.
