I can assure you players to not get deterred from this website. Maybe fuel to the fire but never will it sway a decision to go to this university or not. The winning culture (compared to the past) and the upgrades to facilities, uniforms, academics and of course.....campus is the deciding factor. I took 5 visits in 2001; University of Kentucky, University of Arkansas, University of Nebraska, University of Louisville and Ohio University. Those other school's campuses could not even compare to OU. My favorite college football movie at the time was "The Program" with Craig Sheffer as Joe Kane and Omar Epps as Darnell Jefferson. Seeing the college campus at OU reminded me of that movie and I fell in love with OU.
I got a PM from a parent this week, and he said that parents do indeed find and read this forum during the recruiting process. When they see the non-stop negativity and criticism of the coaching staff, it makes them question their decision to come to Ohio. It is not a deciding factor, however, just something that raises questions and concerns.
In the end the recruited players and parents evaluate the coaches themselves, their character, and their approach to developing players. In his case, he and his son decided that the Ohio coaching staff was a plus, and he is now enrolled. They feel that the Ohio staff does an outstanding job of making players into the best that they can be, both on and off the field, and that in addition to player development, there is a focus on getting a quality education, and on developing integrity and building character.