...and as I was reminded often enough - a walkon program was also key under Grobe and Knorr.
It isn't about whose idea it is/was - they thing is that a walkon program does a lot for you. It adds a few good players, like Moore, Hastings, Notestine, Clark, Bales, etc, but the thing is that it becomes a key part of the culture. The culture is that the team gets ahead by everyone working hard, and working together. The walkons start without recognition, but they are welcomed as an important part of the team. Because they start at the bottom, they have to work harder than anyone, yet, by working hard, they can become a contributor, and earn a scholarship. Every year one or two players earn a scholarship. That reduces the number that are given to new recruits, of course, and therefore the "recruiting rankings", but the thing is, you know you are getting a good player, and a worthy one.
The thing I really love about Relentless is that rather than just seeing the drills, you see the culture, and the walkons are one aspect of the culture that you get a glimpse of. You see a new walkon, like Scipio, and you don't see the other players treating him like a glorified tackling dummy, or a second class citizen, which is how some schools treat walkons. Instead you see the other players welcoming him, and respecting him for working hard, and his willingness to do whatever is asked. That culture you see is the culture of a winner.