Well said both bshot44 and bobcat695. I agree.
I can remember the 1997-98 season like it was yesterday. It was Jim Grobe's third (3rd) year as HC for the Bobcats. For that matter, I can remember being in Peden during Jim Grobe's first season at Ohio when we beat Illinois State in Week 2 to break a 12 game losing streak during which the previous season we had went 0-11. I remember the students/fans rushing the field as the game ended. I can also remember the feeling of hope that perhaps Ohio now had a chance with a coach that could elevate the program. Back to that 8-3 season during Jim Grobe's third season, I was at Maryland in Week 2 when we beat the Terrapins and then listened to the radio broadcast the next week when we lost but went toe-to-toe with the 20th ranked Kansas State Wildcats losing 20-23. We then went 8-1 until we lost a brawl with Miami and were still in the hunt for the MAC East title when we went to Huntington the final week of the season to play eventual MAC East and MAC Champion Marshall. Actually, that game determined who won the MAC East that year. There was a huge Bobcat presence in the Joan that rainy/snowy cold afternoon. Even the 110 were present and put on a great show. There was also a certain buzz/excitement with Ohio fans realizing that for the first time in decades we were knocking on the door of once again being significant/relevant in football. In short, we had hope. Unfortunately, Marshall played that game with seven (7) players who would go on to play professional football (Chad Pennington, Randy Moss, Doug Chapman, John Wade, Rogers Beckett and John Grace). Even with the loss I left Huntington thinking that Ohio football was back. However more unfortunate was the fact that Jim Grobe left after the next season and then we were got Brian Knoor and the program tanked along with any hope/buzz/excitement about the program. That hope stayed away until 2005 when Ohio hired Frank Solich.
I was in a sold-out and packed Peden on a Friday night when the Bobcats took on Pitt in a nationally televised game on ESPN. WOW pretty much sums up the feeling in the stadium that night, especially after Dion Byrum's pick-six to end the game in OT. I again had the opportunity to watch as the students/fans rushed the field. After that game there was no doubt that hope/buzz/excitement were back amongst the Ohio faithful. I realized that Coach Solich would need time and resources to build the program but thought we finally had our man to take the program to a higher level. Because of that hope, I was willing to give Coach time to get us there and to increase my support for the program. However, after 14 years that hope is gone. As bshot44 is fond of stating, "wash, rinse, repeat". I stated early this season that I no longer have faith that Frank Solich can elevate the program any further. I still have that feeling.
We play in the MAC East which is one of if not the weakest division in FBS football. We also play a watered down schedule which pretty much guarantees at least a six (6), seven (7) or eight (8) win season but no MACC or national ranking.
I posted earlier in another thread figures which showed that Ohio spends the most in the MAC to fund its football program. I have no problem with that and would actually argue for increasing the spending if it would help us get a MACC and perhaps a New Year's day bowl game. After all, two (2) MAC teams have been able to achieve that goal (Western Michigan and Northern Illinois). If they can accomplish that level while spending less than we were/are, then why can we not achieve the same?
I have a feeling that there are other Bobcat faithful who feel the same way. Attendance/season ticket sales are down and are trending further in that direction. Traffic on this Board is down as people tend to stay away. In short and at least for me, hope is gone.
I appreciate what Coach Solich has brought to the program, but I just do no see him and his current staff elevating this program any further. I would have loved to see what Jim Grobe could have done with the resources/support we now throw at the football program.
Just like bobcat 695, not only am I staying away to a great extent from this Board, I am also channeling my giving/support of this program to something else. I dropped my normal season tickets and giving to the OBC this year. I did buy a Family package after listening to a sales pitch from the good people in the ticket office. I did this not because I could not afford my previous level of giving but because I no longer believe or have hope with this program. To me, fourteen (14) years speaks for itself.
Just my $.02.
Sounds like our 1997-98 season was a similar one, ha! I too was at Maryland to see them ruin the debut of "Get on the VanderBus"/Ron Vanderlinden era. Actually watched K-State/OU on some sort of local broadcast in Athens. We had house party on Hocking St and I can still see that 55-yard Grammatica FG to beat us in the end. Sadly, I did not go to Hawaii, ha! But we also did road trips to Akron, EMU and Marshall that year. That Herd game was a lot of fun ... great college atmosphere. But the 22-0 beatdown wasn't as enjoyable. Still, it was a magical year going 8-3. Was the first time we actually tailgated Bobcat football at what is now Tailgreat Park. I can remember telling friends "This is my last year at OU and we've sucked at football for three of them ... I'm tailgating every home game this year no matter what! I want to experience tailgating before I leave Athens" ... so we did. It was great.
A far cry from my freshman year when I was one of those students who rushed the field after the Illinois St win. First time I ever tore down a goal post, ha!
Anyhow ... glad you found some validity in my post.
And one thing I want to point out in your response ... at no point did it say FIRE FRANK. I just want to make that clear. Because you know you'll get the people out there that say "Ok ... you're not happy ... just send your money to the AD so they can fire him"
Clowns.
I don't think anyone is saying FIRE FRANK. I just think there is a groundswell of fans that have accepted this is the peak of the Solich era. A few 9 win bowl seasons sprinkled in with a few MAC title game appearances. Just one in the last 7 years to be exact. But we'll never get over that hump.
Totally respect and appreciate what Frank has done ... and in no way, shape or form thinks the school should fire him. We just accept the reality for what it is.
Others choose to bathe in those glorious 7.5-5.35 waters of 58% success like it's some magical elixir.
So be it.
To each their own.
Either way, I'm still supporting the team as I have for the past 20+ years ... but I too did not buy season tickets this year mainly because of the MAC and their scheduling process. I told the Ohio ticket rep who called me the same thing. I know Ohio has little control on the Saturday home game situation ... but until that's rectified, I can't justify spending money on season tickets when i could only attend two home games this year (was out of town for homecoming). As much as I hate Ohio not scheduling quality out-of-conference home games, I hate the MAC more for ruining college football Saturdays in late October/November.
I have my plane flight and hotel booked for Frisco .... keeping my ever-loving Bobcat fingers crossed that we get the Frisco Bowl.
But who are we kidding ... I just hate Ohio football and I enjoy watching them lose. Well, that's at least the sentiment of some on this glorious message board.