There are many things going for DM and staff here at SU. It is almost a perfect storm. Many of these coaches are younger guys with young families. I know that many have stated that they like the area and are wanting to keep their families put. We are already recruiting young Wheatly in 2015. Kid has the size and pedigree. There really seems to be a brotherhood on the hill and these guy's have the potential to turn out some very special things as far as coaching the game. It is a very young and very bright staff.
Second, the program is at a precipice. We are going into a new league, we are in the process of upgrading facilities, recruiting is improving majorly with pipelines begin built yet not yet where it needs to be, fans starting to come back, starting to get national media for good reasons not bad, etc... I think DM is aware of this and won't jump unless we are all the way back meaning top 25 or even 15 year in and year out.
Third, you got to look at DM's greatest influences; Coach Mac. He has gone on the record about the fact that he regrets making the jump to the NFL. I know that DM has had success at that level, but there is a huge difference between NFL and college with each offering pro's and con's. One of DM's greatest passions is developing the person and then the player as he was under coach Mac. The NFL doesn't really offer this.
Fourth, I think we saw DM find enjoyment in the game this year. He was able to finally start to let go of the reigns a bit and become more of a CEO (he will never be a fully CEO kind of coach). It is very taxing to feel like you are having to carry all the weight, it is very relieving when you can feel that you can allow others to carry the burden. Again, there is a "band of brothers" being built on the hill.
Fiftieth, SU is ponying up to pay the staff to keep them around. Also ponying up to get the facilities built that we need to be on a more national level.
Sixth, believe in the binder. It is exciting to develop a business model, it is even more exciting to see that baby start to grow. DM is not the type of guy to start something and not finish.
Seventh, we are blazing a new trial into a new conference. I think it means a lot to these old BE teams to prove that the the only thing better about the two conferences was the incompetence of in charge of the conferences and not the teams playing on the field.
I don't believe DM is going to jump in the next few years. I can't make the call if he is going to be a lifer. I think like JB, when he decides it's his time and it's what is best for him and his, he will take his next step in life.
