These guys get it

[rrlbees]

During our tailgate, we had 4 visitors, AD Coyle and 3 of his assistants, John Cunningham, Kevin Vanderzee, and Jason Poles. They stayed for about 20 minutes talking to fans and encouraging people that if we had suggestions about attendance or anything else to contact them because they are looking for solutions and will find those solutions. They then visited some other tailgates.

Then in between the 1st and 2nd quarter I went out to get a soda, and who do I see in the concourse? Coyle and Cunningham talking to fans.

These guys get it. Their attention is on the average joe fan. TGD would have been in the ADs box schmoozing with some big wig trying to squeeze them for a large donation or being Mr. LA amongst his minions.

Coyle and his staff are one of us. They want this program to prosper for us regular joes.

 

[KellySyracuse]

During our tailgate, we had 4 visitors, AD Coyle and 3 of his assistants, John Cunningham, Kevin Vanderzee, and Jason Poles. They stayed for about 20 minutes talking to fans and encouraging people that if we had suggestions about attendance or anything else to contact them because they are looking for solutions and will find those solutions. They then visited some other tailgates.

Then in between the 1st and 2nd quarter I went out to get a soda, and who do I see in the concourse? Coyle and Cunningham talking to fans.

These guys get it. Their attention is on the average joe fan. TGD would have been in the ADs box schmoozing with some big wig trying to squeeze them for a large donation or being Mr. LA amongst his minions.

Coyle and his staff are one of us. They want this program to prosper for us regular joes.

this is evident during the game, no more of the same old same old we've seen for the past 10 years. The band played for just about the entire game and we didn't have to suffer through 17 promotions along with the outdated music. And no kiss cam today, praise the good lord jesus christ

 

[Halfmooncuse]

Bring back the wave. That'll get the locals back.LOL

 

[Scooch]

Great to hear. Coyle's going to great things for SU.

 

[KellySyracuse]

Bring back the wave. That'll get the locals back.LOL

it's posts like this one that piss me off. Were you there today? It was about 95 with the humidity and it was a 4 hour game. Here bees states something positive about the new AD and I back it up with the in game experience. And then some jackhole chooses to take a shot at the locals. Nice to live in glass houses

 

[OrangeMaine]

Agreed. He gets it. Stopped in a box I was in last week with his wife to say hello. This is something gross never did. Refreshing to see and feel that we are in good hands going forward. Its the simple things like this that will go a long way.

 

[Halfmooncuse]

it's posts like this one that piss me off. Were you there today? It was about 95 with the humidity and it was a 4 hour game. Here bees states something positive about the new AD and I back it up with the in game experience. And then some jackhole chooses to take a shot at the locals. Nice to live in glass houses

Some people on this board have a little thin skin. No shot intended. its humor ! I drove 300 miles to be at this game. We lose a great home field advantage when half the place is not filled. QBs and linemen cant hear sinals, SU players get pumped. Some jackhole took a shot at the kisscam. I thought that was funny. How many so called fans will be selling their tickets to LSU fans to make a buck. Why don't you take your wrath and comments out on them. Save your piss for them.

 

[KellySyracuse]

Some people on this board have a little thin skin. No shot intended. its humor ! I drove 300 miles to be at this game. We lose a great home field advantage when half the place is not filled. QBs and linemen cant hear sinals, SU players get pumped. Some jackhole took a shot at the kisscam. I thought that was funny. How many so called fans will be selling their tickets to LSU fans to make a buck. Why don't you take your wrath and comments out on them. Save your piss for them.

your first comment in this thread was not only uncalled for but had zero to do with the original intent of this thread and your follow up to me shows the same. What is your point exactly?

 

[KellySyracuse]

Some people on this board have a little thin skin. No shot intended. its humor ! I drove 300 miles to be at this game. We lose a great home field advantage when half the place is not filled. QBs and linemen cant hear sinals, SU players get pumped. Some jackhole took a shot at the kisscam. I thought that was funny. How many so called fans will be selling their tickets to LSU fans to make a buck. Why don't you take your wrath and comments out on them. Save your piss for them.

start an attendance thread, we don't have enough of those yet.

 

[kirbivore]

During our tailgate, we had 4 visitors, AD Coyle and 3 of his assistants, John Cunningham, Kevin Vanderzee, and Jason Poles. They stayed for about 20 minutes talking to fans and encouraging people that if we had suggestions about attendance or anything else to contact them because they are looking for solutions and will find those solutions. They then visited some other tailgates.

Then in between the 1st and 2nd quarter I went out to get a soda, and who do I see in the concourse? Coyle and Cunningham talking to fans.

These guys get it. Their attention is on the average joe fan. TGD would have been in the ADs box schmoozing with some big wig trying to squeeze them for a large donation or being Mr. LA amongst his minions.

Coyle and his staff are one of us. They want this program to prosper for us regular joes.

And Jake would chain smoke during games

 

[KaiserUEO]

it's posts like this one that piss me off. Were you there today? It was about 95 with the humidity and it was a 4 hour game. Here bees states something positive about the new AD and I back it up with the in game experience. And then some jackhole chooses to take a shot at the locals. Nice to live in glass houses

you really had to work hard to miss that joke...

 

[PoppyHart]

I thought TGD got an A+ from most everyone here? Only a few realized that he ruined the athletic program from day one.

 

[rrlbees]

I thought TGD got an A+ from most everyone here? Only a few realized that he ruined the athletic program from day one.

He does get an A+ for some things he got done. But football attendance and interest isn't one of them.

 

[PoppyHart]

He does get an A+ for some things he got done. But football attendance and interest isn't one of them.

Nor is compliance, ethics, judgment, attention to detail, public relations, consideration of out of town donors, etc...

The guy was an abomination from day one. Half this board wanted to knight him, and he ruined the program. The 10 years he was here was worse than any decade in quite some time, and the future he left was bleaker.

 

[kirbivore]

I thought TGD got an A+ from most everyone here? Only a few realized that he ruined the athletic program from day one.

His biggest plus was not screwing up getting SU into the ACC. Jake C. fumbled that with his reluctant attitude that could be summed up with "I guess if Miami goes we have to go." Just going along for the ride and not fighting for a spot. Townie's BC bros lied cheated and stole to escape Mike T.'s dying Big East.

 

[oldpinepoint]

Just as an idea but why don't we start another forum strictly on ideas and the fan experience. That way it's easier for the AD's office to look at all of this

 

[bballbeadle]

this is evident during the game, no more of the same old same old we've seen for the past 10 years. The band played for just about the entire game and we didn't have to suffer through 17 promotions along with the outdated music. And no kiss cam today, praise the good lord jesus christ

Kelly, you're right! I didn't really notice because I'm busy talking during the time outs and the screen isn't right in my face as it is during basketball games, where I feel we are much more of a captive audience. Interesting to see if this holds during the sport switchover. I predicted we wouldn't see the kiss cam. (Yes. I am psychic.) I wonder if we'll NEVER see it again? We saw lots and lots of dancing fans, especially kids, and it lifted my spirits, especially when there didn't seem much to dance about.

 

[Pearl309]

Just as an idea but why don't we start another forum strictly on ideas and the fan experience. That way it's easier for the AD's office to look at all of this

Yes. Bump

 

[OttosBestFriend]

Two things...

1. While I live 1,000+ miles away, I was at a handful of SU games over the past decade and numerous times I had the opportunity to chat with Dr. Gross who proved more than engaging. I spoke with him at the Final Four in Atlanta, the 2011 or 2012 Big East Tournament in NYC and on the Quad prior to Wake Forest vs. SU football in 2013 and each time, he was genuinely interested in what I was saying and appreciative of my fandom. You can hate him for any reasons you all choose, but to say he didn't interact with regular fans is false.

2. Anyone who wants to improve "game day atmosphere" at the Dome should look into the lighting. It is the drabbest, dreariest dome in America on football days. Oddly eneough, the Carrier Dome seems to be lit well for basketball with it's bright hardwood floor and night sky enhancing the lights... BUT the afternoon lighting with the dark green turf (not capable of reflecting light like the basketball floor) and daytime sky above the gray bubble roof is AWFUL. It's like being in a basement... A stuffy, hot basement with 1980s track lighting and 4 of the 10 bulbs burned out.

 

[Orangello]

Coyle was a great hire and will fix FB. That is job #1 and he has been very clear about that.

 

[PAcuse]

Gross did a lot of great things for SU. Look at our non football teams, most are having some of there best seasons in years or even ever. He might have overpaid for some of the coaches as we seem to be paying bottom prices for football assistants. Gross's first head coach hire in football set this team years back. I thank Gross for what he did with non Football teams. Coyle has a big job ahead of him and I feel like he is the man to do it.

 

[cusefan88]

I'll always remember going to Drumlins to help set up for an SU women's tennis match and Gross was playing...completely unaware the women's team was about to play.

He had to end his match.

 

[rrlbees]

Two things... 1. While I live 1,000+ miles away, I was at a handful of SU games over the past decade and numerous times I had the opportunity to chat with Dr. Gross who proved more than engaging. I spoke with him at the Final Four in Atlanta, the 2011 or 2012 Big East Tournament in NYC and on the Quad prior to Wake Forest vs. SU football in 2013 and each time, he was genuinely interested in what I was saying and appreciative of my fandom. You can hate him for any reasons you all choose, but to say he didn't interact with regular fans is false.

I too have chatted with Gross on a few occasions. Each time he was very engaging. I didn't say he didn't interact with regular fans when he happened to meet someone. But random bumps in my mind is not the same as seeking out those regular fans. I never saw or heard of him stopping by average fan tailgates nor in all the years he was here did I ever seen him in the concourse talking to average fans.

 

[Pearl309]

I too have chatted with Gross on a few occasions. Each time he was very engaging. I didn't say he didn't interact with regular fans when he happened to meet someone. But random bumps in my mind is not the same as seeking out those regular fans. I never saw or heard of him stopping by average fan tailgates nor in all the years he was here did I ever seen him in the concourse talking to average fans.

In fairness, the football attendance was also never this bad, even last year.

 

[CuseCactus]

Coyle was a great hire and will fix FB. That is job #1 and he has been very clear about that.

I love the fresh perspective Coyle brings - coming from a school having no business doing well in football. Bad geography (read cold weather). No "history". Small population. Crappy conference. And yet Boise just went to the Fiesta Bowl - and won it.

It can be done. I went to that game. Fun and innovative offense, fun uni's. Lot's of fan interaction - and a big Boise contingent made the trip down to Arizona.

So, what are his impressions of the state of SU football this morning?

If I am Coyle, I am feeling great. Objectively, there really is no where to go but up. Tired dome, losing mentality, fading attendance, mediocre coaching - that's what he inherited. None of it happened on his watch.

So what does he do?

God willing, he may have a lightning in the bottle quarterback in Dungey (fingers and toes crossed). Maybe, just maybe, Dungey will be a program builder. Like Vick. Or RGIII. Someone to market SU Football around.

Maybe, just maybe, we get an updated Dome. Which will provide a refreshed image that suggests the future and is a draw to fans and recruits.

Finally, is Shafer the guy? If so, does he simply need more $$ for higher quality assistants? Or does he have the staff already in place to take it to the next level? Or.... is there someone out there better than Shafer, some up and comer? Who knows what's in Coyle's mind this morning.

Despite my deep frustration with the 2nd half yesterday, if you take a step back - I think it's going to be a great 10 years for SU football. Precisely because we have a new AD - unburdened by the past. And one who's been part of building something extraordinary before. Onwards and upwards. LGO