New Mexico State fired coach Hal Mumme after he won just 11 games in four seasons.
What I didn't realize was that, shoot, five of those wins came against Div. I-AA teams ... that's kind of shameful.
It's time for a change at NMSU and one guy who could get a look is former NMSU player Kerry Locklin. Fresno State's defensive line coach is one of the more exciting guys to be around during practices as he encourages his players in colorful ways. But he gets what he wants from them: effort and respect.
Locklin continually has made the best of shortages at defensive line and has not gotten the opportunity to be defensive coordinator at Fresno State.
One has to wonder if he should explore bigger opportunities at his alma mater ...
WHOA!!!
I missed something. Is Pat Hill definitely leaving?
I saw where he flew to check to Washington but your column sounds like he is gone.
Coach is my favorite Coach (Except for Chris Peterson)
Bob Quinly
Fruitland, Idaho
Bronco Nation
The Fresno Bee is trying to push him out, Bob Q. They've had an agenda against Pat Hill for quite some time now- and it's quickly becoming apparent in their writings & publications.
Pat Hill is a top notch coach, too bad the valley is giving him such a hard time, (or maybe its just the BEE) Anyway, send him up here to Washington! The Huskies need his leadership, I know he could turn this program around, and would be appreciated very much! Pat Hill is a winner.
So Fresno State finishes ahead of only 3 schools (Utah State, New Mexico State and Idaho) in the final WAC standings this year, and now 2 of those 3 schools have fired their head coaches! Ouch.
Gentlemen:
As keeps happening when it comes to Pat Hill, there are statements such as, "Pat Hill is a top notch coach . . ." and "The Fresno Bee is trying to push him out . . ." that are considerably more fiction than fact.
There may have been a time prior to 2005 when Pat Hill excited the Bulldog fan base with quaint sayings and football teams that did relatively well, but the results consistently fell short of the hype, as Matt James wrote (more or less).
As any careful analysis of the results of the Fresno State football team since 2005 will show, Pat Hill is being paid "big money" ($1,250,000 per year, and about 2.5 the average compensation of a WAC head football coach), and has produced these results:
9-11 in the WAC versus teams not named Utah State, New Mexico State, and Idaho.
In the last three years, 10-7 at home with five wins versus the aforementioned WAC teams, and a win versus Sacramento State. Of the remaining four wins, only two were versus teams with winning records.
This year, with the 91st weakest schedule (of 120) in the country, a 7-5 record and only a 58-yard field goal and a missed two point conversion away from being 5-7.
This year, 4-4 in the WAC (tied for fifth with San Jose), with only one win versus the top five teams in the WAC.
Prior to last Friday night, an average losing margin versus Boise (on their field) of 29 points per game. After Friday, the average margin is now 34+ points per game.
Since 2005, four wins (Div 1 opponents) versus teams with winning records (as of the season's end). Depending on how Rutgers does the rest of the way, the total could move to five.
According to rivals.com, the preeminent evaluator of college recruits, Fresno State's 2008 recruiting class was 95th out of less than 120 "Division 1" teams. This is on about a par with Army. Meanwhile, Boise State's recruiting class was comparable to several Pac-10 schools, including Cal.
Three consecutive losses to Boise State and Hawaii. In the last four years, 2-2 versus LA Tech and Nevada.
Finally, keep in mind that, according to Pat Hill, this year's football team was his best ever, a prime candidate for a BCS bowl, and, if "everything fell right," a national championship.
Forget winning the WAC, we can even finish second!
In the business world, we would characterize Hill's football results for the last four years as "Over-promise and under-delivery."
Granted that Washington is winless this year, but they did play the sixth most difficult schedule in the country. Just exactly how is Pat Hill going to make Washington competitive in the Pac-10 when, with a considerably weaker schedule, he is barely over .500? (Not to mention that Hill will not have three "gimmee wins" every year.)
It is OK to be loyal to Par Hill for whatever reason, or for no reason. Just don't make statements that are not borne out by the recent (last four football seasons) results.