Hard to fathom the different trajectory of Oregon and Purdue football sine 2009, a time when the programs were similar. Both had a long history of not very good football, both had some recent success under a coach that had retired the prior season, both had new coaches. The teams were essentially even on the field both the year before (an overtime loss for Purdue at Purdue) and in 2009 (a two-point loss for Purdue at the end.)
Since that time, one team has gone to three Rose Bowls, two national championship games, a Fiesta Bowl and had a Heisman winner. The other team? Not so much.
Some one will read this and think or respond "Nike money." I would suggest Nike does not have enough money to solve Danny Hope and, at least so far, Darrell Hazell. Coaching matters, player identification and development matters. (Marcus Mariotta's other offer was Memphis and he was the 123rd rated quarterback.
Maybe today becomes a turning point. I certainly hope so. Right now I am in East Lansing, Gameday on campus, national attention. (I am here due to a family connection.) But I wish I was at Purdue in the midst of another two game Oregon series that had meaning.
Boiler Up! Go Ducks!
Since that time, one team has gone to three Rose Bowls, two national championship games, a Fiesta Bowl and had a Heisman winner. The other team? Not so much.
Some one will read this and think or respond "Nike money." I would suggest Nike does not have enough money to solve Danny Hope and, at least so far, Darrell Hazell. Coaching matters, player identification and development matters. (Marcus Mariotta's other offer was Memphis and he was the 123rd rated quarterback.
Maybe today becomes a turning point. I certainly hope so. Right now I am in East Lansing, Gameday on campus, national attention. (I am here due to a family connection.) But I wish I was at Purdue in the midst of another two game Oregon series that had meaning.
Boiler Up! Go Ducks!
