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A defining moment (year) for Coach Fran I despise an overzealous Aggie critic more than the next guy. The pessimistic variety is even more unnerving. This time, however, I think they may have a point. “Fran must win” – and now! Since taking over for the Aggies, Coach Fran has an overall record of 16-19, 10-14 in the Big12, 0-6 vs Texas and OU (average losing score of 45-20) and has been beaten soundly (38-7 by Tennessee) in his only bowl game. When making 2 million a year as the football coach at Texas A&M, that’s simply unacceptable. Aggies, like anyone else I suppose, expect results from their investments. When that investment involves football, it’s even more important. Add in Coach Fran’s reputation as the 2-year turnaround master and you can see why restlessness grows as the capital shrinks to begin year 4. The trend should certainly be up, especially when the assets of Aggieland are tabulated: A recruiting hot-bed – the 40,000 + student campus is a short commute from the major metropolitan cities in Texas; Top-notch athletic facilities; A small, friendly, sports-minded culture – Bryan/College Station - mirrors the citizens of the state of Texas; The best student support in the country - roughly 2/3rds of the enrollment attend (filling up all three decks of the East-side stands) each and every home game; Kyle Field - one of the best game-day atmospheres in all of college football and unmatched in the Big12; Excellent academic support – and an education that provides tremendous opportunity (especially among the state’s Aggie Network) upon graduation; A superb alumni group – The 12th Man – that’s one of the more supportive in all of college football; Football history and tradition – one of the nation’s best teams in the decade of the 90’s…… While things seem at a low point and you may have that burning urge to sell, I’d just remind and ask the question - when is the best time to buy? It wasn’t that long (actually less than a year ago) that Mack Brown was considered – by many Longhorns - to be a great recruiter, but a “terrible game-day coach.” His winless string against OU had grown to 5 (with two of those being 65-13 and 63-14 losses), he’d never won a championship of any kind, and then it happened – the national championship. Now he’s thought of – by most – to be a great recruiter who’s a smart football coach. This year, Fran has his players healthy and in place, probably the best offensive line, including tight ends, that A&M’s had in over a decade, a gutsy leader with loads of talent in Stephen McGee, explosive talent in the backfield (especially with Michael Goodson in the fold) and a renewed enthusiasm and attitude, with a new system and new coaches, amongst the players on defense. Yes, it could be the time to buy. For Fran, it’s sure to be a defining moment. |