Does Negative Fan Speak Really Impact Recruiting?

by SouthernMan on Jan 20, 2010 6:02 AM CST Comment 29 comments

From Dandy Don: "If Hunter does sign with another school, I believe it will be because of all the negative talk on message boards concerning LSU offensive coordinator Gary Crowton and the quarterback situation."

Some of you may or may not put a lot of stock in what Don says. I tend to find his 'information' to be pretty solid and sometimes I agree with his opinion, sometimes I don't.

I do believe, as I have said many times, and been ridiculed for, that recruits read the blogs of their respective teams and while they may not make their decisions only based on what they read it can't help but effect their thinking.

If I knew nothing about LSU and I started doing my homework via the internet I'm sure I would come to the conclusion that Les Miles won the opportunity to coach the team on a game show and that Gary Crowton takes stupid pills every morning.

I think that all of you knowledgeable ATVS guys need to counter this culture and support this staff, they have done a great job at running this program and are close to getting us back to Championship Level, IMHO, but if we keep burning down the village to try to smoke out the imaginary village idiot we ARE GOING to destroy the village!

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I REPEAT

Like many Tiger fans, I was extremely upset with some things that happened this season with the football team. I thought the team should’ve done better, and maybe it would have with better coaching. However, I’ve now had time to sit and reflect on the season. And, I’ve made a 180 degree change in my thinking. A 9-4 record and an appearance in the best bowl, other than BCS Bowls, is something to be proud of as most teams would give anything to do as well. Further, a top 10 recruiting class in the making and the addition of two very good coaches to the coaching staff give me hope for the future. Finally, I’ve put aside my anger towards Les Miles and Gary Crowton. One thing that helped change my mind was watching Nick Saban at a press conference before the National Championship Game. A reporter asked Saban if he was having “fun”, and Saban looked at him as if to say “you’ve got to be crazy.” The message Saban conveyed to me through his body language was that coaching an SEC team is one of the most demanding jobs on this planet. It was at that point that I realized just how much pressure these coaches are under 24/7/365. Sure, they make a lot of money, but I think they earn it (just having to put up with fans like me).

I guess what I’m trying to say is that all the negativity being generated by the fans regarding the LSU football team is not going to do any good. In fact, it could be very harmful to recruiting and keeping coaches, who have given us a great football program the last few years. So, I say at this point let all true Tiger fans make a resolution to support the administration, the coaches, and the players. As LSU fans, we have a lot to do with making the football program a great one and that’s what we ought to strive for all the time. I’ve never known negativity to achieve any good, but positive attitudes can accomplish anything.

by Caliguy55 on Jan 20, 2010 12:22 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Make it a fanpost..

or I’m afraid you may face bannage (hint hint).

What's up Ryan? ARGHHHHHH!!! oops. ~ Patrick Chewing

by Mikeno on Jan 20, 2010 3:57 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

hint indeed

Dont make me tell you again, buddy

Managing Editor/Chief Lackey-And The Valley Shook

by PodKATT on Jan 20, 2010 5:24 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Ok Cali

I appreciate your position and turn around, I am a staunch supporter of Les Miles myself and I obviously agree that the negativity is not helpful.

BUT you have posted this same comment at least 20 times now.

PLEASE come up with new and original comments and post them, even if you are trying to convey the same message, because THIS one is OLD and it IS NOT Helpful anymore!!

GEAUX TIGERS!!!

by SouthernMan on Jan 20, 2010 1:34 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

I..

have a hard time believing that the recruits themselves peruse forums like ATVS and the heavily discussed TD.com for their information. Their family or friends, possibly. It would be foolish though to base their college years off of what someone says on a message board; of the many reasons to attend a particular institution I can’t believe that one reason should be taken seriously.

Also the primary function of a message board community is to discuss all things concerning that particular community, good with the bad. Though the negative (for the sake of being negative) poster’s and sunshine pumpers alike often times contribute nothing to the discussion.

If we are to turn our message boards entirely into “happy thoughts,” it no longer serves it’s purpose as a message board and now becomes an online cheerleading squad.

I do think that the name-calling of recruits needs to cease though. That’s totally classless.

What's up Ryan? ARGHHHHHH!!! oops. ~ Patrick Chewing

by Mikeno on Jan 20, 2010 3:55 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

I am not saying

they make their decision based solely on the message boards but you have to know that the chat and text culture of high school kids will lead them to find out about their team/school from the internet and that will lead them directly to forums like ATVS and TD.com. You can’t really believe otherwise, can you?

Now, if they follow (any) Bama’s board (for example) will they find criticisms? Yes. Will they discuss all things Bama, good or bad? Yes. But what will their impression be of the fans, coach and school by virtue of the comments found? Loyal, god, heaven.

Now, if they follow tigerdroppings.com (Lord help us) for a week what will their impressions be of fans, coach, school? Crazy AND angry, Forest Gump meets Mr. Rogers, and Party School.

If they should be fortunate enough to find ATVS and follow ONLY ATVS they will get a more balanced view but I must say, being one of the most supportive of Miles and company, that the positive view is not very welcomed even here.

As you yourself pointed out, ever since Ole Miss most people (CaliGuy notwithstanding) don’t even respond to me or communicate with me.

Am I really so bad?

I think we should discuss all things like recruiting (i.e. decommitment of Hunter) for example but that became ‘another example’ of how bad ‘this coaching staff’ manages everything.

If you want to believe recruits don’t see, follow or listen to any of this stuff then knock yourself out but I think you could be VERY wrong!

GEAUX TIGERS!!!

by SouthernMan on Jan 20, 2010 4:34 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

So with that line of thought do you also think that recruits that do come to the site also participate annonymously?

You would have to reason that if all these recruits do visit hypothetically…then one or two must be members on one teams sites………so if so ……………..come out of the woodworks secret members who also are high school football players with a good chance to going to [insert school] and introduce yourself and end this mystery once and for all!

by The Voice of Reason on Jan 21, 2010 10:11 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I guess this is as good of a time as any

to admit that my real name is Lache Seastrunk. Right now I would say I’m SLIGHTLY leaning towards LSU, but…Oregon is making a push. It’s hard to go to LSU with Crowton, when as soon as he left Oregon their offense improved dramatically.

by Ianoka on Jan 24, 2010 11:13 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Yes but the Love of you life is here at LSU

On second thought maybe that’s why you want to Oregon. :-)

Just a little something to think about, Crowton was great at Oregon, the decline year was the year Dixon got hurt and he had NO QB.

The next year with Dixon back and running Crowton’s offense the Ducks were unstoppable so it wasn’t the absence of the wizard but the presence of a QB.

We’ll have one of the best in the conference in 2010.

Plus, do you really want to go to ‘Armed Robbery’ U?

GEAUX TIGERS!!!

by SouthernMan on Jan 25, 2010 7:23 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

that should be

Love of your life

GEAUX TIGERS!!!

by SouthernMan on Jan 25, 2010 7:24 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Also Mr. Strunk,

How do you think Oregon will do with Masoli in jail?

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/332201-robbery-and-muggings-oh-my-just-whats-going-on-in-eugene

I could be wrong but I beleive Lache will be a Tiger and Trovon Reed will join him – just saying!!

GEAUX TIGERS!!!

by SouthernMan on Jan 25, 2010 7:41 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I am not saying they make their decision based solely on the message boards but you have to know that the chat and text culture of high school kids will lead them to find out about their team/school from the internet and that will lead them directly to forums like ATVS and TD.com. You can’t really believe otherwise, can you?

Perhaps some (potential recruits) do know of and have even read comments from some of these boards, but at the same time that (comments good and bad alike) doesn’t strike me as a significant deciding factor in these kids lives. I think too much credit is being given to us in swaying these kids.

Now, if they follow (any) Bama’s board (for example) will they find criticisms? Yes. Will they discuss all things Bama, good or bad? Yes. But what will their impression be of the fans, coach and school by virtue of the comments found? Loyal, god, heaven.

Now, if they follow tigerdroppings.com (Lord help us) for a week what will their impressions be of fans, coach, school? Crazy AND angry, Forest Gump meets Mr. Rogers, and Party School.

Hey man, I’ve glanced over Al.com and other Barn and Bammer forums (among other schools forums), and let me tell you, they could give some of the posters over at TD.com a run for their money. Winning and the direction of a program (perceived or realized) can coat a thin glaze over some of a program’s more maniacal base. How has Auburn and Alabama fared this recruiting cycle? The problem isn’t just the criticism of the program online, it is what’s causing said criticism. That is the bigger problem. I’ll hedge that by saying I still believe we are in pretty good shape currently, but there are serious concerns.

If they should be fortunate enough to find ATVS and follow ONLY ATVS they will get a more balanced view but I must say, being one of the most supportive of Miles and company, that the positive view is not very welcomed even here.

All rational viewpoints are welcome here. We’re just not interested in sugar-coating anything or conversely casting a shade of doom over everything. We’re more concerned about getting to the reality of things.

As you yourself pointed out, ever since Ole Miss most people (CaliGuy notwithstanding) don’t even respond to me or communicate with me.

Am I really so bad?

You really want my opinion? HAHA. I’m joking, you’re not THAT bad. You just rubbed a lot of us the wrong way at the most inopportune time by painting us as irrational. I think that is the worst thing you can call a poster at ATVS.

I think we should discuss all things like recruiting (i.e. decommitment of Hunter) for example but that became ‘another example’ of how bad ‘this coaching staff’ manages everything.

Agree and agreed. I don’t like how everything has become a referendum on the Miles staff. Of the troubles the staff has had at times on the recruiting trail the Hunter decommitment doesn’t come across to me as a mishap. I think it was played as well as can be.

If you want to believe recruits don’t see, follow or listen to any of this stuff then knock yourself out but I think you could be VERY wrong!

I have been convinced, but short of becoming fascist, what would you have the ones who monitor these boards do? I don’t think criticism should stifled, but the constant defaming (of coaches and recruits) does need to be done away with. It doesn’t help with anything.

What's up Ryan? ARGHHHHHH!!! oops. ~ Patrick Chewing

by Mikeno on Jan 21, 2010 10:14 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Perspective

a yahoo blog is posting abot a psu playerr thinking about trransferring because of negative fan speak. I think there may be some valid points to this. ABC reported today about teens spending 12 hours plus connected to some sort of electroinic device. This is a new age and kids may be a little more senstive to criticism, Look at our former QB clark. he was tweeting about all the fans speaking baout his legacy. These fans were debating about it on the internets.

"A good plan violently executed now is better than a perfect plan executed next week. "
George S Patton

by psu in the w-b on Jan 20, 2010 9:30 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Interesting..

but are there other outlying circumstances that would cause him to transfer?

What's up Ryan? ARGHHHHHH!!! oops. ~ Patrick Chewing

by Mikeno on Jan 21, 2010 10:16 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

i am sure there are. I am just syaing this may be part of the reason.

"A good plan violently executed now is better than a perfect plan executed next week. "
George S Patton

by psu in the w-b on Jan 21, 2010 7:25 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Any link to that article by chance?

Also, any link about the DClark dust up?

GEAUX TIGERS!!!

by SouthernMan on Jan 21, 2010 7:44 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

i am sorry for the tardiness just saw this now

http://www.blackshoediaries.com/2009/12/20/1210304/daryll-clark-is-aware-of-reality
http://www.blackshoediaries.com/2010/1/20/1261476/offseason-drama-begins

"A good plan violently executed now is better than a perfect plan executed next week. "
George S Patton

by psu in the w-b on Jan 23, 2010 9:26 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

one more if u need it

http://www.blackshoediaries.com/2010/1/11/1246218/adrian-coxson-i-decommited-from

"A good plan violently executed now is better than a perfect plan executed next week. "
George S Patton

by psu in the w-b on Jan 23, 2010 9:31 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Interesting..

but are there other outlying circumstances that would cause him to transfer?

What's up Ryan? ARGHHHHHH!!! oops. ~ Patrick Chewing

by Mikeno on Jan 21, 2010 10:15 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

POST FAIL!

What's up Ryan? ARGHHHHHH!!! oops. ~ Patrick Chewing

by Mikeno on Jan 21, 2010 10:15 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Mike

I think we are making progress here!

Again, I’m not saying it’s THE deciding factor and AGAIN I don’t rank ATVS (and never have) with Tigerdroppings and others (though we get our fair share of the Miles referendum crowd) but the negativity (which I believe is unjustified) surrounding the program can not be helpful.

When I was 17 there was no internet to learn about the schools and recruiting.

With the internet it is much easier and it has to leave some sort of impression.

In the end I would hope that the coaches, the team history and personal visits would mean a lot more but when you are choosing between the top 5 to 10 programs in the country then every little bit helps.

I for one want to make sure the good is posted as much or more than the bad, which is not easy here lately but that’s just me.

Bottom line, I’ll call a spade a spade and when Miles deserves criticism then so be it but he has not deserved the vast majority of what he has gotten, IMHO and I whole heartedly believe that the negativity will eventually take a toll on the program.

GEAUX TIGERS!!!

by SouthernMan on Jan 21, 2010 12:57 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

What we need

is the program to take a toll on the negativity. Win and most of it goes away………

by bcooper on Jan 21, 2010 4:49 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

The problem with that is that most of the negative folks

expect nothing less than perfection and that is very rare in CFB

9-4 with a NYD Bowl appearance is not a losing program.

I want better, I expect better and I believe we will be better but the constant badgering and bludgeoning does NO good.

GEAUX TIGERS!!!

by SouthernMan on Jan 21, 2010 6:18 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I think there is a difference between a team going 9-4 and looking good doing it...and our 9-4 season.

Cooper is right.

by LSU Jonno on Jan 22, 2010 9:39 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks

Jonno, you beat me to the exact reply I would have made. 8-5 last year and 9-4 this year against a poor out of conference schedule, coupled with the way we looked at times, even in wins, will not shut up the negativity. There should be no moral victories at LSU, but how you look should matter to fans and may very well matter to recruits as well.

by bcooper on Jan 22, 2010 2:34 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Well guys, the unforgiving nothing but winning pretty attitude

DOES have a negative impact so keep it up and maybe we’ll have something else in common with Nebraska soon.

I wonder if you guys are as perfect in your lives and jobs as you demand LSU coaches to be…?

I also wonder if you have accomplished a modicum of the success Les Miles and his top assistants…?

Just curious…?

GEAUX TIGERS!!!

by SouthernMan on Jan 22, 2010 3:14 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Come from behind

wins against Troy, Tulane and La Tech are not what we are looking for. You do understand that, don’t you? Alabama and Florida are both 2-0 against LSU the last 2 years. That’s not good. You do understnad that, don’t you?

I’m not asking for perfection, that is rairly attained (Alabma this year notwithstanding). But there were times on defense last year and offense this year where, even you I think would agree, we did not “look good”.

by bcooper on Jan 22, 2010 3:26 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Sure

there were also times that Florida and Alabama didn’t ‘look good’, including against us.

Alabama and Florida were the two best teams in the country and they beat us by 10 or less and both needed help from the Zebras.

Florida’s only touchdown was a farce and if PP had three feet (because apparently getting two feet in bounds is not enough) we would have had a pretty good chance of beating Bama.

For a team with a first year starting QB, an undersized and inexperienced OLine and Three of it’s top Three RBs injured by the end of the Bama game then you know what, I’d say we looked pretty darn good most of the time.

You want to blame Les for the Ole Miss loss, fine by me, he blamed himself so why shouldn’t we, but you know what, it meant NOTHING.

We were out of the West race because of Bama and a win would have put us in the Capital One Bowl.

If I’m not mistaken we played in the Capital One Bowl so I really don’t care what it looked like.

And if you think Les ‘cost’ us the CapOne bowl then you really don’t have a clue.

That was the sloppiest, muddiest, crappiest field I have ever stepped foot on, and I was there on the field.

Both teams had so many slips, falls, drops, fumbles, etc… The refs were so bad they had to stop the game for 10 minutes to figure out what fricking down it was.

So, we lost to a great team, with a SENIOR QB and a team that had played in such muck several times. By the way, the coach on the other sideline happens to own the most wins in regular season and in bowls of any DI coach EVER so its not like we lost to some sisters of the poor.

9 – 4 is 9 – 4 and continuing to beat the team/coach down over it makes LSU fans ‘look’ like over demanding delusional nuts.

GEAUX TIGERS!!!

by SouthernMan on Jan 22, 2010 6:43 PM CST reply actions 0 recs