[Redrum]

TW was never a popular winner with the critics.  Had his fans,  but even back then the promotion of a Vikings running backs coach rather than established head coaches was controversial.  Leland was criticized for setting the bar too low,  for trying to hire on the cheap.  After his hiring  TW's record was dissected and reinterpreted numerous ways, seemingly to emphasize his losses (Liberty fiasco) and deconstruct his bowl win (Sun).  That great guy and marvelous companion Long Winded was an enthusiastic participant in this process.  Two 5-6 and one 3-8 seasons made sure TW never got clear of the critics...and neither did Ted Leland.

"It was a stupid belief that somehow, excellence in women's basketball (at the time, we were on our way to our 2nd national championship) and tennis somehow prevented excellence in football."

But during that time I never, ever heard anyone ragging on the women's basketball program.  Period.  The Leland critics never seemed anti- women's or "minor" sports,  it seemed it just bugged the hell out of them to see football "neglected" and seemingly run on the cheap.  I thought most people could compartmentalize the different issues pretty well.  The emphasis given to the Directors' Cups just seemed like political cover and a distraction from something they thought was really wrong with a bigger piece of the athletic program.

Edit add reply to garvin:  the issue isn't what Stanford has "always" done in hiring football coaches on the cheap.  The point was that at the time after  TWs hiring,  that was the substance of people's criticism.  (Along with not being a football advocate against an indifferent or even hostile administration.).    Regardless of the analysis you laid out, Leland was the target for the dissatisfaction in the direction of the football team.    And it bugged people and even made them suspect motives when the Sears Cups got emphasis (which they deserved)  while the football priorities seemed to be neglected.  i think I have accurately summarized that mindset prominent at the time.

[Redrum]

TW was never a popular winner with the critics.  Had his fans,  but even back then the promotion of a Vikings running backs coach rather than established head coaches was controversial.  Leland was criticized for setting the bar too low,  for trying to hire on the cheap.  After his hiring  TW's record was dissected and reinterpreted numerous ways, seemingly to emphasize his losses (Liberty fiasco) and deconstruct his bowl win (Sun).  That great guy and marvelous companion Long Winded was an enthusiastic participant in this process.  Two 5-6 and one 3-8 seasons made sure TW never got clear of the critics...and neither did Ted Leland.

"It was a stupid belief that somehow, excellence in women's basketball (at the time, we were on our way to our 2nd national championship) and tennis somehow prevented excellence in football."

But during that time I never, ever heard anyone ragging on the women's basketball program.  Period.  The Leland critics never seemed anti- women's or "minor" sports,  it seemed it just bugged the hell out of them to see football "neglected" and seemingly run on the cheap.  I thought most people could compartmentalize the different issues pretty well.  The emphasis given to the Directors' Cups just seemed like political cover and a distraction from something they thought was really wrong with a bigger piece of the athletic program.

Edit add reply to garvin:  the issue isn't what Stanford has "always" done in hiring football coaches on the cheap.  The point was that at the time after  TWs hiring,  that was the substance of people's criticism.  (Along with not being a football advocate against an indifferent or even hostile administration.).    Regardless of the analysis you laid out, Leland was the target for the dissatisfaction in the direction of the football team.    And it bugged people and even made them suspect motives when the Sears Cups got emphasis (which they deserved)  while the football priorities seemed to be neglected.  i think I have accurately summarized that mindset prominent at the time.