[Redrum]

The only creative thinking coming out of K.al athletics is the "creative" way they financed the stadium remodel.  Beyond that sucking chest wound.  I think there is a real aversion to risk-taking by the current athletic regime, and a kind of self delusion.  Barbour did not hire Tedford.  This is her first hire.  What she saw in the California State University schools from a football perspective was hardly encouraging.  Barbour is constantly looking at her heavy-hitter donors for cues (or outright direction) because she has no money to speak of independent of them.  They, in turn, are  UC Old School,  when Cal and UCLA were the only state academic schools worth noting, and the only state football schools worth noting.  The state colleges (now "State Universities") were never in the UC stratosphere.  They still have little regard for for the Calif. State system.  They want a coach and a football program "worthy" of K.al.    After we all stop giggling at that one,  let me say that's the bottom line.  That's why the heavy hitters made Barbour get rid of Tedford and that's why K.al has such a narrow window for success.  No slumming allowed.  What's ironic about it is Dykes is from the same conference as SJSU  and the same conference tier as all three Calif. State Univ. teams.  But, the choice is made and all Dykes has to do is win and his players graduate better than 49% ( to start).

[Redrum]

The only creative thinking coming out of K.al athletics is the "creative" way they financed the stadium remodel.  Beyond that sucking chest wound.  I think there is a real aversion to risk-taking by the current athletic regime, and a kind of self delusion.  Barbour did not hire Tedford.  This is her first hire.  What she saw in the California State University schools from a football perspective was hardly encouraging.  Barbour is constantly looking at her heavy-hitter donors for cues (or outright direction) because she has no money to speak of independent of them.  They, in turn, are  UC Old School,  when Cal and UCLA were the only state academic schools worth noting, and the only state football schools worth noting.  The state colleges (now "State Universities") were never in the UC stratosphere.  They still have little regard for for the Calif. State system.  They want a coach and a football program "worthy" of K.al.    After we all stop giggling at that one,  let me say that's the bottom line.  That's why the heavy hitters made Barbour get rid of Tedford and that's why K.al has such a narrow window for success.  No slumming allowed.  What's ironic about it is Dykes is from the same conference as SJSU  and the same conference tier as all three Calif. State Univ. teams.  But, the choice is made and all Dykes has to do is win and his players graduate better than 49% ( to start).