To understand the Gophers fan base you have to realize they think Minnesota should be a destination. Big 10, huge university, big city, great HS talent locally, etc. they can’t understand why it’s not more of a destination for coaches and players than other midwestern locations like Madison, Iowa City, Ames,
Well theyre right. It SHOULD be superior ISU, Iowa, Nubs, et al. They need to look in the mirror and wonder why they are failing despite EVERY ADVANTAGE.
The answer is bad leadership. AD making bad hires over and over. If they hired a great coach and stuck with him, they could be a power. They had good support back in the 90s iirc.
I wonder if theyd have more engaged fans and a better identity if they WERENT in Msp, but were in Mankato or Rochester or somewhere a bit smaller, to make the campus experience a little more connected? The best college towns are usually near, but not in, big cities.
Last thought: its ideal for ISU that Minny and Bucky suck ass. Lots of talent in both states, and you want TJ to have the "we win and our fans care" card in his pocket when he is going to get that talent.