Wrong. I have never once said I want CPR fired. And I never said "keep him no matter what." Everyone associated with ISU football knew before Leath opened his trap during Juco signing period that next year is crucial based upon what JP said. I am not happy with the last two years, this year in particular because of recruiting talent gaps on our defense. Mad he kept Sam in the OU game or maybe we beat KU. That's on CPR and his staff. However injuries have played a huge role the last 2 years also, combined with the #7 SOS in the US. That's out of CPRs control. Many of you underestimate not having an extra non conference game in relation to building confidence and ability to go bowling. For a team with a razor thin margin of error to succeed, that is huge. Proximity of our two newest conference foes to our key recruiting bases in TX and FL doesn't help either as we could convince many guys in DFW to come play in the Big 12 vs. TCU in the Mountain West, now TCU keeps those guys. WV has always recruited FL well and now they can recruit even better players than when they were in the Big East. That hurts us. Those are not excuses but facts.
I'm not shocked when CPR makes a bowl game, never said that. Re next year our Defense has Giant steps that need to be taken but it can be done. And don't forget all the pressure being put on the players next year after Leath's comments. Now they have to stress about CPR keeping his job which isn't fair to them, IMO.
I'm more in line with Linden, I want CPR to succeed next year and each year. Name another coach at ISU that has made a bowl game 50% of his years at ISU? Getting a new coach means learning new systems, getting players to run those systems etc which sets the team back another couple years. So I would be in the camp that wants to see CPR succeed. I'm more of the mind set of "what can we do to help?" vs. acting like us fans know it all and not providing solutions. That's what college does for you, to find solutions for difficult problems. Since I am not wanting CPR fired, at least not now, then I am not naming replacements. But some of you are not in the same camp and that's ok. But before you speak, put yourself in JP's shoes for a minute and consider our history, geography RELATIVE to our competition, the good we have in facilities, fan support, stadium expansion etc. Not just the spur of the moment thoughts which we are all guilty of, especially during the season. And before anyone lectures me on being frustrated after games, try traveling from TN 4-5 times each Fall.....believe me, spending that much for travel and tickets, I get the frustration! But I also realize because of geography alone vs. the Big 12 competition, we are at a major disadvantage.
I wish President Leath would have paused to consider all this before he made his comments when he did. A wise person thinks before he speaks. A wise person also does not comment on areas outside his area of expertise (during prime recruiting season), especially publicly. Those of you defending Leath for saying what he did, when he did, are either wanting CPR fired or not understanding the concept of letting your managers (JP) do their jobs. That's why you don't see other university Presidents comment on their athletic programs very often...they are wise enough to stay out of the fray and not make things worse. That's my last comment on this thread.
