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Jon Wilner of the San Jose Mercury News wrote an interesting column about how recently hired Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian(kudos to him for turning his life around) is, through some of his assistant coaching hires, recruiting strategies and familiarity with the region, going to pursue top recruits on the West Coast.
While I think the "political pressure" on him will still prioritize recruiting the best players in Texas, he is going to be another player in that context.
Cristobal has already established a nation-wide approach to recruiting so it remains to be seen how it impacts Oregon. Nor am I certain the California recruits that oregon state relies on are the same that Sarkisian will pursue. Bottom line is though, the Pac-12 needs to win, upgrade its presence and perception in order to keep elite West Coast talent in the conference.
Last edited by DucksReign (2/16/2021 8:07 pm)
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Best to Sark on his personal journey, think that all agree.
In terms of his job, he needs to win and win immediately. The cupboard is not bare at Texas in terms of talent and facilities, a lot of built-in advantages exist already for success. Not sure anyone is really quaking in their boots as well with his pledge to scour the West Coast. He'll snag a couple, but he is also having to protect a significant back door as well as hit the SEC hard, where he has his most recent experience.
As DR states, recruiting is a national deal if you have the brand. Texas has it, just like UO has it. As DR also has it right that the P12 needs to dive deep into its profile and pockets to re-invent itself as a P5 conference. Need UO, UW, USC and UCLA to be regular residents of the Top 25 polls with their rivalry games and contests against each other billed as "must see TV" with the right times and networks easily able to tune in.
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Austin is a great city, and UT offers a great education. it's still Texas.
UO and other P-12 schools have had luck over the years recruiting SoCal because they play @SC or @UCLA almost every year; the families, coaches, and friends of the locals can watch them play--many can't afford to travel.
Ducks have played SC in the Coliseum twice in the past two seasons and in the Rose Bowl on NYD once. I would bet those were bigger games from a lot of kids on the squad than UW, OS, or Tree--games that get Duck fans stoked.
Sark just doesn't have that card to play, unless the Horns somehow qualify for a CFB playoff game in Pasadena.
I third DR and JJ in props to Sark for battling his demons and winning, for now. but there are few seats hotter in college football that the HC chair at UT-Austin. I hope he can handle it.
Last edited by OldMacManaic (2/17/2021 11:11 am)
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DucksReign wrote:
Jon Wilner of the San Jose Mercury News wrote an interesting column about how recently hired Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian(kudos to him for turning his life around) is, through some of his assistant coaching hires, recruiting strategies and familiarity with the region, going to pursue top recruits on the West Coast.
While I think the "political pressure" on him will still prioritize recruiting the best players in Texas, he is going to be another player in that context.
Cristobal has already established a nation-wide approach to recruiting so it remains to be seen how it impacts Oregon. Nor am I certain the California recruits that oregon state relies on are the same that Sarkisian will pursue. Bottom line is though, the Pac-12 needs to win, upgrade its presence and perception in order to keep elite West Coast talent in the conference.
what's just as interesting is that The O has apparently purchased Wilner's column; I've seen his byline on Duck Sports for about one week now. hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.
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OldMacManaic wrote:
DucksReign wrote:
Jon Wilner of the San Jose Mercury News wrote an interesting column about how recently hired Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian(kudos to him for turning his life around) is, through some of his assistant coaching hires, recruiting strategies and familiarity with the region, going to pursue top recruits on the West Coast.
While I think the "political pressure" on him will still prioritize recruiting the best players in Texas, he is going to be another player in that context.
Cristobal has already established a nation-wide approach to recruiting so it remains to be seen how it impacts Oregon. Nor am I certain the California recruits that oregon state relies on are the same that Sarkisian will pursue. Bottom line is though, the Pac-12 needs to win, upgrade its presence and perception in order to keep elite West Coast talent in the conference.what's just as interesting is that The O has apparently purchased Wilner's column; I've seen his byline on Duck Sports for about one week now. hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.
I like Wilner, not that bald guy at OLive.
Last edited by KONA808 (2/17/2021 2:28 pm)