@Youngstown State game thread

[dpainter20]

Welcome to the forum! Would love to get some insight from a former player, genuinely curious to hear your perspective on the football program and maybe what some of your former teammates are thinking of it all.

Being in that 30-40 year old age group and former athlete puts you in a unique position because there was success at ISU when you were there, we were moving forward, but now the landscape has completely changed in college sports, NIL, transfer portal, etc. And I truly believe that you guys are in a great position to be able to see what was college athletics but also the knowledge to understand what its turned into and where it's going.

I guess my questions is what are your and your former teammates thoughts on the current state of the football program? Do we just get new coaches? Go non-scholly? Shutter the program? What about Memorial Stadium? We have to address that at some point. Really just intrigued to hear your perspective and your former teammates on the state of the football program and where some people stand with it

Absolutely. I was in Coach Miles second recruiting class (2009). In ‘09, we went 1-10, with the infamous homecoming win verse WIU to break the streak. In ‘10 and ‘11, we went 6-5. My senior year, we finished 7-4. Then, Coach Miles and staff left for Georgia State. The success we were fortunate to experience during my 4 years at ISU was incredible. The pinnacle being beating #1 NDSU at the Fargo Dome in ‘12.

The 30,000 foot observation is there has been obvious success at ISU. Coach Miles created success. Coach Sanford had some great years. Even Mallory had a solid sophomore season in ‘18. ISU football has proven to win in the MVFC and at Memorial Stadium.

But right now, there is a lot of frustration in the program and how things “feel” at least from guys I played with because we all experienced a form of success with ISU football. The general sentiment is the current staff has had years to turn the corner and have failed to do so. Each year feels like the previous, often marked by disappointment and mediocrity. Many of us are ready for something new and exciting.

 

[Bobbyk60]

Disappointing part is Eastern, Houston Christian, and Youngstown State were winnable games. We were lucky to win against Dayton. The adjustments come too late.

 

[4Q_iu]

Disappointing part is Eastern, Houston Christian, and Youngstown State were winnable games. We were lucky to win against Dayton. The adjustments come too late.

Hasn't this become the annual battle cry of Sycamore Football fans?

The only variable is the name of the opposing school and often too sadly, the name of the lone win on the season...