I see where Joe Fisher has been named the replacement. Former Vandy play by play and local tv sportscaster. If I recall correctly, an MT alum too. I believe he had some personal issues which cost him the Vandy job but I am glad to see he is doing ok and taking the MT position. He is a good one.

Let them go. We're not going to catch up. There's no universe where a CUSA team can compete with Texas or Ohio State and their 250 million dollar budgets. There used to be when there were limitations on player movement and players getting paid (at least not under the table), but there's not now.

So let them go. The quicker this happens, the quicker the leftovers can come up with a traditional college football model for everyone else.

BigBlueBrad said:

We need a dual threat quarterback.

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Bronzden Chaffin certainly fits that mold

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Paging @OliverLBaltz

Let's hope we either win the conference or a change is made.

#BBK

MTTim said:

Hopefully we can find one that doesnt gamble.

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Look at Tim, dipping into the way back machine

MT01 said:

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Women's team will have another great year, & can't wait to see them in action against some top flight competition. For the men......see above video.

last night talk about men’s basketball until we have to talk about it.

MT01 said:

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For the men, I agree. Hope I'm wrong....

I thought it was great seeing the WBB breakfast with area schools. Great promotion and was nice seeing Rick talk about Matt.

WKU and their ridiculous helmets (I will give them credit for marketing but that doesn't mean I don't still think their mascot is a stupid blob) just made the top 15 in the G5 coaches poll. I'm gonna hope and root for UTEP like crazy that Walden gets his first FBS win vs them.

#WeekdayCUSA

MT01 said:

This. I hope we get elite level defense - like top 10 in scoring defense in the years ahead, because this offensive style isn't going to score many points.

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Hopefully we can find one that doesnt gamble.

While I don't see the Rudy Project happening itself, it has opened a can of worms. I've read Dillenger's article on it and Sankey is right. They have the power (as in B1G/SEC). They won't give anything to the ACC/B12/G5 if they don't have to. They can essentially do the premise behind the Rudy of one large TV deal themselves. Eliminate the middle man and keep the equity themselves instead of giving some to the networks.

The P2 are meeting in Nashville themselves. Stuff like this with a scheduling agreement is exactly what they are working out. The B1G already is 9 conference games and the SEC is leaning that way. That is less $ games for us right there. Not to mention them leaning toward tiered distribution themselves.

I still stick with my feelings that they will split off within a decade tops. The B1G deal with FOX/CBS/NBC ends after '29-'30 season. SEC with ESPN ends after '33-'34. CFP deal with ESPN ends after '31-'32.
Who wants to bet they all will be amended in a couple years and conveniently end the same time?

Also, check out the Rudy Project. It's an effort to eliminate P4 schools from playing anyone but P4 in exchange for more money/higher revenues to P4, subsidized with private equity that would basically turn FBS into an NFL-type division restricted to 70 schools. It's backed by former Disney executives that now run a financial firm.

AustinLewis said:

The unfortunate side of G5 athletics.

Change. Good people leaving for other opportunities.

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As long as good people are hired as replacements all is well.

SpaceRaider said:

I had not visited the Sun Belt board ever since we left over ten years ago. So I visited that message board today and there was a poll in one thread

Who do you want to see in the SBC if Texas State leaves?​
FIU​		2​	1.85%​
Liberty​		7​	6.48%​
Louisiana Tech​		17​	15.74%​
Middle Tennessee​		3​	2.78%​
Sam Houston State​		2​	1.85%​
Western Kentucky​		56​	51.85%​
Missouri State​		9​	8.33%​
Delaware​		12​	11.11%​

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Western will be in the Sun Belt in 2026 NLT '27. We'll be playing Tarleton.

Smith and McPhee have destroyed this University's athletics program. They have literally done everything wrong. Meanwhile, wkcc is doing everything right. Hell, they can even create the most ridiculous helmet and get all kinds of attention and kudos for it. They understand the importance of winning, not accepting mediocrity, and the brand. All things our leadership is clueless about.

I'm not convinced we survive this as Division 1. Even if there is a split, I'm not convinced we're in the second tier division they have screwed this up so much. We may be back in what is FCS -- that is if the state doesn't cut our FB program all together at some point in the future. I give our FB a 50/50 chance of surviving failed leadership that is apparently unremovable. By 2035 if not sooner, C-USA will not exist, which puts us in a precarious position. I'm so disheartened with what they have done to this university - it's why I'm still not giving a penny to it.

That said, with a change finally occuring in the football program, I'm ending my self imposed exile. I will be back on campus for an MT sporting event, for the first time in 2,145 days, one week from today. I look forward to seeing many of you I have not seen in several years.

MidTennMtneer said:

I personally think his work cannot be overstated. He has his hands on everything from floor planning, the types of desks and chairs, fabrics, and uniform colors. Negotiated with equipment suppliers and logistics as well. Not to mention is an MT grad. Hate to see him go.

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The unfortunate side of G5 athletics.

Change. Good people leaving for other opportunities.

BigBlueBrad said:

We need a dual threat quarterback.

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This. I hope we get elite level defense - like top 10 in scoring defense in the years ahead, because this offensive style isn't going to score many points.

We need a dual threat quarterback.

Good to see more offers going out

Everyone has brought up some great points, & additional information. On the surface looking at comparative salaries one would think CRI is underpaid for the work he's done here. I should have thought ahead & known better, but the numbers above for our assistant coaches prove it. Very rare these days to see an individual in charge who would be willing to make personal sacrifices for the betterment of their program. Will have to do a personal backtrack & be glad to say I agree with everyone. This is coaches decision. A video came out earlier today with ncaa press reps where he talks about the fact if it wasn't for Matt & others coming on board he probably would have already retired. Kudos to him.
As a reminder the Blue Raider Podcast is recorded on Tuesdays & I believe CRI is this week's guest discussing this year's team.