The other thing about NDSU I found interesting is that they had 2 transfers on their roster this year - including a QB from Iowa State that couldn't get on the field because of how good Lance was. So they are the absolute definition of building a program by recruiting and developing. I have no doubt that many FCS schools in the country can develop (Furman included), I'm just not so sure that many FCS schools in the country have the recruiting advantages that the Bison do. But it does make me feel better that it is possible to win titles without FBS transfers.
With Schar money at Elon, Robins money at Richmond, and Richardson money at Wofford, and with the fact that the first 2 of those universities are bigger than Furman, I have the impression that Elon, Richmond, and probably Wofford as well have the advantage of being better funded than Furman. I don't know the situation at Samford, though Samford is bigger than Furman. (Mercer also is bigger than Furman.) Furman needs better funding if we are going to compete to at a high level. Furman needs a Schar, a Robins, a Richardson (someone with contributions like those); or we need several of them. Without that, we are going to need to satisfied with the level of competitiveness that we now are, or below that, instead of always thinking we are going to move up because some of us want to. And if we do not have that major funding, then I will continue to say that Pioneer Football League is an option.fupaladin01 wrote: ↑Mon Jan 13, 2020 4:33 pmJames Madison is a public university.
I agree with the above points about NDSU's geographical advantage. Were Furman in a more rural area, devoid of National champion-caliber programs and countless other D-I schools, maybe recruiting gets easier... on the other hand, maybe even fewer hard working, intelligent, goal-driven students apply because we're in the middle of nowhere.
I look at schools like Elon, Richmond, Samford, and Wofford, who have had success in the the past 20 years and are working with much the same advantages/disadvantages as us. I suspect coaching and fully funded programs are the keys to success. That, and landing 1-2 big recruits that carry your program for a few years e.g. Devlin Hodges, Scott Riddle, Eric Breitenstein- and then riding that momentum enough to land a few more in subsequent years.
As for the coaching and funding pieces, I feel like we're in good shape. Hopefully some of these heralded recruits exceed our expectations.
