Tommy Tuberville to UC?

[mplebanon]

This will help keep Kyle Kempt here.

 

[Ryno99]

Is it possible, that we should be thanking Butch for leaving? I think we just upgraded our coaching staff, after losing Butch.

 

[CPAW29]

just may show that cincinnati really is a place people want to be we do have maybe the richest talent as fare high school kids in greater cincinnati im just shocked we grabbed a big 12 coach

i agree! its about time a coach recognize that ohio has great high school football. he also can recruit the south to add with some local talent

 

[JumpinJack5]

This is bold, outside the box, and completely unexpected-I love it!!! We can no longer sit back and hire Central Michigan coaches who use us as a stepping stone, we needed a big name and a high powered offense to help us take the next step. I like that Whit is bold, if we want to move to a better conference, this is the type of move we needed. We need leaders, such as Santa Ono and Whit, to have plans that will make us a perennial top 25 program in basketball and football by making coaches and players want to come. Hats off to Ono and Whit!

 

[CPAW29]

As fans, we have to do our part now!

 

[Hicks' Guns]

This is bold, outside the box, and completely unexpected-I love it!!! We can no longer sit back and hire Central Michigan coaches who use us as a stepping stone, we needed a big name and a high powered offense to help us take the next step. I like that Whit is bold, if we want to move to a better conference, this is the type of move we needed. We need leaders, such as Santa Ono and Whit, to have plans that will make us a perennial top 25 program in basketball and football by making coaches and players want to come. Hats off to Ono and Whit!

Hell of take! Completely agreed. We cannot accept mediocrity. This was a big test for Whit and I love that he went for it and came up big.

 

[Hicks' Guns]

Anyone else get the impression that Santa Ono was reading our resume for the ACC at the beginning of the press conference?

 

[mplebanon]

I'm impressed with Whit and the hiring of Tuberville.

But I think fans are fooling themselves if they think attendance is going to increase and UC is going to become some kind of power in football.

UC football is what it is and always will be. No disrespect intended.

UC basketball is where it's at.

 

[cincycpaw]

I'm impressed with Whit and the hiring of Tuberville.

But I think fans are fooling themselves if they think attendance is going to increase and UC is going to become some kind of power in football.

UC football is what it is and always will be. No disrespect intended.

UC basketball is where it's at.

Well that is an awesome attitude. You are perfect for the city of cincinnati .

 

[JumpinJack5]

I'm impressed with Whit and the hiring of Tuberville.

But I think fans are fooling themselves if they think attendance is going to increase and UC is going to become some kind of power in football.

UC football is what it is and always will be. No disrespect intended.

UC basketball is where it's at.

It would be very hard for the b-ball team to succeed without the football team. Want money to renovate the 'Shoe, you don't get that from b-ball revenue, football is a big money sport. Attendance will climb with this hire, we got a big name and big recruits will follow, IMO. This is our gateway to the ACC, yes it is a risk, but a necessary one. As much as I love UC basketball, you would be fooling yourself to say that it plays a bigger role than football. Both will be good, though, and I think that, combined, it will get us over the top enough to go to a better conference.

 

[JasonS]

This football hire is huge! Interest in this program is going to grow. I truly believe UC season tickets will increase substantially. People know Tommy and the success he has had. He also plays an exciting style and will be able to recruit big name recruits to UC. This is a great day to be a Bearcat!

 

[JumpinJack5]

Now that Butch is gone, I decided to take charge in the corny slogan department- instead of "hold the rope", how about "Fill the Tub" to get people to go to games???

 

[UnivCincy]

Well, it's no secret that Tuberville wanted out of Lubbock. With that said, Texas Tech's loss is Cincinnati's gain. The hire was a complete shock to me. Does anyone think that Tuberville knows something that we don't about conference realignment? I'm still speechless, for the most part. Whit Babcock, I love you.

 

[JasonS]

Well, it's no secret that Tuberville wanted out of Lubbock. With that said, Texas Tech's loss is Cincinnati's gain. The hire was a complete shock to me. Does anyone think that Tuberville knows something that we don't about conference realignment? I'm still speechless, for the most part. Whit Babcock, I love you.

He is pretty tight with Whit as far as I have heard. Based on that, I am sure he knows more than us when it comes to realignment.

 

[mplebanon]

It would be very hard for the b-ball team to succeed without the football team. Want money to renovate the 'Shoe, you don't get that from b-ball revenue, football is a big money sport. Attendance will climb with this hire, we got a big name and big recruits will follow, IMO. This is our gateway to the ACC, yes it is a risk, but a necessary one. As much as I love UC basketball, you would be fooling yourself to say that it plays a bigger role than football. Both will be good, though, and I think that, combined, it will get us over the top enough to go to a better conference.

LOL. I've heard that argument for years and it holds no water at all. Huggs had no problem succeeding in the 90's with a crappy football program.

Look, I played 8 years of football. Maybe it burned me out. Who knows. But I just don't get into UC football. Other than the Brian Kelly/Tony Pike/Mardy Gilyard season, it just doesn't catch my interest much. The opponents we play are uninteresting. This town has far too many sporting events to get involved in. You have to kind of pick your poison. I was born and raised here. Born in Madeira and went all the way through the Madeira school system. I had alot friends that went up the road to Moeller. I went to Vandy and UC for college.

Again, too many sports to get involved with in Cincinnati. I'm a lifelong Bengals, Reds, and UC fan. I've somewhat quit giving my time to the Bengals though. UC basketball and the Reds pretty much get my attention. I don't really have time for much more, as I have a busy life.

This football argument has been going on for years. I don't believe that even if they join the ACC that attendance will become great. Will it get better? Sure it will. But this program will rarely have a season of sellouts like the 12-0 team did. And that's about what it will take.......an undefeated "special" season. If Tuberville goes 9-3, 10-2, 8-4........it won't be good enough for the fans.

I mean, geez.......look at basketball attendance. We have nearly a top 10 basketball team and they have a hard time getting 6,000 people down to the Shoe.

Too many sporting attractions in this town. It's just the nature of the beast. It's not limited to UC. Look at the Bengals..........fairweather fans central. Bengals practically beg people to come to the games anymore. I can't remember there ever being so many blackouts.

Castellini is a genius. Of all the local sporting events, the Reds have done the best job. Rebuilt the farm system. Half of the 25-man roster is homegrown. Then, they went out and signed these players. Nothing worse than a roster of unknowns every year like we had in the late 90's and early 2000's. Player recognition is important to fans. Continuity. And then you factor in success. Reds fans know the players and it's like we're all one big happy family together in this success.

I wish it were different. Sure, I think attendance will improve at Nippert. But I don't see UC football consistently being this huge draw in Cincinnati.

And I think the economy and cost of tickets and concessions is a bigger factor in lack of attendance than people think it is.

 

[applegbt]

LOL. I've heard that argument for years and it holds no water at all. Huggs had no problem succeeding in the 90's with a crappy football program.

Look, I played 8 years of football. Maybe it burned me out. Who knows. But I just don't get into UC football. Other than the Brian Kelly/Tony Pike/Mardy Gilyard season, it just doesn't catch my interest much. The opponents we play are uninteresting. This town has far too many sporting events to get involved in. You have to kind of pick your poison. I was born and raised here. Born in Madeira and went all the way through the Madeira school system. I had alot friends that went up the road to Moeller. I went to Vandy and UC for college.

Again, too many sports to get involved with in Cincinnati. I'm a lifelong Bengals, Reds, and UC fan. I've somewhat quit giving my time to the Bengals though. UC basketball and the Reds pretty much get my attention. I don't really have time for much more, as I have a busy life.

This football argument has been going on for years. I don't believe that even if they join the ACC that attendance will become great. Will it get better? Sure it will. But this program will rarely have a season of sellouts like the 12-0 team did. And that's about what it will take.......an undefeated "special" season. If Tuberville goes 9-3, 10-2, 8-4........it won't be good enough for the fans.

I mean, geez.......look at basketball attendance. We have nearly a top 10 basketball team and they have a hard time getting 6,000 people down to the Shoe.

Too many sporting attractions in this town. It's just the nature of the beast. It's not limited to UC. Look at the Bengals..........fairweather fans central. Bengals practically beg people to come to the games anymore. I can't remember there ever being so many blackouts.

Castellini is a genius. Of all the local sporting events, the Reds have done the best job. Rebuilt the farm system. Half of the 25-man roster is homegrown. Then, they went out and signed these players. Nothing worse than a roster of unknowns every year like we had in the late 90's and early 2000's. Player recognition is important to fans. Continuity. And then you factor in success. Reds fans know the players and it's like we're all one big happy family together in this success.

I wish it were different. Sure, I think attendance will improve at Nippert. But I don't see UC football consistently being this huge draw in Cincinnati.

And I think the economy and cost of tickets and concessions is a bigger factor in lack of attendance than people think it is.

As a fan of the UC athletic program (not just a single sport) I agree that we need upgrades to the basketball facility as well as the football facility, but the reality is that football has to come first. The biggest threat to the UC athletic program is conference affiliation. Moving to the ACC or B12 increases revenue without adding a single butt to a seat in any sport.

Even when the Shoe was selling out during the Huggins years our athletic program was still floundering financially. Football is king and it HAS to be taken care of first in order to protect the future of the athletic program as a whole. But then after reading your post I get the impression you are determined to be a fan of UC Basketball only, not of the UC athletic program as a whole.

 

[paper_chase]

LOL. I've heard that argument for years and it holds no water at all. Huggs had no problem succeeding in the 90's with a crappy football program.

Look, I played 8 years of football. Maybe it burned me out. Who knows. But I just don't get into UC football. Other than the Brian Kelly/Tony Pike/Mardy Gilyard season, it just doesn't catch my interest much. The opponents we play are uninteresting. This town has far too many sporting events to get involved in. You have to kind of pick your poison. I was born and raised here. Born in Madeira and went all the way through the Madeira school system. I had alot friends that went up the road to Moeller. I went to Vandy and UC for college.

Again, too many sports to get involved with in Cincinnati. I'm a lifelong Bengals, Reds, and UC fan. I've somewhat quit giving my time to the Bengals though. UC basketball and the Reds pretty much get my attention. I don't really have time for much more, as I have a busy life.

This football argument has been going on for years. I don't believe that even if they join the ACC that attendance will become great. Will it get better? Sure it will. But this program will rarely have a season of sellouts like the 12-0 team did. And that's about what it will take.......an undefeated "special" season. If Tuberville goes 9-3, 10-2, 8-4........it won't be good enough for the fans.

I mean, geez.......look at basketball attendance. We have nearly a top 10 basketball team and they have a hard time getting 6,000 people down to the Shoe.

Too many sporting attractions in this town. It's just the nature of the beast. It's not limited to UC. Look at the Bengals..........fairweather fans central. Bengals practically beg people to come to the games anymore. I can't remember there ever being so many blackouts.

Castellini is a genius. Of all the local sporting events, the Reds have done the best job. Rebuilt the farm system. Half of the 25-man roster is homegrown. Then, they went out and signed these players. Nothing worse than a roster of unknowns every year like we had in the late 90's and early 2000's. Player recognition is important to fans. Continuity. And then you factor in success. Reds fans know the players and it's like we're all one big happy family together in this success.

I wish it were different. Sure, I think attendance will improve at Nippert. But I don't see UC football consistently being this huge draw in Cincinnati.

And I think the economy and cost of tickets and concessions is a bigger factor in lack of attendance than people think it is.

To an extent I agree with you because you make some valid points. However, if you would have told me that UC football would be nationally relevant, perennially ranked, churning out premier coaches, NFL prospects, winning championships, and hiring coaches like TTuberville in 2004, I would have laughed in your face. Bearcat football has come such a long way in such a short time that it truly is remarkable. Living in Nashville, sometimes I think that the national perspective of UC football is higher than how folks living in Cincinnati see it. I also think that most college football fans in Cincinnati grew up rooting for Ohio State or Notre Dame football, and as Bengals fans can attest, it takes time to convert fans. But UC's enrollment is 42,000 students. Lousivlle is less than 20,000. Tennessee? Approx: 25,000. Our fan base will grow. The future is bright for the Bearcats

 

[JumpinJack5]

LOL. I've heard that argument for years and it holds no water at all. Huggs had no problem succeeding in the 90's with a crappy football program.

Look, I played 8 years of football. Maybe it burned me out. Who knows. But I just don't get into UC football. Other than the Brian Kelly/Tony Pike/Mardy Gilyard season, it just doesn't catch my interest much. The opponents we play are uninteresting. This town has far too many sporting events to get involved in. You have to kind of pick your poison. I was born and raised here. Born in Madeira and went all the way through the Madeira school system. I had alot friends that went up the road to Moeller. I went to Vandy and UC for college.

Again, too many sports to get involved with in Cincinnati. I'm a lifelong Bengals, Reds, and UC fan. I've somewhat quit giving my time to the Bengals though. UC basketball and the Reds pretty much get my attention. I don't really have time for much more, as I have a busy life.

This football argument has been going on for years. I don't believe that even if they join the ACC that attendance will become great. Will it get better? Sure it will. But this program will rarely have a season of sellouts like the 12-0 team did. And that's about what it will take.......an undefeated "special" season. If Tuberville goes 9-3, 10-2, 8-4........it won't be good enough for the fans.

I mean, geez.......look at basketball attendance. We have nearly a top 10 basketball team and they have a hard time getting 6,000 people down to the Shoe.

Too many sporting attractions in this town. It's just the nature of the beast. It's not limited to UC. Look at the Bengals..........fairweather fans central. Bengals practically beg people to come to the games anymore. I can't remember there ever being so many blackouts.

Castellini is a genius. Of all the local sporting events, the Reds have done the best job. Rebuilt the farm system. Half of the 25-man roster is homegrown. Then, they went out and signed these players. Nothing worse than a roster of unknowns every year like we had in the late 90's and early 2000's. Player recognition is important to fans. Continuity. And then you factor in success. Reds fans know the players and it's like we're all one big happy family together in this success.

I wish it were different. Sure, I think attendance will improve at Nippert. But I don't see UC football consistently being this huge draw in Cincinnati.

And I think the economy and cost of tickets and concessions is a bigger factor in lack of attendance than people think it is.

Dude, you are crazy. The basketball team might be fine, but they can't take the next step without the help of the football team, in which both could be nationally recognized year in and year out and have a bigger athletic budget.

 

[david aka the TYZ]

LOL. I've heard that argument for years and it holds no water at all. Huggs had no problem succeeding in the 90's with a crappy football program.
Look, I played 8 years of football. Maybe it burned me out. Who knows. But I just don't get into UC football. Other than the Brian Kelly/Tony Pike/Mardy Gilyard season, it just doesn't catch my interest much. The opponents we play are uninteresting. This town has far too many sporting events to get involved in. You have to kind of pick your poison. I was born and raised here. Born in Madeira and went all the way through the Madeira school system. I had alot friends that went up the road to Moeller. I went to Vandy and UC for college.

Again, too many sports to get involved with in Cincinnati. I'm a lifelong Bengals, Reds, and UC fan. I've somewhat quit giving my time to the Bengals though. UC basketball and the Reds pretty much get my attention. I don't really have time for much more, as I have a busy life.

This football argument has been going on for years. I don't believe that even if they join the ACC that attendance will become great. Will it get better? Sure it will. But this program will rarely have a season of sellouts like the 12-0 team did. And that's about what it will take.......an undefeated "special" season. If Tuberville goes 9-3, 10-2, 8-4........it won't be good enough for the fans.

I mean, geez.......look at basketball attendance. We have nearly a top 10 basketball team and they have a hard time getting 6,000 people down to the Shoe.

Too many sporting attractions in this town. It's just the nature of the beast. It's not limited to UC. Look at the Bengals..........fairweather fans central. Bengals practically beg people to come to the games anymore. I can't remember there ever being so many blackouts.

Castellini is a genius. Of all the local sporting events, the Reds have done the best job. Rebuilt the farm system. Half of the 25-man roster is homegrown. Then, they went out and signed these players. Nothing worse than a roster of unknowns every year like we had in the late 90's and early 2000's. Player recognition is important to fans. Continuity. And then you factor in success. Reds fans know the players and it's like we're all one big happy family together in this success.

I wish it were different. Sure, I think attendance will improve at Nippert. But I don't see UC football consistently being this huge draw in Cincinnati.

And I think the economy and cost of tickets and concessions is a bigger factor in lack of attendance than people think it is.

Succeeding and making money are two different things. And Huggins succeeded and had sellouts in the Shoe, so the argument to focus on basketball first doesnt hold much water to me. If fans don't want to come watch a top ten team play you have bigger problems on your hands. As far as the rest of your post I can agree to most of it. I think what you said represents the average fan in the city. Most guys are sports guys and most of them are going to follow the Bengals, Reds blindly and most in this city will watch UC basketball. Beyond that OSU still garners more average fans attention in this city towards college football and that will be hard to change. Notre Dame has it's fair share of followers as well. I think the hiring of Tuberville will do a few things to help. One I think it forces your current donors to entrench themselves more into the program as far as giving their money to the program. I agree that the average fan that wasn't coming to games already won't start coming to games because Tommy Tuberville is in town. Another thing it does is show you're serious about growing your brand and that will help get big time donors and other conferences on board.

What UC is doing and their only way to grow it's fan base is to get the students involved and entrenched in the program. Their loyalties after graduation will stay here. To use myself as an example. I am a sports fan. Grew up watching all local teams, including X, OSU, UK whoever. Went to UC. All loyalties and ties stopped and went immediately to UC. Post graduation I attended as many games as possible and followed the program die-hardedly (prob not a real word). About five years after graduation I became a season ticket holder in football, after 12 I am now a season ticket holder in basketball. My loyalties will never leave UC. The money I "pour" into the program increases every year. I use the quotations because at this point in time the probably $2000 or so I spend is only a drop in the bucket to what UC needs. This is why UC needs to do everything in its power to keep games on campus. Students won't travel in force downtown to attend games and thus won't be involved in the programs and you lose some of your future fan base and donor potential. The facts are simple, the average fan won't turn their attention to UC football save the bandwagon support of an undefeated season. As far as basketball is concerned the city has more than shown it treats UC and Bob Huggins like they treated the Reds and the Big Red Machine, nothing will ever match the past and they are going to die grumbling about it. The potential for fan growth lies in the students and young alumni and not the donors already supporting the program. There's only so much current donors can do short of just giving more money blindly. They say to bring a friend, blah, blah, blah. I haven't been able to give away tickets to either sport for years. If your average fan won't come down for free they're not going to spend their money to come.

 

[Bearcat22]

This is from the twitter feed on ESPN's College football page:

Mark_Schlabach Mark Schlabach
Why would Tubs leave #RedRaiders for #Bearcats? Just restarted his clock. Needed to win big next year in Lubbock; at least 3 in Cincinnati

I'm enjoying watching ESPN "experts" trying to spin this one negative. As hard as they've tried to hurt the Big East or not cover UC, their collective minds have been blown that they snagged such a good hire.