I'm going to toss out my plan for improving the game. For those who might not know, this is Oldresorter.
First off, a bit of background. If one were to make the game strictly about practice planning and zero , all the d1 (d2/d3 with correspondingly different values) recruits would look the same, a PG might come in 60-75-10-70-0-10-55-70-70-50-65-DU for example, while a C might come in 75-25-65-65-65-65-10-20-20-50-60-DU, with SG/SF/PF some other way. All the FSS potential's would be black or medium. Nobody or hardly anyone would like that game (I would by the way - LOL), much like few really like the wild advantage the top 20-40 d1 recruits have over the rest of the pool.
But, a small backing off of the current recruit generation ratings at the top, and a small increase of the amount of medium and high improvement rates over reds from the rest of the pool would substantially 'even' out the game. I like the notion of a randomness in all of it, as long as the randomness does not overpower the game. Like all things HD, moderation is the key.
Second, the current recruiting costs have two major break pts, at 200 miles and at 360. To increase the competition to the max using the current game, those would be wiped out, making all recruiting cost the same. My proposal would be to beta test distance. IMO some distance gatekeeping numbers keeps the game sane, but I'd bet somewhere around 400 and 720 would greatly improve things (300 and 540 might even work) Actually, the best approach would be to change the distance, based on the market, so a coach in Wyoming might get a longer reach than a coach in New York City, but I'm not exactly sure how that might work. Anyone who has recruited for Hawaii knows what I mean.
Third firing logic needs to be toughedned up. Moderation might not be the key here, but does need to at least come into play a bit.
4th baseline prestige needs to be backed off. Did I mention moderation.
5th (this can be done today) - post season money should go away. This seems so basic if the overwhelming feeling is conference band together, and those that do have too big of an edge. ANy of the so called super conf coaches know this is a fact, I've never joined such a conf, IMO it was cheating - kind of fickle, since I do play major conferences in d1 I know, but at least there I feel like I've earned it and didn't artifically create the situation. Oh well, the money should go.
6th conferences should be realigned to reflect modern real life changes. I know this is near impossible, but yet, it is important. Compromises will be needed, and not everyone will be happy, but still, it needs to be done. This is one of those things that doing will at least appeal to the majority of the coaches, and I don't think anyone will quit over the changes made, even if they disagree with the compromises required.
7th hiring logic should be addressed. A survey would help here. IMO whatever is done won't work as the vocal minority will always rule this issue, but along with the other changes, it should be changed. In general, I liked the game more when getting new jobs was harder. That was a long time ago, I think the reality is new jobs need to be easier to get. This not knowing the answer on my part is why I think a survey is required.
8th and final, many of seble's recruiting ideas could be incorporated about preferences as part of the old recruiting windows. Generally I'd love to see promises mean more, they do in real life. And the effect of breaking promises being more severe. IMO one of these super recruits isn't promised playing 25 mpg and starting, he should not go to the school, period.
I lied, a bonus idea, in general, stamina has too big of an effect, players should be able to play longer, shorter rotations should be successful. If this idea is done, the FCP logic needs to be de-toothed, because reducing stamina in the game and making teams tired, is how the FCP was declawed. This shorter rotation game would also lessen the effect of recruiting in the game, which needs to be the overall number one goal in this game.
Yet a final caution, making this game realistic is not always smart, for the vets here, remember the delemma concept?
I realize many here won't agree with any or all of these ideas, and I apologize for not making this more of a coherent post, this is not something I spent any time on, I simply typed what I felt.
Good luck to seble and all of us, my guess is the next months are going to be plenty rocky.