Posted by coach_billyg on 2/24/2013 2:19:00 PM (view original):
i essentially agree with the complaint that once you make it to d1, you should be able to get back. i agree with that sentiment even in this case after a ghost shipping - if you played this game to the point you made d1, and got burnt out, the best action is probably to let users pick up where they left off.
however, i definitely agree with the other side of the coin - colonels, its totally inaccurate when you suggest 95% of coaches wouldnt be turned off by getting beaten to a pulp when they got to d1. a lot of coaches get turned off by that, and thats why i think it makes sense to limit coaches from getting to d1. i actually think the bar is TOO LOW right now. making NT1 for a couple seasons in *no way* prepares you for d1. there are usually at least 50 or 75 coaches who've had dramatically more success in lower divisions with a lot of d1 experience, which makes coming to d1 and hitting the ground running, very difficult. i dont think you have to make the NT right away to enjoy d1 - but failing to even come close to the post season for an extended period, that definitely takes its toll.
but, for the coaches who went to d1, got their ***** handed to them - or, simply didn't stay long (the first couple seasons in d1, by virtue of being a rebuild, are not going to look good, even for experienced coaches - ive pulled worst in the nation seasons on multiple d1 rebuilds, all after my 5/9 run. i even beat out EVERY sim for worst team in the world, previously i'd only managed worst human team in the world, with my 0-27 club over in phlean) - anyway, if those coaches aren't turned off, and they are hungry for more, i think they should be allowed. their lack of immediate success at their first d1 gig just means they are like 98% of other coaches out there. once they past the test to make d1, i think they should be allowed back, forever. but, up that bar a bit, so you are really only letting through guys who built decently successful teams with their own players.
But billyg, you can play D2 all you like, but it's not necessarily going to help you at D1. Sure it will fine tune your recruiting/gameplanning skills, but like you say/suggest, D1 is a whole different monster in and of itself and takes its own degree of getting used to, and you're never really going to get used to it, unless you play in it, whether you're getting your *** kicked or not.
Maybe in my optimism, I overshot on the willingness to succeed percentage at D1, but why wouldn't you? It's the pinnacle of the game, it's the div with the teams that everyone knows, with the best coaches in HD, I just don't get why you wouldn't want to stay/try to get better...practice makes perfect. I remember when I made my first ever NT with Armstrong Atlantic State in D2 Tark and my first NT game was v. the almighty coach_billyg at SIUE, I was thrilled, I remember posting here and on the conference board about it. I went up to D1 after that but left after 2 seasons due to money issues and the desire to take over a virgin team (that I've coached for almost 30 seasons now), the Mount Olive Trojans in Phelan.
Ghost-shipping and sabotage are certainly concerns at any level, but I believe intent matters as well. I'd personally give tcochran another shot, but then again I'm kind of in the same boat that he's in (coached D1 and now not eligible) though the circs are different. Again I'd rather have a guy playing, even if a bit out of their depth, than sitting, refusing to play because of principle.
Lastly, comparing this jobs process to real life is ridiculous, so please stop....apples...oranges...