Has rebuilding a D- program gotten easier or harder in your experience since 3.0 launched? I really struggled with this (i.e. failed) the couple times I tried it in 2.0, but I still like the idea of taking a heavily downtrodden low major to the Big Dance...

It is all about location -- taking over a bad program in an area where you have a lot of recruits inside 400-500 miles and few D1 human coaches to exert pressure/competition is much, much easier IMO. You can grab really good classes if you're in a favorable location, because battling against Sim is often a formulaic process that runs little risk.

Agreed on the good location. Example

I went for high potential guys until I got my prestige to C+. I used Jucos quite well. I prefer a location that is near an area that is densely populated with recruits and on the side of the nation (These area are Texas,Cali, and Florida). Oklahoma, Nevada, Utah, Georgia, Alabama, Idaho.

Also cherry pick a team with lots of seniors, you'll get a little prestige boost and also you can get your guys in as soon as possible.

It's a million times easier, regardless of location and competition.

" I prefer a location that is near a shore but not quite on it. Oklahoma, Nevada, Utah, Georgia, Alabama, Idaho."


You and I must have different definitions of "near" and "shore".

Waaay easier.

I'm on my 2nd D prestige rebuild now. @ NMSU, I went from D- prestige to S16 on my 5th season. I can't take all the credit though - Seble gets about 50%.

In my first class I signed a 4 star who ended up getting drafted and lost a dice roll for a 5 star who went EE after his Soph season. I also signed an int'l who went on to be the #2 scorer in D1 Allen history.

Way easier.

This is great feedback. Thank you gentlemen.

Posted by Trentonjoe on 7/25/2017 7:12:00 PM (view original):
" I prefer a location that is near a shore but not quite on it. Oklahoma, Nevada, Utah, Georgia, Alabama, Idaho."


You and I must have different definitions of "near" and "shore".

What he said. Oklahoma!?

Posted by jcee1281 on 7/25/2017 8:26:00 PM (view original):

Posted by Trentonjoe on 7/25/2017 7:12:00 PM (view original):
" I prefer a location that is near a shore but not quite on it. Oklahoma, Nevada, Utah, Georgia, Alabama, Idaho."


You and I must have different definitions of "near" and "shore".

What he said. Oklahoma!?

Near the Rio Grande and Missisippi River. Duh. On the real though, I meant the sides or America.

Posted by Benis on 7/25/2017 7:26:00 PM (view original):
Waaay easier.

I'm on my 2nd D prestige rebuild now. @ NMSU, I went from D- prestige to S16 on my 5th season. I can't take all the credit though - Seble gets about 50%.

In my first class I signed a 4 star who ended up getting drafted and lost a dice roll for a 5 star who went EE after his Soph season. I also signed an int'l who went on to be the #2 scorer in D1 Allen history.

Way easier.

Yeah, I knew I didn't like you moving in there ;)

I think 3.0 makes rebuilds easier. Recruiting is just a game within a game now, instead of a "sure thing".

I must be missing something on the whole 3.0 is better thing. I have a whale of a time getting talent whatsoever at Providence. I have managed to get 1 4-star player in 5 seasons. I keep getting overun by the elite programs. Even if I have proximity advantage, max out home visits, do 60 AP (out of 60 available) I still lose. Then I end up with walk-ons or taking players nobody wants. I've yet to beat out a major program for a recruit. Maybe I just need to go off into a conference where I'm all alone or just toss in the towel entirely. Recruiting was always easy for me at D3 but I also had an A-range prestige for 30 seasons.

Much easier in 3.0. All my teams at D1 were rebuilds.

I follow a simple strategy that seems to work for me. Hopefully this helps some new or struggling players.
Season
1 (only 2nd cycle) - find one/two hidden gems. High School recruiting only.

From here on you have both cycles available

2 -build a solid base of 4+ players that will be NT worthy by junior/senior year. Watch other players battle for top players and see how others in region are playing. Also watch overseas players. If you have the budget remaining (9000-12000) you might find a star you can steal. High School only recruiting.

3- target a star to lead your team. Bring in another 2-4 solid players. This is also where you can start looking at JUCO players.

One pretty major caveat - it's easier to build and maintain a high level competitive team from a mid-major or low D1 conference, provided it's not a mostly full conference. But building up a doormat from a power conference that's full or mostly full is likely even tougher, as you don't get the drafting benefit of conference cash or rollover.

Posted by shoe3 on 7/28/2017 11:32:00 AM (view original):
One pretty major caveat - it's easier to build and maintain a high level competitive team from a mid-major or low D1 conference, provided it's not a mostly full conference. But building up a doormat from a power conference that's full or mostly full is likely even tougher, as you don't get the drafting benefit of conference cash or rollover.

Yes and this is my problem. 6 other teams with A prestige and and a 7th with higher baseline prestige to work with.