Currently parked with two DII squads one a B+ prestige while the other has a B prestige.

Just wondering from some more experienced DI vets what my approach should be to move into DI. As of now only D to D- clubs are possible for me to take over in DI. Is it better to attempt to up my DII prestige to A+ and hopefully latch on to a C+ DI school or should I just take over a D+ if i can get one and attempt to build the DI program?

Could some vets give me some pro's and cons or some practical advice moving forward?

I'm no pro, but I've made plenty of jumps up to D1. I believe it just depends on if you think you can win quite a bit now at D2, or don't mind rebuilding in D1. Finding a good school with recruiting advantages and a poor conference can potentially net you a C rated Big 6 job in 4 seasons provided you make the NT your last two seasons, among other factors. Or at least that C rated mid-major you were looking at.

You will however, take it on the chin those first 2-3 seasons in DI doing it this way though. Or, yes, you can try to build up a better resume in D2 and net that D1 mid major job. Both are viable.

Its my opinion that D1 is a totally different game from D2. For anyone who's never been to D1, you'll want as much experience learning the ropes in D1 as possible. If you want to try to win that NT, you should stick to D2. Realistically in D1, there's a limited number of schools that are going to win it all, and you won't be one of them. D2, you've got a good as shot as any.

Well, some would say a bird in hand... If you have the prestige and experience to jump, it may be best to do it when you know you can. Unforseen things could happen in your approach to A+ in D2 and you could end up there longer than the 4 seasons it would take to turn around the D- D1 school.

Turning a D school in D1 into a powerhouse can be a lot of fun. But yeah, you can't win NTs with a team in the patriot league or something unless you are really really good and a little lucky. Yale did win it all in Allen 2 seasons ago.

Quote: Originally Posted By doomey on 12/20/2009Well, some would say a bird in hand... If you have the prestige and experience to jump, it may be best to do it when you know you can. Unforseen things could happen in your approach to A+ in D2 and you could end up there longer than the 4 seasons it would take to turn around the D- D1 school

I sort of agree with this - as well as the post that said d1 is nothing like d2 (d1 recruiting can be brutal, d2 is like asking your mom for a quarter when you are 4 years old comparatively), but I would add, if you carefully select your d1 D school - you can win pretty quick.

There are dozens of different strategies for winning quick, none guarantees it, one coach might tell you to get a school with 6 or more vacant scholies, another would tell you to find one that was human coached the prior season or two, another would tell you to go to a full conference, another might tell you an empty one, another might tell you to pick your fav off and def, another might say that does not matter at all.

Any of these can work, but I would answer these questions for yourself, then I would recommend you go for it, if d1 is what you want.

There's no substitute for experience at D1. If you think you have a good D2 team that can win big right now then take advantage of that and hope it gets you more choices at D1. But I wouldn't spend too long at D2 trying to get a better D1 job. When it gets down to it, the difference between D and C are not that great. Certainly not worth spending multiple seasons in D2.

I can only speak from my experience in Smith, but you can win the NT from even a lowly conference like the Patriot. But the game is skewed towards the big conferences so get in D1, win as much as you can at the small school and work your way up the food chain to the ACC, SEC, etc.

Quote: Originally posted by Lizak on 12/21/2009There's no substitute for experience at D1.  If you think you have a good D2 team that can win big right now then take advantage of that and hope it gets you more choices at D1.  But I wouldn't spend too long at D2 trying to get a better D1 job.  When it gets down to it, the difference between D and C are not that great.  Certainly not worth spending multiple seasons in D2.I can only speak from my experience in Smith, but you can win the NT from even a lowly conference like the Patriot.  But the game is skewed towards the big conferences so get in D1, win as much as you can at the small school and work your way up the food chain to the ACC, SEC, etc.

Yep, I agree. Find a team in DI that you like and get in there.