How to pick a D1 school Topic

I'm about to re-join Allen after a long hiatus (I last played at D1 UMES in season 35). I've played both D2 and D3 for a long time in other worlds, and I know what I look for in new jobs at that level - team prestige, number of slots open, the caliber of conf and number of humans. I'm wondering if I should be thinking about D1 jobs any differently.

Biggest question I have is - how much of a factor would baseline prestige be for you? I'm eligible for some of the lower-prestige positions in mid-majors like MAC, CUSA, A10, etc., or I could take a more winning program in low D1, so I'm trying to decide how much to care about baseline vs other factors. I'm not looking to move to a Big 6 school anytime soon - I just want a chance to build a good program that I can regularly take to the NT. Thanks.
8/19/2012 4:26 PM
I'd take an A10 school if I could.  THe ACC is very strong, so is the B12, but the Big East is pretty weak and the ACC's strength means they will let you have the 1 and 2 and even 3 star guys.

The extra baseline is helpful for sure.
8/19/2012 6:41 PM
Yeah, reinsel's right -- BEast and SEC are the weakest BCS conferences in Allen, so that should factor into your decision at least somewhat. That said, I'm not sure what the proper analysis is. You could even make the argument that being in ACC territory is an advantageous spot. Since all the teams there are going for studs, there is no big school competition for 1/2 star players. But in BEast territory, plenty of those schools are relegated to going after lesser recruits, so you actually might have more competition there.

Interesting call. As a lower DI team, I prefer to be in an area with a lot of available recruits, even if there are a lot of teams around, too.
8/19/2012 7:24 PM

While the Pac 10 is quite good, I'd also suggest either Lipscomb (in Tennessee) or San Francisco (I'll let you figure this one out for yourself) in the WCC - the other ten spots in that conference are full, the baselines for the conference are solid (USF's are better than Lipscomb's), and it's a good group of coaches.

But agreed on reinsel and girt's comments - at a Tulsa or a Gardner-Webb, you're never ever ever going to get your hands on a 4-star that slips through the cracks, but you won't have a ton of competition for the 1/2 stars.

If you're not looking to move up, pick a school that you like in real life, or find a conference full of good, likeable coaches.  I can't speak to the former, but USF or Lipscomb would definitely qualify for the second one.


The A-10 in Allen will have zero human coaches next year.  That's just no fun... but Charlotte's tucked in around the ACC schools that won't really bother you.

8/19/2012 10:22 PM
This thread is extremely intriguing to me.
8/19/2012 10:36 PM
Location matters more than baseline. You can have Florida in SEC Allen with its A baseline and not land a single good 3 star or higher.
8/20/2012 1:14 AM
Yeah, Florida is in a tough spot right now.  Smart coaching can get you a few top guys, but its difficult.  I gave up after being frustrated there. 

Location is really critical.  I think Lipscomd in the WCC is a good location & conference.  Charlotte can be turned into a 20 win, 1st rnd NT team easily, but very hard to become more.  But its hard to become more at any non big 6 school.
8/20/2012 8:00 AM

We would love to have you join us in the WCC. When you look over the situation in Allen and the options available... I think the WCC fits what you're looking for better than any place else. Nearly every coach we have has said they were interested in staying long-term and building up the conference.
Good luck with what you decided, and Congrats on Naismith, well done.

8/20/2012 10:00 AM
Thanks for all the responses, folks - really helpful. And teamrc, I'm definitely considering the WCC - I like that you've already got a group of really good coaches. And thanks re: Naismith.
8/20/2012 11:03 AM
How to pick a D1 school Topic

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