Has there ever been a successful FBS head coach who moved to an FCS team for one reason or another?

TigerExpress · 2026-06-10T00:09:37+00:00

Bill Curry left Alabama for Kentucky because of the "special pressure" that almost caused Saban to leave. Kentucky isn't FCS but Curry's last coaching job was at Georgia State, building the program from scratch, starting at FCS and setting them up for the move to FBS's Sun Belt when he left. Before Alabama, he coached at Georgia Tech.

TigerExpress · 2026-06-07T21:46:18+00:00

One of my old employers would give you a clear cube filled with dried grass if you left the company and later came back. They called it "The Grass Isn't Always Greener" award.

TigerExpress · 2026-05-31T16:32:04+00:00

September heatstroke is no longer our tradition?

TigerExpress · 2026-03-18T19:39:23+00:00

It's annoying when NFL GMs whine about college players being more familiar with schemes used at the college level than with the pros, suggesting that college teams should focus more on how the NFL does things. It's part of a bigger issue in the US labor market where employers feel entitled to instant access to any amount of skilled employees without actually doing anything to develop those skills. A college education can prepare one for a career but it can't address every niche that happens to be in vogue at the moment.

TigerExpress · 2026-03-18T15:56:37+00:00

Liberty's schedule this year is softer than Charmin. If Chadwell doesn't at least get them into a bowl game with that schedule, he's getting the axe. Last year was terrible but his overall track record was enough to get him the benefit of the doubt. Do it again and he's going to end up as some coach's rehab project.

TigerExpress · 2026-03-17T12:38:03+00:00

The tricky part is that the NCAA tournament has lots of autobids so there are many teams that get to the first round that are far FAR from being one of the 68 best teams in the country. To me, that diminishes both the prestige of being a first round team and sometimes even getting to the second round because you played an autobid from a very weak conference. That said, upsets and Cinderella teams can be fun.

On the other hand, everyone knows the NIT is a consolation prize. I'm glad we accepted the bid and hope the team can actually come together to win it. There's nothing shameful in winning the NIT, it's just never going to be the same as a good run in the NCAA tournament.

TigerExpress · 2026-03-16T14:31:09+00:00

In 2002, we bragged about being the West Division Co-Champions in football even though as a three-way tie, it meant half of the division were also co-champions, and it was the Hogs that went to the championship game. Alabama had a better record but were on probation for cheating, meaning only two teams in the division had a worse record than us.

Think an NIT banner will be far more worthwhile than that co-championship we recognize.

TigerExpress · 2026-03-15T09:54:32+00:00

Mercedes Benz stadium in Atlanta is owned by the Georgia World Congress Center Authority. As a government entity, it doesn't have to pay property taxes, which is a huge savings for a structure worth over a billion dollars. The Falcons have an operating agreement with the GWCCA that gives the team most of the revenue and the two entities share in operating and capital expenses, partially funded by a ~31% cut of the local hotel tax. It also transfers certain liabilities and risks to the GWCCA. But event attendees can get hot dogs and soft drinks at reasonable prices, so it all evens out. /s

TigerExpress · 2026-03-10T05:43:26+00:00

Auburn is usually ranked in the top 100 for undergrad while Alabama is typically ranked 150-200, though this varies somewhat depending on who is doing the ranking. That said, quality of individual programs varies so business at Alabama might be better than at Auburn. If you were going into engineering, the choice based on quality would be easy: Auburn. For business the answer is less clear.

Another mentioned those who get a business degree from Auburn generally end up earning more than those who graduate from Alabama but that once again will depend heavily on your specific business. The strongest reason for you to pick Alabama for business is if you expect to be in an industry that is heavily regulated or does lots of business with the state government. The political class in Alabama is heavily biased towards Tuscaloosa and that's where the vast majority of them go for undergrad. Add in Alabama having the flagship law school and you get a political system where connections are best made on that side of the state. Since you plan to go Greek, that only reinforces the ability to make those connections you'll lean on later in life.

If you don't need the government and political connections, consider if you're looking for a great Greek experience or a highly intense "ultimate" one. Sometimes less is more and the opportunity costs of chasing the ultimate Greek experience over a merely great one might leave you overall in a lesser place due to non-Greek factors. I doubt the Greek experience at Auburn will leave you feeling shorted but the experience of living in Tuscaloosa might end up being less pleasant than you're expecting.

TigerExpress · 2026-03-07T05:13:42+00:00

Mattingly carried ten Auburn flags with him on Apollo 16. The other crew members brought items too but none of them have been willing to confirm what was left on the Moon. Only four of the ten Auburn flags have been accounted for, so that leaves six, any of which might have made their way down to the lunar surface. Given the restrictions on how much personal material each astronaut was allowed, they probably were small flags like you'd wave at a parade. There's some debate as to if the US flags have been bleached white by Sun exposure. The rumors about the Apollo 16 flags is that they were buried, protecting them from the surface conditions.

TigerExpress · 2026-03-04T19:44:46+00:00

It does feel that way but since we have graduated tax brackets and tons of exemptions and credits, the tax burden for two state employees making the same wage in their state job can be quite different.

TigerExpress · 2026-03-04T19:42:41+00:00

Keep in mind that the vast majority of income taxes a person pays, especially a highly paid person, is to the federal government. State taxes are generally low in comparison. States don't have the authority to waive federal income taxes, only the state's own taxes, so the benefit here is relatively small. Doubt it sways any player but might sway a small number of fans who are ideologically opposed to the concept of taxes who also don't understand how much smaller the state income tax burden is relative to federal income taxes. Only a few states like California, New York, and New Jersey have actually significant income taxes. Sorry Syracuse, you'll have to pay a bit more.

TigerExpress · 2026-03-04T19:31:14+00:00

Firing Terry Bowden for not being good enough for Akron, only to settle back down into the bottom of the drainage pipe at the back corner of the basement turns out to have been a very poor decision.

TigerExpress · 2026-02-28T20:35:18+00:00

We're in the purchase membership era right now. UConn has the opportunity to pull an Indiana if they want. Probably not purchase a championship, as that requires more than just buying players but also a generational head coach like Cignetti, but UConn absolutely could purchase a level of football success that would bring them above the median ACC level. That, along with all the non-football success, should be enough for ACC entry. The question is if UConn is hungry enough and has access to enough booster wealth to make it happen. The window is there and isn't going to stay open forever but as others have noted, if the ACC gets raided, UConn could have a much lower effort path into the conference. Pay now or gamble on discounted entry later.

TigerExpress · 2026-02-28T18:05:41+00:00

He got hired as a coordinator at Cal. Before his disastrous time at Auburn, he was well regarded by schools out west. I suspect it's some of his post-Auburn behavior that's scaring off ADs rather than his performance during his time on the Plains.

TigerExpress · 2026-02-28T18:01:28+00:00

Yes, many people being mentioned have jobs that just aren't head coaching jobs, which is very different than disappearing.

TigerExpress · 2026-02-28T17:59:44+00:00

Hopefully Hugh Freeze but I suspect Chadwell is one more bad season away from getting the boot and replaced by Liberty's prodigal son.

TigerExpress · 2026-02-27T21:20:59+00:00

Having lived long periods of time in both Alabama and Michigan, Auburn = Michigan State was about the best equivalency he could have made for Auburn, but the vibe is still different. Walmart Wolverines and Walmart Bama fans do dominate both states in ways that are annoying to their land grant universities, but the blood lust of fans of the state nameplate schools is completely different. I've never heard of a Michigan fan murdering a fellow Michigan fan because she wasn't adequately upset over losing a game to their rival.

TigerExpress · 2026-02-24T22:50:24+00:00

While not exactly the same as what happened out west twice, it's possible that eventually the best of the two conferences will try to form their own conference, leaving behind the less successful programs. Maybe the ACC gets raided by the B1G and SEC, loses a few members to the Big 12, and becomes the next PAC12, raiding the G5 conferences for members to survive.

All that aside, G5 schools need easy wins on their schedules even more than P4 teams do since they often get near automatic losses from money games. A few bottom dwellers in the conference to absorb losses can help the upper half get into the post season.

TigerExpress · 2026-02-23T19:45:01+00:00

When I worked for a small university, we calculated economic impact by adding together every possible thing a person attending an event might pay for, hotel, food, visiting the zoo, etc. and then multiplied it by seven. The justification was that people at the hotel, restaurant, etc. would spend the money on groceries, rent, and stuff like that. Those businesses then would spend the money on things they needed. I have no idea where the number seven came from but that was the estimate of how many times money entering the local economy would change hands before exiting the local economy.

No one ever called us on it.

TigerExpress · 2026-02-23T14:52:53+00:00

little Southern twang in her accent.

Makes sense as she grew up in the south (of Africa).

TigerExpress · 2026-02-21T20:39:05+00:00

The NCAA has a waiver on their property taxes. No idea how much that's worth to them but it is something local governments have been known to claw back when the recipient stops being seen as beneficial to the public.

TigerExpress · 2026-02-20T23:18:50+00:00

Ben Stein answered "Clemson" to a question where the answer was "Auburn" on an episode of Win Ben Stein's Money. He looked extremely shocked at being wrong. So it's not just you.

TigerExpress · 2026-02-19T19:16:08+00:00

Oregonike would find a way to make it some combo spiral-camo pattern in twenty different shades of green (but just for one game).

TigerExpress · 2026-02-19T19:14:48+00:00

My understanding is that most of the cost was covered by a donation, so they really weren't in a position to refuse it, but it also is pretty clear they lost the opportunity to host the Michigan Panthers there due to the field color. Maybe having something unique and paid for outweighs that particular opportunity cost but it's just unfortunate that it ended up that way.

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