Amazing

[Phantom Hornet]

Just wanted to post my appreciation for Coach Taylor. What he’s done in two years is beyond amazing. Never thought I’d see back to back conference championships for Sac State football after watching so much heartbreak the last 30 years.

Shows what happens when you hire good people and commit financially.

 

[BuckeyeHornetFan]

^^ What he said.

Awesome couple seasons for Hornets fans to watch. Hopefully we get a better performance in the postseason this time around. But even still, it’s been super fun.

And hopefully Coach Taylor is committed to SAC and won’t be lured away any time soon.

I remember somebody here at SACBUZZ lobbying for Coach Taylor to be the Hornets HC while he was still at Folsom. Looks like that person was right about at least one thing!

What a home run hire!

 

[SDHornet]

Just wanted to post my appreciation for Coach Taylor. What he’s done in two years is beyond amazing. Never thought I’d see back to back conference championships for Sac State football after watching so much heartbreak the last 30 years.

Shows what happens when you hire good people and commit financially.

Well said and completely agree. :clap:

 

[superhornet]

Amen to that! I hope Taylor gets an extension as a Christmas present....

 

[Kadeezy]

Amen to that! I hope Taylor gets an extension as a Christmas present....

He still has four years left on his deal after this one I think lol. If there’s any chance of us keeping him, it will be by beefing up his staff budget and making other program improvements, perhaps related to facilities, travel, attendance…

If money for him is the motivating factor (I don’t think it is or we would’ve never got him in the first place), he would’ve already been gone… we’ll see - the off-season will be wild…

 

[Green Cookie Monster]

I hope Coach Taylor stays around long enough to finally get some facility improvements started. He has a chance to be the Don Read of Sac State, Jim Sweeny of Fresno, Chris Ault of Nevada.

Not many FBS coaches get to leave their legacy, only check stubs.

* Fun Fact, Montucky Don Read great is a Sac State grad.

 

[GreenArmySwarm]

I genuinely believe that the only school Taylor will leave Sac State for is Cal (for obvious reasons). And that might come sooner rather than later. I wouldn’t be surprised if Andy Thompson gets offered a HC gig somewhere this Summer also. A lot of HC positions opened up at the FCS level in what would be considered “desirable” jobs.

Nevertheless, it’s time to reward Taylor. I know he still has a lot of years left in his contract, but it’s time to make him one of the highest paid FCS coach in the country. In addition to that, more money for his coaching staff. (Only caveat is that he would have to agree to a high buy out paid by the FBS program that wants to poach him) There’s no point of beating around the bush about it.

 

[BuckeyeHornetFan]

I genuinely believe that the only school Taylor will leave Sac State for is Cal (for obvious reasons). And that might come sooner rather than later. I wouldn’t be surprised if Andy Thompson gets offered a HC gig somewhere this Summer also. A lot of HC positions opened up at the FCS level in what would be considered “desirable” jobs.

Nevertheless, it’s time to reward Taylor. I know he still has a lot of years left in his contract, but it’s time to make him one of the highest paid FCS coach in the country. In addition to that, more money for his coaching staff. (Only caveat is that he would have to agree to a high buy out paid by the FBS program that wants to poach him) There’s no point of beating around the bush about it.

After Coach Taylor’s 1st season as Hornets coach, he was quoted saying the following:

“I do hear (about the openings from others) and people are curious,” Taylor said. “It’s nice to be mentioned in those circles, but I really like what I do here. I love what I’m doing.”

“We’re just getting started. We want to build something really special here. Those things take time.”

“For me, it’s never been about the money,” Taylor said. “It’s about enjoying the game and the people I’m around. I’m having a blast. I have no intention of being anywhere but here.“

Attitudes and goals can change over time, of course. And the CAL job officially becoming available and offered might change things too. However he has at least said and done things indicating that his desires may be a bit different from most others.

I think he showed that in opting for a near 300K pay cut to come back home. Sure, it was for a head coaching gig that could lead to another HC gig — but there were other higher paid paths available working toward the same goal.

I think he may very well be the type more interested in building something from scratch and being a catalyst than just another spoke in the wheel.

Making CAL relevant certainly wouldn’t be easy and would be a nice accomplishment, but it would be much more of an accomplishment to turn SAC STATE into the next Fresno or Boise.

Transforming the Hornets into a consistent winner is step 1. Step 2 is getting facilities built/upgraded and making the move up to FBS.

I’m hoping those are the types of stars he’d like to shoot for.

As for rewarding Coach Taylor for the job he’s already done — I fully agree.

According to the SACBEE former men’s basketball coach Brian Katz was the highest paid non-administrative employee at around $286K.

If they could pay Katz that amount, it shouldn’t be a problem raising Taylor’s salary above that amount.

Get that salary closer to up over 300-350K before incentives and maybe it’ll help to keep him longer. Obviously that is peanuts compared to what CAL can offer, but if it’s enough to live rather comfortably it could help keep someone not overly motivated by $$$.

Hopefully with Katz retired now they can reallocate some of that $$$ and give Taylor a much deserved raise and show they really value and want to keep him.

If I was Mark Orr that’s what I’d be working on ASAP.

 

[Kadeezy]

I genuinely believe that the only school Taylor will leave Sac State for is Cal (for obvious reasons). And that might come sooner rather than later. I wouldn’t be surprised if Andy Thompson gets offered a HC gig somewhere this Summer also. A lot of HC positions opened up at the FCS level in what would be considered “desirable” jobs.

Nevertheless, it’s time to reward Taylor. I know he still has a lot of years left in his contract, but it’s time to make him one of the highest paid FCS coach in the country. In addition to that, more money for his coaching staff. (Only caveat is that he would have to agree to a high buy out paid by the FBS program that wants to poach him) There’s no point of beating around the bush about it.

After Coach Taylor’s 1st season as Hornets coach, he was quoted saying the following:

“I do hear (about the openings from others) and people are curious,” Taylor said. “It’s nice to be mentioned in those circles, but I really like what I do here. I love what I’m doing.”

“We’re just getting started. We want to build something really special here. Those things take time.”

“For me, it’s never been about the money,” Taylor said. “It’s about enjoying the game and the people I’m around. I’m having a blast. I have no intention of being anywhere but here.“

Attitudes and goals can change over time, of course. And the CAL job officially becoming available and offered might change things too. However he has at least said and done things indicating that his desires may be a bit different from most others.

I think he showed that in opting for a near 300K pay cut to come back home. Sure, it was for a head coaching gig that could lead to another HC gig — but there were other higher paid paths available working toward the same goal.

I think he may very well be the type more interested in building something from scratch and being a catalyst than just another spoke in the wheel.

Making CAL relevant certainly wouldn’t be easy and would be a nice accomplishment, but it would be much more of an accomplishment to turn SAC STATE into the next Fresno or Boise.

Transforming the Hornets into a consistent winner is step 1. Step 2 is getting facilities built/upgraded and making the move up to FBS.

I’m hoping those are the types of stars he’d like to shoot for.

As for rewarding Coach Taylor for the job he’s already done — I fully agree.

According to the SACBEE former men’s basketball coach Brian Katz was the highest paid non-administrative employee at around $286K.

If they could pay Katz that amount, it shouldn’t be a problem raising Taylor’s salary above that amount.

Get that salary closer to up over 300-350K before incentives and maybe it’ll help to keep him longer. Obviously that is peanuts compared to what CAL can offer, but if it’s enough to live rather comfortably it could help keep someone not overly motivated by $$$.

Hopefully with Katz retired now they can reallocate some of that $$$ and give Taylor a much deserved raise and show they really value and want to keep him.

If I was Mark Orr that’s what I’d be working on ASAP.

Agree, and I’m sure Orr is running around with his hair on fire (metaphorical hair) to get things in place to keep Taylor happy.

My best case scenario is we keep the bulk of this staff together for one more year (Taylor, Thompson, Fresques, and Richardson) with a ton of talent coming back.

I don’t see Wilcox at Cal lasting beyond the 2022 season. And I bet it would be Taylor’s job to turn down from what I hear on the Cal boards…. Thompson at that point would probably have his choice of Cal DC or Sac HC (if he isn’t poached this year). If Thompson isn’t an option either, let’s go Richardson HC, Freques OC, and Choate/Coach Kee as DC.

 

[Green Cookie Monster]

I genuinely believe that the only school Taylor will leave Sac State for is Cal (for obvious reasons). And that might come sooner rather than later. I wouldn’t be surprised if Andy Thompson gets offered a HC gig somewhere this Summer also. A lot of HC positions opened up at the FCS level in what would be considered “desirable” jobs.

Nevertheless, it’s time to reward Taylor. I know he still has a lot of years left in his contract, but it’s time to make him one of the highest paid FCS coach in the country. In addition to that, more money for his coaching staff. (Only caveat is that he would have to agree to a high buy out paid by the FBS program that wants to poach him) There’s no point of beating around the bush about it.

After Coach Taylor’s 1st season as Hornets coach, he was quoted saying the following:

“I do hear (about the openings from others) and people are curious,” Taylor said. “It’s nice to be mentioned in those circles, but I really like what I do here. I love what I’m doing.”

“We’re just getting started. We want to build something really special here. Those things take time.”

“For me, it’s never been about the money,” Taylor said. “It’s about enjoying the game and the people I’m around. I’m having a blast. I have no intention of being anywhere but here.“

Attitudes and goals can change over time, of course. And the CAL job officially becoming available and offered might change things too. However he has at least said and done things indicating that his desires may be a bit different from most others.

I think he showed that in opting for a near 300K pay cut to come back home. Sure, it was for a head coaching gig that could lead to another HC gig — but there were other higher paid paths available working toward the same goal.

I think he may very well be the type more interested in building something from scratch and being a catalyst than just another spoke in the wheel.

Making CAL relevant certainly wouldn’t be easy and would be a nice accomplishment, but it would be much more of an accomplishment to turn SAC STATE into the next Fresno or Boise.

Transforming the Hornets into a consistent winner is step 1. Step 2 is getting facilities built/upgraded and making the move up to FBS.

I’m hoping those are the types of stars he’d like to shoot for.

As for rewarding Coach Taylor for the job he’s already done — I fully agree.

According to the SACBEE former men’s basketball coach Brian Katz was the highest paid non-administrative employee at around $286K.

If they could pay Katz that amount, it shouldn’t be a problem raising Taylor’s salary above that amount.

Get that salary closer to up over 300-350K before incentives and maybe it’ll help to keep him longer. Obviously that is peanuts compared to what CAL can offer, but if it’s enough to live rather comfortably it could help keep someone not overly motivated by $$$.

Hopefully with Katz retired now they can reallocate some of that $$$ and give Taylor a much deserved raise and show they really value and want to keep him.

If I was Mark Orr that’s what I’d be working on ASAP.

I agree, but Orr will need $$$ to attract a HC to play in the 1951 Gym.

Is it a time where the school considers 22 varsity sports unsustainable?
Most FBS schools and most of our FCS conference mates have 16 or so varsity programs. I know Title 9 is important, but at a point the numbers will be unsustainable at FCS and a 1,000 seat gym.

We are near the point of offering sporting opportunities for all who want to participate and to be mediocre and generally irrelevant, or does the school want to refine the athletic department to reflect a business with a brand (football, basketball) and any left over profits funds the non-revenue sports.

Sac has the highest budget in the SKY and one in the FCS, we cant be a $40M FCS school, doesnt make fiscal sense with our budget and student size. Next big state funding cut and the house of cards will come tumbling.

 

[BuckeyeHornetFan]

I don’t see Wilcox at Cal lasting beyond the 2022 season. And I bet it would be Taylor’s job to turn down from what I hear on the Cal boards…. Thompson at that point would probably have his choice of Cal DC or Sac HC (if he isn’t poached this year). If Thompson isn’t an option either, let’s go Richardson HC, Freques OC, and Choate/Coach Kee as DC.

Rumors I’ve been reading aren’t so much about Wilcox losing his job at CAL but rather him getting offered elsewhere. UW is one possibility I’ve seen recently.

If Taylor did leave for CAL, I’d hope to see Thompson take over as Hornets HC and have Fresques as his OC. IMO that’d really help to keep consistency and continuity with our offense and defense.

But hopefully Taylor is a man of his word with regard to loving the job here, who he’s working with and not being motivated by money. He could have been noncommittal about all of that, which is kinda the norm. And I don’t see shades of Nick Saban in how he conducts himself.

One can hope.

 

[BuckeyeHornetFan]

I agree, but Orr will need $$$ to attract a HC to play in the 1951 Gym.

If I’m AD, I don’t make men’s basketball a priority at all.

Circa 2014 when the basketball program looked like it was taking off and football was not what it is now, I understood the push in that direction.

However with where both programs are now, I’d focus most my efforts on football. That’s typically the flagship program for most universities and the main catalyst for sustaining everything else anyway.

Head football coach needs to be the clear cut highest paid staff member, with emphasis on his staff. Until a new gym is built, the basketball program has a very low ceiling for success, especially compared to the football program.

While Hornet Stadium is not up to par and is desperate need of upgrades, it at least has somewhat high capacity and can generate attendance and $$$ if the team is consistently good.

If the team does well this playoff season and the covid fears and procedures slow down, I think we’ll see more interest and an attendance bump next season. If that continues over a few years — it can have a nice impact.

Strike while the iron is hot.

 

[SDHornet]

I don’t see Wilcox at Cal lasting beyond the 2022 season. And I bet it would be Taylor’s job to turn down from what I hear on the Cal boards…. Thompson at that point would probably have his choice of Cal DC or Sac HC (if he isn’t poached this year). If Thompson isn’t an option either, let’s go Richardson HC, Freques OC, and Choate/Coach Kee as DC.

Rumors I’ve been reading aren’t so much about Wilcox losing his job at CAL but rather him getting offered elsewhere. UW is one possibility I’ve seen recently.

If Taylor did leave for CAL, I’d hope to see Thompson take over as Hornets HC and have Fresques as his OC. IMO that’d really help to keep consistency and continuity with our offense and defense.

But hopefully Taylor is a man of his word with regard to loving the job here, who he’s working with and not being motivated by money. He could have been noncommittal about all of that, which is kinda the norm. And I don’t see shades of Nick Saban in how he conducts himself.

One can hope.

Agree. Let's enjoy this run while it lasts...and hopefully it lasts for many more years into the future.

Plenty of quality coaches to promote to the big seat if/when Taylor is hired away, provided those coaches are still here.

 

[SDHornet]

I agree, but Orr will need $$$ to attract a HC to play in the 1951 Gym.

If I’m AD, I don’t make men’s basketball a priority at all.

Circa 2014 when the basketball program looked like it was taking off and football was not what it is now, I understood the push in that direction.

However with where both programs are now, I’d focus most my efforts on football. That’s typically the flagship program for most universities and the main catalyst for sustaining everything else anyway.

Head football coach needs to be the clear cut highest paid staff member, with emphasis on his staff. Until a new gym is built, the basketball program has a very low ceiling for success, especially compared to the football program.

While Hornet Stadium is not up to par and is desperate need of upgrades, it at least has somewhat high capacity and can generate attendance and $$$ if the team is consistently good.

If the team does well this playoff season and the covid fears and procedures slow down, I think we’ll see more interest and an attendance bump next season. If that continues over a few years — it can have a nice impact.

Strike while the iron is hot.

Agree the focus should be in FB. That's literally the only sport we sponsor that can actually bring in revenue.

Regarding MBB, I'm interested to see how Nelsen and Orr handle the HC hiring process. They were able to pull a splashy hire for WBB, I'm curious if they can do the same for MBB. And the facility issue is overhyped. While the Nest is a joke of a D1 facility, we have Golden1 available for use, and I fully expect the next MBB HC to leverage that in scheduling and on the recruiting trail.

BTW Laird and Co just spanked the dungpilers at G1 last night, 75-63. :lol:

 

[Green Cookie Monster]

BTW Laird and Co just spanked the dungpilers at G1 last night, 75-63. :lol:

1,507, doubled the average attendance of home.

 

[BuckeyeHornetFan]

BTW Laird and Co just spanked the dungpilers at G1 last night, 75-63. :lol:

1,507, doubled the average attendance of home.

They’re gonna have to do much better than that. And even that was for rival UCD. What happens when UM or EWU comes to town? Probably back to the average attendance numbers even at G1C — which loses you money.

It’s nice that G1C is available, but if we can’t get the students to make the 4-5 mile trek off campus, what’s the point?

A viable on-campus facility is of paramount importance.

That said, I’d still focus on football first and foremost. Is there a way to separate the track and football field? Can the practice track become the full-time track?

To me, addressing that issue — along with a better restroom experience — should be at the top of the list.