If it is Kjar, I’m actually more than cautiously optimistic. I remember being underwhelmed when they announced a special teams coordinator from the U (after going after names like McBride and John L. Smith) and Hill brought an attitude and culture desperately needed…and he shifted the focus to heavy in state recruiting.
I think Mental was in over his head as a an OC in FCS and a fish out of water as a head coach (honestly he looked lost on the sidelines). He concentrated on his comfort zone of recruiting…and it sucked. The talented out of state recruits just flat out don’t care as much. All FBS transfers I can think of have been abysmal, so I think a coach who has ties to the local talent will work out well. I remember seeing Idaho State tear apart the Wildcats and one of their players was from Ogden. It’s understandable losing out on talent to the U, BYU, and USU…but Weber State shouldn’t be losing out on local talent to Idaho State, SUU, or Utah Tech.
Hell, it might even be worth coordinating with BYU and U of U and getting their recruits that will be buried on their rosters and never play with the realization if they do light it up, will be gone in a year or two.
I know some were excited of the Chiverani coach, but I agree with Olds, he didn’t tear it up immediately. I heard Mental’s Notre Dame college is a feeder school to Notre Dame University, and would basically succeed no matter who the coach is, so I don’t classify Coach Chiverani in that boat, but I think he would pretty much give up on local talent and be a risk competing in the best overall FCS conference as he would be completely new to it.
I remember some really good football when Weber State went 2-10 during Hill’s first year because he brought energy and got the most out of his team. Honestly that year was more fun to watch than Mental’s first 6-5 year with inconsistent play and mistake heavy football.
I think Kjar might be in that same mold of Hill and increase the give a sh*t factor, of course this might be a lot of talk over nothing if another coach is named.
Crompton should very much be on a hot seat (like ass on fire hot). Given his history, he went with assistant coaches on staff for basketball and football and they have been awful so far…so if basketball and football don’t turn around quickly, he can retire sooner than he planned. Attendance for basketball is announced at 2,000 level when it once was in the 6,000 level. I didn’t even check football but imagine it’s really low, too. I don’t know if Wildcats athletics has ever been lower for these two sports.