Was this season a success?

[dudeitsaid]

There is a lot of emotion running through the fanbase after a gut-punch of a loss, and dashed expectations. And I get it, because these kind of losses are hard for me to get out of my mind, and I'm just a fan. Can't imagine how the players feel...

That being said, some of the frustration makes it seem as if this team and season missed the mark for some of the fans. Of course, every team in the country would love to win the NC, but there are realistically only maybe ten teams a season or less that have a legitimate shot.

With that in mind, Eagle Fans, what do you consider a successful season? I know these options aren't mutually exclusive, so choose the one that you require at a minimum to walk away feeling like the season was a success in your mind.

 

[LDopaPDX]

I always say there are three main success factors:

1. Make the playoffs
2. Win the Big Sky
3. Win the National Championship

The third is by far the most difficult. If you can accomplish either of the first two, the season is a "success." Any playoff win is gravy after that.

In truth, I'd agree that making the Quarters and Semis ought to be added bonuses. No crappy teams luck their way into the final 8, and especially not the final 4.

 

[LDopaPDX]

Another thing to note is how many schools have committed far more resources to their football program than Eastern. In our own conference, Montana and Montana State give a lot more money to their programs (especially related to facilities) than Eastern does. And yet we regularly beat both teams and have had for more recent success than either. I'd say we get a great return on investment.

 

[sammamisheag]

Another thing to note is how many schools have committed far more resources to their football program than Eastern. In our own conference, Montana and Montana State give a lot more money to their programs (especially related to facilities) than Eastern does. And yet we regularly beat both teams and have had for more recent success than either. I'd say we get a great return on investment.

EWU gets CBB for another year at least. I surely hope the Alumni base increases donations so the facilities can be upgraded to attract better recruits which will keep EWU are the #1 FCS program in the West which it is now. Very excited about next year. Felt back in August our "next" Top 4 year would be in 2017.

 

[Seattle Eagle]

I went with making the playoffs. I think this is a minimum requirement for a "successful" season.

 

[Atomic Eagle]

I don't know if winning the Big Sky EVERY year is realistic, but getting into the playoffs with at least a 7-4 record should be.

 

[EagInTexas]

Playoffs.

 

[ewueagfan]

At this point I think winning the Big Sky is a realistic expectation every season.

 

[Eags12]

Another thing to note is how many schools have committed far more resources to their football program than Eastern. In our own conference, Montana and Montana State give a lot more money to their programs (especially related to facilities) than Eastern does. And yet we regularly beat both teams and have had for more recent success than either. I'd say we get a great return on investment.

EWU gets CBB for another year at least. I surely hope the Alumni base increases donations so the facilities can be upgraded to attract better recruits which will keep EWU are the #1 FCS program in the West which it is now. Very excited about next year. Felt back in August our "next" Top 4 year would be in 2017.

Agreed. I feel like we might be at a ceiling right now for the program without improving our facilities.

Also, I went with making the playoffs.

 

[kalm]

Another thing to note is how many schools have committed far more resources to their football program than Eastern. In our own conference, Montana and Montana State give a lot more money to their programs (especially related to facilities) than Eastern does. And yet we regularly beat both teams and have had for more recent success than either. I'd say we get a great return on investment.

EWU gets CBB for another year at least. I surely hope the Alumni base increases donations so the facilities can be upgraded to attract better recruits which will keep EWU are the #1 FCS program in the West which it is now. Very excited about next year. Felt back in August our "next" Top 4 year would be in 2017.

Agreed. I feel like we might be at a ceiling right now for the program without improving our facilities.

Also, I went with making the playoffs.

We won a National Championship with worse facilities in 2010. We were a few plays away from winning National Championships in 3 years since with the current facilities. Nova and Richmond won NC's the two years before us with similar facilities and fan support.

Stadium upgrades will help the program but I don't sense a ceiling.

 

[EWURanger]

Agreed. I feel like we might be at a ceiling right now for the program without improving our facilities.

I actually kind of agree with this. Kids come to EWU because of the coaching and winning culture. IMO, these are the two major variables that have gone into the sustained success that we've enjoyed the past 6 or 7 years.

Despite all of that, there still seems to be a missing ingredient that has prevented us from getting over the hump, with 2010 being the obvious exception. I'm not saying inadequate facilities was the determining factor for being one play away from getting back to the NC this year and in 2013. But what I am saying is that even modest improvements might enable the coaching staff to be able to go after some recruits that they may not have had much of a chance with previously.

The program has a lot of selling points right now, but I think fixing the stadium would open up some additional opportunities. And if it happens under the current HC I think it would solidify EWU as an "elite" program in the FCS. We can compare W/L all we want, but we need the facilities aspect to catch up to the product on the field to ensure long term success and stability of the program.

I know...beating a dead horse here. But we need to get this figured out at some point in the near future.

We won a National Championship with worse facilities in 2010. We were a few plays away from winning National Championships in 3 years since with the current facilities. Nova and Richmond won NC's the two years before us with similar facilities and fan support.

Stadium upgrades will help the program but I don't sense a ceiling.

 

[EWURanger]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/CoachBBaldwin/status/810944997465800704[/tweet]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/CoachBBaldwin/status/810946571705556992[/tweet]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/CoachBBaldwin/status/810947121637511168[/tweet]

:clap: :notworthy:

 

[LDopaPDX]

Unfortunately, I think the Admin may be "resting on their laurels" as it relates to pumping money into facilities. We may even be a victim of our own successes. I mean, what if the thought is "we're already good, so how is pushing $20mm into facilities going to make us better?"

My argument would be that stadium facilities are many people's gateway to view the university as a whole. Let's be honest, Eastern isn't Princeton, Stanford, Cal Tech, or MIT. Our academic standing isn't so high that it sells itself to students. Going to a football game may be a lot of prospective student's first glimpse at our school, and showing well in that area has a lot of marketing value.

What do our facilities say about us now? I'd argue they make us look like a university willing to put a bandaid on a tumor just to do it on the cheap. There are a lot of reasons for kids to choose Eastern over Montana and Montana State, but university commitment to athletics isn't one of them.

 

[Atomic Eagle]

At this point I think winning the Big Sky is a realistic expectation every season.

We're in a large conference with teams playing unbalanced schedules plus we play Montana and MSU every year. So any given year a team with a soft conference schedule could slip past us if we drop one game in conference. This is what I hate about the rotating schedule format and also why I don't think winning the big sky is achievable every year. Making the playoffs should be the primary determinant of success. Anything beyond that is gravy.

 

[Obzerver]

Atomic, right on! I concur on your full statement. Cal Poly for example next year does NOT play EWU, ND, UM or MSU. Winning BSC is nice and players do get a ring but with schedule format who knows? Playoffs top goal. I don't even know who got the auto bid this season...anyone know?

 

[eaglesfootball]

Atomic, right on! I concur on your full statement. Cal Poly for example next year does NOT play EWU, ND, UM or MSU. Winning BSC is nice and players do get a ring but with schedule format who knows? Playoffs top goal. I don't even know who got the auto bid this season...anyone know?

we did, due to higher sugaring ranking or some such. :lol:

 

[scottywashere11]

This season was a blast. Super successful.

 

[SwoopedN]

I notice Coach Baldwin did not tweet about the defensive side of the ball.

 

[Eaglefanatical]

1. Make the playoffs

:thumb:

 

[Rontheoldwiseeagle]

Atomic, right on! I concur on your full statement. Cal Poly for example next year does NOT play EWU, ND, UM or MSU. Winning BSC is nice and players do get a ring but with schedule format who knows? Playoffs top goal. I don't even know who got the auto bid this season...anyone know?

So that is a break even schedule for them two loses to ND & EWU and wins over the Montana schools. the uneven schedules do make it hard for a fare champion but we do have a great playoff system for the Nat. Champ.