Minnesota fires Glen Mason

[CalallenStang]

Apparently they don't like blowing a 31 point lead up in Gopherland.

[Stallion]

one of the stupiest decisions ever made by a university. Glen Mason is an excellent football coach and better than anyone they will get.

[mathman]

one of the stupiest decisions ever made by a university. Glen Mason is an excellent football coach and better than anyone they will get.

Couldn't agree with you more. And a month before signing day!!

[CalallenStang]

one of the stupiest decisions ever made by a university. Glen Mason is an excellent football coach and better than anyone they will get.

That's scary. I just completely 100% agreed with Stallion.

[Big10Ponyfan]

I have returned from a 10-day layoff. And for those who are wondering, my back has recovered, and I'm at about 90 percent. Lower back spasms on Christmas Day. Not a great way to celebrate. Thank goodness for muscle relaxers and pain killers.

Now, on to the topic:
I have really mixed emotions about this.
On one hand, Glen Mason is the best coach The U has had since Lou Holtz. He took it to better heights.
* They won at Michigan last year for the first time in 20 years. They won at Ohio State in 2000 for the first time since 1949. They won at No. 2 Penn State in 1999.
* They produced all-american linemen in Greg Elsinger and Matt Spaeth (TE) to name a couple.
* They averaged 6 wins a year.
* The marked improvement led to the new stadium that is suppose to be ready in 2009. We'll see about that.

But on the flipside, there is this:
* I have watched the Gophers blow big leads. That's why when they lost to Tech, I just shrugged my shoulders and said, 'typical'. Here's why:
1. They blew a 28-7 lead to Michigan in 2003 in the 3rd quarter and lost, 38-35.
2. They blew a game to Wisconsin last year when the punter whiffs on the boot and the Badgers covered it in the end zone in the final seconds to pull out the victory.
3. They lost to Northwestern in 2001 when the Wildcats won on a Hail Mary on the final play.
4. They lost another big lead to Purdue in 2000 in the fourth quarter.
5. Their defense has been one of the worst in the conference since David Gibbs left after the 2000 season. (I'd like to see them go after him). David recruited Texas.
6. While Mason is a sound fundamental coach -- see Marion Barber III -- he is also the kind of coach who can take you to one level but not to the next. That said, I've argued with my relatives up in Minnesota that if he leaves, get ready for 3-8, 4-7 and 2-9.

Now, The U shouldn't confuse itself with Michigan or Ohio State. It is a mid-level Big 10 program that hasn't won the conference title since 1967. Maybe the new stadium will change that.

The timing is not exactly the best. But 8 of their 22 commitments were JUCOs who signed on Dec. 20.

I also have been critical of AD Joel Maturi who a year to the day extended Mason's contract by five years. So go figure. He better have a plan and a list and ready to move to keep their commitments and signings solid.

Who is next in line? I have no idea. I like David Gibbs. Larry Coker? Just throwing it out there.

But throughout the season, Mason' act was wearing thin. And his arrogance pushed a lot of people off. This hire will determine Maturi's tenure.

As for the Big 10's bowl record, I'm sure all the anti-Big 10ers are enjoying the 0-3 record. That's fine. It is what it is. Doesn't mean I'm jumping off the conference bandwagon anytime soon. I'm just glad one Texas fan was at least sweating it out to crappy Iowa. He had to be pulling his hair out.

[RGV Pony]

Either way, I'm sure Mason wishes he'd have taken the UGa job instead of going back to KU for a year before being wooed away to the land of a bunch of lakes.

[Water Pony]

Blowing a big lead shouldn't have caused this decision. There must have been considerable concerns beforehand.

Having said that, Minnesota is a great job. Twin Cities, despite being cold, is a great city and U. of Minnesota has a good history in FB, including national champs in the distant past.

The new stadium will be special for them and the Big Ten, which has not seen new ones since Michigan State joined the conference in the 1949, after U. of Chicago departed in 1946, and Penn State affiliated in 1990.

Go Bucks, beat Florida!

[that's great raplh]

one of the stupiest decisions ever made by a university. Glen Mason is an excellent football coach and better than anyone they will get.

very stupid

[J.T.supporta]

It might have been a stooopid move before signing day but when you cant continue to compete in the BIG TEN your time could end shortly. Sure hes produced a great handful of backs in the Pros now but Bret Bielma did it in one year and Joe Pa is still finding ways to win; If you cant find ways to beat the best in your conference then your job is in jeopardy.

Ty Willingham said it best, "You get hired to get fired."

[PonyPride]

Big10PF:
Glad you're feeling better, old man.

Hope the Yellow Hamsters have a lot of stud commitments who would rather play somewhere else .... like, say, over 1,000 miles south....

[CalallenStang]

Big10PF:
Glad you're feeling better, old man.

Hope the Yellow Hamsters have a lot of stud commitments who would rather play somewhere else .... like, say, over 1,000 miles south....

In a beautiful stadium in a city where you can walk outside in October and not worry about frostbite

[Mountain Mustang]

I can almost see the headlines now: "SMU gets Top 25 recruiting class after Mason gets canned and all recruits flock to Dallas."

...Almost.

[smupony94]

one of the stupiest decisions ever made by a university. Glen Mason is an excellent football coach and better than anyone they will get.

That's scary. I just completely 100% agreed with Stallion.

Go take a cold shower, talk to some friends, go out in public and you will not be Stallion