When it comes to Division-I, FBS Football, the rich get richer. If you win the National Championship, naturally more recruits will want to join your program. The more high end recruits you have, the higher your chances will be at winning the Championship again, and the cycle goes on and on and on. Well...unless you are outside of the Power 5 Conferences (Big 12, PAC 12, B1G, ACC and SEC).
The Bowling Green Falcons football program celebrated an underdog MAC Championship win in 2013 with Head Coach Dave Clawson leaving for Wake Forest. Two years later, they celebrated another title with Head Coach Dino Babers leaving for Syracuse. Four years later, with Dave Clawson and Dino Babers' recruits all but gone, new Head Coach Scott Loeffler is left with a bigger rebuild than the Detroit Tigers.
"Unconditioned, Fat, Football Team"
No, those are not my words, those are Coach Loeffler's. When asked about the improvements that have been made in the off-season, he quickly pointed out that the team as a whole, was fat and out of shape. Honestly, it's not terribly surprising given the circumstances this program was under the past few years. The Jinks hire was questioned immediately due to his lack of experience, and it showed. Last year the team finished with a 3-8 record, an interim Head Coach, a defense that gave up 40 pts/game and a ninth straight loss in the Battle of I-75 to Toledo.
If you wanted specific answers from Loeffler about strategy, starters etc...then you're going to be very upset from the lack of information in this interview. The silver lining is that Loeffler seems like he is 100% embracing the challenge. When I asked about the struggle up north with Toledo, he looked me in the eyes and said he understands the rivalry, but that's not where the team is. He's not worried about Toledo, Kent, Notre Dame, or even the home opener against Morgan St. The primary concern is getting the guys in shape, adding serious recruits, and getting the team to play for each other. It won't all happen this year, and that is quite clear. However, just from my first impression with Loeffler, it seems that Athletic Director Bob Moosebrugger made an excellent hire.
Despite the troubles that the Falcons will go through this year , they will finally be something that they haven't been in years: interesting.
Listen to my interview with Scott Loeffler here: