gregorymed (anonymous) says...

Hey coach higgins,
Where are the playmakers in this ESU football recruiting class? You desperatly need offense so where is the big time receivers and RB's? I do like your kicker from the Jenks, Oklahoma program. And....."the focus of our needs" was what? I hope you find a transfer or two over the summer or 2008 season will be ugly since you start the MIAA schedule @ Omaha with UNO.

February 6, 2008 at 1:48 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

admireed (anonymous) says...

Good grief greg. Give the guy some breathing room!!!

February 6, 2008 at 3:40 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

beth (anonymous) says...

Greg - did you see that the list is as of 11 am this morning? Do you have a patient bone in your body? I'm betting that there will be more players later today.

February 6, 2008 at 4:17 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

gregorymed (anonymous) says...

Just saw the updated list...it does looks better. With no significant transfers at semester....he has had his breathing room and " breaks". Beth, i am patient(14 months worth) but i also know what happens to coaches who do not produce in 2-3 years. It is called unemployment.....remember marc comstock and dave weimers? This isn't D-1 with 4-5 year development timetables...it is d-2 for crying out loud.

February 6, 2008 at 4:28 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

kublue2007 (anonymous) says...

Greg,
If you think more than 2-3 of these high school players are going to contribute next year, you are in FANTASY LAND!!!!
Most of these players wil redshirt and get bigger to try to play in 2-3 years. That is how it works in most football programs. If more than that plays a hole lot, we won't be very competitive. I do know he is very excited about the group that was redshirted last year and as always, he will find some D-1 transfers to come in and play right away. The biggest problem is ESU could be a lot better this year and could have the same record as last year since the schedule is so hard.

February 6, 2008 at 5:02 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

gregorymed (anonymous) says...

kublue,
I may be in fantasy land but there better be more than 2-3 of these recruits contribute next year(not start) or the higgins directed program is in real trouble.He needs to attract better players that do not need trett years before they can contribute in this league. He doesn't have another honeymoon/ throw away year in my opinion as he is in an 8 game losing streak. Most of these recruits should and will redshirt this fall but higgins needs help now not 2 years from now. Also, his recruits have to start showing they can fairly compete in the MIAA.....this ain't Alva Oklahoma and the Rangers.....it is Pitt State, Nebraska-Omaha, Northwest Missouri, Central Missouri, etc. I hope he can find a d-1 transfer or two to help him this summer since he struck out on the Jucos at the semester. I doubt very many hornet faithful are going to be showing up and giving any money to 3-8 programs even if the schedule is more difficult than last year. Seriously, who do you know who wants to support and cheer for a continuing loser. Sound too harsh? It is called competition in the MIAA and the real world.

February 6, 2008 at 6:05 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

admireed (anonymous) says...

No team in the MIAA or Lone Star for that matter wins with a bunch of freshmen.

February 6, 2008 at 6:14 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

eatasheep69 (anonymous) says...

Greg,
Just what exactly is your problem?
The above story is about good news to the program.
You're just being an @$$HAT.

February 6, 2008 at 7:23 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

tulsa49 (anonymous) says...

It's unfortunate that such harsh judgment of Coach Higgins so quickly appears in the newspaper and when fans should be as hopeful of success as the signees. I wonder if Mangino would still be employed at KU if he had such early support. Give Higgins some credit--he hasn't made any claims that this class will turn the program around. He's working on improving ESU by recruiting in Oklahoma and Texas. Keep in mind the players he's recruiting come from perennially Nationally Ranked programs and fit a rebuilding program quite nicely.

Would you feel better if the 3 teams they defeat this year are Washburn, PItt State and MSSU?
.

February 6, 2008 at 11:59 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

kublue2007 (anonymous) says...

Greg,
You are right.....You are in FANTASYLAND!!! Lets just wait and see how it all plays out. No team has ever won it all in February. Well, not in the real world. (I forgot about Greg's world!!!!)

February 7, 2008 at 8:37 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

gregorymed (anonymous) says...

Good news to the program? who says??? I have no problem other than the ESU football program which i used to enjoy watching and supporting being beaten like no other emporia state team in the past 40 years(PSU 62-0). Please quit comparing higgins to Mangino....d-1 is way different than d-2 although many thought Mangino should have been fired since his record was no better than former ku coach terry allen prior to this season.
For Tulsa49....i hope higgins does not hang around ESU for 4 or 5 years with 3-8 records just because he is recruiting oklahoma and texas and you think that means he is getting some kind of special player grown down there. He needs to show he can recruit a player of MIAA abilities which in my opinion he has yet to show and then be able to coach them.
Finally, I hope Higgins succeeds shortly and wins the league but the first thing he needs to show is his ability to recruit a talented player(even one) and somehow to finally break the losing streak his team is in right now. Also, let us hope higgins is recruiting nationally ranked program kids in OK & Texas and not their backup because the better ones are being signed at Pitt State.

February 7, 2008 at 12:41 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

outdoorsman25 (anonymous) says...

You would kind of figure he would heavily recruit Junior College transfers to get a jump start at competing in the MIAA next year. Lets hope he gets some signed

February 7, 2008 at 2:01 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

emporialifer (anonymous) says...

Win the league?! Have you checked out our league lately - especially the new additions? I would think people would be ecstatic for ESU to finish 3rd in the League. Given this is Higgins' first true recruiting year, I'd say it looks promising. JuCo transfers would help short term, but to build a program you have to start from the beginning. I wish Coach Higgins the best of luck and will continue to support the ESU Hornets because that is what a true fan does.

February 7, 2008 at 4:31 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

tulsa49 (anonymous) says...

No one compared Mangino to Higgins in the post, but I apologize for my imprecision. I thought my implicit point of patience self evident. Before making your choice of hatorade flavors I think you should look at the programs where Mangino recruited some of his freshman impact players-Bixby, Jenks, Muskogee and Union High Schools in Oklahoma. Look at those school's websites and satisfy yourself the players Higgins signed were worth the ink. After that go look who Pitt State and MSSU recruited and where the kids on their current rosters attended high school. The fact is Higgins made inroads at programs in Texas and Oklahoma that consistently pipeline players to the D1 and D2 level and have been reliable sources for Pitt State and MSSU. Barring that exercise, maybe you should check out which teams and players impacted their State Championship Games.
I hope some of this information will reduce your stress level, as I'd rather not offer my services as a heart surgeon.

February 7, 2008 at 5:56 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

playbook (anonymous) says...

Give Him a chance , he will be okay ! I am going to attend every home game with my Black and GOLD !

February 7, 2008 at 6:03 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

hornetplaya (anonymous) says...

hey greg,

As an esu football player I would like to extend my voice in saying that we don't want or need the support of an ###hole like you. It's not Higgins fault we went 3-8 or Wiemers before him so get off the coaching staff. Players gotta play, and they are doing what they can to improve the program that you seem so passionate about.

Thanks for the support!!!!

February 7, 2008 at 8:25 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

admireed (anonymous) says...

In order to finish 3rd in the conference in 2008 ESU (1-8 in 2007) will have to jump over, that means beat, MWSC, PSU, UCM, MSSC, TU, FHSU and UNO.

That is a lot to ask. 4-5 5-4 in the MIAA for anyone is having a great season. The easier win at SBU will be gone. That means beat 4 or 5 of those listed teams or WU/NWMS. Get real!

February 7, 2008 at 11:01 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

gregorymed (anonymous) says...

Hey hornetplaya,
maybe you should shut your mouth on the name calling and learn to play to win. Hopefully higgins or his assistants will send you packing after spring ball evaluations. The team needs athletes who will do whatever is necessary to win and reflect positively on the ESU community not a namecaller and LOSER!!!!!!!!
Tulsa 49,
Just because a kid played high school football at Jenks, Union, Bixby, etc. in oklahoma doesn't mean he can play in the MIAA. It is high school ball for god's sake! I agree the better players from those high schools end up in D-1 programs but they are not all top college players or even MIAA players. Patience......from a heart surgeon??? No thank you....if i need a heart surgeon it will be one with a sense of urgency who lives and dies wanting success and achieving success rather than being noted for the so called virture of ..... patience.
Emporialifer,
You can't win with just high school kids in the MIAA. The winning teams have Juco kids, d-1 transfers, NAIA transfers. Please go to www.themiaa.com and check out the winning programs player rosters. If Higgins thinks the winning route is simply to recruit high school players he will continue to lose and lose and lose and lose. Why? Because most of the high school kids do not work out or do not ever obtain the developed talent level required. The other football coaches in the MIAA aren't stupid.....they are winning football games for a proven reason. Good luck to this ESU coaching staff.
Playbook,
Higgins is getting his chance but it seems only reasonable to me he has to show the talent level is getting better and has a chance to coach the talent to win in the miaa. Ask yourelf this question when watching the team this spring and fall....."where's the difference makers"?

February 8, 2008 at 8:08 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

hornetplaya (anonymous) says...

Hey there greg,

I am willing to do what it takes to win and I will be around after the spring and I WILL be playing next year and busting it for our team. You want me to show you respect after all you are saying about the men I play for. If you had any guts and were so hell bent on making changes for this program you would come in and say your peace in front of the team instead of talking all big on a message board!!!!

February 8, 2008 at 8:38 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

kublue2007 (anonymous) says...

Hey Greg,
How much money have you put into the program to make it better???? I'm not talking about buying a ticket, I'm talking about donations. Don't get on here and tell me you give so much a year either.... I can tell you don't!!! That football player kid that you called a loser , I guarentee he has more "win" in him than you ever will. The loser here Greg is YOU!!! You have no idea what you are talking about. You are the kind of guy that just sits in his home wishing everyone else would do what it takes to succeed, then complain and criticize when they don't. Give everyone here a break Greg, become a Icabod fan....YOU WILL FIT RIGHT IN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

February 8, 2008 at 9:07 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

emporialifer (anonymous) says...

Thank you hornetplaya and Kublue for saying what most people were probably thinking - I think you guys hit the nail on the head. I always find it amusing when a person makes one statement then contradicts themselves in the very next like greg did.

Greg - you can't tell someone else not to call names and then turn around and call them names. See the problem? You lose all credibility.

hornetplaya - best of luck to you this season. Don't let the "haters" get you down - you guys are too good for that. Anyone that has ever played a sport in their life knows the dedication and drive an athlete has to have to compete at this level as well as the sacrifices they make to participate in a sport, so kudos to you - keep up the good work!

February 8, 2008 at 10:05 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

gregorymed (anonymous) says...

kublue,
you have no idea what you are talking about....truly none... and if you are K.U. blue then i know for sure you have not supported ESU (maybe K.U.)football like i have for many years(ALOT more than just tickets!). If hornetplaya is such a winner...where is it? No winning for the past 4 years or haven't you been paying attention in welch stadium. I only wish the ESU football program was as good as Washburn is ....hey they have done what is necessary to win from President Jerry Farley down to the latest grad assistant coach. They put their money where their mouth is and then EXPECT results. ESU should also even if Garrin Higgins is the coach and some kid like hornetplaya is on the squad. You would do well to open your eyes, take off the rose colored glasses and maybe try talking to others associated with the winning MIAA football programs.
emporialifer,
i did not call the hornetplaya a personal name like as he did me(a$$hole ) but stated a fact(4 years losing and record beatdowns from last year=LOSER) I am hoping this type of kid will get recruited off the team in the spring, locker clean out, and transfer to Ottawa or Baker. Enough with the losing.

February 8, 2008 at 11:40 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

eatasheep69 (anonymous) says...

Greg,

If you were to take your own advice and put your money where your mouth is, you would have to sit on your money to see it.

Maybe you'll see me at the games. I'll be one of the fans cheering for ESU (win or lose), not complaining or coaching from the stands. I'm smart enough to know that I can't play or coach half as well as those guys on the field.
GO HORNETS!

February 8, 2008 at 1:03 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

admireed (anonymous) says...

KUblue; Ichabods do not want that guy either

February 8, 2008 at 1:06 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

gregorymed (anonymous) says...

Eatasheep,
get real....you can't possibly want to sit in welch stadium and watch a repeat of last year or the losing years before. What fun or entertainment is that and what good is it for the ESU community, players, students, etc.?

hey admireed,
Since you popped off about the Ichabods....be assured AD Loren Ferre and Coach Schurig and SID Cassell wish i was a supporter of the Ichabods football and would love to take my money and continue to deliver a playoff winning product.

February 8, 2008 at 1:37 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

admireed (anonymous) says...

greg, you are probably right. They would take your money.

February 8, 2008 at 3:25 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

emporialifer (anonymous) says...

Wow - somebody sounds awfully full of himself. If the negativity spouting from this person didn't make me sick before, his obvious arrogance has hit the mark.

It's obviously pointless you guys, so I say we let the thread and ugliness (referring to the negativity not a PERSONAL attack) die.

February 8, 2008 at 4:02 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

esuhornets (anonymous) says...

gregorymed,
Since you are such a huge supporter tell us your name. Tell us who you are and how BIG of a supporter you really are. I don't think you have the pair to tell everyone your real name. I'll be wanting to see if you answer but I would bet everything that you will remain anonymous and give us some lame excuse as to why you can't tell us all your real name.

This is coming from a REAL HORNET FAN. GO HORNETS!!

February 8, 2008 at 5 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

tulsa49 (anonymous) says...

Greg,

As few of Higgins' recruits have played for ESU as yet, the premise of your argument has to be a lack of faith in his ability to identify, attract, recruit, and coach competitive MIAA level talent. Beyond that you take issue with the manner he's chosen to rebuild the program, high school and redshirts vs junior college and D1 transfers. Paring down your previous posts it's clear you've been unhappy for at least four years and have lost faith in the program. Please don't expect readers and posts to accept your judgment of the current state of the program, the recruits, or their prospects for successful future seasons. If you're that clairvoyant you're either a successful odds-maker in Vegas or in danger of melting in the white heat of your own brilliance. I suspect neither is true. No one doubts you have strong opinions concerning the ESU football program, however each new recruiting class brings a solitary item to fans and the team--hope! Let's not give that up the week of recruit signings.

February 8, 2008 at 11:53 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

gregorymed (anonymous) says...

Tulsa49,
You are right about being unhappy watching the ESU football program go from a playoff team in 2003 to a 40 year beat down last year at Pitt State. I cannot imagine anyone who cares an ounce about the school or the football program thinks this is a positive thing. I can agree with you that coach higgins final grade card in not in as yet....too early.. but if and i say "if" he does only high school recruits he won't win in this league as evidenced by the other MIAA football programs that do win consisently. Please take a moment to look at the top 5 MIAA program rosters and two deep. My HOPE is that coach higgins or his assistants can recruit a few(not load up) d-1 transfers, jucos, and NAIA players to assist his high schoolers in developing consisent winning like Washburn, northwest missouri, missouri western, etc. You sound new to support/interest of ESU football....do you have a kid on the team? If you would like an honest objective(i don't live in emporia and am not a school government employee) MIAA history lesson that may better inform you and give additional understanding email me at Gregorymed@hotmail.com. I sure hope your "hope" is right!

February 9, 2008 at 7:54 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

esuhornets (anonymous) says...

gregorymed,
I knew you would hide behind your anonymous name. It tells everyone what type of person you are. You can talk the talk but you have nothing to back it up. Still calling you out.

True Hornet Fan Go Hornets!!!
Keep working hard coach Higgins

February 9, 2008 at 9:10 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

gregorymed (anonymous) says...

Hey esuhornet,
are you a government employee at the school and can't say what you think? Send me a private email. I'm calling you out!

February 9, 2008 at 9:52 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

esuhornets (anonymous) says...

gregorymed,
I emailed you and I doubt you will ever email me back and answer my question. I have read all your posts on here and all you do is get on here and say negative things. I would never work for the government. So is that the reason you won't give your name is that you are a government employee? Where do you live since you said you don't live in Emporia??

February 9, 2008 at 11:21 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

007 (anonymous) says...

It is sad that this newspaper allows these negitive comments toward Emporia to happen.

greg is not a ESU fan.........if u are prove it?
It appears to me that you could be just a wash-tub fan that lives in topeka!

February 9, 2008 at 11:54 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

admireed (anonymous) says...

Here is a nice site for getting info on college athletic program revenue and expenses. Here you can see the differences amond schools

http://ope.ed.gov/athletics/

February 10, 2008 at 12:52 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )