Sunday Rips, part deux

A little sugar to make the medicine go down.

Yes, I know you're educated observers of this program and can find some way to dismiss this as irrelevant, but then again that's why I like doing this, because I know CU fans challenge me and like debate.

It's easy to pick on the new guy on the job, you know, that dude named Hawkins, the guy they call cheerleader Dan? We see him fumbling his way through things as we all snicker and shake our heads, frustrated he's not as good as our friend who is no longer with the company, but once in a while, it doesn't hurt to remind ourselves of perspective.

Here's an article from Nov. of 2005 on Purple Pride on the Scout Network, discussing now-retired coach Bill Snyder of Kansas State.

"Taking over the only program in the history of college football with 500 losses, Bill Snyder has been the architect for one of the biggest turnarounds in college football history. Going only 1-10 in his first year as Head Coach, Coach Snyder improved year after year and built a powerhouse in the Big 8 from a program noted noted for being the losingest program in Division 1 college history."

O.K., I know, muchachos, you are saying that was BT (Before Texas), BOB (Before Oklahoma's Bounceback), and Snyder did it with guys with highly questionable academic ability and with a pre-conference schedule of Hostess treats, but my point being the Wildcats' program had no winning tradition at the time, little talent and was lucky to win a game or two a season. Yet a man with a vision, with that hunger for victory that Eddie Crowder described, committed himself to turning that program around, and he did.

Dan Hawkins is so far ahead of where K-State was with Snyder. It's not happening this season, nor will it next, but years three and four are reasonable expectations for success, as in a bowl game at the end of the season and possibly contending for the Big 12 north title.

Like they say, "everyone wants to go to heaven but no one wants to die."

This season is all part of the trip to better days. There is nothing else to do but endure.

I'm sure the free-spirit coach isn't happy, isn't strumming Jimmy Buffet songs and planning sledding trips this week. He's working the phones for recruits and trying how to make something out of nothing on offense.

Have to imagine he's embarrassed by how this season has unfolded and hates going out in public.

That will change.