[Charlie]

We need to understand that coaches at every level very much lean into hope when it comes to a star player like Cam. When you have a player like this you naturally chase every possibility for the return, listen to every possibility that the return can happen, and get caught up in hope. We just had a front row seat noting the difference between Cam and other options and yes, it is difficult to recruit a backup when there is not a timetable for his leaving. For Cam, the same thing exists, star players will also lean into hope that he can return and build on his successes. I don’t like what happened but I can understand how hope got in the way and was hard to move on from.

Myself, I prefer to remember everything Cam and Lud gave us realizing that without them together our time in the Pac may have passed without a championship. My regret was it all could not be replicated more than twice. Now looking forward to the next time lightning is caught in a bottle.

[Charlie]

No reply is necessary or useful.

[Charlie]

It is sad. But also realize most of these players will not go on to the NFL and college football will give them their best opportunity to make money until late in the career or maybe ever. I don’t begrudge them getting their share of what college football makes but I would like to see it done in a process that does not pay them more to be a perpetual free agent. Some sort of salary cap is in order.

[Charlie]

I would expect that for the most part the current players will test the portal to gain info to evaluate against the now unknown opportunity at Utah. I expect that some will likely choose to remain. But with the coaching turnover, it is like beginning the recruitment process except that other options will have a head start before the Utah coaching group is together. Hopefully updates began after Dallas exits their play-in game on the 15th.

[Charlie]

I think Utah and BYU donors are different with the Utah side having more competing interests on the academic side. On the Y side there seems to be a much greater need to prove they are equal or better and for some reason it spills into the sports thing. I have a split family, half and half, giving me quite an opportunity to attend games in Provo. Mostly Utah games but also big games when major teams visit. We know the fan bases are different but they are also different sports related. Utah is typical, much like other places I have been invited to and like Arizona where I also went to school. The Y is a one of a kind, not like TCU or other religion based schools, in that their venues are packed with people that are otherwise not at all sports fans. They are short on understanding rules or other approaches to the game used by others but they are very much a fan of winning. I have always wondered how that translates to the donor level. I wonder why Mr Marriott gave the U a library and donated to the Y’s sports program. Either way, I think Y donors check an extra box when donating to the Y but maybe that is also the case at Notre Dame.

[Charlie]

Was he living in Provo? Would not think Kalani would be his home teacher in SLC. If he was living in Provo that lean began when he moved there or did not move to SLC.

[Charlie]

I don’t keep up with these things, but if that is the case that is sad. When I finished at the U in the 70s I knew several others that did not get accepted to graduate school at the U and bumped down to the Y for the same. I wonder if that is the case with STEM programs?

[Charlie]

ESPN thinks everything is Eastern Time.

[Charlie]

In the past, starters have played. The exception would be those that are nicked up with nagging injuries or in recovery from off season procedures. They usually give way soon to the 2s,3s and 4s. Players new to Utah usually play a bit more to get a read for contact with an audience I would guess. But there is a need to exercise those that are taking a run a the 2 deep chart which are a lot of folks. As an example, with the search for a new QB I expect we will see the first 4 all get work. RB1 will be a competition and WR will be as well. As it should be.

Anyway, that is what I expect. I have enjoyed watching alumni play the varsity, long ago, with the winners getting a steak lunch and the looses getting hot dogs after the game. That all ended with alumni that lacked insurance and getting injured. With McBride we often stood along the chain link fence at the practice field for this game. I remember once at East High in a rainstorm. I remember light hearted talk with players between plays. It was awesome to move back into the stadium, sit for free and have concession stands and restrooms open. I know the money is useful but I wish the stadium would fill with free tickets with a lot of kids that don’t always get access to a game. The goal should be a near full stadium.

[Charlie]

Do the 3 and a half. Andre could be part time during the season, working with guards.

[Author]

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