Paul Allen asked Coyle if he walked into a great job. He said there are a lot of positives going on with the program, like 5 Big Ten championships this past year. He gave Pitino a lot of credit. When he was hired, Pitino and the basketball program was his number 1 question. Pitino's done an excellent job and the student-athletes have bought into him. The softball team's phenomenal. He just hired a softball coach from Iowa State that's led them to many NCAA Tournaments and she's from Minnesota. This is her dream job. The volleyball team's also phenomenal.
Paul asked what sports need to be successful for the athletics program to thrive and generate revenue. Coyle said "there's no doubt football's our big revenue driver." He said coaches understand the need for football, men's basketball, and men's hockey to compete at a high level.
Something that stuck out to him about Syracuse is that Jim Boeheim was so supportive of the other programs. He was at all the football and lacrosse games.
Is the AD part of closing on recruits? "There's no doubt. I like to meet with recruits if I'm on campus...it's important the recruits hear from me." Coyle wants people who can compete in the four aspects of their life.
Coyle said he's extremely proud of the football team. "They've been through a lot this past year."
Coyle said Pitino's been fairly quiet but that he knows he's really excited about this season. This past season we saw low ego and high output. That's humility. He said Pitino went through a lot after the eight-win season and if anyone could stand up on a tall building and say "look at me, look what we did," it's Pitino. But he didn't do that. That program continues to put in work and stay humble.
He's well aware of the backlash for the 3M at Mariucci naming. He said he worked with the Mariucci family closely and that 3M will have a big impact on the 750 student athletes with their gift. The athletic department's $114 million budget is eighth in the Big Ten. Ohio State and Michigan's are in the $130-140 million range. He said that he wants to compete with them.
The Big Ten conference is aware of what's going on with college hockey. He's aware how strong the WCHA was. He said the Big Ten is their legacy conference and that Notre Dame should increase competition. He continues to be in contact with the Big Ten and is mindful of the Big Ten's competitive situation.
Paul asked what the toughest thing about being a Big Ten AD is. Coyle said it's trying to keep perspective. He has 25 programs he expects to compete at a high level. It's his job that the coaches get the resources they need to compete at a high level. Being a student-athlete is an educational process but at the same time, he absolutely wants to compete at a high level.
Paul Allen of course had to have some Vikings talk and about how he changed his Vikings' season record projection at halftime.
Paul asked what sports need to be successful for the athletics program to thrive and generate revenue. Coyle said "there's no doubt football's our big revenue driver." He said coaches understand the need for football, men's basketball, and men's hockey to compete at a high level.
Something that stuck out to him about Syracuse is that Jim Boeheim was so supportive of the other programs. He was at all the football and lacrosse games.
Is the AD part of closing on recruits? "There's no doubt. I like to meet with recruits if I'm on campus...it's important the recruits hear from me." Coyle wants people who can compete in the four aspects of their life.
Coyle said he's extremely proud of the football team. "They've been through a lot this past year."
Coyle said Pitino's been fairly quiet but that he knows he's really excited about this season. This past season we saw low ego and high output. That's humility. He said Pitino went through a lot after the eight-win season and if anyone could stand up on a tall building and say "look at me, look what we did," it's Pitino. But he didn't do that. That program continues to put in work and stay humble.
He's well aware of the backlash for the 3M at Mariucci naming. He said he worked with the Mariucci family closely and that 3M will have a big impact on the 750 student athletes with their gift. The athletic department's $114 million budget is eighth in the Big Ten. Ohio State and Michigan's are in the $130-140 million range. He said that he wants to compete with them.
The Big Ten conference is aware of what's going on with college hockey. He's aware how strong the WCHA was. He said the Big Ten is their legacy conference and that Notre Dame should increase competition. He continues to be in contact with the Big Ten and is mindful of the Big Ten's competitive situation.
Paul asked what the toughest thing about being a Big Ten AD is. Coyle said it's trying to keep perspective. He has 25 programs he expects to compete at a high level. It's his job that the coaches get the resources they need to compete at a high level. Being a student-athlete is an educational process but at the same time, he absolutely wants to compete at a high level.
Paul Allen of course had to have some Vikings talk and about how he changed his Vikings' season record projection at halftime.
