<html><div style='background-color:'><DIV class=RTE>
<P>Jack, Tom, Carl,<BR><BR>I think it's fair to give Coach Holt some time to improve the situation. He should have a chance to show if he can recruit and do better with his own players. If he's able to do so, there's a good chance he'll move on, but Idaho will be in a better position to replace him with someone similar.</P>
<P>At the same time, there's no doubt that we face more problems than Boise State did when they moved up to 1A. Their program has a bigger population base to draw fans in, and they have hired excellent coaches; their last two have moved up to major 1A programs, and Dan Hawkins will have the same opportunities if he wants to take them. </P>
<P>I wonder about the claims that 1AA isn't viable for football. My almer mater, UC Davis, just moved up after years of playing at a high level at Div. II; until the 90s they did not offer any scholarships, and the assistance they started offering didn't amount to full scholarships. I believe the rest of their athletic program will transition into 1A, with football in 1AA. They are building a new football stadium, and I do hope they succeed. But I also remember the days when they had trouble filling our old 10,000 stadium. </P>
<P>At the same time, I don't want to see them playing 1A teams if their players are smaller than their opponents. When that happens, you're sending in your team and getting your players beat up so you can bring in the paychecks, and that doesn't seem right. Of course, that's what happened when UCD played Idaho in '97 or '98.</P>
<P>Maybe things will get better for Idaho in the new conference, and hopefully Holt will be a successful coach here. But if things don't work out, I don't see the point of banging our heads against a wall.</P>
<P>Sunil</P></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV></div></html>