I bet. That would be a tough blow.
It's a no-brainer move that he's worked a long time for...and I wish him well. I hope Indiana State can stay competitive...we need it in The Valley. Of course, the Redbirds being competitive would certainly be nice.
Any idea on a rough average annual coaching turnover %? I'm guessing last several yrs is higher...and I'm guessing it will continue to rise with the big program expectations of winning IMMEDIATELY given NIL Booster pressure and media contracts. The pressure to win is now enormous. Better make sure plenty of AA meetings are scheduled in mid major to high D1 circles. I'm only half joking.
Give our ISU credit for getting ahead of their search when they pre-fired Muller in order to get a head start on landing Pedon. Based on where the game was at the time, he was the guy to get. Can he adapt to being a “system” coach where the players come and go every year? We’ll see, but in the moment we got our guy.
Disagree with attributing HC DeVries' success to his son. Yes, he is a great player and 2 time POTY. However, in the year before they added Tucker, they had Yesufu (6MOTY), Wilkins, Murphy, Hemphill (2nd team All-MVC, NOTY, All-Defensive), Penn (1st team All-MVC), Sturtz, and Brodie (All-Newcomer). They finished 2nd in the MVC at 26-5 (15-3) and earned the Valley's last at-large bid. You could argue that was HC DeVries best season.
Year 3 is pretty critical for Pedon and staff. If Martin, McCollom, and the new Indiana State coach are able to reload their rosters and be competitive in Year 1 while we are still a middle to lower of Valley team, then I am not sure we got the right guy.
If he cannot get it done this year, then I believe he is not the guy for the new future. Building a culture and bringing in freshmen and developing is a roadmap probably for the past. Every year now is a rebuild/reload year. Now is probably more of a system, talent evaluation, and recruiting climate. Especially in the middle mid majors. Most players if they develop into something good will go get the 6 figure payout. One and done. Move up and out. This is the future. If the player spreads the money out over a couple years they can even lessen the tax implications. And yes if you play for a Florida team you have no state income tax. The angles are so much different now. Lastly, what did the Indiana State fans expect? Guy works his whole career to make a living and he gets a chance to cash in not just for him but for the future of his family and they are mad about it? Give 99% of them the same deal and they leave southwestern Indiana in a heartbeat.
