What’s worse than a 2 and 9 record?
1 and 10.
I came into the season and declared that there’s no way we go 2-9 again, yet here we are with three games left to do at least that. In my write-up a couple of weeks ago, I urged that losing out was possible. And now, we all must come to terms with the fact that we may finish with a record equal to or worse than the previous two seasons. A gut punch, if there ever was one.
However, here on The Ave, we like to bring perspective and help Wildcats cope with a challenging time for our beloved football program.
First, breathe in.
Now, breathe out.
Look, I know it’s terrible, and I won’t try to justify what we’ve all been watching with our very own eyes. But I think it’s essential to take a step back and realize that, yes, while things are bad, we’re not in uncharted territory. There’s another prominent SWAC program that went through a worse stretch not too long ago, and they are flourishing currently. Let’s look:
Football Stats & Facts
From 2012 to 2017, this team’s win totals are as follows:
| Year | Record |
| 2012 | 4-7 |
| 2013 | 3-9 |
| 2014 | 3-9 |
| 2015 | 1-10 |
| 2016 | 4-7 |
| 2017* | 3-8 |
If you’re keeping count, that’s six, I repeat, six consecutive losing seasons.
As you can also see, 2017 is marked with an asterisk for a reason I’ll get to in a moment. But first, let’s reveal the school. I won’t say their name outright because we don’t use that name around here (which should tell you immediately who we’re referring to), but in case you haven’t figured it out, all I can say is their name rhymes with “Shamu.”
Got it? Okay. Now, what if I told you that in the last 25+ years, the B-CU football program has suffered back-to-back-to-back losing seasons only once:
2019: 2-9
2022: 2-9
2023: 1-7* (* 3 games left to play)
This is it. This is the only time we’ve lost three consecutive seasons in the last 25 years. At this very moment, we’re watching our program at its lowest point in over two decades, and it’s still three fewer years than what Shamu went through from 2012 to 2017. Perspective. Could things be better? Absolutely. There were at least four winnable games. But we haven’t learned how to win yet, which is typical for a new team with new staff. We’re in a calibration period for now, and there are many variables we’re trying to solve.
First Year Football Coaches
Remember that asterisk I mentioned above? Well, 2017 was the year that the school from up north changed to Willie Simmons. You’ll be shocked to know that in his first year, they went a stellar 3-8. Yes, Willie Simmons, with an entire offseason, still only managed to win three games. However, that next year, they turned a corner and went 6-5, and now they sit atop the SWAC. Today, we find ourselves in a similar position—a new coach in his first year after a couple of years of losing. The rebuild doesn’t happen in one year.
Furthermore, a significant difference is that Raymond Woodie didn’t even get a real offseason. He was the last coach to get hired in the NCAA and was forced to build a team with guys he didn’t fully recruit. Again, perspective.
It must be stated what Coach Woodie was asked to do in a concise amount of time this offseason. Is this the outcome we wanted this year? Not even close. But Coach Woodie needs time like any other new coach. I don’t know if Woodie is the guy to bring us back, but I do know he deserves a fair shake. Honestly, he deserves a 3 to 4 year window to recruit a class and develop them fully. We’d grant at least that to any other coach at any other program. This season? Just write it off.
Ed Reed Is Gone
And another thing, I don’t know who needs to hear this, but Ed Reed is not the answer. He had his chance, and he blew it. I wanted to see him bring us back to prominence more than anyone; however, he messed that up. To the people who can’t get over the fact that it’s Coach Woodie’s team and not Ed Reed’s, listen, it’s time to move on. Ed Reed is not walking through that door. And if Ed Reed ever gets a chance to coach a team, we encourage you to go the route for them. But if you’re with the Wildcats, be with the Wildcats.
To the people who can’t get over the fact that it’s Coach Woodie’s team and not Ed Reed’s, listen, it’s time to move on. Ed Reed is not walking through that door.
Lastly, I leave you with this: we’re all displeased with the overall performance of our football team this year. With only three games remaining, there’s not much we can do to right the ship (although a Classic win all but makes this season a raving success!). We are what we are. However, other schools with deeper pockets and better facilities have suffered much worse for way longer than we have. These past two and ¾ seasons have seemed like an eternity, but remember, that school in Tallahassee had six straight losing seasons before they turned it around. Six. We haven’t been that bad since the late 80’s, early 90’s. Perspective.
So, when you are in your feelings after yet another loss, remember, we’re barely one season into this rebuild. Those two previous 2-9 seasons belong to Terry Sims, not Raymond Woodie. This year, as bad as it may be, belongs to Coach Woodie. But keep in mind, the team that is currently sitting atop the SWAC and ranked 15th nationally was also 3-8 just four seasons ago. A lot can change in a few seasons. When it’s time to panic, I’ll be the first to tell you to do so. But that time is not now. Just watch the games, support the team, support the school, and know that we’re beginning a journey back to the top.
All hail to thee.
