There are always critics out there. Some programs gut distance and focus on another event area or event areas. We call them "sprint schools" or "jumps schools". For some reason the non-distance people on the forum don't complain about programs that focus on other events.
Every program is in a different situation. You can say a Furman should build a complete program. But how is Furman going to out recruit all the southern SEC, ACC, etc sprints and jumps powers?
So is Furman supposed to do that anyway and put out mediocre teams that might compete well at the conference level, just so they can say they cover all the events?
And what if a program only has one, two or three full time coaches? Do you think they are lazy if they don't feel they can properly coach all event areas, recruit all event areas, and do all the NCAA paperwork required? If you do, then you obviously have no experience coaching at the DI level, especially at a mid-major.
And if you coach at a school that has tougher academic standards...or maybe you just care about academic success, where do you find all those stellar academic sprinters and jumpers and hurdlers?
I don't know the academic standards at Furman, but its possible that very few sprinters, jumpers and hurdlers could even get into the school, even if the coaches wanted to get them there.
So, some schools focus on certain event areas. maybe some are lazy, but most are trying to deal with the realities of their situation, their academic standards, their recruiting base, their resources and to maximize their opportunity to succeed.
I highly doubt Furman could ever be a name at the DI level as a full balanced track program. Everything is stacked against them. But maybe they will be a major name as a distance power.
And maybe not, but I don't see how you have the right to say they are wrong, especially when you don't know what they have to deal with.
The system is set up so that each school can choose a different way of striving for success. If nothing else it's interesting.