Can we call out Wisco CC finally?

Malachy Schrobilgen (10th at 2014 NCAA) dropped out between 4K and 6K.

Again, another disappointing run by the badgers. I had been giving Mick the benefit of doubt but we get another middling performance. I am sure we will hear how people are sick, somebody is hurt.

I don't buy it anymore, it is time for new leadership in Madison. The women are bad, men average at best.

As alum I have had enough.

At this point, I do think it's fair to say that the program has crossed the line between "had a bad year" and "on the decline". But this result is still better than anything they did last year. It's just bad by the standards of the 30ish years before that.

I wrote to Alvarez about 5 months ago. This is the second time in about 8 years that I have made an effort to weigh in on the decision making. He listened the first time, perhaps he will listen the second time too. He doesn't "get it" beyond a collection all conference and all American statistics but when enough of us speak up the ball gets rolling.

Bring. Chris. Home.

That is what my message alluded to.

I'd rather have Teg.

On the positive, imagine how good McDonald is going to be when he gets a good coach.

Dismally underperformed program.

Mick does not give a rip. Hanging out for retirement and collecting a fat check. Time to clean house and recruit a real coach, Solinsky or Bobby Lockhart who know the school and are up and coming.

Has Mick changed his formula since Iona? He did well there.

I know absolutely nothing about Mick Byrne. Can anyone explain why people love/hate him? Does he have a certain philosophy that attracts some while turning off others? What's he all about?

Heard the top 3 women all are out with stress fractures so yet another lost season. Women's team is no better than it was under Stinzi. Men's CC has declined since Mick was given control of the whole track/CC program. While I'm not sure I would say the program is 'in real trouble', I would say it's on the decline and something needs to change to reverse that trend.

My daughter runs for another B1G school that is perennially upper division in the conference. I have family ties to UW and know at least one parent of current UW women's runner. From what I have heard the team culture difference between my daughter's team and UW is like night and day. It would not be fair for me to be more specific than that.

Regarding the ongoing posts to hire Solinsky, I absolutely loved Solinsky as a runner but he is relatively unproven as a coach. May need more time.

You know who another unproven coach was?

Jerry Schumacher...look how that turned out. They need somebody younger with the energy to recruit and the name to bring in the talent. Solinsky is both of those things. You know another unproven coach who is kicking Micks ass in the big ten...Kevin Sullivan.

Do the right thing and can Mick and company and start over with a big time track coach and Solinsky to run the distance program.

I don't think Mick is the problem, I think it is the environment at Wisconsin and the discipline of the athletes.

Wisconsin is one of the greatest party schools in the country. Jerry recruited kids that focused on running first but still had fun. He vetted these kids before they got to Wisconsin to see what they stood for. I don't see this with Mick.

Just my two cents.

Badgermania wrote:

I don't think Mick is the problem, I think it is the environment at Wisconsin and the discipline of the athletes.

Wisconsin is one of the greatest party schools in the country. Jerry recruited kids that focused on running first but still had fun. He vetted these kids before they got to Wisconsin to see what they stood for. I don't see this with Mick.

Just my two cents.

Interesting take and I buy it, but how is Mick not the problem? Isn't it his job to find kids that will be successful in Madison?

on the decline wrote:

[quote]Badgermania wrote:

I don't think Mick is the problem, I think it is the environment at Wisconsin and the discipline of the athletes.

Wisconsin is one of the greatest party schools in the country. Jerry recruited kids that focused on running first but still had fun. He vetted these kids before they got to Wisconsin to see what they stood for. I don't see this with Mick.

Just my two cents.

...I think your argument works for the men's team but not the women's team. That one seems like a totally different issue.

Stepping back, the way program is now structured Mick is accountable for everything Men/Women/Track/CC and I don't see the evidence he has been successful in that role. This is not just about the decline of the men's program it's about the lack of success on the women's program as well.

GET SOLINSKY TO UW! A PERFECT FIT!

Gary Glitter wrote:

GET SOLINSKY TO UW! A PERFECT FIT!

I still like the idea of solinsky and teg as a duo. Maybe that's because I liked them so much as runners but I think that would be cool.

Does anyone else think it be awesome to have a Kevin Sullivan coached Michigan team against a Chris Solinsky coached Wisconsin team? I feel like that right there would be enough reason to bring Solinsky in. Do it for the people!

I don't want to throw Mick completely under the bus, though I will admit this job is too much for him. He was at a little boutique distance-only school that can get anyone in and keep them in school. There were zero expectations to field a whole track team. All aid went to distance runners. Being a Director is hard for a lot of good coaches; pulled in too many directions. Wisconsin didn't just become a party school, but Mick may be too uninvolved because he is hiring/firing, dealing with all event areas, dealing with super small scholarships, asked to keep numbers up, meet management, etc.

But the idea Solinsky is ready to be DIRECTOR is downright laughable. This is 1st year he is even writing training programs for the team.

Jerry was a full-on assistant in charge of the men for 3 years I believe at North Carolina?

Completely agree with coaching reality. Solinsky may very well become a great coach, but what is on his resume to demonstrate that now? PRs and being a fan favorite are virtually irrelevant to the qualifications needed for being a director at a major program, or even "just" the cross country coach.