There is certainly a learning curve when it comes to any job, coaching included. Eddie went into U of R with no head coaching experience and into a program that was trending downward. He was not an U of R alumnus and thus instilled his own coaching philosophies and culture into a program that he had very little knowledge going in. All the athletes that were previously coached by another have graduated or moved on. It is completely Eddie's team now. He has the program trending upward now and I am simply predicting U of R will be a top 5 team in 2-3 years. They have a great academic school and can get great recruits. I believe they will be relevant in a few years. It took RPI about 4-5 five years under Lynch to get to nationals as a team and I think U of R can do much of the same.
In response to the Geneseo Mike Woods era: an alumnus of the program took over. But not just any alumnus, but one who was an assistant coach before moving into the position. Comparing U of R and Geneseo's transition to new coaches is comparing apples to oranges.
Another team to watch out for in the future will be Oneonta. They have a new distance coach and he seems to be doing a terrific job. Watch out for them as well.
I am a former Atlantic Region runner from before probably most of you were born. I try to keep tabs on what is going on and just trying to add to and answer questions posted. Take my posts for what they are worth from a has been Atlantic Region runner with an interest to what is happening now. I want to see the Atlantic Region thrive and be relevant at the National level so I hope teams do step up and challenge RPI and Geneseo and for both of these teams, and others, compete well at the NCAA Championship.
Go Atlantic Region!