However, as a practical matter, fan perception does matter especially for coaches who are going into rebuilding programs. Fans sometimes are willing to give a new staff the benefit of the doubt for a poor year or two on the field if a program was struggling prior to the coaching change. Fans are less forgiving about recruiting, especially in-state losses, because fans perceive that as a level playing field where effort makes the difference. Finishing second in the recruiting race is no different than finishing 113th, so there are no moral victories in recruiting. Ironically, then, football recruiting may be even more draconian than the games on the field.
Progress is certainly tougher to measure in recruiting.
The game within the game has drawn a legion of fans. That attention has only served to turn up the heat on many already beleaguered coaches. In my next piece, I'll evaluate some of the top recruiting classes in the Big 10, Big East and ACC, and discuss in depth where some of the top talent on the East Coast will be heading next season. Jeffrey is an attorney from the Harrisburg, Pennsylvania area. He is a licensed NFL and NBA agent, and works as a solo practicioner of sports and entertainment law.