Spring Break
Opinion: Holtz understands the building process
Ronnie Woodward, Asst. Sports Editor
Issue date: 12/4/08 Section: Sports
Despite depleted ranks, Holtz got his Pirates into the C-USA title game-which speaks volumes for his ability to get the most out of his players.
"I think I'm more proud of this football team for what they've accomplished and the adversity that they have gone through than I would be if we had stayed healthy and gone undefeated," Holtz said after the UTEP game.
Unfortunately for ECU, this weekend's title game looks eerily similar to the 2006 Papajohns.com Bowl. Just like South Florida was in that game, Tulsa appears more suited to win this weekend's contest and the Pirates' chance of an upset appear slim.
So if ECU loses Saturday, will Holtz be around for ECU's first C-USA title?
With him being a top candidate for the Syracuse job and Charlie Weis' long-term future with Notre Dame uncertain, Holtz's departure might happen sooner rather than later. With his kids at ages 14, 12 and 10, it would probably make sense for him to move on to a BCS conference sometime soon.
History has shown that Holtz's current program can continue to grow even after his departure, however. After Holtz sparked unprecedented success with UConn in the mid-1990s, the Huskies continued to flourish after his exit and are currently one of the top programs in the Big East. Holtz has created a winning atmosphere in Greenville just like he did in Storrs, Conn., and if he does leave, ECU's next coach should be able to build on what Holtz has already done.
Prior to last year's Hawaii Bowl with Boise State, Holtz said that the level of the Broncos' program is where ECU is striving to be. The Pirates appear to be headed in that direction because of one man's ability to lay the foundation-one step at a time.
This writer can be contacted at sports@theeastcarolinian.com.
"I think I'm more proud of this football team for what they've accomplished and the adversity that they have gone through than I would be if we had stayed healthy and gone undefeated," Holtz said after the UTEP game.
Unfortunately for ECU, this weekend's title game looks eerily similar to the 2006 Papajohns.com Bowl. Just like South Florida was in that game, Tulsa appears more suited to win this weekend's contest and the Pirates' chance of an upset appear slim.
So if ECU loses Saturday, will Holtz be around for ECU's first C-USA title?
With him being a top candidate for the Syracuse job and Charlie Weis' long-term future with Notre Dame uncertain, Holtz's departure might happen sooner rather than later. With his kids at ages 14, 12 and 10, it would probably make sense for him to move on to a BCS conference sometime soon.
History has shown that Holtz's current program can continue to grow even after his departure, however. After Holtz sparked unprecedented success with UConn in the mid-1990s, the Huskies continued to flourish after his exit and are currently one of the top programs in the Big East. Holtz has created a winning atmosphere in Greenville just like he did in Storrs, Conn., and if he does leave, ECU's next coach should be able to build on what Holtz has already done.
Prior to last year's Hawaii Bowl with Boise State, Holtz said that the level of the Broncos' program is where ECU is striving to be. The Pirates appear to be headed in that direction because of one man's ability to lay the foundation-one step at a time.
This writer can be contacted at sports@theeastcarolinian.com.
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