KANSAS State’s new athletic director is a man of action, isn’t he?
He made sure Ron Prince got paid. Made it a priority, whether you believe the K-State football coach, currently 12-13 in two seasons, is worth the money or not. It’s a statement, a vote of confidence in Prince as Krause termed it Friday. You can read more of his comments here.
He believes in Prince, and it’s clear he has no doubts about his convictions. It’s a remarkable show of support, and it doesn’t stop at the Vanier Complex.
Krause is just as enamored of Frank Martin, and you get the sense that if Krause is correct, K-State’s two flagship programs will continue to trend upward.
Have to say, Krause makes things interesting, doesn’t he?
AS for Martin, who is California for the Pumps’ Collegiate Business Conference, I caught up with him this morning. It was a general chat, nothing in particular, but I asked him about recruiting and the expectations of you, the fans. There seems to be the thought that K-State’s current involvement with some elite kids, such as Kenny Boynton, is futile, that the Wildcats can’t land these types – even though Michael Beasley and Bill Walker spent a season or so in Manhattan.
“I understand (the pessimism, the disbelief), but my thing is that’s the way it’s going to be,” Martin said. “We’re going to recruit high-level players. We’re going to swing, and we’re going to swing for the fences. If we strike out, we’ll get another at-bat.”
Recruiting, he said, isn’t a mystery. You’ve heard it before – it’s developing relationships. It’s working hard. It’s being persistent. It’s not daunting, he said.
“We’re not a bunch of used car salesmen thrown into this,” he said.
So, can K-State “outsell” Duke, Florida and Texas, to name a few, for Boynton’s services? Honestly, I think it’s possible. I’m not saying it’s going to happen because nothing is ever certain in these situations, but why not? Martin’s reputation is strong in Florida. He knows lots of people. I don’t think he’d be wasting his time, especially with a Florida prospect, if Boynton’s interest wasn’t legitimate.
That’s my opinion, anyway. What’s yours?
6 Comments
ANY CHANCE THAT JONATHAN BEASLEY-CURRENT MONTANA STATE QB COACH CAN FIND HIS WAY BACK TO KSU AS PART OF PRINCE’S STAFF IN THE NEXT YEAR OR TWO? THANKS FOR THE BLOG. IT IS A PRIME SOURCE FOR INSIDE INFO ON KSU, WHICH IS NORMALLY HARD TO COME BY IN NORTHEAST MONTANA. THANKS AND KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK…MAJORDAD KSU ‘84
Point of clarification Jeff: it isn’t that fans don’t think elite kids can’t be gotten, it’s that fans don’t think anyone else but ‘Te can (or has).
I agree w/ zac. Since this is a Martin contact due to the Florida connection then I’m less confident since Martin has not pulled in a high level recruit like KB to Manhattan. Not that he can’t, I just won’t be as confident in it until he does.
It’s just a matter of time until Martin snags one of these high level recruits that no one thinks K-State has a shot at. After that, they can continue to build on it, just like they’re doing now with having Beasley and Walker having went through the program. This program was down for so long that it’s going to be more of a battle these first few years than 4-5 years down the road when Martin has this program established and competing.
We must remain hopefull that Mike and Bill are not the last we see of the 5 star.
Dave
Major Dad–If you see Beas, tell him everyone at KCTU says hello. (He was on our sports staff for a while before he got into coaching).