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?