Good article. My guess is they need games, NOW. The longer that drags on will hammer recruiting.

Like the opinion article on Sac State losing its identity, this is pretty spot on.

The question that wasn't asked, is how many QB's out there have the decision-making skills and the running ability to make an option offense work AND the passing ability to keep a defense honest. My guess is there aren't too many, and those QB's are in high demand.

Will Marion, as good a recruiter as he seems to be, be able to get that guy to come to Sac State
next season?

Probably not until Sac has a full schedule, and then it will depend on what that schedule looks like.

Addendum: In the current world of college sports, until a recruit is on campus and at practice, a coach can't be 100% sure that player is coming. If Sac St. doesn't get a full schedule in place soon, I would not be surprised to see some signed recruits ask for their release. Or whatever it is that would allow them to go elsewhere. Unless they really don't have another option.

I'll let other people comment on this.

Lol so anyway as I was saying

Also:

https://statehornet.com/2025/12/sacramento-state-brennan-marion-university-of-colorado-big-sky-pac-12-luke-wood-cfb/

4 games on next year's schedule, no conference, no head coach.
Better get moving.

Its gotta be Troy Taylor, and like tomorrow, if they want to save this thing.
Such an absolutely shame they burned the Big Sky bridge. Can't go back and re-group over the next few years to try to do the FBS move right.

I actually wonder if the program itself is in trouble at this point.

And maybe no roster. I think that when a HC leaves, anyone on the current roster can transfer. Are commits and signed recruits also free to reopen their recruiting?

honestly why would Taylor want to inherit this mess?

Nah bro with that 1.4 million dollar buy out they can host even bigger concerts for those 2 home games :fire:

In all seriousness, this is a prime example of kicking yourself in the butt. Literally no reason for the Sac program to be in this state but personal ego, overinflated expectations, and ignorance to the extreme has put them here. One of the biggest problems is an administration that simply won't admit fault or mistakes. This is where you end up.

Why would ANYBODY want to inherit this mess? Obviously someone will, but gotta wonder...

I mean, is it obvious that someone will? They have no conference, no schedule, a bunch of players about to hit the portal, and an administration that made a million promises and delivered on none of them. I don't think it's inconceivable that the program simply doesn't recover from this.

Also, what are the current football staff doing. They can't assume whomever is hired will keep them on. Bet many, if not all, of them are looking hard for a job. That won't help keep the players currently on the roster.

No disagreement here. Sac's on the verge of the "...or bust" part of Wood's proclamation.

I doubt he'd really want to, given the situation, but I wonder if Bobby Fresques would take this on. I think he's a Hornet for life kind of guy. Not sure how qualified he is to be a D1 head coach, but dedicated to the program for sure.

These guys are looking like they won't even play 10 games next year at this point.
Crazy amount of scheduling to get 6-8 more games before August.
There doesn't seem to be any hurry either......

The fans on the Hornets Forum are saying that Colorado will need to pay Sac 1.4 million to buy out Marion's contract.

Also from their forum:

As much as this is more fuel to the dumpster fire and is really unfortunate for the players, particularly those that just signed yesterday… I find it a relief. Gimmicky fancy cars on the field during official visits, signing a 4-star QB at the last minute that ended up benched yet Conklin transfers, endless "Go-Go" branding, a one-dimensional run-only play style that racked up ground yards but really isn't satisfying football to watch, post-game rap concerts, etc. Yeah, some of these go beyond Marion but it's still part of the team's culture under his lead as HC. What a joke this has become.

Hopefully Sac gets a HC that can bring some respect and maturity back to the program. +1 For the title of this thread. I'd love to see Taylor back in Sac.

https://bigskyfans.com/threads/bring-back-troy.30224/#post-289943

The mass exodus is already starting:

Unfortunately for that fan, the damage has been done. Even before Marion left, everyone (except for some hornet fans apparently) saw what a mess things had become. Maturity went out the window a long time ago and I don't think it's that easy to get back. I don't think coaches are going to be champing at the bit to take this position

Sac I get that this is maybe a Sac State reference but I don't get it.

sac state falling off the tight rope. They were already walking a tight rope moving to FBs but then with the stadium stuff and flashy hires it all falls apart

Taylir:
- knows the campus, terrain, recruiting
- returns home, local family?
- saves the program
- relaunches his career
- increases his pension
- can stay in Sac as the savior, or take another shot at FBS in 5 years

I don't think his mentor would kick them at this time, this hurts good people, alums, players in Sacramento, and the community. If Coach Plough posted that.

I don't really feel bad for any of the people who profited from this mess, coaches or players. This should be an example for the entire NCAA of what not to do.

I can see Taylor taking it. Maybe his only way back into coaching. But without a full schedule, I think even he may wait to see.

Saying "saves the program" is a lot easier said than done at this stage in the game. They have no conference, no schedule, and now a history of administration that fails to follow through on pretty much any and all promises. Was Taylor an excellent coach for Sac in his previous stint? Yes absolutely, but the dynamics of the job have changed so significantly since he last held it. I'm not sure how you, as a coach, sell that program to recruits now unless Wood bows out.

We don't know if there is an offer of a conference, or games ready to ink. Does Sac State get $1.5M from Colorado for poaching Marion? If so, that pays for a few games, but could be a road-heavy schedule. TT needs the inside scoop.

Even Jesus is losing faith in this kid's commitments. This will be his 4th. Boise State ---> Montana State ----> Sac State -----> ?

This guy is creating his own hype in the recruiting world, like Rashada did. People fighting for a guy when they have no idea if he's any good.....