As IUFB gains national attention, underperforming programs have their eyes on CCC. Other fanbases typically cite historic programs’ resources as an obvious reason why CCC would take a job elsewhere. They are sadly mistaken for a few reasons:
-Administration buy-in: Whitten and Dolson know the connection between investing in sports, winning, and ensuring IU’s success as an institution. Football success is a strategic priority, and Dolson is a skilled fundraiser (MS and AS renovations are significant examples)
-Alumni resources: Referenced
here - huge alumni base with increasingly deep pockets (thanks especially to strong business, law, and medical programs). If you assume historically 80% of funds are given by 20% of alumni, consider the untapped resources that we’ll bring to bear as alumni see a compelling product on the field (6x NIL growth for Hoosiers Connect already)
-Recruiting pitch: winning was the missing piece of the puzzle. State of the art facilities? Check. Stunning campus? Check. Academics (manageable if you want. Difficult if you want.)? Check. Awesome social scene (out of season, cough cough)? Check. With winning comes national visibility, NFL recruiting, higher player pay, etc.
None of this is earth shattering - many of us are well aware. IU has positioned the football program to sustain success once it begins.