sarge965

I think that much of the frustration and exasperation displayed on this board is that there is no chance of moving on from this coach if this season goes into the tank. GG has three more years on his contract - through 2022. There is no money to buy him out, he makes about 300k/year. Anyone got a cool million burning a hole in their pocket? It's not just the coach, it is the ineptitude of the leadership in the athletics department.

Sadly Benson gave GG a contract through the 2022 season. So the buyout at the end of this season would be 3 years and around $900K. This season would have been his last u nder the original contract. Anyone know Benson's contract status - it may be year to year at this point - time to non-renew. https://dailygazette.com/article/2018/02/08/gattuso-signed-through-2022-to-coach-ualbany-football

Even the announced attendance of 5014 is horrendous. This was the season opener - all the complaints lodged in this thread have some validity. It was a beautiful day/evening yet the number of butts on the berm, in the bleachers and in the permanent seats was demonstrably and substantially lower than in the previous openers. You may not see it but the football game day experience is on a downward trend. That should trouble every one who cares about UA athletics.

Attendance at Casey Stadium Home Openers: 2013 - 8500 2014 - 6748 2015 - 6081 2016 - 8040 2017 - 6384 2018 - 6503 2019 - 5014

The pig we roasted before the game was delicious. I was too full to try any of the concessions or GDAC/Field Club.

Benson has got to go

Here are my expectations for the season : Benson is fired/nonrenewed by December. As far as GG is concerned, let the new AD figure it out, he is owed a lot of money. Looking forward to all other teams seasons.

Truth be told, I probably will tune in for a few minutes. 🤮

I was a McElroy guy. Fundraising was by far his biggest negative. You have to ask people to give you money, that is sadly a big part of the job. Dr. McElroy presided over the growth of the most successful athletics program in the America East. That athletic success was never translated into financial success. There was no GDAC until Benson got here. Other than that we have seen nothing but incompetence out of his reign. Mr. Benson does not have the experience or the personality to run a D1 athletic program. After five years here all he has to show is that he created a fundraising group that is mostly funded by forcing people to donate money in order to pay for their overpriced season tickets. Time for a change at the top. Let President Rodriguez know that we can do better and we expect better.

Benson was NOT responsible for either of those pros. They were both in the works before he got the position. GDAC is his.

What is the situation with Benson's contract? I assume he was given the full 5 years when he started. The five years is up in August 2019.

Yes - she has to sit this year out.

Opportunity was there - the money and support of the president was not

Who is going to pony up the $1 million plus that GG will be owed on the last 4 years of his contract? Sadly - not going to happen.