I just read an interesting article that I will link later since I stink at linking from my mobile. Basically, we upped our recruiting expenses by about 50 percent this year. We spent about 750k while OSU spent less than 400k. Cited our nation wide recruiting effort and the fact that we are apparently the least populated BCS state.

Edit:  http://thegazette.com/2013/02/07/urban-meyer-effec t-b1g-football-recruiting-costs-soar/

If true,....we are the least populated BCs state, and ended up within top 15 class, that speaks volumes!

This also means we spent $30,000 per signature.

That also probably means that decommitts cost us a ton of money. College football really needs an early signing period.

Who cares - I worry we will burn out our coaches with that much travel, but football is a money maker. Spend what it takes to get the job done. $750K is a mouse fart compared to the overall football budget. I have no issue with it - if we have coaches and staff that use it effectively - go for it.

It can be interpreted a number of different ways based on the limited data.  Personally, I assume it demonstrates that the staff spent more cycles on recruiting this year which led to the higher cost.  That's a positive.

Now, it could also mean that the department wasn't very judicious with it's spending (higher priced tickets because we waited till the last minute to book flights and other costs associated with lack of planning) or that our costs went up because we spent more time chasing kids in far flung areas instead of putting in the hours to find the local talent or guys that live near airport hubs. 

It would be very interesting to see a bit of a breakout by school regarding where the dollars go.  Travel, AD staff to organize travel or put together media, compliance, legal, on-campus costs for visitors, etc.

As far as who cares, I would start with the entire AD department.  Football is the big revenue stream and it funds many sports and the AD staff.  The cost spent on recruiting alone is larger than the budgets for some other sports.

I suggest that they continue doing what they are doing. Of course you can never tell how a class will pan out... but the future is bright if this kind of class is the norm as opposed to the exception.

I just don't get the size of the disparity between the recruiting services.

Jimbosc wrote: Who cares - I worry we will burn out our coaches with that much travel, but football is a money maker. Spend what it takes to get the job done. $750K is a mouse fart compared to the overall football budget. I have no issue with it - if we have coaches and staff that use it effectively - go for it.

+1   Not sure how many of us can comprehend the work load and stress they have on trying to coach, win games, babysit the players, fundraising, and trying to recruit.  I know I better get ready for     but I really appreciate the effort by these coaches.

One thing to factor in about schools like Ohio State is they paid extra  $$$ upfront to hire assistants who were accomplished recruiters.

Also, I believe Nebraska needs to be more aggressive with their gameday visit strategy. Isntead of waiting until the last month to go balls to the wall flying anyhwere and everywhere to salvage the class.

Jimbosc wrote: Who cares - I worry we will burn out our coaches with that much travel, but football is a money maker. Spend what it takes to get the job done. $750K is a mouse fart compared to the overall football budget. I have no issue with it - if we have coaches and staff that use it effectively - go for it.

I agree 100%.

Warren Buffett thinks he should pay a lot more in taxes.....why does it have to be Federal?  How about a state tax of 50% on billionaires and all the proceeds go to the football program.

Call it a "JOB CREATION PROGRAM".