The author is indirectly asserting that Chump's recruiting was better than Mac's. On the basis of class rankings, Chump's was better. On the basis of individual rankings, Chump's was better. Unfortunately for Chump, rankings don't play football. Players do. So these aren't the only valid considerations. On the basis of overall offensive talent recruited, Chump's classes were among the WORST IN THE COUNTRY. On the basis of balance between offense and defense, Chump's classes were among the WORST IN THE COUNTRY (he greatly overloaded the defense). On the basis of production from offensive players recruited, Chump's classes were among the WORST IN THE COUNTRY. That's why our offense has been among the worst in the country over the past five years (yes, even the last two). On the basis of productive players, Chump's classes were mediocre. We had a ton of busts.

So on the basis of these more important factors, Mac's classes have easily been better than Chump's. Granted, that in and of itself doesn't say much, given that Mac only had to be better than worst in the country with regard to these factors (getting offensive talent, landing a balanced class, getting future production out of recruits) to surpass Chump. On these fronts, he's doing decently. Not great, though. We're clearly behind many programs.

Why is this? Is it ENTIRELY Mac's fault? Many keep asserting so. To me, though, it's like asserting that two equally strong and able young men should be able to do roughly the same amount of push ups. But one guy is going to have to do them with one arm. Then when he cannot do so, those people assert he's just making excuses. Such criticism is pointless blaming. (I mean, seriously, blaming Mac for being "late" in recruiting a Florida kid when the other big programs were recruiting him a year in advance of Mac even being here? That's friggin' stupid.)

What's needed is a look at the entire system (which is the opposite of complacency). Where are we weak? Do we have some weak recruiters? Yes. Is Mac himself complacent about recruiting? Hard to tell, but I certainly don't think so. He's getting good players, he's replacing weak recruiters, and he's lobbying for better facilities. On that note, are our facilities way behind those of our competitors? YES. Blaming Mac or anyone for this is pointless. Fix them. Do we have self-imposed limits to our recruiting? Yes. So consider removing them.

Imo, Zook recruited better than Spurrier. Not necessarily overall, but Zook's three years were definitely better than Spurrier's last three. Meyer was about the same as Zook. He landed us some true greats, but a fair analysis of Meyers shows inconsistencies. His highest rate class was in large part a bust. Recruiting nose-dived under Chump, not according to the rankings, but clearly so when looked at holistically. His classes were unbelievably unbalanced. Perhaps the worst recruiter of offensive linemen in the country. Without question the worst recruiter of offensive talent of any of the top programs. Average when it came to getting production (which is largely based on assessment before they get to college).

Mac is easily better than Chump. Easily. Does this mean we're landing great classes? No. We aren't. Right now we're fulfilling needs and building a complete team. Is Mac doing a great job recruiting given the state of everything (facilities, coaches, etc.)? That's a tough thing to measure. I'd say he's doing pretty well given that he has one hand tied behind his back. And he's lobbying to have that restraint removed. Is Mac laying inroads to future FL recruits? Yes. We're clearly making progress here, and given how talent-rich the state is, this is essential.

Some expect great results from effed up inputs. They're of course going to be disappointed. What matters is the process, and being dedicated to improving that process continually. Contrast this attitude with the, "We're Florida for pete's sake! Kids should just want to come here!" And then those same people call the kids needy and spoiled for expecting the same things from Florida that a dozen other great football schools are willing to offer.

It's time to dedicate ourselves to continually improving the process. Meyer did not do this. Chump definitely did not do this. Mac, however, has already demonstrated this quality. He might not develop great teams that can compete for national championships. But he's at least re-aligning our philosophy and efforts to put us back on that path.  

completely misses the idea of lead time.   eg "why, he's been coach here for 2 years and the Offense still sucked so therefore he sucks, Nuss sucks, it all sucks."

No.  Look what he was freaking left with.  Look at the fact that 17 of the top 22 on Offense were first or second year guys....and of those 5 left over its not like any of them were even worth of all conference designation.  So Coach Mac does not have a magic wand that can spin straw into gold.  Newsflash!  Nobody else does either.  No, having script "Gators" on our helmets does not magically make the players better either.  Chump was a DISASTER.  He completely destroyed one entire half of the team.  This was pointed out at the time......

Another factor is that about 6-8 years ago things changed.  Saban came in and started upgrading everything at Bama and the administration fully supported him.  Others saw what was happening and followed suit.  Foley sat on his hands, arrogantly proclaimed that we "have chosen not to participate in the arms race" and we have been at a huge disadvantage ever since.  There are disadvantages NOW in recruiting at UF that did not exist 10 years ago before everybody else upgraded. 

The point about some of our assistants being lousy recruiters is true.  There is valid criticism to be made of Coach Mac for hiring a pretty lackluster initial staff.  Since hten we've brought in Rumph, we've brought in Torian Gray and we're going to upgrade again with 3 new assistants this year.  There was dead wood but it is being chopped out.  The absolutely relentless tide of complaints and doom mongering on the basis of finishing in the teens rather than 5-10 spots higher in the recruiting rankings is way overdone. 

Yes, missing on key guys like Wade and Leatherwood sucks.  I agree.  More important question.....how are we doing at DB this year?  Well actually, we're doing pretty damn good Wade or no Wade.  How are we doing at OL?  We've securied two 4 stars and look like we will snag another not counting Slaton who many think the #1 OG in the country and are the favorites to land another 4 star transfer from Clemson.  That'd be four or five 4 star guys.  Jeez that sure isn't bad.  Unless we are talking about an Emmitt Smith/Danny Wuerffel/Percey Harvin/Tim Tebow.....ie those incredibly rare talents who don't come around very often, it is far more important to meet needs at a position than to land one particular guy.  Coach Mac does meet needs at positions.  Unlike Chump, he does not just sign whoever the hell he feels like - needs be damned.