Ask the AD: December 13, 2024

Brian Smoller (BS: Hello and welcome to another edition of Ask The AD. Brian Smoller with Director of Athletics, Gene Taylor. Lot to get to today. We had a lot of feedback from our poll question that we put out asking for questions for today, which is good. It's a big rather have people that are passionate than apathetic.

Gene Taylor (GT): 100%. Give me that any day.

BS: Absolutely

GT: Give me that any day.

BS: Well, we'll start first with some big news about the staff, overall. A new soccer coach has been hired in Collen Corbin.

GT: Yeah, we're excited about Colleen. We were fortunate to have really good candidates that were interested in the position. I think that's a compliment to K-State and our programs, just in general. Certainly, our facilities was one of the first things most every one of the candidates mentioned was what great commitment we have to our facilities. And then at the end of the day, she just kind of rose to the top. She'd been a head coach at Wyoming, had a lot of great playing experience. I think she was an All-American at Oregon State. Ultimately was the Associate Head Coach at St. Louis. They made a decent run into the NCAA tournament this year. Finally got beat in penalty kicks by, you know, No. 1 seeded USC, so a lot of really good experience. She brings a lot of energy and passion. I think she's going to be a lot of fun. And I think she's going to, you know, push our kids to be better. And I think she's finished closing out her staff too. That's

BS: That's right, yeah. Julie McClure, Associate Head Coach, was just named the other day. Jaycie Ackerman will stay on from last year's staff, a former NWSL player and Team USA participants. So good to see for the soccer program, and I'm sure people will be building excitement. I think they even said they got their first commitment today as we tape this. So as they get ready for the new future of K-State Soccer, we'll get to soccer more in the facility question later. But let's talk about the Big 12 meetings. You just got back from meeting with all the other Big 12 ADs what updates can you give us?

GT: Yeah, you know, it is typical year-in after football review. We spent a lot of time talking about, you know, the college football playoff, not so much, who got picked and who didn't. It's like, 'how do we position ourselves as a conference to try to get more teams in?' We've talked about our scheduling model right now. We played 10 Power Four conference games, nine in the conference and one outside the conference. You know is that the right model? We didn't make any major decisions because our scheduling is kind of set, but we just really looked at a lot of things. I think Big 12 football is one of the best in the country. You know, they get one team in this year. But if you look at from top to bottom, there wasn't a week off. There really wasn't. In some other conferences, they do have week offs, you know. And it was just an interesting year. But we just, we talked a lot about that. We talked a lot about the settlement, the revenue share, the house settlement case, getting ready to implement that. What are we going to do as a conference? Talked about squad sizes, just a lot of detail stuff. And then we had some presentations from various groups. But overall, it was spirited, at times, to be honest with you, with some of the conversations. But always good to get together with our ADs. And then there was other ADs from other conferences that you had a chance to see and visit with. So it's always a good visit out there.

BS: But as you said, no major legislation changes coming out of that.

GT: No, just a lot of good conversation. Now we may have from out of this meeting, we'll get some various groups together, like we'll look at our scheduling model. Do we want to do anything different? We'll look at this, we'll look at that, and then we'll come back for our, you know, we have other meetings once in March or late February and once in May, and start making some other decisions.

BS: So keep tuned to that. We'll see what Brett Yormark, who again, has K-State and the Big 12 position in good hands. We'll see what he has for the future, for the Big 12. All right, so you mentioned the revenue share, the house settlement. We had a lot of questions. We kind of bulk them all into one segment here, we're going to run through them all. And some of them are still not defined.

GT: Right.

BS: But let's start with the beginning of the house settlement. Assuming that it's approved, assuming it all goes through, schools have the option to opt in or opt out. Will K-State opt in? And if so, will it be at the full amount?

GT: Well, we don't have an option to opt in, because the settlement is against the Power Four programs, and so we are part of the settlement. So we have to be a part of it. The other schools that can opt in are the non the group of five, and just the basketball only conferences out there. So they can opt in. We don't have that option. So we are definitely part of the settlement. We are part of the $20.5 million revenue share number that's out there. And so we'll absolutely commit to that. We're not there yet. We've got to find ways to get there, just like everybody else in the country. They're all trying to figure it out. Basically, what's happening is our annual operating budget is about $95 million. It's just gone up $20 million. So we need to, basically, as we funded, you know, privately and through donor support and everything else, our own budget for $95 million we now have to find a way to build that budget to almost $120 million budget. But yeah, we're not goning to opt in. We're going to be part of it. We just have to figure out how quickly we can get to the $20.5 million number.

BS: Still working on that. So if you like to contribute to that, ahearnfund.com.

GT: No, that's very true. That's very true.

BS: Wildcat NIL, of course, is this extra or outside entity that we've partnered with with NIL for students. How do they factor in? Do they shut their doors? Did they come in house? How does that all play out?

GT: You know, we're still working through that right now with them. As a matter of fact, they're playing a role still, because we still have athletes that are part of the Wildcat NIL. So they're handling that side of it through June, basically. Once the settlement gets approved, but we still have some commitments. They're still handling that process. We're talking to them now about what is their next role, because third party NIL deals, they could still help with that, but it's going to have to be really scrutinized in terms of, is that a real market value? They can help us with that. They can help us with, you know, working with our coaches and looking at, you know, what the numbers are per sport and per athlete. We haven't finalized that yet, but I think they're going to still be in existence, but in probably a very different role than they were. They're not going to be out soliciting dollars. They could go out and solicit third party, true market deals, but not like the role that they played in the past.

BS: Well, you mentioned something there about how helping the school with the allocation of these funds, so to speak, the revenue share overall. There are some schools that are kind of going with this idea of a GM. Bill Belichick hired at North Carolina, mentioned that that's what he's implementing as a pro structure, a GM for football financial advisors.

GT: That's an interesting hire. Bill Belichick is a really smart football coach. But anyway, we'll see.

BS: They go from the very youthful Mac Brown to Bill Belichick, a one year age of difference. I don't understand it. But the GM position, or a financial advisor position that would be at the school to kind of help young men and women with financial literacy, but also a GM that kind of takes that load off of coaches so that they're not having to stress out about who's getting what money.

GT: Right, and we've talked about that. We actually have somebody kind of filling that role for football and basketball right now. You know, they didn't have true GM experience, but they've learned to get it pretty quickly, because a lot of players have representation, either marketing rep or, you know, an agent. And so they're learning to deal with that. There's parents involved. So they are playing that role right now, whether we actually go out and look for a GM, we have talked about that. We'll kind of see how this, probably this first process, goes, and see. But we are trying to take as much off the play of the coaches as we can. Now, they're certainly going to be involved, but the day to day of that is going to be handled by somebody else. Primarily, it's the football and the two basketballs right now. And so, we'll see how it goes, and if it's something that we feel like we're still stressing our staff, we may consider that.

BS: One last question on this, and it was one that fan brought up as well: the payment structure to the actual student athletes. Will it be the same across the board for all schools in that? The question was about incentive based versus just a flat rate to a specific individual.

GT: Now what is going to happen at various schools is, of the 20.5 million, they're going to figure out a percentage based on who generates the most revenue. So football is probably going to get a majority of that at schools. Some players are going to do 65-66% whatever, up to 80%. Other schools, but most of them are going to be in the 70% range for football. Most schools are going to be in the 20% range for basketball, and then on down the line. Women's basketball probably in the 3-7 percent, depending on how they do. And then a lot of other sports. Some sports at some schools may not get any. Our plan is to get every sport some sort of revenue share. And then there's the scholarship proportion of that, and we can add more scholarships. Now we're no longer limited in scholarships. We've worked through all that, and we have a plan in place that we're working with our coaches. And then once the coach gets his budget, so to speak, then that coach, that staff, or that General Manager, will decide, okay, who we pay and what and how much of percent is going to go to each player. Now, obviously your top 22 players are going to get more. You're going to, you know, it's just going to be like the NFL. Your QBs and your running backs, receivers, corners, probably going to make the most. And then your guys, the number 85 to 105 probably won't make as much. And same with basketball. But once they get their budget, we'll work with them just to figure out how that money is going to be distributed.

BS: It's a lot of stuff to weed through. It's a lot. It's all coming very quickly.

GT: Yes, very quickly.

BS: Yeah, it feels like once it once it goes into action, it's officially approved, and all the tumblers begin to turn. Everybody wants answers now. So stay tuned for all of that. I guess, out of football, you hinted at it earlier about the Big 12 meetings. We do have our first question, and it comes from multiple people on X as well. And when is the football schedule for 2025 being released?

GT: We had you talked about that at our meeting. Again, that's always a big conversation. It's kind of complicated, because we kind of know the matrix of who we're playing. We've said that we're going to probably relook at that, because one of the conversations was, do we relook at the metrics? Right now, we play one guaranteed team. For us, it's KU. So do we re-look at that? But the matrix, it's set, and now we've got to look at the dates. Who's playing where, and then the TV will get involved a little bit. They won't have the specific times, but the conference's goal is to get it to us in January. But in the meantime, we're going to meet. I'm on this scheduling committee. We're going to meet before that and just talk through it. But the goal is to get the 2025 schedule ready to go out in January.

BS: Yeah, we do know the first game, and that is, of course, the game in Ireland. Ticket packages are still available for that. We also know the last game for this year, which is the bowl game, the Rate Bowl, which will be coming up on December 26 in Arizona. Ticket packages, bowl packages available for that. Help see everybody there in Arizona for that, and send out this team this year, which has had a good year on a high note down in Arizona.

GT: You know, one of the things that Coach Klieman made a point of this is, you know, yeah, we would love to win 9,10, 11 games every year. You know, Chris has won at least eight games five out of the six years he's been here. And there are a lot of programs in the country that love to have that kind of winning percentage over a five or six year period and go to a bowl game. And so as much as we all want to win more, Chris does, that team does. I think another eight win season and a chance to win a bowl game is still a special year.

BS: Absolutely, it really is. And try and get to nine wins as well against a good Rutgers team. Yeah, all right. Speaking of good teams, this question comes from @Greg KSU1027: "will this women's basketball team be the best in school history, and will they bring a national title back home to Manhattan?" That gives us a chance here to talk women's hoops.

GT: Well, they're very good, obviously. And Brian, you probably know the history better than I do. You've been here longer. Obviously, there have been some really good women's basketball teams in the past, won a couple Big 12 Championships over the years. This team's pretty good, and they're very talented. They're very, you know, experienced in terms of all positions. You know, they go deep, right? We're playing 10-11 kids, and every time somebody comes in, there's really not a drop off, which is good to see. So I think Coach Mittie feels and the coaching staff on this team feels they can go a long way. Now, winning national championships is not easy, but if there's a talented team out there, I think this one's pretty talented.

BS: No doubt about it, your next chance to see them coming up at home anyway will be on Wednesday, December 18, against New Mexico State. Then Big 12 play right after that against Cincinnati before Christmas on the 22^nd. The schedule kind of backs up a little bit. From X: "purple light on baseball, soccer, foundation buildings look great at night. Any chance adding to The Bill, Bramlage, or FTF?" I think he meant the football training facility, but also the volleyball arena could throw in this as well. This comes from @truetocats. Purple lighting at night is pretty cool looking. Can we get it out at any other facilities?

GT: Yeah, you know, I don't know. It's probably something I have to talk to Jason Brummett, our facility guy. And you know, there's an expense to that. One of the challenges is, depends on where you put it is, how accessible it is. If those lights go out, obviously, on The Bill, you know, it's pretty high up. It you can see right now, one of, one of the things, is back lit, and one's not. We got the Powercat that's not, and the K-State University is, and it's really hard to get up that high. So I think it's just a matter of how much sense does it make, what the cost would be, and then does it make sense, if we have to get to those lights, how difficult it would be to get to them? But yeah, they do look nice, and if we ever can figure it out, we maybe will do that.

BS: Happy belated birthday, by the way, to Jason Brummett, this is your question. You're welcome for that.

GT: There you go.

BS: From X the last question is from @johngrove02: "how do you balance the holiday season with ongoing athletic commitments?"

GT: Is that a personal question?

BS: I think it is

GT: Okay. We're pretty fortunate. Obviously, been doing this a long time, you know. So if you're at a bowl game, for instance, you know, it's just a part of what you do. And you just get used to, maybe not being home for Christmas. Or not being around your family as much, it's not a lot of fun. We try to include our families. Like the bowl game, lot of coaches will take their families and that's always a good thing. It's just a different experience. I love the fact that I've got stuff to do. I've got games to go to. Even when I'm at one game, I'm always watching one of our other games that I'm not at home for. To me, it's just I've been doing it so long, it's just a natural process that we go through. You know, some folks that maybe aren't used to it, you have to adjust to that. But I love it. I love the fact we're going to go to a bowl game. Yes, it's over Christmas, but we're all going to be together as a group. It is different, but you just kind of get used to it.

BS: Yeah, you do. And people have asked me the same question before as well. Thanksgiving trips are usually when basketball is taking their trips. This was the first year we did Thanksgiving at home, I think in 20 years, because the men's team got back earlier and the women were already in Vegas. But yeah, it can build some camaraderie with the systems you work with.

GT: It's just a different way to spend your holidays, and you kind of get used to it, and you hope that you always have to be an issue, particularly for football season that you do have a bowl game.

BS: That's correct. In the future, we hope that it infects New Year's Eve and beyond in January. That would be a great problem to have. Gene thanks again for doing this. I know it's a busy time, and also a lot of NIL questions. Thanks for at least navigating some of those.

GT: Yeah, you know, there's a lot to it. It's complicated. We'll learn more as we kind of get through it. But we are coming up with a plan, and I think our plan is good, and I think our coaches are ready to implement that plan, and it's not going to be easy. We're going to need a lot of people's help to get to that 20 million, and we've started that process, and so there's a lot of opportunities to help out.

BS: Yes, more information can be found ahearnfund.com through kstatesports.com. And again, we're all in this together as we try and help Kansas State navigate the future of college athletics. Gene, thanks again.

GT: Happy holidays to you and your family and everybody, and we'll see you after the first of the year.

BS: That sounds good. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to everybody watching as well. Keep those questions coming. We'll see you next time on Ask the AD.

Kansas State University Athletics

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