Maryland Athletic Director Jim Smith recently stopped by the Vinnie and Haynie Show on 105.7 The Fan to talk about the state and future of Maryland football. Smith’s thoughts gave fans a peek behind the curtain at what the Terps are up against in today’s college football world—think NIL deals, fundraising, and the constant shuffle of the roster.
He talked up the idea that Maryland could climb the ranks by following Indiana’s recent playbook. Indiana’s rise has clearly caught his attention. Smith laid out his vision for the program, touching on NIL, fundraising, and the need for everyone—university and fans alike—to pitch in.
The Indiana Model: A Blueprint for Success
Smith pointed to Indiana’s fast climb as something Maryland could emulate. Since Curt Cignetti took over, the Hoosiers have gone from Big Ten bottom-feeders to the No. 2 team in the country. That’s a wild turnaround.
- Strategic investment
- Roster retention
- Full alignment within the athletic department
Smith thinks Maryland’s in a decent spot to pull off something similar. The DMV region is stacked with athletic talent, and a lot of local players want to stick close to home. Give them the right reasons to stay, and you’ve got a shot at building something special.
Resources: More Than Just Facilities
But it’s not just about shiny new buildings or bigger budgets. Smith made it clear that NIL deals and donor support are just as important. Without buy-in from the whole community, it’s tough to compete.
*We’ve all got to do this together. It’s not just a one-man show… The department’s got to contribute, the university has to contribute, and all our fans have to be a part of this success that we’re going to have here at Maryland,* Smith said.
The Fundraising Challenge
Raising money is a major hurdle for any college football program these days, especially in the Big Ten. You’re up against schools like Ohio State, Michigan, and Oregon, who spend big on football. Smith didn’t downplay the challenge, but he called it a “solvable dilemma.”
Strategic Investment and Smart Money
It’s not always about who has the deepest pockets, though. Smith compared it to managing a pro sports salary cap—being smart with what you’ve got can make all the difference.
*I don’t think you need to have the most money to be successful long-term. You have to have smart money and you have to invest it right,* Smith said. He sounded pretty confident that Maryland has enough momentum and support to lay a solid foundation.
Building for the Future
Smith sees himself at the start of something new for Maryland football. He’s only been on the job for about four and a half months, but he wants to set things up for long-term wins. Keeping current players around and bringing in new talent are top priorities.
*From my perspective, we’re in year one of this new era of college football. And so we’re building towards it,* Smith said. He seemed optimistic about where things are headed, and pointed out that the current foundation is already stronger than what came before.
Maryland Men’s Soccer and Women’s Basketball
Smith didn’t just stick to football. He also talked about men’s soccer and women’s basketball. He seemed sure the men’s soccer team would bounce back from their loss to UCLA and make the postseason tournament.
*We’re definitely going to be in the tournament. We’re going to be hosting. We were the number one team in the country going into that one so you can’t go from number one to being out,* Smith said. He wants fans to come out and support the team at home.
As for women’s basketball, Smith had plenty of praise. He encouraged folks to check out Brenda Frese’s squad. *Hey, come see Brenda Frese’s team. Women’s basketball is a lot of fun to watch. We’re going to play Towson tonight. Any time you can get out to catch basketball out here, it’s always a great night,* he said.
Conclusion
Jim Smith has a vision for Maryland football. He thinks following a model like Indiana’s could work.
He also wants to use the DMV area’s natural advantages. The idea is to get everyone—university, fans, and all—pulling together.
Sure, fundraising and NIL agreements are tough hurdles. Still, Smith sounds pretty hopeful about where things are headed.
He believes that with smart investments and good management, Maryland could really make some noise in college football.
Curious for more of Jim Smith’s thoughts? Check out the full article here.
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