Top 5 Stories of the Offseason (cont.)

The offseason had a lot of interesting stories. I'm counting down the 5 most noteworthy. My criteria: Whatever I remembered, I wrote about. You'll find the top 2 stories here.

#2 Chase Holbrook

Boy, oh boy this could be very exciting – Chase is looking to build upon his breakout 2006 season, and stake claim to every Aggie passing record in just his junior year.

In addition, this offseason Chase garnered himself plenty of media attention. He is on the Manning Award watch list, as well as being listed for the Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award. But wait, there’s more. He’s even being mentioned as a long shot Heisman candidate.

That guy is pretty good, if you like 6’5” 240lbs quarterbacks, with a laser-rocket arm.

That’s pretty impressive for a junior at a school with almost no football tradition. Does he have a chance at any of these awards? They are paper-thin at best. He’s not even the best quarterback in the WAC. Some punk from Hawai'i claims that honor.

#1 And So… It Begins

Our rivals were chomping on the bit when Reggie left. They said there goes Herb Pope. There goes your pipe dream of Sweet 16’s and beyond. Reggie used and abused you.

Well the eggs landed not in Las Cruces. Nope. They are over the faces of fans in Reno, Provo (or some other town nobody cares about in Utah), Albuquerque, and El Paso. NMSU got the last laugh for once.

Starting a coaching search in June was not ideal, but Dr. McKinley Boston was prepared. He wasted little time formulating a list of candidates – that at one point even included a mystery candidate (and I always say to take whats in the box)– and when the dust settled Marvin Menzies remained standing.

I, for one, welcome our new basketball overlord.

*It's worth noting that Menzies took over Theus's old job at Louisville, before taking over his old job at NMSU.*

Menzies has already been worth the hire. He retained Assistant Coach Chris Pompey, who has crucial recruiting ties to the east coast. He retained, in it’s entirety, the class recruited by Theus. That alone would have justified the hire. Howev-ah, he brought in Wendell McKines, a three-star highlight reel from San Francisco for the 2007-2008 (he took Nelsons scholarship). This propelled NMSU's 2007-2008 incoming class to #18 in the nation, according to collegehoops.net.

I’m pleased to say it didn’t stop there. He also lined up two talented walk-ons. 7-foot Hamidu Rahman, and four-star talent Troy Gillenwater will sit out the upcoming season. Both players should be on scholarship and contributing for the 2008-2009 season.

It seems, at least for now, those pipe dreams are realistic expectations. I have faith Menzies, with good reason, won’t disappoint.

Well enough with the old news. The offseason is OVER. Praise Jebus. Kickoff is only hours away, and I can barely contain my erection excitement. GO AGGIES!