Each week, PowerMizzou.com publisher Gabe DeArmond answers questions from Tiger fans in the mailbag. This format allows for a more expansive answer than a message board post. If you missed this week's mailbag, keep an eye out next week or send your question to Gabe at powermizzou@gmail.com. On to this week's entries.
jclowe asks: While it's not exactly a sports question, could you break down where the University of Missouri stands in filling its leadership positions? It seems likely to me that the university will have a new AD as early this week. I haven't heard much about where the university system is in hiring a new president and chancellor. Thanks!
GD: All indications I get are that the AD position will be hired first and it could very well be within the next week or two. Jon Sundvold said on our podcast he expected the President position to be filled some time between October and December (that one takes a little longer in the process). As far as Chancellor, I don't really have a timetable. The general feel is that Hank Foley is likely to be the permanent guy, at least for a period of time. But honestly, I don't spend much time following any of these other than the AD search unless they directly come into play in me covering the athletic department.
ABaumli asks: Who do you think the Big 12 should add? Who do you think they will add? In an ideal world, what other teams would you want in a conference with Mizzou?
GD: In order, what I think the Big 12 should do is actually what it should have done. It should have held on to Nebraska, Missouri and A&M. Colorado is whatever to me, but the others, the league was dumb to push out. Given the choices they have, I'd personally probably add Memphis and BYU. If you insist on going to four, I guess add Cincinnati and Houston. What they will do? God only knows. Whatever Texas wants them to do.
My second answer isn't going to be very popular. I wish the Big Eight was still around. That's what I grew up with. I loved it. Sorry, but I enjoy watching Missouri play Nebraska in football and Kansas in basketball. Rivalries with Oklahoma State and Kansas State, while not quite the level of those others maybe, were things you looked forward to. There have been a lot of great games with Iowa State, particularly in hoops. I wish geography mattered in conferences. It doesn't. That doesn't mean I hate the SEC. It's fine. I understand why Missouri went. But I'm never going to be quite as interested in games against Arkansas and South Carolina and Vandy as I was in the ones with the schools I mentioned above. I know it's a fantasy land answer. We're never going back to an eight team league. But you asked what I wanted in an ideal world and that's what I want.
amhorrell asks: WR position this year.. I know you can't predict the snaps.. but can you rank the WR's by who plays the most percent of offensive snaps? And a second part... will all relevant guys get reps or will they cut it down to basically a 2 deep 6 man rotation? Meaning only Black, Smith, Hall, Blair, Dilosa, Moore, Collins, Brown, Floyd, Laurent Perkins, Wingo, Mason, Johnson... I think the following are all walk ons but not positive.. Martini, Brents, Spadarotto, Akushe.. obviously some are walk ons and are just bodies but that's a lot of WR's.Third question.. Darvis Holmes is listed at 6'5 315 on the roster. I thought he was 6'8 330?
GD: I think Mizzou has generally played about seven receivers. I really can't rank them in order of who plays how much, but if I have to pick seven or eight guys, here are the ones I think see meaningful action: Chris Black, J'Mon Moore, Nate Brown, Keyon Dilosa, Emanuel Hall, Justin Smith, Dimetrios Mason. Those are probably my top eight based on a combination of guessing and what I've heard. Dominic Collins and Johnathon Johnson could get in there too. Of course, this is all before a single practice and my answer could be totally different next week.
On Darvis Holmes, I don't know specifically how big he is, but I know he's really big. And I would say he's got some work to do in the weight room to be the right kind of big.
mexicojoe asks: Not counting the current new softball stadium construction, what is your best estimate of the next three facility upgrades?
GD: I feel bad cause you love the facilities questions and I rarely have much of an answer. Football will be first. After that, I have no idea. And the thing is, who do you even ask? Who's in charge and can make that decision? Is Hank Foley building new buildings? I'm not trying to dodge your question, but I don't even know who would be able to give me an answer right now.
