G5-P4 Split May Accelerate After Boise State's Spencer Danielson’s Comments

Danielson Calls Out & Confronts Tampering Coaches 

Spencer Danielson told the Idaho Statesman that at least 12 Boise State players were recently contacted by illegal means. Danielson would not mention the guilty programs but said he called coaches to confront them on their illegalities and keep their hands off his players.

“They know that we are different here, and how we’re going to develop them is different,” Danielson said. “I’m involved in these kids’ lives because I love them. If someone was here just for the money, it’s not going to be a fit.”

Danielson was proud to announce that none of his tampered with players departed, including star running back Ashton Jeanty, who received several offers to hit the transfer portal. Jeanty was the 2023 Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year after rushing for 1347 yards and scoring 19 touchdowns.

“Even with the amount of tampering and stuff thrown at him and his family, he consistently says, ‘I want to be a Bronco,’ ” Danielson said. “It was probably way more than people know.”

In keeping his roster and culture intact, Danielson could be developing a G5 version of Matt Rhule’s Nebraska program that is also based on culture, hard work, and earning everything you get.

Danielson’s week was illustrative of the challenges facing the financially poorer G5 teams and why a split could be coming sooner rather than later.

Legitimate Reasons for P4-G5 Separation

TCU head coach Sonny Dykes has the unique perspective of having successfully coached at the Group of Five and Power Four levels. In an interview with Dave Campbell’s Texas Football, Dykes said most head coaches agree that a split is coming out of necessity.

“There is a big difference between the haves and the have-nots,” said Dykes. “I think we’ll eventually split into two separate divisions. Alabama and La Tech aren’t playing the same sport. Those (G5) jobs are harder now because if one of your players has a great season, he’s probably getting plucked away. Your only chance is to build a great culture and hope that keeps most of your roster intact.”

The lack of competitive balance and relative parity between the G5 and P4 will rapidly become more pronounced—money talks, especially to coaches and players. The G5 hasn’t a prayer of competing with the P4. Thus, a more realistic approach that benefits all makes more sense—especially considering that the current format is totally unsustainable. 

Spring into Prominence 

In the past, I have advocated for the Group of Five to move to the spring. Such a move would bring more attention to the G5, who would have the stage all to themselves. Furthermore, spring could offer a more lucrative TV contract because the G5 would not be competing against the Power Four brands for attention.

Former Hawaii and SMU coach June Jones seems to have been ahead of his time in calling for such a move over a decade ago.

The Group of Five has the choice to be a sacrificial lamb in the current College Football Playoff structure, or it can produce a champion of its own on a level playing field. The choice seems obvious.

Adapt or die.