CURBSTONE COACHES Good advice gave Krebs a push in the right direction

TV is important to recruiting and a national image, Bowling Green's AD said.
By JOHN KOVACH
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
BOARDMAN -- Paul Krebs recalled a dinner conversion he had with Earle Bruce that helped set the stage for Bowling Green State University's athletic comeback the past several years, especially in football.
Krebs, a Canfield native who became Bowling Green's athletic director in 1999, said that Bruce, the former Ohio State coach, not only recommended the Falcons' next football coach at a 2000 huddle -- he shouted it for extra-added emphasis throughout the restaurant.
" 'You need to hire Urban Meyer. Meyer is a better coach than [anyone else you are considering],' " said Krebs, describing Bruce's loud and urgent pleas to the Curbstone Coaches at their luncheon session Monday at Lockwood House.
Krebs said he took Bruce's advice, hired Meyer, and that Meyer went on to turn around the school's football program for two years before shifting to Utah and leaving the Falcons' top job to Greg Brandon, who was elevated from offensive coordinator.
Results
The overall results were that the Falcons began to gain national television publicity, more radio networks, bigger attendance, more student following and increased out-of-state enrollment, all of which positively impacted the entire athletic program and the school in general.
"Urban put the program back on track," said Krebs of Meyer, who was 17-6 in his two seasons.
"Last year, we had an historic year in football. Coach Brandon had an 11-3 record. We had a nationally-televised game [ESPN] on Saturday afternoon. That is the power of ESPN Gameday."
Krebs, a 1974 Canfield High graduate and a three-time state qualifier in cross country, introduced his mother, Ruth Rigo, to the Curbstone gathering. He also presented Bob Sebo of Salem, who is a member of the Bowling Green Board of Trustees; and John Gottschling of Salem, Sebo's friend and booster of BG sports.
Krebs went on get his bachelor's degree at Bowling Green and his master's at Oklahoma, and then worked for Oklahoma in ticket sales and for the Ohio State athletic department for 15 years -- the last seven as senior associate athletic director -- before shifting to BG.
Much improvement
"When I first arrived at BG in 1999, we were in our fifth year of six losing seasons in football," said Krebs. "We had 8,000 fans at my first game. We averaged 8,000 fans the first season. We begged to get a radio station to broadcast our games. We were averaging 900 students a game. And our total concession sales were $13,000.
"Since 2001, Our football record [was 30-11] -- the second-best in the MAC to Marshall. We had five games on national TV last year. This past year we averaged 21,000 fans and 6,000 students. We have a 10-station radio network. Our website is the most heavily-trafficked in the MAC with 70,000 visits a month."
Krebs believes there is a correlation between the school's increased enrollment and national visibility of the football team.
"We have had a record number of out-of-state admissions this year," said Krebs, noting that overall enrollment also has increased from about 18,000 students when he came in 1999 to now 20,000.
"TV is so important to recruiting and a national image and reputation," said Krebs.
kovach@vindy.com