Although UC Davis Athletic Director Kevin Blue refers to his 2,200-word “The Way Forward for UC Davis Football” as a “note,” it reads more like a manifesto from a man consumed with excellence.

Or, for the pun-inclined, a Blue print.

“The sport of football has a rich tradition at the University of California, Davis,” Blue begins.

“Aggie Football has been a part of our university since 1915 and has played a significant role in shaping the history of our athletics program and broader university identity,” he continues, capitalizing “Football” to emphasize its importance.

“It is the strong desire of the UC Davis community to again compete at an elite level in football.”

It is certainly the desire for some, but based on the dwindling attendance in recent years, it remains to be seen if we’ll ever again see packed stadiums as we did during the Glory Years when the Aggies called Toomey Field home.

Than again, the beloved Aggies haven’t exactly been playing at an elite level over the last six years.

“The football program’s streak of winning twenty consecutive Far West and Northern California Athletic Conference football championships in Division II remains a NCAA record for consecutive conference titles.”

A slight historical correction is in order here. It was actually the Far Western Conference, not the Far West, though oddly I’ve heard it called the “Far West” by a number of folks for some time now. Which is strange given that the Cal Aggies were members of the esteemed FWC for an amazing 57 consecutive seasons.

“The ‘Aggie Pride’ identity that is still a central part of university culture was born during this era of unprecedented football success,” Blue adds of the 20 straight titles, not realizing such a claim might rub many of the pre-1970 Aggies the wrong way.

I still remember coach Will Lotter and his never-say-die quarterback Dick Carriere riding around Toomey Field in the winner’s carriage in 1963 after claiming the FWC championship with a dramatic 17-8 win over archrival Sacramento State.

Lotter, who still lives in Davis, gave an impromptu and emotional speech to the post-game crowd, reminding them that Carriere and his teammates had gone 0-8-1 in 1960, but had vowed to win a championship before they graduated. No matter what they called it, Aggie Pride was definitely in their hearts and on the field of play that day.

Not mincing words, Blue lays out some lofty goals as he sets about hiring a new head coach to take his charges to the promised land.

“We intend to perennially contest for Big Sky championships and earn berths in the FCS playoffs, with the ultimate goal of winning the FCS National Championship.”

While it’s clear that UC Davis is a long, long way from fulfilling Blue’s ultimate football dream, it is by no means outside the realm of possibility. If they can do it in Cheney and Missoula and Fargo and Boone, they can certainly do it in Davis.

Adds Blue of his desired head coach: “The ideal candidate will have a track record of successful experience in head coaching or, at a minimum, as a coordinator,” and adds that he wants a coach who can turn things around, not necessarily one who took over an already successful program.

The exception to that concept, of course, is none other than former Aggie quarterback Chris Petersen, who took over at Boise State from former Aggie fullback Dan Hawkins.

Hawkins was wildly successful at Boise, putting together a 53-11 mark over five seasons before moving on to Colorado and giving way to Petersen, whose 92-12 mark at Boise is virtually unprecedented in Division I football.

Petersen may have taken over a highly successful program where a culture of winning was already in place, but he quickly used his own skills and insights to cement Boise State as a perennial big-time power. He is now close to landing the Washington Huskies in the national championship playoff.

Blue also notes, accurately, that UC Davis’ high academic standards and restrictive admissions policy should be an asset, not a detriment, in attracting top quality student-athletes.

Which makes sense. I’ve never met a football coach who wouldn’t rather be directing players with a 4.0 in chemical engineering than a 2.0 in basket weaving.

Getting into specifics of game management, Blue hopes that “When games are close, pressure situations will force the other team into mistakes, but we will execute without self-infliction. We will never ‘beat ourselves.’ We’ll stay clear of penalties and mistakes that are due to a lack of discipline or disorganization.”

In other words, no taunting the opposing quarterback after a critical sack or having 12-men on the field when the opposition’s offense faces fourth-and-one in a tie game.

Success will not come overnight, but one senses a clear vision from Blue as to the qualities he desires in a new head coach and the high goals he hopes to achieve.

You also sense that no matter who is hired, the honeymoon will be brief.

— Reach Bob Dunning at [email protected]. Read Bob’s Tuesday and Thursday columns at www.davisenterprise.com, under “web update.”