I've started typing this any number of times then deleted, but here's my view from a detached Zips fan. When I have watched Jackson's teams, I have seen teams that have played hard. However, I have seen teams that were generally below the average talent level of their MAC counterparts. The only real exception was when the Zips had a MAC POY. Otherwise, the teams have been mediocre. This season went from promising, to sideways to downhill. I don't see anything in the pipeline to convince me that the upcoming Zips squads are going to be anything other than the struggling to be middling MAC teams we've seen to this point.
I appreciate Coach Jackson's efforts. I don't think any failures were due to a lack of effort. Maybe the program will be in the same place or a worse place in a couple of years, but I can understand the desire to improve from where the program is now.