Selling a vision -- then making it become real

After a few years in charge, it's just impossible to sell a ground floor vision to a prospective hire unless dramatic progress has already been demonstrated. Even a morphing of Dale Carnegie and Zig Ziglar on their best days couldn't close such a deal.

After eight seasons, don't even bother.

So did you notice what Jalen James has been mantra-ing of late?

“...It’s a chance for me to do big things – start fresh with a new coach in a big conference and lead as a freshman,” James told Future150.com. “I think I can help build something special. It was just the perfect fit...”

“...The coaches have said they want to build around me. They want me to help build the name for San Jose State and help shock the world. We are going to get some big-time players in the future...”

Talk, of course, is cheap.

Actions are the true measuring stick.

The acquisitions of James and Muhammad registered on the collegiate basketball version of the Richter scale. Any future additions of even close to such a level of potential will surely have Spartan fans wandering around in a dazed state muttering "this can't be real, can it?"