that's ridiculous. it could get a lot worse. not saying that it should be used as a reason to not make a move, but not at least acknowledging it is kind of absurd.
It's very, very difficult for a coach hired by a competent search to do worse in this day and age. Look at the BCS since 2003 and tell me who has clearly performed "a lot worse" than KSU overall? Baylor, Duke, Indiana, and Washington State. And Baylor is at least clearly heading in the right direction. It can be done, but it's difficult to do a lot worse.
Well, we've had 2 coaching changes in that time, but here's a list of BCS teams that have done worse from 2004-2010: Ole Miss, Minnesota, Mississippi State, Colorado, Iowa State, Indiana, Illinois, Baylor, Syracuse, Vanderbilt, Washington State, Washington and Duke. Stanford has the exact same record over that time period. Also, a whole bunch of other mid-major teams have done worse, like Colorado State, Wyoming, Ball State, Miami-Ohio, Marshall, New Mexico, Akron, SMU, Kent, Army, etc.
Just pitching in with some facts.
I don't know how you got your list...strict w/l? We have barely qualified for 2 bowls in 7 seasons since 2003, and they are the worst bowls possible. How have the teams on your list fared? Have these teams really done "a lot worse" than KSU since 2003?
Ole Miss: has been to 2 Cotton Bowls, had 2 9-win seasons
Minnesota: has been to 5 bowls
Mississippi State: been to 2 bowls and will finish the season ranked
Colorado: been to 3 bowls and won 2 North titles
Iowa State: been to 3 bowls
Indiana: I listed these guys. (note that they have been to 1 fewer bowl than KSU)
Illinois: been to 2 bowls, including the rough ridin' Rose Bowl
Baylor: Listed
Syracuse: Been to 2 bowls.
Vanderbilt: Yeah, you can have this one, although they did make a bowl.
Washington State: Listed
Washington: Just won a Holiday Bowl. It's close.
Duke: Listed
So you can add Vanderbilt, and possibly Washington. About 1 school in each conference has been "a lot worse" than KSU since 2004.