And, if you take away that unforgettable 2004 season, he is 6-20. That is not a very good record. Don't get me wrong! Richie Meade has done a good job at Navy. However, if you look at most of the great coaches throughout the years, they have a pretty good record in 1-goal games. Here are 2 examples:

1. Bill Tierney-Throughout Princeton's incredible 10-year run from 1992-2001, Bill Tierney and the Tigers lost very few 1-goal games and won 4 of their 6 national titles in overtime and several other playoff games by 1 goal.

2. Dave Pietramala-Since Pietramala took over at Hopkins in 2001, he has an incredible record of 29-6 in 1-goal games. I don't know if any coaches have ever had a record this good throughout so many 1-goal games.

Of course, it is easy for SOME Navy fans to use 1-goal losses to schools like Georgetown and Hopkins as moral victories, because Georgetown and Hopkins are "much easier sells for top talent", and to say that "before Richie Meade got to Navy, those teams would have won by a lot more." That may be true. However, I am starting to think that if people keep saying that, it will lower Navy's standards in the long run. Remember-a team can have "pretty" losses and "ugly" losses. But, in the long run, a win is a win and a loss is a loss. Personally, I hate to lose, whether in a close game or a blowout.

So, the question is-Why hasn't Richie Meade done better in 1-goal games? Is it coaching? Is it a weak schedule? Is it a combination of both? What do you all think?