Pecking order? There are many ways to go with that. In terms of, as you noted above, fan support? Lousy. It breaks my heart to tune in and see the place pretty much empty. I have lamented this, and the Ticketholders have literally snarled back "We try to give the tickets away, but nobody wants them!" I live six hours away from Fort Worth. I can't be of much help on that account. The kids show up some, but getting the living crap beaten out of you by Kansas tends to demoralize casual fans. As to funding, there's plenty. I do not know where we stand from a school-to-school basis, but I imagine we are near the top. In terms of Program Recognition, middle of the pack. We have never shown consistency. Ever. It is mystifying.
All the Programs put an emphasis on winning. Guys don't play sports because they enjoy losing. I remember the Women's Coach a long time ago, telling me that he had played College ball with the old Utah Jazz point guard (name escapes me) and that "he was the most competitive guy I have ever known. He'd slice your nuts off for a $1 bet." No, I do not believe that Dixon thinks it's O.K. to lose, but I am confused by the concept of "building" without consistency, and building success without winning. Nothing lasting was built on moral victories. At some point, you're gonna have to smack some heads...
I fully believe Dixon can do it. He has it in him. Hell, I was in the building when he hit The Shot!