The Sacramento State football team?s Causeway Classic massacre ended in a 43-0 defeat, and that was followed up with a loss to a team (California State University, Northridge) that is calling it quits after the season.

We can now go ahead and put that debacle of a football season to rest and focus our attention on the next program trying to build respectability here on campus: the men?s basketball team.

Coming off a 5-22 season that saw many nights of frustration, the only way is up.

Head coach Jerome Jenkins had his contract extended in the off-season, taking away that horrible “interim” label that every coach hates.

He is now fully in charge of the ship that has been taking in water since its jump to Division I back in the early 90s. And his first year of recruiting looks to be a solid one. Not spectacular but solid.

Watching the team practice and listening to the coaches, optimism is definitely in the air. Hey, it?s November. Every team is undefeated.

At this point, that?s what the team needs ? solid team players. Players that will gladly plug the holes of incoming water with every last digit. Team guys that “want to be Hornets,” as Coach Jenkins so eloquently put it.

This thing is not going to be turned around overnight. It?s a process. Jenkins knows this better than anyone. To quote Bill Murray in the comedy “What About Bob?” ? “baby steps.”

Some solid signings should help deal with the loss of seniors Ricky Glenn, Pablo Gonzalez and Rame Batta.

Chris Lange, a lanky, 6-foot-8 freshman from Albuquerque not only captured state player of the year honors in the land of enchantment (New Mexico, for those geographically challenged), but he also reportedly chose Sac State because he is a government major.

Imagine that: A student-athlete, not an athlete-student.

Others that should be noticed are junior college transfers: Rashad Hooks, a 6-2 point guard who can play both guard positions and 6-6 forward Jimmy White, who averaged 21.8 points and 7.8 rebounds a game last year at Antelope Valley College.

“He is strong around the hoop but has the ability to step out and make the 15-18 foot jumper,” Jenkins said about the junior from Las Vegas, Nev.

Also, senior point guard Rene Jacques has looked impressive in two preseason games. So what if they were against the likes of Tribe Called Sweat and EA Sports? Baby steps, remember.

This past recruiting year was the first that allowed Jenkins and his staff the ability to recruit outside the state. Hopefully, this season will be a start for bigger things at Sac State.

The Hornets will no doubt bring full-court pressure, an up-and-own style of play, in attempt to put strain on their opponents at both ends of the floor. Hopefully the right personnel is in place.

Jenkins wants to improve his team?s ability to win on the road and overcome adversity. Meaning, these guys have to learn how to win by gaining confidence in each other and performing as a team.

Shoot maybe I should be coach, right Debby Colberg?

Seriously, this team is on the right path and has the right man leading it. When speaking to the coach, it?s as if “individual” is not in his vocabulary. “Team, team and team” is all you?ll get out of him, which is good.

And as far as a magic number of wins for this season, the coach is not having it.

All he wants is a post-season berth, and Sac State deserves it. We are tired of five-win seasons; we want Big Sky Championships!

Oh, sorry I?m getting ahead of myself. Baby steps, right coach?