More revisionist history.
Mayville St - NAIA - 35-22 in 2 seasons
SW Minnesota St - DII - 16-11, 16-11,18-10 then one great season 28-7 and off to NDSU.
NDSU - DII - 11-15, 20-11,16-13. One good season. Moved up to DI and 16-12,16-12 and 20-8 again one good season. Off to CSU
CSU - DI - 7-25, 9-22, 16-16, 19-13, 20-12.
So, not sure he has built something from nothing. He took over a 17-13 (6-10) 6th place MWC team at Colorado St. and promptly went 7-25 (0-16). In 5 years he got them to 20-12 (8-6).