I’m not going to use this space to kick a program that’s down. No need to pile on. Scoreboards in Mountain West are telling that story with ample clarity.

But it is important to zoom in for a look at how this Air Force basketball program arrived at this point and examine where it might be headed.

The struggles continued Tuesday with a 91-74 home loss to Colorado State, the final visit from the Rams for the foreseeable future as they head off to the Pac-12. The loss dropped the Falcons to 0-13 in conference play, with the losses coming by an average of 25.2 points. That’s all that needs to be said about that.

Just listen when the starting lineups are announced and you’ll understand much of what’s happening. On Tuesday Air Force started four freshmen and one junior. The roster has no seniors.

The underlying cause for that lack of on-court veterans has been addressed.

Coach Joe Scott was suspended indefinitely Jan. 17 as the academy announced an investigation into player conduct.

Regardless of what that investigation uncovers, it’s difficult to imagine a scenario where Scott returns.

His style in his second stint at Air Force never fit. His demeanor in games was that of a coach constantly berating his team. Investigation aside, the optics were never good and the all-important measurement of player retention matched what was easily observable.

Rytis Petraitis, Jake Heidbreder, Marcell McCreary, Kellen Boylan, Luke Kearney and multiple others left in an era that allows penalty-free transfers. Those close to the program have noted the departures weren’t – with an exception or two – from players chasing NIL money. They were running from a disheartening atmosphere.

Scott had success here before, winning the only Mountain West title in program history during his first stint from 2000-04. So while I never agreed with the decision to fire Dave Pilipovich (now an assistant at CSU and handling the scouting for Tuesday’s game), I also understood the desire to try and rekindle the hottest period in program history.

It didn’t happen.

So, now what?

There’s a very clear change in mood and optimism since Jon Jordan has taken over as the interim coach and David Metzendorf has served as tactical manager.

“I think our job and responsibility is to create as good a foundation for whomever it is that comes behind us,” Jordan said. “I think our coaching staff is doing a great job right now. It’s not showing up in the wins column, but I do think we’re making progress.

“I think whoever it is that gets this program is going to have a good assortment of players and a program and team that’s ready to take another step.”

The mindset shift is no small matter, but the task awaiting the new coach will be massive. There will be a head start if some of these young players who are gaining experience even as they’re taking their lumps, opt to stay. If they don’t, look out. Remember, this is not a program that can reload through the portal.

“We might be losing, but we’re building bonds that will last forever,” said freshman guard Kam Sanders, who comes equipped with all the skills you’d want in a floor leader and a personality that elevates everyone’s mood. “This is kind of a peculiar situation, but I feel like we’ve grown together, we’ve kind of connected a little bit more. Hopefully that can lead to some wins.”

What comes next remains a mystery. This will be one of the toughest jobs in the game, but there are multiple assistants out there with Air Force ties – maybe Marcus Jenkins or Adam Hood or someone on the current staff – who would surely jump at the opportunity if that’s where athletic director Nathan Pine looks. Or there might be some veterans who volunteer for the task. Names like retired Miami coach Jim Larranaga have been floated, according to sources.

The deficit between the Falcons and the rest of the Mountain West is too large to expect anything drastically different this year. The team’s focus isn’t on results, but on effort. What else can they do? The ball will be tipped seven more times in the regular season and Air Force will continue to show up.

But being around this team and having conversations on and off the record suggests that where they are is worlds away from where they have been in ways that matter most in creating a foundation on which to build.

“That’s kind of where the challenge is for us, is for (the players) to understand that this is their program,” Jordan said. “How successful do they want it to be? … If they’re buying into it and taking ownership, things are going to be a lot better.”