[NU Sports] genius or luck?

[Jonathan Hodges]

I know from comments Walker has made that he really enjoys coaching
the college players because he can really help them develop themselves
on and off the field, and I believe he has done so in his career thus
far at Northwestern.  A lot of players have developed to a lot more
than what was expected by the recruiting gurus, and quite a few have
gone on to play at the next level.  Northwestern graduates more
players than almost every other school at our level, with the
graduation rate at or above that of the general student population. 
Not only that, but he has also produced a Big Ten title, and now 4 6+
win seasons and most likely a third bowl berth to his tenure here. 
He's done what was expected of him and more, and I expect that he will
stick around longer as well.

I am also glad that the University administration has stuck with him
despite some down years (2001 and 2002) and has given him a chance to
fully implement his system and to develop the players he brings in. 
It is nice to see some continuity in a game that sees major coaching
changes annually.

Jonathan

On 11/6/05, Michael Vance <michael.vance at att.net> wrote:
> At 11/6/2005 06:03 PM, Roy Lamberton wrote:
> >What I've never seen on TV is him giving a player a hard time for making a
> >mistake. [Yes I know there are reports of negative locker room events, but
> >those
> >are always from someone with an anti-Walker axe to grind and virtually always
> >2nd or 3rd hand.]
>
> I've never seen him giving a kid a hard time in the form of yelling at
> him.  But he has not hesitated to bench Sutton for a drive or two after a
> fumble.  I know he did it against both teams from Michigan.
>
> I don't remember well enough from previous years whether he did this with
> other backs or not.  It wasn't an issue with Noah; he never fumbled, at
> least not his senior year.  So going back to Jason Wright and DA2, did he
> do that?  And if asked, is it "punishment" or is it "giving a guy time to
> get his head screwed back on."  Does the difference just depend on the player?
>
> -Michael
>
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Jonathan W. Hodges
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