[NU Sports] Fast-food Football Zealots, a Tradition of their Own

[DPENDERG at aol.com]

I've digested with interest all of the messages back and forth speculating  
about Randy's future, but while I share some concerns about his  shortcomings, 
it is actually just a meaningless academic exercise,  frankly.  Every signal 
I've picked up is that Bienen and Murphy really  like Randy Walker and their 
views are what count.  Coming off a  winning season and entering the final year 
of his contract, let's just get over  it and hope that he does something 
before next season to remedy the special  team/defense problems as well as to 
improve recruiting. I hope  that we'll see some coaching changes on the defensive 
side of the ball.   There is simply no excuse to be consistently near the 
bottom of Division  I-A football.  
 
I agree that alumni should expect and advocate something better  than 
mediocrity. At the same time,  as the only private, selective  university in the Big 
Ten, we never will enjoy the advantages of such programs  as UM, OSU, PSU or 
Iowa.  That fact only requires, however, a head coach  with unique qualities 
appropriate to the NU situation.  Is Randy Walker  that coach?  I think the 
record is mixed and the jury needs to wait until  his contract comes up for 
renewal, although it would not surprise me at all  right now if he stays, especially 
if he manages another winning season next  year.