[NU Sports] Our 2005 schedule in retrospect ...

[Jeff Beamsley]

I think that the grade any coach receives should reflect the results at the
end of the year compared with our expectations (there's that word again).  I
think it is reasonable to expect a winning record and a bowl game every
season, and RW delivered.  So on an absolute scale of C = 6-5, C+ = 7-4, B-
= 8-3, B = 9-2, B+ = 10-1, A = 11-0, then he gets a C+.

Then you have to look at the competition, in this case the third toughest
schedule in the country.  He has to get extra credit for that. (up to B) 

Any more points would be for improvement in previous problem areas, or
deterioration in previous strong areas.  Defense and special teams continue
to be a problem.  They didn't get any worse, but they didn't really get any
better.  I think that the receiving crew improved as did QB play.  The
running game was about where it was last year, which was a pleasant
surprise. (up to B+).

Finally you have to look at what RW is doing to generate revenue for the
program in the same ways that every BT coaches generate revenue.  That is
measured in attendance, media face time, and merchandizing.  I don't think
this is an either/or proposition.  BT coaches get paid a lot of money
because they generate a lot of money.  There are plenty of no-nonsense
all-football coaches who have figured out how to do this (Carr, Tressel,
Ferentz, etc.).  RW has to get better at it for this program to reach it's
potential.  NU was on TV a lot this year, but that was in part a reflection
of the strength of schedule.  Even with their best season since 2000 and a
couple of incredible finishes, there wasn't a whole lot of excitement in the
Chicago area about this team. (down to B)

If we win a bowl game it should go up to B+.  If we lose, C-.

Jeff




-----Original Message-----
From: nwu-sports-bounces at tssi.com [mailto:nwu-sports-bounces at tssi.com] On
Behalf Of SjT (Stephen J. Truog)
Sent: Friday, November 25, 2005 7:58 PM
To: nwu-sports at tssi.com
Subject: [NU Sports] Our 2005 schedule in retrospect ...

As an NU fan excited about the team's sixth bowl appearance in school
history, I'm a bit dismayed that our main topic for the past two weeks has
been calling for our coach's head after a 7-4 season.

As a teacher, however, I've read this grade discussion with a bit more
interest ... Walker certainly didn't ace the 2005 season (not going for the
kill early in the PSU game bit us), but I'm amazed that anyone could give
the coach a failing grade.

Not only were expectations low at season's start (the "experts" and many on
the list) ... but they worsened after the preseason injuries and the
disaster in the desert against (what was then a pretty good) ASU and the
heartbreak to PSU (who no one expected to win the Big Ten back then). To get
a 7-4 mark by season's end against the #3 schedule in the country has to
take SOME coaching ability, no matter how much some folks dislike the guy
(and personally, I like a coach who's no-nonsense and all football instead
of one who loves the camera on him, plays games in the press and likes
getting his picture taken around town).

But now that the season's over and ASU and NIU have won necessary games this
weekend, let's look back again at that schedule, because as a teacher, you
do need to remember to grade on the level of test attempted. And NU's 2005
test was pretty steep, making the 7-4 mark even more remarkable.

We knew coming into the season that we had a tough schedule - and even some
fans like me who wear purple-colored glasses were hard pressed to find six
wins. But preseason can be deceiving at times (look at Notre Dame's
schedule), so upon post-season review ...

* 7 of our 11 games were against teams going bowling in 2005-06
* 4 of our 11 foes were top 10 at some point in the season
* 8 of our 11 foes were top 15 at some point in the season (MSU and Purdue
peaked at #11, UW and ASU at
#14)
* 2 of our losses will come to BCS teams if OSU is chosen
* 2 of our 4 non-bowl foes were teams ranked at one point in the season
(MSU, Purdue) and just missed a bowl at 5-6.
* Our 2 "easy" games were the season opener against a better-than-expected
Ohio team and a final game against rival Illinois.

So finishing in 3rd place in the Big Ten with a 7-4 mark for that schedule
clearly merits a passing grade.
I'd say a B for 2005.

GO CATS!!!
-SjT

* * * * * * * * *
STEPHEN J. TRUOG
sjtruog at yahoo.com
GO CATS!!!


	
		
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