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

[John A. DeGroat]

If I read it right, Miami of Ohio's coach is leaving to join the 
Illinois coaching staff as the defensive coordinator.  If this is 
accurate, how come Walker didn't go after him and if he did, why was he 
turned down?

John DeGroat

SjT (Stephen J. Truog) wrote:

>>I think that the grade any coach receives should
>>reflect the results at the
>>    
>>
>
>:) - maybe you should develop the new BCS formula,
>Jeff -- you really broke this down well!
>
>  
>
>>Any more points would be for improvement in previous
>>problem areas, or
>>deterioration in previous strong areas.  Defense and
>>special teams continue
>>    
>>
>
>I'm really hoping this improves next year -- the
>losses of Castillo/Clark and in Kenosha Howard just
>killed our D-line this year. Cofield was amazing
>considering he was alone most of the year ...
>hopefully next year we get better up front.
>
>As for LB, losing McGarrigle will be huge, but we'll
>have Roach ready to step into the monster LB role NU
>has developed the last decade plus.
>
>Where I expect to see the most improvement is our
>secondary -- losing Heinz and Backes hurt (as did a
>lack of pass rush). We have some speed back there now
>and Henderson improved throughout the year. Hopefully
>next year will see leaps and bounds here.
>
>Special teams? Well, maybe that new kicker is all
>that's advertised. But definitely a need area all
>around.
>
>  
>
>>did QB play.  The
>>running game was about where it was last year, which
>>was a pleasant
>>surprise. (up to B+).
>>    
>>
>
>Definitely -- considering Sutton wasn't even our
>backup before the season began, it was a nice
>surprise. Hopefully TS won't suffer the sophomore
>slump Peterson at OU had this year and our line will
>continue to improve.
>
>  
>
>>Finally you have to look at what RW is doing to
>>generate revenue for the
>>program in the same ways that every BT coaches
>>    
>>
>
>I know that's technically part of the coach's job, but
>I really think our problems run deeper than a head
>coach here. We've all discussed the factors ... many
>of which Walker is powerless to change (early start
>times, pro sports city, etc.). His teams are exciting
>and he's building a winning tradition. If that doesn't
>earn more fans in our situation, who knows what will
>(I see from the Stanford-ND game that Stanford is
>remodeling their stadium and shrinking it to 50,000 or
>so ... I don't think we need to shrink Dyche, but you
>see the problems they have in a pro market with many
>more alumni nearby than NU has ... on a side note,
>flipping channels, maybe our NC game at Nevada next
>year isn't a gimme).
>
>  
>
>>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.). 
>>    
>>
>
>Not sure I buy this. Carr walked into his situation
>and really hasn't had to do much (or done much) to
>deal with the off-field state of the program. And all
>Tressel did was beat Michigan (which was enough in
>Columbus:) ). These guys all had ready-made situations
>to step into and really don't face the situation or
>circumstances Walker does.
>
>Again, I know you don't want a total a-hole who
>alienates fans ... but so what if the guy's not Mr.
>Personality flashing a smile around town. The media
>may love that guy for 15 minutes, but the sword is
>double-edged and can turn fast (ask Barnett or
>Neuheisel). I don't want a snake-oil salesman. I want
>someone who builds a winning program, and if Walker
>does that by thriving on an "us vs. them" and
>tight-shipped atmosphere that doesn't exactly win him
>personality points, fine with me.
>
>  
>
>>If we win a bowl game it should go up to B+.  If we
>>lose, C-.
>>    
>>
>
>Well that's a bit harsh - little upside, big
>downside.:)
>
>I do want that bowl win though - we'll see who we play
>and how the matchup rates. In fairness to Barnett and
>Walker, in 3 of the past 4 bowls, we've played a
>preseason #1 so it's been a tough matchup. Thankfully,
>even if UCLA blows out SC this year, I don't think the
>Trojans will slip to the Sun Bowl.:)
>
>GO CATS!!!
>-SjT
>
>* * * * * * * * *
>STEPHEN J. TRUOG
>sjtruog at yahoo.com
>GO CATS!!!
>
>
>	
>		
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