[NU Sports] One week from today....

[Hakirsch at aol.com]

In a message dated 8/25/2006 4:51:48 PM Pacific Standard Time,  
DPENDERG at aol.com writes:

still  maintain with all of the experience we bring to 2006, the Cats   
should beat at least lesser opponents, including Miami.  Regardless  of past  
Miami/NU results, the Redbirds (or whatever they're  called  after 
surrendering to 
political correctness) this year have a  roster  dominated by freshmen and 
sophomores and really should not be  able to compete  with a veteran-loaded 
Northwestern team.   Provided we're prepared and ready  to play next Thursday.

Despite  the universal enthusiasm greeting Fitz's appointment, I do not  
think  
that we somehow give him a free pass to learn on the job for a year  or  two. 
 
Either he is the NU head coach -- accountable for the  team's results  -- or 
he's not.  I want him (first NU alum head  coach since, I guess,  Bob 
Voights) 
to succeed, but he was selected  because we associate him with a  winning NU 
tradition.  I will  be disappointed if that does not  continue.   




I believe Rick Venturi was an NU alum though perhaps we shouldn't go there!  
(1-31-1)
 
-I do re-iterate that I think Fitz deserves some slack his first year or  
two--He was thrust on the job suddenly, he isvery  young, he is inheriting  a 
team that has do to more rebuilding than ususal including a new QB, a weak  
secondary, and a lousy PK for god knows how long. I am sure when the decision  was 
made to hire him rather than a seasoned coach, it was with the idea that  this 
is for the future, and that we may have to take a few down years that will  
be well worth it down the road--I think the last thing we should do as alums,  
backers, etc is to put pressure on him early on. We are not Notre Dame, thank  
god, and we shouldn't treat our coaches that way--
 
Harry