[NU Sports] the next coach

[SjT (Stephen J. Truog)]

> The Brown problem:
> Brown was defensive backs coach for
> Barnett/Vanderlinden.  He took over for
> Vanderlinden as defensive coordinator in 1997 and
> turned NU's defense into
> perhaps the worst defense in the country.  Because

True, but the only thing I would add to that is how
different the head coach and coordinator positions
are. There have been people -- Lou Tepper immediately
comes to mind -- who have been fantastic coordinators
and horrible head coaches. Vanderlinden may fit in
that category as well to a lesser extent.

Brown may not have what it takes to be a DC, but his
recruiting ability and program loyalty may make him a
good head coach. And since he is assistant head coach
now and someone familiar with Randy's program -- he is
probably the only one who could at least hold
everything together on an interim basis for this year.

I think we're fine with Brown at interim HC and with
DC -- as others have mentioned, our big problem may be
OC. With Dunbar and Walker as the offensive
masterminds, we need to find someone who understands
the spread and can usher in a new quarterback to a
system that has a lot returning. Our biggest concern
on the field in the next two months should be finding
someone to run our offense.

> Making Brown the interim head coach will send a
> message to the players and
> their families:  NU, itself, has indeed written-off
> the 2006 season.

I disagree there -- it gives the program a familiar
face and continuity going into what will surely be a
challenging season instead of jolting everything with
a new coach and ideas a month before camp. Though as I
said, I do think fans will have to throw out the
expectations they had for this season a week ago.

I guess it boils down to whether you think we'll find
our coach of the future in less than 30 days. Recruits
and players on the fence would more likely stay with
NU with Brown as interim coach than with a one-year
filler coach. So bringing in some retired "name" or
name from the past for a year doesn't have much
upside. I guess I just don't think we'll find a coach
for the future a month before camp and really don't
want to rush this or settle for some name from the
past who left. That leaves an interim situation. Is it
ideal? No -- and not for Brown either (would you want
a hectic year like the one coming up to be your
on-the-job evaluation?) -- but we have to survive this
and finish Walker's work.

GO CATS!!!
-SjT

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

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