[NU Sports] Thoughts on our new coach: Trust the Plan

[Jeff Beamsley]

I basically agree with everything that you've said, BUT I do have a little
problem with how it was said.

NU could easily go "back to the shithouse" (your term) for the next two
years.  We're all agreeing to give PF a break, while at the same time
praising the RW plan for consistency and somehow projecting RW's past into
the PF's future.  But, how can you call it consistency if the next two
seasons are similar to GB's last two seasons?

>From any objective analysis, it doesn't wash.  For years, we've had an
ongoing discussion on this list about the wisdom of changing coaches.  Well,
though we would all prefer that RW were still here, we have a new coach.  So
all those who predicted doom and gloom need to show a little philosophical
integrity.  

BTW, just my opinion and not intended to call anyone in particular out.  

My own prediction is that this was going to be a tough year for NU even if
it was one coached by RW because much of this season is going to be spent
figuring out who our next QB is going to be.  
As a result I don't think that we will sweep our non-conference schedule
(tough opening game against Miami), and I don't see how we get more than two
wins in the BT and that assumes one upset.  But, since I don't share the
"changing coaches is bad" philosophy, I also think that NU will have a
winning season in 2007 and win the BT is 2008 (with wins over Michigan and
OSU) even though the schedule both years is very tough.  We'll have better
defenses and better special teams than we had under RW (because of better
recruiting), we'll have senior offensive leadership in Sutton, Ward, and
Peterman; we'll have an experienced QB, and our teams will begin to play
with a chip on their shoulder because of the tough 2006 year.  PF will use
that to motivate his 2007 and 2008 teams just like GB did for his great
teams.  Don't know whether the BT "gets" the Rose Bowl in 2008.  If so, I'm
looking forward to PF taking NU back there after a 13 year absence.

Jeff 



-----Original Message-----
From: nwu-sports-bounces at tssi.com [mailto:nwu-sports-bounces at tssi.com] On
Behalf Of WildElk2 at aol.com
Sent: Wednesday, July 12, 2006 8:17 PM
To: nwu-sports at tssi.com
Subject: [NU Sports] Thoughts on our new coach: Trust the Plan

First, many well written posts concerning the hiring of  PF. ( I think I'm
the first to ID Fitzgerald by his initials; do I win season  tickets?)  
   I humbly submit that patience is an assumed commodity. We  assume Pat
will make mistakes; that one, maybe two years will be necessary  before we
hold him accountable as far as W's and L's.
   This was one of the knocks against RW; that our AD and  administration
had too much patience; that 6-7 win seasons were the most we  would get
under RW. 
Please note: I didn't go along with this line of  thinking.  I felt our
administration was taking the Beamer/Snyder approach;  allowing RW to
establish 
consistency before turning in BCS caliber teams.   Keep in mind, that the
history 
of K-State and Virginia Tech  was "less than  stellar" before they took
their respective positions.  How GB unturned 22,  23 years of futility in
3,4 years, than back to the shithouse in another 3,4  years should be some
sort of case study.  What Walker has done is much more  predictable;
establishing consistency, and making a name for himself recruiting  OL's,
RB's and QB's.  (note: 
Barnett started recruiting Kustok; RW "closed"  the deal.).
   With Fitzgerald as the recruiting coordinator,  we would  eventually
started signing some more Cofields and McGarigles.
   In PF's speech to the media, he said that Walker would tell  him to
"trust the plan".  I think the plan has slowly begun to take hold.  2003:
6-7.  
2004: 6-6  2005: 7-6.
   We as fans need to trust Bienan, Murphy and Fitz.  These  men hold NU's
principles as important as winning, and they don't accept  mediocrity and
/or losing.  They know and work "the plan", and that plan  includes "Victory
and Honor."  
   I believe Fitz will work the plan.  We need to  believe that Fitz will
get us there.
 
  My motto for 2006:   "Trust the Plan", no matter what the  outcome of w's 
and L's this season.  
 
            GO  CATS!!!!      Eric
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