[NU Sports] Coaching carousel

[neonrye at aol.com]

Great post, Jeff.  One of my new favorites during my time as a List member.  Reads like a good summation in a trial.:-)

Maybe Jim Phillips can expand our brand as follows:

"Chicago's Big Ten Team..America's Collegiate Calm in the Storm"

Paul
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

-----Original Message-----
From: "Beamsley, Jeff" <Jeff.Beamsley at covisint.com>
Sender: nwu-sports-bounces at tssi.com
Date: Mon, 28 Nov 2011 15:22:31 
To: Mike Nolan<nolan at tssi.com>; Alan Abrahamson<alan.abrahamson at gmail.com>
Cc: <nwu-sports at tssi.com>
Subject: Re: [NU Sports] Coaching carousel

Those of you who have been on this list for a while hopefully remember
the vigorous debates around Barnett when he was job shopping and Randy
Walker after the Wheeler tragedy when the program stalled.  There was
all sorts of speculation about the impact that coaching had on a
program.

Now looking at the storm of coaching changes and program disruptions
caused by scandal as well as NCAA infractions - it feels sort of like we
are in the calm center.  I'm sure our recruiters will take advantage of
that "calm".

We now have a coach who appears to have no interest in any other job.

We have an administration who appear to understand the value that this
coach and this program bring to the institution AND appear willing to
back that up with money.

We have a program that won't take just anyone, but graduates everyone.
As a result, year after year, we have a team made up of special kids.
Kids with character.  Kids who, when you hear their stories, make you
almost as proud as their parents must be.  Kids who always seem to find
a way every year to come together as a team and prove that good teams
can beat better athletes.

We now have kids, like Kurt Cousins, who are growing up NU fans because
they've only known winning teams.

I never really understood the reverence that PSU alums and students gave
to JoePa.  As a result, it is hard to really understand the sense of
loss that they must currently feel.

I think this season, though, I'm starting to get a glimpse of what Fitz
can mean to this program and this University.  Among other things, it
means every year that other programs fall be the wayside because of
scandal or failure - ours gets a little better.  It means that parents
will be able to use the prospect of playing for NU (rather than Ill or
ND) to motivate their football kids to study as well as practice.

It means a program we alums can be proud of every year, even those we go
6-6.

Jeff



-----Original Message-----
From: nwu-sports-bounces at tssi.com [mailto:nwu-sports-bounces at tssi.com]
On Behalf Of Mike Nolan
Sent: Monday, November 28, 2011 2:39 PM
To: Alan Abrahamson
Cc: nwu-sports at tssi.com
Subject: Re: [NU Sports] Coaching carousel

> Don't be surprised if Neuheisel is out at UCLA before the day is over.

Yup,  ESPN is now reporting that the announcement will be made at 5:30
PM ET,
though they don't say whether or not UCLA will ask for a waiver on bowl
eligibility.
--
Mike Nolan

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