Tim Beckman Chosen to Lead Illini Football

[IndyIllini]

Originally Posted by lstewart53x3

I'll take your tickets!

Really? Because I couldn't give tickets away to my friends, and when I tried to sell tickets I had to eat $45-$55 on each $65 ticket.

[fish48]

Season tix should be reasonable this coming year, and you can probably get good seats. Now would be a good time to get them, because if he brings us up to competing for a B1G Championship in a couple years, those good seats that you bought this year will be pretty nice!

[caillini84]

I just hope that none of the (few) posters who are complaining about (as opposed to taking a IMO reasonable wait-and-see attitude towards) our new coach are the same as the people who were calling for Coach Zook to be fired.

That would really piss me off, having defended Coach Zook until the bitter end, to now also need to defend Coach Beckman (who I already like and strongly support) against those same posters.

[RyanK]

There's been a lot of talk that he doesn't recruit Chicago...but, fwiw, Beckman picked up a Barrington HS LB earlier this week. We'll be fine

[Dick Butkus]

You know, his recruiting doesn't look all that bad to me at all.
You have to remember its not easy to recruit at MAC schools.

Average recruiting stars
Zook
2005 = 2.68
2006 = 2.7
2007 = 3.14
2008 = 2.93
2009 = 2.77
2010 = 2.45
2011 = 2.69

Beckman
2007 = 3.14 (his recruiting at OSU)
2008 = 2.89 (OSU)
2009 = 2.0
2010 = 2.15
2011 = 2.47

[WesterveltVictoryCigar]

Originally Posted by RyanK

There's been a lot of talk that he doesn't recruit Chicago...but, fwiw, Beckman picked up a Barrington HS LB earlier this week. We'll be fine

Plus we have to see who he adds to his staff, hopefully an assistant or two will have some local connections.

[I Hate Lemonier]

Originally Posted by caillini84

I just hope that none of the (few) posters who are complaining about (as opposed to taking a IMO reasonable wait-and-see attitude towards) our new coach are the same as the people who were calling for Coach Zook to be fired.

That would really piss me off, having defended Coach Zook until the bitter end, to now also need to defend Coach Beckman (who I already like and strongly support) against those same posters.

I am taking a wait and see approach but you do realize that those two positions you mentioned are not mutually exclusive? You could understand that Zook needed to go and not be thrilled with this hire as well

[Ransom Stoddard]

Originally Posted by caillini84

I just hope that none of the (few) posters who are complaining about (as opposed to taking a IMO reasonable wait-and-see attitude towards) our new coach are the same as the people who were calling for Coach Zook to be fired.

That would really piss me off, having defended Coach Zook until the bitter end, to now also need to defend Coach Beckman (who I already like and strongly support) against those same posters.

My guess is that the very small minority who are already dismissing Beckman are some of the same people who could see no flaws in RZ and took exception to those who did.

Present company excepted, of course.

[IndyIllini]

Originally Posted by lstewart53x3

Would you want to coach a team that has fans like you?

Yeah, fans like me who are 30 years old and have spent over $7,000 on tickets the last 8 years (often eating the cost because I can't unload them when I can't make it), fans who drive 4 hours round-trip to go to games, fans who spend money on over-priced concessions, fans who have had to buy sweatshirts, stocking caps, windbreakers, etc for their wives because of unpredictable weather, fans who have donated thousands to the I-Fund, fans who keep coming even as DIA keeps jerking with my parking, and fans who have seen wins about 30% of the time they attend. All of this during the worst economy in decades, when games are better viewed on awesome TVs in the comfort of my house.

I can't imagine many fans that have done what I have for this football team by the age of 30.

And if Illinois loses me as a season ticket holder...I don't think that's a me problem.

[RyanK]

Originally Posted by Dick Butkus

You know, his recruiting doesn't look all that bad to me at all.
You have to remember its not easy to recruit at MAC schools.

Average recruiting stars
Zook
2005 = 2.68
2006 = 2.7
2007 = 3.14
2008 = 2.93
2009 = 2.77
2010 = 2.45
2011 = 2.69

Beckman
2007 = 3.14 (his recruiting at OSU)
2008 = 2.89 (OSU)
2009 = 2.0
2010 = 2.15
2011 = 2.47

He's known as a great recruiter in the MAC. He's also recruited well against the "big boys" during his time as assistants at other BCS schools.

[twincityillini]

Originally Posted by RyanK

There's been a lot of talk that he doesn't recruit Chicago...but, fwiw, Beckman picked up a Barrington HS LB earlier this week. We'll be fine

According to Rivals, Toledo has 3 commits from IL in the 2012 class.

Tom Lemming is a boob.

[RyanK]

Originally Posted by WesterveltVictoryCigar

Plus we have to see who he adds to his staff, hopefully an assistant or two will have some local connections.

Agree, I think this is crucial

[illynifan34]

RyanK - did the timeline of this hire fit with everything you heard all along?

[Ransom Stoddard]

Originally Posted by IndyIllini

Yeah, fans like me who are 30 years old and have spent over $7,000 on tickets the last 8 years (often eating the cost because I can't unload them when I can't make it), fans who drive 4 hours round-trip to go to games, fans who spend money on over-priced concessions, fans who have had to buy sweatshirts, stocking caps, windbreakers, etc for their wives because of unpredictable weather, fans who have donated thousands to the I-Fund, fans who keep coming even as DIA keeps jerking with my parking, and fans who have seen wins about 30% of the time they attend. All of this during the worst economy in decades, when games are better viewed on awesome TVs in the comfort of my house.

I can't imagine many fans that have done what I have for this football team by the age of 30.

And if Illinois loses me as a season ticket holder...I don't think that's a me problem.

You cite all those negative things, and you're upset about a coaching change from someone with no record of winning (and who was fired from his previous job for not winning enough) to someone with a strong record of winning whose old fan base is bitter about his departure?

And FYI, there are hundreds, probably thousands, of fans who can claim your level of financial and other commitment by the age of 30. I'm one.

[DaytonIllini]

Originally Posted by 4LaCosaNostra

:laugh:

Dan- personal attack? badger?

oh and Billini? what kind of spelling is that ?????

For the record, I enjoy your posts in general. They are brutal to read though. The first dozen or so I read I assumed you were either foreign or retarded. I am glad I stuck with you because you offer a lot of insight. I think you said you are a teacher once. Hopefully not an English teacher.

Anyway, I am so happy about Beck being hired. I may regret it 5 years from now but this guy seems to understand discipline, delegation, the concept of "family" (us vs. them), the nuts and bolts of personal interactions (recruiting and press interactions) and the basics of the game. In short, everything you would want in a HC.

If he can surround himself with quality coaching personnel and staunch the bleeding with recruiting this year and avoid too many player defections, I am confident he can turn this into a solid and reliable program that kids want to play at.

[lstewart53x3]

Originally Posted by IndyIllini

Really? Because I couldn't give tickets away to my friends, and when I tried to sell tickets I had to eat $45-$55 on each $65 ticket.

I was actually being sarcastic lol.

I'm a current season ticket holder, sorry .

You'll have some lucky friends next year though, when we start winning some games!

[lstewart53x3]

Originally Posted by IndyIllini

Yeah, fans like me who are 30 years old and have spent over $7,000 on tickets the last 8 years (often eating the cost because I can't unload them when I can't make it), fans who drive 4 hours round-trip to go to games, fans who spend money on over-priced concessions, fans who have had to buy sweatshirts, stocking caps, windbreakers, etc for their wives because of unpredictable weather, fans who have donated thousands to the I-Fund, fans who keep coming even as DIA keeps jerking with my parking, and fans who have seen wins about 30% of the time they attend. All of this during the worst economy in decades, when games are better viewed on awesome TVs in the comfort of my house.

I can't imagine many fans that have done what I have for this football team by the age of 30.

And if Illinois loses me as a season ticket holder...I don't think that's a me problem.

Congratulations.

Guess we shoulda' kept Zook to keep our optimistic fans like you around. :laugh:

[RyanK]

Originally Posted by illynifan34

RyanK - did the timeline of this hire fit with everything you heard all along?

Yeah--mentioned a couple nights ago MT had his guy in place, just something holding him up. It's now been made public that Beckman had a previous commitment to attend a funeral. I'm looking forward to this press conference! Personally, I support the hire 100% and don't understand the initial, negative fan reaction at all. This was the best guy available, in my opinion.

[dgcrow]

Originally Posted by RyanK

Yeah--mentioned a couple nights ago MT had his guy in place, just something holding him up. It's now been made public that Beckman had a previous commitment to attend a funeral. I'm looking forward to this press conference! Personally, I support the hire 100% and don't understand the initial, negative fan reaction at all. This was the best guy available, in my opinion.

Good as any, better than most. And the MAC has produced some pretty good coaches for the Big 10 over the years.

[ry1028]

Without ever having seen Toledo play I will withhold any judgment on Beckman as it wouldn't be fair nor accurate.

I'll put my full faith in Thomas that he made the right decision. He has a nice track record in his career so far.

I don't need flashy, I just want some goddam wins!

[illynifan34]

Originally Posted by IndyIllini

Yeah, fans like me who are 30 years old and have spent over $7,000 on tickets the last 8 years (often eating the cost because I can't unload them when I can't make it), fans who drive 4 hours round-trip to go to games, fans who spend money on over-priced concessions, fans who have had to buy sweatshirts, stocking caps, windbreakers, etc for their wives because of unpredictable weather, fans who have donated thousands to the I-Fund, fans who keep coming even as DIA keeps jerking with my parking, and fans who have seen wins about 30% of the time they attend. All of this during the worst economy in decades, when games are better viewed on awesome TVs in the comfort of my house.

I can't imagine many fans that have done what I have for this football team by the age of 30.

And if Illinois loses me as a season ticket holder...I don't think that's a me problem.

Thanks for joining the board to make these posts. You truly are a great fan for giving all that time and money to the program, how good a fan you are is definitely measured in dollars spent. We will ask that the moderators put your posts on a pedastal. Thanks.

[illynifan34]

Originally Posted by RyanK

Yeah--mentioned a couple nights ago MT had his guy in place, just something holding him up. It's now been made public that Beckman had a previous commitment to attend a funeral. I'm looking forward to this press conference! Personally, I support the hire 100% and don't understand the initial, negative fan reaction at all. This was the best guy available, in my opinion.

When I saw the initial reports about Beckman and the funeral I figured he had been the guy all along and you were right.

Thanks again for all you info during this search.

I'm happy with the guy and think he will do great things here.

[IndyIllini]

Originally Posted by Ransom Stoddard

And FYI, there are hundreds, probably thousands, of fans who can claim your level of financial and other commitment by the age of 30. I'm one.

I doubt this is true. I don't know any of them...besides you, I guess.

[lstewart53x3]

Originally Posted by IndyIllini

I doubt this is true. I don't know any of them...besides you, I guess.

And me

[IndyIllini]

Originally Posted by lstewart53x3

Congratulations.

Guess we shoulda' kept Zook to keep our optimistic fans like you around. :laugh:

That's ridiculous. I'm saying I wanted someone to be excited about. This guy doesn't do it for me. No offense to him, he might be good, and I hope he is...but I can't say I'm excited.