Guenther's vote of confidence didn't help Tepper in '96, Turner in '04
October 26, 2009 7:35 AM
The Illinois athletic director has done this before -- most famously on the eve of the 1996 season, when, after I had written that Lou Tepper needed to get some things done or face being dismissed, he told another Chicago newspaper Tepper would be back ''no matter what.'' Tepper went 2-9 and was gone.
Guenther also backed Ron Turner before the 2004 season, saying the question was whether he had confidence that Turner could get Illinois going again, not reach any particular number of victories. Turner went 3-8 and was gone.
The common thread in those coaching changes: Tepper and Turner had lost more than games. They had lost the ability to sell hope for the future.
Gould
Guenther also backed Ron Turner before the 2004 season, saying the question was whether he had confidence that Turner could get Illinois going again, not reach any particular number of victories. Turner went 3-8 and was gone.
The common thread in those coaching changes: Tepper and Turner had lost more than games. They had lost the ability to sell hope for the future.
Gould
Filed under: Illini Football
