There is no change here that I can believe in
December 12, 2009 12:41 PM
Let me reiterate: the defense was worse. The defense did not improve appreciably over the course of the season. The defense, Ron Zook's defense, was also terrible in 2008. Not a single defensive coach was fired.
When Mallory was fired for being an incompetent coordinator, he complained that he was just implementing Zook's defense. Then we hired Okruch and had our best defense under his guidance in 2006. But he had the gall to attempt to run his own defense, which led to his firing. The 2007 defense, full of experienced players that had been coached by both Turner's staff and had a year under Okruch, was almost as good as the 2006 defense. It has been all downhill from there. Until I see hard evidence that Zook is really going to give up control over the defense, I have little hope for this team. Until I see hard evidence that day-to-day discipline and player development will be managed by capable coordinators, there is no change here that I can believe in.
Groundhogday
When Mallory was fired for being an incompetent coordinator, he complained that he was just implementing Zook's defense. Then we hired Okruch and had our best defense under his guidance in 2006. But he had the gall to attempt to run his own defense, which led to his firing. The 2007 defense, full of experienced players that had been coached by both Turner's staff and had a year under Okruch, was almost as good as the 2006 defense. It has been all downhill from there. Until I see hard evidence that Zook is really going to give up control over the defense, I have little hope for this team. Until I see hard evidence that day-to-day discipline and player development will be managed by capable coordinators, there is no change here that I can believe in.
Groundhogday
Filed under: Illini Football
