I understand the fear but disagree. 2023 was his first year. BB wasn't going to can his DC after the first year, especially someone so deeply connected to him. Last year, we really only had one loss due to the defense (Oregon). Otherwise it was a fairly anemic offense against PSU and Minnesota, and the defense got us that win against South Carolina. With this being year three, I see BB demoting Henry back to position coach and finding someone else. He has the connections, we have the money, and we have had a great deal more success than we would have had looking after the 2022 season. This is a stable place that a good coordinator can be at for some time. See: Barry Lunney.
Coaching Carousel (Football)
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It’s too late. If BB wants to get to CFP level, you have to be able to coach well against/beat teams at the level of those we lost to.
Also, it’s not like we just lost to them. We got boat-raced in all 3 and our defense looked basic, not creative, and uncompetitive.
Boat raced at IU, but OSU was very winnable and against Number 1.
Washington was chaotic, but turned largely on Kreutz failing to take an easy interception home to put us ahead at the half. Failing to grab that dropped punt cost us 3-7 points. It was a winnable fight, certainly not boat raced.
Yeah but when the other team is 9/11 on 3rd down you rarely win. We only forced 2 punts and we ran into the kicker on one. That’s not winning football
The idea that the non-interception changed the entire course of this game relies a lot on the assumption that our defense would have performed better if we had that 24-14 lead going into the half.
I have a hard time seeing it. We got torched playing a soft defense all game. Having a lead we'd have just played an even softer, more prevent-type defense. Score might have been closer in the end better but we'd still have lost. Heck, I'm not sure Washington wouldn't have taken the ball back after that hypothetical pick-6 and managed to score once again before the half to cut it down to 24-21.
Battle89
- Cary-Grove, the better Trojan team
We were boat raced defensively. Counting on the QB throwing you the ball and all American dropping a punt in the rain and wind is NOT what the defense coming into the season was billed on relying on
The Wash game would have been different if Kruetz make the interception and we recover the fumble on the punt. Came close but so far away.
RabidDawgClassic
- Los Angeles, CA
I believe this was the turning point of the game. We were already up 17-14, and while I doubt Kreutz would’ve had the speed to return it for a pick-6, he most certainly had enough space in front of him for a 30-35 yard return. That would’ve allowed Illinois to attempt the rare 3-for-1 before the half, allowing them to be up either 24-14 or 20-14 at the break, with a chance to take an even larger lead with the first possession of 3rd quarter.
From that point, it would’ve been Washington that would’ve been pressing offensively while Illinois could’ve played its typical ball control offensive style to shorten the game.
Not saying Illinois would’ve ultimately won — our defense was a sieve after all — but we would’ve been in a better position where we weren’t playing from behind the last half of the game.
I forgot the should have been blocked punt. If he hits it right that is 6 points. If wishes were horses beggar would ride.
I sure hope we make a change, but we will see.
Looking back through our past few seasons, I am actually losing faith in my "we will look better" argument. Here are the scoring averages for the B1G teams we have played at least twice with Henry as the DC, and their scoring averages in B1G games since 2023 in parentheses.
Minny - 25.5 (19.5)
NU - 36.5 (19.3)
IU - 54 (25.1)
Neb - 22 (19.0)
Purdont - 40 (17.9)
PSU 25.5 (25.9)
We also gave up 28 to Toledo at home in '23 and 31 to Rutgers last season, so the narrative that we only look bad against elite offenses doesn't have a whole lot of substance.
I think we have a good chance to win any of our remaining games this season due to our offense, but Rutgers, Maryland, and to an extent, even NU could all score quite a few points against us.
I doubt we give up 40 PPG like we are currently, but it's possible we give up ~30 ppg in those 3.
I do think us having the momentum going into half would’ve been big. But realistically I think it would change the outcome because we couldn’t stop them.
If we want to go to the CFP we need a big upgrade in talent. Also look at the defensive staff we have put together. The coaching budget will need to increase
Phil Parker doesn’t. He’s been playing match quarters forever with above average talent and getting it done
BZuppke
- Plainfield
This is the coaching carousel thread. Based on Alvarez’ statement and the sheer number of openings I think Wisconsin gives Fickel another year.
Athletic departments are in the red across the nation. I don’t care how many rich alums you have - no one likes pissing away $$ on guys not coaching for you.
Will Penn State find a coach that can take them to tOSU level? It’s doubtful. Same for LSU. You keep changing coaches but only a special coach will be the difference maker - Cignetti type. They aren’t that common.
For our situation our first goal is to be consistently Iowa good and I think we’re on our way with Bret. To compete for playoff spots regularly will take time, good luck and money. Think about this - Iowa has been a consistent winner for 30 years and they are not in the CFP discussion.
Athletic departments are in the red across the nation. I don’t care how many rich alums you have - no one likes pissing away $$ on guys not coaching for you.
Will Penn State find a coach that can take them to tOSU level? It’s doubtful. Same for LSU. You keep changing coaches but only a special coach will be the difference maker - Cignetti type. They aren’t that common.
For our situation our first goal is to be consistently Iowa good and I think we’re on our way with Bret. To compete for playoff spots regularly will take time, good luck and money. Think about this - Iowa has been a consistent winner for 30 years and they are not in the CFP discussion.
They have a much better staff.
Illini4Chief
- TENNESSEE
Since Coach has the connection with AH, then I don't see anyway he is turned loose....maybe a different job position then turning the defense over to an experienced, DC seems hopefully the best situation. AH over the years just not the answer, and the stats show this. Even J. Leman talks." Our defense looks totally lost , the system is definitely broken" Another wasted year with AH is a stay where ya are, and not improving year.
Ryllini
- Lombard
I was just listening to Sirius college sports radio and a Baton Rouge reporter just pointed out that by firing Kelly, LSU is looking at over 100 million just to flip staffs. He also said that could go up depending on who is hired and what demands are met. I don't think LSU is going to get any big time active head guy. With support and money you don't need to be at LSU to get Louisiana talent anymore. LSU also loses a ton. They were all in this year.
Illini in Italy
- Illini HQ, Florida Panhandle
If only we had above average talent on the defensive side of the ball to start with , . . .
Washington’s offense boat-raced our D. We didn’t have a chance at stopping them.
Agreed. Prior to this year, it's all easily explainable. This year, other than maybe Saboor Karriem who didn't really play last year, can anyone name a defensive player that has improved? Many have regressed, IMO. How, when it's that many players, is that possible?
Something is off and I don't entirely understand it. The Illinois DB's were ok last year. Not great but not bad. This year, they are far less aggressive and the tackling has really dropped off. The whole crew has regressed and that tells me something is off with the coaching.
Succinctly put.
There definitely aren't enough great coaches to go around for the teams with NC aspirations. That's a very expensive game of musical chairs where some programs can't afford to get out of their hires. I thought it was interesting that LSU was reportedly still negotiating his separation. Wonder if he'll go quietly or stick to his contract.
I agree on Fickel. Wisconsin is dreadful, but they have had two years in a row with really, really bad luck at quarterback in an offence where the position is of utmost importance. That is a excuse to keep him, when in reality, they wouldn't be able to compete with other schools for a coach.
I wonder if you could see some interesting arrangements in a situation like this one.
Like, what if Franklin takes the LSU job, Kelly takes the Penn St. job, and each agrees to forego their buyouts from their former employer so as to ensure they have resources at their new jobs? (Would be a large personal financial sacrifice, but these guys really want to win championships, right?)
Or what if, Clemson, wanting to fire Swinney but not wanting to pay his $60 million buyout, has some of its big boosters donate half the buyout ($30 million) to LSU to put towards Kelly's buyout if Dabo voluntarily resigns to take the LSU job (thereby foregoing the $60 million)?
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