What I mean by different is Mac was 30-16-1 at Illinois vs. Beckham (12-25) + Cubit (5-7). Mac was good enough to get the Texas job; the other two not so much.
When Tepper started there was enough talent that he was able to hit the ground with a decent start.Cubit/ Beck left us a dumpster fire.
Some years ago as I was thinking about the late '80s Illini football teams I came across the following Trib article about Mackovic in his first season ('88), and saved it. It's still available on the Web site (link below.) White's teams really tailed off in '86 and '87, partially because of the probationary year in '84, which hurt recruiting.
The dumb luck of Jeff George leaving Purdue after the '86 season for QB-oriented Illinois can't be overstated. He joined us because Purdue's QB-focused coach Leon Burtnett resigned, and Purdue hired Fred Akers, who ran a wishbone offense. Just having JG really boosted Mack in '88 and '89. Got to give White credit for reeling in JG, and recruiting Howard Griffith and other solid players near the end. Still, White's team my senior year in '87 was really weak and the program was demoralized as I recall. Mack's sudden success in '88, and his contrast in demeanor compared with White, was really energizing for the program.
JG was the #1 pick in the '90 draft. What a talent he was. I went to the spring game in '88 when he suited up for the first time. After the first long pass he uncorked the buzz in the small crowd was something. Glad I stayed for grad school and got to enjoy his two seasons with us.
ILLINI`S MACKOVIC SHOULD WIN BIG 10 HONOR IN LANDSLIDE
Ed Sherman |
Chicago Tribune | November 9, 1988
https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1988-11-09-8802160075-story.html