Looking ahead to 2024

Status
Not open for further replies.
#51      

HensonHall71

H
HensonHall71
BB is clearly part of the problem so I hope he looks inward too- lots of game strategy mistakes use of timeouts, etc that cost us games

We had a miracle win against Minny otherwise the season would be a complete disaster. Really inexcusable loss to Wisky and Iowa down the stretch in both. The talent was there and yet all of our wins were narrow ones, a couple of inexplicable losses and a couple of blowouts to teams who shouldn’t blow us out- a lot of the blame comes down to coaching this year and it starts with the head coach
 
#52      

Illini in Italy

Illini in Italy
Illini in Italy
HensonHall71 said:
BB is clearly part of the problem so I hope he looks inward too- lots of game strategy mistakes use of timeouts, etc that cost us games

We had a miracle win against Minny otherwise the season would be a complete disaster. Really inexcusable loss to Wisky and Iowa down the stretch in both. The talent was there and yet all of our wins were narrow ones, a couple of inexplicable losses and a couple of blowouts to teams who shouldn’t blow us out- a lot of the blame comes down to coaching this year and it starts with the head coach
Click to expand...
The Big Lebowski Dude GIF
 
#53      

AZILL

AZILL
AZILL
HensonHall71 said:
BB is clearly part of the problem so I hope he looks inward too- lots of game strategy mistakes use of timeouts, etc that cost us games

We had a miracle win against Minny otherwise the season would be a complete disaster. Really inexcusable loss to Wisky and Iowa down the stretch in both. The talent was there and yet all of our wins were narrow ones, a couple of inexplicable losses and a couple of blowouts to teams who shouldn’t blow us out- a lot of the blame comes down to coaching this year and it starts with the head coach
Click to expand...
I cannot really disagree with this take. Getting better requires inner reflection and figuring out ways to improve by every single player/Coach/Staff/AD on this team.
 
#56      

Chief1976

C
Chief1976
NoRival said:
Aaron Henry needs to go. Promote Leonard and hopefully we can address the many holes in our lineup with recruiting and some portal help. I don't love the portal. The grass is not always greener. Plus we are also likely to lose someone who could help us.

We also need depth. For example, injuries to our running backs were devastating. Our OL needs so much work.

We went 5-3 in one score games this year. We blew no one out. We need someone we can beat up on to make ourselves feel better and give some guys a chance to play. When you look at the schedule and there are no gimmies, you are the gimme.

C'mon Bret. Be better!
Click to expand...
This is the first step in transitioning to the new Big 10 configuration, bringing in Leonard or another top DC. I think Henry is a good coach, but for Illini to get to a top level or even 7-8 wins we must make a move. Our coaching staff needs to improve. I’m not totally sold on Lunney yet, but he seems to be hitting his stride a bit. Our QB room needs to be solid and dang the injuries.

Newton will be tough to replace, but a replacement for Randolph can be found in portal. He was just ok imo and had too much pub. Oline needs continuity and health.
 
#57      

Fighter of the Nightman

Fighter of the Nightman
Chicago, IL
Fighter of the Nightman
john1952 said:
There was a time when a .500 season was NOT a goal to be aspired to. Now among the "bottom feeders" in the Big10 conference that appears to be one definition of a sucessful season.
Click to expand...
Uh, when? 40 years ago?? There is no contradiction in having lofty LONG-term goals for this program and simply being realistic about where we are today and what is reasonable to expect.
 
#58      

Second place is 1st loser

S
Second place is 1st loser
GrayGhost77 said:
Baby steps. 1. Achieve competence. 2. String together multiple bowl games. 3. String together multiple relevant bowl games and aim for B1G titles. 4. Then shoot for the moon. Each step is tougher than the last. We are just starting to achieve Step 1.
Click to expand...
Given the addition of some serious powerhouses, #2 is going to be a challenge. We won't be able to lose a non conference game....ever. It'll have to be cupcake city for us to get into a bowl game consistently. If would have played Eastern Illinois vs Kansas this year, we would have been in a bowl. That's just going to have to be the thought process.
 
#59      

Navy_illini

N
Navy_illini
The 2024-2025 season will be interesting with all the changes. NCAA needs to show some leadership on a couple items
1.NIL. How do you regulate it going forward

2. The transfer portal. Need to have better defined periods. I think there needs to be a portal open from Feb 1 to April 1. Remember the season ends Jan 20 next year and the draft is around April 24. I also think long term HS recruits shouldn’t be signed until April. HS kids should know who will be in front of them. I know this will end the ability of HS kids from getting on campus for the spring semester. Football is now a 2 semester sport and teams should be locked in until every team stops playing. In the NFL or MLB things don’t happen until after the Super Bowl or World Series
 
#60      

Second place is 1st loser

S
Second place is 1st loser
HensonHall71 said:
BB is clearly part of the problem so I hope he looks inward too- lots of game strategy mistakes use of timeouts, etc that cost us games

We had a miracle win against Minny otherwise the season would be a complete disaster. Really inexcusable loss to Wisky and Iowa down the stretch in both. The talent was there and yet all of our wins were narrow ones, a couple of inexplicable losses and a couple of blowouts to teams who shouldn’t blow us out- a lot of the blame comes down to coaching this year and it starts with the head coach
Click to expand...
Just want to make sure that you understand that we've only had three consecutive 5+ win seasons in the last two decades and they happened in the first three years of Bielema's tenure. We're a god awful football program. Period. He has broken a LOT of futility streaks for us(beating ranked teams, winning games vs ranked teams on the road, actually beating Wisconsin and Iowa, getting us in the top 25, etc.

Perspective required.
 
#62      

Fighter of the Nightman

Fighter of the Nightman
Chicago, IL
Fighter of the Nightman
Second place is 1st loser said:
Given the addition of some serious powerhouses, #2 is going to be a challenge. We won't be able to lose a non conference game....ever. It'll have to be cupcake city for us to get into a bowl game consistently. If would have played Eastern Illinois vs Kansas this year, we would have been in a bowl. That's just going to have to be the thought process.
Click to expand...
Yeah, I was excited to get Missouri back on the schedule - I don’t care what any Illini fan says, they’re very clearly our best chance at a mutual rival long term… - but I now fear it’s a form of program building suicide.
 
#63      

Marksj

M
Marksj
Second place is 1st loser said:
Just want to make sure that you understand that we've only had three consecutive 5+ win seasons in the last two decades and they happened in the first three years of Bielema's tenure. We're a god awful football program. Period. He has broken a LOT of futility streaks for us(beating ranked teams, winning games vs ranked teams on the road, actually beating Wisconsin and Iowa, getting us in the top 25, etc.

Perspective required.
Click to expand...
I guess I feel this way too. WHO do you think you are going to replace our head coach with? Seriously,,,, look at our program over the last 50 years. A few blips on the radar but nothing has been sustained. With what we lost to the NFL alone did a reasonable fan think we could better last years record? I get it,the schedule was as easy it might be for years. We are not a Michigan or Ohio State who just reloads every year. With lack of experience and the injury bug this year it really hurt us and losing our Defensive Coordinator as well. I still think Bielema can get us the success in the long run but I agree some coaching changes need to be made. Hit the portal hard and hopefully get a few players with more than 1year left.
It is going to have to be the way of the future unless our recruiting picks up. Unfortunately having a losing season makes it more difficult. Win 7-8 games year after year would make most reasonable fans happy,,at least this one who has followed Illinois for 50 years.
 
#66      

BZuppke

BZuppke
Plainfield
BZuppke
Birdus said:
I am for a softer schedule before the BIG. Let's win 3 before we even get to the league. Who care's about beating Kansas?
Click to expand...
I’m with you for the future but we all care very much about beating them in 2024. 🤪
 
#70      

Illini2010-11

I
Sugar Grove
Illini2010-11
Central IL Illini said:
Ron Zook was fired after back to back 7-6 seasons
Click to expand...
Not technically true. He was fired after the six game losing streak collapse and did not coach the bowl game. If I recall correctly, many wanted him fired after the miserable 3-9 2009 season (me included). Zook was allowed to make coaching changes, but was on the extreme hot seat going into 2010. Recruiting never recovered as a result.
 
#71      

LFOD

LFOD
LFOD
Illini2010-11 said:
Not technically true. He was fired after the six game losing streak collapse and did not coach the bowl game. If I recall correctly, many wanted him fired after the miserable 3-9 2009 season (me included). Zook was allowed to make coaching changes, but was on the extreme hot seat going into 2010. Recruiting never recovered as a result.
Click to expand...
Yep. And for those who’ve forgotten this miserable period, here’s a brief video history:

 
#72      

Central IL Illini

Central IL Illini
Springfield, IL
Central IL Illini
Illini2010-11 said:
Not technically true. He was fired after the six game losing streak collapse and did not coach the bowl game. If I recall correctly, many wanted him fired after the miserable 3-9 2009 season (me included). Zook was allowed to make coaching changes, but was on the extreme hot seat going into 2010. Recruiting never recovered as a result.
Click to expand...
I mean all this is true but it still seems ironic that we fired a guy after back to back bowl seasons when we are basically treating that as the gold standard now. Those 7-6 seasons would end up being the best Illini football seasons for the next 12 years.
 
#73      

pvaughn8

P
pvaughn8
Marksj said:
I guess I feel this way too. WHO do you think you are going to replace our head coach with? Seriously,,,, look at our program over the last 50 years. A few blips on the radar but nothing has been sustained. With what we lost to the NFL alone did a reasonable fan think we could better last years record? I get it,the schedule was as easy it might be for years. We are not a Michigan or Ohio State who just reloads every year. With lack of experience and the injury bug this year it really hurt us and losing our Defensive Coordinator as well. I still think Bielema can get us the success in the long run but I agree some coaching changes need to be made. Hit the portal hard and hopefully get a few players with more than 1year left.
It is going to have to be the way of the future unless our recruiting picks up. Unfortunately having a losing season makes it more difficult. Win 7-8 games year after year would make most reasonable fans happy,,at least this one who has followed Illinois for 50 years.
Click to expand...
I didn't see anyone even hint at firing Bret in this thread. They just think he needs to be better and everyone should agree with that
 
#74      

skyIdub

skyIdub
Winged Warrior
skyIdub
I've now exited the Bar Car on the CoHawk train and planted myself firmly in the Bar Car of the Fire Lunney Jr. train.

I will sit here and drink and occasionally move to the Observation Car to yell at the clouds...until I get the promised running centric offense we all thought was coming with Bret and his O line heavy approach.

I get that the Fire Henry train will probably be more popular and crowded, but I hate crowds, and I love old school smashy face football.
I want everyone to know what's coming, and then shake their heads after Feagin plows them over, or Love jukes them out of their jockeys.

I'm over this MAC offense and I don't think Luke is suited for Lunney's style. But that's just my eyeballs...YMMV.

I don't think we will ever consistently compete for the 4 and 5 star QB's and WR's that OSU, scUM, and the new PACB1G teams will continue to get. We are going to need to do it different, just like Wisky did for a decade.

And yeah also defense and stuff. :illinois: 🧡💙
 
Status
Not open for further replies.