I love Nate but it is a few years to early for put him in charge. Honestly he'll be perfect in 5 years when we are looking for a new head coach
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Jeff Monken certainly checks the integrity box and is a proven HC, which I just feel like JW prefers. Also originally from Illinois. And he would be risky. Not sure if he’d try to run a true triple option in the B1G, but that is the only offense he’s had success with so changing would involve risk.
MoCoMdIllini
- Montgomery County, Maryland
Oh yeah... he moved to the proverbial college front office.
And the biggest risk would probably be health related.
Maybe I got the score wrong, but didn't GA score 49 yesterday against Mizzou? Keep in mind GA was playing a walk-on 4th stringer at QB for the first half of the season. Once Daniels was healthy the offense took off
You should absolutely not threaten me with a good time.
I don't think it's Jeff Monken though as Whitman specifically mentioned recruiting not where it needed to be and I don't think Monken checks that box.
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illini80
- Forgottonia
Can you do a zoom tracker?!I am guessing something reasonable like Monken. But I am already on to the insane level. Checked Flight Trcker for the last week. Not too promising. But I had to check out the Montreal Alouette's coaching staff. See nothing there. Then Charlotte. This would excite me. But, I am just making up prospects.
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illini80
- Forgottonia
I’d agree, but I think it could be too late by then.
I'd be cool with bringing Nate in as an OC though
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This fan base is too much sometimes lol.
Retro62
- North Bethesda, Maryland
Are other fan bases as paparazzi as we, or is it a clear indication of our desperation for relevance? Not that I do not fully endorse the lengths we may go to for confirmation of any flight to Willard...or tagging coaching prospects like animals in the wild
illini80
- Forgottonia
He may have that job at Iowa State very soon.
It's just wanting to open our presents early.
It's funny, i view Jeff Monken as the safe bet. I think Auburn's AD would be laughed off the dais if he introduced JM as their next head coach, but it just seems so perfect for us... solid guy, homestate guy, turned around a moribund program, has "a thing"... it's all just so perfect for what we need, which is to have an identity and be solid and not be an embarrassment any longer. We're not gonna be Ohio State, probably ever.
Ubermensch
BOOM! Feed my ego.
Bo is 18-22 in the MVC. No thanks.
altenberger22
- South Carolina
I think Nate just might be the "risky" candidate alluded to earlier.......
Retro62
- North Bethesda, Maryland
He would also have Isaiah Williams...who is starting to look like a very credible option...pun accidentally intended
I agree, but I was surprised to see that it looks like Pat Fitzgerald had the same amount of experience as a coach when he took over at Northwestern. He was two years older and had two years as a grad assistant that Nate does not have on his resume. Seems like way too big a risk for JW to take after his first hire didn’t work out, but what do I know. If I were him though I would want to have some big boosters on my side before making that hire.
KrushCow31
Former Krush Cow
- Chicago, IL
The huge difference there though is that Fitz worked at Northwestern in those roles and then took over at a school he had coached at for years first. It would only be a fully appropriate analogy if we were talking about who Iowa State would hire as HC, although it still works in some ways.
I assume this it not a serious idea. Hiring a 30-year-old who's experience is three years as a Big 12 position coach just because he's a beloved alumnus and a solid recruiter is worse than risky, it's total amateur hour. We'd be ridiculed nationally for that move even worse than the temporary/permanent Cubit fiasco.
I haven't seen Bill O'Brien's name mentioned at all. Wouldn't that be considered a risky hire? He did well at Penn State and was decent as a coach for the Texans but him being a GM tore them apart
altenberger22
- South Carolina
Shock the world candidate: the football equivalent of snatching Brad Underwood from Oklahoma State is grabbing Matt Campbell from Iowa State.
However, I doubt Illinois is Matt's dream job!
However, I doubt Illinois is Matt's dream job!
illini80
- Forgottonia
Respectfully disagree. From what I hear he is much more than a solid recruiter and is highly regarded in coaching circles. I'm not trying to push the idea other than just giving my opinion. But I think with some "mentoring" by the right guy to get him started on the right foot he could be a long term answer. Most High school coaches in Illinois would love the hire. It's a risk I'd be willing to take and be patient on, but again that's just me. Bold, yes. Foolish, I don't think so. Depending on who else is a realistic option, I don't think it's any riskier than some of the names being thrown out. I'm excited to see what Josh does!
illini80
- Forgottonia
That would be a home run, but I'd expect he has his sights set much higher. I do think he's likely been contacted in some form to gauge if he has any interest. I'd be more than thrilled plus I get NS on the staff!!!
What in the press conference leads you to that conclusion? I listened to it as well and I’m not getting that vibe....
Hard no. He’s a scumbag.
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