B1G Discussion Thread

zelezo vlk

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Schill has yet to show his face. All communication has been via letters at this point.

The AD Gragg is nowhere to be found. Cowardice.
I imagine the remaining money on his contract is moot because this would be firing with cause therefore invalidating a buy-out. At least, that's what I've been thinking this whole time.
 

Jiggafini19Deux

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I imagine the remaining money on his contract is moot because this would be firing with cause therefore invalidating a buy-out. At least, that's what I've been thinking this whole time.
yes, he was fired with cause.

Schill used the term "relieved of his duties" in his letter. I would just say "fired with cause."
 

Jiggafini19Deux

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peter-principle.asp-final-556adb51ee7f45098cbd12bb1ce4f44e.png


President Schill.
 

IrishLax

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Re: whether NW is a desirable job or not and why a coordinator at a major school would go for it
 

NDohio

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Ole Pat won some big games while at Northwestern, how long is he out of work? I say he coaches somewhere next season.
 

Jiggafini19Deux

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Ole Pat won some big games while at Northwestern, how long is he out of work? I say he coaches somewhere next season.
He's never been a coordinator. People forget his hiring as HC was off of the sudden and tragic death of Randy Walker.

Could he hide in the NFL as an analyst and wind up in Saban's rehab program? It's certainly possible.
 

stlnd01

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He's never been a coordinator. People forget his hiring as HC was off of the sudden and tragic death of Randy Walker.

Could he hide in the NFL as an analyst and wind up in Saban's rehab program? It's certainly possible.
His whole thing has always more culture-builder “leader of men” type than schematic genius. And, well…

There’s probably a path back to coaching for him if he wants to, but it probably needs to start with contrition and redemption as opposed to hiring lawyers to maximize his severance deal.
 

Jiggafini19Deux

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His whole thing has always more culture-builder “leader of men” type than schematic genius. And, well…

There’s probably a path back to coaching for him if he wants to, but it probably needs to start with contrition and redemption as opposed to hiring lawyers to maximize his severance deal.
He could go on TV, he could do speaking engagements for $100K a pop, he'll have options.

I'd be willing to bet you that there are political operatives in Illinois who are going to be reaching out to him soon enough.
 

Grahambo

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Re: whether NW is a desirable job or not and why a coordinator at a major school would go for it

Job makes sense for an Al Golden/Bill O’Brien type vice a first time HC like a Tommy Rees.
 

GreenGemsOmally

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A Stanford/Troy Taylor type of hire makes a lot of sense.
Speaking of Stanford, I think David Shaw is a perfect fit for NW. He's used to coaching at a high academic school, he's out of work right now, he actually played some of his HS football in Michigan so he's got some midwest ties, the expectations at NW for wins are SUPER low and while he wasn't as good as in past years, he's not a terrible coach. Plus, while he rubs me the wrong way vs ND, he doesn't seem to be too bad of a guy and ran a clean program (as far as I know) at Stanford.
 

Jiggafini19Deux

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Speaking of Stanford, I think David Shaw is a perfect fit for NW. He's used to coaching at a high academic school, he's out of work right now, he actually played some of his HS football in Michigan so he's got some midwest ties, the expectations at NW for wins are SUPER low and while he wasn't as good as in past years, he's not a terrible coach. Plus, while he rubs me the wrong way vs ND, he doesn't seem to be too bad of a guy and ran a clean program (as far as I know) at Stanford.
It certainly makes sense on paper. David Shaw is one of those guys where there were always NFL undertones. He's surely going to get calls and have options in the upcoming carousel.

His last three non Covid seasons at Stanford were 4-8, 3-9 and 3-9. It depends on what NU is really after. They've put a lot of money into athletics and were on the cusp of a football stadium renovation. This off the field situation coupled with the condition the program was in on the field have some people on that campus and in the Evanston community taking a step back on that. They could use a dose of goodwill AND winning, but the good will part has to come first and would be more important.

Lance Leipold is worth a phone call.
 

zelezo vlk

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Mike Elko would be a good hire too IMO
100%. Experience developing lower end recruits? Familiarity with academic restrictions at a football school? Dynamite recruiter and defensive mind? My only thought is maybe Elko wants to hold out for a better job, but there's no doubt that moving to the Big Ten from the ACC is a massive step up.
 

Jiggafini19Deux

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Duke has also beaten Northwestern four games in a row:

2017
2018
2021
2022
 

Some Irish Bloke

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He can threaten legal action all he wants. He's not getting his job back. It's just about how much money he can squeeze out of them in severance.
But yeah Northwestern had months to figure out the best way to handle this, and instead came up with pretty much the worst.
EDIT: Didn't see @Grahambo 's post; I agree wholeheartedly with his statement.

Id argue money and reputation are what he's gunning for.

Just not a good look with the white board in clear view in the locker room with a list of names, as well as him actually partaking in the hand clapping signal for players making mistakes. Idk how you refute those claims, especially if there are multiple sources.
 

Jiggafini19Deux

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YearConferenceCoachRecordConference Record
1903Western ConferenceWalter McCornack10–1–31–0–2
1926Big Ten ConferenceGlenn Thistlethwaite7–15–0
1930Big Ten ConferenceDick Hanley7–15–0
1931Big Ten ConferenceDick Hanley7–1–15–1
1936Big Ten ConferenceLynn Waldorf7–16–0
1995Big Ten ConferenceGary Barnett10–28–0
1996Big Ten ConferenceGary Barnett9–37–1
2000Big Ten ConferenceRandy Walker8–46–2
† Co-champions

YearDivisionCoachOpponentCG result
2018Big Ten – WestPat FitzgeraldOhio StateL 24–45
2020Big Ten – WestPat FitzgeraldOhio StateL 10–22


SeasonCoachBowlOpponentResult
1948Bob VoigtsRose BowlCaliforniaW 20–14
1995Gary BarnettRose BowlUSCL 32–41
1996Gary BarnettCitrus BowlTennesseeL 28–48
2000Randy WalkerAlamo BowlNebraskaL 17–66
2003Randy WalkerMotor City BowlBowling GreenL 24–28
2005Randy WalkerSun BowlUCLAL 38–50
2008Pat FitzgeraldAlamo BowlMissouriL 23–30OT
2009Pat FitzgeraldOutback BowlAuburnL 35–38OT
2010Pat FitzgeraldTicketCity BowlTexas TechL 38–45
2011Pat FitzgeraldMeineke Car Care Bowl of TexasTexas A&ML 22–33
2012Pat FitzgeraldGator BowlMississippi StateW 34–20
2015Pat FitzgeraldOutback BowlTennesseeL 6–45
2016Pat FitzgeraldPinstripe BowlPittsburghW 31–24
2017Pat FitzgeraldMusic City BowlKentuckyW 24–23
2018Pat FitzgeraldHoliday BowlUtahW 31–20
2020Pat FitzgeraldCitrus BowlAuburnW 35–19



No.YearsCoachRecordPct
1882–1890No coach9–6–1.594
11891–1892Knowlton Ames7–5–5.559
21893Paul Noyes2–5–3.350
31894A. A. Ewing4–5.444
41895–1896Alvin H. Culver12–6–2.650
51897Jesse Van Doozer5–3.625
61898W. H. Bannard9–4–1.679
71899–1902Charles M. Hollister27–16–4.617
81903–1905Walter McCornack26–5–4.800
91908Alton Johnson2–2.500
101909Bill Horr1–3–1.300
111910–1912Charles Hammett6–10–2.389
121913Dennis Grady1–6.143
131914–1918Fred J. Murphy16–16–1.500
141919Charlie Bachman2–5.286
151920–1921Elmer McDevitt4–10.286
161922–1926Glenn Thistlethwaite21–17–1.551
171927–1934Dick Hanley36–26–4.576
181935–1946Pappy Waldorf49–45–7.520
191947–1954Bob Voigts33–39–1.459
201955Lou Saban0–8–1.056
211956–1963Ara Parseghian36–35–1.507
221964–1972Alex Agase32–58–1.357
231973–1977John Pont12–43.218
241978–1980Rick Venturi1–31–1.045
251981–1985Dennis Green10–45.182
261986–1991Francis Peay13–51–2.212
271992–1998Gary Barnett35–45–1.438
281999–2005Randy Walker37–46.446
292006–2022Pat Fitzgerald109–90.548
302023–presentDavid Braun (acting)0–0

This is not a stepping stone job. The only constant that keeps coming up is that it's Power Five and the money is good. There is a reason this is all a shock to the system there. The best coach they ever had was also a player on the best team they ever had. The money is good because Patty Fitz from Orland Park drove up his price in extensions ala Charlie Weis by bringing his superiors interest from bigger football schools and the NFL. He was bigger than the school and the program, or so he believed, hence why he felt entitled enough to let hazing and racism carry on within his program. It certainly appears like his superiors did not want to get rid of him, and they would have gotten away with it too had it not been for those pesky school paper kids and their damn dog.

Northwestern would probably be wise to take a very good long look at who they hire next. Maybe someone who hasn't been a part of the program before as a player or coach. Certainly someone who might consider it a destination job. Candidates, on the other hand, have to see what is in plain sight: very few have won at this program in the 140 years it has been in existence.
 

Giddyup

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Not sure too many legit coaches are gonna be chomping at the bit for the NW job.
 

Jiggafini19Deux

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Evidently, they got around to this because they were preoccupied with the football situation. Yes, Northwestern University didn't have the bandwidth to handle firing two dickhead coaches at the same time.

The best part about the baseball coach is the A.D. let him be hired by a couple of big time boosters. They handled the search and the logistics, made the choice and the school hired him. Only to have it turn out that the guy was a complete jag bag.

But hey, it's the Big Ten and a Power Five football job that will pay you a lot of money, so just go work there and let the rest sort itself out.
 
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