[Oskee] It's official

[Todd Sweet]

I'm afraid I agree with you John.  I don't think that the football
team/coach is the big fish on the Universities plate right now.  Plus, with
Zook signing an extension last year, we'd now be in for 1.5 million per year
to buy out the contract.  What does he have, 3 years left after this?  The
only thing that might rattle their cage and get them to move is the bottom
line.  If fans stop showing up, then they have to start considering how much
revenue they are losing versus the cost of buying out the contract.   I
think you'll also see this start to effect recruiting.  I'd bet my house
that we lose Fiedowicz (sp?).  I mean honestly, if you were a stud tight end
that leads your HS in receptions, are you going to come to Illinois where
our tight ends never see the ball?  That will be one we lose I bet (and it
looks like Iowa may be the winner and we'll have to see it every year).  If
recruiting goes, and the seats are empty.they will have to make a move.

 

But unless we solve the problem of who is hiring the coach, then we really
don't solve anything.  I think Guenther has done an amazing job on the
fundraising and facilities side of the equation and for that he should get
his praises.  He also has to be given credit for getting several of the
"minor" sports in good shape.  However, we all know that football is the big
money maker with hoops right behind.  Weber looks like he will work out
okay.  But Guenther's record for hiring football coaches is awful.  If they
are going to get rid of Zook but keep Guenther, they absolutely cannot let
him hire the next football coach.  I think the best solution would be to
hire an AD/coach combo.  In other words, find a school that has an AD that's
getting it done and also has an up and coming football coach and see if you
can get them to come over together.  That way the AD and coach will already
have a good working relationship and they can get the ball rolling quickly.
That's just one idea.  But clearly, something has to be done.

 

And Robert, to answer your question about Benn's pro prospects.  He'll go in
the first round and have a great career if he stays healthy.  I commend him
on not being a whiner and sticking with his commitment to this university.
He's a classy young man who deserved better than this.

 

Todd S

 

  _____  

From: oskee-bounces at heins.net [mailto:oskee-bounces at heins.net] On Behalf Of
John Livengood
Sent: Sunday, October 18, 2009 8:13 AM
To: Fighting Illini Sports Enthusiasts List
Subject: Re: [Oskee] It's official

 

Time to clean house unfortunately. Zook isn't the answer and Guenther has
had his chance. It's rare an AD gets to hire 2 football coaches as he's
done, he shouldn't get the 3rd one. Unfortunately with the admin in upheaval
over the recent controversies regarding admission favoritism, the timing
couldn't be worse. At least basketball has started up, we'll have that to
distract us soon.

 

  _____  

From: Robert Mingee <mingee at swbell.net>
To: oskee at heins.net
Sent: Sat, October 17, 2009 11:25:06 PM
Subject: [Oskee] It's official

We truly are the laughingstock of the league at this point.  It really
doesn't even matter anymore if it's Zook's fault or not, he's simply got to
go.  There must be accountability -- that's just the nature of the game. As
the head coach, Zook is responsible, and this team is just beyond awful.
The pass defense is abysmal, and the offense, well, I've already said enough
bad things about the offense here, no more is necessary.  How must Benn be
feeling right now?  He took a chance coming to Illinois because he wanted to
be on the ground floor of something special.  I only hope that he hasn't
completely wrecked his hopes in the pros at this point, because clearly
there is talent there, but it either hasn't developed at all, or Juice is
completely incapable of leveraging it.

I really hope Hardeman is OK.  It sounded like it was mostly precautionary,
but anytime someone is taken off on a cart and rushed to the hospital, it's
scary.

-- robert

 

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