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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>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 <st1:State
w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Illinois</st1:place></st1:State> where our tight
ends never see the ball? That will be one we lose I bet (and it looks
like <st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Iowa</st1:place></st1:State> 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.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>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.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>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.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Todd S<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Tahoma;font-weight:bold'>From:</span></font></b><font size=2
face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma'>
oskee-bounces@heins.net [mailto:oskee-bounces@heins.net] <b><span
style='font-weight:bold'>On Behalf Of </span></b>John Livengood<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Sent:</span></b> Sunday, October 18, 2009
8:13 AM<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>To:</span></b> <st1:PersonName w:st="on">Fighting
Illini Sports Enthusiasts List</st1:PersonName><br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Subject:</span></b> Re: [Oskee] It's official</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Tahoma'>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.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><b><font size=2 face=Tahoma><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma;font-weight:bold'>From:</span></font></b><font
size=2 face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma'> Robert
Mingee <mingee@swbell.net><br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>To:</span></b> oskee@heins.net<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Sent:</span></b> Sat, October 17, 2009
11:25:06 PM<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Subject:</span></b> [Oskee] It's official</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>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 <st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Illinois</st1:place></st1:State>
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.<br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
-- robert<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
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