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With UTEP breaking into the BCS this week at 24 and the AP Poll at 25, what model (other than Pye) should be of interest to SMU? I submit Northern Illinois Huskies and their coach Joe Novak. Before we start over again (ugh!) consider this program:

NIU Site:

"From rock bottom to Top 40 respectability. That was The Plan all along. Nine years ago, Novak placed a sign on the wall in his team’s locker room. The placard read: “Those Who Stay Will Be Champions.” It was a promise that if the players worked and overcame the many obstacles through the reconstruction period that a MAC championship ring would eventually follow.

One of Novak’s long-time trademarks has been maintaining strong relationships with high school coaches. From running free coaching
clinics, hosting summer camps, and making school visits, the Huskie staff regained a foothold in the area and region prep recruiting battles. To that end, a survey of 41 Chicago area high school coaches in Gridiron Report named Novak as their favorite collegiate head man in
2001.

“(Joe) Novak is extremely well perceived by high school coaches,” said Joe Henricksen, editor and publisher of the Gridiron Report. “He’s made an extreme effort to get out and know the coaches in the Chicago area.“

Novak’s sideline contemporaries have noticed, too. “I think Joe Novak has done a tremendous job there,” said Turner. “I know how they recruit. It’s a great program. They’re light years ahead of where they were. They (NIU) don’t get the respect on the outside from the public, who don’t know as much about football. But they sure get it from the coaching profession. ”

While all these testimonials, records, and statistics may seem light years from the situation that Novak, his staff, and Huskie players suffered through the first three years (1-10, 0-11, and 2-9 seasons, including the
infamous 23-game losing streak), it’s not the ultimate destination. All along, the Northern Illinois goal has been to win the MAC."


NIU's history handicapped its recovery, but it can be done. Phil has a hell of a challenge. While his plan is frustrating and discouraging, hitting the "reset" button during Year Two may be even more risky.

In the meantime, beat Tulsa. The team needs us right now!!!!!

Water Pony wrote: .... NIU's history handicapped its recovery, but it can be done. Phil has a hell of a challenge. While his plan is frustrating and discouraging, hitting the "reset" button during Year Two may be even more risky.

In the meantime, beat Tulsa. The team needs us right now!!!!!

Right you are. Hitting "Reset" at this point would be a mistake. And more importantly, we need to focus on Tulsa and support the Ponies. Go SMU!

as I have shown in the past NIU and most of the MAC schools accept the very players that you rail against here every day including their star running back last year-Michael Turner?-can't remember his name. Of course, UTEP does too as has been particularly shown by their BB team which went from worst to first in one year with their nationally ranked JUCO class. So exactly what Model are you endorsing.

Stallion, I agree with your challenge. The approach I am characterizing is one with:

- a bit of patience for Phil (which is extremely hard since our problems for thirteen years prior to his arrival hardly permit us much patience.) Two (or 15) years of misery (self-inflicted) qualifies us for the padded cell but we could actually do even more harm, if we fail to solve our real problems (which you correctly diagnosis)

and

- make progress with our DFW and north Texas recruiting (your point is that NIU probably has more flexibility in this regard. I would concede that.) As Bus would say, we need big uglies plus a speed to actually scare someone.

Firing Bennett and Copeland doesn't resolve our dilemma. Simple answers to complex problems are childish. I suspect your diagnosis is similar.

I think I remember Bennett either referencing the "Those who stay" quotation or using it at some point. Like in his first PC. Anyone remember?

And just how long are we going to be staying? I mean, I've been on board since the early eighties as an elementary school kid with a homemade Craig James jersey, but suffice it to say I really don't think there are any elementary age kids w/ a homemade Foy Munlin jersey at this point. Things gotta go up, don't they?

These are all great questions and some good talk about answers.

My list of changes...
Recruit by NCAA rules - No more, no less.
Offer two new majors - Physical Education and Sprots Management
Accept JUCO transfer hours. At least to the extent that hours can be used as electives.

Now what will it take to get the above done.
Change a few members on the Faculty Senate and a few members of Board of Regents.
A LARGE Donation to endow the two new major Department heads.

Actually, this could be done over the summer. Many of the parts ( Classes and teachers ) are in place.

What's sprots management? Sorry I couldn't resist. I agree with your post. But I would add sprouts management in the agriculture curriculum.

sorry about the typo

Bus,

I agree with your post with 1 caveat. I would allow Bennett to right to recruit 2 players each season, regardless of their academic standing. That is 8 players in total. 8 students out of a total of 6,200 undergraduates will not make or break our academic reputation.

You can then provide incentives to our coaching staff to ensure these special admits graduate. If 50% fail to graduate, reduce the number they can recruit in the future. Also have a good behavior clause.

Bus,

May I recommend the attached Avatar

All good points. What will it take to get this administration to understand that time is running out?

I'm all for playing on a level playing field. However, I'm skeptical it will ever happen.

Will the faculty senate ever allow these changes to take place? If the senate is the only thing blocking “improvements,” why isn’t there more pressure put on the senate?

Why do Ford, Hunt, and others keep pumping money into the athletic department knowing these types of restrictions are in place?