Is Phil the next Joe Novak?

[Water Pony]

Have been a fan of Joe Novak and his record at Northern Illinois. Will Phil replicate his success, which was based on NIU's patience?

1996: 1-10
1997: 0-11
1998: 2-9
1999: 5-6
2000: 6-5
2001: 6-5
2002: 8-4 (Beat Wake Forest)
2003: 10-2 (Beat Maryland, Alabama and Iowa State)
2004: 9-3
2005: 7-5 (MAC West Champ)

And a Class Act, who build strong relations with Chicagoland coaches.

[Hoop Fan]

first 4 years sure are similar, Bennetts is actually slightly better. Goes to show when you are down you need to have patience.

[NickSMU17]

Northern is a pretty good program, that gets a lot of undersized under the radar local talent. I have seen a couple games, and the team is well coached and always competitive. I hope we can get to be this competitive within our conference.

[Stallion]

Northern Illinois was a program built on academic questionmarks EVEN NON-qualifiers like their Superstar RB a few years ago-Michael Turner?-which gave them a competitive advantage.

[Hoop Fan]

Northern Illinois was a program built on academic questionmarks EVEN NON-qualifiers like their Superstar RB a few years ago-Michael Turner?-which gave them a competitive advantage.

that too, and even with that it took Novak until his 7th year to have a real breakout season. Even in the MAC.

[EastStang]

Chicago is a pretty good place to recruit, too. But Stallion is right a state school with marginal academic requirements that admits non-qualifiers can make a big move once in awhile.

[mr. pony]

Phil is the next Bear Bryant.

[BringBackThePonies03]

Good comparison, I think it will happen similar to that. Bennett has a lot of tools and we are starting to get some bigger name players, who have a lot of talent.

[Stallion]

No we really don't. This is a botton 25% team in Division 1A playing a ridiculously easy schedule.

[NickSMU17]

That is Wrong. They are better than a bottom 25% team.

[SMU Football Blog]

No we really don't. This is a botton 25% team in Division 1A playing a ridiculously easy schedule.

Ridiculously easy schedule solely by your own personal attitude. Is it easier than years past? Yes. Is it significantly easier than what our competition is throwing out there? No.

[Stallion]

it is the easiest schedule in the History of SMU Football BY a MILE.

[Water Pony]

My reasons for highlighting Joe Novak's track record is to create a frame of reference to our situation.

We can view this two ways. One is that is no reason for hope (based on the results of the last 18 years), so let's presume the worst.

Alternatively, NIU doesn't have the history and tradition of SMU, is not in a urban setting (Dekalb, IL) and despite Illinois having a good HS FB recruiting base, it is nothing like Texas. Despite the Huskies being a public university, their willingness to support Joe has rewarded them after a very slow start for almost five years.

Question: Given the results we have suffered through, pulling the trigger quickly on a coach is the most common approach for schools. NIU took a different tack with Novak. Hitting the reset button can be just as discouraging. Comments?

[tmustangp]

it is the easiest schedule in the History of SMU Football BY a MILE.

throw out 80 yrs of the SWC .. just compare since we left the SWC..

[mrydel]

it is the easiest schedule in the History of SMU Football BY a MILE.

throw out 80 yrs of the SWC .. just compare since we left the SWC..

Probably just 3,327 feet then.