Wish I could go back and find it, and I am definitely not saying it was from me, but I swear there was at least one poster at the time who said we were taking the wrong guy from Toledo.
Least Favorite Big Ten Coach and Why?
Mr. Tibbs
- southeast DuPage
it may have been Gritty (or under his previous name) . he was in on Campbell’s value to that coaching staff
Could be some recency bias sneaking in here, but I’d say Walters. The more we learn about him, the less I can stand him.
ChiefGritty
- Chicago, IL
As Beckman said publicly at his introductory presser (not a smart thing to do of course), the plan was to bring Campbell with him, he was a core part of what they were hoping to build at Illinois. They didn't anticipate that Toledo would make him the youngest HC in Division 1 after two years as a coordinator. Toledo took a risk and it paid off.
Everybody, most of all Beckman himself, recognized what a talent Campbell was.
As it happened, Beckman compiled a very strong staff full of guys who have continued to have strong careers at major college programs and in the NFL. A good eye for assistants was always part of his sell.
But you could have given him 11 Nick Sabans as a staff and it wouldn't have made any difference at the end of the day. The problem was not that there was secretly "the good one" elsewhere on his Toledo staff, the problem was not that his record at Toledo wasn't good enough, nor that the defenses weren't good enough or the MAC wasn't good enough, it was never hiding in plain sight on the resume. The problem was that Beckman was and is a buffoon. His objectively strong resume and reputation in the business circa 2011 is just one of life's mysteries.
Mike Thomas' reputation among Illini fans is distorted through all sorts of Guentherite propaganda. But it's a fact that he sat in an interview with a moron and decided to stake his tenure and reputation on him. You don't survive decisions like that.
I saw the first press conference for Groce and I was pretty pumped. I got why the hire was made.
I saw the first for Beckman and like thousands of other fans went WTF?
GrayGhost77
- Centennial, CO
Yeah, that's ludicrous. Not that I'm complaining about not having that most likely automatic loss, but still...
It's PJ
FeelYourPaign
- So Cal
Franklin
I have an enduring disgust with Ped St and all associated with abusing children
I have an enduring disgust with Ped St and all associated with abusing children
Homecoming 2019
- Chicago
you should probably consider hating Schiano more then
Fleck just doesn't bother me that much. A lot of college football coaches are a little weird and kinda nuts. He's the most successful Minnesota coach in ages and I kinda like that's he stayed as long as he has at a program with a lower ceiling instead of trying to force his way elsewhere. Plus we still beat them with regularity, so win-win all around.
Thomas was also dumb enough to listen to Urban Meyer's recommendation
Illinifan533
- Normal, Illinois
Unpopular opinion but I don't have a strong hate for Fleck like many here. Yeah I find his schtick bush-league but I find him more corny than hateable. I'm old enough to remember when this board wanted him to come coach at Illinois before he went to Minny and we would all gladly have his win total here. But to answer the question, I can't stand Lincoln Riley. At Oklahoma it was clear he was an average coach who was an amazing recruiter that benefitted from Stoops' culture. He constantly had poor starts in games only to be bailed out by the talent on his team and the way he complains to officials would make Tom Izzo and Fran McCaffery blush. I'm thrilled he's getting exposed right now in the Big Ten.
Dan Lanning: So last Halloween, I'm pretty sure it was Dan and his wife standing back in the street watching their kids trick or treat at our house. He's a good guy. He lives a few blocks from my place and my neighborhood is one of those places that just draws trick or treaters.
TentakilRex
- Land O Insects between Quincy-Macomb-Jacksonville
I say Ryan Day is most annoying to me. He is Jason Garrett/Mike McCarthy/Jerry Jones with a near Buddy Ryan arrogance.
Walters is going downhill fast.
I get Fleck and Franklln.
Y'all are sleeping on Benedict Brisket, I mean Lincoln Riley. The way he ended up at USC made me have sympathy for Oklahoma and my old Texan school heart that is hard to do. Also Oregon St fans disliked the Smith breakup with them for more than just "left for a better job" reasons.
Walters is going downhill fast.
I get Fleck and Franklln.
Y'all are sleeping on Benedict Brisket, I mean Lincoln Riley. The way he ended up at USC made me have sympathy for Oklahoma and my old Texan school heart that is hard to do. Also Oregon St fans disliked the Smith breakup with them for more than just "left for a better job" reasons.
In the prior era of college football, I would welcome a great recruiter that couldn't coach. We were so used to the basement that getting some pro talent on the roster at least made it more fun to watch. If it didn't result in wins, the next guy would have something better to start with.
He has tried to force himself elsewhere just no one wants to hire him.
Ryan Day based off his facial hair alone
band camp
- STL City
Totally agree here. Dude always looks a little fake.
ChiefGritty
- Chicago, IL
Jim Tressel actually.
And of course the biggest mistake of all in that process was that Thomas interviewed Pat Narduzzi, who he had worked with at Cincinnati and liked, and who was eager for the job, but Thomas had the misbegotten idea that head coaching experience was a necessity for the position. Terrible process.
Also, you know who this thread really misses? Fitz. What a great villain that guy was.
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MoCoMdIllini
- Montgomery County, Maryland
Okay: Fitzy is Love to Hate, Emeritus.