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He recruited the players. We saw what Walker did with his own recruits.
Somehow, I'm not that surprised that there are some who would prefer a series of 6 win seasons and lower tier bowl appearances in favour of a few B1G Championship rings. It is essentially the defining characteristic of the Walker years, and I know many on this board seem to feel those were good years for the NU program. To each their own. Personally, if we're going to suck, I'd prefer we not suck at it and really suck, and not pretend we are any thing more than mediocre.
I guess your opinion of Walker would change if he had played Fitz's rugged OCC schedules up until 2012. Afterall, beating MAC bottom-feeders and FCS schools (like Fitz did...well...usually) is always impressive.
IMO, the defining characteristics of the turbulent Walker years were:
1) Taking Barnett's 0-8 team with gaping holes at certain key positions and leading them to a championship by radically changing the offense to better suit the talent handed to him. He showed that Barnett's 1995 and 1996 seasons were not some fluke, that the right coach could win at NU.
2) Then rebounding after the Barnett player exodus and RAW to go 4-4, 5-3, and 5-3 in his last three seasons, achieving program stability.
I do appreciate Walker as a coach. Offensively anyways. What he and Wilson did in 2000 was genius.
As a body of work though, I thought he was wanting in many areas. His unwavering loyalty to Colby despite repeated failure to perform was a huge flaw, and a characteristic he has unfortunately passed on to his protégé. In addition, he failed to demonstrate the ability (or interest) to recruit the depth of talent that was necessary to be perennially competitive in the B1G. That he won a title with Barnett's recruits and didn't come close with his own says it all. Superior sidelines coach and got a lot out of what talent he did have, especially on offense - I thought also the toughness he brought to the program, at least prior to Wheeler tragedy, was outstanding. Unfortunately, though understandably, I think he laid off after that and it was also a contributing factor to the mediocrity we saw on the field, but I'd say it was the loyalty to Colby and the recruiting that did us in. His offenses from 2000 onwards up were the best we've had at NU and were some of the most potent in the nation.
You keep on bringing up Fitz. Unlike many on these boards, I don't think Fitz is some incredible head coach. I think he is good and a great fit for us. Recruiting wise, I think he's better than Walker (we are deeper under Fitz than we've ever been). Gameday, he's way behind. Loyalty wise and performance driven as it relates to his staff he is as flawed as Walker. The bar I have is Barnett. Recruiting wise, one of the best. Recruited 3 B1G championship teams. The coaching job he did to lead us out of the Dark Ages and into back to back titles, may be a feat unparalleled in college sports. The dip that we saw between 1996 and 2000 was a function of some unlucky injuries (Bates especially) and the bow wave that you saw at programs like Wisconsin as well. Neither Walker nor Fitz can hold a candle to Barnett as a coach in my opinion. I think Taylor should have called Barnett back to Evanston and had Fitz learn a bit more under him, but c'est la vie.
I do appreciate Walker as a coach. Offensively anyways. What he and Wilson did in 2000 was genius.
As a body of work though, I thought he was wanting in many areas. His unwavering loyalty to Colby despite repeated failure to perform was a huge flaw, and a characteristic he has unfortunately passed on to his protégé. In addition, he failed to demonstrate the ability (or interest) to recruit the depth of talent that was necessary to be perennially competitive in the B1G. That he won a title with Barnett's recruits and didn't come close with his own says it all. Superior sidelines coach and got a lot out of what talent he did have, especially on offense - I thought also the toughness he brought to the program, at least prior to Wheeler tragedy, was outstanding. Unfortunately, though understandably, I think he laid off after that and it was also a contributing factor to the mediocrity we saw on the field, but I'd say it was the loyalty to Colby and the recruiting that did us in. His offenses from 2000 onwards up were the best we've had at NU and were some of the most potent in the nation.
You keep on bringing up Fitz. Unlike many on these boards, I don't think Fitz is some incredible head coach. I think he is good and a great fit for us. Recruiting wise, I think he's better than Walker (we are deeper under Fitz than we've ever been). Gameday, he's way behind. Loyalty wise and performance driven as it relates to his staff he is as flawed as Walker. The bar I have is Barnett. Recruiting wise, one of the best. Recruited 3 B1G championship teams. The coaching job he did to lead us out of the Dark Ages and into back to back titles, may be a feat unparalleled in college sports. The dip that we saw between 1996 and 2000 was a function of some unlucky injuries (Bates especially) and the bow wave that you saw at programs like Wisconsin as well. Neither Walker nor Fitz can hold a candle to Barnett as a coach in my opinion. I think Taylor should have called Barnett back to Evanston and had Fitz learn a bit more under him, but c'est la vie.
Why did Barney leave after his winless B1G season?
How can you be so quick to come up with excuses for Barnett's failures (and there were many more failures than successes), but hammer Walker and Fitz for essentially the same thing (i.e. inability to CONSISTENTLY compete for championships for one reason or another)?
This.
Barney had mentally checked out, and his winless Big 10 season in his last year was evidence. The rise and fall of Barnett was quite regrettable for all involved, including the fans.
How can you be so quick to come up with excuses for Barnett's failures (and there were many more failures than successes), but hammer Walker and Fitz for essentially the same thing (i.e. inability to CONSISTENTLY compete for championships for one reason or another)?
Not excuses. Calling it for what it was. I hammer Walker and Fitz for an inability to independently compete for championships at all. Walker did not demonstrate he could recruit and coach at a championship level. Barnett did. Barnett was not handed a roster by Austin Peay that could win a ring by his 2nd year.
Two rings, especially with the hand he was dealt, can buy a lot of forgiveness. I already said elsewhere, I'd prefer 3 rings in 10 years and 7 losing seasons than 10 years of 6 year wins and lower tier bowl appearances.
...and yet would likely be calling for the coaches to be fired after each of those 7 losing seasons, yeah?
Barnett was not handed a roster by Austin Peay that could win a ring by his 2nd year.
I don't think Barnett got anything at all from Austin Peay unless I'm forgetting a bunch of transfers
I don't think Barnett got anything at all from Austin Peay unless I'm forgetting a bunch of transfers
...and yet would likely be calling for the coaches to be fired after each of those 7 losing seasons, yeah?
Like I said, a Championship ring buys a lot of forgiveness. 6-6 seasons, not so much, for me.
Barnett had a top of the line recruiting class ready to sign on the dotted line for that year. Yes, he left but most people knew that when and if the Colorado job opened he'd take it. Even the NU administration knew the same as they announced Walker as the new HC within days.1998 was the worst.
GB and the boys gave the Pumpkinheads their first conference win in two years, and then he high-tailed it out before the shine was fully off. Credit for the great years, but those great years weren't coming back.
Barnett had a top of the line recruiting class ready to sign on the dotted line for that year. Yes, he left but most people knew that when and if the Colorado job opened he'd take it. Even the NU administration knew the same as they announced Walker as the new HC within days.
How can you be so quick to come up with excuses for Barnett's failures (and there were many more failures than successes), but hammer Walker and Fitz for essentially the same thing (i.e. inability to CONSISTENTLY compete for championships for one reason or another)?
That's a non-answer.
Barnett had a top of the line recruiting class ready to sign on the dotted line for that year. Yes, he left but most people knew that when and if the Colorado job opened he'd take it. Even the NU administration knew the same as they announced Walker as the new HC within days.
It's an answer. Do I have to spell it out for you? Use sign language or something?
If Fitz wins a couple of rings, I will accept a few 3 win seasons to go along with that. If he continues to give us 6-6 seasons with no rings, his ass should be gone just like Bill Carmody's ass was for consistent mediocrity. And then maybe we can land a coach like Chris Collins who can take us to the next level.
[QUOTE="NUCat320,
Teaching and inspiring and widening the perspective of brainiacs is NU's undergrad mission.
I just flat don't believe you.
Guys,
You can not win consistently without an offensive line that can win in short yardage situations. How many times did we fail on third and fourth and short situations (particularly in the redzone). The losses to 13-0 WMU, 11-1 OSU, 10-3 UW, 8-4 Minny, 9-3 UNL and yes, an ISU team that made the FCS playoffs can be directly attributed to our offensive line getting pushed around and our defensive end production taking a step backward after the graduation of Green Bay Packer DE and captain of our defense last season ,Dean Lowry and very solid and productive DE Deonte Gibson. Yes, Odenigbo had a great 4-sack game v. Iowa, but was benched at numerous times by the coaching staff for good reasons. Unless NU recruits AND develops some solid road-grinders at OL (which NU should be able to do since OL are supposedly the smartest football players), we will not be able to beat the top teams in the Big 10 (8 win teams or better). But overall, solid season rebounding from an 0-2 start and with a below average (generous description) offensive line who was pushed more time backwards in our backfield than creating pushes forward. And that shows you how valuable JJ is to our offense having such a great season with such a poor offensive line blocking in front of him.
What? That I would accept a few losing seasons for a couple championship rings? Or that I wouldn't want to run him out of town if he keeps delivering 6 win seasons?