Apples to oranges. I think Fitz has done well as well. He is overachieving based on the lack of talent. He gets the most out of what he has. That said, the team is simply mediocre. 7-6 last year was a good year but mediocre and certainly not a threat to a division crown. Not sure why you fail to see this. Fitz is consistently mediocre. Middle of a weak division where we flip with minny every other year for 3rd or 4th spot.
I've stated all along that Gary created a football miracle here, but he left because he did not believe he could sustain it (and was 3-9 in his last season, worse than any of Fitz's records). Fitz has had sustained success here (even the 5-7 seasons weren't terrible). You have to judge Fitz in historical context, not by two wonderful aberrations.
Fitz was handed a team that didnt have a losing Bigten season in the 3 prior years before Fitz. And to Fitz credit, he has kept the progran just as consistent. Its pretty much a mediocre team now and not a pushover team. Barnett inherited a non talented team. Big difference.
Look, I like and respect what Barnett did for us as much as anyone. But with the current rules regarding championships in the BIG, how many would Walker have had? Walker's championship would likely not have happened. And Fitz does have a year where he equaled Walker's BIG record at 6-2. How about Barnett? Neither year had we played OSU and we would have still had to have a championship game. So would he have had any? Also the Meyer would seem to be a bit better. Maybe Harbaugh as well.
First, defecating on Northwestern's MOST RECENT B1G championship to somehow make PF's record look less mediocre is pathetic...you clearly put PF over the NU FB program....I reckon that even PF would rather you NOT 'defend' him, since he probably prefer to tell recruits that NU DID WIN a B1G crown in 2000...a REAL B1G crown...yes, shared...but still REAL.
Wow.
While you use the idea that it was a championship (however weak) to defecate on Fitz's accomplishments? We all relished that we got the rings that year. But being honest, it was a weak championship. We got the lowest draw of bowl games and got blown out ending the season unranked. All I am saying is that Fitz has at least equaled the accomplishments of Walker by having a team go 6-2 in the BIG just like Walker, winning bowl games and ending the season ranked unlike Walker regardless of whether there is an actual championship next to the season. And not even sure that it would have won the division. Depends on which division because it was a three way tie meaning at least one of the teams would not have not have gotten to championship game.
Not putting Fitz over the program. Just saying that that championship under Walker was, if we are being honest, pretty lucky that it was a championship and would not be one 90+% of the time. Under current rules that Fitz has had to deal with for most of his career as a HC, it would not have been a championship... It might not even have gotten us a division championship depending on the breakdown of divisions. It was a great season to watch but there was a tremendous amount of luck involved. And represents one of the only times a BIG champion did not end the season ranked. It was great. I just draw the line on saying Fitz does not measure up because he has not won a championship (when that championship is one compared to) when he has met and exceeded every other measure when compared with Walk.
First, get your facts straight. The B1G switched to divisions after PF had been the NU HC for five (5) seasons (just slightly less than half his tenure). If that was the problem he would have had already five B1G championships.
