Just a few midweek thoughts....
1. I have to think that last Saturday was the final nail in JON's coffin. That's not based on anything from sources. That's just my gut feeling. To watch Iowa -- the worst offense in FBS -- go up and down the field against the Cats was stunning. Iowa didn't hit any plays of 25 or more yards, and they didn't get any short fields on turnovers. They just methodically shredded NU's defense. Something is seriously wrong. I now believe JON will be relieved of his duties at the end of the season.
2. One name to watch if JON gets sacked is Iowa's Seth Wallace. He is currently the assistant DC/LB coach. DC Phil Parker's scheme is very similar to Hank's -- Cover 8 is basically Cover 4 with inverted safeties. They play excellent, sound, fundamental defense, with about the same talent as NU has. Wallace is 42 years old and is known as a very good recruiter. The only question is whether he'd leave. He grew up in Iowa, played at Coe College, was a grad assistant at Iowa and has now been on Ferentz's staff for eight years. But Parker has been at Iowa as long as Ferentz has. If Wallace wants to be a DC, he may have to leave.
3. If JON gets fired, the question then is whether Fitz will retain Bajakian. I don't think Bajakian has done much to distinguish himself at OC in three years. But would Fitz fire both his OC and DC in the same year? Hiring two coordinators would be a daunting task -- although Fitz did it before when he brought on Hank and McCall together back in 2008 (Hank because Colby was fired, McCall because McGee left). If the Cats end up 1-11, with a two-year record of 4-20, Fitz might be willing to blow it all up and start over. But even if Jake stays, I think there will be some position coach changes regardless.
1. I have to think that last Saturday was the final nail in JON's coffin. That's not based on anything from sources. That's just my gut feeling. To watch Iowa -- the worst offense in FBS -- go up and down the field against the Cats was stunning. Iowa didn't hit any plays of 25 or more yards, and they didn't get any short fields on turnovers. They just methodically shredded NU's defense. Something is seriously wrong. I now believe JON will be relieved of his duties at the end of the season.
2. One name to watch if JON gets sacked is Iowa's Seth Wallace. He is currently the assistant DC/LB coach. DC Phil Parker's scheme is very similar to Hank's -- Cover 8 is basically Cover 4 with inverted safeties. They play excellent, sound, fundamental defense, with about the same talent as NU has. Wallace is 42 years old and is known as a very good recruiter. The only question is whether he'd leave. He grew up in Iowa, played at Coe College, was a grad assistant at Iowa and has now been on Ferentz's staff for eight years. But Parker has been at Iowa as long as Ferentz has. If Wallace wants to be a DC, he may have to leave.
3. If JON gets fired, the question then is whether Fitz will retain Bajakian. I don't think Bajakian has done much to distinguish himself at OC in three years. But would Fitz fire both his OC and DC in the same year? Hiring two coordinators would be a daunting task -- although Fitz did it before when he brought on Hank and McCall together back in 2008 (Hank because Colby was fired, McCall because McGee left). If the Cats end up 1-11, with a two-year record of 4-20, Fitz might be willing to blow it all up and start over. But even if Jake stays, I think there will be some position coach changes regardless.
