When Fitz took over...

[shakes3858]

After coach walker died and Fitz took the head coaching job, who took over as LB coach? Did they shuffle around any other coaches? Was Walker the RB coach or did we have a separate one? Was someone hired or did we play that season with one less coach?

I'm curious because I'm wondering what Illinois will do. Cubit takes over. He was OC and calling the plays. Will he continue from the sidelines? Is he just going to take the offense and leave the defensive staff on their side? Or does he promote someone to OC, take the HC role... Is there anyone out there to hire this close to the season? Would someone LIKE (not saying specifically him but someone like him) Genyk who is in a non-coaching position jump at a position coaching job? Genyk has coached QB, WR, TE and RB so if Cubit goes straight head coach, and promotes the most senior/best position coach to OC, then Genyk could come in and take that job. How many coaches like Genyk are in "quality control" jobs? Is this a common thing for coaches to stay in the business?

 

[Sheffielder]

Didn't he hire Bates going into the 06 season?

Walker had just made MacPherson the RB coach, and this has always been my concern with him - the dude had no street cred or resume worth a damn coming into the position - clearly Walk was going to mentor him and provide a safety net as he grew into the position, but then Walk passes away, McGhee is in over his head as a first-time OC and Mac has literally no one to actually coach HIM. But that's a whole other story.

I'm not losing a lot of sleep over the possibility of Genyk bolting for Illinois. Not only has Cubit been in the game forever and a day and probably has his own guys floating all over the place to call up...even if Genyk did bolt...god bless him and all he's done for NU football (and I mean that)...his career outside of Evanston has been far from stellar. If I'm betting on a Hankwitz-led defense against a Genyk-led offense, I like our chances.

 

[shakes3858]

Didn't he hire Bates going into the 06 season?

Walker had just made MacPherson the RB coach, and this has always been my concern with him - the dude had no street cred or resume worth a damn coming into the position - clearly Walk was going to mentor him and provide a safety net as he grew into the position, but then Walk passes away, McGhee is in over his head as a first-time OC and Mac has literally no one to actually coach HIM. But that's a whole other story.

I'm not losing a lot of sleep over the possibility of Genyk bolting for Illinois. Not only has Cubit been in the game forever and a day and probably has his own guys floating all over the place to call up...even if Genyk did bolt...god bless him and all he's done for NU football (and I mean that)...his career outside of Evanston has been far from stellar. If I'm betting on a Hankwitz-led defense against a Genyk-led offense, I like our chances.

Problem is Genyk has our playbook, been in rooms with coaches, and knows all the prep we've done for the year. I'd really like Cubit and Illinois not to have any of that info.