Is there any college coach in America on a hotter hot seat than Illinois’ Bruce Weber?
The Illini continue to tank their season. Last night, they suffered another home loss this time to Michigan. Illinois is now 17-13 overall and a woeful 6-11 in the Big Ten Conference. The Illini need a miracle to save their season and secure a NCAA tournament bid.
This has been a strange, strange season for Illinois.
A couple weeks ago, Weber came out and blamed himself and his players for the team’s performance. Weber’s honesty was refreshing in a business that usually only talks coach-speak. But many people didn’t like the honesty (and probably the truth) and accused Weber of giving up on the season.
Well, Illinois is probably about ready to give up on Weber. The Illini already fired football coach Ron Zook. Weber is next on the hit list.
I feel for Weber. He’s a decent coach and a good man. Frankly, he’s a man of character. We need those guys in collegiate athletics. But unfortunately, coaches are judged largely by wins and losses.
But even if he gets fired, Weber will be okay. He is a smart guy and will land on his feet somewhere probably again in coaching. Let’s hope that is the outcome.
Showing posts with label America. Show all posts
Showing posts with label America. Show all posts
Friday, March 2, 2012
Monday, August 1, 2011
Money in America
Despite what you have heard or read out of Washington, DC, money is available in America.
Apparently, a good number of Division I college football teams have plenty of green. For example, have you checked out the paychecks some lower Division I teams will receive this season from road games against higher Division I schools? This isn’t anything new, but in this economy it should raise some eyebrows
My old school, the University of Louisiana-Monroe, is one example. Out of four non conference games, the Warhawks will play “money” games against Florida State and back-to-back games against TCU and Iowa. Monroe will receive 1.3 million from Florida State and 1 million from Iowa. Although I couldn’t find a figure for the TCU contest, I doubt if the amount is less than $750,000. This is serious money.
The Warhawks have one of the smallest budgets in Division I. Obviously, it helps pay the bills. The chances of defeating any of these teams are slim (although they did shock Alabama a few years ago), but if Monroe can get out of town reasonably healthy, the pros definitely outweigh the cons of the arrangement.
The big schools often complain they have difficulty scheduling so they must sweeten the check to lure the smaller schools. Louisiana-Monroe and other smaller schools have definitely taken the bait.
At least in one phase of the economy, supply-and-demand is working quite well. Maybe Washington should take a look,
Apparently, a good number of Division I college football teams have plenty of green. For example, have you checked out the paychecks some lower Division I teams will receive this season from road games against higher Division I schools? This isn’t anything new, but in this economy it should raise some eyebrows
My old school, the University of Louisiana-Monroe, is one example. Out of four non conference games, the Warhawks will play “money” games against Florida State and back-to-back games against TCU and Iowa. Monroe will receive 1.3 million from Florida State and 1 million from Iowa. Although I couldn’t find a figure for the TCU contest, I doubt if the amount is less than $750,000. This is serious money.
The Warhawks have one of the smallest budgets in Division I. Obviously, it helps pay the bills. The chances of defeating any of these teams are slim (although they did shock Alabama a few years ago), but if Monroe can get out of town reasonably healthy, the pros definitely outweigh the cons of the arrangement.
The big schools often complain they have difficulty scheduling so they must sweeten the check to lure the smaller schools. Louisiana-Monroe and other smaller schools have definitely taken the bait.
At least in one phase of the economy, supply-and-demand is working quite well. Maybe Washington should take a look,
Friday, June 24, 2011
Darling Cal Magical Run Ends
This one had the appearances of a Hollywood movie.
The University of California (Cal) baseball program was dead. The administration told baseball and other sports last year that the curtain was falling on their programs. But as Lee Corso on ESPN says, “Not so fast my friend.”
People responded to the cries of Cal baseball to save its program. The funds streamed in and the curtain didn’t fall after all.
When you come back from a near death experience, you are just happy to be alive. The Cal Bears probably felt those same emotions. So an already special season became really special. The Bears made it all the way to this year’s College World Series.
Fans all across America were cheering for this scrappy bunch. America loves comeback stories.
Unfortunately, the dream of a championship ended yesterday for the Bears. Top-rated Virginia eliminated Cal after the Bears put wins together during the tournament.
But they say the journey is sometimes better than the destination. And hopefully Cal will receive another chance in the not-too-distant future to claim a crown.
The Bears proved this season that the most successful team doesn’t always finish in first place.
The University of California (Cal) baseball program was dead. The administration told baseball and other sports last year that the curtain was falling on their programs. But as Lee Corso on ESPN says, “Not so fast my friend.”
People responded to the cries of Cal baseball to save its program. The funds streamed in and the curtain didn’t fall after all.
When you come back from a near death experience, you are just happy to be alive. The Cal Bears probably felt those same emotions. So an already special season became really special. The Bears made it all the way to this year’s College World Series.
Fans all across America were cheering for this scrappy bunch. America loves comeback stories.
Unfortunately, the dream of a championship ended yesterday for the Bears. Top-rated Virginia eliminated Cal after the Bears put wins together during the tournament.
But they say the journey is sometimes better than the destination. And hopefully Cal will receive another chance in the not-too-distant future to claim a crown.
The Bears proved this season that the most successful team doesn’t always finish in first place.
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Boise State: Thanks for the Ride
Boise State faced a realty check last night. The Broncos did lose a football game and with it their BCS hopes.
They dodged opponents and BCS haters for a long while this season. Boise was 10-0 but then Mr. L called.
But there is no shame in losing. Outstanding teams do loss. Boise didn’t lose to a cupcake in Nevada. The Pack is a mighty fine club.
America thanks you for the ride. It was fun cheering for you. You will be back. Excellent teams find a way for a return trip. You are an excellent team.
Our favorite underdog is reduced to TCU. The Horned Frogs carry the football for the non-BCS schools’ hopes now. It would be great if they could slide someway, somehow into that No. 2 BCS slot.
Right now, it looks like Oregon-Auburn for the title. But I think a final with TCU would add a little ice cream to the cake.
They dodged opponents and BCS haters for a long while this season. Boise was 10-0 but then Mr. L called.
But there is no shame in losing. Outstanding teams do loss. Boise didn’t lose to a cupcake in Nevada. The Pack is a mighty fine club.
America thanks you for the ride. It was fun cheering for you. You will be back. Excellent teams find a way for a return trip. You are an excellent team.
Our favorite underdog is reduced to TCU. The Horned Frogs carry the football for the non-BCS schools’ hopes now. It would be great if they could slide someway, somehow into that No. 2 BCS slot.
Right now, it looks like Oregon-Auburn for the title. But I think a final with TCU would add a little ice cream to the cake.
Friday, November 26, 2010
Auburn Shows Up Big
I must admit going into the Auburn-Alabama game I believed the Tide had an excellent chance to win. At early stages of the year, the so called experts thought they were the best team in America.
And with only pride to play for against Alabama’s arch rival, it looked really good when the Tide stormed out to a 24-0 lead. The problem for the home team was Auburn woke up. Wow.
The Tigers played with a renewed sense of urgency in the second half and kept their BCS title hopes alive. In fact, Auburn dominated Alabama in the second half.
Auburn’s performance proved to me that it may be the team of destiny this season. The Tigers have now trailed in eight of 12 games and keep looking beautiful.
With all the distraction about quarterback Cam Newton, Auburn refuses to lose. The Tigers are apparently made of steel.
Auburn fans wanted to run Coach Gene Chizik out of town when he first arrived, but now probably think he is the best thing since sliced bread.
And with only pride to play for against Alabama’s arch rival, it looked really good when the Tide stormed out to a 24-0 lead. The problem for the home team was Auburn woke up. Wow.
The Tigers played with a renewed sense of urgency in the second half and kept their BCS title hopes alive. In fact, Auburn dominated Alabama in the second half.
Auburn’s performance proved to me that it may be the team of destiny this season. The Tigers have now trailed in eight of 12 games and keep looking beautiful.
With all the distraction about quarterback Cam Newton, Auburn refuses to lose. The Tigers are apparently made of steel.
Auburn fans wanted to run Coach Gene Chizik out of town when he first arrived, but now probably think he is the best thing since sliced bread.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)