Purdue football coach Danny Hope is frankly running out of hope. The Boilermaker head man is in danger of losing his job and with a loss at Iowa Saturday, it could happen.
Purdue has lost five straight conference games and is 0-for-The Big Ten Conference. The Boilermakers started the season 3-1. Hope may have helped sealed his fate when he declared in that preseason that Purdue could have a competitive team in the league.
Hope has taken the Boilermakers to a minor bowl game (Little Caesars last season) in his four seasons at the school. But Hope has posted just a 19-27 overall mark and a 10-19 Big Ten record.
The Boilermakers will be underdogs against the struggling Hawkeyes (three straight losses), but if they can upset Iowa, their two remaining games against Illinois and Indiana are also possible wins. A 6-6 record would actually bring Danny Hope some hope.
Hope is definitely what Purdue football needs these days.
Showing posts with label Illinois. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Illinois. Show all posts
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
Friday, March 30, 2012
Right Place at the Right Time
I doubt that new Illinois basketball coach John Groce cares he was the seventh choice or even the 53rd choice to become the Illini head man.
The main thing is he got the job.
According to reports, Butler’s Brad Stevens and VCU’s Shaka Smart were above Groce in the pecking row. Smart would have been the sexy hire but like Stevens, Smart has been saying “Thanks, but no-thanks” to various suitors.
The NCAA tournament always produces at least one mid-major coaching star. His team surprises in the tournament and the big boys respond with a job offer. Smart had some carry over from last year’s Final Four appearance and winning a first round game this season.
But Groce was this year’s star. He took a 13-seeded Ohio team to the Sweet 16. Then Ohio lost to North Carolina in overtime.
Groce knows the Big Ten Conference. He was an assistant to Thad Matta at Ohio State. Groce has earned his head coaching jobs after paying dues as a long-time assistant.
Some say Illinois isn’t a great job anyone. But Groce is obviously happy for the opportunity and he hopes to make it a great job.
The way I see it, the Illinois job is a low risk, high reward opportunity for Groce. He’s in the right place at the right time.
The main thing is he got the job.
According to reports, Butler’s Brad Stevens and VCU’s Shaka Smart were above Groce in the pecking row. Smart would have been the sexy hire but like Stevens, Smart has been saying “Thanks, but no-thanks” to various suitors.
The NCAA tournament always produces at least one mid-major coaching star. His team surprises in the tournament and the big boys respond with a job offer. Smart had some carry over from last year’s Final Four appearance and winning a first round game this season.
But Groce was this year’s star. He took a 13-seeded Ohio team to the Sweet 16. Then Ohio lost to North Carolina in overtime.
Groce knows the Big Ten Conference. He was an assistant to Thad Matta at Ohio State. Groce has earned his head coaching jobs after paying dues as a long-time assistant.
Some say Illinois isn’t a great job anyone. But Groce is obviously happy for the opportunity and he hopes to make it a great job.
The way I see it, the Illinois job is a low risk, high reward opportunity for Groce. He’s in the right place at the right time.
Friday, March 2, 2012
Illinois' Bruce Weber in Trouble
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.
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.
Monday, November 28, 2011
College Football's Other Season
The end of the college football regular season is fast approaching. Many teams have completed their regular seasons. Others will next week followed by a bowl game. So it’s time for college football’s other season to begin—the season of coach firings.
The housing industry is in difficult shape but it will receive a little boost in the next several weeks because of the coaching movement. Some fans wanted to put real estate signs in their coach’s lawns in support of their firing. Some fans’ wishes have been granted.
It’s never a good thing when a coach is rumored for the pink slip and comes out with a statement such as “We are making good progress despite the record. We just need more time to turn this thing around. I haven’t heard anything specific about my status.”
Well, several coaches have indeed heard about their status. The house needs to go up for sale.
Kansas coach Turner Gill probably earns this year’s lack of longevity award. Gill was fired over the weekend after just two years as the Jayhawk’s head man.
Over at Illinois, Ron Zook helped his team to a 6-0 start. Then the Illini preceded to loss six straight and Zook was done. I’m surprised he lasted this long. It seems the former Florida was frequently on the hot seat over his tenure at Illinois.
Mississippi’s Houston Nutt resigned during the season. That was one of those wording deals. A common occurrence. The athletic director says something like ‘Either you resign, or we will fire you.”
Those are only three firing examples. There are obviously others. And more to come.
It’s college football’s other season. Just like other seasons, there are both winners and losers. Fans, coaches and real estate agents all agree.
The housing industry is in difficult shape but it will receive a little boost in the next several weeks because of the coaching movement. Some fans wanted to put real estate signs in their coach’s lawns in support of their firing. Some fans’ wishes have been granted.
It’s never a good thing when a coach is rumored for the pink slip and comes out with a statement such as “We are making good progress despite the record. We just need more time to turn this thing around. I haven’t heard anything specific about my status.”
Well, several coaches have indeed heard about their status. The house needs to go up for sale.
Kansas coach Turner Gill probably earns this year’s lack of longevity award. Gill was fired over the weekend after just two years as the Jayhawk’s head man.
Over at Illinois, Ron Zook helped his team to a 6-0 start. Then the Illini preceded to loss six straight and Zook was done. I’m surprised he lasted this long. It seems the former Florida was frequently on the hot seat over his tenure at Illinois.
Mississippi’s Houston Nutt resigned during the season. That was one of those wording deals. A common occurrence. The athletic director says something like ‘Either you resign, or we will fire you.”
Those are only three firing examples. There are obviously others. And more to come.
It’s college football’s other season. Just like other seasons, there are both winners and losers. Fans, coaches and real estate agents all agree.
Saturday, October 15, 2011
Watching College Football
Another full list of college football today (Saturday). I read that there are still 13 unbeaten teams heading into today’s action. This might take time to slice that number.
Don’t know why, but I think the TV games are a little weak for Oct. 15. I plan on looking in on Baylor-Texas A&M. Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin III is one of the most exciting players in the game this season. He is electric.
I am also planning to watch a little Oklahoma State-Texas action. Not too many people outside of the Texas family would mind if the Longhorns receive a major whipping.
Iowa-Northwestern also holds some interest. The Wildcats have been a major pain in Iowa’s side in recent years. It seems Iowa loses its focus when its plays Northwestern. Focus shouldn’t be a problem this season because the Hawkeyes badly need a victory.
I don’t understand ABC’s fascination with Ohio State this year. The Buckeyes aren’t that good. Maybe Ohio State is the football counterpart of the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox. Maybe ABC is really airing the game because of ranked Illinois.
Enjoy the games whatever ones you watch.
Don’t know why, but I think the TV games are a little weak for Oct. 15. I plan on looking in on Baylor-Texas A&M. Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin III is one of the most exciting players in the game this season. He is electric.
I am also planning to watch a little Oklahoma State-Texas action. Not too many people outside of the Texas family would mind if the Longhorns receive a major whipping.
Iowa-Northwestern also holds some interest. The Wildcats have been a major pain in Iowa’s side in recent years. It seems Iowa loses its focus when its plays Northwestern. Focus shouldn’t be a problem this season because the Hawkeyes badly need a victory.
I don’t understand ABC’s fascination with Ohio State this year. The Buckeyes aren’t that good. Maybe Ohio State is the football counterpart of the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox. Maybe ABC is really airing the game because of ranked Illinois.
Enjoy the games whatever ones you watch.
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