Brock Solid...

[Virginia Redbird]

Bottom line, Spack has made us into a very respectable program on and off the field.

Yep, sometimes we all need to stop and take a look back. An occupational hazard for coaches is the better you do, the more that is expected and the more visibility the more criticism. It goes with the territory and no coach is immune. All you have to do is look at the NDSU fan forum and the comments after the ISU playoff game. You would have thought their team was 0-14 with some of the comments. Not trying to hit on the Bison fans at all, they are some of the most passionate fans out there and nobody can claim they are not supportive or wishy-washy. They pack that stadium and also travel well. Still, success breeds incredibly high expectations...some would say unreasonable. I want to be buying an ISU National Football Championship T-shirt as much as anyone on this forum but Coach Spack has done an amazing job during his tenure here, especially at a Basketball school, which is what it was when I attended (I despise basketball...full disclosure). Just the fact that the ISU football fan base EXPECT winning seasons and making the playoffs is proof positive that Coach Spack has changed the culture. 6-5 at one time would have been, "hey...winning season..great!" Now with 6-5, it is, "what the hell is going on? We did not make the playoffs! Coaches suck!" Congrats and thanks Coach Spack! You have made us all discontent with just winning and made us set very high expectations for your program! Very well done! :dance:

 

[Total Red]

Lets pile it on some more. He took the program from near bottom to the top of MVFC in the APR rankings. APR basically measure how well you recruit kids that stay eligible and eventually graduate.

Great stuff fourth. A lot of programs talk about establishing a culture of winning but here it has gone beyond that. Under Coach Spack Redbird Football has established a culture of excelling in the classroom. Student-athletes are getting high grades and diplomas. It gets contagious and no one wants to be left out. That helps it all areas. It's becomes a selling point for recruits and families. It keeps current players eligible and with peace of mind that they aren't constantly on the edge of academic default. It will help in the future as our football grads continue to succeed after their playing days are over and they can help the next generation.
It's a culture of winning off the field and on.

 

[chuckie1980]

The Illini should try and learn something from Brock and the Redbirds. Josh Whitman and Lovie Smith would be so happy.

 

[Redbirds100]

I hope the Illini learn how to lose on September 4th...........

 

[DaveBird10]

I hope the Illini learn how to lose on September 4th...........

You mean remember how to lose. They've been losing a lot, kinda sad when we get 6 wins and our fan base is upset but Illinois applauds a 6-7 season.

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