FIRE BROCK SPACK

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Redbird28

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RB28

Sure, but I did a deeper dive, as I' am prone to do at times :rolleyes: o_O and if you look at who Peterson inherited at QB from the 2020 team. Then add Rutgers QB transfer, who was rated last in Big 10 by 24/7 for the 2020 Rutger season, Peterson's his QB room was pretty bad in 2021 at U of I. Also read Peters, who once showed promise, was in and out of concussion protocols heading into 2021, and they had bad #2 and #3.

Then for 2022 season, Syracuse 5th year QB transfer (DeVito) comes in and becomes a top QB in the Big 10 .. currently a 146 QB rating is #5 but right behind #3, .. 70% completion rate is #1, 15 TDs to 3 picks. His Pick to Pass Rate is about 1 pick per 95 passes.

So U of I QB position went from last in 2020, with no upgrades for 2021, and U of I now has top quartile level QB in 2022. So Peterson had nothing to work in 2021. Not to mention, the defense went from last in 2020 to #6 in 2021, to #2 in 2022 .. so offense is on the field a lot more in 2022. So lot going well for 2022 U of I team compared to 2020 team .. though slipping of last couple games.

2020 U of I QB stats inherited by Peterson, plus a bad Rutgers transfer Sitkowski who's only year starting ar Rutgers was 2018, ended with 4 TDs and 18 picks .. granted Rutgers was horrible in 2018.

#PlayerGPRatingCOMPATTINT%YDSTDLongAVG/G
18Peters, Brandon5106.173980048.75 %42932885.80
1Williams, Isaiah6108.272663241.27 %39344665.50

Sure - but to quote MadBird - the stats are what the stats are. People expected more out of Peters, who was definitely capable. DeVito makes quick decisions and delivers the ball on time. It's served him well. QB's aside, the bottom line is Bielema didn't like what he saw out of Petersen, and it had to be more than just in games, for him to pull the trigger so quickly into his 3 year contract. By no means am I saying we should cut ties with Petersen at this point. I'm just saying it's definitely something to watch going forward. If the trends he is producing the past 2 years don't begin showing signs of life then perhaps Petersen's philosophy has been passed by with regards to the college game itself. It's not that he's "forgotten his good stuff as @MadBird joked, but maybe more that the book is out on how to defend it.

Further, I don't have the time to verify it, but I suspect when Petersen has had success I'm guessing it's most likely been because he has competent QB, AND a robust WR room. It seems most of us feel like we have found the QB, but the consensus seems to be that the WR Room needs a ton of work seeing as how a walk on can come on and be the leader in the clubhouse.

What I haven't liked this year is how we didn't scheme to get the ball into Taula's hands way more than we did. He was clearly one of our top playmakers when we throw it, and he presents a mismatch out there. For him to only have 1 TD at this point seems criminal given his mismatch potential. I also feel like we also should have been working to get it into Jalen Carr's hands more as well. You can't teach speed. Anyway, at this point it is what it is, we just need to beat WIU and end with a winning record.
 

fourthandshort

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Sure - but to quote MadBird - the stats are what the stats are. People expected more out of Peters, who was definitely capable. DeVito makes quick decisions and delivers the ball on time. It's served him well. QB's aside, the bottom line is Bielema didn't like what he saw out of Petersen, and it had to be more than just in games, for him to pull the trigger so quickly into his 3 year contract. By no means am I saying we should cut ties with Petersen at this point. I'm just saying it's definitely something to watch going forward. If the trends he is producing the past 2 years don't begin showing signs of life then perhaps Petersen's philosophy has been passed by with regards to the college game itself. It's not that he's "forgotten his good stuff as @MadBird joked, but maybe more that the book is out on how to defend it.

Further, I don't have the time to verify it, but I suspect when Petersen has had success I'm guessing it's most likely been because he has competent QB, AND a robust WR room. It seems most of us feel like we have found the QB, but the consensus seems to be that the WR Room needs a ton of work seeing as how a walk on can come on and be the leader in the clubhouse.

What I haven't liked this year is how we didn't scheme to get the ball into Taula's hands way more than we did. He was clearly one of our top playmakers when we throw it, and he presents a mismatch out there. For him to only have 1 TD at this point seems criminal given his mismatch potential. I also feel like we also should have been working to get it into Jalen Carr's hands more as well. You can't teach speed. Anyway, at this point it is what it is, we just need to beat WIU and end with a winning record.
you could be right .. I just like his pedigree showing he's been there and done that on sidelines and on field. I'm tired of inexperienced coordinators. I 1000% trust Spack to groom DCs but not OCs .. those guys become yes men. And Beathard also had some pedigree, though not as strong as Peterson's .. and that alone doesn't determine the better OC ... but I'm not sure Beathard had the personality to stand up to Spack when called for .. Beathard was very mild mannered and a guy who didn't seem to make waves. I wnt an OC who will argue with Spack and fight FOR his QB room.

Anyway .. good debate on the most worthy topic IMO ... this is where we fall short when we fall short.
 

crazzymark

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The only thing I can think of the reason firing was when he overruled the offensive coordinator for a prevent offense that lost games.
 

Redbird

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We were so close to losing to an 0-10 team today and y’all still think our situation is ok. We are so conservative on offense and yet the best part of our offense was when we started to throw the ball with our backup as opposed to the constant runs up the middle. This program is stuck. Change is needed. Open your eyes people. This is not ok
 

CaliRdBrd

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The easiest job in the world…being a defensive coordinator the week before a game against the Redbirds.
 

Bird Friend

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Why do you assume people's eyes are closed? I would suggest that most on here are not at all satisfied with the past three seasons. Most want better. And will be demanding should next season be subpar. But most also realize that odds are strongly against Spack being fired.

If someone says they think Spack deserves another year, that isn't a statement that they're ignoring the past three seasons. It's a statement that Spack has a strong history with the program that should give him another year to rectify the situation.

If someone says they think Spack won't be fired, that isn't a statement that they're ignoring the past three seasons. It's a statement that Spack has a strong history with the program and Brennan probably won't fire him this year, but will give him at least another year to rectify the situation.

Both of these "views" also recognize that the Birds did exceed expectations this year. They were picked 8th in the MVFC, they finished 6th. Essentially, that means they were expected to have losing conference and overall records. Well they finished 6-5 (4-4). No, it's not what the fanbase expected or wanted, but is it truly bad enough to warrant firing Spack? Again, considering Spack's history, I'm betting Brennan will give him the benefit of any doubts.

Eyes wide open, seeing as much of the scene as is available to the standard fan.
 

TIMMY

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We were so close to losing to an 0-10 team today and y’all still think our situation is ok. We are so conservative on offense and yet the best part of our offense was when we started to throw the ball with our backup as opposed to the constant runs up the middle. This program is stuck. Change is needed. Open your eyes people. This is not ok.
Well, I'm coming around. Geez, I hate to say it for personal reasons. But as I just texted to another board member. WIU sucks ass. That game was embarrassing. I don't care how beat up we are. I've coached a few games in my life and I don't like what I saw this year and this week.....Awful.
 

MadBird

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Well, I'm coming around. Geez, I hate to say it for personal reasons. But as I just texted to another board member. WIU sucks ass. That game was embarrassing. I don't care how beat up we are. I've coached a few games in my life and I don't like what I saw this year and this week.....Awful.
Amen.

Was having some hard times today watching it unfold - live in person, in the chilly temps and "breeze". At one point, in the first half, the defense was getting called out major league by who I assume was defensive line coach Brian Hendricks. Quite audible on the sidelines. But, you know, didn't seem to have much effect. WIU continue to pound sand.

I apologize to the board for putting the jinx on the Birds today, "calling out" the Turkeynecks for not having a running game. They kicked the Birds around like little girly-men for most of the game. I thought our senior D Line - Deming, Hickox, Lewan -along with LB Zeke, would man up and own the day on Senior Day. Whew. WIU had rushed, as a team, over 150 yds only once in a game all year - until today. Put up 232 on our boys. Birds got used.
 

Virginia Redbird

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I don't think Spack will be fired but not because of anything to do with what happens on the field. I don't see ISU eating his contract. Simple dollars and cents. I fully acknowledge Spack's contributions to ISU football and his impact on the program. He is the winningest coach the Redbirds have ever had, he has taken them to the National Championship game and he has won more than he has lost. Having said all that everything has an endpoint. What has bothered me as this season has moved along is the mental outlook of this football team that Coach Spack has created. He does not trust his offense. I firmly believe that. Several times this year the Birds have gotten a lead and played well in the first half and gone into that conservative comma in the second half. They survived a bunch of games but some of those should not have been so close. When you coach like that it affects all your players mentally. You create a team that hopes not to lose instead of a team that believes it will win. If I am a QB I want a coach that says to me go out there, pick up a couple of first downs, and end this damn game without giving them back the damn ball. Go win it! Not run the ball into the middle of a stacked line three times and punt, my defense will win this for us. Even if they don't pick up the first downs the QB and offense know the coach believes in them and trusts them. So much of this game is mental. It is nothing my own personal perception watching the team this year but they appear to me to be a team that plays not to lose games. That does not build much confidence. Coaches lose confidence in players (Waring) but players can also lose confidence in the coaches. I really wonder after a performance like yesterday against a team the Birds should have easily beaten if that is a factor. If players lose confidence in the coach that team is done!
 

Phantom

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I mean.....if we are going to play the "we were so close" game.......

We were so close to being 7-4 or 8-3 as well. (YSU and SIU games)

It works both ways.
I tweeted about this very thing last night.

We can look at finishing a competitive 6-5 (4-4) with a lot of unknowns coming into the season as something of a success. I mean, at least to the degree we were above .500 and didn't totally implode.

But at the same time, losing to SIU and YSU on last second plays...as much as I despise the coulda, woulda, shoulda game, we were literally 2 friggin plays away from being 8-3 (6-2) and looking at a decent seed in the playoffs.

The typical self-fulfilling prophecy of most Redbird sports being just good enough not to suck continues.
 

Total Red

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We were so close to losing to an 0-10 team today and y’all still think our situation is ok. We are so conservative on offense and yet the best part of our offense was when we started to throw the ball with our backup as opposed to the constant runs up the middle. This program is stuck. Change is needed. Open your eyes people. This is not ok
The runs up the middle led to Rittenhouse pulling the ball out and running 8 yards for our second rushing TD of the game. That play works well when Wright goes for 129 yards to set it up.

Western came out and really tried to open things up. On the first play they threw deep. Our safety was the only one close to the ball. They followed that up with a pitch to a WR who then threw downfield. Sy Dabney picked it off and returned it for a pick six. At the time I didn't think it was a big deal. I thought Western was overmatched and at least they were trying. As it turned out they weren't that overmatched. They ran the ball better than expected and their defense held our offense in check for most of the game. If they hadn't called a play that exceeded their talent they could have won that game. Western listened to their fans and they did not start out conservatively. They didn't play "not to lose". It cost them the game.
 
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Total Red

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The typical self-fulfilling prophecy of most Redbird sports being just good enough not to suck continues.
Aren't most people, and coaches and teams average at most things most of the time? Every game has one winner and one loser. Bell shaped curve.

If you look at Illinois State Football history, Coach Spack has been an exception. You have to go back 60 years to find a football coach with a winning record. But Brock Spack at 95-65 has been well above .500.
 

crazzymark

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When the video feed went out I was into the radio version on varsity network, and how they were talking about Rittenhouse that he might be the starting quarterback next year. I hope not he's a good kid he runs pretty fast and he has a medium arm. But he's just not big enough to play at the high and FCS or a low FBS level grade program. He is perfectly suited for OVC or maybe the pioneer League where the expectations aren't as great and a level of talent is not as overwhelming as it is in the MVFC,AAC or C-USA. So once again he's a good kid very nice but he's just not big enough to lead ISU to national championship , or in a couple years God willing a bowl game.
 

TBS_20

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When the video feed went out I was into the radio version on varsity network, and how they were talking about Rittenhouse that he might be the starting quarterback next year. I hope not he's a good kid he runs pretty fast and he has a medium arm. But he's just not big enough to play at the high and FCS or a low FBS level grade program. He is perfectly suited for OVC or maybe the pioneer League where the expectations aren't as great and a level of talent is not as overwhelming as it is in the MVFC,AAC or C-USA. So once again he's a good kid very nice but he's just not big enough to lead ISU to national championship , or in a couple years God willing a bowl game.
Well, if he can complete the Kenosha hat trick by 17 then I say give him a shot...
 

TBS_20

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Aren't most people, and coaches and teams average at most things most of the time? Every game has one winner and one loser. Bell shaped curve.

If you look at Illinois State Football history, Coach Spack has been an exception. You have to go back 60 years to find a football coach with a winning record. But Brock Spack at 95-65 has been well above .500.
Look at his record 16-22. Clearer story.
 

Total Red

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Look at his record 16-22. Clearer story.
It's not clear where you're getting 16-22. His record over the last 3 seasons is 11-15, over the last 4 seasons it is 21-20. I provided the record for his entire Redbird coaching career but if you want to play the "what have you done for me lately" game his record is 6-5. Not great, but above the historical average for this institution. It needs to improve. He has a good chance to accomplish that.
 
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