Offensive Coaching Changes

[TreRoberson4Heisman]

I’ve been told there was a great deal of controversy in the film room. Especially with WR and RB...maybe why they’re gone. Ie. counting missed blocks and assignments.

For instance, heard after one game RB (inferring Coach C) reported a single digit missed assignment report to Spack... and Spack counted over 20.

 

[fourthandshort]

varedbird .. 2 posts .. a troll's troll, no doubt

Did we not throw the ball more last year with Anthony Warrum?

Did a true Freshman in Robinson not have competition with DeMarco Corbin and George Moreira? Was Robinson also not banged up at times last year?

Conrad was a hell of a RB coach at ISU, that I do know.

Agree with point you are making.

Robinson was not quite ready last year - knock on him was he was not in great shape, and as a true FR had only summer ball to get ready with team. Moreira was the better back early last season, but he got injured. Then Robinson began to got more reps, before he got injured, and came back out of shape for playoff game. But then took of 10 lbs in offseason, and came back in very good shape. But we also had Jamal Towns and DeMarco Corbin .. both of whom ran very well. Then we lose 3 of our 4 headed RB monster form a year ago .. 1 graduated, 1 injured and left, 1 pushed out maybe.

And now this year, we come back with a improved Robinson, a greyshirt transfer Smith, plus 2 more good young ones . Jordan Birch and Artis Henderson. In 2 years since Coprich, our RB position has been stacked 3-4 deep with good to very good RBs.

Don't know who our newest Troll is .. but someone is responsible for recruiting and coaching our RBs. It only stands to reason Conard played an important part in our strong RB group.

Now maybe Conard wanted more love or consideration for OC spot .. who knows. But not every good position coach will make for good Coordinator. Former WR Coach Stubblefield is good example .. so he moved on to FBS level as WR position coach. it is what it is in this industry.

p.s. as if this needs to be said .. i say this a matter of opinion based on many things .. speculative and factual. But certainly not claiming my opinions are the "gospel truth".

 

[Redbirdfan21]

Conard resigned. Confirmed by Reinhardt Twitter

 

[Chi-bird]

Maybe the "troll" is actually someone in the know....or maybe he's not. Let's not judge someone just because their post count. Many a great redbird fans and posters were moved to join the board based on wanting to post or respond to something that confrontational.

 

[Seeing Red]

This stinks...

Randy Reinhardt
Illinois State running backs coach Lamar Conard has confirmed he has resigned from the Redbird staff.

 

[fourthandshort]

Maybe the "troll" is actually someone in the know....or maybe he's not. Let's not judge someone just because their post count. Many a great redbird fans and posters were moved to join the board based on wanting to post or respond to something that confrontational.

I'm judging him for the post .. no different than he judged everyone else here .. except he only has 2 posts.

 

[fourthandshort]

I’ve been told there was a great deal of controversy in the film room. Especially with WR and RB...maybe why they’re gone. Ie. counting missed blocks and assignments.

For instance, heard after one game RB (inferring Coach C) reported a single digit missed assignment report to Spack... and Spack counted over 20.

interesting if true .. that would be a problem if he was in fact protecting his position group at expense of team. Its fine to be a stud RB, but you have to do your entire job, so others can do their jobs too.

was your source reliable in you eyes ?

 

[TreRoberson4Heisman]

I’ve been told there was a great deal of controversy in the film room. Especially with WR and RB...maybe why they’re gone. Ie. counting missed blocks and assignments.

For instance, heard after one game RB (inferring Coach C) reported a single digit missed assignment report to Spack... and Spack counted over 20.

interesting if true .. that would be a problem if he was in fact protecting his position group at expense of team. Its fine to be a stud RB, but you have to do your entire job, so others can do their jobs too.

was your source reliable in you eyes ?

Very reliable. Family ties to a member of the staff. Would be tough to hear if this is a common practice in regards to not holding your position group accountable.

 

[varedbird]

ok post 3 since you all can count.
btw Ive been on here 6 years.
had to change name this summer when they re did the redbird site. I couldnt use my old acct for whatever reason.

Maybe just Maybe Spack knows what hes doing,,, Just think he has 30 years or so of experience.
Purdue- then Wyoming- then back to Purdue- now Redbirds for 8 years.

Yes the running game was the only thing good the offense had this year.
Dudes take a breath.. Breath...
Spack and company made the changes they thought they needed to.
They the coaches want to win also.

Whoever called me a troll- go have a drink!

 

[Redbirdfan21]

https://twitter.com/pg_reinhardt/status/939684465504411648

 

[Reggie]

Hate to see Conard go. Seemed to be a good RB coach, and great recruiter. Hopefully his replacement can fill both roles.

 

[JHBird]

You guys are a trip.. Your expertise is all founded on what you think might be going on.. and then you all talk about it like its the gospel truth.
Spack made decisions to help this program.. This program needed help! badly- the offense has been horrible.

Lamar Conrad didnt recuit Coprich or Robinson. Hes out because his rb coaching qualities are lacking.
This is a D1 level program. Even the coaches have to perform! period
Lamar is the coach that held robinson on the bench a season ago and barely played him.
Barely played the player that has more yards than anyone in Illinois history of high school football.

Good job Spack on cleaning house.. All three of those guys needed to be gone!

No need to respond- just have a drink or two
Call one of your friends that cares what u think..
I do not!

Two years ago when they announced their recruits on signing day, I figured Robinson was the key one. With all those yards in Highschool I was thinking he could be our next big time back. During the recruiting event at Hancock somebody asked Brock which of these guys would probably play immediately. He went down the list, most of them he said would be redshirted, some are ready now, etc, but when he got to Robinson he said he would probably redshirt. That answer kind of had me miffed a bit. Of course he played and looked great. Makes me wonder if they weren't as sold on him at first. They being the coaches have to make that call and it's not always correct. But I wanted to see more of Robinson in his first year, and I'm glad he got the chance.

 

[fourthandshort]

You guys are a trip.. Your expertise is all founded on what you think might be going on.. and then you all talk about it like its the gospel truth.
Spack made decisions to help this program.. This program needed help! badly- the offense has been horrible.

Lamar Conrad didnt recuit Coprich or Robinson. Hes out because his rb coaching qualities are lacking.
This is a D1 level program. Even the coaches have to perform! period
Lamar is the coach that held robinson on the bench a season ago and barely played him.
Barely played the player that has more yards than anyone in Illinois history of high school football.

Good job Spack on cleaning house.. All three of those guys needed to be gone!

No need to respond- just have a drink or two
Call one of your friends that cares what u think..
I do not!

Two years ago when they announced their recruits on signing day, I figured Robinson was the key one. With all those yards in Highschool I was thinking he could be our next big time back. During the recruiting event at Hancock somebody asked Brock which of these guys would probably play immediately. He went down the list, most of them he said would be redshirted, some are ready now, etc, but when he got to Robinson he said he would probably redshirt. That answer kind of had me miffed a bit. Of course he played and looked great. Makes me wonder if they weren't as sold on him at first. They being the coaches have to make that call and it's not always correct. But I wanted to see more of Robinson in his first year, and I'm glad he got the chance.

They also burned Coprich's redshirt his 1st year .. which proved to be big mistake. Other point about Robinson, he was not in good shape when he got here ... clearly very talented, but not in FCS shape. So he shared the role with Towns, Moreira, and Corbin .. all of whom could run as well .. and all did well a year ago, though Moreira and Robinson both got injured.

 

[JHBird]

I miss Demarco Corbin. I read he was dismissed from the team. It's a shame, but you have to trust the coaches on that. He could really run with power though...fun to watch.

 

[Virginia Redbird]

I miss Demarco Corbin. I read he was dismissed from the team. It's a shame, but you have to trust the coaches on that. He could really run with power though...fun to watch.

I agree...I have no idea what the reason for his departure was but i really enjoyed watching Corbin run, except for the two fumbles at USD, I thought he was fun hard runner to watch.

 

[fourthandshort]

I miss Demarco Corbin. I read he was dismissed from the team. It's a shame, but you have to trust the coaches on that. He could really run with power though...fun to watch.

I agree...I have no idea what the reason for his departure was but i really enjoyed watching Corbin run, except for the two fumbles at USD, I thought he was fun hard runner to watch.

Agreed, he was going to be a stud ... he cost us that game, but I don't believe he ever fumbled again after that game ?

Add it up post Coprich who got 95% of carries his last 2 years. Since then ... Towns, Moreira, Corbin, Robinson, Smith, Birch, Henderson ... the later 2 have more proving to do, but looked pretty good playing behind suspect OL earlier this year. The depth of RB talent post Coprich has been impressive.

But IF (emphasis on IF) it is true that the RB coach was not holding his RBs accountable and fudging their non-rushing stats for grading out his RBs ... not good at all. They have to do their entire job, like everyone else .. especially including pass blocking behind a struggling OL.

 

[BallwinBird2012]

Unfortunate for Conard. He is a really nice guy and definitely a good coach. Not sure that we'll really find out exactly where the disconnect was, but I'd have to think getting passed over for OC after he's been on staff for 9 years might have played a part in it. I guess it's possible that he didn't want it, but most position coaches eventually want to move up the ladder. Maybe he felt like he had done all that he was going to be able to do at ISU and was just ready to move on. Pair that with a down year and possibly messing with or disagreeing with Spack over stats and... Oh well. All the best to Conard. Good guy.

 

[crazzymark]

I agree with forth - need the OC first.

By the way - crazzymark obvious made back to computer after his wonderful display in Section AA the other night at Redbird Arena.

Well what do ya know...I have minions...so what did the follower say in section AA? BTW...rather go to the women's game with the knowledge of realistically to know what to expect from the view on this board thank you and Merry Christmas ccasion-santa:

 

[fourthandshort]

Unfortunate for Conard. He is a really nice guy and definitely a good coach. Not sure that we'll really find out exactly where the disconnect was, but I'd have to think getting passed over for OC after he's been on staff for 9 years might have played a part in it. I guess it's possible that he didn't want it, but most position coaches eventually want to move up the ladder. Maybe he felt like he had done all that he was going to be able to do at ISU and was just ready to move on. Pair that with a down year and possibly messing with or disagreeing with Spack over stats and... Oh well. All the best to Conard. Good guy.

this scenario makes the most sense. Our RB group is stacked. Our OL group should be mot improved position group next season. Ought to be easy to find a good up & comer RB coach who knows the position.

 

[BallwinBird2012]

On a related note, kudos to Spack for being able to do what he felt needed to be done to keep moving this program forward. Brock is a pretty loyal dude, and three of the four coaches he let go or that have moved on were former players for him. Would have been a lot easier to keep them around, but ultimately not the right move for the team.

Is this the first time Spack has let assistants go at ISU? Obviously some have moved on on their own accord, but I can't think of any that he has let go.