If MadBird's numbers are correct the Redbirds have just been a bit better than a .500 team other than the years Tre was under center. I don't know if those are just regular-season games or include playoff games but I think it shows the importance of the QB position to a football team.By my figgerin', 29-24 since Tre. For the record, 33-24 before Tre. 23-5 in 14 & 15.
If MadBird's numbers are correct the Redbirds have just been a bit better than a .500 team other than the years Tre was under center. I don't know if those are just regular-season games or include playoff games but I think it shows the importance of the QB position to a football team.
We caught lightening in a bottle. We may never see that type of talent on both sides of the ball at the same time again.By my figgerin', 29-24 since Tre. For the record, 33-24 before Tre. 23-5 in 14 & 15.
Years | Head Coach | Seasons | W | L | T | Win Pct |
1977-80 | Charlie Cowdrey | 4 | 12 | 31 | 1 | .284 |
1981-87 | Bob Otolski | 7 | 30 | 40 | 3 | .426 |
1988-95 | Jim Heacock | 8 | 37 | 49 | 2 | .432 |
1996-99 | Todd Berry | 4 | 24 | 24 | 0 | .500 |
2000-08 | Denver Johnson | 9 | 48 | 54 | 0 | .471 |
2009- | Brock Spack | 11 | 84 | 50 | 0 | .627 |
Interesting that no other coach has a winning percentage overall above .500. I would make an educated guess that if Berry had stayed longer he would be over .500. I think it should be said that I don't think anyone is saying Coach Spack has not been great for the program and brought the Birds consistent success. The next step though is to win Championships. It is the unhappy reality for coaches that when they build a successful program the fan base is elated at first. Then the tough thing is to take the next step. That is where Coach Spack is now. Is he a little better than .500 coach that will get the team into the playoffs and every few years make a run but eventually crash out or does he get the team over the hump to lift the national championship trophy? Success breeds high expectations. Maybe too high in some cases. My own opinion is that if the Birds had better QB play they may well have gotten over the hump. In today's game, I don't think great defense and a solid running attack is going to win a Championship all alone. Spack is the only ISU Coach with a winning career record since 1977. No doubt he has been great for the program. The next challenge is a national championship. Not certain at this point he can take the Birds to that level. We will see...WL records for ISU football coaches in the DI era...
Years Head Coach Seasons W L T Win Pct 1977-80 Charlie Cowdrey 4 12 31 1 .284 1981-87 Bob Otolski 7 30 40 3 .426 1988-95 Jim Heacock 8 37 49 2 .432 1996-99 Todd Berry 4 24 24 0 .500 2000-08 Denver Johnson 9 48 54 0 .471 2009- Brock Spack 11 84 50 0 .627
Spack's Win Pct ex-Tre is .575 (61-45). Doesn't include Spring '21, but the pct wouldn't change much.
If records were adjusted based on strength of schedule, Spacks record would stand out even more. The MVFC has clearly been the strongest conference since 2010 ... even excluding NDSU, the MVFC has the best playoff record of any conference ... only Colonial is kind of close when we exclude NDSU. Ive posted these playoff game comparisons before .. it aint close at all when including NDSU of course. And during that time NDSU has knocked 7 very good MVFC teams out of the playoffs or those teams could arguably gone further.WL records for ISU football coaches in the DI era...
Years Head Coach Seasons W L T Win Pct 1977-80 Charlie Cowdrey 4 12 31 1 .284 1981-87 Bob Otolski 7 30 40 3 .426 1988-95 Jim Heacock 8 37 49 2 .432 1996-99 Todd Berry 4 24 24 0 .500 2000-08 Denver Johnson 9 48 54 0 .471 2009- Brock Spack 11 84 50 0 .627
Spack's Win Pct ex-Tre is .575 (61-45). Doesn't include Spring '21, but the pct wouldn't change much.
NDS is has a very unique roster over the years seeing quite a variety of kids especially GA/FL/WIS/Minn LOL how are they getting FL kids to come up north ! Um indoor facilities !I do believe we can build a National Champ with a majority of high school recruits (and only a couple of JUCOs and/or FBS transfers). NDState has done it perennially with the states of MN, ND, SD and NE for years.
The Dakota schools, including DII schools, seem to be able to get kids from California, Arizona and other southern states. Not sure what the attraction is. We've had our share of Florida kids. And Texas.NDS is has a very unique roster over the years seeing quite a variety of kids especially GA/FL/WIS/Minn LOL how are they getting FL kids to come up north ! Um indoor facilities !
Looking back at how Berry coached I can only guess what would happen if he would have stayed. He was not very successful when he left here. One winning season after he left not so good. Not sure that means anything and going to a Military academy is nuts in my opinion. Also he really loved the trick play. I can imagine how this board would light him up after too many failed trick plays that cost us games! I will say taking a hot garbage ISU program and getting them to where he did so quick is impressive. He also struck lightining in a bottle with his RBs and QBs.Just to be clear, I'm not sure what tgate's "motives" were to ask the question in the first place, but I just put the numbers out there. I've seen them all - plus Gerry Hart and Larry Bitcon - and there's no one, maybe other than Todd Barry, I'd rather have than Coach Spack.
Would be nice if he could line up another Matt Brown or Tre or even Jeff Kolbe. Maybe that guy's already with us.