Will our Interim AD fire Spack?

[fourthandshort]

rather I said to mind your own business as respects to trying to tell me when/what I should be doing. You can disagree with my posts/opinions all day long but what is the point of trying to tell me what do? That is pointless and a needless waste of my time , your time and anyone else that stumbles across the meaningless post.

Ok, I can appreciate the constructive tone of your response. I think for me, taking all the anti-Spack posts all together on a game day and during the game, I couldn't help but lump it all together as I responded. And I stand by that point completely .. we should take a break from that on game day. So while it may not apply to you, I am quite sure some of the posters who claim to want ISU to win and simply do not with Spack at the helm. If we lose, they get to say I told you so . you saw that as the game looked seriously in doubt. If we win, he is less likely to get pushed out, much less fired before his contract expires ... which is apparently no after 2025, not 2024 ... oh joy, 2 more years of this.

Appreciate your response nonetheless.

 

[isutaz]

I really hope they hire an offensive coach

I'm pretty sure you will be asked to be part of the search committee.

 

[TBS_20]

I'm pretty sure you will be asked to be part of the search committee.

I believe Polian is searching by himself

 

[Chi-bird]

The whole he's been good overall so we must keep him 1 more season is such small minded thinking.

As a Virginia Tech fan, I disagree. Careful what you wish for. Then again some boneheaded Clemson fans, think they should fire Dabo.

 

[TBS_20]

As a Virginia Tech fan, I disagree. Careful what you wish for. Then again some boneheaded Clemson fans, think they should fire Dabo.

As a VT fan you should understand exactly what I'm saying lol

 

[StLRedbird]

These threads are stupid.

 

[Redbird15]

Top Caliber consistent PLAYOFF TEAMS OFFENSIVE STATS ! Look at those teams players individual stats compare to ISU. Yes ISU offense improve ! But when you look at those teams RB's and WR's usage is balance with depth. Look at ISU RB carries/yards between our three head monsters. How many WR/TE's on ISU are in double digits compare to teams listed. That stands out as just be content on making playoffs yr after yr or be above 500 team who keeps dreaming. No one is talking about winning a Championship or building a Championship team. Base on stats either its bad ISU recruiting or overall coaching of building upon players talent or not adjusting some old prior winning concepts that no long work . Its easy to look at offensive stats but those same teams often have above average defensive stats due to competing in practice against good offensive players. Players are the ones who win games by accepting believing in coaches strategies and executing those strategies as a team ! Not a few players. Yes there will be a few that won't in any circumstance. Also some that were believers become complacent due to being confine to stand watch . As some would say ISU & other MFVC teams have been playing behind NDSU/SDSU for years. We can't keep losing puzzle pieces then finding a few to fill those voids but never finishing the puzzle !

2023 Football Cumulative Statistics - South Dakota State University Athletics

The official 2023 Football cumulative statistics for the South Dakota State University Jackrabbits

gojacks.com

2023 Football Cumulative Statistics

The official 2023 Football cumulative statistics for the University of Northern Iowa Panthers

unipanthers.com

2023 Football Cumulative Statistics - University of North Dakota Athletics

The official 2023 Football cumulative statistics for the University of North Dakota Fighting Hawks

fightinghawks.com

2023 Football Cumulative Statistics

The official 2023 Football cumulative statistics for the Southern Illinois University Salukis

siusalukis.com

Report Book (3) (PDF) - Illinois State University Athletics

Report Book (3) (PDF)

goredbirds.com

 

[fourthandshort]

Top Caliber consistent PLAYOFF TEAMS OFFENSIVE STATS ! Look at those teams players individual stats compare to ISU. Yes ISU offense improve ! But when you look at those teams RB's and WR's usage is balance with depth. Look at ISU RB carries/yards between our three head monsters. How many WR/TE's on ISU are in double digits compare to teams listed. That stands out as just be content on making playoffs yr after yr or be above 500 team who keeps dreaming. No one is talking about winning a Championship or building a Championship team. Base on stats either its bad ISU recruiting or overall coaching of building upon players talent or not adjusting some old prior winning concepts that no long work . Its easy to look at offensive stats but those same teams often have above average defensive stats due to competing in practice against good offensive players. Players are the ones who win games by accepting believing in coaches strategies and executing those strategies as a team ! Not a few players. Yes there will be a few that won't in any circumstance. Also some that were believers become complacent due to being confine to stand watch . As some would say ISU & other MFVC teams have been playing behind NDSU/SDSU for years. We can't keep losing puzzle pieces then finding a few to fill those voids but never finishing the puzzle !

2023 Football Cumulative Statistics - South Dakota State University Athletics

The official 2023 Football cumulative statistics for the South Dakota State University Jackrabbits

gojacks.com

2023 Football Cumulative Statistics

The official 2023 Football cumulative statistics for the University of Northern Iowa Panthers

unipanthers.com

2023 Football Cumulative Statistics - University of North Dakota Athletics

The official 2023 Football cumulative statistics for the University of North Dakota Fighting Hawks

fightinghawks.com

2023 Football Cumulative Statistics

The official 2023 Football cumulative statistics for the Southern Illinois University Salukis

siusalukis.com

Report Book (3) (PDF) - Illinois State University Athletics

Report Book (3) (PDF)

goredbirds.com

Well 2014 wasn't much different, putting aside Tre Roberson dual threat rushing. Marshaun had over 90% of our rushing yards for RBs in 2014 and 2015. This season Blakemore has less than 50%. WR/TE production, we've got 3 guys in top 10 again thanks to Kasper getting back on field. But yes, there is big dropoff after that. very similar to 2014 season. Good news is that both Sobkowicz and Kasper are back, though Grandy is gone. That season, we lost all 3 top pass catchers. We also have our top 4 RBs all schedule to return (though someone will transfer as a result).

So while I partly agree, since our WR depth has been decimated by our lackluster/inconsistent pass game the last 5 to 6 seasons. Yet we somehow have 3 top 10 pass catchers in MVFC ... 2 non-schollie guys and a D-II transfer. So probs not the time to look a gift horse in the mouth. But watch our recruitment/portal activity improve after this season when we can put these stats in front of our recruits ... we threw the ball with a lot of success this year finally. My only complaint is we don't get vertical often enough, but this year will help future recruitment a lot. So I'm not complaining with these pass or run game results .. lot coming back and we have our most balanced offense since 2014-15, and arguably our 3rd best offense under Spack era. Assuming we develop Rittenhouse further or find a portal transfer, this is the most optimistic I have been on offense since 2016 with Kolbe, the first year after Roberson/Coprich.

Receiving​

Receiving

Index	Player	G	REC	YDS	TD	LONG	AVG/C	REC/G	AVG/G
1	Sobkowicz,Daniel (Illinois State)	10	66	919	10	62	13.9	6.6	91.9
2	Sharpe,Raylen (Missouri State)	9	65	905	7	46	13.9	7.2	100.6
3	Grandy,Cam (Illinois State)	10	56	539	3	32	9.6	5.6	53.9
4	Parker,Jay (Western Illinois)	10	54	432	2	28	8.0	5.4	43.2
5	Belquist,Bo (North Dakota)	10	53	610	5	41	11.5	5.3	61.0
6	Schnee,Sam (Northern Iowa)	10	49	877	5	66	17.9	4.9	87.7
7	Oliver,Bryce (Youngstown State)	10	45	685	5	71	15.2	4.5	68.5
8	Kasper,Eddie (Illinois State)	9	44	373	1	32	8.5	4.9	41.4
9	Robinson,Jmariyae (Missouri State)	10	42	486	5	27	11.6	4.2	48.6
10	Hartrup,Izaiah (Southern Illinois)	10	40	564	4	45	14.1	4.0	56.4

See dropoff in 2014 after top 3 incl TE that year:

 

[Chi-bird]

I have no fear of taking a swing. We're/I'm talking about being smart about this and being respectful towards our best football ever.

I've already acknowledged both this and last year, his time may be coming to an end. But arguing for being smart and respectful in how we do this.

If we miss playoffs this year, we will be hard pressed to offer a new contract or extension after 2024, unless it comes together next year. I can see defense likely returning to previous Spack levels. But hard to imagine the offense being this strong next year without Annexstad. Though this year may amount to a great auditon for our next QB transfer.

And we'll find out how much OC Peterson impacted our offense or not once Zack is gone. But this is the first time since Matt Brown that a QB was much better in Year 2 than Year 1. Many things usually contribute to things like this .. we'll find out next fall how much OC Peterson has to do with it. But we should be able to attract a decent QB given our offensive production thus season ... that and another TE if needed.

As a VT fan you should understand exactly what I'm saying lol

Yes because replacing Beamer because he wasn’t innovated enough offensively has been great

 

[Redbird15]

Well 2014 wasn't much different, putting aside Tre Roberson dual threat rushing. Marshaun had over 90% of our rushing yards for RBs in 2014 and 2015. This season Blakemore has less than 50%. WR/TE production, we've got 3 guys in top 10 again thanks to Kasper getting back on field. But yes, there is big dropoff after that. very similar to 2014 season. Good news is that both Sobkowicz and Kasper are back, though Grandy is gone. That season, we lost all 3 top pass catchers. We also have our top 4 RBs all schedule to return (though someone will transfer as a result).

So while I partly agree, since our WR depth has been decimated by our lackluster/inconsistent pass game the last 5 to 6 seasons. Yet we somehow have 3 top 10 pass catchers in MVFC ... 2 non-schollie guys and a D-II transfer. So probs not the time to look a gift horse in the mouth. But watch our recruitment/portal activity improve after this season when we can put these stats in front of our recruits ... we threw the ball with a lot of success this year finally. My only complaint is we don't get vertical often enough, but this year will help future recruitment a lot. So I'm not complaining with these pass or run game results .. lot coming back and we have our most balanced offense since 2014-15, and arguably our 3rd best offense under Spack era. Assuming we develop Rittenhouse further or find a portal transfer, this is the most optimistic I have been on offense since 2016 with Kolbe, the first year after Roberson/Coprich.

Receiving​

Receiving

Index	Player	G	REC	YDS	TD	LONG	AVG/C	REC/G	AVG/G
1	Sobkowicz,Daniel (Illinois State)	10	66	919	10	62	13.9	6.6	91.9
2	Sharpe,Raylen (Missouri State)	9	65	905	7	46	13.9	7.2	100.6
3	Grandy,Cam (Illinois State)	10	56	539	3	32	9.6	5.6	53.9
4	Parker,Jay (Western Illinois)	10	54	432	2	28	8.0	5.4	43.2
5	Belquist,Bo (North Dakota)	10	53	610	5	41	11.5	5.3	61.0
6	Schnee,Sam (Northern Iowa)	10	49	877	5	66	17.9	4.9	87.7
7	Oliver,Bryce (Youngstown State)	10	45	685	5	71	15.2	4.5	68.5
8	Kasper,Eddie (Illinois State)	9	44	373	1	32	8.5	4.9	41.4
9	Robinson,Jmariyae (Missouri State)	10	42	486	5	27	11.6	4.2	48.6
10	Hartrup,Izaiah (Southern Illinois)	10	40	564	4	45	14.1	4.0	56.4

See dropoff in 2014 after top 3 incl TE that year:

View attachment 1222

What was ISU problem with peterson last yr with offense and a few prior years ? OL injuries ! Losing three OL to graduation that looks great for offense passing and run game ! The question remain will peterson be back ? How does he truly feel about Rittenhouse ? They went QB shopping early 2yrs ago. Actually I like Rittenhouse game similar to a SIU Baker. But when has ISU recruited and built up a QB. He has been a FBS OC probably was making Spack salary at previous schools as a OC. So coming back to ISU base on OL ? ? on $$$$$$ rebuilding an offense that will lose a few others . Is Peterson a honorable ISU Redbird long term ? or does he go back to FBS OC or If FCS head coach Job come open he jumping ship. I say he is already in the water swimming to shore.

 

[TBS_20]

Yes because replacing Beamer because he wasn’t innovated enough offensively has been great

Like I've said many times before. At least take a swing. Sure you may strike out but you won't forever. Keeping spack is not even swinging. But, for the kids sake I hope they get a chance at the playoffs

 

[fourthandshort]

Yes because replacing Beamer because he wasn’t innovated enough offensively has been great

Only been a Redbird fan since Spack era ... who is Beamer ?

 

[TBS_20]

Only been a Redbird fan since Spack era ... who is Beamer ?

frank beamer the old VT coach (for a very long time)

 

[fourthandshort]

frank beamer the old VT coach (for a very long time)

one of these guys ?

 

[fourthandshort]

frank beamer the old VT coach (for a very long time)

just realized he was the guy Justin Fuente replace ... started well, but fizzled and just fired.

 

[Birgs]

Like I've said many times before. At least take a swing. Sure you may strike out but you won't forever. Keeping spack is not even swinging. But, for the kids sake I hope they get a chance at the playoffs

You keep saying, "Take a swing." Just curious, what type of candidate would be a "home run" for you. Names, please (not just a bogus, cookie cutter "this-type-of-scheme" blather). A realistic, guy that would consider HC at and FCS a step-up that you would warrant as a "home run." Please, enlighten...

 

[TBS_20]

You keep saying, "Take a swing." Just curious, what type of candidate would be a "home run" for you. Names, please (not just a bogus, cookie cutter "this-type-of-scheme" blather). A realistic, guy that would consider HC at and FCS a step-up that you would warrant as a "home run." Please, enlighten...

Zach Lujan (31yo) - OC/QB coach at South Dakota State. Was OC last year during their run, as well

Edit: Stiegelmeier and Rodgers are both defensive coaches so Lujan is behind the offense.

You expected me to say some unrealistic FBS coach. I may be obnoxious but I'm not a moron. No, I'm not Fourth!!!

 

[fourthandshort]

Zach Lujan (31yo) - OC/QB coach at South Dakota State. Was OC last year during their run, as well

Edit: Stiegelmeier and Rodgers are both defensive coaches so Lujan is behind the offense.

You expected me to say some unrealistic FBS coach. I may be obnoxious but I'm not a moron. No, I'm not Fourth!!!

I'll take the well veiled compliment that I'm not obnoxious !

 

[Redbirdwarrior]

I've made this argument in the past: The grass is always greener. I personally think firing the winningest HC in the history of the program on the back of a winning season not only is dumb, but paints the people that demand he be fired as complete morons.

This is the hardest conference in FCS football and ISU wins in it. It is possible you bring in a coach that comes in with some revolutionary process and wins 8-9 games year 1, but in all likelihood, getting rid of Spack sets you up for 2 years of sub 4 wins in the HOPES that culture, recruiting and training will all match up years 3 to produce exactly what you have now, a winning team. You then, in that scenario, have to worry about someone from a big program recruiting your new coach away and starting this whole thing over again in 2027.

I, personally, don't think it would be a good look to build an $11M practice dome for a team that tear it down to the studs and wobble through 2 seasons of being among the worst teams in FCS football. You cant afford a rebuild right now, especially since there is a below average likelihood of that rebuild working in the first place.

 

[TBS_20]

Zach Lajan is better long term considering how he has SDSU pumping again. Somebody will scoop him up. Might as well be us. Look, Brock is already talking about retirement. Let's get this dude while we can. Even Brock himself would understand that.