It has been stated that NIU has aspirations of being the midwest version of Boise State - the midmajor program consistently on the cusp of being a national power, albeit on a smaller scale. While the last few years have certainly raised the national profile, there is cause for concern.

NIU has had the great fortune of identifing a trio of coaches - Joe Novak, Jerry Kill, and Dave Doeren - who have all played a significant role in leading the program to national prominence. Sadly, the current coach has started a downward spiral that has to frighten Huskie fans.

Problems began immediately in the Carey tenure. To the surprise of many, the NIU defense proved stout in the Orange Bowl. If not for Coach Carey's insistence in pounding Jordan Lynch up the gut time and time again, we may have witnessed a different result. It was no great secret that the Florida State interior line was bigger and more athletic than any NIU had faced - yet they went after them like they were playing Central Michigan. It is the responsibility of the head coach to make game plans and adjustments based on an opponents strengths, weaknesses, and tendencies. This was the first glimpse of Coach Carey's inability to be proactive in his game management. Does anyone really think if Dave Doeren was still at the helm the NIU offense would have struggled so mightily?

The second signature loss for Carey was the undressing in the MAC title game. The disparity on the preparedness of the two teams was startling. Bowling Green outplayed NIU, obviously, but of more concern was how badly NIU was outcoached. It is one thing for a defense to give up big plays - it is a different thing entirely when a defense is beaten because opposing receivers are consistently BEHIND a zone. It was inexplicable that the Huskies could not make adjustments to counter what Bowling Green was doing to them. From the opening moments of that game, NIU appeared ill-prepared to take on the Falcons and Carey's inability to lead a team cost the program a second consecutive BCS bowl and millions of dollars.

Questionable game management decisions are also a concern. The concept of a fake punt is to achieve the desired result of a play through deception. The fake punt against Arkansas was almost comical it was so obvious NIU was running it. While we are at it, who thought it was a good idea to attempt a 63 yard field goal in the Bowling Green game with a kicker who could barely make an extra point? And maybe, just maybe, can we retire the silly pooch kick?

These are nit-picky things, but having an unsettled quarterback situation five weeks into the season is inexcusable. There is a reason no team EVER has employed a rotating QB system with success. In fact, the concept has rarely been attempted because it is fundamentally unsound. Football is a game of timing, continuity, nuance and rhythm. None of these can be easily achieved without a consistent presence under center. The rotating quarterback system screams amateurish, gimmicky, and more appropriate for a Pop Warner team than a team that should be aspiring to play in significant bowl games.

Carey supporters will point to the win/loss record as proof this coaching regime is steering the ship properly. However, NIU is significantly more talented than the inferior teams of the MAC and there is not a single one of these games that should not have been a win. What should bring pause is how NIU has struggled to win games that should have been walks in the park. Idaho, Eastern Illinois, and Kent State immediately come to mind. Again, a coaching staff that does not have a superior team prepared will eventually suffer the repercussions of their deficiencies.

Whether or not you agree with me, one thing should stand out and speak volumes. In an era where mid major coaches are stolen away by bigger schools as quickly as they can put together one good season - Carey is still in DeKalb. Has anyone even heard rumors he is being courted by any other school? No other program is interested in a coach that is better suited to work in high school.

Jordan Lynch was 15/41 passing in the Orange Bowl. The only scholarship RB NIU had for that game was Daniels, and he was so banged up he missed the entire next season with his injury. That was a coaching loss? Right.

Rod Carey is 16-4 as head coach. He's 3-0 against the Big Ten. He's never lost a regular season conference game. He's never lost a home game. He's lost a grand total of 1 road game. They're a MAC school who lost a Heisman finalist and a first round pick, and they're 4-1 with a win over a Big Ten school.

It took Doeren until after his second year to get hired away, and Carey has nowhere near the resume of Doeren.

Get the hell over yourself. Good God.

And one last thing, Florida one a National Championship playing two QBs, so to say it never worked is factually incorrect.

(10-05-2014 06:00 PM)VegasHuskie Wrote:  It has been stated that NIU has aspirations of being the midwest version of Boise State - the midmajor program consistently on the cusp of being a national power, albeit on a smaller scale. While the last few years have certainly raised the national profile, there is cause for concern.

NIU has had the great fortune of identifing a trio of coaches - Joe Novak, Jerry Kill, and Dave Doeren - who have all played a significant role in leading the program to national prominence. Sadly, the current coach has started a downward spiral that has to frighten Huskie fans.

Problems began immediately in the Carey tenure. To the surprise of many, the NIU defense proved stout in the Orange Bowl. If not for Coach Carey's insistence in pounding Jordan Lynch up the gut time and time again, we may have witnessed a different result. It was no great secret that the Florida State interior line was bigger and more athletic than any NIU had faced - yet they went after them like they were playing Central Michigan. It is the responsibility of the head coach to make game plans and adjustments based on an opponents strengths, weaknesses, and tendencies. This was the first glimpse of Coach Carey's inability to be proactive in his game management. Does anyone really think if Dave Doeren was still at the helm the NIU offense would have struggled so mightily?

The second signature loss for Carey was the undressing in the MAC title game. The disparity on the preparedness of the two teams was startling. Bowling Green outplayed NIU, obviously, but of more concern was how badly NIU was outcoached. It is one thing for a defense to give up big plays - it is a different thing entirely when a defense is beaten because opposing receivers are consistently BEHIND a zone. It was inexplicable that the Huskies could not make adjustments to counter what Bowling Green was doing to them. From the opening moments of that game, NIU appeared ill-prepared to take on the Falcons and Carey's inability to lead a team cost the program a second consecutive BCS bowl and millions of dollars.

Questionable game management decisions are also a concern. The concept of a fake punt is to achieve the desired result of a play through deception. The fake punt against Arkansas was almost comical it was so obvious NIU was running it. While we are at it, who thought it was a good idea to attempt a 63 yard field goal in the Bowling Green game with a kicker who could barely make an extra point? And maybe, just maybe, can we retire the silly pooch kick?

These are nit-picky things, but having an unsettled quarterback situation five weeks into the season is inexcusable. There is a reason no team EVER has employed a rotating QB system with success. In fact, the concept has rarely been attempted because it is fundamentally unsound. Football is a game of timing, continuity, nuance and rhythm. None of these can be easily achieved without a consistent presence under center. The rotating quarterback system screams amateurish, gimmicky, and more appropriate for a Pop Warner team than a team that should be aspiring to play in significant bowl games.

Carey supporters will point to the win/loss record as proof this coaching regime is steering the ship properly. However, NIU is significantly more talented than the inferior teams of the MAC and there is not a single one of these games that should not have been a win. What should bring pause is how NIU has struggled to win games that should have been walks in the park. Idaho, Eastern Illinois, and Kent State immediately come to mind. Again, a coaching staff that does not have a superior team prepared will eventually suffer the repercussions of their deficiencies.

Whether or not you agree with me, one thing should stand out and speak volumes. In an era where mid major coaches are stolen away by bigger schools as quickly as they can put together one good season - Carey is still in DeKalb. Has anyone even heard rumors he is being courted by any other school? No other program is interested in a coach that is better suited to work in high school.

This post is super dumb. We're 4-1! In a transition year!

Also, which jobs were open that were good fits for Carey last year? Were there any BigTen openings?

I'm assuming you're referencing coaches getting hired after one year are Freeze and Malzahn? Those guys had ties to the schools they went to and one was a coordinator for a national championship team two years before.

If a BigTen job opens, I guarantee you hear his name. Especially considering he's far more successful than Beckman and Hazell have been in big ten play with about 25 less games than one and 10 than the other against big trn opponents. I believe he has more than them combined in about 45-50 total big trn games.

Is there a bridge in DeKalb high enough for all of us to jump off of and die successfully? Let's die as a team.

I must confess I did not read the entire post at the beginning of this thread because it seemed really depressing. My perspective is this. Even though I like to nitpick the **** out of our games after the fact I am enjoying this season for what it is. I expected this team to go 8 and 4 or worse so what they're achieving with young players in so many key positions is a pleasant surprise. Warts and all, this team is ahead of plan. Even though Kent was an ugly win I enjoyed the fact that our boys were able to dig in and find a way. See you in DeKalb in 6 days! Enjoy these fun times!

(10-05-2014 06:25 PM)NIU1981 Wrote:  I must confess I did not read the entire post at the beginning of this thread because it seemed really depressing. My perspective is this. Even though I like to nitpick the **** out of our games after the fact I am enjoying this season for what it is. I expected this team to go 8 and 4 or worse so what they're achieving with young players in so many key positions is a pleasant surprise. Warts and all, this team is ahead of plan. Even though Kent was an ugly win I enjoyed the fact that our boys were able to dig in and find a way. See you in DeKalb in 6 days! Enjoy these fun times!

Look what Kent State has done after giving NIU a run in the MACC and nearly getting to a BCS game. That could easily happen to NIU....it could've happened multiple times (Harnish leaving, Lynch leaving, the coaching carousel) and yet SOMEHOW NIU manages to not fall off the cliff.

As annoying as yesterdays win was, an annoying win beats being 0-5....ask a fan of the Golden Flashes. Also ask them what a golden flash is. I assume it's when a tan person flashes you.

*** **** I hope you don't talk about NIU football outside of this message board. You're an idiot.

(10-05-2014 06:08 PM)7 Wrote:  And one last thing, Florida one a National Championship playing two QBs, so to say it never worked is factually incorrect.

Leak was the unquestioned starter for the entire season playing about 85% of the time. Rotating QB's because no one pulls away or the coach cannot make a decision is very different than what Florida did. Tebow played special running packages and his time at QB actually passing the ball was minimal. To say Florida was playing two QB's is reaching. That's like saying the 2011 Huskie team played two QB's.

(10-05-2014 06:16 PM)The Frisky Biscuit Wrote:  Is there a bridge in DeKalb high enough for all of us to jump off of and die successfully? Let's die as a team.

This made me laugh. Well done.

It's time we get back to what's important. What uniform combination will the Huskies be wearing for Homecoming?

(10-05-2014 07:19 PM)HUSKIEFOOTBALLFAN Wrote:  It's time we get back to what's important. What uniform combination will the Huskies be wearing for Homecoming?

My guess would be the old blacks with red trim (if those are even an option anymore) or the Dark Dog uni's, as the game is a blackout.

They said it was a blackout. Soooo Black on black??? Dark Dogs?

Carey deserves the benefit of the doubt going forward, the way the QB situation was handled this year, that's totally fair game. He has not handled that well , at all.

This thread is the definition of a paradox.

On one hand it's the dumbest freaking thing ever posted on this Board by someone not name dalum or whiskeydick.

On the other hand, there is a piece of me that thinks that over time this post may prove to be surprisingly accurate.

Time will tell.

(10-05-2014 08:05 PM)scottiep12 Wrote:  This thread is the definition of a paradox.

On one hand it's the dumbest freaking thing ever posted on this Board by someone not name dalum or whiskeydick.

On the other hand, there is a piece of me that thinks that over time this post may prove to be surprisingly accurate.

Time will tell.

Ha, there's only 3 options for the future....good, bad, or mediocre....it's not that hard to be right. You've got a one in three shot.

Unless you win them all you are a failure. Look at how far we have come. I guess Players believe in Carey and his staff by the looks of our best recruiting class in NIU history in the making for 2015.
I think I will stick with the guy for a few more years.

lol. joins board in september. makes two posts. second post the 4-1 team coached by a 15-4 coach is an utter failure. the sky is falling. illusions of grandeur are foolish, next stop, the basement with EMU/Miami/UMass.

get over yourself, what's your basis for this argument? a close shave with Kent State? do yourself a favor and research some history. A 2011 Huskies got pistol whipped by Wisc and still managed to go on to win the MAC and give rise to a fantastic 2012 team. We don't rebuild, we reload. Is Carey the next Bear Bryant? Probably not. Will he move up? I'm willing to gamble yes. How fast? Probably not this season. Doeren went way to quickly. I think if he stuck around for last season NIU would have finished better and he probably wouldn't have gone to a cellar ACC team.