Better players in a good system in a great environment.

I am sick of hearing about this coach sucks, this coach is great, especially when talking about the same coach. I don't see this incredible level of competence week after week that makes me think we have some "must have" coach. Haven't seen it ever. It's not like coaches leave NIU and then are winning all kinds of titles and championships due to their style, motivation and skills.

We are like FSU, AL, Boise, OSU, etc. In fact, BETTER than them in relation to the rest of our conference vs them in theirs, more so the MAC West. What, 47-3 last 50 conference games? Are you kidding me?

At the same time I am not going to say NIU has had the worst coaches. But I see some pretty strange calls week in and week out. In the MAC, it produces great results. But plain and simple, the name of the game for a head coach is you win, you step up a class.

A decade of winning, 4 head coaches. That's says a lot.

NIU is the middle of domination and out talenting teams. Plain and simple. Sure, a team may have an NFL WR, OL. NIU had one of their greatest players, best QB replaces by a kid who was top 7 (6?) in Heisman 2x! Then, you see an able bodied FR, your #5 QB from Spring depth chart win a game, see depth at wr, rb that seem to get produced at the rate of pennies it is hard to comprehend. Defensively, there have been numerous playmakers come and go.


When you can recruit the South and come up with kids that were all all-conference, 2-3* talent that says a lot. As much as I hate no local tv, thank you ESPN. This would be unheard of years ago, no matter the coach or record. A brand. That is what NIU created. Success that has been unmatched in the MAC.

I am very confused by your parents post

(11-19-2015 11:10 AM)MaddDawgz02 Wrote:  I am very confused by your parents post

Here is your CliffsNotes then...

NIU wins in the MAC, namely the West because of talent. Plain and simple. They have won for a decade, regardless of coach.

People argue about a coach being good, bad, asst fired, head coach of the year, a god and the "see how good is" crew. There are a lot of players currently and in the past that have made coaches look good, especially Carey, who is an average coach. Pooch punts, 45 yd fg into wind, not attempting 50 yrd with wind make me wonder. I don't play Monday Morning qb on every call, but it's a lot easier to overcome mistakes with more talent than your opponent.

isn't a big part of COACHING, finding and developing talent? You think these guys just showed up one day in Dekalb?

How anyone can second guess the coaching acumen of Carey or any of the assistants, given their record is beyond comprehension. The bottom line is nobody in the country wins more games with less than the Huskies.......and, that, is coaching.

(11-19-2015 12:19 PM)cagy cager Wrote:  isn't a big part of COACHING, finding and developing talent? You think these guys just showed up one day in Dekalb?

How anyone can second guess the coaching acumen of Carey or any of the assistants, given their record is beyond comprehension. The bottom line is nobody in the country wins more games with less than the Huskies.......and, that, is coaching.

Exactly, Cager. While it's very simple to sit at home and shake my head about pooch punts, two point conversions at times against "the book", and long field goals into the wind, I hope I have enough knowledge to really understand that these games are truly won during practice, they are just played on game day.

I'm sure these coaches work their butts off to prepare the kids. NIU is better than teams because they are deeper. Look at the QB position, since the beginning of last year, we have had at least four play, lost two this year for the season, one last year switched positions, then schools. Another, the prodigy, left for his home state---and then four or five or six deep---we have someone come in mid game and beat Toledo, then Buffalo, then WMU. That doesn't happen to most teams. That happens because we recruit the right kids, they understand and then the coaches prepare them for the "next man up" stuff. I know it's cliche, but what else can explain it.

It's very easy to judge coaches on things we see. However, they do their real work when we aren't watching.

(11-19-2015 12:42 PM)Milwaukee Pilot Wrote:  

(11-19-2015 12:19 PM)cagy cager Wrote:  isn't a big part of COACHING, finding and developing talent? You think these guys just showed up one day in Dekalb?

How anyone can second guess the coaching acumen of Carey or any of the assistants, given their record is beyond comprehension. The bottom line is nobody in the country wins more games with less than the Huskies.......and, that, is coaching.

Exactly, Cager. While it's very simple to sit at home and shake my head about pooch punts, two point conversions at times against "the book", and long field goals into the wind, I hope I have enough knowledge to really understand that these games are truly won during practice, they are just played on game day.

I'm sure these coaches work their butts off to prepare the kids. NIU is better than teams because they are deeper. Look at the QB position, since the beginning of last year, we have had at least four play, lost two this year for the season, one last year switched positions, then schools. Another, the prodigy, left for his home state---and then four or five or six deep---we have someone come in mid game and beat Toledo, then Buffalo, then WMU. That doesn't happen to most teams. That happens because we recruit the right kids, they understand and then the coaches prepare them for the "next man up" stuff. I know it's cliche, but what else can explain it.

It's very easy to judge coaches on things we see. However, they do their real work when we aren't watching.

+1. It's easy to second guess some of the in-game decisions, but you can't argue that these coaches are doing an excellent job in recruiting, developing and most importantly, leading the talent we have.

(11-19-2015 12:53 PM)niu79 Wrote:  

(11-19-2015 12:42 PM)Milwaukee Pilot Wrote:  

(11-19-2015 12:19 PM)cagy cager Wrote:  isn't a big part of COACHING, finding and developing talent? You think these guys just showed up one day in Dekalb?

How anyone can second guess the coaching acumen of Carey or any of the assistants, given their record is beyond comprehension. The bottom line is nobody in the country wins more games with less than the Huskies.......and, that, is coaching.

Exactly, Cager. While it's very simple to sit at home and shake my head about pooch punts, two point conversions at times against "the book", and long field goals into the wind, I hope I have enough knowledge to really understand that these games are truly won during practice, they are just played on game day.

I'm sure these coaches work their butts off to prepare the kids. NIU is better than teams because they are deeper. Look at the QB position, since the beginning of last year, we have had at least four play, lost two this year for the season, one last year switched positions, then schools. Another, the prodigy, left for his home state---and then four or five or six deep---we have someone come in mid game and beat Toledo, then Buffalo, then WMU. That doesn't happen to most teams. That happens because we recruit the right kids, they understand and then the coaches prepare them for the "next man up" stuff. I know it's cliche, but what else can explain it.

It's very easy to judge coaches on things we see. However, they do their real work when we aren't watching.

+1. It's easy to second guess some of the in-game decisions, but you can't argue that these coaches are doing an excellent job in recruiting, developing and most importantly, leading the talent we have.

4 winning coaches in 10 years.

I am not going to say they aren't part of the atmosphere and success, as one bad coach can tear down years of success.But I am not going to put anyone on a pedastal, except maybe the man who NIU stayed with that started this, Novak. Everyone has their favorite, one they hate.Some just lie in the weeds waiting to pounce on one.And as mentioned there is more than field coaching, but that I guess is more of my issue.Talent can overcome and has a few times.

And I will say, no matter who the coach is, NIU does bring in good kids.

Yes, this coaching staff has recruited solid kids that fit the program. This coaching staff prepares them well especially when needed for "next man up". But let's not forget one of the best aspects about the NIU culture and coaching staff - they help the kids be successful AFTER football. They student athletes GRADUATE with a degree. Let's be honest - very few Huskies go on to play professional sports. It is great to hear about their successes after their playing days are over. I know the days of thinking about "student athletes" is long gone but I am glad NIU has not given up on helping the athletes unlike some other programs.