(11-09-2022 06:39 PM)NIU05 Wrote:  To all the MOPES who felt Hammock was a ridiculous hire, there isn't a deep enough spot in all the world to hide your ignorance. Coach Hammock was a Big 10 Assistant at a quality program, NFL coach, NIU alum who distinguished himself on the field and most importantly he has led us to a MAC title. Did you think Saban or Dabo were interested in NIU? Get real, we have a good coach. profile fits well in the MAC. LETS GO HUSKIES!

I think a lot of the Hammock backlash is a form of Carey-itis. It's the fear that your coach doesn't know how to recruit a good FBS QB. If you have that it is fatal. Once Rocky went down we all saw 4 years of nothing at QB behind Lombardi and we all felt the Childers/Graham painful offenses returning.

Defensive short comings aside, you can live with those in the MAC, you HAVE to get a top MAC QB to win

(11-10-2022 12:32 PM)Rabid Squirrel Wrote:  

(11-09-2022 06:39 PM)NIU05 Wrote:  To all the MOPES who felt Hammock was a ridiculous hire, there isn't a deep enough spot in all the world to hide your ignorance. Coach Hammock was a Big 10 Assistant at a quality program, NFL coach, NIU alum who distinguished himself on the field and most importantly he has led us to a MAC title. Did you think Saban or Dabo were interested in NIU? Get real, we have a good coach. profile fits well in the MAC. LETS GO HUSKIES!

I think a lot of the Hammock backlash is a form of Carey-itis. It's the fear that your coach doesn't know how to recruit a good FBS QB. If you have that it is fatal. Once Rocky went down we all saw 4 years of nothing at QB behind Lombardi and we all felt the Childers/Graham painful offenses returning.

Defensive short comings aside, you can live with those in the MAC, you HAVE to get a top MAC QB to win

Childers....MAC freshman of the year? It was all downhill after that, and he never evolved

Either way, I could care less if we are winning. We were winning with Carey, and we won last year with Hammock. I'm giving him another full healthy year. This year has been freakishly brutal. Look at the Packers and look at the Ravens last year. The performance of the Ravens last year didn't warrant firing Harbaugh. And the performance of the Huskies this year, doesn't warrant firing Hammock.

(11-10-2022 12:50 PM)HawaiiToNIU Wrote:  

(11-10-2022 12:32 PM)Rabid Squirrel Wrote:  

(11-09-2022 06:39 PM)NIU05 Wrote:  To all the MOPES who felt Hammock was a ridiculous hire, there isn't a deep enough spot in all the world to hide your ignorance. Coach Hammock was a Big 10 Assistant at a quality program, NFL coach, NIU alum who distinguished himself on the field and most importantly he has led us to a MAC title. Did you think Saban or Dabo were interested in NIU? Get real, we have a good coach. profile fits well in the MAC. LETS GO HUSKIES!

I think a lot of the Hammock backlash is a form of Carey-itis. It's the fear that your coach doesn't know how to recruit a good FBS QB. If you have that it is fatal. Once Rocky went down we all saw 4 years of nothing at QB behind Lombardi and we all felt the Childers/Graham painful offenses returning.

Defensive short comings aside, you can live with those in the MAC, you HAVE to get a top MAC QB to win

Childers....MAC freshman of the year? It was all downhill after that, and he never evolved

Either way, I could care less if we are winning. We were winning with Carey, and we won last year with Hammock. I'm giving him another full healthy year. This year has been freakishly brutal. Look at the Packers and look at the Ravens last year. The performance of the Ravens last year didn't warrant firing Harbaugh. And the performance of the Huskies this year, doesn't warrant firing Hammock.

We really need to evaluate Ham in the offseason. We all live in the moment, myself included. We were expecting greatness this year so anything short of that was hyper criticized. We saw all of Hams positives last year. We are seeing all his negatives this year. Mac coaches are Mac coaches for a reason. They're inexperienced or just flawed.

(11-10-2022 01:04 PM)Rabid Squirrel Wrote:  

(11-10-2022 12:50 PM)HawaiiToNIU Wrote:  

(11-10-2022 12:32 PM)Rabid Squirrel Wrote:  

(11-09-2022 06:39 PM)NIU05 Wrote:  To all the MOPES who felt Hammock was a ridiculous hire, there isn't a deep enough spot in all the world to hide your ignorance. Coach Hammock was a Big 10 Assistant at a quality program, NFL coach, NIU alum who distinguished himself on the field and most importantly he has led us to a MAC title. Did you think Saban or Dabo were interested in NIU? Get real, we have a good coach. profile fits well in the MAC. LETS GO HUSKIES!

I think a lot of the Hammock backlash is a form of Carey-itis. It's the fear that your coach doesn't know how to recruit a good FBS QB. If you have that it is fatal. Once Rocky went down we all saw 4 years of nothing at QB behind Lombardi and we all felt the Childers/Graham painful offenses returning.

Defensive short comings aside, you can live with those in the MAC, you HAVE to get a top MAC QB to win

Childers....MAC freshman of the year? It was all downhill after that, and he never evolved

Either way, I could care less if we are winning. We were winning with Carey, and we won last year with Hammock. I'm giving him another full healthy year. This year has been freakishly brutal. Look at the Packers and look at the Ravens last year. The performance of the Ravens last year didn't warrant firing Harbaugh. And the performance of the Huskies this year, doesn't warrant firing Hammock.

We really need to evaluate Ham in the offseason. We all live in the moment, myself included. We were expecting greatness this year so anything short of that was hyper criticized. We saw all of Hams positives last year. We are seeing all his negatives this year. Mac coaches are Mac coaches for a reason. They're inexperienced or just flawed.

We got lucky lucky lucky last year. We were far from a good, well disciplined team. A lot of Hammock's issues from all of his previous years are just being repeated now. Luck has ran out, and injuries are pouring.

With that being said, I still really like his ability to motivate and attract completely raw talent. We have a ton of raw undisciplined talent across the roster. I know he can do something with it, I just continue to cross my fingers and hope that he will do what he's done across his coaching career.

Just imagine what we would look like if these guys played smart and disciplined football. We were in every game this year but Toledo.

(11-10-2022 01:10 PM)HawaiiToNIU Wrote:  

(11-10-2022 01:04 PM)Rabid Squirrel Wrote:  

(11-10-2022 12:50 PM)HawaiiToNIU Wrote:  

(11-10-2022 12:32 PM)Rabid Squirrel Wrote:  

(11-09-2022 06:39 PM)NIU05 Wrote:  To all the MOPES who felt Hammock was a ridiculous hire, there isn't a deep enough spot in all the world to hide your ignorance. Coach Hammock was a Big 10 Assistant at a quality program, NFL coach, NIU alum who distinguished himself on the field and most importantly he has led us to a MAC title. Did you think Saban or Dabo were interested in NIU? Get real, we have a good coach. profile fits well in the MAC. LETS GO HUSKIES!

I think a lot of the Hammock backlash is a form of Carey-itis. It's the fear that your coach doesn't know how to recruit a good FBS QB. If you have that it is fatal. Once Rocky went down we all saw 4 years of nothing at QB behind Lombardi and we all felt the Childers/Graham painful offenses returning.

Defensive short comings aside, you can live with those in the MAC, you HAVE to get a top MAC QB to win

Childers....MAC freshman of the year? It was all downhill after that, and he never evolved

Either way, I could care less if we are winning. We were winning with Carey, and we won last year with Hammock. I'm giving him another full healthy year. This year has been freakishly brutal. Look at the Packers and look at the Ravens last year. The performance of the Ravens last year didn't warrant firing Harbaugh. And the performance of the Huskies this year, doesn't warrant firing Hammock.

We really need to evaluate Ham in the offseason. We all live in the moment, myself included. We were expecting greatness this year so anything short of that was hyper criticized. We saw all of Hams positives last year. We are seeing all his negatives this year. Mac coaches are Mac coaches for a reason. They're inexperienced or just flawed.

We got lucky lucky lucky last year. We were far from a good, well disciplined team. A lot of Hammock's issues from all of his previous years are just being repeated now. Luck has ran out, and injuries are pouring.

With that being said, I still really like his ability to motivate and attract completely raw talent. We have a ton of raw undisciplined talent across the roster. I know he can do something with it, I just continue to cross my fingers and hope that he will do what he's done across his coaching career.

Just imagine what we would look like if these guys played smart and disciplined football. We were in every game this year but Toledo.

Gotta wonder what they practice.

As expected, STF is fine with this season and will not make any changes.

(11-27-2022 04:34 PM)epasnoopy Wrote:  As expected, STF is fine with this season and will not make any changes.

You actually thought they were going to fire Hammock?

There was a 0.000000000% chance he was getting fired.

(11-27-2022 04:34 PM)epasnoopy Wrote:  As expected, STF is fine with this season and will not make any changes.

How is that what you get out of that statement? Hammock was never getting fired

(11-27-2022 05:20 PM)Big Red Wrote:  

(11-27-2022 04:34 PM)epasnoopy Wrote:  As expected, STF is fine with this season and will not make any changes.

You actually thought they were going to fire Hammock?

There was a 0.000000000% chance he was getting fired.

He lost at home in last game of season by 32 points to an Akron team whose only other win vs. FCS team.

This is year 4, not year 1. We didn't even lose to any MAC schools in our 2020 winless season by that much. NIU has now finished dead last in MAC West two of last four seasons with three losing records.

Absolutely unacceptable!

(11-27-2022 05:23 PM)epasnoopy Wrote:  

(11-27-2022 05:20 PM)Big Red Wrote:  

(11-27-2022 04:34 PM)epasnoopy Wrote:  As expected, STF is fine with this season and will not make any changes.

You actually thought they were going to fire Hammock?

There was a 0.000000000% chance he was getting fired.

He lost at home in last game of season by 32 points to an Akron team whose only other win vs. FCS team.

This is year 4, not year 1. We didn't even lose to any MAC schools in our 2020 winless season by that much. NIU has now finished dead last in MAC West two of last four seasons with three losing records.

Absolutely unacceptable!

All true.

Also true was he was never going to get fired.

Unnecessary statement that says nothing.

meh.

The assessment has to include every aspect -- starting with coaching staff.

(11-27-2022 05:26 PM)Big Red Wrote:  

(11-27-2022 05:23 PM)epasnoopy Wrote:  

(11-27-2022 05:20 PM)Big Red Wrote:  

(11-27-2022 04:34 PM)epasnoopy Wrote:  As expected, STF is fine with this season and will not make any changes.

You actually thought they were going to fire Hammock?

There was a 0.000000000% chance he was getting fired.

He lost at home in last game of season by 32 points to an Akron team whose only other win vs. FCS team.

This is year 4, not year 1. We didn't even lose to any MAC schools in our 2020 winless season by that much. NIU has now finished dead last in MAC West two of last four seasons with three losing records.

Absolutely unacceptable!

All true.

Also true was he was never going to get fired.

Because of money reasons or because you don't think he should?

I was willing to give him yet another year after this horrendous season, but that loss (to a terrible team) yesterday and the way the team didn't even look inspired made me rethink it. Hammock needs to go. Lombardi and Rudolph aren't enough next season and what happens if one or both get injured again. There is no good depth at WR, QB, CB, and LB. This team has too many weaknesses, including defensive coaching staff, going into year 5.

(11-27-2022 05:36 PM)epasnoopy Wrote:  

(11-27-2022 05:26 PM)Big Red Wrote:  

(11-27-2022 05:23 PM)epasnoopy Wrote:  

(11-27-2022 05:20 PM)Big Red Wrote:  

(11-27-2022 04:34 PM)epasnoopy Wrote:  As expected, STF is fine with this season and will not make any changes.

You actually thought they were going to fire Hammock?

There was a 0.000000000% chance he was getting fired.

He lost at home in last game of season by 32 points to an Akron team whose only other win vs. FCS team.

This is year 4, not year 1. We didn't even lose to any MAC schools in our 2020 winless season by that much. NIU has now finished dead last in MAC West two of last four seasons with three losing records.

Absolutely unacceptable!

All true.

Also true was he was never going to get fired.

Because of money reasons or because you don't think he should?

I was willing to give him yet another year after this horrendous season, but that loss (to a terrible team) yesterday and the way the team didn't even look inspired made me rethink it. Hammock needs to go. Lombardi and Rudolph aren't enough next season and what happens if one or both get injured again. There is no good depth at WR, QB, CB, and LB. This team has too many weaknesses, including defensive coaching staff, going into year 5.

I'm not one to throw around how embarrassed I am to be a fan of any particular team but, I will admit, yesterday's game was 100% unacceptable. And I too grow tired of Hammock sitting in the post game presser saying things like "we weren't prepared or we didn't come out to play, etc, and I take full responsibility for that".

He's been saying that all season and its a BS statement (coach-speak) any time let alone the 6th or 7th time you hear it in a season.

With that said, you asked a very specific question.

Is it because of money or because I don't think he deserved to get fired?

I'd say it's almost entirely the first one but I also sprinkle in a dash of the second one. Simply put, I'm not a huge fan of dumping coaches after bad seasons. I know he's technically had 3 bad seasons but I don't put much into his first season and completely give him a pass on his 2nd season because of covid. Yes, some teams did really well during that season. Some teams didn't. That season didn't treat all teams equally. It is what it is.

He did win the MACC the next season and that was a full season will a full offseason to prepare for it. Sure, some things bounced our way a lot but you have to be in position to win in order to capitalize on those bounces. You could also point a a few games this season where that bounce went the other way. So, do I discredit it when it happens in his favor and blame him when it doesn't? That's not fair to do.

Needless to say. The money issue is a major and real thing to consider. As for his performance, I'd say after yesterday's game, he has to show a marked improvement next year (compete for the division title, which this year would have been basically a 4-4 conference record) or he's going to start getting the Mark Montgomery treatment from basically everyone here (which is a minuscule sample of the fanbase, but still) and will have burned through any good will he accumulated over his first 3 seasons (even the bad ones).

(11-27-2022 05:36 PM)epasnoopy Wrote:  

(11-27-2022 05:26 PM)Big Red Wrote:  

(11-27-2022 05:23 PM)epasnoopy Wrote:  

(11-27-2022 05:20 PM)Big Red Wrote:  

(11-27-2022 04:34 PM)epasnoopy Wrote:  As expected, STF is fine with this season and will not make any changes.

You actually thought they were going to fire Hammock?

There was a 0.000000000% chance he was getting fired.

He lost at home in last game of season by 32 points to an Akron team whose only other win vs. FCS team.

This is year 4, not year 1. We didn't even lose to any MAC schools in our 2020 winless season by that much. NIU has now finished dead last in MAC West two of last four seasons with three losing records.

Absolutely unacceptable!

All true.

Also true was he was never going to get fired.

Because of money reasons or because you don't think he should?

I was willing to give him yet another year after this horrendous season, but that loss (to a terrible team) yesterday and the way the team didn't even look inspired made me rethink it. Hammock needs to go. Lombardi and Rudolph aren't enough next season and what happens if one or both get injured again. There is no good depth at WR, QB, CB, and LB. This team has too many weaknesses, including defensive coaching staff, going into year 5.

After posting, I re-read your comment and I'd like to add one thing. Never let one game be the sole determining factor when evaluating these kinds of things. It should definitely matter and shade your opinion on his performance but in no way should one game sway you from "he deserves another year" to "fire him now".

It was a bad game at the end of a bad season where a lot of bad things happened and they were operating with guys in important roles who never should have been leaned on in those important roles.

The dam was probably primed to break sooner or later and both the offense and defense sides of the ball were being held together with wet duct tape and some paper clips. Honestly, I'm kind of surprised it took this long for them to get ran over (other than the Toledo game which the remarkably bounced back from pretty nicely).

Talk all you want about depth but when your depth is in the starting lineup and also getting injured, then there's simply not going to be any depth left to tap into. "Next man up" is a cliche. It's not magic. Everyone says it. Just because the coach says it, doesn't mean it's going to be effective. Some times it works...most times it doesn't especially when it's being leaned on as a team motto for the vast majority of the season and a huge percentage of positions.

(11-27-2022 05:50 PM)Big Red Wrote:  

(11-27-2022 05:36 PM)epasnoopy Wrote:  Because of money reasons or because you don't think he should?

I was willing to give him yet another year after this horrendous season, but that loss (to a terrible team) yesterday and the way the team didn't even look inspired made me rethink it. Hammock needs to go. Lombardi and Rudolph aren't enough next season and what happens if one or both get injured again. There is no good depth at WR, QB, CB, and LB. This team has too many weaknesses, including defensive coaching staff, going into year 5.

I'm not one to throw around how embarrassed I am to be a fan of any particular team but, I will admit, yesterday's game was 100% unacceptable. And I too grow tired of Hammock sitting in the post game presser saying things like "we weren't prepared or we didn't come out to play, etc, and I take full responsibility for that".

He's been saying that all season and its a BS statement (coach-speak) any time let alone the 6th or 7th time you hear it in a season.

With that said, you asked a very specific question.

Is it because of money or because I don't think he deserved to get fired?

I'd say it's almost entirely the first one but I also sprinkle in a dash of the second one. Simply put, I'm not a huge fan of dumping coaches after bad seasons. I know he's technically had 3 bad seasons but I don't put much into his first season and completely give him a pass on his 2nd season because of covid. Yes, some teams did really well during that season. Some teams didn't. That season didn't treat all teams equally. It is what it is.

He did win the MACC the next season and that was a full season will a full offseason to prepare for it. Sure, some things bounced our way a lot but you have to be in position to win in order to capitalize on those bounces. You could also point a a few games this season where that bounce went the other way. So, do I discredit it when it happens in his favor and blame him when it doesn't? That's not fair to do.

Needless to say. The money issue is a major and real thing to consider. As for his performance, I'd say after yesterday's game, he has to show a marked improvement next year (compete for the division title, which this year would have been basically a 4-4 conference record) or he's going to start getting the Mark Montgomery treatment from basically everyone here (which is a minuscule sample of the fanbase, but still) and will have burned through any good will he accumulated over his first 3 seasons (even the bad ones).

I appreciate the honest and thoughtful post.

Almost everyone on MAC board thinks last year was a fluke and lucky season for NIU. So if everyone thinks that, then are the other three years more indicative of what kind of program we will be under Hammock??

(11-27-2022 06:05 PM)epasnoopy Wrote:  

(11-27-2022 05:50 PM)Big Red Wrote:  

(11-27-2022 05:36 PM)epasnoopy Wrote:  Because of money reasons or because you don't think he should?

I was willing to give him yet another year after this horrendous season, but that loss (to a terrible team) yesterday and the way the team didn't even look inspired made me rethink it. Hammock needs to go. Lombardi and Rudolph aren't enough next season and what happens if one or both get injured again. There is no good depth at WR, QB, CB, and LB. This team has too many weaknesses, including defensive coaching staff, going into year 5.

I'm not one to throw around how embarrassed I am to be a fan of any particular team but, I will admit, yesterday's game was 100% unacceptable. And I too grow tired of Hammock sitting in the post game presser saying things like "we weren't prepared or we didn't come out to play, etc, and I take full responsibility for that".

He's been saying that all season and its a BS statement (coach-speak) any time let alone the 6th or 7th time you hear it in a season.

With that said, you asked a very specific question.

Is it because of money or because I don't think he deserved to get fired?

I'd say it's almost entirely the first one but I also sprinkle in a dash of the second one. Simply put, I'm not a huge fan of dumping coaches after bad seasons. I know he's technically had 3 bad seasons but I don't put much into his first season and completely give him a pass on his 2nd season because of covid. Yes, some teams did really well during that season. Some teams didn't. That season didn't treat all teams equally. It is what it is.

He did win the MACC the next season and that was a full season will a full offseason to prepare for it. Sure, some things bounced our way a lot but you have to be in position to win in order to capitalize on those bounces. You could also point a a few games this season where that bounce went the other way. So, do I discredit it when it happens in his favor and blame him when it doesn't? That's not fair to do.

Needless to say. The money issue is a major and real thing to consider. As for his performance, I'd say after yesterday's game, he has to show a marked improvement next year (compete for the division title, which this year would have been basically a 4-4 conference record) or he's going to start getting the Mark Montgomery treatment from basically everyone here (which is a minuscule sample of the fanbase, but still) and will have burned through any good will he accumulated over his first 3 seasons (even the bad ones).

I appreciate the honest and thoughtful post.

Almost everyone on MAC board thinks last year was a fluke and lucky season for NIU. So if everyone thinks that, then are the other three years more indicative of what kind of program we will be under Hammock??

Almost everyone on MAC boards are morons who really don't know anything about anything (and yes, I'm fully aware I fall into that category...but at least I think I have the awareness to acknowledge it). So, I'm not all that concerned with what they all think.

As for his resume. I said it in the previous comment. He cleaned house and started a rebuild on the roster and had a predictable down-ish year that was actually more of a house cleaning and fully into the rebuild in his 2nd year which was also majorly disrupted by the covid season which may or may not have negatively affected player development, but I'm betting it didn't boost development.

I'm not putting too much into those first two seasons.

So, we've got the last two where one was quite good and the other was quite bad. Is he a .500ish type of MAC coach? Maybe? That's actually not terrible to have in this conference. Time will tell as I'm still holding out any major judgement until after next season (or at some point during the season).

I will say that I was one of the few here who thought the defense was sh!t after the Eastern Illinois game and didn't see how on Earth it could rebound into being respectable.

He's got to get better players and figure out what the hell is up with the coaches on that side of the ball. That defense sunk this team. The offense wasn't good, especially without Rocky (and with a limited version of Rocky) but it performed well enough most of the season to be in games and probably win games but the defense was never reliable and, in reality, a liability every time they stepped on the field.

If he doesn't make changes and/or we don't see some major improvements on that side of the ball next year (in whatever form they may take), then he's nailing shut his own coffin. But I don't see how that side of the ball isn't going to be a major focus of his this offseason and if everyone isn't on the chopping block, then he's going to be exposed as not being capable of being a head coach.

This whole thread is ridiculous. TH has at least 6 years left on his contract and is making roughly 600K per year so unless some mysterious patron comes up with the cash he’s not going anywhere for the duration. I seem to remember the contract also states he’s protected even if STF is gone.

(11-27-2022 05:50 PM)Big Red Wrote:  

(11-27-2022 05:36 PM)epasnoopy Wrote:  

(11-27-2022 05:26 PM)Big Red Wrote:  

(11-27-2022 05:23 PM)epasnoopy Wrote:  

(11-27-2022 05:20 PM)Big Red Wrote:  You actually thought they were going to fire Hammock?

There was a 0.000000000% chance he was getting fired.

He lost at home in last game of season by 32 points to an Akron team whose only other win vs. FCS team.

This is year 4, not year 1. We didn't even lose to any MAC schools in our 2020 winless season by that much. NIU has now finished dead last in MAC West two of last four seasons with three losing records.

Absolutely unacceptable!

All true.

Also true was he was never going to get fired.

Because of money reasons or because you don't think he should?

I was willing to give him yet another year after this horrendous season, but that loss (to a terrible team) yesterday and the way the team didn't even look inspired made me rethink it. Hammock needs to go. Lombardi and Rudolph aren't enough next season and what happens if one or both get injured again. There is no good depth at WR, QB, CB, and LB. This team has too many weaknesses, including defensive coaching staff, going into year 5.

I'm not one to throw around how embarrassed I am to be a fan of any particular team but, I will admit, yesterday's game was 100% unacceptable. And I too grow tired of Hammock sitting in the post game presser saying things like "we weren't prepared or we didn't come out to play, etc, and I take full responsibility for that".

He's been saying that all season and its a BS statement (coach-speak) any time let alone the 6th or 7th time you hear it in a season.

With that said, you asked a very specific question.

Is it because of money or because I don't think he deserved to get fired?

I'd say it's almost entirely the first one but I also sprinkle in a dash of the second one. Simply put, I'm not a huge fan of dumping coaches after bad seasons. I know he's technically had 3 bad seasons but I don't put much into his first season and completely give him a pass on his 2nd season because of covid. Yes, some teams did really well during that season. Some teams didn't. That season didn't treat all teams equally. It is what it is.

He did win the MACC the next season and that was a full season will a full offseason to prepare for it. Sure, some things bounced our way a lot but you have to be in position to win in order to capitalize on those bounces. You could also point a a few games this season where that bounce went the other way. So, do I discredit it when it happens in his favor and blame him when it doesn't? That's not fair to do.

Needless to say. The money issue is a major and real thing to consider. As for his performance, I'd say after yesterday's game, he has to show a marked improvement next year (compete for the division title, which this year would have been basically a 4-4 conference record) or he's going to start getting the Mark Montgomery treatment from basically everyone here (which is a minuscule sample of the fanbase, but still) and will have burned through any good will he accumulated over his first 3 seasons (even the bad ones).

I guess I just don’t understand why he gets a pass for the COVID year. Other coaches got their teams prepared and won games. Every team in the country was in the same situation…….and we went 0-6.

(11-27-2022 07:09 PM)HuskieDave Wrote:  

(11-27-2022 05:50 PM)Big Red Wrote:  

(11-27-2022 05:36 PM)epasnoopy Wrote:  

(11-27-2022 05:26 PM)Big Red Wrote:  

(11-27-2022 05:23 PM)epasnoopy Wrote:  He lost at home in last game of season by 32 points to an Akron team whose only other win vs. FCS team.

This is year 4, not year 1. We didn't even lose to any MAC schools in our 2020 winless season by that much. NIU has now finished dead last in MAC West two of last four seasons with three losing records.

Absolutely unacceptable!

All true.

Also true was he was never going to get fired.

Because of money reasons or because you don't think he should?

I was willing to give him yet another year after this horrendous season, but that loss (to a terrible team) yesterday and the way the team didn't even look inspired made me rethink it. Hammock needs to go. Lombardi and Rudolph aren't enough next season and what happens if one or both get injured again. There is no good depth at WR, QB, CB, and LB. This team has too many weaknesses, including defensive coaching staff, going into year 5.

I'm not one to throw around how embarrassed I am to be a fan of any particular team but, I will admit, yesterday's game was 100% unacceptable. And I too grow tired of Hammock sitting in the post game presser saying things like "we weren't prepared or we didn't come out to play, etc, and I take full responsibility for that".

He's been saying that all season and its a BS statement (coach-speak) any time let alone the 6th or 7th time you hear it in a season.

With that said, you asked a very specific question.

Is it because of money or because I don't think he deserved to get fired?

I'd say it's almost entirely the first one but I also sprinkle in a dash of the second one. Simply put, I'm not a huge fan of dumping coaches after bad seasons. I know he's technically had 3 bad seasons but I don't put much into his first season and completely give him a pass on his 2nd season because of covid. Yes, some teams did really well during that season. Some teams didn't. That season didn't treat all teams equally. It is what it is.

He did win the MACC the next season and that was a full season will a full offseason to prepare for it. Sure, some things bounced our way a lot but you have to be in position to win in order to capitalize on those bounces. You could also point a a few games this season where that bounce went the other way. So, do I discredit it when it happens in his favor and blame him when it doesn't? That's not fair to do.

Needless to say. The money issue is a major and real thing to consider. As for his performance, I'd say after yesterday's game, he has to show a marked improvement next year (compete for the division title, which this year would have been basically a 4-4 conference record) or he's going to start getting the Mark Montgomery treatment from basically everyone here (which is a minuscule sample of the fanbase, but still) and will have burned through any good will he accumulated over his first 3 seasons (even the bad ones).

I guess I just don’t understand why he gets a pass for the COVID year. Other coaches got their teams prepared and won games. Every team in the country was in the same situation…….and we went 0-6.

For one, not all teams were in the same situation nor are all teams positioned the same way NIU was positioned.

He had a substantial turnover of the roster and then went through an offseason where coaching and time with players was limited, then the season got canceled...then re-started but with fewer games (meaning fewer practices) and time with all of these new players who many of us were high on at the time.

I mean...when they came back to a full offseason and season...they won the conference.

A couple of key graduations and transfers this year caused some weak spots in the roster/depth chart and then the team was decimated by injury that no team could realistically overcome.

If you're willing to write off the 2021 season as lucky, then you should also write off the 2022 season as unlucky.

(11-27-2022 07:06 PM)HuskieBowWow Wrote:  This whole thread is ridiculous. TH has at least 6 years left on his contract and is making roughly 600K per year so unless some mysterious patron comes up with the cash he’s not going anywhere for the duration. I seem to remember the contract also states he’s protected even if STF is gone.

Did Hammock get another contract extension, or a secret one? According to other sources he has thru end of 2026 season. So he only has four seasons left after this one.