(02-22-2018 08:31 AM)MajorHoople Wrote:  

(02-21-2018 11:22 PM)huskie1stdown Wrote:  Why did Jorgensen leave and who hired Luck?
What was his experience before NIU?

This was during time when racial unrest on college campuses spilled over to athletic departments, specifically in number of minority coaches.

Illinois State had just made Will Robinson the first black D-I basketball coach in history.

Jorgensen hired Luck, who as I recall had some HS coaching experience, as an assistant.

Some people at NIU, in spite of Jorgensen's success, wanted Luck to be NIU's Will Robinson.

Brigham was the AD. Jorgensen was forced out so Luck could be promoted to HC.

YIKES, I attended NIU those years and this is the first that I have heard anyone say that Jorgensen was forced out. I question that because he remained friendly with NIU and he always said that he lost his passion for coaching, was burned out and needed a change. I always took what he said at face value.

You are correct that there was a lot of racial tension on campus in the early 70's and I keep hoping that has improved over the years. You are also correct that there was a strong push for Luck to be head coach after Jorgensen left and I remember Luck stating publicly that if he did not get the HC position it would be because of racism.

I am not saying you are wrong but I do hope that you are wrong.