http://www.mlive.com/eagles/index.ssf/20...iver_index

In Creighton we trust!

Wow, this happening before the new AD is even in his office.

Before last season, he was firmly on the hot seat.

"Before last season"...key words, Bobbo. Taking a team to a bowl game for the first time in almost 30 years, something you swore he'd never do when we hired him, was obviously a pretty big deal to our athletic department. Not to mention bringing back a ton of experience for this upcoming season, and a chance to be even better than last year. You'll probably be the only EMU "fan" that isn't happy with it.

(06-27-2017 01:36 PM)EagleSam Wrote:  "Before last season"...key words, Bobbo. Taking a team to a bowl game for the first time in almost 30 years, something you swore he'd never do when we hired him, was obviously a pretty big deal to our athletic department. Not to mention bringing back a ton of experience for this upcoming season, and a chance to be even better than last year. You'll probably be the only EMU "fan" that isn't happy with it.

As we have been posting, we honestly believe that last year was not a one-hit-wonder season.

(06-27-2017 01:36 PM)EagleSam Wrote:  "Before last season"...key words, Bobbo. Taking a team to a bowl game for the first time in almost 30 years, something you swore he'd never do when we hired him, was obviously a pretty big deal to our athletic department. Not to mention bringing back a ton of experience for this upcoming season, and a chance to be even better than last year. You'll probably be the only EMU "fan" that isn't happy with it.

I am happy with it, I was making a point about how things can change. Hopefully he can build on last season's success.

Good for him, he has done a very good job in a tough situation, with one exception (so far). I'm sure he'd also like to see this building plan completed, and continue building on the success of last year. If he keeps the program in bowl games, and has 1 of those 9-10+ wins seasons over the next 3-4 years, he could very well get a shot at a decent P5 job.

If we ever compete with the Broncos and Rockets in our 1 remaining lagging area.........a MAC Championship isn't out of the realm of possibility.

Now let's get these facilities built!!!!!!!!!

Really need to extend Neathery and keep him on board as well. The immediate difference in his defense, compared to the previous coordinator, was startling. As they say........defense wins championships!

Good point, EagleTough. Does anyone know offhand how long is Neathery's current contract?

We all know how badly losing Phil Snow, the last good DC we had, hurt the program. Gotta keep Neathery around as long as we can.

(06-27-2017 02:54 PM)FrankAnderson Wrote:  Good point, EagleTough. Does anyone know offhand how long is Neathery's current contract?

We all know how badly losing Phil Snow, the last good DC we had, hurt the program. Gotta keep Neathery around as long as we can.

Yes, we remember that.

Snow left and the defense went into the toilet the next season.

(06-27-2017 02:54 PM)FrankAnderson Wrote:  Good point, EagleTough. Does anyone know offhand how long is Neathery's current contract?

We all know how badly losing Phil Snow, the last good DC we had, hurt the program. Gotta keep Neathery around as long as we can.

The shame with Snow is that no one realized how big of an impact it would have after he left. We all thought, at the time, that the defensive improvements were because of English. In reality, it was Snow, along with the senior-laden defensive line in Ohrman, Slater, and Westerman, all of whom were Genyk recruits. English just could never replace those guys.

(06-27-2017 03:38 PM)EagleSam Wrote:  

(06-27-2017 02:54 PM)FrankAnderson Wrote:  Good point, EagleTough. Does anyone know offhand how long is Neathery's current contract?

We all know how badly losing Phil Snow, the last good DC we had, hurt the program. Gotta keep Neathery around as long as we can.

The shame with Snow is that no one realized how big of an impact it would have after he left. We all thought, at the time, that the defensive improvements were because of English. In reality, it was Snow, along with the senior-laden defensive line in Ohrman, Slater, and Westerman, all of whom were Genyk recruits. English just could never replace those guys.

Agree.

Snow caught lightning in a bottle with a bunch of seniors.

Next year any DC would have to face an empty cupboard.

Dear steve,
What you say is true, but the next man up went with the disastrous three -man front, which killed us defensively. I don't know if the four-man front would have worked better at that time, but I think it would. Remember Pat O'Connor was one of the three men up front and he was always double teamed.

(06-27-2017 04:04 PM)Ken Barna Wrote:  Dear steve,
What you say is true, but the next man up went with the disastrous three -man front, which killed us defensively. I don't know if the four-man front would have worked better at that time, but I think it would. Remember Pat O'Connor was one of the three men up front and he was always double teamed.

I think the 3-man DL was because of the lack of experienced of MAC-caliber DLs.

(06-27-2017 04:06 PM)emu steve Wrote:  

(06-27-2017 04:04 PM)Ken Barna Wrote:  Dear steve,
What you say is true, but the next man up went with the disastrous three -man front, which killed us defensively. I don't know if the four-man front would have worked better at that time, but I think it would. Remember Pat O'Connor was one of the three men up front and he was always double teamed.

I think the 3-man DL was because of the lack of experienced of MAC-caliber DLs.

EVen more reason to go with 4 or 5 DLinemen. If the first 3 get steamrolled like pancakes, then the 4 linebackers have no chance, no matter how good they are.

Without rehashing the whole previous DC debacle again, he was simply in over his head. Neathery is a very good DC, especially from a knowledge/execution/teaching standpoint. He knows exactly what he's doing, and demands excellence and attention to detail. If our D shows marked improvement again this year, he's exactly the kind of guy that gets plucked out of the MAC.

I'm sure Creighton will be working closely with this new AD to secure extra $$$ to try to get Neathery extended with a raise, now that he's been extended.

And I do expect Wetherbee to have a close relationship with Creighton. He mentioned he's already spoken in depth with Creighton and is sitting down for breakfast with him tomorrow.

From what I've seen from him so far, Seems like expanding football's recent success is a priority. I appreciate that.

(06-27-2017 04:51 PM)FrankAnderson Wrote:  And I do expect Wetherbee to have a close relationship with Creighton. He mentioned he's already spoken in depth with Creighton and is sitting down for breakfast with him tomorrow.

From what I've seen from him so far, Seems like expanding football's recent success is a priority. I appreciate that.

He's coming from the SEC, so he certainly knows the importance of football. Like it or not, AD's at nearly every school are primarily judged by the success of their football programs. This guy will look like a hero, and move on to a huge job, if the EMU football program continues to get better, he gets this entire building plan completed, and he uses his marketing savvy to change the conversation about EMU athletics, particularly football.

Again, need to hear some specifics about funding and timelines in the near future. Anybody can say the building plan is a priority. The devil is in the details, the $$$$, and actually getting sh\t done.

Would love to be a fly on the wall at his breakfast with Creighton tomorrow.

(06-27-2017 04:04 PM)Ken Barna Wrote:  Dear steve,
What you say is true, but the next man up went with the disastrous three -man front, which killed us defensively. I don't know if the four-man front would have worked better at that time, but I think it would. Remember Pat O'Connor was one of the three men up front and he was always double teamed.

Pretty sure English took over defensive play calling when Snow left.

(06-28-2017 02:45 PM)EagleHawk Wrote:  

(06-27-2017 04:04 PM)Ken Barna Wrote:  Dear steve,
What you say is true, but the next man up went with the disastrous three -man front, which killed us defensively. I don't know if the four-man front would have worked better at that time, but I think it would. Remember Pat O'Connor was one of the three men up front and he was always double teamed.

Pretty sure English took over defensive play calling when Snow left.

English......a real guru. Crazy how college football just keeps recycling these old duds. Tried to revive his career in 2014 in a Browns' internship program under a Bill Walsh NFL minority coaching fellowship. The NFL wasn't impressed apparently.

Finally got another D1 shot as DC at San Jose State last year. Helped the team get worse, resulting in the head coach and his firing. No worries though, he's been recycled again as a safeties coach at Mississippi State for 2017.

(06-28-2017 02:45 PM)EagleHawk Wrote:  

(06-27-2017 04:04 PM)Ken Barna Wrote:  Dear steve,
What you say is true, but the next man up went with the disastrous three -man front, which killed us defensively. I don't know if the four-man front would have worked better at that time, but I think it would. Remember Pat O'Connor was one of the three men up front and he was always double teamed.

Pretty sure English took over defensive play calling when Snow left.

While English was HC at EMU during his last season, I remember reading about him also assuming DC duties because he could not find anyone else more qualified. How laughable......his defense was terrible.

Oh well no since in rehashing the past, Neathery is here which is great news for EMU!!