(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.

I think it has to do with the team being sooo young. It's one thing to have a team full of 3rd to 5th year players missing practice/meeting time due to quarantining, but its another for a squad of freshman and R-freshman. They need those reps more than anyone. That was the case on defense in 2020 anyway and why they gave up almost 39 points a game. It's fair to blame Hammock for going so young but as I've listed before, the 2016,17,18 classes gave Hammock almost nothing defense. His 2019 defense had upperclassmen like Mykelti Wiliams, Antonio Jones Davis, Jack Heflin, Weston Kramer, Trayshon Foster. Also Jalen Mckie. I'd start those 6 over their 2020 counterparts. Hell, I'd start those 6 over their 2022 counterparts. What was left in 2020 for upper classmen? Kramer & Pugh and then scrubs: Cole, Gay, Jennings, Zamaine March, Vinny Labus.

I gave him a pass for 2020. Zero Passes given in 2022.

(11-27-2022 07:23 PM)epasnoopy Wrote:  

(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.

You’re correct. It is fours years although there are some provisions that could extend it beyond that. If STF leaves the university, the term is automatically extended one year. The term is also automatically extended by one year each time NIU wins the MACC or wins a bowl game.

Regardless, Ham is going to be here for several more years.

(11-27-2022 08:16 PM)HuskieBowWow Wrote:  

(11-27-2022 07:23 PM)epasnoopy Wrote:  

(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.

You’re correct. It is fours years although there are some provisions that could extend it beyond that. If STF leaves the university, the term is automatically extended one year. The term is also automatically extended by one year each time NIU wins the MACC or wins a bowl game.

Regardless, Ham is going to be here for several more years.

The MACC extensions make sense, imo, and seem like a rational incentive on a contract.

As for the extension if STF leaves...I guess it is to provide protection from a new AD cleaning house just because. It's not the best clause I'd want in there (unless I were Hammock) but I guess I can rationalize it for my own understanding.

Maybe, reading the tea leaves, there was a concern at the time that Frazier was going to leave the university (either by choice or by force) and Hammock wanted the security and protection put in there and Frazier (and the Pres) felt it was reasonable.

Maybe this is also something that is quite common in football (or basketball) HCs contracts and I just have no knowledge of it.

(11-27-2022 08:16 PM)HuskieBowWow Wrote:  

(11-27-2022 07:23 PM)epasnoopy Wrote:  

(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.

You’re correct. It is fours years although there are some provisions that could extend it beyond that. If STF leaves the university, the term is automatically extended one year. The term is also automatically extended by one year each time NIU wins the MACC or wins a bowl game.

Regardless, Ham is going to be here for several more years.

Yeah, looked over the contract and saw the language about automatic one-year extensions for winning a MACC or bowl game. My guess is since this deal was announced in November 2021 (even though it wasn't signed by all parties until 2022) that he got an automatic extension for the Dec 2021 MAC Championship. So he probably has five more contract years left.

The contract also states if he were terminated without cause then he gets 100% of base salary for current and the following contract year, and 50% for all other remaining years.

So we would owe Hammock somewhere around $1.77 million if we fired him right now.

Still waiting to hear of some defensive staff firings at NIU...

Scoring defense stats for NIU the last three years:

2022 - 32.8 ppg (113th); 10th in MAC
2021 - 32.7 ppg (106th); 10th in MAC
2020 - 38.7 ppg (120th); 10th in MAC

(11-27-2022 09:17 PM)epasnoopy Wrote:  

(11-27-2022 08:16 PM)HuskieBowWow Wrote:  

(11-27-2022 07:23 PM)epasnoopy Wrote:  

(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.

You’re correct. It is fours years although there are some provisions that could extend it beyond that. If STF leaves the university, the term is automatically extended one year. The term is also automatically extended by one year each time NIU wins the MACC or wins a bowl game.

Regardless, Ham is going to be here for several more years.

Yeah, looked over the contract and saw the language about automatic one-year extensions for winning a MACC or bowl game. My guess is since this deal was announced in November 2021 (even though it wasn't signed by all parties until 2022) that he got an automatic extension for the Dec 2021 MAC Championship. So he probably has five more contract years left.

The contract also states if he were terminated without cause then he gets 100% of base salary for current and the following contract year, and 50% for all other remaining years.

So we would owe Hammock somewhere around $1.77 million if we fired him right now.

Not the best terms for NIU with being on a TIGHT budget.

Hammock should have fired his current DC and gone after this guy. Considering the lack of information regarding changes to the NIU defensive coaching staff it seems safe to assume there will be more of the same terrible defense next season.

(12-12-2022 06:30 PM)epasnoopy Wrote:  Hammock should have fired his current DC and gone after this guy. Considering the lack of information regarding changes to the NIU defensive coaching staff it seems safe to assume there will be more of the same terrible defense next season.

Sounds about right for how he has been running things. Have heard crickets on commits that we are up against other schools on. With not having a bowl to prep for, i would think we would be hearing more on the recruiting front.

No changes will come to the staff until after signing day. Not convinced any will happen though

In the YouTube video of Dec. 6, "NIU Season in Review" with Andy Garcia, Hammock does not discuss staff at all.

But he makes some interesting comments about high school and transfer portal recruiting, hints that he has some portal guys in mind; no names because "it's obviously poaching time for other teams," so he is staying "under the radar" until Dec. 21. He says needs include the "back end" of the defense and "dynamic players" in the return game, someone who has "proven he can do it."

If you want, the comments above start at about 20:00 into the 26-min. show, toward the end (using the lower left counter). Link is ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8XEjRfEEkBw

(12-13-2022 05:49 PM)pvk75 Wrote:  In the YouTube video of Dec. 6, "NIU Season in Review" with Andy Garcia, Hammock does not discuss staff at all.

But he makes some interesting comments about high school and transfer portal recruiting, hints that he has some portal guys in mind; no names because "it's obviously poaching time for other teams," so he is staying "under the radar" until Dec. 21. He says needs include the "back end" of the defense and "dynamic players" in the return game, someone who has "proven he can do it."

If you want, the comments above start at about 20:00 into the 26-min. show, toward the end (using the lower left counter). Link is ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8XEjRfEEkBw

I did like what he said about the transfer rules. It's understandable that this is the layout of the land. But he strives to make a connection that is deeper than just the game. Recommending kids who want new opportunities to the right people. That's a great way to build relationships.

All in all, I love Hammock as a coach and person. But just want to see more consistent Ws. Hopefully we can rebound from this miserable year.

(12-12-2022 07:33 PM)HuskiePride12 Wrote:  

(12-12-2022 06:30 PM)epasnoopy Wrote:  Hammock should have fired his current DC and gone after this guy. Considering the lack of information regarding changes to the NIU defensive coaching staff it seems safe to assume there will be more of the same terrible defense next season.

Sounds about right for how he has been running things. Have heard crickets on commits that we are up against other schools on. With not having a bowl to prep for, i would think we would be hearing more on the recruiting front.

This is a fair argument this season. Past few seasons we have had good gets. This season doesn’t seem like it.

Also let’s watch the staff. See how we feel about that in 2 weeks or less.

What’s interesting to me is the position we are in. Let’s say Rocky comes back and we win 7 games. Go bowling. Lose. Same old stuff.

Is that going to make you feel good as a fan? Bad as a fan? Personally I would like to see a non-total dumpster fire. So I would take 7 wins and a bowl loss. In fact I would feel real good if we see that without Rocky as the QB. Which might happen…I mean…I can dream.

7 wins or better, bowl game, give me the win this time around please.

(12-19-2022 08:46 AM)NIUfilmmaker Wrote:  7 wins or better, bowl game, give me the win this time around please.

I think the MAC west only got worse so far this off season, so I see no reason if Rocky comes back and IS healthy/plays the whole season we don't win 7 or more games. The O-Line should be better too.

The TE we just got from JUCO should help drastically too with Joiner and Tewes back.

IF TH can get some transfers on the defensive side we should be OK.

(12-19-2022 02:22 PM)HuskiePride12 Wrote:  

(12-19-2022 08:46 AM)NIUfilmmaker Wrote:  7 wins or better, bowl game, give me the win this time around please.

I think the MAC west only got worse so far this off season, so I see no reason if Rocky comes back and IS healthy/plays the whole season we don't win 7 or more games. The O-Line should be better too.

The TE we just got from JUCO should help drastically too with Joiner and Tewes back.

IF TH can get some transfers on the defensive side we should be OK.

I'm not overly optimistic.

I too was excited about him and then BigChilla pointed out he was ranked #1 out of 2...

So, I looked up his stats from this year:

11 Games
38 catches (3.5/game)
526 yards (47.8/game)
4 TD
Long - 54 yards

If he put up those numbers next year (for NIU), I'd say he was probably effective, but I can't but help to be underwhelmed by those numbers in JUCO and it shows the bar to be cleared isn't all that high to be the top ranked JUCO TE in a particular transfer class.

(12-19-2022 07:58 PM)Big Red Wrote:  

(12-19-2022 02:22 PM)HuskiePride12 Wrote:  

(12-19-2022 08:46 AM)NIUfilmmaker Wrote:  7 wins or better, bowl game, give me the win this time around please.

I think the MAC west only got worse so far this off season, so I see no reason if Rocky comes back and IS healthy/plays the whole season we don't win 7 or more games. The O-Line should be better too.

The TE we just got from JUCO should help drastically too with Joiner and Tewes back.

IF TH can get some transfers on the defensive side we should be OK.

I'm not overly optimistic.

I too was excited about him and then BigChilla pointed out he was ranked #1 out of 2...

So, I looked up his stats from this year:

11 Games
38 catches (3.5/game)
526 yards (47.8/game)
4 TD
Long - 54 yards

If he put up those numbers next year (for NIU), I'd say he was probably effective, but I can't but help to be underwhelmed by those numbers in JUCO and it shows the bar to be cleared isn't all that high to be the top ranked JUCO TE in a particular transfer class.

Maybe Hammock remembers what Ball State did to his defense with Koziol & Hunt. Tall, lean, lighter TEs who can be effective as TE/WR hybrids. The basketball power forward TE type. I’m still waiting on Gumbs to develope but maybe this kid will become a factor in the passing game. Especially third down.

I am resigned to the fate that NIU doesn't have the budget to compete with most schools in the MAC. Illinois is financially strapped, enrollment dropping so student fees less and only a handful of big donors. I hope for best but expect little going forward. No real NIL to speak of to entice recruits and transfers. The football team had a 3.05 GPA.

(12-19-2022 08:31 PM)Rabid Squirrel Wrote:  

(12-19-2022 07:58 PM)Big Red Wrote:  

(12-19-2022 02:22 PM)HuskiePride12 Wrote:  

(12-19-2022 08:46 AM)NIUfilmmaker Wrote:  7 wins or better, bowl game, give me the win this time around please.

I think the MAC west only got worse so far this off season, so I see no reason if Rocky comes back and IS healthy/plays the whole season we don't win 7 or more games. The O-Line should be better too.

The TE we just got from JUCO should help drastically too with Joiner and Tewes back.

IF TH can get some transfers on the defensive side we should be OK.

I'm not overly optimistic.

I too was excited about him and then BigChilla pointed out he was ranked #1 out of 2...

So, I looked up his stats from this year:

11 Games
38 catches (3.5/game)
526 yards (47.8/game)
4 TD
Long - 54 yards

If he put up those numbers next year (for NIU), I'd say he was probably effective, but I can't but help to be underwhelmed by those numbers in JUCO and it shows the bar to be cleared isn't all that high to be the top ranked JUCO TE in a particular transfer class.

Maybe Hammock remembers what Ball State did to his defense with Koziol & Hunt. Tall, lean, lighter TEs who can be effective as TE/WR hybrids. The basketball power forward TE type. I’m still waiting on Gumbs to develope but maybe this kid will become a factor in the passing game. Especially third down.

Gumbs can't catch the ball.

(11-27-2022 08:16 PM)HuskieBowWow Wrote:  

(11-27-2022 07:23 PM)epasnoopy Wrote:  

(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.

You’re correct. It is fours years although there are some provisions that could extend it beyond that. If STF leaves the university, the term is automatically extended one year. The term is also automatically extended by one year each time NIU wins the MACC or wins a bowl game.

Regardless, Ham is going to be here for several more years.

I am 100% fine with those automatic extensions because that meets or exceeds expectations and that’s what we want.

Sean T Frazier needs to go. Why is Hammock's contract extended for a year if he leaves? (Which would be awesome)

So if Hammock has a several of 3-9 seasons in a row, and then Sean Frazier leaves the university, our coach who has been losing, a lot, just gets another year extension automatically?

Pease tell me I'm confused here.