FB: Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[BoBo]

Leipold has U of Buffalo ranked for the first time in school history; #24 in the poll out today...discuss.

What do Buffalo and Clemson have in common? Besides both being ranked?

Are they the 24th best football team in America?  Would they beat 25th Wisconsin?  I really don't know but what I know is that they've worked really hard and deserve every bit of credit they get. Good luck Bulls.  I'd love to see them schedule Wisconsin though. 

I have no clue what they have in common.

Saturday Sept 2, 2023 @ CR your wish is currently scheduled to be granted (provided the pandemic has been contained),

I'll give you more time to think about what they have in common - don't over think it.

[02 Warhawk]

Ney ney....I want Leipold in Champaign, to lead the Illini.  Gonna have some competition there, Cyclones.   

Fantastic to see, super happy for LL.

I wouldn't wish that on my worst enemy. What a sorry program U of I is.

And I'm an Illini fan.

[badgerwarhawk]

Ney ney....I want Leipold in Champaign, to lead the Illini.  Gonna have some competition there, Cyclones.   

Fantastic to see, super happy for LL.

I wouldn't wish that on my worst enemy. What a sorry program U of I is.

And I'm an Illini fan.

Don't be too hard on yourself after all we're just human and we make mistakes.   

[WW]

Ney ney....I want Leipold in Champaign, to lead the Illini.  Gonna have some competition there, Cyclones.   

Fantastic to see, super happy for LL.

I wouldn't wish that on my worst enemy. What a sorry program U of I is.

And I'm an Illini fan.

What's their excuse anyway? They've had a few blips of success, but historically many more years wandering the desert than in the promised land

[wm4]

What's their excuse anyway? They've had a few blips of success, but historically many more years wandering the desert than in the promised land

Isn't that a good question?  I've only been following the program closely for the last 7 years or so, so can't speak to times before that.  I can tell you that football success hasn't really been a top priority up through 2015.  Administration was pretty much happy to open the gates, roll out the ball and be content with whatever happened.  That changed in Feb '16 when they hired Josh Whitman as AD (former LaCrosse AD, believe it or not).  He's a former player, very passionate about U of I football (and athletics in general), and has the backing of the administration.  He took a crack at Lovie, but it just hasn't worked out.  Lovie has shown zero chops in recruiting, and his defenses have ranked at the bottom of the B1G.  Oh, and he's getting $5 million a year or so.  The good news is they just built an $80 million football only facility, which brings then up to speed with their peers.  U of I is a great school and they sure as heck should be able to attract good recruits. 

It's time for a change.  Whether that happens this year or not, we'll see, but Lovie's contract is up at the end of next year, so Whitman is going to have to make a decision one way or the other here shortly. 

Does Matt Campbell have a brother?  Would Lance Leipold come to Champaign?  We'll see.

My son was recruited by Leipold and staff when he was at Whitewater, so I'm a big fan of his.  Thrilled to see their success at Buffalo, and hope he gets a shot at coaching on an even bigger stage. 

[WW]

What's their excuse anyway? They've had a few blips of success, but historically many more years wandering the desert than in the promised land

Isn't that a good question?  I've only been following the program closely for the last 7 years or so, so can't speak to times before that.  I can tell you that football success hasn't really been a top priority up through 2015.  Administration was pretty much happy to open the gates, roll out the ball and be content with whatever happened.  That changed in Feb '16 when they hired Josh Whitman as AD (former LaCrosse AD, believe it or not).  He's a former player, very passionate about U of I football (and athletics in general), and has the backing of the administration.  He took a crack at Lovie, but it just hasn't worked out.  Lovie has shown zero chops in recruiting, and his defenses have ranked at the bottom of the B1G.  Oh, and he's getting $5 million a year or so.  The good news is they just built an $80 million football only facility, which brings then up to speed with their peers.  U of I is a great school and they sure as heck should be able to attract good recruits. 

It's time for a change.  Whether that happens this year or not, we'll see, but Lovie's contract is up at the end of next year, so Whitman is going to have to make a decision one way or the other here shortly. 

Does Matt Campbell have a brother?  Would Lance Leipold come to Champaign?  We'll see.

My son was recruited by Leipold and staff when he was at Whitewater, so I'm a big fan of his.  Thrilled to see their success at Buffalo, and hope he gets a shot at coaching on an even bigger stage.

I think this is a pivotal year in Leipold's career. His iron isn't gonna get any hotter than it is now, presuming they finish the season well. After 6 years at Buffalo, he's proven he can build a winner. But winning the MAC is, well, winning the MAC. It still gets you sent to the Dollar General Bowl, or wherever the hell they send the MAC winner.

Sure, I gotta think he'd come to Champaign. He'd 3x his salary minimally, and as long as Big Ten divisional alignments remain as they are, he'd have a fair shot to succeed, if, as you report, there's significant new investment in football there. But there's a lot of turnaround of culture that would have to happen that wouldn't have to happen at, say, Iowa State if Campbell were to leave. (I don't see Campbell bolting for Illinois, by the way -- too lateral.)

[wm4]

Sure, I gotta think he'd come to Champaign. He'd 3x his salary minimally, and as long as Big Ten divisional alignments remain as they are, he'd have a fair shot to succeed, if, as you report, there's significant new investment in football there. But there's a lot of turnaround of culture that would have to happen that wouldn't have to happen at, say, Iowa State if Campbell were to leave. (I don't see Campbell bolting for Illinois, by the way -- too lateral.)

My sense of humor....I don't think there actually *is* a culture in the program right now.  Hell, just establish something and a new coach would already be ahead of the game.  But yes, I do think it's a minimal 4-5 year process to get a new coach in, build a program, build a roster and identity, and see results.  In a way, much the same timeframe as LL has done at Buffalo.  Lovie's current program doesn't have any of that.  He's overly dependent on the transfer portal to find players, the team has no offensive or defensive identity, and they rank at or near the bottom of recruiting rankings each year. 

Can you say Matt Campbell...to the Bears??  Hmmm. 

[02 Warhawk]

Meinerz declaring himself for NFL draft. Obviously a great opportunity, but I was afraid things like this might happen. Missing out on seniors playing their final season of football. Stupid COVID.

[badgerwarhawk]

Recruiting is a process whether it's done at Alabama, Buffalo or WHITEWATER.  LL has a process.  It's been successful in WHITEWATER and Buffalo.  There's really no reason to think it couldn't work in Illinois.   Buffalo was in the dumps when he took that job. 

Whatever happens good luck Saturday. 

[WW]

Sure, I gotta think he'd come to Champaign. He'd 3x his salary minimally, and as long as Big Ten divisional alignments remain as they are, he'd have a fair shot to succeed, if, as you report, there's significant new investment in football there. But there's a lot of turnaround of culture that would have to happen that wouldn't have to happen at, say, Iowa State if Campbell were to leave. (I don't see Campbell bolting for Illinois, by the way -- too lateral.)

My sense of humor....I don't think there actually *is* a culture in the program right now.  Hell, just establish something and a new coach would already be ahead of the game.  But yes, I do think it's a minimal 4-5 year process to get a new coach in, build a program, build a roster and identity, and see results.  In a way, much the same timeframe as LL has done at Buffalo.  Lovie's current program doesn't have any of that.  He's overly dependent on the transfer portal to find players, the team has no offensive or defensive identity, and they rank at or near the bottom of recruiting rankings each year. 

Can you say Matt Campbell...to the Bears??  Hmmm.

Oh dear...

[badgerwarhawk]

Illinois goes with Bilema (sp?)

[02 Warhawk]

Kumerow TD!!!

I can actually cheer for his TDs now 

[MUC57]

bleedpurple

Check your PM please.

[MUC57]

To all my friends on this board, I wish you "an Nou Fericit"!
Even if you don't speak Romanian (me, only a little) , you know what I mean.
Hope 2021 is better for all of us. Stay safe and stay well! 🎉 🎈 🍾 
                    Go 2021!
     

                   

[02 Warhawk]

I see UWW is going hard after the Kevin Stemke award winner (Wisconsin's top senior kicker/punter).

Not sure how to 100% interpret his tweet:

https://twitter.com/fischerbranden/status/1344376020389023746?s=21