Maybe one more game against Zook after all ....

[homerHAWKeye777]

One of their local sports media-types (Tate) is on record stating that given the contracts that Zook and the 2 new coordinators are on, he seems to be pretty certain that the AD is going to let the current coaching staff coach through the next two seasons. If things work out after two years, then obviously Zook stays .... otherwise Zook goes. And, he's of that opinion even if the Illini have another repeat 3-win season!

Wicked-cool. If that ends up being true, can you imagine the recruiting dividends we might enjoy next year in Illinois? Heck, if Kelly doesn't have a good first year at ND ... we could really make out like bandits! As it is, I think that we're going to get a nice haul out of Illinois before its all said and done in this recruiting class!

 

[homerHAWKeye777]

What will be rather intriguing is that the Illini actually have a legit chance of being decent in 2011. It would be nice to beat Zook one last time (while he's still coaching in the conference) ....

 

[Sirhouseman]

Agree Homer. I've always been scared of that day when Zook is finally gone...man there's a lot of talent there for some who can coach.

 

[VintageHawkeye]

Homer, still keeping your finger on the (weak) pulse down in chumpbana, despite your relocation to hooskerville?
Old habits die hard, I guess!
One thing I'll bet you truly miss is Papa Del's pizza. I hate all things illannoy, but that is some righteous 'za.

 

[JHHawk]

I agree that Zook will get two years to right the illini football ship. Scheelhaase is a key to his survival. I expect them to come to Iowa City in 2011 and hopefully we administer a beating. Then the next year, a new coach for our visit to Champaign..and another beating.

 

[homerHAWKeye777]

Homer, still keeping your finger on the (weak) pulse down in chumpbana, despite your relocation to hooskerville?
Old habits die hard, I guess!
One thing I'll bet you truly miss is Papa Del's pizza. I hate all things illannoy, but that is some righteous 'za.

Vintage -

Yeah, can't help myself concerning the Illini. It's just like watching a train wreck ... you can't help yourself but watch, despite the carnage.

And also I'm definitely going to miss Papa Del's pizza. What's wicked is that there's another joint on Philo that makes some seriously good pizza that can rival Papa Del's.

My wife is from Lincoln, so she has an old addiction to Valentino's pizza ... however, it still doesn't even compare to Papa Del's. I'm hoping that through some exploration, maybe somebody has come to their senses and established a good Chicago-style pizza joint in Lincoln. If not ... I'll be crying for a while ...

 

[homerHAWKeye777]

I agree that Zook will get two years to right the illini football ship. Scheelhaase is a key to his survival. I expect them to come to Iowa City in 2011 and hopefully we administer a beating. Then the next year, a new coach for our visit to Champaign..and another beating.

Scheelhaase will have to be a key ... and that's with the Illini having to field 3 new starters on the OL in 2010. When you combine that with Josh Brent's departure and the fact that Aiken's could end up getting suspended due to his involvement in some criminal activity ... I have trouble seeing the Illini NOT flounder in 2010. Heck, as I recall, Edwards left from the safety spot too ... so they could be seriously hurting for experience there.

Of course, the Illini admittedly got some really good upgrades in coaching at the coordinator spots ... however, the team is still going to have to overcome the obstacle of handling the learning curve that goes along with implementing new systems on BOTH O and D. Furthermore, the Illini's early season schedule is sufficiently brutal in 2010, that it might be tough for such a young team to overcome such adversity.

That said, the squad could legitimately have a pulse in 2011. However, even then, I think that it will depend some on Liuget staying for his SR year ... and they'll have to have other guys make pretty big developmental strides too.