Sic Semper Tyrannis

History tells us that all Tyrants are doomed to failure and thus the fate of our modern Caesar has already been written as we await the conclusion of our contemporary Illini tragedy. Is RZ unwittingly playing the role of Brutus and will his ineptitude be the first dagger to deliver the fatal blow to our Athletic Dictator or “AD”.

The AD has all but admitted failure after cleaning house and establishing a puppet regime with a toothless Head Coach commanding no one while posing as a general without an army in a war he cannot win, Salutations will be given to Coordinators and the AD if 2010 miraculously produces wins and competency. More likely though, we will witness a barren campaign bereft of success and catastrophic in its aftermath. Heads will roll as RZ will be forced to fall on his sword but not before his blade is thrust into the Tyrant in a ignominious ending to a career with more battles won than lost except for the war which come to define his empire. His legacy will be defined by his failure in the one area that will mean the most to him and no buildings or minor victories can overcome the stigma of a losing 18 year war with a sport he places above all else. At least Al Davis, Jerry Jones and Caesar himself have conquered worlds and ruled an Empire of note before succumbing to their worst devices as their Kingdoms fell.

How long has the plan to take back the program without dismissing his General been afoot? How many interviews were granted with candidates and how were they vetted? Were any candidates of color interviewed or considered in the latest purge and is there a nexus between Reggie Mitchell’s departure and the process in question? Clearly the AD had no committee, no transparency and no support from the loyal servants in his Kingdom who buy the tickets and support his blunders. Money was available to saddle this Program with two years of exorbitant assistants salaries that will most likely ensure that no real change will occur until the end of 2011 should things go astray.

Given the mindset of our fearless Dictator, it is clear that “Battle Plan B” consists of firing RZ and hiring Petrino, but what if Petrino is a bust; hire the DC I guess. One element has been lacking throughout this saga and that my friends is accountability. When will the AD step up and proclaim that he has failed and will no longer serve. We teach our children to take responsibility and be accountable for their mistakes, but it’s difficult to reinforce that message when it’s always someone else’s fault. Great leaders have the courage to take risks, fail and stand accountable. Lead and be great or be graceful and noble. In the end it is inevitably, “Sic Semper Tyrannis”, et tu.

PS: Basketball is undergoing growing pains that many of us anticipate from a physically and emotionally immature team with enormous upside and talent. Don’t fret, this team will ultimately find its groove and may surprise us with a deep run in the Tourney if our draw is favorable. I know there are those who are doubting whether this team evens makes the Field of 64, but I have faith in the Coach and his ability to shape the squad into a “dangerous out” come March.

See U at UC and in CU; Go Illini!

Fan Letter to Mr. G

Mr. G,

I listened to your recorded show last night and enjoyed the program. 1-3 p.m. Alaska Time isn’t the best time for me to be sitting around with my feet on the desk listening to the radio, but I’ll try to listen again sometime.

The thing I liked most about the program is that your comments about Illinois football and the coaching have been my sentiments for a long time. Zook just isn’t a very good teacher or coach and his teams tend to be sloppy, undisciplined, prone to mistakes, poor at fundamentals and inconsistent in execution. Other than that, I don’t dislike the guy the way I dislike Charlie Weis or Bob Knight. But you said it best in your comment yesterday to Gould that he wouldn’t be working for long if his grammar sucked. Likewise, Zook has no business coaching D-1 football team. Florida figured that out pretty quickly and Guenther apparently didn’t get the memo.

I met John Hiebert recently on the Illinois Loyalty blog site. The songs and lyrics burst forth in just a few weeks this fall as a frustrated emotional response to the awful football season. Another friend of mine (who is an Illini fan) and I have been writing silly, sophomoric lyrics to famous songs for a long time and exchanging them by email We posted some on the Illinois Loyalty Website in September. John asked if he could mix and record the songs. He did a brilliant job and suddenly we’re famous. Do you think WLS is interested? John and I have never met in person even though only 23 people live in Alaska. We’ve only exchanged emails and music lyrics because it is too cold and dark to go out and see your neighbors. We have vowed to get together to watch a game at a bar, but as the football season progressed, it didn’t sound like much fun. So far, the basketball games have not been on TV here or have been at bad times. We’ll get together before the season is over, I hope.

John sort of fumbled your question about my background because he doesn’t know it. I grew up in Champaign and attended my first year at the U of I. I was a townie. My parents still live there. I am from a long line of Illini alums. My mother and father met at Illinois. My father played basketball on the Final Four Team of 1949. His construction company built a number of buildings on campus, including the Assembly Hall. My grandfather, Paul Bresee and his brother Tiz, were the announcers at the football and basketball games for many, many years. All of my Grandfather’s four brothers and sisters graduated from the U of I. Many of their children and grandchildren have attended the University. One of my mother’s sisters married the son of the then-President of the University, David D. Henry. My mother’s other sister married the son of the head of all of the Illini bands for many years, Mark Hindsley.

When I was young, I didn’t know the difference between college and professional sports. I thought that the Illini belonged to Champaign-Urbana, the way that the Bulls, Bears and Cubs belong to Chicago. I just assumed they played in the same leagues. My grandmother taught me what the line of scrimmage was. When I was in second grade, my sister and I used to play hoops on the neighbor’s driveway and pretend we were Illinois players. I could hardly get the ball to the rim shooting underhanded. My sister was always Dave Downy and I was Bill Burwell. It never dawned on me than that Burwell was a 6’9 black man and I was a 4’2 tow-headed white kid from a white bread neighborhood. Illinois sports transcended race and all other considerations when I was a kid. The slush fund scandal broke on my 13th birthday—December 23, 1966. Most of my generation remembers when John Kennedy was killed as the end of the age of innocence. For me it was the slush fund scandal and my 13th birthday.

Despite my Illinois pedigree, I was a prodigal. After my freshman year I hitchhiked to Fairbanks, Alaska and decided to attend the University of Alaska. This was the Hippie era. I’ve been an Alaskan ever since, other than my three years of law school at Rutgers University, Camden. I still get back to Chicago and Champaign on a regular basis. I have a sister who lives in Deerfield. I still wear my Orange and Blue and follow the teams regularly. My wife thinks I’m a glutton for punishment and doesn’t understand my loyalty. You can take the boy out of Illinois but you can’t take the Illini out of the boy.

As a topic of discussion, I’d love to hear your take on Illinois sports budget. I read that Illinois ranks 10th in the Big 10 in its sports budget. Only Northwestern spends less. My question is, does the administration really care about Illinois sports, in general and football in particular. Does Illinois really want to field a national caliber football team? Based upon my 50 years of watching the program, the current spending levels, the decision to discard the Chief, the constant turnover in the head football coaching position, the distrust of the athletic department stemming from the slush fund scandal, and the general “anti-jock” attitude of the faculty, I don’t think that the school cares whether we go 3-9, 6-6, or 8-4 so long as people buy tickets and give donations. So if the administration doesn’t care and isn’t trying to be national caliber team, why should the fans care so much? I’d like to have your perspective on this. You obviously eat, sleep, speak, drink and dream Illini sports. Don’t you feel a little duped by the school? Don’t you wish that the University of Illinois as an institution supported football the same way that it is supported at OSU, Penn State, Oklahoma, Texas, Florida, FSU, Alabama, Miami, Boise State, and USC just to name a few?

Regards,

Richard

Piling On

Since the second quarter of the Missouri debacle in early September, Ron Zook has been a “dead man walking” and his team is destined for more misery in the coming days. For all the conjecture regarding player departures, RZ’s mental state and the welfare of the University, one constituency has been ignored; the fans and alumni. Apparently, our loyalty and continued faith in the AD and his beleaguered Coach are expected without question or regard for those of us who buy tickets and contribute to the DIA.

Saturdays events, although shocking in magnitude and scope, are the likely conclusion to a season fraught with missteps by an AD and Coach who remain clueless in the extreme. We have reaped what we have sewn with a schedule destined to produce failure and a defensively oriented Coach, whose teams gave up a collective 102 points to teams without football history or real pedigree in the last two weeks of the season.

Defections, that were dismissed by experts when estimated in the range of six, are now anyone’s guess as it relates to quantity or impact. The sky is not falling, rather, it has already fallen along with all the crap in the atmosphere as we are left navigating a field littered with debris and fallout from the catastrophic failure that was once our football team.

Kudos, salutations and credit goes to the 45,000 fans who stayed away in droves and demonstrated in no uncertain terms that they will not be ignored. The message to the AD was the football equivalent of the “ghost of Christmas’ to come” and it must have sent shivers up the spine of those whose mantra is based on being and staying in black. Do the math and project the expected indifference that awaits the 2010 version of Gilligan’s Island and the metaphor that immediately comes to mind is “the Red Sea’.

As we reflect back on our collective wretchedness otherwise known as the 2009 Football season, I am reminded of the question posed in my very first Blog entry written after the Missouri game and I think it bears revisiting:

“For all Ron Guenther's protestations that he is a football guy, he has never selected or presided over a coaching tenure that produced a winning record. The Zook era which took on so much promise after its unexpected Rose Bowl appearance in 2007, is now a team in turmoil as it teeters on the brink. Guenther for all the facility building he has completed, has presided over one National Championship in Gymnastics and a superb tennis program that now appears to disintegrating before our very eyes.

Guenther's scheduling woes have angered sky box and premium seat holders as well as local merchants and just about anyone else who follows Illinois Football. As Zook and Illinois try to build a brand and create a culture of winning, the AD is defending the toughest schedule in the Conference which includes only six home games.

September 5th 2009, "a date that shall live in infamy" will either be remembered, like its truly serious forerunner, as monument to Zook's pluckiness and perseverance or the first line on his Illinois football obituary. We may not learn much from this weeks matchup with 1AA opponent, Illinois State, but rest assured, by mid-October, the tea leaves will be clearly read and the future of Illinois Football hangs in the balance.

Fans affections are a fickle mistress and Zook has as many detractors as fans; we shall see what he is made of in the coming weeks; stay tuned "as the world turns.""

The questions still remain, but the answers are clear, exercise damage control, bite the bullet or face the wrath of a Nation scorned. We are a forgiving group as the record shows, but we have our limits . RZ’s Obituary is all but written as the Reaper commences his grizzly task. The clock has struck midnight, the bell has rung and woe unto those who walk the night after the sky has fallen.

Video Blog - Z-Out and the Declaration

Check out the second installment of Mr. G's brand new video blog. Let us know what you think!

Z-Out and the Declaration

“When in the course of human events it becomes necessary for one fandom to separate themselves from the bands that connect them to an AD and or Coach and assume the Right’s which the Laws of Nature entitle them, that they should declare the causes which impel them to separation. We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Competency, Accountability and the pursuit of Winning Football.”

“That whenever any Form of Administration becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute a new Athletic Administration, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Competency and Happiness. These changes should not be made for light or transient causes, but when a long train of abuses and usurpations evinces incompetency, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Athletic Administration, and to provide new Guards for their future security and happiness.”

The current AD is a highly competent Manager who has husbanded resources and kept a balanced budget. He has kept pace with his rivals and built for the future in a decade that mirrors the 1920’s in scope of building and financial peril. Minor sports have remained competitive with Championships won in Men’s Tennis and Gymnastics. Basketball during the course of his 18 year tenure has been a bright spot since the mid 90’s and has flirted with greatness on occasion.

And now for the other side of the coin: Football is abysmal, plain and simple. We have arguably been the worst BCS team in America during his tenure. This is especially true if one considers the size of our State in relation to other Public BCS Institutions in large States. Bear in mind that with the exception of New York which has no Public BCS, we are decidedly worse than any other Institution in the Football Playing United States. The 10 largest States other than NY are Texas, California, Florida, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Georgia, North Carolina and our beloved Illinois. By comparison, only UNC and Cal had any prolonged sub 500% year streaks and both have real periods of sustained excellence and are currently on the upswing.

Had our Football Program achieved mediocrity over the 18 year period we would have raised the money and then some to have completed the facility building that has been the norm in this bloated economic decade. The failure regarding Football’s current steward, RZ, rests solely on the one-man committee that hired him and failed to vet his substantial and obvious shortcomings. Had the AD talked to RZ’s Assistants at Florida or those who declined to work for him, the hire would have been avoided. Had the AD talked to the Florida press corp., and heard about RZ’s propensity to micromanage and not let his Assistant’s implement their preferred systems, RZ might be an NFL Assistant again.

The evidence against Zook and the case for his dismissal is so well documented and irrefutable as to render further discussion moot and redundant. However, in the interest of evidentiary fairness I will offer the following, we are the absolute dregs, as evidenced by the B10’s own statistics in the following categories; Special Teams efficiency, turnover margin and penalties. Had the aforementioned been a one year statistical anomaly, it might have been excusable, but we are no one-year wonder (Rose Bowl season excepted); no, we are a model of consistency when it comes to those subtle coachable statistics that separates talent from productivity. Other than unsustainable recruiting victories, I dare anyone to name a single facet of the game where RZ has displayed anything but abject incompetence.

Having hooked his wagon to our failed Coach, RG has been Zooked. He has three choices as I see it; he can retire honorably and let his successor do his bidding, he can soldier on with Gilligan at the wheel or he can beach the Minow, leave the First Mate off the Island and hire a Steering Committee to chart a new course. The latter of the three choices sounds logical, but logic is in the eye of the beholder and RG controls our destiny unless Illini Nation speaks with the one voice that RG will not ignore; indifference. By not buying into a putrid product, the AD will be left with no choice other than change, and if by change, he means a return to the Dictatorial ways that brought us to this point in the first place, RG must follow his hand-picked Coach and leave the Pride in disgrace.

Let’s begin the process this Saturday by showing our disgust with the state of the Program and a schedule which is perplexing at best and atrociously conceived at worst, by staying home. If all RG wanted to do was avoid a multi- million dollar buy-out as we muddled our way to obscurity, two $300,000 home patsies would have been a far less expensive solution; but that ship has sailed and the Skipper must now decide how to save his vessel as water hemorrhages into the Minow.

Donate your tickets to charity and or sell them and give the money to the DIA for the express purpose of buying out the current Head Coach. A Z-Out requires that season ticket holders stay away in droves and force the AD to confront the reality that if an RZ coached team falls in the middle of a forest with no one around to witness it, does it really matter. To a “Nation” starved for success and loyal to a fault I refer back to our Declaration as we plead for Competency and Accountability and seek throw off the yoke of Tyranny. In support of this Declaration we pledge our Loyalty, Resources and Sacred Honor.

Video Blog - Blind Man King

Check out the first installment of Mr. G's brand new video blog. Let us know what you think!

In the Land of the Blind, the One Eyed Man is King

Our current AD must have a very low opinion of the subjects in his kingdom for he assumes that we are resigned to his regressive vision for the future of Illini football. Perhaps he’s right; there is an outcry at places like Michigan and Notre Dame where stupefying ineptitude is met with derision and revulsion. Low expectations aside, this sordid ordeal surrounding our current Head Coach and his apologist AD reminds me of George Orwell’s Animal Farm where all pigs are equal except some are more equal than others. The voice of “the nation” has either fallen on the deaf ears of its’ leader or not deemed relevant or meaningful to the conversation because we lack the right or requisite knowledge to add or detract from the conversation. Are we conditioned to merely follow those who lead us regardless of the direction or wisdom of the path or message? If this be true, why not the “ Lemming” as our new symbol or mascot. Hi Ho Hi Ho it’s off the cliff we go.

Should anyone harbor doubts that we are led by an incompetent HC who has perfected the art of snatching defeat from the jaws of victory and rendered it into an art form. Does the Northwestern roster have a single wide receiver who would have been recruited by our staff and yet it appeared that all were the second coming of Wes Welker as they merrily ran free amongst our four stars. It’s hard to argue the fact that Northwestern is better coached and less talented at virtually every position on the field. RZ correctly identified this game as our most important rivalry and privately told those in his inner circle that he was nervous about facing Northwestern and more confident relative to Cincy. Losing four of five matchups with your chief rival gets you fired at most places unless you live in the land of the blind, where only the one-eyed king can see the truth. Clearly, it made sense to bench Charest and LeShoure for McGee and Dufrene in the third quarter. Surely one could see that our coaches completely outfoxed their counterparts with their wile halftime adjustments that lulled even the most astute of our enemies into a state of complacency that all but assured us of a last second victory that was unjustly robbed from us by a worldwide “zebra conspiracy”. Anyone could see the genius of our leadership and recognize the guile and cunning of our strategy.

Statistics, lies and damned lies tell a different story as we are 11^th in points per game, 10^th in total yards, 10^th in penalty yards, 11^th in TD’s, 11^th in INT’s, 10^th in sacks, 11^th in punt returns and 10^th in kick returns. Or maybe, just maybe, this is another brilliant maneuver meant to confuse our enemies and befuddle our otherwise clueless fan base. How clever can one be that our HC has again, with the help and support of his majesty the AD, managed to artfully outwit the entire college football world and disguise our superiority by feigning utter and unmitigated incompetence. Long live the King, may his Jester continue to serve as we applaud his skill and struggle to understand the source and complexity of his unique and superior ways.

PS: If we lose badly to Cincy and Fresno State, will anybody notice? Basketball season is upon us and things are looking up, our glass is half full and yet we are still thirsty.

Coaches Who Stare at Goats

Now that RZ has put down his crayons and sketch pad as he apparently did last Saturday at Minnesota; I have another bit of advice for our fearless leader, lose the headset. I don’t know who is on the other end it or if anyone is listening to what you are saying, but we would all feel a lot better if you limited in game communication to heads, tails or atta boy son.

To paraphrase Winston Churchill, “never in the course of human conflict have so many been so happy after triumphing over two hapless enemies.” This is the World War II equivalent of thrashing Austria and Bulgaria; my apologies to all my Bulgarian and Austrian friends. Austria may have once been a great power that some view in empire parlance as the “Champions of the West”, but now is led by a thuggish leader with little imagination or ability. The Bulgars must have been something special before electricity was invented, but its football equivalent Gophers put the ocrity in mediocrity as they muddle their way into football obscurity. Jim Souhan of the Minneapolis Star Tribune said it best after Saturdays game: “Can we taser anyone who suggests that a 6 and 6 record this season, given the mediocrity of the Big 10 is an accomplishment or a sign of progress. Why would long-time Gopher football fans expect anything different than a bad loss to a bad team that leaves the Gophers headed toward a losing record in a bad league and a meaningless Bowl.” Sign me up, that sounds like a winner after what Illini Nation has been through.

Yes there were signs of life the last two weeks that leave of us yearning for more and asking why this staff has been virtually asleep at the wheel for seven games while sitting on a treasure trove of talent without a map or the slightest clue.

Having punts blocked in consecutive fourth quarters on successive Saturdays is acceptable on the Pop Warner level but unconscionable at a major university. Penalties, Special Teams and an all too frequent lack of discipline has and will continue to cost us yards and games as we navigate without a rudder. We are constantly looking like a mistake waiting to happen and yet I cannot do anything but cheer and hope that the kids will overcome what they cannot control.

Had the AD figured out that it was cheaper to buy two home wins at $300,000 per game than exercise a buy-out in the millions, he may have lessened the early season pressure on a Coach who is widely considered to be the tightest sphincter in college football. I may not believe that it’s in the best interests of the Program for RZ to remain on the job, but I will not, no I cannot ever root against the Illini. So use your Zooker powers and give Fitzgerald and the Wildcats your best George Clooney stare and make them fall down by sheer force of will and mind boggling powers. Who needs a note pad or headset to win a football game, just will it and all will be forgiven; not really.

24

Twenty fours in Champaign accompanied by Northbrook Chief’s Dad (GBN and Wash U star point guard) started out with dinner at Ferron’s with my frat boy son and my buddy’s sorority girl daughter and their respective roommates. They quickly ditched us for “greener pastures” and after checking into the I Hotel, we walked over to “the Hall” to check out the “Bruceables”. We sat in a box with a couple boosters and low and behold, the kids can play. In particular, the Freshmen class is the most athletic and skilled class since Dee, Deron and Augie in 02. Although Stan Simpson is technically a 2012 and did not play on Friday, he is now a member of the class of 13 and I would love to see how that “Five” would fare against the rest of the team in an organized game.

Richardson, Paul, Bertrand, and Griffey may not be the “Fab Five”, (our banners will not taken down either) but this group when combined with the current Illini junior class and next years haul and you have the makings of something truly special. “RPBG” can ball and even Griffey is athletic beyond expectations. What is most impressive about the freshmen is the skill and polish they possess at their tender stage of development. If there is a knock on this class , it is for the time being, there is no pure point with g-d given ball handling skills to provide a back up for McCamey or share the load. Bertrand who I had not seen play before has the most natural point guard skills of the three guards and he was a pleasant surprise to say the least. My guess is that any of the four frosh are capable of getting elbow high on the rim; elbows up, elbows up everybody.

What truly excites me about this group is the rare combination of athleticism and court intelligence that each of these kids apparently possess. We may not initially be as good a team as last years bunch when all were healthy, but by years end we will be armed and dangerous and ready for a sweet sixteen run.

On a sour note, Alex Legion appears to be one dimensional and merely capable of spot shooting when we face a zone. I wish the kid well, but it hasn’t clicked for him yet.

Saturday started with lunch at Legends; the fish of course, followed by our showdown with dreaded Wolverines as we try to turn back the clock to 1983 (our last home win v. UM). If this were a movie, the title would be “Dumb and Dumber”. Rodriguez clock management at the end of the first half was as bad or worse than RZ’s. When Adam Rittenberg of ESPN appeared on our show on the Tuesday before our OSU game, he said that UM was the third best team in the conference. Boz and I thought the Wolverines were a fraud that would benefit from an easy schedule that may gloss over a flawed football team. Well it appears that not even an easy schedule can save RichRod and the Wolves. I told Rittenberg that UM alums did not like the guy and another lousy year could spell his demise. Stay tuned, Michigan may be willing to eat RR’s astronomical buy out and move on. The dollars it would take to buy out RZ pale in comparison but mediocrity or failure may be more acceptable to the powers that be here than it is at a place like Michigan.

I’m happy for the kids and our fans and besides, I love beating Michigan. I pose the following question in closing: would any of you trade two more wins this year for two more years of RZ? Just asking.

On the way home we picked up a deep dish Papa Del’s to go and it always tastes better after a win; it’s just that that the aftertaste leaves me wondering how long our coaching indigestion will last.

Sincerely,

Mr. G

Top Ten Things I Can’t Stand About Illini Football!

10. Give me a symbol, mascot or pagan idol; anything. Presently Illini Nation is godless and hopeless.

9. Our new Offensive Coordinator is more offensive than coordinated.

8. Two heads are better than one unless they’re shrunken and co-coordinators of our defense.

7. An offensive line that looks like it was designed by the inventor of the turnstyle.

6. A schedule built for one and eleven.

5. It interferes with following Illini basketball practice.

4. There’s really no point to watching the second half of games.

3. Coach Guenther.

2. Our current Coach is no Gary Moeller.

The Number One Thing I Can’t Stand About Illini Football Is:

1. Ron Zook still wears a headset during games and someone is on the other end of it.

GO ILLINI! BEAT MICHIGAN!

What Matters!

Irrespective of our irrational preoccupation with the game of football and the fortunes of the Illini; we are reminded that it’s just a game, and not a matter of life and death. It often takes a moment like the sight of a motionless kid sprawled out and unresponsive to reinforce for us that which is truly important and meaningful in our lives. I have admired Donsay Hardeman for his fearless play and all-out effort these past two seasons as I have commented on our show and lamented that we could use 10 more with his heart and desire on a defense that is woefully deficient on virtually every level.

I felt a sense of horror as I pondered whether Donsay would ever walk again after his first half hit and apparent injury necessitated the use of a safety board and cart to take him off the field. The rest of the game and the mistake prone performance of his teammates was rendered insignificant and meaningless vis-à-vis the fate of a young man facing a paralytic future.

When news reports on Sunday indicated that Donsay merely had a sprained neck, I felt a sense of relief that dwarfed my disappointment from the previous nights result. Donsay is just 11 months removed from major neck surgery and I wonder what the wisdom was of playing a contact sport that is the equivalent of being involved in multiple car crashes each and every day. Perhaps he should have been red shirted if there was a shadow of a doubt regarding his fitness for participation in a game that requires controlled violence on each and every play. Had Donsay been paralyzed and confined to a wheel chair or worse, the financial risk to the University would have been astronomical. More importantly, the risk to our humanity would have been far greater, and rightly so, if we had put a kid at risk without full consideration of the consequences. It is with the aforementioned in mind that I urge the coaching staff and administration to err on the side of caution and sit Donsay until we are absolutely sure that he is fit for full contact and the rigors of the game.

I have intentionally used Donsay’s first name to emphasize that we are talking about the life of a human being with family and friends whom he loves and receives their love in return. His name is Donsay Hardeman and he could be our son or brother and his well being transcends the game and our superfluous desires. Say his name out loud once please, Donsay Hardeman, and then say a prayer to yourself for his health, safety and welfare; and let us all say Amen.

Groundhog Day

The ritual of Autumn in all its glory has descended upon us. We gaze out windows as foliage screams its last gasp of brilliance before the final spiral of death renders it grounded and inert. The bright color and pageantry of fall begins to blur as the winter of our discontent looms omnipresent. The brightness of blazing orange will soon be a distant memory as gloom, darkness and pessimism take hold.

Though the season is but a few weeks old, the changing of the leaves never changes and our fortunes repeat themselves as if stuck in a Harold Ramis movie where every day is the same and our fate is predetermined. In the movie, “Groundhog Day,” redemption and salvation occur when meaningful change of heart and purpose is accompanied by a plan of action that embraces a different and better way to approach each day.

Illinois Football is stuck in a 42 year cycle with a strategic plan that reads as follows: if you come to dead end in a labyrinth, go in another direction. For instance, 17 years ago we hired a defensive head coach and when our offense stagnated, we fired him and hired an offensive guru. Six years ago our recruiting slumped and we fired the offensive guru and hired a recruiting wizard and now he has stumbled and bumbled and exposed himself as a one trick pony without an encore; so we will navigate the labyrinth as we always have and react to a dead end by merely changing directions.

As we approach another addition of the Illinois version of Groundhog Day, it is clear that everything will stay the same unless we change our philosophy, or put another way, how we use reason to seek truth and knowledge. The problem with our current philosophy stems from a lack of coherence at the top and the misguided notion that problems should be fixed and that winning is the ultimate fix. For many of us, losing is bearable to a point if the product is likable, entertaining and something we can be proud of at any level. The issues with football, and I want to address them without disparaging players of good character, of whom there are many, stem from a program without an identity, purpose or direction.

The seemingly eternal Illini question is, where do we go from here and who is going to take us there? The answer starts with the following, it cannot be fixed, it must be rebuilt. The confidence of the people of the State of Illinois and the Alumni and students must be won back after years of hollow promises and failed initiatives. Edifices do not build character or embolden the spirit without embracing a philosophy that kindles that which burns eternally and speaks to a higher purpose.

I want Illinois football to succeed and win as much as most, but ultimately, I want to take pride in our coaches and players as they represent our great institution. Can you imagine interviewing for and accepting a job without knowing how to pronounce the name of the company or institution; we don’t have to, and perhaps we should have known that barbarians were at the gate when our current HC was introduced to the media and he blurted out that he “was thrilled to be at Illinoise.” I yearn for the days of former Dartmouth coach Bob Blackman and his literate and 500 winning percentage ways. Each day is the same unless there is a change in philosophy; only then will the next journey begin as we search for truth and reason amidst chaos and defeat.

The Honorable Course of Action

The wheels on the bus go round and round and eventually fall off. Illinois football seems destined for failure every five years or so and the Ron Zook addition of year number five is bent on fulfilling its destiny. The AD, through scheduling missteps and micromanagement of the program, has contributed mightily to the demise of the latest addition of our beloved Illini and he is in no position to determine the future of the program based on a track record spanning 17 plus years without a shred of sustained excellence. The next major decision relating to Illinois football will be made by the current AD’s successor at the conclusion of the 2010 season barring a sea change or outright miracle. One does not need the Rosetta Stone to decipher or predict how this Greek tragedy will end.

Like “King Herod the Builder” of ancient times, the current AD will go down in history for his significant and extraordinary contributions to the physical landscape of his domain as we lament the lost opportunities for true greatness in the field of battle. We are left with regret and frustration for what might have been.

We are at a crossroads and the Administration must decide if our path shall be straight, narrow and slow without shame or glory; or should we aspire to and achieve greatness without the sacrifice of scruples and honor. It has been done at places where good coaches and adequate resources create an atmosphere conducive to consistent winning without compromising the integrity of the institution. At this point, I find myself in envy of small States like Utah, Wisconsin or even Iowa that have produced sustained excellence without outright scandal (“shoegate at Wisky being the exception). The logic that all of us accepted when Zook was hired envisioned consistent mediocrity and minor bowl games in perpetuity. “Give me your poor huddled masses from distant States and let me go Seven and Five.” In fact, that should be our new slogan for the rest of the year, “Seven and Five to stay alive.”

Anything short of a winning season in Year Five of the Zook regime should be laid at the feet of the powers that be with sword on shield and honor intact.

Surrounded by loyalists and sycophants, the AD must neither take nor give advice, but merely, do what is right and honorable while preserving his legacy and serving the greater good. The future history of Illinois football has already been written, only the fate of the heroes and villains remains unknown.

My Illini Manifesto

Forces within the confederation of states and universities known collectively as “Big 10 Country” have conspired to oppress the people of the State of Illinois and its flagship university. As the Big 10’s most populous state, Illinois had enjoyed natural advantages with respect to recruiting and facilities prior to 1967. The university continues to enjoy its status as America’s first and most prominent Land Grant Institution. Its creation is traced to the pen of the greatest of all Illinoisans, Abraham Lincoln.

The jackals waited and in 1967 as Illinois athletics stumbled and was covered in the muck known as “the slush fund,” the beasts descended on their wounded prey until the air was sucked out of Illinois athletics and it was left lifeless and wrecked.

Illinois was riding the crest of basketball and football programs that were at or near the top of the conference and poised for greatness. The basketball squad featured three future pros and the football program was emerging again, two years removed from a Rose Bowl win and led by a future NFL halfback named Cyril Pinder.

The elites and the downtrodden in the Big 10 saw scandal as an opportunity to destroy its rival and lift their own fortunes in the process. If Illinois had resisted the “gut job” proposed by fellow Big 10 presidents, it would have been banished by “the pride” to a life of exile and independent death. Instead Illinois submitted to a death by a thousand cuts that left its marquee sports in disarray and toothless.

Basketball would recover in time only to be beaten down by the cabal of Bruce Pearl, Digger Phelps and Bobby Knight in an effort to stem the tide and crush the sleeping giant as it stood ready to take its rightful place amongst the basketball powers. Whereas, basketball would recover again after a five year decline through 1995; it was football that has been permanently damaged with occasional fits and starts followed by periods of decline. Indeed, through the “slush fund” era, Illinois stars like Butkus and Grange were the brightest in the college universe and its teams were feared and revered throughout the land.

The Mike White era that began with promise and excitement was damaged and scandalized with the encouragement of mortal demons like Schembechler from Michigan. In truth, only lowly Indiana and perhaps Northwestern have enjoyed longer prolonged runs of futility than our Illini. Compare our record excluding ties prior to 1967 of 365 wins and 246 losses (60%) against a post “slush fund” record of 196 wins and 260 losses (43%). It is not hyperbole to suggest that we have never fully recovered from the events of 1967.

The jackals are not alone for we have been our own worst enemies. We have shrunk in the wake of protests and accusations and thought small while projecting weakness and inferiority. Alas, we have accepted mediocrity or worse from our own leaders while cowering with fear from elitists throwing stones from their own glass houses.

We are not worthy of our Fighting Illini moniker if we cower and hide in the face of controversy or battle. Illini Nation must arise together and take back what is ours. We, the sons of Lincoln, Reagan, and Obama must stand together with confidence and defiance to proclaim to the world that our rightful place reflects our past greatness and future excellence. We bow before no one and will fight to the last to defend our honor and bring glory to our name. We will remain unbowed in defeat with heads held high and eyes fixed on the prize which is our rightful reward. We will reclaim our identity and again take our seat at the head of our brothers’ table. Leaders, lead or get out of the way; our moment is at hand!

P.S. This blog was written prior to the OSU game. I’m not sure that game influenced my thoughts on the current season or the State of Illinois football in general.

The game featured the usual stew of penalties, turnovers, and flawed strategies. Did it ever occur to anyone that eight in the box against a running team might work? Additionally, please play to Juice’s strength and go vertical at least four times a game. Please share your frustrations with us on Tuesday from 4-6 p.m. Central Time at talkingillini.com or email us at talkingillini@yahoo.com .

Week 2 Illini Football Thoughts

The art of illusion can apply to football scores, precious metals or women wearing makeup, but all that glitters is not gold and Illinois' lopsided victory against the 1AA Redbirds leaves little luster as the game fades in our rear view mirror. The plucky, yet undermanned Redbirds, led by first year coach Brock Spack played with poise and purpose until the final whistle prevented the Illini from adding a meaningless score. In fact, the final Illini drive would have drawn howls of protest had the shoe been on the other foot.

Regrettably, we are a Program without an identity; we lack the discipline and character necessary to transform ourselves into a consistent winner, on and off the field. The coaching staff must accept responsibility for a defense that covers no one and elicited the following halftime comment form the ISU Head Coach "we've got guys running open all over the field, we just need to get them the ball" indeed they were, and ISU did get them the ball to the tune of 354 passing yards. At times, it looked like our pass defenders thought they were playing flag football and arms reach was enough to down the opponent. Hicks, Bellamy, Edwards and Hardeman appear to be playing the Cover Too. Change the scheme and alter the personnel. Thirteen penalties for 115 yards could be overlooked if it were an aberration, but sadly, that is what has become the norm from a team that lacks discipline in execution and technique. Special Teams continue to be an albatross on a team with more problems than virtues.

Big Ten experts routinely rank our talent in the upper echelons of the Conference and yet we aren't played by less talented squads with frequent regularity. I'm not ready to give up on this season or these kids, but this Staff needs to coach players up and find a way to win or forever lose the faith and confidence of Illini Nation. One winning season in five years will not suffice and the AD and Head Coach must fix this posthaste or accept full responsibility for their collective failure and bear the consequences. The upcoming schedule appears daunting with away games at improved Purdue and Indiana and a revitalized Michigan squad visiting Memorial Stadium in contests that looked like wins in the preseason and now loom as potholes on a treacherous path. In fact, there are no easy wins left on the schedule after watching our first two games. Cincinatti on the road and Fresno State at home appear as threatening clouds in a gathering storm for a team that may be reeling and beaten down from a rugged B10 schedule.

I am looking at my computer screen and I feel like I'm staring into the equivalent of the Illini Football Abyss, but all is not lost. Stop being passive and establish aggressive defensive schemes. Football is a game of controlled violence and the Illini need to define themselves as feared warriors worthy of opponents respect. Pittsburgh Steeler Coach Mike Tomlin when asked who would win last Thursdays game against Tennessee responded without hesitation, "the most violent team." Let's start by playing press coverage and blitzing from different angles when on defense. Play kids who perform with abandon within the rules and care more about winning than personal glory. Demote or fire assistant coaches based on measurable performance standards. These may be desperate times, but the talent is present and the spirit is willing. Show us leadership that speaks to the concept that we would rather die with a sword in our hand than be beaten to death with our own shields.

Game 1 Reactions

My mother taught me long ago to never speak when my anger is fresh and raw; so I waited an extra day before reflecting on the 37-9 drubbing our Illini received at the hands of the dreaded Tigers from Missouri. I have gradually worked my way through anger, denial, bargaining and depression, but as I approached acceptance, I determined that I will never accept failure or mediocrity with passivity or resignation.

Illini Nation is viewing our soap opera of a football team like a tragic opera where its demise is a fait accompli and our destiny is predetermined. A quick glance at Saturdays game is useful if we learn from the mistakes and vow to correct them. The events leading up to the game including scheduling by the Athletic Director and personnel and game planning decisions by the staff may have sealed our fate irrespective of the injuries to Benn, Dufrene and Ford. One thing is perfectly clear; no one connected to the upper echelons of the program should escape blame.

Let me pose the following question; which of the following are/is true:
1) is Pinkel a better recruiter than Zook;
2) is he a better game day strategist (this is the knock on Pinkel);
3) is he better at coaching talent "up";
4) is he a superior motivator;
5) all of the above.

As we enter the fifth addition in the year of our Zook, it's clear that if Missouri is our measuring stick, Danny Devito should be our new mascot.

For all Ron Guenther's protestations that he is a football guy, he has never selected or presided over a coaching tenure that produced a winning record. The Zook era which took on so much promise after its unexpected Rose Bowl appearance in 2007, is now a team in turmoil as it teeters on the brink. Guenther for all the facility building he has completed, has presided over one National Championship in Gymnastics and a superb tennis program that now appears to disintegrating before our very eyes.
Guenther's scheduling woes have angered sky box and premium seat holders as well as local merchants and just about anyone else who follows Illinois Football. As Zook and Illinois try to build a brand and create a culture of winning, the AD is defending the toughest schedule in the Conference which includes only six home games.

September 5th 2009, "a date that shall live in infamy" will either be remembered, like its truly serious forerunner, as monument to Zook's pluckiness and perseverance or the first line on his Illinois football obituary. We may not learn much from this weeks matchup with 1AA opponent, Illinois State, but rest assured, by mid-October, the tea leaves will be clearly read and the future of Illinois Football hangs in the balance.

Fans affections are a fickle mistress and Zook has as many detractors as fans; we shall see what he is made of in the coming weeks; stay tuned "as the world turns."