Did anyone else hope that it wasn't this simple?

[Chriselli]

As we struggled to block for three seasons, the obvious conclusions for most people that follow football were:
1. Fire the OL coach
2. Start a mobile quarterback

We waited 2.5 years to fire our OL coach and ten games to start Dexter.

When it was obvious that our defense was actually a huge liability, most people thought we should:
1. Shorten the game by running the football and eating into play clocks.

We chose to throw the ball 60 times and chase world records for the most consecutive and fastest 3 and outs in history.

When it was obvious that our offense was bad, most people thought:
1. "What the hell, let's see if we can get a spark in the kick return game."

We directed Lucas (who wasn't even our original KR) to fair catch balls as far out as the 10 yard line.

When it was obvious that running backs had a hot hand, most people thought:
1. Feed the beast
2. Wear down the defense.

We rotated our three backs each series in the most egalitarian backfield of all time.

There has been a night and day change in the demeanor and attitude of this team since inserting Dexter, and it's truly frightening that the coaches didn't have secret intel from practice that explained why we consistently were doing the same stupid $#!+ over and over. Turns out, it was all stubbornness, rigidity, and maybe obliviousness that set our entire program back, and I am honestly so sad that Joe Blow fan is more in touch with the pulse of this team than our coaches are. Football really is a simple game.

 

[Indianaftw]

As we struggled to block for three seasons, the obvious conclusions for most people that follow football were:
1. Fire the OL coach
2. Start a mobile quarterback

We waited 2.5 years to fire our OL coach and ten games to start Dexter.

When it was obvious that our defense was actually a huge liability, most people thought we should:
1. Shorten the game by running the football and eating into play clocks.

We chose to throw the ball 60 times and chase world records for the most consecutive and fastest 3 and outs in history.

When it was obvious that our offense was bad, most people thought:
1. "What the hell, let's see if we can get a spark in the kick return game."

We directed Lucas (who wasn't even our original KR) to fair catch balls as far out at the 10 yard line.

When it was obvious that running backs had a hot hand, most people thought:
1. Feed the beast
2. Wear down the defense.

We rotated our three backs each series in the just egalitarian backfield of all time.

There has been a night and day change in the demeanor and attitude of this team since inserting Dexter, and it's truly frightening that the coaches didn't have secret intel from practice that explained why we consistently were doing the same stupid $#!+ over and over. Turns out, it was all stubbornness, rigidity, and maybe obliviousness that set our entire program back, and I am honestly so sad that Joe Blow fan is more in touch with the pulse of this team than our coaches are. Football really is a simple game.

Good effort.

It started and ended with Ballou and Rhea.

 

[Hoosiers Rising]

As we struggled to block for three seasons, the obvious conclusions for most people that follow football were:
1. Fire the OL coach
2. Start a mobile quarterback

We waited 2.5 years to fire our OL coach and ten games to start Dexter.

When it was obvious that our defense was actually a huge liability, most people thought we should:
1. Shorten the game by running the football and eating into play clocks.

We chose to throw the ball 60 times and chase world records for the most consecutive and fastest 3 and outs in history.

When it was obvious that our offense was bad, most people thought:
1. "What the hell, let's see if we can get a spark in the kick return game."

We directed Lucas (who wasn't even our original KR) to fair catch balls as far out at the 10 yard line.

When it was obvious that running backs had a hot hand, most people thought:
1. Feed the beast
2. Wear down the defense.

We rotated our three backs each series in the just egalitarian backfield of all time.

There has been a night and day change in the demeanor and attitude of this team since inserting Dexter, and it's truly frightening that the coaches didn't have secret intel from practice that explained why we consistently were doing the same stupid $#!+ over and over. Turns out, it was all stubbornness, rigidity, and maybe obliviousness that set our entire program back, and I am honestly so sad that Joe Blow fan is more in touch with the pulse of this team than our coaches are. Football really is a simple game.

Sshhhh. Don’t tell Illinois.

 

[bdhman]

Agree with most of what the op says. Playing Dex over Baz wouldn’t be much better in an up-tempo, pass first O. Bell and Allen thought that was the best chance to win, but O line pass blocking was bad, Baz underperformed as did the receivers. Out of desperation it seems they went to the 4th string QB, slowed things down, and committed to running. Against PU they will have to do more passing, but I hope Bell will have pass plays suited to Dexter’s strengths. Also, agree they still are not maximizing Lucas - quit using him as a running back, but more touches as a slot receiver and running jet screens, and returning punts. I’m ok with mixing Shivers and Henderson, but Shivers is not nearly as effective between the tackles. Go Hoosiers!

 

[MMcCormick]

Allen's team has a dozen issues, but it's amazing that just fixing a couple of them (replacing the line coach and the QB) actually allows you to win a game. Can you imagine if we went as far as hiring a good OC and DC what the impact would be.

 

[812jmac]

Allen's team has a dozen issues, but it's amazing that just fixing a couple of them (replacing the line coach and the QB) actually allows you to win a game. Can you imagine if we went as far as hiring a good OC and DC what the impact would be.

We’ll never consistently have a good OC/DC until admin ponies up the money to keep them when we get them.

 

[sparkeyreturns]

Sshhhh. Don’t tell Illinois.

What does that even mean?

 

[sparkeyreturns]

Good effort.

It started and ended with Ballou and Rhea.

That's an insane take

 

[Hoosier Clarion]

Agree with most of what the op says. Playing Dex over Baz wouldn’t be much better in an up-tempo, pass first O. Bell and Allen thought that was the best chance to win, but O line pass blocking was bad, Baz underperformed as did the receivers. Out of desperation it seems they went to the 4th string QB, slowed things down, and committed to running. Against PU they will have to do more passing, but I hope Bell will have pass plays suited to Dexter’s strengths. Also, agree they still are not maximizing Lucas - quit using him as a running back, but more touches as a slot receiver and running jet screens, and returning punts. I’m ok with mixing Shivers and Henderson, but Shivers is not nearly as effective between the tackles. Go Hoosiers!

CB now has a permanent seat at the north end of the bench keeping the water bucket full. Shivers needs a full time seat at the very southern end of the bench cleaning cleats. As a starting RB his ypc are so underachieving and his tackled for loss is numbing. Auburn's loss is our misery.

 

[oldcougar77]

We’ll never consistently have a good OC/DC until admin ponies up the money to keep them when we get them.

I agree we've misfired on coordianator hires recently, but $ was never going to keep DeBoer and/or Wommack at IU. Both were highly sought after, up-and-coming, and ambitious young talents who left here for the opportunity to be head coaches. Great young coaches do not aspire to be P5 coordinators as their ultimate jobs.

 

[Jackskip23]

CB now has a permanent seat at the north end of the bench keeping the water bucket full. Shivers needs a full time seat at the very southern end of the bench cleaning cleats. As a starting RB his ypc are so underachieving and his tackled for loss is numbing. Auburn's loss is our misery.

CB will very likely be back in the portal after the season ends next week.

 

[vesuvius13]

I agree we've misfired on coordianator hires recently, but $ was never going to keep DeBoer and/or Wommack at IU. Both were highly sought after, up-and-coming, and ambitious young talents who left here for the opportunity to be head coaches. Great young coaches do not aspire to be P5 coordinators as their ultimate jobs.

Both DeBoer and Wommack have won 9 games this year, so you see why school hire them.

 

[vesuvius13]

It would be nice to get OC and DC that stay for several years as we won't get good ones that stay and not leave for HC jobs.

 

[DCDAVID]

It would be nice to get OC and DC that stay for several years as we won't get good ones that stay and not leave for HC jobs.

I agree but DeBoer and Wommack were very good young coordinators and on top of it the timing was perfect as they were part of a historically bad program having unusually good results.