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Dinardo

bdhman

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Apr 19, 2002
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Watched most of the 2002 replay of IU beating Wisconsin in Bloomington after trailing big. Really enjoyed how hard the team played. Makes me wonder what would have happened with Dinardo if IU beat Penn State.
 
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I think he was facing an impossible task . He was in a no-win situation from the very beginning. He was hired too late to recruit anyone his first-year. The year he was fired attendance averaged 28,400.

Hats off to the 28,000 that hung in there during that era.
 
I didn't care for his coaching decisions at all, but he did recruit fairly well in his short time at IU. Benjarvis Green-Ellis and Chris Taylor at RB, Tracy Porter at cornerback and John Kerr and Kyle Killion at LB were all talented.
 
He did get only three years, which always seems short. I thought the 2004 team was better than his two previous, so I was a little surprised at the change. The opportunity to hire Terry Hoeppner made it a good move anyway, and so tragic about the cancer that caused his death.
 
That '04 season was one of great frustration for fans, and I'm sure GD and his players. Was very close in so many games, just couldn't get over the top.

An unlikely win at Oregon, followed by an underwhelming performance at UK, that looked winnable. Blew a 20-7 halftime lead vs MSU. A real great effort at NU that IU led most of the way to lose in double OT in only a way IU could. Blew a 19-0 lead at Illinois where IU scored on first play from scrimmage and led for 59 minutes, of course with another IU occurrence, losing Lovecchio to injury when he was having his best game ever. Then the cherry on top vs Penn St, when 4 cracks late inside the 2 yard line were so poorly play called, it seemed that would be it for GD. The next week at PU was a disaster.
 
That '04 season was one of great frustration for fans, and I'm sure GD and his players. Was very close in so many games, just couldn't get over the top.

An unlikely win at Oregon, followed by an underwhelming performance at UK, that looked winnable. Blew a 20-7 halftime lead vs MSU. A real great effort at NU that IU led most of the way to lose in double OT in only a way IU could. Blew a 19-0 lead at Illinois where IU scored on first play from scrimmage and led for 59 minutes, of course with another IU occurrence, losing Lovecchio to injury when he was having his best game ever. Then the cherry on top vs Penn St, when 4 cracks late inside the 2 yard line were so poorly play called, it seemed that would be it for GD. The next week at PU was a disaster.
If you blow a lead in that many games i feel like it comes down to coaching. Thats why im wondering how the falcons coach still has a job
 
The amount of nfl talent vs wins he had his final year was rediculous. He should have had 5-6 wins minimum.
He didn't have a QB. Matt Lovecchio was just not good. Nothing against him personally, but the QB position let us down that year (and the year before).

I remember being on the 5 against Purdue on a play that would win the game. Receiver was wide open (I think it was a TE?). MLo overthrew him by 10 yards. We lose.
 
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He didn't have a QB. Matt Lovecchio was just not good. Nothing against him personally, but the QB position let us down that year (and the year before).

I remember being on the 5 against Purdue on a play that would win the game. Receiver was wide open (I think it was a TE?). MLo overthrew him by 10 yards. We lose.
He was Dinardo's boy. He came from Notre Dame.
 
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He was Dinardo's boy. He came from Notre Dame.
Yep. And no way Dinardo WOULDN'T start him. That's why I don't feel to sorry for Dinardo - he wouldn't site MLo when he needed to. He's stubborn, as evidenced by his play calling vs Penn State.
 
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I think he was facing an impossible task . He was in a no-win situation from the very beginning. He was hired too late to recruit anyone his first-year. The year he was fired attendance averaged 28,400.

Hats off to the 28,000 that hung in there during that era.
I was there. Homecoming attendance: 22,000. I’ll never forget that.
 
I was a junior Dinardo's final season, and was a student assistant (volunteer) in the sports information department. The word around the office there was Dinardo was becoming very difficult to work with and that was a contributing factor in his firing.

If I remember correctly, the AD he was hired by wasn't there anymore and Dinardo was very loyal to "his guys." As a result he was butting heads with the new administration constantly.

A new guy was brought in to be the football SID (who is now the football SID at Alabama) and Dinardo refused to work with him. Jeff Keag, current IUFB SID was moved to FB. Dinardo didn't want to cooperate with that move either.

Add that to the disaster in the Bucket game, which I unfortunately attended, and it was time for a change in the eyes of the AD.
 
Michael McNeally was the name of the AD who hired GD...and he was a disaster. He and GD had coached together under McCartney at CU. McNeally came to IU from the San Diego Chargers. I believe he was out as AD after only 16-18 months (on a 5 year contract IU had to eat). Not even sure he was around at the end of GD's first season. There was a revolt against him amongst several coaches in other sports.

The IU Administration at the time was just so inept, they seemingly couldn't get anything right.
 
Michael McNeally was the name of the AD who hired GD...and he was a disaster. He and GD had coached together under McCartney at CU. McNeally came to IU from the San Diego Chargers. I believe he was out as AD after only 16-18 months (on a 5 year contract IU had to eat). Not even sure he was around at the end of GD's first season. There was a revolt against him amongst several coaches in other sports.

The IU Administration at the time was just so inept, they seemingly couldn't get anything right.

IMO Michael McNeely was in a long line of less than effective AD’s at IU. His successor had his fingers in the Athletic Department through many of those years and continued the ineffectiveness. In addition to Dinardo’s real and perceived failings wrt the football product, he did shine a light on the systemic problems within the Athletic Department starting at the top. This played a large role in his departure. Change has been modest, but at least until 2020 the largesse of B1G $ has led to significant physical improvements.
 
Michael McNeally was the name of the AD who hired GD...and he was a disaster. He and GD had coached together under McCartney at CU. McNeally came to IU from the San Diego Chargers. I believe he was out as AD after only 16-18 months (on a 5 year contract IU had to eat). Not even sure he was around at the end of GD's first season. There was a revolt against him amongst several coaches in other sports.

The IU Administration at the time was just so inept, they seemingly couldn't get anything right.

I'll never forget seeing McNeely tailgating at the 2001 Bucket game (appreciative tip of my cap to Martin LaPostalle). It's pouring down rain and the guy is in a suit, tie (not an IU tie) and he's using a Titleist umbrella. You figured he was a temp after seeing that little display of school spirit.
 
I remember during Dinardo's first year when he installed a fitness test and got rid of most of the team because they didn't meet his standards. One of the players who either was dismissed or left on his own was fullback Jeremi Johnson. I believe he went to Western Kentucky and then the Cincinnati Bengals. I think we were down to 38 players by the end of that 2002 season.
 
DiNardo didn't endear himself to anyone when he locked the stadium preventing all other sports from accessing training table for meals.

He also had staff and managers use rakes to remove newly sown grass seed off the Memorial Stadium turf because he didn't want a grass field.
 
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The DiNardo years were very tough.

McNeely was trying to hire Mike Riley. Waiting. Waiting. Waiting. Word was Riley's bride didn't want to come. DiNardo got hired 2 weeks before signing day.

Those were different days in many ways. This was Bruce Strom's board then. Bruce bought DiNardo a nice leather "legal pad" holder as I recall. Gave it to him as a gift from the board. I also recall getting an e-mail from DiNardo one night at about 1:00 am. his last year.

I was happy with the hire. DiNardo had been a national champion both as a player and a coach. He'd won 19 games in 4 years at Vandy - which was a miracle.

According to the Rivals list above, with 2 weeks to work it, he signed:

Sean Miller
RB
Solon, OH
5'11"
205


John Kerr
LB
Cleveland, OH
6'1"
230

Kenny Kendal
TE
Chicago, IL
6'4"
240

Jahkeen Gilmore
WR
Brooklyn, NY
6'1"
200

Bo Greer
DT
Princeton, IN
6'3"
280

Steven Gunter
DB
Warrensville Heights, OH
5'10"
160

Allen Webb
QB
Littleton, CO
6'3"
190

Chris Taylor
RB
Cordova, TN
6'1"
190

Graeme McFarland
QB
Mountain Brook, AL
6'3"
200

Adam Hines
OL
Vandalia, OH
6'4"
280


Tyke Spencer
WR
Naperville, IL
6'0"

Michael Beattie
K
6'0"
170

Troy Grosfield
K
Denver, CO
5'11"
175

Kyle Killion
LB
Kingwood, TX
6'2"
210

Marlin Lynch
RB
Detroit, MI
6'0"
240

John Pannozzo
RB
Brooklyn, NY
5'11"
215

Adam Tingle
OL
Louisville, KY
6'2"
300

Julius Ware
DB
Bradenton, FL
5'11"
180

Jerohm Fields
WR
Chicago, IL
6'1"
180

Justin Frye
DT
Elwood, IN
6'6"
250

Russ Richardson
DT
Phoenix, AZ
6'0"
265

His 2002 roster had QB's Gibran Hamdan, Tommy Jones, and LoVecchio. Also had Courtney Roby, Aaron Halterman, Chris Taylor, Victor Adeyanju, Chris Dielman, Herana Daze-Jones.

Jeromi Johnson was touted as the best returning player. He and Tingle were from a high school about a mile from my house. Then he was late for a team meeting, and then missed an appointment with a doctor because his car wouldn't start. That was the end of his Big Ten days. Finshed at Western. They won a I-AA championship with him.

DiNardo started out by driving to visit every single Indiana high school. Said "We're the flagship school - here to help every high school in the state." I always thought he just wanted to see who had a program and a coach, and who didn't.

At his first presser, he made a comment that IU could have a championship quality football program as soon as it decided it wanted one. (Ouch. Foreboding. Foreshadowing.)

He never got his head above water.

Game 1 we had a game saving play to barely beat William and Mary 25-17. Thumped at Utah. Lost at Kentucky. Beat Central Michigan. Thumped at Ohio State. 2-3. Facing 5-1 Alvarez and Wisconsin at home. Of course, we won. Hamdan got drafted that day - he went 24-36 for 310 yards and four touchdowns. High water mark. Finished the season 0-6.

The 2003 signing class included Kenni Burns, The Law Firm (BenJarvus Green-Ellis), Blake Powers. His 2004 class had Tracy Porter, The Pima Stud, James Hardy (actually was a hoops recruit until Hep convinced him to switch, so they count him as football), and Marcus Thigpen. (Also got QB's Grant Gregory and Mike Vlahogeorge, but neither made it to campus.)

2003 started with a loss at UConn - their first game at their new stadium. I barely remember that trip. It involved a fraternity brother, baseball in Cincinnati, a short nap, a flight to Connecticut, getting drunk with a mayor and chief of police, IU football, casino's, another nap, another flight, and an apocalyptic storm at a Kentucky/Louisville game. We soon gave up 55 to Minnesota and 52 to Penn State, and lost at Purdue to finish 2-10. Beat Indiana State and Illinois. It was over. DiNardo was a dead coach walking.

Opened 2004 OK. Beat Central Michigan and then God played a joke on us and we won the still inexplicable game at Oregon. Then gave up 51 at Kentucky, where I was almost murdered and decided that bourbon and road games were no longer permitted. 3-6 and Penn State let us hang around for the 1st and goal/4 and out. The swan song was giving up 63 at Purdue.

Here's the text from an IDS article (by Dan Patrick, but not THAT one) just after the firing, which tells you a LOT about IU football at the time:

"Dollar signs, W's and L's; three basic symbols the Bloomington Faculty Council's Athletics Committee are contending with in the wake of IU Athletics Director Rick Greenspan's decision to fire former IU football coach Gerry DiNardo.

Daniel Maki, chair of the Athletics Committee, said the organization approved of the decision to fire DiNardo. Former committee member Jim Sherman said the university has been reluctant to sign big-name coaches because of the amount of money such coaches demand from an already beleaguered athletics department.

"What the University has tried to do with the last few hires was trying not to hire the power coaches who command an awful lot of money," Sherman said. "I'm not sure if Indiana wants to get a high-profile coach now because there's still some uncertainty that he won't be able get the program off the ground."

Now with the official search for a new coach set to kick off, Greenspan said his department's recent monetary concerns will indeed have some bearing on the decision. But Greenspan was unwilling to specify about any budget ceiling at this time.

"There are always a limit on the amount of money the University is willing to spend," Greenspan said. "The only time there isn't a spending limit is when my wife goes shopping."

With the athletics department still $1.33 million in debt, Greenspan's decision to fire DiNardo with two years left on his contract has drawn some criticism because IU will still have to pay him his $225,000 salary for the next two years, as well as his contract's buyout. But Sherman said the only true remedy for the Hoosiers' money troubles is a viable football program.

"Until the football program here is successful, the athletics department will simply be in the red," Sherman said. "It will indeed cost more money in the short run. But this is the only Division I-A university program where the basketball team brings in as much or more than the football team. Michigan brings in more in one football game than a whole season here at IU. Realistically, the fact that we're not even more in the red is amazing."

Even with the lack of funding, IU has improved its situation, as the athletics deficit has fallen nearly 60 percent from $3.27 million in the 2001-02 year to the current level of $1.33 million.

Athletics committee member Rosann Spiro said the firing was directly tied to IU's lackluster 8-27 record over the past three years. Spiro defended the decision and said the window of opportunity for results had closed for DiNardo.

"I don't think there was one reason for the decision, but it was mostly related to the performance of the team," Spiro said. "Anyone can look at the numbers and see. How long do you wait until you start to expect results? Rick Greenspan thought it was time to make a change, and there really wasn't a strong reason against his decision."

Greenspan himself said the decision was based purely upon DiNardo's performance as a coach -- not by any intent to tailor the athletics department to his own tastes.

"This isn't about me trying to put a mark on the program," Greenspan said. "This is about me discharging the duties of my position, and I would not be presumptuous enough or have that kind of ego that I'm trying to make that kind of statement. My position is that I have to represent to the president what I think is the best interests of the program, not putting a mark on my program."

Spiro said she does not believe IU's lack of leadership will hurt the recruiting process for next year's class -- so long as a new leader is found in due time.

"It obviously makes (recruiting) a little bit harder until you have somebody in that position, but the plans are to get somebody in the position as quickly as possible," Spiro said. "I think it can only be possible for us to improve. Coaches are judged on wins and losses. ... It was a pretty clear-cut record, and the subcommittee felt that a change was necessary."

With the Hoosiers unable to break into a bowl since 1993 and the athletics department still in the red, Sherman said IU must walk a fine line in order to find a coach who can produce results and not put IU further in debt. As for the skeptics, according to Sherman, it all has been done before.

"What IU wants to do is get someone with credentials who could be very good but who also doesn't cost much money," Sherman said. "I don't think it's true that you need five years to really turn a program around. You need the right person who can deliver new recruits and coach well. When Joe Tiller came to Purdue, that program turned around a lot faster; the Minnesota program turned around faster; and Northwestern also improved in a shorter time."


The next thing we saw was Hep, standing behind a rose in a bowl on a podium, put there as a joke by Greenspan, with Greenspan starting to take it away, and Hep saying "No. Leave that up here."

Man, I need a win.
 
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DiNardo didn't endear himself to anyone when he locked the stadium preventing all other sports from accessing training table for meals.

He also had staff and managers use rakes to remove newly sown grass seed off the Memorial Stadium turf because he didn't want a grass field.

Yeah. His biggest issues were that he thought he was better than IU and was just an absolute prick to nearly everyone he encountered. People are surprised that he only got 3 years but I can't believe that he lasted as long as he did.
 
I'll never forget seeing McNeely tailgating at the 2001 Bucket game (appreciative tip of my cap to Martin LaPostalle). It's pouring down rain and the guy is in a suit, tie (not an IU tie) and he's using a Titleist umbrella. You figured he was a temp after seeing that little display of school spirit.
I saw him at the IU pep session in Atlanta at the 2002 FF. That arrogant SOB looked like he was President of the United States, with his entourage and nose in the air.

I remember pointing out that he'd never even been an AD at a school with a football program (Pacific) and everyone on the old Peegs site assured me his experience in the front office of the Chargers made him qualified.

He was qualified to be a jackass and that's about it.
 
Green-Ellis and Kerr were barely here. They bolted at the first opportunity.
Ya, Kerr made All Big Ten Freshman team and Honorable Mention, I think, and then sat on the bench the next 3 years at O$U. I think he finally played his Senior year - not sure he was ever a starter.
 
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Getting Hep was a god send for IUFB but in true IUFB tradition we lost him too soon. Coach Allen seems to be another Hep and I hope the team continues on its climb gaining more wins in the coming years.
I would agree Allen is like Hep, to a point. But there was no LEO that I saw under Hep. Hep was all about being responsible for your performance, and if he didnt think you were living up to your potential, he let you know about it.

His raging on the sidelines at players and coaches the first half of the Illinois game was a prime example. He wasn't going to put up with a half-ass effort by anyone. Coming back to beat Illinois was am amazing comeback and wouldn't have happened if Hep hadn't put the whip to the team.

That just isn't in Allen's makeup. I'm sure he gets on guys after the game or in practice. But I haven't seen him lay into anyone yet. He does look at assistant coaches, like he did at Inge on the onside kick vs UT, but he doesn't rail on them about it.

I do think they're alike in their single-minded goal of taking IU to the heights of the Big Ten. They both were/are intense in meeting that goal. We're blessed to have both of them, who are both decent guys, and native Hoosiers.
 
I saw him at the IU pep session in Atlanta at the 2002 FF. That arrogant SOB looked like he was President of the United States, with his entourage and nose in the air.

I remember pointing out that he'd never even been an AD at a school with a football program (Pacific) and everyone on the old Peegs site assured me his experience in the front office of the Chargers made him qualified.

He was qualified to be a jackass and that's about it.

Some version of your story is similar to the story that nearly everyone has about him. Right on brand.
 
GD also didn't endear himself to a lot of people, including boosters, by indirectly taking a shot at the BB program (by implying how out-of-whack it was for IU--or any school--to have a basketball program that was "bigger" than its football program)

as for McNeely, IMO his only positive contributions were 1) starting the whole discussion about athletic facility improvements, and 2) hiring Ray Looze
 
GD also didn't endear himself to a lot of people, including boosters, by indirectly taking a shot at the BB program (by implying how out-of-whack it was for IU--or any school--to have a basketball program that was "bigger" than its football program)

as for McNeely, IMO his only positive contributions were 1) starting the whole discussion about athletic facility improvements, and 2) hiring Ray Looze
I always rooted for DiNardo and I thought (and still think) he was a very good football coach. That said, he was a bad fit for IU at the time. Coming on the heels of Cam Cameron - who ran the program like a summer camp - it was inevitable that there would be player backlash against strong discipline. IU also needed someone with patience and an optimistic outlook, neither of which would ever be used to describe GD. Add to that the fact that DiNardo had to deal with an administration that did not bring him here, and did not have a true commitment to investing in football, and it's no wonder the frustration boiled over into bad relations with the rest of the athletic department - not that I'm excusing him. He by all accounts was an ass to a lot of people, and that's inexcusable.

Indiana is a job that requires someone who can be publicly affable at the same time as being demanding on players. That was Bill Mallory. Lee Corso was great as the public face of IU football, but wasn't demanding enough (though when you look at his record vs. the schedule and the lack of program investment back then, his tenure looks better in hindsight). Cam Cameron was a bit lacking in both categories. Hep had affability and toughness and sadly we will never know what might have been. He did have a reputation for being a bit soft in the discipline department, and that bit Bill Lynch with James Hardy and Kellen Lewis.

I think Tom Allen is proving to be a great fit and will find a level of success here that would have eluded Kevin Wilson. He has the ability to be demanding without being obnoxious, and a sincere enthusiasm. The culture he has created seems to be really appealing to enough high-level recruits to keep us competitive. This season is going to be a bit of an anomaly and I am reluctant to put too stock into using it as any kind of predictor of the future, but I like the general direction so far.
 
The bride and I traveled to Lexington with high expectations after the BIG West Coast victory against Oregon. The ole Italian served up a monster portion of turd pizza that night.
 
GD also didn't endear himself to a lot of people, including boosters, by indirectly taking a shot at the BB program (by implying how out-of-whack it was for IU--or any school--to have a basketball program that was "bigger" than its football program)

as for McNeely, IMO his only positive contributions were 1) starting the whole discussion about athletic facility improvements, and 2) hiring Ray Looze
Dinardo was absolutely spot on regarding the bball program....I didn't know he ever said that but his stock just went sky high as far as I'm concerned...
 
I always rooted for DiNardo and I thought (and still think) he was a very good football coach. That said, he was a bad fit for IU at the time. Coming on the heels of Cam Cameron - who ran the program like a summer camp - it was inevitable that there would be player backlash against strong discipline. IU also needed someone with patience and an optimistic outlook, neither of which would ever be used to describe GD. Add to that the fact that DiNardo had to deal with an administration that did not bring him here, and did not have a true commitment to investing in football, and it's no wonder the frustration boiled over into bad relations with the rest of the athletic department - not that I'm excusing him. He by all accounts was an ass to a lot of people, and that's inexcusable.

Indiana is a job that requires someone who can be publicly affable at the same time as being demanding on players. That was Bill Mallory. Lee Corso was great as the public face of IU football, but wasn't demanding enough (though when you look at his record vs. the schedule and the lack of program investment back then, his tenure looks better in hindsight). Cam Cameron was a bit lacking in both categories. Hep had affability and toughness and sadly we will never know what might have been. He did have a reputation for being a bit soft in the discipline department, and that bit Bill Lynch with James Hardy and Kellen Lewis.

I think Tom Allen is proving to be a great fit and will find a level of success here that would have eluded Kevin Wilson. He has the ability to be demanding without being obnoxious, and a sincere enthusiasm. The culture he has created seems to be really appealing to enough high-level recruits to keep us competitive. This season is going to be a bit of an anomaly and I am reluctant to put too stock into using it as any kind of predictor of the future, but I like the general direction so far.

I think DiNardo helped Greenspan make others realize that we had to invest.

They didn’t want to invest with HIM, but they saw the BTN money coming and gave Hep the NEZ. We’ve been improving everything ever since.

No pain. No gain.
 
Dinardo was absolutely spot on regarding the bball program....I didn't know he ever said that but his stock just went sky high as far as I'm concerned...
agree that GD was right, but it didn't sit well with some people--admin. & boosters--who were perfectly happy with BB>FB, especially as long as IU had (at least in their eyes) an "elite" BB program.

IIRC, some of those people were the same ones who turned Mallory down when he requested more investment in the football program, e.g., an indoor practice facility. Thankfully Mellencamp stepped up to the plate on that one.
 
Watched most of the 2002 replay of IU beating Wisconsin in Bloomington after trailing big. Really enjoyed how hard the team played. Makes me wonder what would have happened with Dinardo if IU beat Penn State.
That game was my last straw. After having the ball 1st and goal, We ran the same play 4 straight times. A run up the middle. His offense was boring and predictable. Those 4 plays summed up Dinardo's tenure for me.

As we left the stadium that day, I told my son I would never step foot in that stadium again with that man as the coach, I was glad to be back for the spring game with a new coach. To this day, my son refers to ultra conservative play calling as Dinardo Ball.
 
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