I truly liked Wilson's hire, thought he added swagger and took IU from basement to middle of road, etc. But after 6 yrs (not 1.75!) he really wasn't showing strong upward trajectory.
One of the biggest issues that is 100% clear and on him & his staff, is the results of recruiting QBs, by what was supposed to be an offensive guru, but he was never able to make it happen there.
Over his last five years at IU, Wilson's QB recruits:
2013 - No QBs
2014 - Diamont, Danny Cameron
2015 - Austin King
2016 - Ramsey, Lagow (Foster Farms Bowl was Allen's 1st game)
2017 - Tronti
*Allen's first season, really was Wilson's recruits Allen maintained. Able to add Tronti late
2018 - Michael Penix, Brandon Dawkins & *Reese Taylor
*Allen's first full time HC recruiting class. Dawkins looked good on paper, didn't work out.
So for the most important position on the team, in Allen's first full year as HC he had Lagow and RS FR Ramsey as returning QB's to rely on. Tronti didn't play. Left last spring.
In Allen's first recruiting class of his own, IU landed a 4-star QB that most believe has the potential to be really good, as in pass as well as Sudfeld, but 10x more mobile. True dual threat QB.
That should be factored into the mix. IU was on a string of BAD QB recruits. (How do you not sign anyone in 2013?) That factors into the types of other quality recruits you attract.
Many would say (myself included) that Penix probably should have played sooner this season. I believe had he not been injured vs. Penn St, he would have played out season and not been red-shirted. I'm at least glad he is keeping RS year, but we saw enough to see the future.
Like what we have coming in next year and I bet IU will keep most if not all of current verbals, and add more good players who will add depth or have an ability to contribute quickly. (See especially 4-star, #8 RB in nation Sampson James.)
A coach needs his recruits, his evolved staff (likely to see changes next season) and his culture. The team hasn't quit. The S/C program will continue. And marquee players will start to shine.
I'm still quite hopeful they beat MD, which would allow for a hugely meaningful Bucket game opportunity to beat a (now) heavily favored PU to go bowling (& possibly keep them from doing so?) IF that happened, that would put a good flavor back in IU fan's mouths and show good sign of life.
If they don't pull that off, will be a disappointment for sure. But as long as Allen shows he's willing to make changes, be accountable and continue to recruit well, I truly think a Penix-led offense alone will be the start of higher-flying offense and an ability to have better rested, stronger defense (with a lot of talent returning) next season.
Stay Positive!
One of the biggest issues that is 100% clear and on him & his staff, is the results of recruiting QBs, by what was supposed to be an offensive guru, but he was never able to make it happen there.
Over his last five years at IU, Wilson's QB recruits:
2013 - No QBs
2014 - Diamont, Danny Cameron
2015 - Austin King
2016 - Ramsey, Lagow (Foster Farms Bowl was Allen's 1st game)
2017 - Tronti
*Allen's first season, really was Wilson's recruits Allen maintained. Able to add Tronti late
2018 - Michael Penix, Brandon Dawkins & *Reese Taylor
*Allen's first full time HC recruiting class. Dawkins looked good on paper, didn't work out.
So for the most important position on the team, in Allen's first full year as HC he had Lagow and RS FR Ramsey as returning QB's to rely on. Tronti didn't play. Left last spring.
In Allen's first recruiting class of his own, IU landed a 4-star QB that most believe has the potential to be really good, as in pass as well as Sudfeld, but 10x more mobile. True dual threat QB.
That should be factored into the mix. IU was on a string of BAD QB recruits. (How do you not sign anyone in 2013?) That factors into the types of other quality recruits you attract.
Many would say (myself included) that Penix probably should have played sooner this season. I believe had he not been injured vs. Penn St, he would have played out season and not been red-shirted. I'm at least glad he is keeping RS year, but we saw enough to see the future.
Like what we have coming in next year and I bet IU will keep most if not all of current verbals, and add more good players who will add depth or have an ability to contribute quickly. (See especially 4-star, #8 RB in nation Sampson James.)
A coach needs his recruits, his evolved staff (likely to see changes next season) and his culture. The team hasn't quit. The S/C program will continue. And marquee players will start to shine.
I'm still quite hopeful they beat MD, which would allow for a hugely meaningful Bucket game opportunity to beat a (now) heavily favored PU to go bowling (& possibly keep them from doing so?) IF that happened, that would put a good flavor back in IU fan's mouths and show good sign of life.
If they don't pull that off, will be a disappointment for sure. But as long as Allen shows he's willing to make changes, be accountable and continue to recruit well, I truly think a Penix-led offense alone will be the start of higher-flying offense and an ability to have better rested, stronger defense (with a lot of talent returning) next season.
Stay Positive!