I hope he is extended. I think he has built a foundation here that is an improvement over what we have had since I've been watching IU, going on 15 years now. This includes the Lynch bowl team. That team had a significantly easier schedule than this team does. Playing 4 top 15 teams close is better than anyone could have realistically expected out of this team. If you are honest with yourself you would have penciled losses on all 4 games before the season. Iowa may have been a toss up given recent successes against them but you would not have been upset with a loss to Iowa (aside from how it actually played out). Sure the Rutgers game sucks, but those are the level of teams that we should be close on every year with a win being a coin flip. We have been losers to mediocre teams for years (Illinois, ball state, navy, minnesota to name a few).
But I think if he lays an egg next week and IU loses, and is eliminated from bowl eligibility I see him being fired. Maryland is in disarray and we have the talent to beat them. If we only play to the level of competition and we lose to me it's a sign that we need to go in another direction. A good coach has this team prepared to dominate a bad Terrapins team. With that being said, if we do dominate Maryland I could see an extension being guaranteed. Even if we lost to Purdue we would be effectively playing for a bowl birth. Something that has not happened since 2007. That is an improvement over every year since that bowl, and would be Wilson's best year. It would be impossible to argue that he is not making improvements over previous coaches.
If he is extended I see 2 years on top of his current contract, with an inconsequential buyout price. He really will only be given 1 more year to make it over the hump and into bowl eligibility. I am not as concerned about losing Sudfeld as many on here. I think one of our RS freshman or the juco will be ready to lead this team. I would be shocked if Howard is better than a 4th round pick. I look at the RBs drafted last year and those available this year and I just don't think he's better than Coleman was and he was a 3rd round pick. So I think Howard will be back.
I still think we go to a bowl this year which will certainly earn Wilson an extension. Go Hoosiers!!!
But I think if he lays an egg next week and IU loses, and is eliminated from bowl eligibility I see him being fired. Maryland is in disarray and we have the talent to beat them. If we only play to the level of competition and we lose to me it's a sign that we need to go in another direction. A good coach has this team prepared to dominate a bad Terrapins team. With that being said, if we do dominate Maryland I could see an extension being guaranteed. Even if we lost to Purdue we would be effectively playing for a bowl birth. Something that has not happened since 2007. That is an improvement over every year since that bowl, and would be Wilson's best year. It would be impossible to argue that he is not making improvements over previous coaches.
If he is extended I see 2 years on top of his current contract, with an inconsequential buyout price. He really will only be given 1 more year to make it over the hump and into bowl eligibility. I am not as concerned about losing Sudfeld as many on here. I think one of our RS freshman or the juco will be ready to lead this team. I would be shocked if Howard is better than a 4th round pick. I look at the RBs drafted last year and those available this year and I just don't think he's better than Coleman was and he was a 3rd round pick. So I think Howard will be back.
I still think we go to a bowl this year which will certainly earn Wilson an extension. Go Hoosiers!!!
