Dear Friends,
What no one has said (I think) at Creighton's age, does he really want to go into another rebuilding job.
Let's face it, that is what it would be. Northwestern has been terrible record wise the last couple of years, and I don't care if they keep all their assistants, there could still be a migration to the portal.
So, being faced with those as well as other possible problems, I just don't see Creighton as the next Northwestern Head Coach.

(07-14-2023 07:57 PM)Ken Barna Wrote:  Dear Friends,
What no one has said (I think) at Creighton's age, does he really want to go into another rebuilding job.
Let's face it, that is what it would be. Northwestern has been terrible record wise the last couple of years, and I don't care if they keep all their assistants, there could still be a migration to the portal.
So, being faced with those as well as other possible problems, I just don't see Creighton as the next Northwestern Head Coach.

Ken, he’s only 54 — in his coaching prime!

(07-14-2023 07:57 PM)Ken Barna Wrote:  Dear Friends,
What no one has said (I think) at Creighton's age, does he really want to go into another rebuilding job.
Let's face it, that is what it would be. Northwestern has been terrible record wise the last couple of years, and I don't care if they keep all their assistants, there could still be a migration to the portal.
So, being faced with those as well as other possible problems, I just don't see Creighton as the next Northwestern Head Coach.

Ken, He's only 54, and he would increase his salary plus incentives five or six times!

Dear holybovine, and EMUGLORYDAYSthe90's,
You are both ignoring the rebuilding question, which in my mind is more important than his age. He has already spent ten years at Eastern, and we are finally at nine wins. I dare say that to rebuild Northwestern will take at least that long. Remember, he would be playing against Ohio State, Michigan, Pennsylvania State, and the newcomers Southern California and UCLA. Add to that, what if he is not very successful record wise, he could be fired. Where do you go for a job, and maybe 60 years old?

(07-16-2023 09:53 AM)Ken Barna Wrote:  Dear holybovine, and EMUGLORYDAYSthe90's,
You are both ignoring the rebuilding question, which in my mind is more important than his age. He has already spent ten years at Eastern, and we are finally at nine wins. I dare say that to rebuild Northwestern will take at least that long. Remember, he would be playing against Ohio State, Michigan, Pennsylvania State, and the newcomers Southern California and UCLA. Add to that, what if he is not very successful record wise, he could be fired. Where do you go for a job, and maybe 60 years old?

I think anytime a MAC coach leaves for a P-5 job it is typically going to be a rebuild, think about Leipold going to Kansas, or there is some kind of issue. Fleck got the Minnesota job because of the scandle with the prior coach. Northwestern is kind of a mix of both since they were really bad last year and now have this issue. So basically if Creighton is ever interested in moving on to a P-5 school it will most likely be a rebuild. Under your scenario, at 60 I don't think Crieghton would have a hard time getting another job if he wanted one. I'm sure a G-5 school would gladly take him. Heck, if he were to leave and EMU were to fall off the map I'm sure we'd gladly welcome him back.

With the Big Ten doing away with divisions, and having USC and UCLA coming in, Northwestern is a lot less attactive then is was just a year or two ago. The Big Ten west frankly stinks and Northwestern was able to compete some years and even got to the Big Ten title game twice. I don't see them getting back there with the new format and two new (and better) programs coming into the conference. So I don't think expectations will be super high, at least if their administration is realistic.

Dear Sellers dweller,
I don't disagree with the premise you have put forward about MAC coaches. I just wonder about a coach who just spent ten years rebuilding one school, is looking forward to doing the same thing at the next opportunity. Yes the pay would be increased, and the prestige, would be factors, but I just wonder if the desire would be there.

(07-16-2023 12:39 PM)Sellers dweller Wrote:  

(07-16-2023 09:53 AM)Ken Barna Wrote:  Dear holybovine, and EMUGLORYDAYSthe90's,
You are both ignoring the rebuilding question, which in my mind is more important than his age. He has already spent ten years at Eastern, and we are finally at nine wins. I dare say that to rebuild Northwestern will take at least that long. Remember, he would be playing against Ohio State, Michigan, Pennsylvania State, and the newcomers Southern California and UCLA. Add to that, what if he is not very successful record wise, he could be fired. Where do you go for a job, and maybe 60 years old?

I think anytime a MAC coach leaves for a P-5 job it is typically going to be a rebuild, think about Leipold going to Kansas, or there is some kind of issue. Fleck got the Minnesota job because of the scandle with the prior coach. Northwestern is kind of a mix of both since they were really bad last year and now have this issue. So basically if Creighton is ever interested in moving on to a P-5 school it will most likely be a rebuild. Under your scenario, at 60 I don't think Crieghton would have a hard time getting another job if he wanted one. I'm sure a G-5 school would gladly take him. Heck, if he were to leave and EMU were to fall off the map I'm sure we'd gladly welcome him back.

With the Big Ten doing away with divisions, and having USC and UCLA coming in, Northwestern is a lot less attactive then is was just a year or two ago. The Big Ten west frankly stinks and Northwestern was able to compete some years and even got to the Big Ten title game twice. I don't see them getting back there with the new format and two new (and better) programs coming into the conference. So I don't think expectations will be super high, at least if their administration is realistic.

Cogent post. Thanks.