Post-2017 all sort of feels like the same terrible timeline, but 2021 and 2024 were probably the 2 most disappointing seasons for me during this time
2021 - Very experienced defense led by a veteran DL (Stille, D Daniels, G Nelson). Play everyone close, several 1 score losses, and end up 5-7.
2024 - Good D led by T Rob, Hutmacher, Butler. Again play everyone close (minus IU) and underperform, 6-6.
Both of these seasons we had the talent to win 9 games. Make a couple plays against Illinois, Iowa, and either USC/UCLA and we're all ecstatic about the future of the program. Just an extremely disappointing missed opportunity for the program.
This off-season will be career defining for Rhule... Will he makes some necessary changes in staff (cough... Foley, McQuire), hit the portal hard, and get Dylan a couple more playmakers?
Or will he take the Frost approach... Double down on his process, ie "I know where this is going", not make changes on under-performing staff (Chinander - Foley), phone it in on recruiting, etc.
I'm hopeful based on how Rhule has approached things so far with the Holgerson hire he is taking the proactive approach. I'm also hopeful that Dylan's mid-season struggles will pay dividends for his growth next year. But we need a new ST and WR coach, and we need 1-2 more elite recruiters who can pull guys from the portal every year if we are going to be truly successful in the B1G.
2021 - Very experienced defense led by a veteran DL (Stille, D Daniels, G Nelson). Play everyone close, several 1 score losses, and end up 5-7.
2024 - Good D led by T Rob, Hutmacher, Butler. Again play everyone close (minus IU) and underperform, 6-6.
Both of these seasons we had the talent to win 9 games. Make a couple plays against Illinois, Iowa, and either USC/UCLA and we're all ecstatic about the future of the program. Just an extremely disappointing missed opportunity for the program.
This off-season will be career defining for Rhule... Will he makes some necessary changes in staff (cough... Foley, McQuire), hit the portal hard, and get Dylan a couple more playmakers?
Or will he take the Frost approach... Double down on his process, ie "I know where this is going", not make changes on under-performing staff (Chinander - Foley), phone it in on recruiting, etc.
I'm hopeful based on how Rhule has approached things so far with the Holgerson hire he is taking the proactive approach. I'm also hopeful that Dylan's mid-season struggles will pay dividends for his growth next year. But we need a new ST and WR coach, and we need 1-2 more elite recruiters who can pull guys from the portal every year if we are going to be truly successful in the B1G.
