Asmussen: No regrets for Schultz

Ask Asmussen about Schultz's future here

His old school is kicking butt and taking names.

This year, TCU must stand for Texans Confidentially Undefeated or Totally Cruising Underdogs.

The Horned Frogs are 8-0 and share the Mountain West lead with Utah at 4-0. Ranked No. 6, they have won their last three games by a combined 123-13. They are 4-0 on the road with a fifth victory expected Saturday at San Diego State.

Beat Utah at home on Nov. 14 and Gary Patterson's team will have a strong case to be included in the BCS games. No matter what happens to non-BCS rival Boise State (Oh, by the way, the Horned Frogs beat the Broncos in a bowl game last year).

If not for an offseason call from Ron Zook, Mike Schultz would be part of the Fort Worth fun. The 11-year TCU assistant had just finished his eighth year as offensive coordinator.

With Patterson's field of expertise on defense, Schultz held control of TCU's offense. His forte was ball control, with TCU leading the nation in time of possession last season.

Schultz left his comfort zone for the challenge of taking over the Illinois offense. Mike Locksley had done good work in four seasons, helping to turn an unpolished quarterback (Juice Williams) into the school's career total offense leader.

Schultz didn't come to Illinois and change everything. Other than himself. Instead of making the players start over with new plays and terminology, Schultz adapted to the Illini way.

Don't look back

Schultz knew TCU's offense was going to be good and that the Horned Frogs had a chance for a special season. But he isn't kicking himself for saying goodbye.

"I took all the side mirrors and the rearview mirrors off the car when I came here," Schultz said. "I just pulled them off. I'm just looking straight ahead. Right now, we're looking straight at Minnesota."

Of course, Schultz is rooting for his old school.

"I'm happy for them," Schultz said. "It's a good program. Gary's a great guy."

While the TCU offense has held steady without him in charge, the offensive numbers have dropped at Illinois.

The team is scoring nine fewer points a game than in 2008. It is gaining 67 fewer total yards per game. The rushing totals are up 28 yards per game, but the passing numbers are down 95 yards per game. The team is on pace for 21 turnovers, which would be five fewer than in 2008.

He isn't out on the field throwing the passes or blocks, but Schultz is taking a large share of the criticism. Fans are wondering if he will return in 2010 and if he should.

"We haven't been happy with where we are," Schultz said. "We've been frustrated as a team, as a coaching staff. Everybody shares in that frustration."

Working it out

Some of the heat should have eased after a 500-yard effort against Michigan. Williams played the way Schultz hoped he would. Now, he wants to see it again today.

"We executed some things well," Schultz said. "We've said it many times, the game usually comes down to eight to 10 plays. We hit those eight  plays (against Michigan). The hard part is you never know when those plays are going to come.

"There's no doubt it was a shot of confidence for everybody involved," Schultz said. "The players and the coaching staff, we feel better about where we are. But we haven't solved all the problems."

Problems or not, Schultz is as friendly today as he was when he arrived on the Illinois campus. He jokes about the weather, the coldest he has ever experienced as a coach.

"It's cold," Schultz said. "You get some cold nights in Dallas, one or two. I'm wearing a few more clothes. I'm wearing layers."

Bob Asmussen covers college football for The News-Gazette. He can be reached at 217-351-5233 or at asmussen@news-gazette.com.

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