Hire learning: Scheelhaase watching, waiting
Illinois football beat writer Bob Asmussen weighs in on the search for Ron Zook's replacement:
For three years, Nathan Scheelhaase knew who his head coach was going to be. Not now.
The sophomore quarterback waits, like Illinois fans, to find out who his next boss will be.
It could happen as early as Wednesday.
"It's not just about the system," Scheelhaase said. "It's not just about the schemes. Everything changes from what your workouts are going to be, things like that."
When Mike Thomas was hired during the summer, Scheelhaase wanted to meet him. What kind of traits would Scheelhaase suggest the athletic director look for in his new coach?
"That's a great question," Scheelhaase said. "I haven't really thought about it, probably because I know I won't exactly be making the decision. Mr. Thomas has thought about that a lot more than me.
"First and foremost, we want a great leader and somebody who can lead our players in a great direction. Not only on the field, but off the field. I think that's the most important thing. We want somebody who strives to be one of the top programs in the country, who doesn't want to settle for anything less. My fingers crossed wish, this is an odd one, but it's important, I pray it's a Christian."
The new coach will likely be in place in time for the Dec. 31 Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl. Scheelhaase has seen that dynamic before.
"I remember back when Michigan had hired Coach Rich Rodriguez and he was there on the sideline," Scheelhaase said. "In my head, I was like, 'That's kind of interesting.' That's probably going to be this year. I'm sure the coach will look forward to watching us play."
I agree with you billy. The QB made it look easy against lesser foes but when facing bigten defenses he wasn't making enough plays on his feet to keep them on their toes. It also didn't help that our O-line got worse as the year went on. I think that next season there will definitely be a quarterback controversy to begin the year. Who's going to WIN games and who is just going to give us the the CHANCE to win games?
Somebody needs to remind our QB: at public universities, candidates for ANY position (including coaching jobs) are judged on their skills, abilities, past job performance, etc. A candidate's religious beliefs may NOT be considered. That's the law. With all due respect to his religious beliefs, in this instance NS needs to just shut up!
Nathan didn't say that the new coach's faith needed to be part of the hiring criteria, but there is NO law that restricts someone from hoping the new coach has the same faith as he does. I think you could stand some of your own advice, in this case....and just shut up.
This is a public university, Nathan, with all sorts of believers and non-believers. For you to pray that the new coach "is a Christian" is silly for a variety of reasons - - - one being that whoever or whatever you are praying to does not give a hooey who the next U of I football coach is. There are much more serious issues on his or her agenda.
However, I am certain that many in the Illini Nation are "praying" just as effectively that the 2012 starting quarterback is Reilly O'Toole..........
It will be interesting to see who's "prayers" are answered - if anyones!
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