akhosrof

I'm guessing main-land means in-state, Kiante Enis?

I wonder if Fitzgerald turns into a four star recruit as he picks up bigger offers. He's going to be a difficult one to keep, as others have said, but it's huge positive momentum for the program.

We are in the final four with 4-star WR Desmond Fitzpatrick; Nebraska, Arizona and Louisville (to who he was formerly committed to). If we have another bowl season I am sure the 4-star guys will come in 2017. Regardless, it is great seeing us fight for 3-star guys against big time programs.

Take back my comment. Sounds like he's hanging out with Cobbs, so I am guessing he's being recruited as a WR?

Is Suds taking snaps from under center or shotgun?

Harrison cancels visits to MSU and Syracuse: https://ohiostate.n.rivals.com/news/change-of-plans-for-harrison Sounds like he fits best as a WR given his playmaking ability as a runner. I wonder if QB is also a possibility?

Another UM recruit, three-star DB Antwaine Richardson, de-commits. USF listed as having an offer. I wonder if Coach Allen moves on him? http://espn.go.com/college-sports/football/recruiting/player/_/id/194886/antwaine-richardson

Sounds like he would be a good fit as a LB for us. We are stacked at WR, so maybe also a TE if he bulks up?

[attachment=3262:ImageUploadedByBtownBanners1453382152.440660.jpg] Go get him coach!

ESPN lists him as a DE: http://espn.go.com/college-sports/football/recruiting/player/_/id/209953/dennis-wonnum Not a bad list of offers! Was a former ISU commit, de-committed in December. At 6'3" 218 definite RS candidate. Welcome aboard!

[attachment=3255:ImageUploadedByBtownBanners1453333502.593241.jpg] Coach Frey's track record speaks for itself!

Definitely a boom!

Not disagreeing with you, but you can't discount establishing connections with local high schools. Makes recruiting a lot easier for sustained success. This is the sort of recruiting model I am talking about: http://www.cleveland.com/osu/index.ssf/2015/01/the_big_ten_killer_why_kentuck.html We ARE making serious progress with this type of recruiting locally, and hiring Allen is huge. I cannot wait for the dead period to end because I know CKW is going to get us some talented kids! Boom!

Completely agree. However, more talent equals more competition. Not only that, but you're recruiting against SEC and ACC schools. I would argue it's not as sustainable and requires more effort. You might get a very talented player here and there (which we have), but it's more difficult to set up connections with the same high schools when those high schools are giving attention to the local SEC schools first. Working within our own four hour radius you can set up connections that give you perpetual results. Guys who played with upper classmen that went to IU. Or you want to play against guys you played in high school who went to OSU, Michigan, MSU. These kids go back home in the offseason and workout with each other. We are starting to see these types of results. Coach Johns got a stud recruit in Peyton Ramsey who is now one of our biggest recruiters in the region. Hate to say it, but Brandon Peters has been a positive recruiting force for UM at the local talent showcases (not like they needed the help anyways). Regardless, it's good to have a staff who has connections all over the place. Johns and Allen working locally, and CKW grinding out the recruiting trail in the South! This hire came at the perfect time with the dead period coming up. Keep the positive momentum going! BOOM!

I was skeptical of CKW at first. Him being a Carolina guy and going after recruits in NC, GA and FL. However, CKW has shown an ability to adapt, hiring Coach Johns a Midwesterner with deep Ohio roots and now hiring Coach Allen, a pure Indiana guy. It is only a matter of time before these talented Indiana and Ohio recruits start looking at IU as a legit option to stay home and play football!

Yes. CKW has confirmed the move. Here is the press release: http://iuhoosiers.com/news/2016/1/16/FB_0116162655.aspx Another interesting point: [attachment=3232:ImageUploadedByBtownBanners1452987481.468937.jpg]

This hire made my weekend. I am positive Allen is getting a big pay bump. AAC schools have shown willingness to raise pay to keep assistants. No doubt this sort of hire is tied to CKW's extension. When we hired Knorr he was recently fired from arguably the worst P5 football program, he did not have a job. Allen appears to be a rising star in coaching. The successful formula appears to be either hire a former big name head coach to be your coordinator, or you grab a hot young coach. Knorr was on the downside. This is an exciting move! Probably the type of move CKW wanted to make a couple of years ago but didn't have the budget. I am sure this hire will pay dividends on the recruiting trail as well!

Fox Sports confirms as well. Wonder what's going on with IU's side of the story? [attachment=3223:ImageUploadedByBtownBanners1452969540.251791.jpg]

I don't think Allen would have left USF to take a co-DC role at Indiana. His prospect star seems to be on the rise. Especially considering Auburn was looking at him.

Was rumored to be a DC candidate for Auburn! http://www.al.com/auburnfootball/index.ssf/2015/12/south_florida_tom_allen_addresses_auburn_defensive_coordinator_rumors.html At first glance this looks like an outstanding hire! Then throw in the fact he's an Indiana guy. As CKW's friend Good Ol' JR likes to say: [attachment=3222:ImageUploadedByBtownBanners1452966458.748579.jpg] Especially on the recruiting trail!

Looks like the USF side leaked first as they already hired a new DC. Wonder if Knorr is going to be fired? I also wonder if this hire was related to CKW getting bigger budget for assistants. Allen was a first year DC at an AAC school. IU-alum as well (masters in 2002). Here is his bio: http://www.gousfbulls.com/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=209813153 [attachment=3219:ImageUploadedByBtownBanners1452965518.885333.jpg][attachment=3220:ImageUploadedByBtownBanners1452965527.453514.jpg][attachment=3221:ImageUploadedByBtownBanners1452965534.322390.jpg]

One final thought on the CKW extension: as much as we like to think worst case scenario (and maybe we are programmed to as IUFB fans), how about how this extension in relation to best case scenario? If CKW wins 7 games as I outlined above, plus a bowl game to push him to 8, he will have every major P5 program with a head coach opening coming after him, because he will have done the impossible in reviving IUFB. This extension will either deter such activity or give the program an influx of cash in the form of a buyout.

Coach Johns is a machine recruiting these Midwest kids!

Very interesting info on Ramsey. That's awesome to hear. Is Ramsey an early enrollee? I love Ramsey as a fit for CKW's offense. He has great production against top competition.

Thanks for posting! I am very excited to hear about the new facility, I am guessing it is the southern end zone enclosure. Here are some of my favorite quotes: [attachment=3202:ImageUploadedByBtownBanners1452713984.284717.jpg] [attachment=3199:ImageUploadedByBtownBanners1452713945.905140.jpg][attachment=3200:ImageUploadedByBtownBanners1452713958.390820.jpg][attachment=3201:ImageUploadedByBtownBanners1452713972.565904.jpg] This extension is a big move for the program.