Wilson agrees to 6-year contract

[RBB89]

Also, and this is a general complaint not really directed at anyone, we should probably get off of this "settling for mediocrity" kick that I keep seeing. Mediocrity is a big step up for IU football. You can be pleased with progression while still knowing that's not where you ultimately want to be.

[Naturalhoosier]

Reasons for optimism? Hell, before Wilson, that hadn't happened since Hepp.

[akhosrof]

Very nice. That 6-point loss made us 0-6 in the B1G.

How many of those referenced games did we win? When we are winning these games, we can talk about being on a par. I'm not saying we haven't improved, nor am I saying we're not competitive, but we haven't taken the step to WIN against good competition, let alone ranked competition. I've seen this "rise to being competitive from the ashes of being a doormat" at IU more than once, but it never seems to go beyond that level. Wilson may get it done, or he may not. We have seen the "reasons for optimism" for decades without clearing the hurdle. I understand it's difficult to catch up from behind. With a coach with the stature of Mark Richt, I think we would have been far better positioned to take that step.

I reiterate my opinion (and that's all it is) that a championship-level coach was available and I think IU should have pursued him and chose not to do so. Until Wilson proves we can rise above mediocrity of a 6-6 bowl season, I will continue to feel that way.

Here's how I see a realistic path to victory for next year:

Wins against Ball State, FIU and Wake.
Rutgers and UMD are rebuilding with new coaches.
Win against Purdue

That's six right there. Now, the point on competitiveness. With how close we were last season, is it much of a stretch to think we could win ONE of the remaining games against OSU, MSU, PSU, Michigan, NU or Nebraska?

The difference with CKW is in the past you would chalk up the six games above as losses. Now we have a legitimate chance to get at least one upset.

[akhosrof]

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.

[Hurryin' Hoosiers]

http://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/ncaafb/airplane-time-retention-bonuses-among-coaching-incentives/ar-BBomthy?li=BBnba9I#page=10

 

Wonder why people making that kind of money need an expense account on top of that???

[TrueHoosier62]

Reasons for optimism? Hell, before Wilson, that hadn't happened since Hepp.

Hey Nat, tried to PM you, but it says you can't receive email. What's up?

[Naturalhoosier]

Hey Nat, tried to PM you, but it says you can't receive email. What's up?

Weird. I'll clear my inbox. Try again.

[MartintheMopMan]

Received a PDF of the new contract today. It appears the buy-out provisions are identical to his previous contract (aka the standard provision, base salary for the remainder of the agreement). Base salary is kept low ($542,000) with the remainder made up by a promotion fee. The promotion fee is only paid for the year Wilson is fired.

 

I don't remember if that was an issue in this thread or another one, but there it is. 

 

https://www.docdroid.net/PWET4dR/kevin-wilson-second-amendment-to-iu-employment-agreement.pdf.html

[TrueHoosier62]

I think Wilson is a good coach for IU. At most schools, his won/loss record might not warrant an extension, but for us, "he" works. Year in and year out, we've had a relatively competitive team under his watch; and with a few breaks next year, we might make it two years in a row to a bowl game. I can live with that. 

Also, can anyone tell me, did we lose the DC we had who'd come from Wake Forest, or is he still with the team? I don't stay as up to date as I'd like.

[Walking Boot of Doom]

I think Wilson is a good coach for IU. At most schools, his won/loss record might not warrant an extension, but for us, "he" works. Year in and year out, we've had a relatively competitive team under his watch; and with a few breaks next year, we might make it two years in a row to a bowl game. I can live with that. 

Also, can anyone tell me, did we lose the DC we had who'd come from Wake Forest, or is he still with the team? I don't stay as up to date as I'd like.

Replaced him with Tom Allen (an Indiana native) from USF. Surface level, seems like a solid upgrade.

 

http://www.crimsonquarry.com/2016/1/18/10783092/we-asked-a-usf-writer-what-we-should-know-about-new-dc-tom-allen

[TrueHoosier62]

Replaced him with Tom Allen (an Indiana native) from USF. Surface level, seems like a solid upgrade.

 

http://www.crimsonquarry.com/2016/1/18/10783092/we-asked-a-usf-writer-what-we-should-know-about-new-dc-tom-allen

Nice read, and sounds like a good "get". I wonder why Knorr was "dismissed"? I shouldn't have thought he was down there long enough to be guilty of much.

[MartintheMopMan]

Nice read, and sounds like a good "get". I wonder why Knorr was "dismissed"? I shouldn't have thought he was down there long enough to be guilty of much.

Near as I could tell from looking at the issue, Knorr was dismissed because we had the opportunity to hire Allen. 

 

Allen's contract is not publically available. 

 

I agree with your other comment too. Wilson may not be the greatest coach in college football, but he's a good fit for Indiana given where the program stands. I requested a copy of the contract because there was a lot of speculation and concern over a 6-year extension without knowing the buyout terms. I think people were justifiably afraid of another Crean extension. Wilson's is reasonable, it currently is about a 3.5 million dollar buyout which will decrease by $600,000 a year and must be mitigated by future employment. Wilson will absolutely get a high level offensive coordinator position at the worst. PSU fans are dying to have him.

[TrueHoosier62]

You may be right about the reasons surrounding Knorr's dismissal, but it begs two questions:

 

1.) Was Wilson that wrong about Knorr's capabilities in the first place? If so, that seems like a poor reflection on him. Usually, it takes a team at least two or three years to determine if a coach is going to pan out, as schemes and talent have to be adjusted to reflect his philosophy. That seems like an awfully quick hook.

 

2.) If Wilson was quick with the hook, what does that say about Tom Allen's potential?

 

I'm left wondering if there was something more to Knorr's dismissal that just opening up a position to hire Allen. Hmmm

[lucel15]

Insight that I have. Per a source. Knorr was very complacent and ended up butting heads a lot and seemed to want to buy into the culture but did not really show it. Ultimately Wilson was he one having to light fires under some butts on the defense (not the DC)

[akhosrof]

You may be right about the reasons surrounding Knorr's dismissal, but it begs two questions:

1.) Was Wilson that wrong about Knorr's capabilities in the first place? If so, that seems like a poor reflection on him. Usually, it takes a team at least two or three years to determine if a coach is going to pan out, as schemes and talent have to be adjusted to reflect his philosophy. That seems like an awfully quick hook.

2.) If Wilson was quick with the hook, what does that say about Tom Allen's potential?

I'm left wondering if there was something more to Knorr's dismissal that just opening up a position to hire Allen. Hmmm

62, I am a firm believer of you get what you pay for. I believe CKW got an increased assistant coaching budget with the extension. Knorr was an unemployed defensive coordinator previously let go at arguably the worst P5 program in the nation. Who else was knocking on Knorr's door wanting to hire him as a DC?

CKW probably didn't have the budget to go get an established name like UNC did with Gene Chizik. And didn't have the budget to lure a talented position coach to leave a big program to come be the DC at IU. Teams are paying a lot of money to retain position coaches. In short, IMO a guy like Knorr fit the budget for the experience level we were looking at.

CKW gets a new extension, gets enough money to get Coach Allen to accept a lateral move from USF, and now is able to give Coach Hagen a promotion to leave TAMU. Unlike Knorr, Coach Allen was in demand. Auburn considered him for their DC job. AAC schools have been paying to retain coaches. I am sure Coach Allen got a nice raise to come home.

I don't have anything to go on, just my opinion. Bottom line, the coaching staff is much more talented than it has ever been.

[TrueHoosier62]

Insight that I have. Per a source. Knorr was very complacent and ended up butting heads a lot and seemed to want to buy into the culture but did not really show it. Ultimately Wilson was he one having to light fires under some butts on the defense (not the DC)

Good post, and I can see where that would be justification for his dismissal.

[TrueHoosier62]

62, I am a firm believer of you get what you pay for. I believe CKW got an increased assistant coaching budget with the extension. Knorr was an unemployed defensive coordinator previously let go at arguably the worst P5 program in the nation. Who else was knocking on Knorr's door wanting to hire him as a DC?

CKW probably didn't have the budget to go get an established name like UNC did with Gene Chizik. And didn't have the budget to lure a talented position coach to leave a big program to come be the DC at IU. Teams are paying a lot of money to retain position coaches. In short, IMO a guy like Knorr fit the budget for the experience level we were looking at.

CKW gets a new extension, gets enough money to get Coach Allen to accept a lateral move from USF, and now is able to give Coach Hagen a promotion to leave TAMU. Unlike Knorr, Coach Allen was in demand. Auburn considered him for their DC job. AAC schools have been paying to retain coaches. I am sure Coach Allen got a nice raise to come home.

I don't have anything to go on, just my opinion. Bottom line, the coaching staff is much more talented than it has ever been.

Excellent points.