Kevin Wilson ouster a setback but Indiana can endu
Indiana coach Kevin Wilson in a surprise move based on
Yovani Gallardo Jersey philosophical differences.Its a setback to a program that finished 6-6 in 2016 and is on the verge of accepting a second consecutive bowl bid for the first time since 1990-91. Its a setback for Wilson after six seasons, after multiple reports of the alleged mistreatment of players.MORE: Defensive coordinator Tom Allen, an Indiana native who was introduced as the new head coach at a news conference on Thursday, is tasked with steadying the program after this setback.I joked about it in my last pre s conference, Allen saidThursday. Im tired of getting texts from my buddies telling me how hard we played; how close we are. Those things are true. Its time to break through."On the field, that was Indiana the last few years under Wilson a team that played over its head in the rugged Big Ten East Division. What were those philosophical differences? ESPNs Mark Schlabach that a former player said at
Stephen Vogt Jersey least five players were interviewed by Indiana administration about Wilsons treatment of players, details that are sure to be vetted out over the coming days and weeks. Wilsons contract , so a basket of philosophical differences doesnt tell the whole story.I continue to believe we are headed in the right direction, Indiana athletic director Fred Gla s said. I very much believe we have the right trajectory.MORE: Gla s said there are noNCAA compliance i sues that will affect the program in the aftermath of Wilsons resignation. On the field, however, it wont be easy to replicate the incremental succe s Wilson brought to Bloomington. Since Bill Mallory led the Hoosiers to back-to-back winning seasons in 1993-94, Indiana had one winning season in 2007, under Bill Lynch. That doubled as the Hoosiers only bowl appearance in that stretch before Wilson guided the school to the Pinstripe Bowl last season.Wilson never led Indiana to a win against Ohio State (his closest games were a52-49 lo s in 2012 and34-27 lo s in 2015) or Michigan (losing 48-41 in 2015 and 20-10 this year). Wilson made those games interesting at least. The Hoosiers were 2-16 against Top 25 teams, butAllen got those texts for a reason. They played hard and wereclose.Under Wilson, Indiana looked like that team stuck in the wrong division in the wrong conference. How would these Indiana teams fare in the Big 12? That
Burch Smith Jersey s where Wilson served as an a sistant coach at Oklahoma from 2002-10.Indiana also sent some talent to the NFL. Cody Latimer (2014), Tevin Coleman (2015), Nate Sudfeld (2016), Jordan Howard (2016) and Jason Spriggs (2016) were some of those players, and Dan Feeney and Devine Redding will be next.MORE: The Hoosiers finished fourth in the Big Ten East this season, which isnt a bad accomplishment considering theres a scenario where Ohio State, Michigan and Penn State all could make the College Football Playoff.Now Indiana has to regroup. Instead of a team that could still be coming off a winning season, Indiana is a program that will have to spend the offseason cleaning up
Keston Hiura Jersey on some level in the aftermath. Illinois took a season and a half to get Lovie Smith in place after after allegations of player mistreatment in 2015.Thats the road the Hoosiers could be headed down, and it wont be with Wilson. Thats Allens challenge now.(Allen) is demanding and has a high standard but not demeaning, Gla s said. He cares about his players and they care back.MORE: That offered some hints about those philosophical differences with Wilson and where the program is headed with Allen, a defensive coach who started at Ben Davis High School in Indianapolis before seven collegiate stops that led him to Indiana. He helped improve the Hoosiers defense in 2016.Allen had an emotional news conference, too.I have a vision to create a culture of accountability, toughne s and love, Allen said. I believe of positive conviction-driven leadership.Indiana can have that first winning season since 2007 in Allens first game.The vision might change now, but thats a good place to
Cecil Cooper Jersey start.