Give Chizik credit for standing up...

**ketelmeister** · 12-11-2008, 08:54 PM

There is NOTHING tougher in business then firing or reassigning a friend. In Chizik's case, he had to do make changes to two of his closest friends. This is not the easy road. It's a lot easier to ride along and hope things change. I really give him credit. He had to basically admit he made a mistake and secondly, remove two guys he's coached with for years. I give him credit, this is tough stuff for the good of the program.

**Wesley** · 12-11-2008, 08:55 PM

Hope it does not affect our recruiting.

**psychlone99** · 12-11-2008, 09:05 PM

Originally Posted by ketelmeister

There is NOTHING tougher in business then firing or reassigning a friend. In Chizik's case, he had to do make changes to two of his closest friends. This is not the easy road. It's a lot easier to ride along and hope things change. I really give him credit. He had to basically admit he made a mistake and secondly, remove two guys he's coached with for years. I give him credit, this is tough stuff for the good of the program.

This was 90% of the surprise, in my opinion. It's all going to make for an interesting press conference when the new coordinators are introduced. It was a drastic move, a surprising move, but it could still end up being a wise move. I can't wait for the announcement and I can't wait to here Gene's comments.

**Istate** · 12-11-2008, 09:09 PM

I think the moves, at least defensively for sure, had to be made. I'm sure Gene wishes his hand wouldn't have been forced, but at least he was able to keep them on staff. I actually think this will help recruiting wise if we can get coaches in soon. So many staffs are being shaken up right now that ISU might be able to steal someone for a year or two that typically wouldn't come to Ames while they wait to watch everything shake out.

You really never know who is truly having the big impact out on recruiting trails. In my opinion, ISU did lose one very good recruiter and one that might not have had as much impact. Again, you never really know when it comes to recruiting.

**kingcy** · 12-11-2008, 09:12 PM

Maybe he didnt really fire them maybe they stepped down on their own. Chizik had issues with both of them during the season. Maybe the 3 made the decision together for the sake of all of them keeping their jobs. There had to be some talk about this for a long time since both were retained at a leser job.

**CyCloned** · 12-11-2008, 09:23 PM

Originally Posted by kingcy

Maybe he didnt really fire them maybe they stepped down on their own. Chizik had issues with both of them during the season. Maybe the 3 made the decision together for the sake of all of them keeping their jobs. There had to be some talk about this for a long time since both were retained at a leser job.

Interesting theory. I was a little surprised by the OC being demoted, but anyone that was the DC for a defense as bad as the Cyclone had last year had to see the writing on the wall. I think McFarland is a pretty darn good OL coach, and there are a lot of guys back next year, so maybe a little more time to work with guys will be the answer.

**Wesley** · 12-11-2008, 09:24 PM

Or it may have been they went to Phase Two of their plan since it was tough sledding. They tried and they readjusted. Need more points and more third down stops.

**zach** · 12-11-2008, 09:38 PM

Originally Posted by ketelmeister

There is NOTHING tougher in business then firing or reassigning a friend. In Chizik's case, he had to do make changes to two of his closest friends. This is not the easy road. It's a lot easier to ride along and hope things change. I really give him credit. He had to basically admit he made a mistake and secondly, remove two guys he's coached with for years. I give him credit, this is tough stuff for the good of the program.

I agree, 100% business decision and need for success! Keeping them on staff I would guess will limit defections on recruiting and continue some sense of stability.

Z

**CrossCyed** · 12-11-2008, 09:42 PM

It's weird. If you've seen and known all three of the guys, you'd wonder how they became so tight.

One person told me "if he's not willing to fire his friends if things go bad, then he (Chizik) was a bad hire, based solely on that."

At least that's not the case.

**psychlone99** · 12-11-2008, 09:42 PM

Originally Posted by kingcy

Maybe he didnt really fire them maybe they stepped down on their own. Chizik had issues with both of them during the season. Maybe the 3 made the decision together for the sake of all of them keeping their jobs. There had to be some talk about this for a long time since both were retained at a leser job.

Perhaps. We don't know the nature of their friendship. Personally, I highly doubt they stepped down on their own and I would assume that these conversations didn't take place until the season was over (although Chizik may have been thinking along these lines during the season).

Regardless, the fact that they would accept demotions is surprisingly gracious. It takes a big man to swallow his pride for the betterment of the program in this situation. We haven't heard any direct quotes from Bolt (why?), but McFarland has shown tremendous faith in this program through his comments.

**troyrew** · 12-11-2008, 09:46 PM

Is it standing up or CYA?

**lomashad** · 12-11-2008, 09:56 PM

Does anyone know if they both took pay cuts with the demotions? Hearing Paul Clark talk about Chizik doing the defense because of financial limitations is interesting considering how much we have alloted to our assistants compared to some other Big 12 schools.

**BEACHBUM** · 12-11-2008, 10:20 PM

I personally believe that both coordinators who took a step down show great character and belief in the program. I am sad to see that their goals were not met initiallly, but they must see a benefit to stick around. How would you handle being demoted at your work place?

**kingcy** · 12-11-2008, 10:33 PM

Originally Posted by lomashad

Does anyone know if they both took pay cuts with the demotions? Hearing Paul Clark talk about Chizik doing the defense because of financial limitations is interesting considering how much we have alloted to our assistants compared to some other Big 12 schools.

My guess is Bolt did. Mac got the title asst head coach or something, so i doubt he took a big paycut. That is why it makes sense that Chizik does the DC and hires someone cheap to do the little stuff on D. That way he can spend some good money on a OC.