Wally Burnham
- Thread starter State4good
- Start date
This, plus there is a lot more involved in being an HC...the recruiting, functions, etc. I am not sure Wally is a guy enjoys the media spotlight either.
Wally was an outstanding hire. As was Shane. I kinda hope he ends up taking over when Wally hangs it up.
But another awesome hire that I think is paying HUGE dividends is Troy Douglas in the secondary. I see a dramatic improvement in that area on this team.
I go back to last spring watching videos of spring practice on cyclones.com and a particular drill the DB's were doing with Troy. Actually I think the LBs were also doing it with him too. Troy was standing about 5 yds away from a WR and would toss the football towards them with some good speed on it. The DBs and LBs stood next to the WR and had to reach across them and knock the ball down as it was coming in. I just remember to myself thinking what a great drill this was. It made them have really quick hands, and it also concentrated their efforts on knocking down passes.
I've noticed already this year that our DBs and LBs both are knocking down a LOT of passes, whereas in the past it seemed like all we did was concentrate on tackling the WR just as the ball arrived but never tried knocking it away. Yesterday we must have knocked away a good dozen balls, including Jansen Watson knocking the ball out of one of Iowa's WRs hands after he caught it and was coming down with it for a huge play.
Troy Douglas was an outstanding hire as well. Big upgrade. I just hope we can keep all these guys together for a while.
But another awesome hire that I think is paying HUGE dividends is Troy Douglas in the secondary. I see a dramatic improvement in that area on this team.
I go back to last spring watching videos of spring practice on cyclones.com and a particular drill the DB's were doing with Troy. Actually I think the LBs were also doing it with him too. Troy was standing about 5 yds away from a WR and would toss the football towards them with some good speed on it. The DBs and LBs stood next to the WR and had to reach across them and knock the ball down as it was coming in. I just remember to myself thinking what a great drill this was. It made them have really quick hands, and it also concentrated their efforts on knocking down passes.
I've noticed already this year that our DBs and LBs both are knocking down a LOT of passes, whereas in the past it seemed like all we did was concentrate on tackling the WR just as the ball arrived but never tried knocking it away. Yesterday we must have knocked away a good dozen balls, including Jansen Watson knocking the ball out of one of Iowa's WRs hands after he caught it and was coming down with it for a huge play.
Troy Douglas was an outstanding hire as well. Big upgrade. I just hope we can keep all these guys together for a while.
I don't think Wally Burnham receives enough credit, and he does receive a lot of credit. He has done a great job.
The only place Wally is going after ISU is the Defensive Coordinator Hall of Fame. I personally rank him as possibly the best coaching hire ever made at ISU in any sport, head or otherwise. I was at the Nebraska win when we had Tiller @ QB and a guy at runningback who left after the season, that win was all Wally's. That Nebraska team was way better than what Iowa has on the field this year.
I agree. I remember going to the team greet in Ames after the win at Nebraska. As the team and coaches filed into the practice facility, I was able to stop Wally and personally thank him for the job that he had done. He seemed surprised that I would acknowledge him, grinned and quietly said "Thanks".
Heck of a nice guy and very humble. And one heck of a defensive mastermind. We are lucky to have him. Thanks again, Wally!!
