Can Fitz pull a Barnett?

[stpaulcat]

Was about to post this on the Rock, but common sense got the better of me, where the party line rules.

It has now been 27 years since 1995 and the marvelous resurrection of NU Football. Since then, so many fabulous ups and some disappointing downs, but the program seems now to have flat lined, with the occasional flutter toward life. It is hard to pinpoint when this turned, but I would say when Doc was hired and NU became totally dependent upon defense. Now that he has departed, NU football is floundering, no matter what the Politburo might say. Can Fitz pull it out, get the energy and excitement back? I sure hope so, but also have no idea what the future under Fitz will bring.

 

[Purple Pile Driver]

Was about to post this on the Rock, but common sense got the better of me, where the party line rules.

It has now been 27 years since 1995 and the marvelous resurrection of NU Football. Since then, so many fabulous ups and some disappointing downs, but the program seems now to have flat lined, with the occasional flutter toward life. It is hard to pinpoint when this turned, but I would say when Doc was hired and NU became totally dependent upon defense. Now that he has departed, NU football is floundering, no matter what the Politburo might say. Can Fitz pull it out, get the energy and excitement back? I sure hope so, but also have no idea what the future under Fitz will bring.

Another Saint Hank post. Bet we’ll see a bunch of these all season!

 

[Alaskawildkat]

Well the future does bring the challenge of The Transfer Portal and Name-Image-Likeness.

 

[CatManTrue]

Another Saint Hank post. Bet we’ll see a bunch of these all season!

Hank was the Patron Saint of sound defense and soul-crushing tackles.

 

[phatcat_rivals223240]

Well the future does bring the challenge of The Transfer Portal and Name-Image-Likeness.

Biggest concern of mine (after JON). I feel like we have a gigantic disadvantage in NIL, with no solution forthcoming. I'd place us in the bottom 5 of P5 programs in terms of ability and desire to compete on this. We just don't have that type of boosters.

 

[NUChicago]

Biggest concern of mine (after JON). I feel like we have a gigantic disadvantage in NIL, with no solution forthcoming. I'd place us in the bottom 5 of P5 programs in terms of ability and desire to compete on this. We just don't have that type of boosters.

I am a little surprised /concerned we hear very little of our NIL strategy. And I agree JON is also a concern. I still have flashbacks of the first play of the MSU game and looking at my buddy with a WTH was that look.

 

[Gocatsgo2003]

I am a little surprised /concerned we hear very little of our NIL strategy. And I agree JON is also a concern. I still have flashbacks of the first play of the MSU game and looking at my buddy with a WTH was that look.

We don’t hear much of anything. There’s an NIL strategy behind the scenes as I understand it.

 

[NCPurplecat]

NU academic prestige is at a high, Chicago very attractive to some. Fitz still high integrity. NU needs to win with some grad transfers as is the new game and figure out the offensive line. A good O Line and a few decent defensive backs can keep a team competitive. With turnover teams can rise and fall quickly. NU not close to top tier but can at least play winning football. Also the NU impact of winning when hope has dwindled and mind numbing losses when good will come into play. Look for a couple perplexing wins this year.

 

[NUChicago]

We don’t hear much of anything. There’s an NIL strategy behind the scenes as I understand it.

I hear communication is the key to any successful organization. I don't expect details, but anything would be nice.

 

[stpaulcat]

Another Saint Hank post. Bet we’ll see a bunch of these all season!

Well then I guess we hope for the best and shut up about it.

 

[Gocatsgo2003]

I hear communication is the key to any successful organization. I don't expect details, but anything would be nice.

Why do they need to communicate every intricacy to outside fans?

 

[NUChicago]

Why do they need to communicate every intricacy to outside fans?

Like I said, I don't expect details....but any bit of information would be nice. Ya know like a real athletic department.

 

[CSCatFan1]

Like I said, I don't expect details....but any bit of information would be nice. Ya know like a real athletic department.

Michigan is a “real athletic department” and Harbaugh doesn’t share ****…heck they don’t even release a two-deep.

 

[NUChicago]

Michigan is a “real athletic department” and Harbaugh doesn’t share ****…heck they don’t even release a two-deep.

Harbaugh is a fool.

Michigan NIL

 

[stpaulcat]

Michigan is a “real athletic department” and Harbaugh doesn’t share ****…heck they don’t even release a two-deep.

I would characterize Michigan's Athletic Department as "real athletic."

 

[Gocatsgo2003]

Like I said, I don't expect details....but any bit of information would be nice. Ya know like a real athletic department.

That’s not how many, many AD’s work.

 

[NUChicago]

That’s not how many, many AD’s work.

Unfortunate, as we are not like most athletic departments.

 

[Gocatsgo2003]

Unfortunate, as we are not like most athletic departments.

…so we should be providing public updates on all things happening?

 

[NUChicago]

…so we should be providing public updates on all things happening?

Yep, you are right and I am wrong.

 

[AdamOnFirst]

Why do they need to communicate every intricacy to outside fans?

Usually I agree with you, but NIL is 100% something that should have public eyesight on it. It’s all about recruiting resources to help the program, it should be visible enough to be easy for somebody with resources or a business to get involved. It’s literally a marketing and clicks initiative.

 

[Gocatsgo2003]

Usually I agree with you, but NIL is 100% something that should have public eyesight on it. It’s all about recruiting resources to help the program, it should be visible enough to be easy for somebody with resources or a business to get involved. It’s literally a marketing and clicks initiative.

Anyone with sufficient resources and willingness to contribute to an NIL effort wouldn’t need the outbound marketing effort.

 

[Titanium999]

Biggest concern of mine (after JON). I feel like we have a gigantic disadvantage in NIL, with no solution forthcoming. I'd place us in the bottom 5 of P5 programs in terms of ability and desire to compete on this. We just don't have that type of boosters.

Agree! I think it will be a really big problem

 

[AdamOnFirst]

Anyone with sufficient resources and willingness to contribute to an NIL effort wouldn’t need the outbound marketing effort.

In politics and other fundraising, you seek high dollar donors, and mid dollar donors (and small dollar donors, but let’s leave that aside), both with different basic tactics.

 

[IdahoAlum]

Since the school can’t control the NIL efforts, I’m assuming the “marketing” gets tricky. If there are NU collectives operating out there, it would be up to them to advertise their availability and how to contribute.

The other aspect of NIL is the direct business to athlete deal, which requires no advertising or publicity. We don’t know how many of these, if any, exist.

I’ve said it many times before but I’ll say it again since I never get a response: I think it would be great if Lou tried to set up an interview with the new AD to explore these kinds of topics. Maybe he has and been turned down I don’t know. But there are no mainstream media left covering NU so unless Lou asks these questions, I don’t know where we are going to get any insight into what is going on.

 

[Gocatsgo2003]

In politics and other fundraising, you seek high dollar donors, and mid dollar donors (and small dollar donors, but let’s leave that aside), both with different basic tactics.

The people that need to know know.

 

[StreamCat]

The people that need to know know.

I’m with you on this one. Time spent telling everyone about everything is time wasted.

 

[AdamOnFirst]

The people that need to know know.

This is a fair enough way to run a football team, but a counterproductive way to fun a fundraising and marketing initiative.

At any rate, if the effort is particularly successful, much evidence of it will be very public.

 

[phatcat_rivals223240]

…so we should be providing public updates on all things happening?

GCG, the thing is, other programs' boosters, not AD'S, are shouting it from the rooftops. Therefore, most 16 year old OL recruits know that Fat Boy's Barbecue or whatever will give 100k to every Wisconsin OL, or something like that. You are a smart guy, I don't have to explain why this is a disadvantage. Don't bother to say "oh it's not Fat Boy's and it's not 100k". You know what I mean. I don't know the details of the rules or if anyone is following the rules, but, I'll tell you this: our conspicuous silence is all a recruit needs to go elsewhere. I don't know the answer, I just know that our peers are miles ahead of us, and I don't know if we can/will compete in NIL.

 

[Gocatsgo2003]

GCG, the thing is, other programs' boosters, not AD'S, are shouting it from the rooftops. Therefore, most 16 year old OL recruits know that Fat Boy's Barbecue or whatever will give 100k to every Wisconsin OL, or something like that. You are a smart guy, I don't have to explain why this is a disadvantage. Don't bother to say "oh it's not Fat Boy's and it's not 100k". You know what I mean. I don't know the details of the rules or if anyone is following the rules, but, I'll tell you this: our conspicuous silence is all a recruit needs to go elsewhere. I don't know the answer, I just know that our peers are miles ahead of us, and I don't know if we can/will compete in NIL.

You really think NU’s coaches aren’t discussing NIL with recruits?

 

[AdamOnFirst]

You really think NU’s coaches aren’t discussing NIL with recruits?

I’m just going to clarify that I don’t think NIL discussions with recruits are parts we need to hear anything about, nor will you anywhere else outside the mega contract 5 star guys.

 

[phatcat_rivals223240]

You really think NU’s coaches aren’t discussing NIL with recruits?

Probably. Are they allowed to do so? I thought it was not to be arranged by the university. do we (you) think that these top secret conversations reflect an NIL program that is close to competitive with our enormous brethren? And isn't the purported purpose of an NIL program to compensate an athlete for the publicity the athlete generates for the sponsor? Wouldn't publicity be, you know, public?

If you believe we are not currently at a large disadvantage on NIL with pretty much every other B1G team, I'd like to know why (if it's not a secret /s)

 

[Gocatsgo2003]

Probably. Are they allowed to do so? I thought it was not to be arranged by the university. do we (you) think that these top secret conversations reflect an NIL program that is close to competitive with our enormous brethren? And isn't the purported purpose of an NIL program to compensate an athlete for the publicity the athlete generates for the sponsor? Wouldn't publicity be, you know, public?

If you believe we are not currently at a large disadvantage on NIL with pretty much every other B1G team, I'd like to know why (if it's not a secret /s)

“Here are the opportunities we have at NU, it’s on you to seek them out.”

 

[hdhntr1]

I hear communication is the key to any successful organization. I don't expect details, but anything would be nice.

Isn't it communication within the organization? We aren't really inside the organization

 

[hdhntr1]

Probably. Are they allowed to do so? I thought it was not to be arranged by the university. do we (you) think that these top secret conversations reflect an NIL program that is close to competitive with our enormous brethren? And isn't the purported purpose of an NIL program to compensate an athlete for the publicity the athlete generates for the sponsor? Wouldn't publicity be, you know, public?

If you believe we are not currently at a large disadvantage on NIL with pretty much every other B1G team, I'd like to know why (if it's not a secret /s)

I would say that we are at a tremendous disadvantage against the big boys like Mich, dOSU, PSU andmaybe a WIS. But harder to say we are against the likes of IL, IN, PU, IA, and a few of the others.

 

[Sheffielder]

What we are talking about here are what I'd broadly call "family problems."

We all have them. We're less patient with our family when it comes to the slightest things, because we've seen them all before and we're emotionally invested, so our fuses are shorter...ironically shorter than they'd often be with strangers exhibiting many of the same issues.

I get very annoyed with what I perceive to be a lack of action, Fitz's stubbornness, and less fanfare around NIL stuff than we've seen with other programs...but I'm also proud to have a decorated alum and one of the longest-tenured FBS coaches here in Fitz, I'm proud that we have what I believe is more integrity when it comes to how we operate as a Division I program...and I acknowledge with all that needs to come some trust/faith which is nevertheless very difficult to offer unconditionally, on the heels of a humiliating season where we are seeing no "meaningful" changes that can be truly tested before the team steps foot on a European field in August.

 

[ricko6543211]

The people that need to know know.

Even if / though we do have efforts in place for NIL, I still would stand by that it is a disadvantage for us. To be clear, I think it was the right and necessary ruling to give student-athletes more freedom, but it is a disadvantage for us relative to the competition. We punch above our weight in terms of athletic resources due to the B1G TV money that we take in, but that cannot go towards NIL stuff. Also it directs recruits' interests elsewhere, away from things that might favor Northwestern. It reinforces the attention-seeking type of behavior and profile which is not what we are looking for / not the best match in terms of recruiting. This can be seen in some of the recent transfer activity too.

Sure, there are still a good number of recruits (and recruits' parents) out there who are well-grounded and realize that going for a few extra $$ now isn't an optimal strategy for maximizing their life earnings when you consider the value of an NU degree for those who "don't go pro in sports" as the NCAA commercials always say. But at the margin this hurts us because it creates another shiny little bauble that distracts from the type of person and pitch that NU is making.

I've heard has been this admitted by NU coaches in private conversations, they realize it is a challenge. Fitz is obviously not standing still on it and trying to take measures to offset it, and again I think the new rules are more fair than the old ones for players so this isn't me railing against NIL. But I think it's clearly a negative development for NU from a competitive perspective, at least right now.

 

[AdamOnFirst]

What we are talking about here are what I'd broadly call "family problems."

We all have them. We're less patient with our family when it comes to the slightest things, because we've seen them all before and we're emotionally invested, so our fuses are shorter...ironically shorter than they'd often be with strangers exhibiting many of the same issues.

I get very annoyed with what I perceive to be a lack of action, Fitz's stubbornness, and less fanfare around NIL stuff than we've seen with other programs...but I'm also proud to have a decorated alum and one of the longest-tenured FBS coaches here in Fitz, I'm proud that we have what I believe is more integrity when it comes to how we operate as a Division I program...and I acknowledge with all that needs to come some trust/faith which is nevertheless very difficult to offer unconditionally, on the heels of a humiliating season where we are seeing no "meaningful" changes that can be truly tested before the team steps foot on a European field in August.

We should separate any thoughts or concerns related to Fitz' fairly secretive way of running the program from our NIL thoughts. First, Fitz is in charge of the NIL operation, nor even allowed to be formally involved in it. So they're very separate.

We can argue all we want about how annoying it is for us as fans, but being secretive with football planning is a time-tested behavior that can be involved in a perfectly good football operation. Being secretive about marketing and fundraising efforts that are EXPLICITLY designed to raise capital and boost the profile of the product (in this case, really the athletes and their market opportunities) is... highly unusual. Not industry standard, to say the least.

 

[phatcat_rivals223240]

Going back to SPC's original post, this wouldn't be like 1995, it would be more like if Barnett had stayed and tried to recover in 1999. This is because Fitz brought it on himself, whereas Barnett inherited a ****-pile and grew daffodils in it.

 

[stpaulcat]

Going back to SPC's original post, this wouldn't be like 1995, it would be more like if Barnett had stayed and tried to recover in 1999. This is because Fitz brought it on himself, whereas Barnett inherited a ****-pile and grew daffodils in it.

Right, Fitz will be bailing out himself.

 

[Zootcat]

Usually I agree with you, but NIL is 100% something that should have public eyesight on it. It’s all about recruiting resources to help the program, it should be visible enough to be easy for somebody with resources or a business to get involved. It’s literally a marketing and clicks initiative.

It’s going to be an important marketing tool. You can’t achieve either optimal reach or frequency when your communications aren’t on public platforms.

I know we have a rifle shot approach to recruiting in general. But if we’re going to expand our appeal, I believe more “customers” have to know more about our brand.

I think the state of Illinois’ NIL restrictions are also a hurdle other states don’t have, so the program’s lack of public visibility may be primarily due to that.