Terrific guy who I just felt was never able to get the program over the hump. With newer facilities the expectations also increased considerably for Lennon and staff at SIU and that also didn't help here.
It also didn't help that SIU plays in simply the best FCS conference in the nation. This year was a prime example of the Salukis having a pretty good team but lost some close early games then finished with four straight losses.
Even if SIU got a bit closer to making the FCS playoffs, having a new AD in place now also pointed towards a change. I actually thought that Lennon was done at SIU after last season but then AD Mario Moccia left for a new job right in the middle of recruiting. SIU's hand I felt was forced into extending Lennon another two years. Lennon was given a two year extention with a very minimal buyout...and one of the top rules is always check the buyout. The bigger the buyout amount the more secure the coach will be in any deal.
So what's next? Hard to say since current AD Tommy Bell is a bit of an unknown. Bell has ties to NIU so I'm guessing he will look towards some NIU people for advice? Also a negative is the current State of Illinois budget situation, which no question will hinder anyone from spending anything above the current revenue levels. I keep hearing talks about coaches potentially needing to buy health insurance on their own among other issues, never a good thing when trying to attract quality candidates.
Yet the bottom line I hear from coaches is that SIU is still an attractive spot. Newer facilities, a decent recruiting and alumni areas and many feel SIU has a lot already in place and could be a winning program again.
Here are some names to consider:
Nick Hill- former standout QB and current O coordinator. Was named interim head coach on Tuesday. Became more involved this season in the offense and the SIU offense had a great year. Hill is a Very young coach here which could be a negative. Hill is beloved in SIU country and if he's not hired as the full time HC my guess is he will be retained unless he gets a better offer somewhere else.
Bill O'Boyle- another current SIU staffer who was also co offensive coordinator under Lennon. O'Boyle indeed has more experience than say Hill and if the Salukis decide to stay in house O'Boyle's resume could be the difference maker. I can also see a scenario where O'Boyle stays along with Nick Hill.
Matt Limegrover- Limegrover was on Jerry Kill's staff at SIU and then at Minnesota. Limegrover was just fired from Minnesota and could the timing be right here? Limegrover has recruited Chicagoland and the entire state for years along with now Minnesota and several other Midwest states.
DeAndre Smith- just fired Syracuse assistant coach has recruited both Chicago and St. Louis for several years (NIU/Illinois/New Mexico St) and is a well known and respected name within the high schools. Also has ties/connections to several top coaches and was a finalist for the Missouri State job last year (Smith played for SWMS).
Kenni Burns- former Wyoming assistant coach who was also at North Dakota State. Hails from Springfield and played for Ken Leonard at SHG and also played at Indiana. Recruited Chicagoland for both NDSU and Wyoming. Younger coach with experience here.
Mike Uremovich NC State- has NIU ties and was a grad assistant at NIU and also an assistant coach at NIU under Dave Doeren. Uremovich, who prepped at Providence Catholic also has head coaching experience (NAIA St. Francis Joliet) and has been a top recruiter for both NIU and now NC State in Chicagoland.
Others? Post em here.
It also didn't help that SIU plays in simply the best FCS conference in the nation. This year was a prime example of the Salukis having a pretty good team but lost some close early games then finished with four straight losses.
Even if SIU got a bit closer to making the FCS playoffs, having a new AD in place now also pointed towards a change. I actually thought that Lennon was done at SIU after last season but then AD Mario Moccia left for a new job right in the middle of recruiting. SIU's hand I felt was forced into extending Lennon another two years. Lennon was given a two year extention with a very minimal buyout...and one of the top rules is always check the buyout. The bigger the buyout amount the more secure the coach will be in any deal.
So what's next? Hard to say since current AD Tommy Bell is a bit of an unknown. Bell has ties to NIU so I'm guessing he will look towards some NIU people for advice? Also a negative is the current State of Illinois budget situation, which no question will hinder anyone from spending anything above the current revenue levels. I keep hearing talks about coaches potentially needing to buy health insurance on their own among other issues, never a good thing when trying to attract quality candidates.
Yet the bottom line I hear from coaches is that SIU is still an attractive spot. Newer facilities, a decent recruiting and alumni areas and many feel SIU has a lot already in place and could be a winning program again.
Here are some names to consider:
Nick Hill- former standout QB and current O coordinator. Was named interim head coach on Tuesday. Became more involved this season in the offense and the SIU offense had a great year. Hill is a Very young coach here which could be a negative. Hill is beloved in SIU country and if he's not hired as the full time HC my guess is he will be retained unless he gets a better offer somewhere else.
Bill O'Boyle- another current SIU staffer who was also co offensive coordinator under Lennon. O'Boyle indeed has more experience than say Hill and if the Salukis decide to stay in house O'Boyle's resume could be the difference maker. I can also see a scenario where O'Boyle stays along with Nick Hill.
Matt Limegrover- Limegrover was on Jerry Kill's staff at SIU and then at Minnesota. Limegrover was just fired from Minnesota and could the timing be right here? Limegrover has recruited Chicagoland and the entire state for years along with now Minnesota and several other Midwest states.
DeAndre Smith- just fired Syracuse assistant coach has recruited both Chicago and St. Louis for several years (NIU/Illinois/New Mexico St) and is a well known and respected name within the high schools. Also has ties/connections to several top coaches and was a finalist for the Missouri State job last year (Smith played for SWMS).
Kenni Burns- former Wyoming assistant coach who was also at North Dakota State. Hails from Springfield and played for Ken Leonard at SHG and also played at Indiana. Recruited Chicagoland for both NDSU and Wyoming. Younger coach with experience here.
Mike Uremovich NC State- has NIU ties and was a grad assistant at NIU and also an assistant coach at NIU under Dave Doeren. Uremovich, who prepped at Providence Catholic also has head coaching experience (NAIA St. Francis Joliet) and has been a top recruiter for both NIU and now NC State in Chicagoland.
Others? Post em here.
