What if the post asked: "Is it time to discuss a change?"

[UNI MadCat]

The problem with this thread is that it’s a firestarter. The crass delivery ensures no one is going to engage in rational conversation about what could be a legitimate topic of discussion.

What if it was re-shaped? What if the question was is time to discuss a change at the helm? Could we have a rational discussion about that?

I would hope so. Ninety-nine percent of you get a yearly performance review don't you? Well why is this any different? It’s been a tough season and in my opinion it’s the duty of the "boss" to evaluate it. And in fact I'm sure Farley himself would assume that his boss evaluates the pros and cons each season just as fans are prone to do. Especially in these tough times where this school faces tough economic choices and the football team is in the spotlight. Truth to be told the outcomes of this season couldn't be coming at a worse time. And I think its great that we have a coach that is willing to step up and say, “the buck stops with me” vis a vis the mounting losses. That’s worth something in my book.

However, I still think its worth questioning -- is Farley the man to lead us into an uncertain future? Maybe there are reasons to contemplate a change. After all, our former AD took us to great highs and someone else took over and is looking to raise the bar even higher. That doesn't discount what Hartzell did for this university -- in fact the latter couldnt do it without the contributions of the former. And similarly, if a change was made in football even the original poster of the referenced thread likely wouldnt discredit the advancements Farley made for keeping UNI football at/near the top every year.

I've grown up with UNI sports my whole life and one of the most admirable traits of its diehard fanbase is that there is fierce protection of the UNI "inner circle/family". But I can also see it being a detriment if that attitude extends to within the AD itself and therefore appropriate questions aren't even raised. For example, in my mind the answer is "yes", Farley is the man. But I'm Joe Nobody. I just want to know decisions are made using all facts and resources and not just because "this is family and we never question family". I would sure as heck hope that his boss is evaluating based on what is best for UNI. If in the end that means Farley is safely entrenched as the coach, that’s great. If not, so be it.

I would sure as heck hope UNI fans could engage in rational conversation about the topic without immediately discrediting dissenters. You can't hope to broaden a fanbase without at the same time stifling all opinions that don't toe the family line; though I do think its fair to ask that dissenters raise objections more, well, objectively.

[jnutt]

Re: What if the post asked: "Is it time to discuss a change?"

this is the toughest schedule UNI has ever had and will ever had. ALL of our tough games were before we had a bye week and we faced 2 Big 10 schools as well as the #3 FCS and #1 FCS schools back to back. Injurires and late coaching hires made camp a virtual wash. Then the fact that half of the LBs went out before the Conference games started meant it would be tough. ALL of the games have been close. A play here or there means UNI wins. Sonnie doesn't muff the punt against NDSU, UNI wins that game. Fumble against SIU, 4th down play against Wisc, Kollmorgan doesn't lose his helmet against YSU (or we tackle better on scrambles), and this season is totally different. It's frustrating, yes, but to blame this on Farley is absurd.

Farley has built UNI into the juggernaut that it is. We've had VERY few bad years under his direction. Rushing out to change a head coach because of a sub par year is an overreaction that will only make things worse

[GoPanthers85]

Re: What if the post asked: "Is it time to discuss a change?"

I don't want to see Farley go, he has done a great job with the program. The only thing that needs to change is the defense, I'm not talking about schemes or players. I'm talking about attitude! I remember the 05'-08' defenses that were just down right dominant! When they had teams down they would step on their throats and finish them, I haven't seen that from the defense in the past few years.

[Trapped in California]

Sagarin has UNI's strength of schedule at 63 out of 246. BTW, Oregon is at #62 for SOS. FSU is at #104.

sent from my Samsung Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk for one percenters

[panther1]

Re: What if the post asked: "Is it time to discuss a change?"

I don't want to see Farley go, he has done a great job with the program. The only thing that needs to change is the defense, I'm not talking about schemes or players. I'm talking about attitude! I remember the 05'-08' defenses that were just down right dominant! When they had teams down they would step on their throats and finish them, I haven't seen that from the defense in the past few years.

I don't remember those years that way at all. I have seen the same d@mn 'bend but try not to break' defense since Farley has been here. You want to recollect dominant UNI defenses, you have to go back to at least the Allen era in my opinion.

[djb]

Re: What if the post asked: "Is it time to discuss a change?"

this is the toughest schedule UNI has ever had and will ever had. ALL of our tough games were before we had a bye week and we faced 2 Big 10 schools as well as the #3 FCS and #1 FCS schools back to back. Injurires and late coaching hires made camp a virtual wash. Then the fact that half of the LBs went out before the Conference games started meant it would be tough. ALL of the games have been close. A play here or there means UNI wins. Sonnie doesn't muff the punt against NDSU, UNI wins that game. Fumble against SIU, 4th down play against Wisc, Kollmorgan doesn't lose his helmet against YSU (or we tackle better on scrambles), and this season is totally different. It's frustrating, yes, but to blame this on Farley is absurd.

Farley has built UNI into the juggernaut that it is. We've had VERY few bad years under his direction. Rushing out to change a head coach because of a sub par year is an overreaction that will only make things worse

Agree with some of this but it's not absurd to hold the head coach accountable. I think you could look at him being responsible for the coaching carousel on the defensive side of the ball. Different LB, secondary and DCs in the last 3 years. Kleiman was the bigest loss.

4 passing TDs at YSU, 1 by Redbirds and at least 1 by hawks were given up by secondary breakdowns - Freshman or not - its not acceptable when it keeps happening. Watching NDSU come in with moderate talent and dominate by playing mistake free, disiplined football is frustrating.

I know there is a lot of talent here. I know it will be better next year. When the little things keep costing you games you need to find out why and stop it.

Also - Farley and TD jinxed the season by popping off about jumping up to FBS after the badger game.

[jnutt]

Re: What if the post asked: "Is it time to discuss a change?"

the schedule matters. It's not an excuse but reality. If the NDSU and YSU games are later in the year, this season is different

[djb]

Re: What if the post asked: "Is it time to discuss a change?"

the schedule matters. It's not an excuse but reality. If the NDSU and YSU games are later in the year, this season is different

agree with you there

[JayJ79]

Re: What if the post asked: "Is it time to discuss a change?"

I don't see a coaching change happening prior to when Farley's contract expires (whenever that is).

Well, I suppose it could happen prior to that if a bigger program wanted to hire him and was willing to buy out the contract. But that's only going to happen after a good season (so not this year).

[HI54UNI]

Re: What if the post asked: "Is it time to discuss a change?"

If you want change there is something we can all do as fans. How many of us have talked to our local legislators about more funding for UNI? How many will go to every home football game wearing their purple and gold but won't take 5 minutes to email their state representative or state senator about how they need to treat UNI fairly with state funding? How many have gone to your legislators' town hall meetings on a Saturday morning wearing their purple and gold during the legislative session? Work to get the legislators to fund UNI properly instead of kneeling before Iowa (and Iowa State to a lesser extent). If UNI gets more funding we don't have to play two money games in a season. Believe it or not state legislators do listen.

[06panther10]

Re: What if the post asked: "Is it time to discuss a change?"

The problem with this thread is that it’s a firestarter. The crass delivery ensures no one is going to engage in rational conversation about what could be a legitimate topic of discussion.

What if it was re-shaped? What if the question was is time to discuss a change at the helm? Could we have a rational discussion about that?

I would hope so. Ninety-nine percent of you get a yearly performance review don't you? Well why is this any different? It’s been a tough season and in my opinion it’s the duty of the "boss" to evaluate it. And in fact I'm sure Farley himself would assume that his boss evaluates the pros and cons each season just as fans are prone to do. Especially in these tough times where this school faces tough economic choices and the football team is in the spotlight. Truth to be told the outcomes of this season couldn't be coming at a worse time. And I think its great that we have a coach that is willing to step up and say, “the buck stops with me” vis a vis the mounting losses. That’s worth something in my book.

However, I still think its worth questioning -- is Farley the man to lead us into an uncertain future? Maybe there are reasons to contemplate a change. After all, our former AD took us to great highs and someone else took over and is looking to raise the bar even higher. That doesn't discount what Hartzell did for this university -- in fact the latter couldnt do it without the contributions of the former. And similarly, if a change was made in football even the original poster of the referenced thread likely wouldnt discredit the advancements Farley made for keeping UNI football at/near the top every year.

I've grown up with UNI sports my whole life and one of the most admirable traits of its diehard fanbase is that there is fierce protection of the UNI "inner circle/family". But I can also see it being a detriment if that attitude extends to within the AD itself and therefore appropriate questions aren't even raised. For example, in my mind the answer is "yes", Farley is the man. But I'm Joe Nobody. I just want to know decisions are made using all facts and resources and not just because "this is family and we never question family". I would sure as heck hope that his boss is evaluating based on what is best for UNI. If in the end that means Farley is safely entrenched as the coach, that’s great. If not, so be it.

I would sure as heck hope UNI fans could engage in rational conversation about the topic without immediately discrediting dissenters. You can't hope to broaden a fanbase without at the same time stifling all opinions that don't toe the family line; though I do think its fair to ask that dissenters raise objections more, well, objectively.

I would say that YES, Coach Farley is our man. And quite frankly, I think its flat-out crazy to question that at this point. When you consider the ridiculous schedule, and the ridiculous injuries that this team has had, this season has simply been doomed from its onset. Right now its just one bad year. This is not, nor has it ever been a trend.

Every program has years like this where **** just goes bad, and we were probably due for one of them. We are coming off of a stretch in which we won 4 conference championships in 5 years, including the previous two straight seasons. Coach Farley has won 7 titles in 11 years, and had SIX 10+ win seasons. I mean, come on. Some people just don't realize how incredibly spoiled we have been at UNI, and forget how difficult it is to consistently win. I do think that the budget cuts have negatively impacted football as well, so that is something that coach Farley has had to deal with.

With that said, I certainly am not happy with this season, and I am concerned with what I have seen on the field talent-wise and depth-wise this year. But frankly, at this point I still trust that Coach Farley will figure this out, because he has earned that trust through his tremendous track record thus far.

[northwest iowa panther]

Re: What if the post asked: "Is it time to discuss a change?"

Every program has years like this where **** just goes bad, and we were probably due for one of them. We are coming off of a stretch in which we won 4 conference championships in 5 years, including the previous two straight seasons. Coach Farley has won 7 titles in 11 years, and had SIX 10+ win seasons. I mean, come on. Some people just don't realize how incredibly spoiled we have been at UNI, and forget how difficult it is to consistently win. I do think that the budget cuts have negatively impacted football as well, so that is something that coach Farley has had to deal with.

With that said, I certainly am not happy with this season, and I am concerned with what I have seen on the field talent-wise and depth-wise this year. But frankly, at this point I still trust that Coach Farley will figure this out, because he has earned that trust through his tremendous track record thus far.[/QUOTE]

Ditto--I agree totally with your post. A season such as this is humbling and definitely shows how fortunate we have been for a long, long time.

[MnPantherFan]

Re: What if the post asked: "Is it time to discuss a change?"

I definitely don't want to come down on the side of "the Sky is falling" folks but people might be living in the past here. The landscape of the MVFC have completely changed since the Gateway days. We no longer have 'Red Boots' what's his name at Ill. St. to joke about and inept coaches at YSU and Ind St. etc., not to mention Allen coasting at MSU is probably not long for there. With the addition of the X-Dakotas we have Bohl positioned to outcoach Farley for years to come. If people are satisfied with conference co-championships and frustrating loses in the playoffs more power to you.

On the other hand I will totally contradict myself and bring up the example of a team that wanted to get past the quarterfinals of the playoffs and fired their coach. It took Georga Southern almost a decade to recover, so I know I don't have all the answers, but panic isn't one of them.

[jnutt]

Re: What if the post asked: "Is it time to discuss a change?"

OH DAMN the MVFC is better than it was before. We should fire our coach

[achrist70]

Re: What if the post asked: "Is it time to discuss a change?"

We call for Jacobson's firing a couple times a year, why not Farley too, heck the Volleyball team has lost more conference games this year than in the last 3 years combined lets fire Bobbi too.