What changes need to be made?

[achrist70]

I think that all UNI football fans are in agreement that there needs to be some changes within the program. I also hope that we all realize that we don't really have any or very much say at all in this situation, so this is all hypothetical. Also I don't want this to turn into a fire Mark Farley thread, if you think that state it but I really don't think it will happen this year.

Here's what I see

1. Bigger emphasis on recruiting offensive lineman, our line was terrible this year, just terrible. Our 07 line had 2 starters who went on to play in the NFL our tight end is now a lineman in the NFL, and I honestly believe that every offensive lineman on that team would start over anything we put on the field this year (including bench players).

2. Offensive staff and identity, simply put our offensive staff is no where as good as our defensive staff. Part of that is because of how good our defensive staff is, part of that is that Farley is a defensive coach who gets way to involved in offense, and part of that no real identity, I think we want to be a run first offense, but recruit more towards a pass first style. Personally I think there needs to be major changes on the offensive staff, Salmon needs to go, he is way past his prime, and honestly Ben Barkema needs to go, the line has taken a major step back in his time, and he has had issues with the law.

3. Overall program buy in. The who Aaron Bailey situation was weird, he clearly quit on his team, and that is as a captain. South Dakota State's senior qb got beat out by a sophomore but you still saw him out there with his teammates acting like a captain. Bailey was clearly not injured, but Farley didn't have enough guts to tell him to completely leave if he was going to quit and the fact that he walk out as a captain yesterday was ridiculous. I saw him at 2:05 buying a 30 pack at kwik star in a Illinois letterman jacket, what does that saw about our program. I thought that Tyvis Smith clearly a cancer once Malloy became the feature back, and I know this is an old story but what was the whole Brett McMakin story, left early to go the NFL when he clearly wasn't going to make it? I just don't thin the overall health of the program is very good right now.

[run&blade]

Re: What changes need to be made?

I would like Harris to tell Farley the next time he doesn't make the playoffs it will be his last.


Farley lost focus the past few years.

[Moose39]

Re: What changes need to be made?

McMakin tested positive for peds. Wasn't going to play his senior year because of it, so he bolted.

[panther1]

Re: What changes need to be made?

We need 5 or 6 FBS transfer olinemen who are serviceable, a special teams coach (heck a random volunteer from the street will suffice), and an AD on a mission to let Farley know it's time to win.

[Trapped in California]

I would like Harris to tell Farley the next time he doesn't make the playoffs it will be his last.


Farley lost focus the past few years.

The schedule really hasn't been friendly the past couple years. Adding a couple of Pioneer or OVC games to the schedule would go a ways to getting to six or seven wins.

So would an offensive identity that reflected that we play most of our games indoors, and almost all on turf.

Sent from my NSA monitored One+ 3

[Panburger Partner]

Re: What changes need to be made?

Obvious Changes:

1. Establish an offensive identity and stick to it.
2. Make sure our head coach has the ability to delegate responsibility and allow some input from assistant coaches. If our current head coach can not do this, then Harris needs to pull the plug.
3.Quit putting us behind the 8 ball with our non conference scheduling. Get 1 FBS game each year and the others should be scheduled knowing it is a fairly sure win
4. Realize that games in September and October are just as important as November. Constantly having our backs against the wall in mid October continues to burn us.

[Cannic88]

Re: What changes need to be made?

Fire Farley. It's simple.

[ubuntuCAT]

Re: What changes need to be made?

I've lost confidence with Farley and think a change is needed. That said I'm not sure I have a lot of confidence in UNI hitting it out of the ballpark with a new hire.

UNI is still a damn desirable job for FCS level but I think it's lost a lot of shine the last 4-5 years.

[UNI92]

Re: What changes need to be made?

Farley needs to take an honest assessment of the program: I love his passion but I think he needs to swallow is pride and not let his stubborness get in the way of doing what he needs to do.

The fan base needs to recapture "Dome magic"...this is done by winning close games, playing December football games and not consistently being 2-4 in October.
Non conference scheduling has killed us...our MVFC is tough enough. We don't need to play EWU and Montana etc...
Do we focus too much on ISU or Iowa?? I'd rather see our staff develop the players during fall camp instead of emphasizing a game plan to beat them. I realize that I could be wrong here...just my perception. Don't get me wrong, I'll take a W over these teams, but I'd trade a W for losing two other games because of it.
The kicking game killed us...the punt return vs Montana, the missed FGs in the first four games...all 37 yards or less....
Player rotation is downright weird at times...example...Charles Brown?? DB or WR?
The Bailey issue?? weird...don't know enough about it...
No question about it....we need a pro style passing attack combined with a good running game. Dunne is up to this task and we have enough playmakers around him.
We need better offensive lineman.
The Dakota schools are rising and we seem to be on a plateau...It's now or never to make our move.


*We need to learn how to win close games. That point has been beaten to death on here

We are closer than most people think to making a run at a NC, yet very far from it if these steps are not taken. The time to take these measures is right now before we drift into where Southern Illinois is at in the MVFC.

The positives are:
We have tradition.
A great place to play our games.
A great university for our student athletes to attend.
A loyal fan base
A great defense.
We have put multiple players in the NFL...incoming recruits are aware of this which helps recruiting.
A passionate head coach who bleeds purple.
Talent in the program...A rising star in Rima...a big time playmaker (Kenny Shedd type)
Dunne can sling it, is mobile enough...
Talent on defense returns.
Next years schedule gets a little easier although road games at NDSU, SDSU and ISU won't be easy. AT least we will play a minimum 5 games at home.

[catsize]

Re: What changes need to be made?

No QB transfers, in or out. Scheme with what we have.

Locate old playbooks that had TE passes.

Find out what it takes to pi$$ off our OL into bulldozing people again and do that, enough of this zone read/block an area crap. Put a helmet on someone and put him in the ground.

[95UNIGRAD]

Re: What changes need to be made?

No QB transfers, in or out. Scheme with what we have.

Locate old playbooks that had TE passes.

Find out what it takes to pi$$ off our OL into bulldozing people again and do that, enough of this zone read/block an area crap. Put a helmet on someone and put him in the ground.

On the ground would be fine with me. We don't need to murder anyone to score touchdowns.

[BCPanther]

Re: What changes need to be made?

Go back to maulers up front. Getting real tired of 285 pound offensive linemen that constantly get pushed into the backfield.

Go back to 6-5 325 and pound on people.

[havok58]

Re: What changes need to be made?

I think the non-conference has to be a little challenging. The SOS does come into play when determining the playoff teams, and if it's average there's a chance that UNI doesn't make the field. Keep the money FBS game, schedule one strong and weak FCS opponent. No need to play teams like EWU and Montana in the same season. Now granted, when the games are signed there's no telling what type of program that they or UNI will have when it comes to actual game day, but use your best guess based on history.

As for coaching, Harris needs to talk to Farley as well as the assistants individually. Keep the conversations private, find out the strengths and weaknesses of the staff and work to correct them. Farley is one of the highest paid coaches in the FCS, unfortunately the results are not matching the pay scale. If Farley is difficult to work with or won't listen to assistants or messes with the offense too much, let Harris handle that. Harris should make it clear to everybody (coaches, players and fans) what his expectations are (other than the typical rah-rah stuff) and what are the plans if those goals aren't met. Maybe instead of making a winning record or playoffs a priority, how about increasing attendance in the Dome? Hold the coach accountable for that as the product on the field will result in how the attendance will be.

As for the crowds, see if the sports marketing department can do better about advertising the game. Put some pressure on the Dome facility staff to take better care of the Dome. Find ways to improve the sound system. Find an organization to clean up the Dome, especially after high-school games. Saturday's game was a mess in the stands because of the junk and spilled soda on the seats from Friday night. It isn't that difficult to spray it down at night or early in the morning. Little things do add up.

[UNIPanther007]

Re: What changes need to be made?

2. Offensive staff and identity, simply put our offensive staff is no where as good as our defensive staff. Part of that is because of how good our defensive staff is, part of that is that Farley is a defensive coach who gets way to involved in offense, and part of that no real identity, I think we want to be a run first offense, but recruit more towards a pass first style. Personally I think there needs to be major changes on the offensive staff, Salmon needs to go, he is way past his prime, and honestly Ben Barkema needs to go, the line has taken a major step back in his time, and he has had issues with the law.

Although I must say I appreciate your honest and raw opinion I must say that there is really only one coach that needs to change for this to be a winning program again and that if Farley. I don't necessarily want him fired because that means we lose all of the coaches more than likely however there does need to be a serious overhaul of change in mentality and preparation. He suffocates the offensive side of things because he has to be in control. I'm definitely not sold on Klein as the QB coach regardless if he was a great player himself. He's to busy franchising Wing Stop restaurants to really focus on developing our players and scheme...let alone does he have the personality to stand up to Farley and create a positive change. I agree this year was strange at the QB position with all of the drama and lack of experience however I still wish Todd Sturdy would have stayed on board as I am sure he would have produced a much better outcome and relationships along those lines. And what about Mahaffey...I mean he is a positive guy and great former player and role model but what does he honestly do that he deserves the co-OC job and pay? Let's be honest here...Willie does all the play calling along with Farley so besides on help in the team room and at practices with the wide receivers Mahaffey is pointless. The offense has some seriously genius football minds on staff including Salmon and Barkema. Barkema (and Lynch on the defensive side) are the only ones who show energy and emotion on the sideline for the team and their players during games. Love seeing guys like that. I have talked to Barkema on multiple occasions and his love for the team, dedication and football mind is way more than I've seen out of any other coach. This guy seriously has the mentality and knowledge to be a great coach if he is able to apply his ideas without being undercut by "the man" The o-line does need help and I think everyone, including him and the rest of the staff, knows that but again if your hands are tied with recruits you can only do what you can do with what you have and this year Barkema had nothing...our o-line athletes were far from good enough to compete in our league and you can only teach them so much...they have to be good enough athletes to compete. Although Willie is a quiet presence he has the institutional knowledge of what it takes to get Panther Football back and I'd hate to see him walk away now...especially when that would only leave Mahaffey to call plays and he just isn't experienced enough IMO. I love the idea of having David Harris sit down with all of the coaches to try and get a success plan in place however I too am not quite sold on Harris as that type of guy or AD. He barely even talks to anyone and if he does he puts them to sleep with his monotone/no passion/no energy presence. Whatever happens though I just want to see us successful again for all of panther nation including the coaches, players and fans.

[SoccerDobber]

Re: What changes need to be made?

A bigger/more physical offensive line and more depth on our defensive line. Our defensive line was on the field too much this season with little to no rotation.