Leatherneck Nation

W1U wrote:I assume #itcomeswithwinning is a reference to other programs wanting your coaches as you build a winning program. Unless he uses that phrase often, that is.

that is what I took it to mean

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(I wish I could post multiple tweets in one post without breaking everything)

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and from footballscoop.com

South Dakota: Sources tell FootballScoop that Western Illinois head coach Bob Nielson acknowledged the offer to become South Dakota’s head coach to his players at a 6pm meeting tonight but told them he has not accepted that offer at this time.

Whatever comes out of this, it has not been handled well by any of the parties- primarily Nielson. He's allowed all of this speculation to escalate out of control. He must be considering it, if we can believe the USD board.

I hope he's not another mercenary coach, going with the money and no loyalty. If he leaves, he leaves- don't let the door hit you on your way out. If he stays, he lives with the knowledge folks know he likely wanted to leave. I imagine some competitor recruiting coaches are rehearsing their pitch to any recruits wanting to come to WIU. " Hey, you know their head coach is wanting to leave. Probably won't be with you for four years-nor others on the staff".

From tonight's 6PM WGEM Sports with Sean Barie:
http://www.wgem.com/story/30701507/2015 ... dakota-job

I think he is waiting for our counter-offer right now. Not sure what we can do, but hopefully something (better salary for assistants, etc.)

meganeck wrote:If only Illinois had that oil money like the Dakotas have.

Fact checking: That's our near-Canadian cousins in North Dakota that have oil. For many years South Dakota has produced a small amount of oil and gas in the northwest corner of the State but the oil patch (fracking and all that stuff) is the Bakken field in North Dakota. South Dakota's oil and gas production and energy independence shouldn't be in the same sentence.

It is true the South Dakota MVFC schools have been upgrading facilities. SDSU Alums have stepped up dramatically AND we can build facilities with revenue-bond money (that may not be possible in all states). SDSU is on the final leg of $100 million in improvements including a $34 million (all private sources) indoor facility which opened a year ago (300meter track; practice field etc.) and the new 19,500-seat football stadium which will be ready for 2016, about $65 million ($27 million from private sources). USD has just about completed an outdoor track facility that will be considered one of the best in the USA. They're mid-way through construction of what will be an outstanding (and long-overdue) basketball facility that I think will seat about 6,000 -- all good seats. USD's football facility, the DakotaDome, seats just under 10,000 and while it shows some age, there have been some upgrades and more are promised. (I don't like indoor football but I admit being in the place for a high school playoff game when it was 30 degrees and sleeting outside and I wasn't complaining.)

USD and SDSU need to pay their coaches more.

I was pleased when WIU picked up Coach Nielsen from UM-Duluth. I watched what he did in Duluth (have relatives there who follow the Bulldogs) and told people that he needed just 3-4 years at WIU and watch what he'll produce. I think my prediction has been pretty accurate. I'll feel badly for the 'Necks if you lose Nielsen. I don't get the move from one conference school to another conference school.

I'm a fan of Nielson and though he wasn't a perfect coach he was good for Western. Brought in a good staff (minus special teams) that was working us in the right direction and bringing on some good recruits.

I know its a rumor at this point, but minus WIU countering with something, he is gone and waiting for everything to be finalized. That's likely why it initially came out he accepted as he likely did, pending a few things they felt would be approved. Plus, I'm not sure what we could afford to come back to the table with.

I don't blame him if he leaves. Hope he stays and wish this wasn't happening, but can't blame him if he feels this is better for him. If he left after year 1 and maybe 2 I'd be a bit more upset. 3 years and improved each one. Better than Hendrickson and better than Patterson who had his best years with Ball's players or ones that came because of his programs success.

Guess we'll have to wait and see.

wiu712 wrote:

BobLovely wrote:If this rumor is true, it is very bad form and poor ethics to leave directly for a program in the same conference.

Randy Ball did the same thing when he left Western to go to Southwest Missouri State. Western then hired Don Patterson to replace Randy Ball.

And, this is generally considered to be a taboo in the coaching fraternity. Leaving directly for a program in the same conference creates bad feelings and ill will that stays with the coach who does so. Perhaps, this is simply a leverage play.

Bob

letsgonecks wrote:I'm a fan of Nielson and though he wasn't a perfect coach he was good for Western. Brought in a good staff (minus special teams) that was working us in the right direction and bringing on some good recruits.

I know its a rumor at this point, but minus WIU countering with something, he is gone and waiting for everything to be finalized. That's likely why it initially came out he accepted as he likely did, pending a few things they felt would be approved. Plus, I'm not sure what we could afford to come back to the table with.

I don't blame him if he leaves. Hope he stays and wish this wasn't happening, but can't blame him if he feels this is better for him. If he left after year 1 and maybe 2 I'd be a bit more upset. 3 years and improved each one. Better than Hendrickson and better than Patterson who had his best years with Ball's players or ones that came because of his programs success.

Guess we'll have to wait and see.

That's kinda my feeling as well. He had us going in the right direction and it looked like things were going to get a bit better next year. My timeframe was maybe a bit more "optimistic" than yours though...I was hoping we'd get maybe 4-6 good years out of him, get us back into the playoffs on a regular basis, then he might be looking for a "step up" to a smaller FBS school or something. Having him for just 3 years feels like leaving before the job is done...and leaving to go to a fellow conference member just feels like a gut punch.