Last week, I wrote a piece citing three reasons for pessimism relating to Northwestern’s 2021 football season: a loss of administrative (and coaching) personnel, a lack of returning experience and a lack of success under Fitz in back-to-back seasons.
In regards to the first reason for pessimism, a loss of administrative and coaching personnel, there are fairly limited ways in which I am able to augment your concerns. I could tell you that Dr. Derrick Gragg will replicate Jim Phillips’ positive relationship with Fitz, but I would be lying if I said that with certainty. So instead, I will leave you with a zoomed in photo from NU FB’s Twitter from Big Ten Media Day signaling the start of a great relationship:
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I could also spew something similar about Northwestern’s new Director of Football Operations, Jacob Schmidt, who is replacing Cody Cejda and new Northwestern Defensive Coordinator Jim O’Neil who is replacing legendary DC Mike Hankwitz.