[isutom]

Miles will be there for awhile if the rebuilding project continues on schedule. People outside the ISU community just dont realize how down the program was and how much work Trent has had to put into bringing it back. He's only been there for three years and, as I stated before, he wasn't left with a lot to work with...either in personnel, budget or facilities. For those people who don't know, go take a look at the new locker room there. Look at what's been done to Memorial Stadium. Check out the roster. Check out the coaching staff. The current athletic director and president are behind the football program and want it to succeed. Are they all the way back yet? No. Are they on their way? I'd have to say yes right now.

[TrojanDad]

isutom, on 08 August 2010 - 07:47 PM, said:

Miles will be there for awhile if the rebuilding project continues on schedule. People outside the ISU community just dont realize how down the program was and how much work Trent has had to put into bringing it back. He's only been there for three years and, as I stated before, he wasn't left with a lot to work with...either in personnel, budget or facilities. For those people who don't know, go take a look at the new locker room there. Look at what's been done to Memorial Stadium. Check out the roster. Check out the coaching staff. The current athletic director and president are behind the football program and want it to succeed. Are they all the way back yet? No. Are they on their way? I'd have to say yes right now.

Agreed...Coach Miles had to release approx 40 players when he got there...not getting it done in school and on the field. Last year they played with 3 seniors. This year, they play with 7 seniors. Contrast that with Northern Iowa that last year started all seniors on the O line...some of the 5th year seniors. SIU almost redshirts every freshman. ISU cannot afford that luxury. So they play with youth. But, the young will grow older with great experience. Look for improvement this year, and much improvement the year after. Coach Miles had to start with basics and even great training tables and a dorm to stay open after 7pm to feed athletes. The program was in decay with the past president and AD. This president and AD is very supportive and excited. Coach Miles is building everything and doing a heck of a job. This is his passion. He gave up a higher paying asst coach position at Washington to come to his home and alma mater to lead the Sycamores. I can't imagine anyone more suited to lead the rebirth of a program that was on top when he was a player.

Some tough non-conference games with Cincinnati this year, Penn State next year, and Indiana (couple of season) and Purdue. One year they play them both.