Story here College coaches aren’t usually fired mid season except for scandals. The University of Minnesota isn’t a historical football power. The only reason I can think of is some wealthy alumnus demanded it. Does firing a college football coach mid season make any sense?
If it’s part of keeping a scandal hidden, sure.
But, he’ll coach out the season.
Not true. They were a major power in the 1930s.
Not according to the OP’s link:
“Offensive coordinator Jeff Horton will serve as interim head coach foor the remainder of the season.”
As a Wisconsin fan (and alum), I am truly heartbroken to see Brewster gone. Enjoying absolute dominance over your biggest rival is, well, enjoyable.
I’m not sure that program qualifies as a sleeping giant, but it certainly has the potential to be much better than it is now. Hell, under Mason they at least regularly went to bowls and had some good talent, even if they never really competed for a conference title. Brewster was in way over his head. It’s going to take a great hire to resuscitate them. The program is a disaster right now, and the Big Ten is only going to get tougher with Nebraska joining.
I have fond memories of Tim Brewster as the tight end on the 1983 Fighiting Illini Rose Bowl team, so I’m sorry that he wasn’t successful as a head coach.
But, I’ve wondered for a long time why Minnesota is so chronically sucky at football. The state has a decent-sized population and a strong high school football tradition, the university has a relaxed admissions policy, and so far as I know it’s the only FBS program in the state. They ought to be respectable just by dominating the recruiting in their backyard. It’s hard to understand why they can’t at least be on a level with Iowa and Wisconsin.
They’re not only the only FBS team in the state, but there aren’t any FCS teams in the state either. (There are 3 sitting just over to the Dakota side of the Minnesota state line, but this is a recent development).
They definitely have a history, having won 6 national championships, but none in the last 50 years.
There is plenty of talent in Minnesota. The problem is keeping the talent in the state. And this had more to do with lousy product on the field than anything.
That said, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a single Gophers fan who are upset with the firing. Most of us wanted Brewster gone before the season, and there was a deafening call for his head after the loss to South Dakota in the second game of the season.
Just to give two examples, stellar quarterbacks Steve Walsh and Heisman-winner Chris Weinke are both from Minnesota. But since they were good enough to be courted by multiple schools, they elected to play in sunny Florida. Can anyone blame them?
New Jersey produces a LOT of excellent football players, too. But very few of them want to play at Rutgers. When they get the chance to play at Miami or USC, they jump at the chance.