Written by LWN | 05 January 2009

3 years and two days ago the University at Buffalo embarked on a new mission to raise their program from it’s lackluster on-field performance and bring in a new coach with a proven track record to provide the meager fan base something, anything that would make them competitive.

They found a coach, who when first contacted did not know that Buffalo had a division I-A program after the new Athletic Director with a Michigan pedigree couldn’t even get people in his inner circle to provide him with ANYONE that had ANY interest in signing on to become Buffalo’s new head man.

He, or the search committee placed a call to a Player Development Director with the Green Bay Packers to gauge his interest in the position.  He was going to out and out decline the invitation to interview, but then after discussing it with his wife he changed his mind and felt that at the very least this interview would at least prepare him for future job openings.

 

What has happened since that first encounter and the subsequent press conference that followed in three short years has turned the University at Buffalo football team from a laughing stock to one of the most talked about teams in the college football landscape.

Are they going to contend for a national championship?  No, but are they going to a bowl game for the first time ever on January 3, 2009, yes.

On top of being a good coach, a great recruiter and a fantastic molder of young men, Turner Gill is an upstanding man.  In scouring the 24 hour news cycle, blogosphere and message boards LWN has yet to find ONE SINGLE INSTANCE that questions Turner Gill……for anything.  Nothing about unfair recruiting practices, academic dishonesty or doing anything off the field to affect his image.  Sure some of the naysayers still identify the University at Buffalo as a team that had one season where they qualified for a bowl game, but there is still no negative speech about Gill.  Think about that for a second.

The man is the Elliott Ness of football, the FDR of X’s and O’s, the Gandhi of the gridiron.  Either this man is Teflon because he’s got dirt on everyone in the state of Nebraska to Miles Brand himself, or he is a genuinely good man that has not been seen in some time in the college football world.

At the time of the first press conference, LWN thought great hire…amazing hire for us.  Certainly it was, but it started off cheesily.  Does anyone remember his statements?  “UB, that’s now going to stand for yoU Believe.”

I thought wow, that’s bad…..he didn’t even say “pun intended” after.  Then of course there was the 2-10 season that followed, which was to be expected.  Then of course we won a share of the 2007 MAC East title when the team couldn’t close out games, but was still much improved.

Now, in 2008 a MAC Championship, a win over the undefeated number 12 team in the country and a bowl bid.  Simply stunning.  There have been two players drafted since Gill took over, now two All-American Honorable mention players (Roosevelt and Starks) and the potential to improve next season.

The announcement that Gill inked a deal the keeps him at Buffalo until 2013 (potentially) was the next step in the evoltuion of this program.  I use potentially because each season Buffalo will have to fight off suitors who will come calling for Gill.  I am fairly certain that this new extention was announced because Gill was probably Iowa State’s number one choice for head coach.  It remains to be seen if he would have taken that opportunity or not.

Some probably believe this was UB’s flash in the pan season, but I will disagree.  Yes, Buffalo will lose 5 starters on offense including; QB Drew Willy, LT Ray Norelle, C Chris Lauzze, FB Chris Scharon, and RG Jeff Neidermier.  On the defensive side of the ball, UB loses three interior lineman; DE Andrae Smith, DT Ronald Hilaire and DE Mike Thompson.  That’s it.  And if you have been watching the UB defensive line, you might know that this may not be a huge loss.  Take nothing away from these guys, but they have had a hard time applying pressure all year.

That means the UB defense returns ALL linebackers and secondary players.  That’s going to be a pretty fierce defense next season.

On offense, UB will probably spread out the offense more because the most likely QB candidate, Zach Maynard is a speed guy who can run and sling it.  If he does in fact start, he still has a bevy of receivers that can catch the ball, which will make him look good.  Additionally, he provides mobility….the only knock on Drew Willy.  Maynard has seen action this year in small spurts.  He usually comes in on UB’s “wildcat” looks.  I think offensive records might fall next season.

Finally, if you are a parent and your kid is going to play college football, who else would you want coaching them?  If you are from Big XII country, you know Gill and you are probably excited if he is going to coach him right?  I think the sky is the limit, and I am aware that Gill will move on at some point, but he sure as hell is going to leave the cupboard stocked.