New Coach, Old Problems?

Yesterday, Columbia University introduced Norries Wilson as head coach for their football program after the firing of Bob Shoop last month. Wilson goes to Columbia after seven years with the University of Connecticut and four as the offensive coordinator for the Huskies. In 2003, the Huskies offense ranked 8th in the nation in yardage. In 2004, UConn's first year in the Big East, Wilson's offense led the league in total offense and scoring. Wilson's offensive expertise will be needed as he joins a Columbia team that was last in total points scored (and allowed) in the Ivy League. Wilson will be the first black head coach in the Ivy League.

No matter how skilled Wilson is, accomplishing a huge turnaround might be difficult. Like all teams in the Ivy League, the team does not offer athletic scholarships, but Columbia also has to reverse a trend of losing. Coach Wilson mentioned that the team is going to win. "We're going to go win some games." We're going to win with whoever wants to come. We're going to teach them how to win and leave them with a great experience as far as playing football." There's nowhere to go but up, coach.

Photo from UConnHuskies.com