Kevin Wilson building something special at IU

Watch Coach Wilson’s news conference | Full transcript

The Big Ten football landscape has changed over the last few years. Joe Paterno at Penn State, 46 years strong, seems to be the only constant.

The Big Ten for the first time has twelve members with the addition of Nebraska. The Big Ten Network has changed everything, providing quality exposure and plenty of dollars to member schools. It’s a game-changer. Ohio State is on probation, without Terrelle Pryor or Jim Tressel and Michigan is “rebuilding.”

This is the time for Indiana to make their run, to become prevalent. Much like conference schools like to see IU basketball down, well IU likes to see Ohio State and Michigan down. And now is the Hoosiers’ time to pounce.

Kevin Wilson has embraced the job at IU and thus far, done a fantastic job. He acquired such a quality staff, that four of them left within the first two weeks because they could get an even better job. Good for them, but better for Wilson who is finally gaining believers even though he is yet to coach a game.

High school football players are taking notice, as are their coaches. They have always understood the quality education you can get at IU, but now Wilson, a no-nonsense guy, believes it’s much more than that.

Thursday is Big Ten media day in Chicago, where over 500 credentialed media can talk with the 12 head coaches and selective players from each school. Speaking at media day athletic director Fred Glass was encouraged by Wilson, the program and this fall’s ticket sales.

“Ticket sales have been great so far, substantially ahead of last year. We’re looking at probably a record in terms of ticket sales in recent memory. I think our high-water mark in 1992, but I don’t have that number in front of me to know what it was.”

Coach Wilson represented Indiana strong in front of gathered media. He was convincing, positive and straight-forward. He is not talking about the past and only looking forward. Wilson noted that he has yet to watch a play from last season, wanting the players to prove what they can do on field with him.

“If you’re a police officer trying to catch me, you’re going to have to chase me a while because I’m not looking in the rearview mirror,” Coach Wilson said. “I’m looking forward.”

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