Jan. 22, 2002

Editor's Note: Dave Campbell's column appears in each edition of the Baylor Bear Insider Report, available upon membership in the Baylor Bear Foundation. For information on joining the Bear Foundation, click here.

Most of those wish lists that flood in at the North Pole each December are confidential, stamped for Santa's eyes only. I hear the old gentleman with the whiskers and red suit was especially close-mouthed this season, so I won't ask him to betray any secrets. And in all truth, it is not that difficult to guess what ranks at the top of Kevin Steele's list anyway.

Topping the list: A crop of signees, probably heavy on jucos, who can upgrade the football roster, turn every weakness into a strength and lift the overall roster talent level from very average to one of high quality.

Wishing for the moon? Maybe. But strange, improbable things are happening in college football these days.

Who would have guessed that -- all in a span of about three weeks -- we would see Colorado rout Nebraska, Oklahoma State ambush Oklahoma, Colorado surprise Texas, Tennessee stagger Florida and LSU upset Tennessee?

Where are the sure things in college football these days? Don't give me the name of the Miami Hurricanes. If a Virginia Tech receiver doesn't drop a soft two-point pass right in his hands, the Hokies wind up in a tie with the Hurricanes at the end of regulation play, and then who knows?

SO IT'S A WILD and wacky world out there, Baylor fans. It's one where the last shall not necessarily be first the very next year, but in just three years. In 1997, the Illinois Fighting Illini finished 0-11. This season they are going to the Sugar Bowl as Big Ten champions boasting a 10-1 record. Same coach (Ron Turner), different team.

Closer to home, Colorado was 3-8 a year ago in Gary Barnett's second season, 10-2 this season and probably should be playing for the national championship instead of going to the Fiesta Bowl to take on Oregon.

Bottom line: The next turnaround in college football may be no more than a season away, all of which brings us to Baylor. I know, I know, Kevin Steele in his first three seasons as Papa Bear has posted records of 1-10, 2-9 and 3-8. During his administration, the Bears have yet to win a road game against a team from a major conference (indeed, the only road game they have won was against North Texas at Denton). They are 0-24 in Big 12 games alone and that is a bone that sticks in all Baylor throats, Steele's included. In only two of those conference games -- Iowa State in 2000, Texas A&M this past season -- have they been within two touchdowns of their opponent at the final whistle. In Kevin's first three years at the wheel, their recruiting has been considerably less than impressive.

So it should be no surprise that there are naysayers at every turn. I know they are out there because they keep reminding me.

Agreed, only a cockeyed optimist from outer space would say the Bears don't still have miles to go and promises to keep before they dare think about dozing. On the other hand ...

WELL, I'M SELDOM accused of being a cockeyed optimist but I do still think a Baylor turnaround could be no more than a season away -- provided Steele's new offensive coordinator is a bulls-eye choice, and provided the next recruiting class is all it needs to be.

And that should not be a case of wishing for the moon.

Incidentally, in suggesting how much difference a new coordinator can make, remember the words of Sports Illustrated in its issue of Dec. 3. Reporting on the rise of Ron Turner's Illinois team, it said: "This season, with a revamped, more aggressive defense designed by new coordinator Mike Cassity, Illinois increased its interceptions from 12 in 2000 to 18 and its sacks from 18 to 39."

Yes, that Mike Cassity is the same coach who was defensive coordinator of the Baylor Bears in 1998. And, yes, a new coordinator can make a difference. Not always, but it can happen.

Here are a few other points to keep in mind:

• The Baylor schedule next fall is made to order for a team that needs to make a fast getaway and build up some momentum and confidence.
  
• The Bears at last appear to have the makings of a satisfactory solution for what has been an unbearable (indeed, fatal) tumor at quarterback.
  
• They appear to be only a couple of positions in the secondary away from having a Big 12-quality defense, and they have ample time and warning now to get the secondary woes solved. The presence of cornerback Bobby Hart gives them a great start in that regard. Remember, they only lose two defensive starters, tackle Ryan Gillenwater and safety Samir Al-Amin. They like their chances of replacing both without loss of strength.
  
• They made more improvement this past season than the naysayers give them credit for making. That is not to say they made enough improvement, but Rome wasn't built in a day. Perhaps this is a case of not being able to see the forest for the trees (and I am as guilty in that regard as anyone).

But here three examples of observers who did see improvement.

One: Several weeks ago, Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops was quoted in an Oklahoma City newspaper as pointing out what a tough conference the Big 12 is, and the least successful team in it, Baylor, "is the most improved," he said.

Two: Dallas Morning News sports writer Dan Noxon covered the Bears in almost all of their games a season ago but switched to the TCU beat this fall and did not see a Baylor game until the Bears played Oklahoma State on Nov. 17. According to Baylor sports publicist Scott Stricklin, Noxon told him after the game, and later said the same thing to Steele, that he couldn't believe Baylor's improvement. "He said it was like seeing a small child, and then coming back and seeing him a year later, and you can't believe how much he's grown," reported Stricklin.

Three: Some time ago, Steele sent some game tape to a longtime coach and friend who has been involved in several program turnarounds. "Look at this tape and tell me what you honestly think," he told his friend.

Several days later Steele received the reply. "I think you're a lot closer (to getting things turned) than even you realize," the man told him.

• The improvement was more than in just the eye of the beholder. It also made an impact on the record book. Examples: Averaging 39.7 pass attempts and 21.2 completions a game, the Bears shattered the school season records in both categories. Baylor also produced its highest passing yardage (214.7 steps per game) in 15 years, and the Bears had their highest total offense figure (310.5) in four years and their highest season point total (205) in five seasons.

For the fourth time in school history, the Bears had three different receivers -- Reggie Newhouse with 61, Andra Fuller with 36 and John Martin with 32 -- finish the year with more than 30 catches.

The Bears produced more than 500 yards in total offense in their last two games of the season, the first time since 1983 that a Bear team had accomplished that feat. The Bears' 841 total snaps were the most in a single season since 1986. The 93 snaps against Oklahoma State were the most since the 1990 season.

The Baylor defense posted its best numbers in total defense and rushing defense since becoming a Big 12 member in 1996. The defense recorded three times as many quarterback sacks (27) as it did a season ago. The 27 sacks were the most for a Baylor defense since 1994.

The defense had the most takeaways (17 fumble recoveries and 11 interceptions) since 1994. The 17 fumble recoveries were the most for a BU defense since 1987. Baylor had 90 tackles for losses, the most by a Baylor team since 1992.

• While it is true that Steele has posted an unimpressive three-year won-loss record, such a slow start does not necessarily argue for a dismal future. The record book is replete with coaches who were forced to crawl before they could walk and then run.

Gary Barnett did not get on the topside of .500 at Northwestern (like Baylor, a private school playing in a major conference) until his fourth season. Bill McCartney was 7-25-1 after three years at Colorado, and did not hit the jackpot (8-4) until his seventh season. Barry Alvarez was below .500 until his fourth season at Wisconsin, and Mack Brown was only 2-20 after his first two seasons at North Carolina. Blessed usually with a weak non-conference schedule, playing in a weaker league (the Big Eight) than what the Big 12 is now, Bill Snyder did not get K-State to a bowl game until his fifth year on the job.

You've read the words of former Minnesota coach Murray Warmath in this space before, but hear them one more time: "It takes time," Warmath once said, "to get a sick horse up."

• Finally, it should be noted that there are still plenty of Baylor fans out there who are not faint of heart. Athletic director Tom Stanton hears from them. Bob Wilson of Dallas, a 1986 Baylor graduate, messaged him the other day a letter which said, in part:

"No one wants a successful football team at Baylor more than me, but I have an issue with fans who are ready to jump ship at this time. I would like to take this time to present my point of view:

1. Baylor can be successful in football in the Big 12 -- Northwestern, Miami, USC, just to name a few, are private schools competing and winning in big conferences. So I don't think anyone can say Baylor simply cannot compete in the Big 12.

2. Look at Virginia Tech with Frank Beamer, Kansas State with Bill Snyder, Iowa State with Dan McCarney, Gary Barnett when he was at Northwestern, and going back a few years, Bill McCartney at Colorado -- none of those guys was successful at first, and it took a few years to turn it around, yet the schools were patient and these men eventually found great success where little success had existed before. My point is, you are doing the right thing with coach Steele, you are giving him an opportunity to develop his own recruits and build a program. This is absolutely the right approach.

3. The graduation rate for the football team is high. . .and this is really what counts.

4. Although the football team did not achieve the results many were looking for, from what I saw there was no lack of effort, the players played tough, they didn't quit, and they have great attitudes.

HERE IS ANOTHER letter, this one sent to Steele by the mother of one of his players, kicker Danny Andino:

"Thank you for the patience you have shown our boys these last few years. I know it must be extremely difficult and I'm sure you've contemplated 'throwing in the towel' but I pray you will remain strong in your commitment to make this team great.

You know, winning isn't everything. It's nice, and I'm sure it would give you more job security -- but our guys have been so touched by your influence, the strength and courage you have shown by your leadership. That's what makes a team truly great.

You may never be able to see by any human measurement standards -- but I can say you've had a great influence on Danny, spiritually, mentally and physically, and that influence will do more for him in the future than you could ever imagine. Thanks again for loving my son. You are in my prayers.

Signed, Angie Andino

Editor's Note: Dave Campbell's column appears in each edition of the Baylor Bear Insider Report, available upon membership in the Baylor Bear Foundation. For information on joining the Bear Foundation, click here.