USD Football 1996

from the University of Colorado in 1992. "We didn't get all the blue-chippers, but we've made a lot of good decisions on that second-tier player. Like a Pat Fitzgerald, for example, who was not highly recruited." Vanderlinden likes what he sees from the 1996 defense. Despite los– ing three starters from a secondary that was superb in '95, he expects the position-led by safety Eric Collier and cornerback Josh Barnes-to be even better this season. Vanderlin– den had this to say about sophomore linebacker Kevin Buck: "He's going to be a really good player. You're going to read about him for years to come." We may be reading about Vander– linden in years to come as well. He's a coach on the fast track. One of the primary reasons Barnett gave last season for the Wildcats' suc– cess was the continuity of the coaching staff. If you don't pay the assistants enough, Barnett warned his bosses, then they'll seek employment else– where. And a revolving door in the coaching office retards the progress of the players. But as a result of Northwestem's suc– cess, other schools will be seeking out Barnett's assistants. Vanderlinden, whose defense led the nation in fewest points allowed (12.7 per game), was a candidate for the head coaching posi– tion at Northern Illinois. There were other calls as well. "There are a lot of people that I real– ly lean on for advice," says Vanderlin– den. "They said don't be so quick to jump at the first thing that comes along. Just hold your water a little bit." Vanderlinden says he ' d love to become a head coach-someday. For now, having Barnett for a boss, he says, makes it easy to stay. "He's a good football coach and he's even a better person," Vanderlinden says of Barnett. "And that factors in, because it's not always like that for the life of an assistant.. .Sometimes you lose the 'we' in this thing a little bit, but Gary is not like that. He is a wonderful per– son and a good friend . It would have to

Barnett announced he was staying put, and the recruits started flooding in. be something really special to pry me out of here." The players, of course, feel the same way about Barnett. "He's a great man and a great coach," says Fitzgerald. "This success, he's gone about it very businesslike, and we expected it to happen. I don't think he's going to change in any way." If Barnett is affected by the success, it hasn't shown, though his newfound celebrity has produced some exciting perks-such as throwing out the first pitch at the Cubs' opening-day game at Wrigley Field in April. "A tremendous thrill," says Barnett. "Only the Rose Bowl tops it." Now the mission is getting back to the

Rose Bowl. The schedule is a little easi– er than last year's (Duke and Wake For– est instead of Notre Dame and Air Force; and like last season, the Wildcats don't play Ohio State). In addition, according to Barnett, the quality depth at most every position will make it possible for the 'Cats to overcome an injury or two. "Everybody's expectations of the program and of themselves are so much higher," says Vanderlinden. "This year, I think our expectations are that we're not going to be satisfied with anything less than a lot of success." Expectations , along with those media requests , have skyrocketed. So have season-ticket prices- that's the true price of success. It's also the most telling sign that Northwestern has finally, truly arrived on the college football scene. a

Craig Ellenport is a senior editor for SportsFan On·Line– and, wouldn't you know it, a Northwestern grad.

toud-mJ