Hire Mike Kafka

SauceCat

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Jan 3, 2009
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After a few days of reflection upon the Notre Dame game, one thing has become very clear to me. We need new ideas on the offensive side of the ball. Enter the QB coach of the NFL's most potent offense and best young quarterback, who just happens to be a former Northwestern grad assistant and quarterback.

Hunter Johnson is the best quarterback prospect that this team has ever had and represents a potential program changer. We need to surround him with an innovative offensive mind to help him reach his potential.
 

NUCat320

Senior
Dec 4, 2005
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Kafka would be great, but I imagine he’d be in the college game today if he wanted to be in the college game.
 

Sheffielder

Senior
Sep 1, 2004
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New ideas don't come from a guy who was coached by the current OC who'd be coming in as the low man on the totem pole looking to show respect to his elders.

We need to stop with the mentality that the only viable coaches out there are NU alums. There's a whole universe of coaches out there, despite what Fitz would have you believe.

Can't wait for Mac to leave and people will instantly start calling for Brendan Smith to come back, or "what about Sherrick McManus?"
 

NUAlum2010

Redshirt
Dec 14, 2010
80
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New ideas don't come from a guy who was coached by the current OC who'd be coming in as the low man on the totem pole looking to show respect to his elders.

We need to stop with the mentality that the only viable coaches out there are NU alums. There's a whole universe of coaches out there, despite what Fitz would have you believe.

Can't wait for Mac to leave and people will instantly start calling for Brendan Smith to come back, or "what about Sherrick McManus?"
You are aware of what Mike Kafka is currently doing, correct? He's the QB coach for the Kansas City Chiefs.

It's not like the OP is saying go hire Dan Persa or CJ Bacher or someone with no coaching pedigree.

Kafka is the QB coach of the most potent NFL offense in decades and he seems to know a thing or two based on what he has been a part of with the development of Mahomes.

I think the point is that Kafka, by virtue of being an NU alum, is a potentially high qualified candidate that NU could actually land.

The other poster's point is more of the issue.... he seems poised for something bigger than a coordinator role at NU.
 

Gocatsgo2003

All-Conference
Mar 30, 2006
47,001
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After a few days of reflection upon the Notre Dame game, one thing has become very clear to me. We need new ideas on the offensive side of the ball. Enter the QB coach of the NFL's most potent offense and best young quarterback, who just happens to be a former Northwestern grad assistant and quarterback.

Hunter Johnson is the best quarterback prospect that this team has ever had and represents a potential program changer. We need to surround him with an innovative offensive mind to help him reach his potential.

Kafka is already on short lists for NFL OC openings. There's virtually no chance he drops down to the college level.
 

NUCat320

Senior
Dec 4, 2005
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495
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New ideas don't come from a guy who was coached by the current OC who'd be coming in as the low man on the totem pole looking to show respect to his elders.

We need to stop with the mentality that the only viable coaches out there are NU alums. There's a whole universe of coaches out there, despite what Fitz would have you believe.

Can't wait for Mac to leave and people will instantly start calling for Brendan Smith to come back, or "what about Sherrick McManus?"
OP is suggesting, I think,

Hire Mike Kafka (Because You’ve Fired Mick McCall)
 

SauceCat

Redshirt
Jan 3, 2009
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I would prefer Mick retired or went elsewhere of his own volition. Bowling Green has a head coaching vacancy
 

CSCatFan1

Senior
Dec 4, 2002
39,976
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I've had my eye on Sean Gleeson for a while now. Believe it or not the "Princeton Football Offense" is one of the most dynamic in FCS. He's their Offensive Coordinator & QB Coach. Gleason also helped recruit highly touted QB Brevin White, who chose the Tigers over Alabama. He's young, innovative and knows high to recruit in an academic setting.

https://goprincetontigers.com/coaches.aspx?rc=6519&path=football
 

mickbula

Junior
Jul 1, 2011
2,999
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The senior season Kafka played for NU, imho, he was the best qb NU has ever had (when he was healthy)! Fact is, like many posters have already reiterated, he has a very good chance to be OC in the nfl- and most likely, soon to be a head coach in the nfl. I'd love to have him in any capacity at NU! But sadly, there might be more fruitful/verdant pastures out there for him??
 

Sheffielder

Senior
Sep 1, 2004
9,915
725
113
You are aware of what Mike Kafka is currently doing, correct? He's the QB coach for the Kansas City Chiefs.

It's not like the OP is saying go hire Dan Persa or CJ Bacher or someone with no coaching pedigree.

Kafka is the QB coach of the most potent NFL offense in decades and he seems to know a thing or two based on what he has been a part of with the development of Mahomes.

I think the point is that Kafka, by virtue of being an NU alum, is a potentially high qualified candidate that NU could actually land.

The other poster's point is more of the issue.... he seems poised for something bigger than a coordinator role at NU.

I can honestly say that I had no idea Kafka was doing anything with the NFL. That's awesome and yes I definitely stand corrected on this one. #hirekafka.

Nevertheless, my general complaint stands - every assistant coach does not have to be an NU alum, despite what Fitz and eveyrone here generally thinks. Broadening the pool is a good thing.
 

Kiteboarder

Freshman
Mar 13, 2002
1,826
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Mike Kafka is perhaps the youngest, hottest assistant in the NFL today. His potential to move up NFL ranks is very high, as is his ceiling. He coaches the most interesting to watch, most dynamic QB in the league.

You are kidding yourself if you believe he would even think twice of taking a job as at NU.

The timing is nowhere near right for NU.
 

CatManTrue

All-American
Oct 4, 2008
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Mike Kafka is perhaps the youngest, hottest assistant in the NFL today. His potential to move up NFL ranks is very high, as is his ceiling. He coaches the most interesting to watch, most dynamic QB in the league.

You are kidding yourself if you believe he would even think twice of taking a job as at NU.

The timing is nowhere near right for NU.
What if Fitz jumps to the NFL, and we find ourselves looking for a new HC?

In that hopefully far-off scenario, wouldn’t Kafka be the ideal replacement?
 

CatManTrue

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1) That’s a pretty far-fetched hypothetical.

2) No.
1) It’s apparent that Fitz isn’t jumping to another college program. Say the Packers (finally) fire McCarthy. Do you still think Fitz wouldn’t be high on Mark Murphy’s list? Fitz May very well be a better pro coach than a college coach. He would be foolish to flat out turn down the opportunity to be Aaron Rodgers’ head coach.

2) Ok Carnac, then who if not Kafka?
 

CatManTrue

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Oct 4, 2008
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Agree with gocats on both counts.
See my reply to Carnac’s post and defend your opinion. There are maybe a handful of college coaches that Mark Murphy will consider to replace McCarthy once he’s fired. I guarantee that Fitz would be one of them.
 
Last edited:
Sep 9, 2015
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See my reply to Carnac’s post and defend yourself. There are maybe a handful of college coaches that Mark Murphy will consider to replace McCarthy once he’s fired. I guarantee that Fitz would be one of them.
Fitz is NU for life. It's pretty obvious he loves and takes great pride in his job and program. For better or worse he is not leaving till retirement.

Edit to say very few programs, company's, and any sort of structure can say that. It's honestly a blessing we have him. Do I agree with every decision he makes, no. He is the best we could ever hope for and he consistently does much more great than bad.
 

Deeringfish

All-Conference
Jun 23, 2008
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Fitz is NU for life. It's pretty obvious he loves and takes great pride in his job and program. For better or worse he is not leaving till retirement.

Edit to say very few programs, company's, and any sort of structure can say that. It's honestly a blessing we have him. Do I agree with every decision he makes, no. He is the best we could ever hope for and he consistently does much more great than bad.
I agree with this. The only reason Fitz leaves NU is if he experiences some kind of burn out or health issue. If he wakes up one morning and realizes that he is always losing his temper at home, he would probably look to his bank account and call it a day. I hope he always loves what he does and his family because he is good for NU.
 

corbi2961

Senior
Sep 9, 2005
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What if Fitz jumps to the NFL, and we find ourselves looking for a new HC?

In that hopefully far-off scenario, wouldn’t Kafka be the ideal replacement?

good lord. can we give him at least a couple of years of coaching experience before we hand him the head job.
 
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Gocatsgo2003

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Mar 30, 2006
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1) It’s apparent that Fitz isn’t jumping to another college program. Say the Packers (finally) fire McCarthy. Do you still think Fitz wouldn’t be high on Mark Murphy’s list? Fitz May very well be a better pro coach than a college coach. He would be foolish to flat out turn down the opportunity to be Aaron Rodgers’ head coach.

2) Ok Carnac, then who if not Kafka?

1) No I do not think he would be terribly high on Murphy's list, as Murphy is well aware that Fitz is entrenched at NU. Despite his decade-plus experience at the college level, Fitz has had one semi-interview with the NFL (a cursory interview with the Bears before Nagy was hired). With his contractually-mandated facilities finally completed, I don't see Fitz leaving for any job at any level anytime soon.

I also would think Murphy wants to bring in someone with more of an offensive/QB background to placate Rodgers.

2) Mostly a personality thing. I don't get the impression that Mike would want to be the "face of a program" at this point in his career. Moreover, he's 31 years old and doesn't really have much of a "coaching tree" beyond Andy Reid. It would probably be a bit awkward if he were to come in and keep the staff in place, plus he doesn't really have many connections to build a staff.

I also think we have a much better HC candidate already on staff if/when it comes to that.
 

EvanstonCat

Senior
May 29, 2001
50,767
767
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I've had my eye on Sean Gleeson for a while now. Believe it or not the "Princeton Football Offense" is one of the most dynamic in FCS. He's their Offensive Coordinator & QB Coach. Gleason also helped recruit highly touted QB Brevin White, who chose the Tigers over Alabama. He's young, innovative and knows high to recruit in an academic setting.

https://goprincetontigers.com/coaches.aspx?rc=6519&path=football

I would be more open to that approach if it were not for the Carmody experiment.
 

PURPLECAT88

Senior
Feb 4, 2003
7,801
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I also would think Murphy wants to bring in someone with more of an offensive/QB background to placate Rodgers.

Mick McCall would listen if Mark Murphy called. :D
 

Katatonic

Sophomore
Oct 23, 2004
86,854
134
0
Stated a while back ago that Kafka was on the fast-track to being an OC and then HC (for a team w/ a young QB) if Mahomes ended up being anywhere close to the hype.

Wouldn't be shocked if Kafka got an OC offer after this season, but more likely it'll be after his 2nd season as QB coach.

But can see Kafka waiting for the right gig (could be right there in KC if Bieniemy ends up getting a HC job somewhere).

Towards the beginning of the season, Michael Vick was on Tiki & Tierney and burned Kafka by saying Kafka (during the time Kafka was Vick's back-up) was a QB who was somewhat limited physically (I guess compared to Vick, most QBs are).

But Vick went on to laud Kafka's understanding of the game and ability to process information.

Vick served as an intern w/ KC and stated that the QB room was one of the most impressive he had witnessed due to all the coaching acumen, including Kafka.
 

CSCatFan1

Senior
Dec 4, 2002
39,976
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Don’t look now, but this morning on NFL on ESPN an insider mentioned Mike Kafka as a dark horse Head Coach candidate...comparing him to Sean McVay.
 

willycat

Junior
Jan 11, 2005
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1) No I do not think he would be terribly high on Murphy's list, as Murphy is well aware that Fitz is entrenched at NU. Despite his decade-plus experience at the college level, Fitz has had one semi-interview with the NFL (a cursory interview with the Bears before Nagy was hired). With his contractually-mandated facilities finally completed, I don't see Fitz leaving for any job at any level anytime soon.

I also would think Murphy wants to bring in someone with more of an offensive/QB background to placate Rodgers.

2) Mostly a personality thing. I don't get the impression that Mike would want to be the "face of a program" at this point in his career. Moreover, he's 31 years old and doesn't really have much of a "coaching tree" beyond Andy Reid. It would probably be a bit awkward if he were to come in and keep the staff in place, plus he doesn't really have many connections to build a staff.

I also think we have a much better HC candidate already on staff if/when it comes to that.
WHO?