Turner Gill Performs Miracles

He Who Hath Awakened the Bulls

Taking over a major college football program and "turning it around" is a healthy challenge for anyone these days. The obstacle becomes arguably more daunting if that job is your first as an NCAA head coach. Now, factor in that you are one of only six African-American lead men in the country (out of 119 1A schools). Did we mention you're being handed the keys to what many considered to be one of the least attractive, and most foreordained, positions in the nation? Such was what Turner Gill inherited two years ago in upstate New York. What has happened since is nothing short of miraculous.

The University of Buffalo finished their 2007 season on Saturday with an overtime win over Kent State. The 30-23 victory culminated a 5-7 campaign during which the Bulls went 5-3 in the Mid-American Conference (MAC), a record that looks rather pedestrian without the proper context. For those familiar with the University of Buffalo program, though, those numbers are staggering. To understand the magnitude of Gill's accomplishments at UB, one only needs to quicly peruse the record books.

The Bulls five wins are the most acheived since the team jumped from I-AA to 1A back in 1999. In the seven years prior, the program had accumulated 10 wins -- total. During that period, two wins was the in-conference high-water mark. With Saturday's win, their fifth within the conference, the Bulls garnered a share of the MAC East crown.

Gill's seven wins in two years are only one short of what took predecessor Jim Hofher five seasons to accomplish (Hofher finished his UB career at 8-49; he'd previously coached at the alma mater of both Cecilio and Erie's Scribe which should have been a clear signal to the Buffalo athletic dept to stay far, far away but that's neither here nor there).

A testament to the significance of his accomplishments, Gill is already being discussed as a top candidate for the University of Nebraska vacancy. Gill played under legendary Huskers coach Tom Osborne who is now the interim AD. A former quarterback in Lincoln, Gill was a finalist for the Heisman in 1983 before spending years in the coaching ranks including stints under Osborne at Nebraska and as a player development director and offensive assistant in the NFL with the Green Bay Packers.

Gill is one of two African-American coaches whose recent work should (hopefully) help foster greater consideration of qualified black head coaching candidates. The other being Sylvester Croom down in Starkville. Widely considered on the "hot seat" in the win-now SEC, the Mississipi State athletic department and administration have thankfully managed to avoid a hair-trigger move over the past three years, and it's now paying dividends dividends.

Croom capped the 2007 regular season with a win over in-state rival Ole Miss, meaning the 7-5 Bulldogs will be going bowling for the first time since 2000. Their four SEC wins this year, including a victory on the road against Auburn, equals their conference win total from the previous three years combined.

Anyone who saw highlights of Croom dashing around the field with the MSU flag and shedding a few tears this weekend, couldn't help but be happy for him. Similarly, the fact that Gill will have an interview opportunity now with one of the most storied programs in college football is another sign of progress. We might suggest that Texas A&M also give the Fort Worth native a call. Sometimes the right choice is not among the most obvious.