With one victory in their previous seventeen games, an overhaul was needed
and the Wildcats received one from new coach Ara Parseghian. He was a
successful player at Miami (OH) under legendary Sid Gillman, played for the
Browns for three seasons, and then returned to Miami as Woody Hayes'
assistant, taking the head job in 1951 when Hayes left for Ohio State.
Although Ara made a much bigger name for himself as the coach at Notre Dame
from 1964-'74, he was already a terrific mentor at both Miami and
Northwestern. With a movement in some quarters to move Northwestern out of the
Big Ten Parseghian was determined to have a competitive team. A new offensive
alignment and team uniform improved morale with the white helmet now
featuring purple three-quarter-inch flanking stripes and black two-inch thin
"NCAA-style" player numerals on each side. Installing the Split T Formation,
the team responded with an improved 4-4-1 record with captain Ted Ringer
leading the way at center and linebacker. Bob McKeiver returned from the
military to provide backfield punch with 592 yards, despite his 5'4" stature,
and the 'Cats closed the year with three consecutive conference victories. Al
Viola led the line as an All Conference guard. Enthusiasm for the program
improved although 1957's 0-9 record may have looked disastrous to an
outsider. Ara was dismantling and restructuring the program from within and
giving sophs like RB Ron Burton, the 'Cats leading ground-gainer, and Fred
Williamson playing time. Tackle Andy Cvercko and HB Wilmer Fowler played well
and there was no panic within the program, especially with a frosh class that
included Irv Cross, Dick Thornton, and Mike Stock.
