Coach Pelch's conference just ended.  Here are a few notes:
-"Being a head coach has always been a dream of mine."  Commented that the thought it was happening a lot sooner than he thought it would.
-Spoke with DuBose about the job.  Coach D told him he thought it was a great job and a place that you could change kids' lives.
-Coach Pelch didn't think the hiring process was too lengthy, but thought it was appropriate considering the scope of the hire, and the success of the program recently.  Needed to find the right fit.
-"Not a lot of great jobs out there, you have to make them great.  That is not the case with Millsaps.  The foundation is already here to win and be very successful."

As far as the direction of the program:
"My job...is to come in and continue the growth...and to put Millsaps on the map nationally."
Wants football players to "win on the football field, win in the classroom...leave with a great degree, and be successful."
"Our players will be winners, and winners in all that they do."

Wants to have the best staff in America:  Going to put together a staff of a bunch of young, hungry, energetic men.  
"We want this pace to reach its potential."

Coach Pelch commented that he thought Millsaps was the "best kept secret in the South," and he plans to change that through the football team, and former players/current players getting the word out on what a great school/program it is.

When asked what he brings to the table:
"I understand the DIII model, athletes, work load, and their committment.  I know how to recruit" and we will continue to be successful.

When asked about the pressure to win:
"The pressure to win will only push him and his staff further."

After asking Coach DuBose for some advice about the job Coach DuBose had this to say:
"You don't have to be me."


That was pretty much it.  It lasted about 15 minutes.  He said they had a team meeting after the press conference to discuss scheduling, and the start of spring practice (March 22).  He said they have a lot of work to do, and would mostly be scheduling, planning, recruiting, etc.

Spoke too soon.  Works now.  I'll update with some comments after the press conference.

Not sure that it is streaming.  Anyone getting anything?  Anyone?  Anyone.  Bueller?

I'm glad I came back to the board in the last few days to see the bbking stuff.
bbking, now I am wondering who you are...shoot me an e-mail at dtcutter@gmail.com
-David Cutter

Based on what I have heard they are going to hire outside of the program, but we shouldn't expect a hire until February.  A few ACs are not happy and feel that it will destroy our recruting class to wait this long, and are making calls tonight to boosters. 
Former players are working on a few things to motivate the Athletics Department and the school to move more quickly as well.

Frank,
In regards to your post about an "old timer" killing the mood in the lockerroom, I would say that it didn't change much (at least not at Millsaps while Harper was there).  If you shoot me your e-mail address I will send you some post practice videos of Harper and Jay Buck participating in locker room shenanigans (yeah, I said shenanigans).  Also, is there anyway that I could get a copy of Harper's DVD.  That film crew was all over the place my senior year, and tended to get in the way, but I never got the opportunity to see the full DVD.  Could you burn a copy?
Shoot me an e-mail and I will be sure to pass along the vidoes of Harper and Buck.
dtcutter@gmail.com
-Cutter

p.s.  Having Harper around was a pain in the butt though.  It didn't change the dynamics of the team, but he did get in the way, and served as more of a distraction.  I hated when he would come to the fraternity house and try to hang out.  His film crew would follow him around, and it proved to be extremely annoying.

From the last page...
Trinity is playing Azusa Pacific as their OOC game since Coloroado College dropped?
Does anybody know if they (AP) still run their crazy 3-4, 2-5 type defense.  I remember watching film on it while at Millsaps.  They had backers blitzing from everywhere.

There will be definitely be streaming video, but it should be better in person.  I'll be there.  Anyone else?

Anyone that knows a little more about BSC please respond. 
Does Coach Gann help out at BSC at all.  He is a former High School football coach from Berry High School (now Hoover), and John Carroll Catholic in Birmingham.  Does anyone know for sure.  He isn't listed on the BSC web-page.  Just curious.

Also, on the topic of the black flag defense, I would have to agree that things like that need to be earned, but if you watched the Millsaps - Trinity game (as I did, and I am sure many of you did), the 56 points that we put up was in fact a lot, but the game didn't look that bad.  I thought the TU D was strong, Juan simply had all day to throw.  Trinity's D-line just couldn't get the pressure and that is what I thought hurt them the most (that and the 6+ minute Millsaps drive at the end of the game).
It will be interesting to see how teams play Millsaps in the play-offs.  I wonder if people will take the Carnegie Mellon approach and drop 8 each play.  Damn, that play-off game was disappointing.  I hope the Majors can make it a little further this year. 

Anybody notice that the picture on the front page isn't from the lateral play.  The picture has Trinity headed into the South Endzone, so it must have been from the 3rd quarter. 
The lateral play took place from Trinity's 38 and went North.
Anyway, just thought that was interesting.  Is anybody else ready from some football? 

I wonder how overrated the seated time is?  I think Study Hall is pretty important.  I am sure the upper-classmen get a break (e.g. don't have to come if their grades are good), but I find it necessary for younger kids that are adjusting to the academic demands of a SCAC school. 

"You never want to see a football injury, especially with a teammate you spend all day with, you go to class with, you go to study hall with, practice with and lift weights with," said Ziemba.

-Lee Ziemba (Auburn Tigers) on Antonio Coleman's recent injury.

Looks like sometimes success on the field is directly related to discipline off the field, including study hall.  Ask yourself, how successful is Auburn's program, and how often do you hear of Tuberville's players getting in trouble? 
Study hall is important; classroom success breeds success on the field.

I'm not so sure what is wrong with having a strict regimented schedule for football players?  If that is what it takes to succeed than so be it.  I would rather win championships and have a strict schedule, then lose every Saturday, and have no accountability (which is what was going on at the Millsaps for some time).  I left my dorm room at 8am and returned at 8pm everyday at Millsaps.  Sad thing is, there was only about 5 other guys that did the same.  I think there is a direct correlation between winning and "time commitment."  I'm willing to bet that the "Mt. Unions" of the the world have strict schedules as well, at least I hope they do.

I also wouldn't say that the players are being "monitored."  I think they are being held "accountable" and there is a very large difference. 

Congrats to Trinity on the Pontiac Game Changing Performance.  Perhaps the best play I've ever seen in my life (and I was one of the 2,000 or so people to see it live).

About sharing the money with Millsaps???  I don't think so.  I wish I could get half of $100,000 for 62 seconds of "getting caught with my pants down."  Trinity deserves the money.

I am headed up to Monteagle to catch the Millsaps @ Sewanee game.  It is a bit of a tradition in my family seeing as my grandfather played at Sewanee and both my brother and I played at Millsaps.  I will either be on Florida Road tailgating (Millsaps side, down the hill from the endzone) or in the 2nd parking lot behind the Sewanee side of the field.  Look for a black Yukon and a springer spaniel if you are interested in a few adult beverages and some New Market bar-b-que. 

Completely off subject and for that I apologize, but did anyone know that Presidential candidate Fred Thompson's wife Jeri Kehn Thompson graduated in English literature from DePauw.  Kind of an impressive little lady once you get past the whole "trophy wife / not a trophy wife" deal.