Same holds true at every level from pop warner to #26 in D1. Limited playing time for the player; options a plenty for the coaches. My NESCAC kid, a fierce competitor HS all-state and state champion, and 2 year all-NESCAC player, hated the losing. However, to this day he insists he would not do things differently if he was able to go back in time. I beg to differ that I am missing the point. Your point appears to be wins and losses. My point goes to fighting the good fight, all the fight you had in you, despite obstacles/reasons/results, with a group of guys you would be willing to do most anything for the rest of your life.

Hamgrand - "...most NESCAC kids are trying to go Ivy..." my attorney, a Patriot League (Lehigh) graduate once said to me when discussion about my son's recruiting options, which was narrowed down to Princeton, Penn, Holy Cross, Bucknell, and Williams at the time, said to me, "the kids that can't get into the Ivy's go to Patriot league schools.  The kids that Princeton wanted go to Williams." 

To the board as a whole...don't beat up on the players even if the statistics prove you correct. It's really poor form and does not show you in your best light. Same with the head coaches, especially Kelton. Jeez...if you are a Williams fan you're frustration is shared without need for blog statement. If you are not, what do you care? Why do you care? Let sleeping dogs lie my brethren. If the HCOF goes, may he do so with our well wishes. Either way, all great programs have their downturns, Williams will be back sometime soon as the alpha male of NESCAC football. "He who laughs last, laughs loudest."

To the senior mom's & dad's...enjoy every play this weekend. Star, starter, non-starter doesn't matter. Your kid put it out there as best he could. Be loud and be proud. Life does go on. Peace.

The sky is fall, the sky is falling!

How common is it in NESCAC sports,football in particular, for the head coach to be unable to bring in his own staff, coordinators to position coaches?  Also, how common is it to have members of said staff be coaches for other programs at the same school?  Lastly, how common is it to have staff be the spouse, son/daughter, recent former player, or other near nepotistic affiliation?  Please enlighten me folks.  I'll take it from there.

Quote from: nescac1 on December 10, 2013, 09:01:49 AM
http://www.d3football.com/awards/all-region/2013/d3football-all-east-region-2013.pdf

NESCAC guys on the all-East Region team:

1st team: Foote and Allard from Midd
2nd team: Cleary from Bowdoin
3rd team: Sadik-Khan from Midd, Howe from Williams, Kukesh from Bates

Of that group only Howe (basically the sole bright spot for Williams this season) returns.  Midd is going to be a very different team next season with all the offensive firepower they lose (in particular Foote, of course, who is irreplaceable) ... I'm surprised no one from Wesleyan made it, but most of the top Cardinals players return, so they will likely have a few guys on next year's squad.

Shame on you nescac1. "Sole bright spot"? 2-6 team places 3 on all-conference teams. The D-back put up virtually team leading stats having only played 7 games. The WR's are wonderful talents. Measure them based on what they were able to do when thrown to, not take the swipe you did largely due to QB play, inexperience on the O-line, and play calling. Most teams in the league would take the RB...another bright spot. Team has been wallowing in a dark place perhaps but Howe (who's season was outstanding) is hardly the sole bright spot. IMO.

Frank...I'm not one to assume so ask for some clarification, please.  Who do you see as paying for the lunch?  Coaches or admissions (a la AD)? Also what, in your esteemed opinion (no sarcasm) is the simple, unobtrusive resolution and just how gradual would that process be?

All-conference picks: http://sites.middlebury.edu/panthernation/2013/11/11/2013-all-nescac-teams/

I'm curious to know how the D-backs positions are determined as the players do not appear to be specific to CB or safety? Unless you guys are REALLY on top of the rosters...which would come as no surprise to me Lots of very good insight here most of the time.

Check that...1-4.  My emotions must have gotten the best of me.  Sure hope it wasn't a Freudian prognostication

Jeez, I can understand the loathing against Williams as a football program seeing they have won so much for so often but why so much hating against the HFC? To even think Frank is off base with his assertion regarding admissions is laughable.  I suspect Whalen saw the writing on the wall and made his move.  Based upon record alone, a good move. I acquiesce to most (all) of the regular posters to this board as you have seemingly seen all and know all but pose this question, is the HFC of any NESCAC team (besides Wesleyan)empowered with such autonomy that he/she can unilaterally select/remove any part of his/her staff?  Especially if any member of the staff was inherited?  I'm not so sure that the HFC at Williams has such authority despite it possibly existing elsewhere.  I'm not pointing a finger(s) but to suggest that the HFC is THE reason for success or failure on the field without such authority is ludicrous. Moving to the positive, Williams has been in every game to the very end with the exception on Colby in which they were humiliated. Coaching deserves some credit.  A lot of credit IMO. My ability to prognosticate as well as Al Davis et al is not good so no more predictions from me. For Go Continental to suggest that Hamilton throwing the ball will pose problems is, well, I'll leave it at an unfounded opinion.  Going into last weekend I believe the Ephs were #1 in pass defense...at least certainly near the top. At 1-5 I have no recourse but to swallow the blogs diatribe on the current state of Williams football. But Al baby, if...and its a big if, we somehow topple the Super Bowl bound Cardinals...I want to be sure I know where to find you post game to share in that moment!  BTW...who is only undefeated team in NFL? Just win baby!

Al, I have been on many a blog and am keenly aware of your type.  Heat-merchant.  I cannot post from a position of strength so must endure your diatribe about the current shift in power in the conference. But please allow me to go on record to say that should your beloved Weslies fall victim to defeat, whether it be due to officiating, weather, illness, poor grades, injury, or any reason whatsoever...especially at the hands of Williams, I will post again with a vengeance.  BTW...on a side note...KC is 5-0 after years of futility.  Just win baby!

Tufts...your killing me. Ephparent and Nescac1 might have a better feel for the attitude and level of commitment of this years Eph's team overall. I suppose from your vantage point projecting doom and gloom for the Williams program (0-4 start, past Bates blowouts)gives you something to root for.  Tufts finishing 4-4 is not realistic but I hope for all involved they somehow pull it off.  I rather champion success than hop on the Williams (or any team) has no chance bandwagon.  Eph's have many questions to be answered.  QB position is one, O-line is another, a health TB is yet another, there are others as well. Conference champs? Unlikely. But I choose to wish that for them than to pay any attention to what might be one win seasons for other teams.  Wlliams might win 6. Time will tell. Those in the know...know.  The "smart money" will bet 5 or over! It would not surprise me to see the Ephs place 5 or 6 on the all-conference team at seasons end and I will be quick to remind many of you that you heard it here first.

I'm in concert with amh63 in that night games are best for "special" games.  Williams v. Amherst under the lights would be electric (pun intended). Of course, given the prevailing opinions of the participants of this blog, Williams would lose...by a lot. Maybe Williams v. Colby would make for a better match up? Sure would be "special" for Colby! Love the blog guys Good luck to all the boys and may the best team win each week.

BCS games are high school? Hmmm.  Teams would play on pavement at dawn if they could get that 9th game.

Thanks everyone.  Certainly not looking to be confrontational.  To be more specific, when do you think the 2013 schedule will be posted as to the actual dates and locations for the coming season? Or do the teams always play the same opponents on the same weekend (i.e. 3rd Saturday in October)every two years running?

gridiron...I do not pretend to know the conf as well as most on this blog but am pretty sure there are more than 8 teams and that the teams do not play each other year after year with only difference being who is the home team.  Give me some credit 

PistachioX...by "upcoming season" I was referring to the 2013 season.  I appreciate the link but it only has the 2012 season...for now.  Any idea when 2013 might likely be posted or available elsewhere?