FB: Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference

[d3fan1515]

BenU has a new football coach...  What do you think of the hire?  Good luck to Coach Sears!

It is with great pleasure that Benedictine University announces the hiring of Josiah Sears as the 28th head football coach in school history.

"I am extremely humbled and excited for the opportunity to work at Benedictine and lead the young men within the football program," Sears said. "Everything about the school, department, and program are impressive, and I am excited to use my experience and values, which align with both the university and department, to build a culture of excellence in every area of life."

Josiah SearsSears arrives at Benedictine for his first head coaching appointment after serving as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Wheaton College for the past three seasons. Wheaton posted consecutive unbeaten regular seasons for the first time in school history in 2014 and 2015, reaching the second round of the NCAA Playoffs each year, finishing with a record of 11-1 each of the past two seasons and finishing ranked in the top-10 nationally. Wheaton featured two All-American offensive linemen this year and sported a 30-4 record during the three years with Sears.

"Josiah demonstrated a detailed vision for our football program," Benedictine Director of Athletics Mark McHorney said. "Being able to clearly outline every aspect of the program was something that stood out with the screening committee. We were able to see what our program culture will be on the field, in the classroom, and in the community. I couldn't be more excited to welcome Josiah (Sears) and his outstanding pedigree to Benedictine. His commitment to excellence has been evident from his days as a player through his coaching career at two of the top programs in Division III. I'd like to thank the screening committee, office of enrollment, and Vice President for Student Life Marco Masini for their time and effort during this process."

Prior to joining Wheaton, Sears logged five years as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Franklin College. Franklin made four appearances in the NCAA Playoffs with four wins during Sears' tenure, posting an overall record of 44-11 over the five years with four conference titles. Sears helped produce multiple offensive All-American selections at Franklin including a pair of quarterbacks who were also named as the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference Player of the Year. One of the quarterbacks was a finalist for the Gagliardi Trophy and the other set an NCAA single game record for completion percentage. Franklin set numerous school records while scoring just under 40 points per game and averaging just under 450 yards.

Sears played collegiately as a running back and fullback at Indiana University, working his way from a walk-on to scholarship player and was voted as a captain of the 2007 team along with current Chicago Bear Tracy Porter. Indiana broke a 14-year bowl drought during his final campaign, which saw the Indiana native score six touchdowns. Following his college career, Sears was offered tryouts with the Bears and Buffalo Bills.

Sears inherits a team that finished 7-3 this season under head coach Jon Cooper, who retired following the season. Benedictine lost to Lakeland College in the regular season finale to determine the conference champion. Benedictine has represented the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference in the NCAA Playoffs three times in the past six seasons.

"I am impressed with Mark (McHorney) and his vision and leadership," Sears said. "I am excited to get started and contribute to the greatness of the institution."

Sears, who resides in Wheaton with his wife Lyndee, and two children, daughter Tinley (4), and son Boman (2), will be formally introduced to the Benedictine community at a luncheon on Tuesday, January 26.

[Ryan Stoppable]

I think it's a very good hire for Benedictine. He's a proven assistant coach with lots of potential to be a strong head coach, just wanting for an opportunity. And that will be a good school to get a first opportunity, one with a solid foundation for him and his staff to build upon as the Eagles have finished outside of the top two only twice since 2009.

[Captain_Joe08]

WLC has their 2016 schedule out:

9/3 at Trinity International
9/17 vs Olivet
9/24 vs UW-Eau Claire
10/1 vs Aurora
10/8 at Rockford
10/15 vs Concordia Wisconsin
10/22 at Lakeland
10/29 vs Benedictine
11/5 at Kalamazoo
11/12 at Concordia Chicago

[LB40]

WLC playing a state school!  Great to see the NACC stepping up and scheduling WIAC's.  Lakeland is doing the same.  LC's non conference schedule looks to be one of the tougher draws around (30-10 overall) :

9/5 @Carroll U (6-4)
9/19 Albion (9-1 playoff qualifier, top 25)
9/26 UW- Platteville (8-2, top 15)
10/1 CUW
10/8 @Adrian 7-3
10/15 @BenU
10/22 WLC
10/29 @ CUC
11/5 Aurora
11/12 @ Rockford

[Ryan Stoppable]

Lakeland will be Lakeland University by the time the new season comes around: http://lakeland.edu/Lakeland-News/lakeland-college-to-become-lakeland-university-on-july-1

In the interest of staying on topic, I suspect you'll see one of the shiny new "LU" logos on Muskie football helmets this fall. There's a couple of them in the link.

[Captain_Joe08]

Here is Aurora's Schedule:

8/24 vs Augustana (Scrimmage)
9/3 at Carthage
9/10 vs Loras
9/17 vs Trine (IN)
10/1 at Wisconsin Lutheran
10/8 vs Concordia Chicago
10/15 at Alma
10/22 at Rockford
10/29 vs Concordia Wisconsin
11/5 at Lakeland
11/12 vs Benedictine

Concordia Chicago

9/3 vs Ripon
9/17 vs Hope
9/24 at Maranatha
10/1 at Trine (IN)
10/8 at Aurora
10/15 vs Rockford
10/22 at Concordia Wisconsin
10/29 vs Lakeland
11/5 at Benedictine
11/12 vs Wisconsin Lutheran

Rockford

9/3 vs MacMurray
9/10 at Maranatha
9/17 vs Kalamazoo
10/1 at Benedictine
10/8 vs Wisconsin Lutheran
10/15 at Concordia Chicago
10/22 vs Aurora
10/29 at Albion
11/5 at Concordia Wisconsin
11/12 vs Lakeland

Concordia Wisconsin

9/3 at Finlandia
9/10 vs Augsburg
9/17 vs Alma
10/1 at Lakeland
10/8 vs Benedictine
10/15 at Wisconsin Lutheran
10/22 vs Concordia Chicago
10/29 at Aurora
11/5 vs Rockford
11/22 at Hope

Benedictine

9/3 at Wheaton
9/10 vs St. Norbert
9/17 vs Adrian
10/1 vs Rockford
10/8 at Concordia Wisconsin
10/15 vs Lakeland
10/22 at Olivet
10/29 at Wisconsin Lutheran
11/5 vs Concordia Chicago
11/12 at Aurora

[Rhythm21]

WR Michael Esiobu-Lakeland has reportedly signed as an undrafted free agent with the New York Giants. A huge congratulations to him for not only getting his shot in the NFL, but also (And I could be wrong about this) being the first player from the NACC to make that jump! Best of luck going forward, Mr. Esiobu! Make us all proud.

[Ryan Stoppable]

Additionally, WR Mitch Skarban from Wisconsin Lutheran got a rookie camp invite from the Packers, coming off a season where he led conference receivers with 73 catches and 1,158 yards and also hauled in 14 touchdowns. Congratulations to him as well!

[Rhythm21]

Additionally, WR Mitch Skarban from Wisconsin Lutheran got a rookie camp invite from the Packers, coming off a season where he led conference receivers with 73 catches and 1,158 yards and also hauled in 14 touchdowns. Congratulations to him as well!

This is a huge leap for the NACC. 2 NFL caliber players. Hopefully this opens doors for NACC schools to even more talented recruits down the road.

[LB40]

No doubt, has to elevate the league in the eyes of outsiders!  Saw on the Lakeland website that senior to be Kezlow Smith had NFL scouts in to see him earlier this spring. https://lakeland.edu/lakeland-college-blog/nfl-scouts-visit-kezlow

[Rhythm21]

No doubt, has to elevate the league in the eyes of outsiders!  Saw on the Lakeland website that senior to be Kezlow Smith had NFL scouts in to see him earlier this spring. https://lakeland.edu/lakeland-college-blog/nfl-scouts-visit-kezlow

That's huge for Lakeland (and NACC), and actually makes a lot of sense considering Smith was the more productive of the two star WRs. Smith's production on the field is there, only question (as it usually tends to be) is does he have the measurables? Esiobu is 6'2 220, so even though he reportedly ran in the high 4.6's, his Anquan Boldin-like build is what sold the Giants on his potential. Smith is smaller and has to make his mark with quickness and speed if he wants to get a shot at the next level. Did he workout for scouts? If so, any word on how he timed in 40, short shuttle, etc.?

[USee]

Big game for Sears debut @Wheaton on 9/3. Student against teacher. Josiah is an offensive guru. It will be interesting to see what he does at BU

[Rhythm21]

It's getting close to the 2016 season! I've been looking for any recruiting class announcements for NACC schools (as this is generally the time of year those are being finalized) but haven't found anything yet. Does anyone have a lead or inside info on this year's class for any of our programs?

[LB40]

Heard CUW may be getting a good transfer RB from UWW. I'm sure Benny will get 1-2 transfers as well. 

[Ryan Stoppable]

Lakeland WR Kezlow Smith has been named preseason second team All-America: http://www.d3football.com/awards/all-americans/2016-preseason

Smith, who is already Lakeland's all time leader in receiving yards entering his senior season, is the first Muskie to receive this preseason recognition.