FB: North Coast Athletic Conference

[BashBacker#16]

I have to admit, I am a bit uneasy that Coach Z has not been any one place for very long.  That seems to be a point that would favor Coach Raeburn - stability.  Although he has other strength areas for sure.  Hopefully the Search Committee is doing all they can to "smoke" that out and make sure he gives a comittment for more then a couple of years. 

Wally - I assume you are at Chadwick tonight for the Wabash / Wittenberg hoops game, if so, do you think Coach Raeburn would make an appearance?  That would be very cool and give him a taste of the Wabash / Witt rivalry - even though its basketball.  I am not sure but I think he arrives tonight.  Just a thought...  Maybe you should start putting together some questions for him.   

We will know a lot more this time tomorrow!

Wabash Always Fights!

[wally_wabash]

Coaching candidate in the house.   

[BashBacker#16]

Wally,

That is cool.  Who's he with?

Sounds like a great game too.

16

[usee]

Wally,

That is cool.  Who's he with?

Sounds like a great game too.

16

Hey Wally, if you get to talk w Raeburn maybe you can ask him about his alleged conversation with CC at the convention a few years back and put that to rest too.

A nation waits........

[wally_wabash]

I didn't talk with Coach Raeburn...he's certainly got more important people to meet and speak with during his time on campus this week.  From my vantage point it looked like he enjoyed the game.  And what's not to enjoy at a Wabash hoops game....truffle shuffles, Sphinx rhynes making shaky pyramids during timeouts...it's a blast for everybody.  It would have been better if Wabash had won, but he definitely got to see what kind of spirit the student body has for their team and he saw Wabash Always Fights in action as Wabash came back from a 15-point second half deficit and have a chance to win at the end.  I'd say he got a pretty good intro to Wabash tonight.

[skunks_sidekick]

As a certain Wabash supporter knows.....I received an email from Erik confirming that he had definitely threw his name in the hat for the Wabash job, and was completely (at the time) unsure where he was in the selection process. 

I think it's very interesting that he never mentioned his run-in with Creighton.  Erik is a solid, intense, cool individual.  He has three young kids that occupy his time when he isn't doing the coaching thing (which is almost all day/all the time). 

He would be an AMAZING hire for Wabash, but in no way am I downgrading Zebrowski.  He just wasn't involved in the Mount program for the whole four years, so I don't know much about him other than what LK has said previously.

[wally_wabash]

FWIW (probably nothing, but I'm offering it free!), my impression, based on past job histories, would be the same as seventies.  With Zebrowski you would get a very talented coach, but who might well leave when an attractive offer from a 'higher' division comes along.  With Raeburn you would also get a very talented coach, but one who might find the idea of becoming a Gagliardi or a Kehres very attractive.

I may be in the minority here, but this isn't much of an issue to me.  If a guy comes in and delivers walnut & bronze and then wants to move on, so be it.  I'll drive him to the airport.  I've got no beef with that whatsoever.  And who's to say for sure that one coach would definitely jump at the chance to go to a higher division and the other wouldn't?  If the coach is good enough, other programs will want him.  It stands to reason that sooner or later that successful coach, whoever it is,will get [Brando voice]an offer they can't refuse[/Brando voice].  I really think that the coach who stays put for 20+ years is an endangered species...I don't think that's a realistic expectation anymore. 

I don't think that it's a bad thing to have a coach that other programs really want.  In fact, I think it's a great thing...it's a sign that you've got a really talented guy stalking the sidelines on Saturdays. 

[formerd3db]

FWIW (probably nothing, but I'm offering it free!), my impression, based on past job histories, would be the same as seventies.  With Zebrowski you would get a very talented coach, but who might well leave when an attractive offer from a 'higher' division comes along.  With Raeburn you would also get a very talented coach, but one who might find the idea of becoming a Gagliardi or a Kehres very attractive.

I may be in the minority here, but this isn't much of an issue to me.  If a guy comes in and delivers walnut & bronze and then wants to move on, so be it.  I'll drive him to the airport.  I've got no beef with that whatsoever.  And who's to say for sure that one coach would definitely jump at the chance to go to a higher division and the other wouldn't?  If the coach is good enough, other programs will want him.  It stands to reason that sooner or later that successful coach, whoever it is,will get [Brando voice]an offer they can't refuse[/Brando voice].  I really think that the coach who stays put for 20+ years is an endangered species...I don't think that's a realistic expectation anymore. 

I don't think that it's a bad thing to have a coach that other programs really want.  In fact, I think it's a great thing...it's a sign that you've got a really talented guy stalking the sidelines on Saturdays. 

Very nicely said Wally.  I agree with you, yet I personally think that both type of situations (i.e. a coach who wants to stay and does and those who have the opportunity to move) are good things.  For sure as you point out, those who stay are extremely rare breed in today's society.  However, there are some who do and again, that is not a bad thing.  Each person has to make their own decisions and, of course, that involves many aspects besides just the coaching aspect itself for that person i.e. family issues, econonmic factors, personal ambitions, etc., etc.  While I think it is really great and admire someone who stays (personally were I in the profession I would prefer to have my own career all at one place), I have no problem with those who do the opposite.  As you say, sometimes an opportunity presents that one can't refuse (BTW, I like the "Brando" voice thing ) and which might only come up once in one's life. 

Anyway, good discussion.  Also, any word yet on the 'Bash decision?

[bigwheels77]

16
I know you are not involved with the decision, but I know you know more than you are revealing. KH has connections on the inside!

ps why do you suppose pat is being such a hater?

[Mr. Ypsi]

FWIW (probably nothing, but I'm offering it free!), my impression, based on past job histories, would be the same as seventies.  With Zebrowski you would get a very talented coach, but who might well leave when an attractive offer from a 'higher' division comes along.  With Raeburn you would also get a very talented coach, but one who might find the idea of becoming a Gagliardi or a Kehres very attractive.

I may be in the minority here, but this isn't much of an issue to me.  If a guy comes in and delivers walnut & bronze and then wants to move on, so be it.  I'll drive him to the airport.  I've got no beef with that whatsoever.  And who's to say for sure that one coach would definitely jump at the chance to go to a higher division and the other wouldn't?  If the coach is good enough, other programs will want him.  It stands to reason that sooner or later that successful coach, whoever it is,will get [Brando voice]an offer they can't refuse[/Brando voice].  I really think that the coach who stays put for 20+ years is an endangered species...I don't think that's a realistic expectation anymore. 

I don't think that it's a bad thing to have a coach that other programs really want.  In fact, I think it's a great thing...it's a sign that you've got a really talented guy stalking the sidelines on Saturdays. 

Point taken, but isn't having a coach other teams want, but who wants to stay anyway, even better?  A coach who delivers the walnut and bronze, then leaves, would make you happy; I bet a coach who delivered the walnut and bronze, then wanted to try for 8+ more, would make you ecstatic!

Perhaps I'm wrong, but despite the lure of the big bucks I'm betting there will always be some fantastic coaches who prefer the hands-on coaching at a small school (not to mention the relative job security, more stable family life, etc.) to the managerial headaches of a 'higher' position.  No one can guarantee what any hire will choose to do when 'opportunity' knocks, but if there were any indications of a different probability of sticking around for the long haul, it would would certainly be ONE factor I'd consider.

[big_bash]

*sigh* The "Pat" or "D3Football.com" or whomever is out to get us argument is way outplayed. They give Wabash plenty of respect, as well as a proper amount of ribbing when one of us acts like a goofball.

ps why do you suppose pat is being such a hater?

To the topic at hand... Both coaches have long lists of pros and very short lists of cons. Obviously, the search committee is doing a fantastic job.

I'm a bit tired of all of the speculation and conjecture myself and am ready for the announcement of who it is. But I understand the delay from the committee. I'll be happy with either of the two and be ready to hear what they have to say about the future of the team and their goals.

[wally_wabash]

FWIW (probably nothing, but I'm offering it free!), my impression, based on past job histories, would be the same as seventies.  With Zebrowski you would get a very talented coach, but who might well leave when an attractive offer from a 'higher' division comes along.  With Raeburn you would also get a very talented coach, but one who might find the idea of becoming a Gagliardi or a Kehres very attractive.

I may be in the minority here, but this isn't much of an issue to me.  If a guy comes in and delivers walnut & bronze and then wants to move on, so be it.  I'll drive him to the airport.  I've got no beef with that whatsoever.  And who's to say for sure that one coach would definitely jump at the chance to go to a higher division and the other wouldn't?  If the coach is good enough, other programs will want him.  It stands to reason that sooner or later that successful coach, whoever it is,will get [Brando voice]an offer they can't refuse[/Brando voice].  I really think that the coach who stays put for 20+ years is an endangered species...I don't think that's a realistic expectation anymore. 

I don't think that it's a bad thing to have a coach that other programs really want.  In fact, I think it's a great thing...it's a sign that you've got a really talented guy stalking the sidelines on Saturdays. 

Point taken, but isn't having a coach other teams want, but who wants to stay anyway, even better?  A coach who delivers the walnut and bronze, then leaves, would make you happy; I bet a coach who delivered the walnut and bronze, then wanted to try for 8+ more, would make you ecstatic!

No doubt, Mr. Y.  That's the best of both worlds. I just don't believe that it is realistic to be able to determine whether or not a guy plans on staying forever during the interview process.  That kind of relationship is something that I think has to develop between the coach and the institution over time (particularly in the case where the coach isn't an alumnus of the institution). 

[bashbrother]

The fact of the matter is, you never know how long a coach will stay.

You pick the coach that will put your team in the best position to win and grow the program. 

I remember many who were worried about CC leaving shortly after the 2002 season.   Successful Senior classes are emotionally tough to lose for many coaches.  The same thoughts went through some peoples minds after 2005.   Who knows if CC ever had any other offers during his time at Wabash, I bet he did.

Coach Z's Whitewater offense is losing almost all of its starters this year and maybe that had an impact on his decision to look around.  Who knows.

[WallyFS4]

I'm sure CC had many opportunities.  I think the reason we are talking about a new coach is a Vern thing.  Just my opinion.  As always.

WABASH ALWAYS FIGHTS!

[footballfan413]

Time for a UWW poster to wade in on this.  Let me preface this by saying that I have no inside info at all but I am not surprised  at Coach Z's interest in moving back into a HC job after one year with the Warhawks.   His time at UWW was never going to be long for that reason.  It seems to me that it was a great opportunity for him to resume build and use it as a spring board into a HC job at a much higher profile program than Lakeland.  He did a fantastic job improving Lakelands program before he helped the Hawks, "Finish the Biz," and would be a great HC for Wabash or any other program.  If he get the nod, he will do a terrific job for the Little Giants and your players will love him.  He is thought of very highly by the Warhawks and while I will be sorry to see them lose him, his previous HC job experience tells me that it is inevitable.   My best and +karma to you, Wally.