FB: North Coast Athletic Conference

[wally_wabash]

With the lack of depth and playmakers on offense, maybe Barnes would be better suited as a WR when he's healthy.

I think I can speak for every defense in the league when I say, be my guest.  It's 1,000 times easier to defend the Scots if they take the one guy they have that can beat any defense and not let him touch the ball on every play.  I don't think it's a good idea to reduce his touches from 60 or so down to three or four...maybe 8-10 on a really good day. 

[D3_DPUFan]

Sad news. Saw on Coach Raeburn's Twitter feed that legendary Wabash WR Mike Funk '89 has passed away. He was amongst the best WRs in Wabash history, if not the best. Some Little Giant.

RIP. Never met him, but have heard extraordinary things about him---both on and off the field.

[bishopowu]

Ok guys after some deep thinking I have a few thoughts about this OWU Football Program for all you NCAC fans and OWU Fans. I was at the game this past weekend. I have been to 4 of the 7 games so far this season and know from talking to players, parents, and alumni around the program. I just can't get over the fact that this Coach has ZERO desire to win with any of the past couple teams he has had. I don't mean for this to turn into a rant but this is just crazy. These kids play and work their asses off for this game they love and they get results like this. How sad is it to see these kids work so hard for this program and see nothing come from it. The offensive scheme is horrendous. The scary thing is we have the talent to do it. I am so sick of hearing the excuses of "its a young team." Its a young team cause the program can't retain any of its players from the previous year. Last year this team had a group of young freshman receivers and now they are gone or don't play. Acorye White was a bright spot last fall for the Bishops and now he barely even sees the field. I just do not get it anymore. There has to be some kind of explanation that we could get. The Defense has stars on it led by Huddleston, Sheetz, Warrell but still they let up scores that should not be. The offense is just a mess. What happened to Sophomore David Mogilnicki? He led the Bishops last year in receiving as a Freshman. Last game against DePauw he did not even register a catch. He had a big game week one in the win vs Denison and now can not be found. The offense also has not scored more than 10 points in a game since the week 1 win with 17 points. There has to be explanations for this.

The program needs a makeover. The coach has not had a GOOD season in about 10 years. Are the expectations losing? How can a Athletic Director think this is ok? He is failing to do his job on the field leading this team to success and it seems like to the school, the Athletic Director, that failing is ok. Winning one or two games a year is crazy. The seniors of this team have won 8 games in 4 years come on ROGER INGLES. Make a change. Clean house. These kids deserve to play in a good program. This program stinks. It is embarassing to the community, the players, alumni, people who support this program. Three games to go and we got Kenyon, Oberlin, and Hiram. I was excited this year for this team and to be honest I don't see them beating these teams. And so who cares what satisfaction does the program get from beating a 0-7 Kenyon team and a always bad Hiram Puppies squad.

I would love to hear your thoughts about this...AUEAGLE can we have a few drinks over this? Please.

GO BISHOPS!

[wally_wabash]

Ok guys after some deep thinking I have a few thoughts about this OWU Football Program for all you NCAC fans and OWU Fans. I was at the game this past weekend. I have been to 4 of the 7 games so far this season and know from talking to players, parents, and alumni around the program. I just can't get over the fact that this Coach has ZERO desire to win with any of the past couple teams he has had. I don't mean for this to turn into a rant but this is just crazy. These kids play and work their asses off for this game they love and they get results like this. How sad is it to see these kids work so hard for this program and see nothing come from it. The offensive scheme is horrendous. The scary thing is we have the talent to do it. I am so sick of hearing the excuses of "its a young team." Its a young team cause the program can't retain any of its players from the previous year. Last year this team had a group of young freshman receivers and now they are gone or don't play. Acorye White was a bright spot last fall for the Bishops and now he barely even sees the field. I just do not get it anymore. There has to be some kind of explanation that we could get. The Defense has stars on it led by Huddleston, Sheetz, Warrell but still they let up scores that should not be. The offense is just a mess. What happened to Sophomore David Mogilnicki? He led the Bishops last year in receiving as a Freshman. Last game against DePauw he did not even register a catch. He had a big game week one in the win vs Denison and now can not be found. The offense also has not scored more than 10 points in a game since the week 1 win with 17 points. There has to be explanations for this.

The program needs a makeover. The coach has not had a GOOD season in about 10 years. Are the expectations losing? How can a Athletic Director think this is ok? He is failing to do his job on the field leading this team to success and it seems like to the school, the Athletic Director, that failing is ok. Winning one or two games a year is crazy. The seniors of this team have won 8 games in 4 years come on ROGER INGLES. Make a change. Clean house. These kids deserve to play in a good program. This program stinks. It is embarassing to the community, the players, alumni, people who support this program. Three games to go and we got Kenyon, Oberlin, and Hiram. I was excited this year for this team and to be honest I don't see them beating these teams. And so who cares what satisfaction does the program get from beating a 0-7 Kenyon team and a always bad Hiram Puppies squad.

I would love to hear your thoughts about this...AUEAGLE can we have a few drinks over this? Please.

GO BISHOPS!

I believe it was Einstein that defined insanity as doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.  Seems applicable here...I hear what you're saying, bishopowu.  The Bishops need to be better first for their own base, but the league really needs them to be a better team.  Maybe this is the offseason that you get some change. 

[bashbrother]

I can draw a parallel between my beloved Miami Dolphin squad and this Bishops Program (stay with me here)...   They seem to have the players to be competitive, they seem to be able to move the ball on offense (at least the Bash game).... I believe it truly comes down to the Coaching staff has not taught this team to be winners!   Tony Sporano (The sunglass wearing- field goal celebrating-sociopath that the Dolphins simply will not fire) has not instilled anything in his players.   If anything they could care less. 

Every time I have posted a negative comment on a Dolphins board, I get the "You are not a true fan" bs.   Well, I call BS on that.   A true fan cares about winning. 

Ok, I feel better.....   

[smedindy]

Even OWU wouldn't have gone for two up 12-0 early in the fourth.

Even OWU would actually put a linebacker on a QB that is known for the QB draw. (It could be argued that's the only thing he can do, which makes it even worse...)

[OWho?]

Hey Hey, That a boy bishopowu. You are preaching to the choir. There is too much talent for the bishops to wind up 2-8. Look what they did to Denison and what Denison did to Wooster. The losing culture that has penetrated the program has gotten out of hand. It is TIME for CHANGE. The BISHOPS are better than this. This Uniiversity DESERVES a winner!



                                                                                                                                Forever and For Always Yours,
           
                                                                                                                                           WAR BEARS!!!

[smedindy]

It's Week 9 already. Wow. Time flies.

This week in the NCAC + DPU. Wittenberg has the week off.

Wabash (4-0, 7-0) @ Allegheny (2-1, 4-3). The Gators had the week off to prepare for the Little Giants. While I think the week off can help Allegheny is game-planning against the Little Giants, Wabash just has so much talent and have proven they can effectively make halftime adjustments (see Wash U. and Denison). It'll be competitive for a while but I see Wabash pulling away at the end.

Ohio Wesleyan (0-3, 1-6) @ Kenyon (0-3, 0-7). This is the NCAC Pillow Fight Of The Week^TM. Both programs are in dire need of some enthusiasm infusion. While Kenyon is making excuses about the NESCAC and the Frisbee Club (I'm surprised they didn't list 43-Man Squamish or Quidditch in that article), OWU is just quietly stinking on their own. If OWU loses this game, then I think it's the end of the Holloway era. Of course, Sparano's still coach at Miami.

Oberin (1-2, 2-5) @ Denison (2-2, 3-5). This is a quite intriguing matchup. The Yeomen fight valiantly with a limited roster, and play to the whistle and the final gun every game. Denison could easily be 3-1 in the conference and 5-3 overall. It wouldn't surprise me to see an Oberlin win, as the Big Red needs to learn how to play for 60 minutes.

Wooster (1-2, 2-5) @ Hiram (1-2, 1-6). In the pre-season, I tabbed this game as a rout. Now, though, I'm not so sure. Wooster lost two heart-breakers to UAA squads, and still have a great talent gap over the Terriers. But can the Scots bounce back from those achingly close losses and put away a team they're supposed to beat?

DePauw (2-4) @ Austin (0-7). Someone woke up the Tigers after the Bishops put up a 10-spot against them early. The Kangaroos are the doormats of the SCAC this year and should be fodder for a revitalized DPU team. However, it is a long trip there, and Sherman, Texas isn't on the main drag, either. DPU will need to keep its focus to win.

[ExTartanPlayer]

The 'Gheny-Wabash game is intriguing because a) it is truly the "Super Bowl" for Allegheny - a win here & they're suddenly looking at a 7-3 season with a possible share of the NCAC title and b) after very nice 2009-10 campaigns, Allegheny's coaching staff would probably prefer to avoid the appearance of sliding back towards the .500 program that they generally were from 2004-08.

With that said...even in the "good" years, Allegheny has seldom mustered a real challenge to the big W's.  See 2009, when they had a solid 8-2 team and got blasted by each.  The only "close" game that 'Gheny has managed recently was vs. Wittenberg at home in 2010, and we've covered Witt's road struggles several times on this board.

Conference-title implications aside, Oberlin-Denison is probably the most interesting matchup of the week.  As smed points out, Oberlin has played competitive ball all season despite the small roster, and Denison is playing for their first .500 season in a couple years.

I see your point that Wooster-Hiram doesn't look like a certain blowout, but I think that Woo has found some footing in recent weeks, and I think a lot of frustration from the three-game losing streak is going to come out his weekend.  As much as I've tried to talk myself into Hiram as an improving program...they haven't come close to winning a game since their lone victory of the season, and that came against Kenyon (who, deservedly, will remain the butt of jokes on this board for some time after complaining that it's too hard to recruit good student-athletes because they're losing all of their top candidates to the NESCAC and Ivy schools).

[bashbrother]

Oberin (1-2, 2-5) @ Denison (2-2, 3-5). This is a quite intriguing matchup. The Yeomen fight valiantly with a limited roster, and play to the whistle and the final gun every game. Denison could easily be 3-1 in the conference and 5-3 overall. It wouldn't surprise me to see an Oberlin win, as the Big Red needs to learn how to play for 60 minutes.

And Down the stretch they come -  Oberlin is a strange team this year.   They have scored 56% of their points in the 2nd half.  (which isn't all that surprising)  But when you look at their 4th quarter scoring.....  39% of their points this season have come in the 4th.   They have also outscored their opponents 62-41 in the 4th qtr.    This goes against the grain of what would be expected of a team with a very thin roster.  One would think that at least in the 4th, the lack of depth would hurt them.    To me,  this is a great sign of strength within the program and speaks to solid coaching and players desire to win.   Now they just need to figure out the 1st & 2nd qtrs.

[aueagle]

I am almost to the point where I think OWU football exists on a different plane in Bishop athletics. Way to many variables in the mix...
Just my take, but, I don't see Prez Rock really involved right now in football. He wins All-Sports Trophies and that, in the end, is a plus in his OWU resume. New revenue stream from pro Lax, NCAA track exposure and soon, high school football; So what if football wins at a .532 clip (and that's before a 1-6 2011 season). And Roger Ingles? He was an outstanding baseball coach, a great guy and does a solid job as AD...but, when the head football coach is your Associate AD, well...do you really want to fire the guy you eat lunch with? OR, just let him get a gold watch for 25 yrs of service. The "mix" there is...25 yrs at OWU, with 4 yrs at Marietta (won 11 games w/a .295 winning %). Do you go for an even 30 yrs of service? Hey, why not. The expectations at OWU are this....the best winning coach was Fraser at .632, that's the ceiling you have to hit. Just don't be a Farkasovsky at 5-23-1 in 3 yrs. That's the guy we replaced with "H" and now has gone 7-23 the last 3 seasons (not including the current 1-6 record). Expectations gentlemen.
If anybody like, kcreds, NCAC4Life, OWUZOO, luvncac, the bishop, TU2698 or some kool-aid drinking Red & Black fanactic has an opinion...speak-up. bishopowu; I'll buy the first couple of rounds...I think we all need it.

[bishopowu]

I just don't understand it...
Your going to screw players and fans over from wins because of a tenured coach. President Rock seems to me is not a Sports guy. How can you be satisfied with a Football program like this? Your the laughing stock of the NCAC along with Kenyon and Hiram (no offense). Holloway always lucks out with beating these teams near the end of the season because he uses it as momentum at the end of the season for next season. Thats crap. Maybe Kenyon and Hiram will bring their A games and knock off OWU. To be honest at this point those teams don't need to bring their A game. The C game might beat this squad. Its just so frustrating hoping for the best and getting terrible and I mean NON COMPETITIVE results. I can see from the stands that a Junior Defensive Lineman (James Huddleston) pours his heart and soul into the games. He wore a cast I believe last game and he is calling out players on the Defense. Why is a junior doing this? Why aren't the coaches? Your players aren't playing the coach should be in their faces. Maybe its gotten to the point that this team needs to be coached by themselves. I mean seriously their is no question about job security NONE. There is always next year. Well guess what WE WANT TO WIN NOW. WE WANT TO WIN MORE THAN 3 GAMES!

Keep the opinions and thoughts going.

[aueagle]

"Veteran head coach Mike Hollway will seek to take the next step in returning Battling Bishop football to national prominence by reclaiming the North Coast Athletic Conference championship and advancing to the NCAA Division III playoffs."

That was the tag-line in the media guides in 2008, 2007, etc. As long as the key people with-in the university community buy into the hype...NOTHING wil change. Now, the 2011 media guide touts, "MOMENTUM".

I wonder what type of candidate the administration will look for, when that day will come. Will they look at a Earlham-type coach with a poor record or a Wittenberg, Wabash, Mount asst. coach that has been bred to win. Expectations....

[ExTartanPlayer]

Please read this whole post before judging any single comment within.

At the Division III level, I find it very hard to argue for a coach's dismissal solely based on a won-loss record or a lack of championship play.  If a coach runs a clean disciplinary ship, graduates his players, and provides a good "face of the program" by cultivating good relations with alumni and boosters, I think that's shooting par on the D-III level.  Not every program is going to be Mount Union, and that's all right.

With that said: there may well be other legitimate reasons to replace/fire a coach at the Division III level, some of which seem to apply to the OWU situation (as described by our friends aueagle and bishopowu).  In particular, the most troubling thing that's mentioned is the benching of upperclassmen, which seems to lead to a lot of guys leaving the team - that is one particularly valid complaint.

In summary: IMHO, struggling to win games is forgivable.  However, a losing record combined with other transgressions mentioned above could be reason for removal.

[aueagle]

From Ohio Wesleyan:
Hollway perceives his role as coach as a dual one. "As a coach, my first objective is to win: guide the team and give
the players the opportunity to be successful. But we also have a responsibility to each individual that goes beyond the
football field," says Hollway. "Our greatest measure of success is the outcome of 4 years at Ohio Wesleyan and the quality
of life — both personal and professional our players enjoy after they leave us."
ETP is right...And, as it should be, the perspective at D3 is on the STUDENT-athlete...I just feel if (at OWU), when you win national championships in basketball, have nationally ranked soccer, lax, etc., that you can put 22 guys on the field to not only compete, but to WIN. If you have a bad teacher/prof in the classroom, do you keep that person in the class? Well, I guess you do because of tenure and unions....in the real world, which is performance based......uh-oh.....