FB: North Coast Athletic Conference

[Li'l Giant]

I'll add this to the coaching conversation- right this minute I think we've got the best collection of head coaches that we've had in the league in the 14 years that I've been following the NCAC.  I can't speak too much on the 90s era coaches with Fincham and Barnes and O'Keefe, but as a whole I'd be willing to bet that what the NCAC has right now is about as good as the NCAC has ever had.  There are a lot of guys doing really, really good work in the league right now and it's going to be really difficult to decide who has done the "best" job year after year.  I think it's a great thing for the league that we can have this kind of debate over several great coaches. 

I agree with all of this.

[smedindy]

I also concur. Under-the-radar coaches like Hatem at Denison add depth to the league, and we all know and respect what Ramsey does at Oberlin every year.

[ExTartanPlayer]

This type of COY debate always fascinates me.  Seinfeld, you do make some good points, I am not dismissing them.  You illustrated a lot of great things that Colaprete did.  I'm more commenting on the philosophical debate about whether it's more impressive to take a team expected to be "bad" and get them to "above average" versus taking a team expected to be "really good" and keeping them "really good" or better.

I would not necessarily interpret Fincham's win as a sign that it always goes to the conference champion.  I think, evaluating this season in a vacuuum, you could still argue quite easily that he wins it on merit.  Was Wittenberg expected to be really, really good?  Of course.  It still takes a lot of skill to steer that ship on the right course all season, and Wittenberg did not merely squeak out the title this year, just plain eviscerated the entire conference, including a Wabash team that had also crushed everyone else.  Wittenberg scored at least 35 points in every NCAC game, won the "toughest" games on their schedule by 18 (Wabash - and that was 35-10 until a garbage-time TD with 8 seconds remaining), 18 (Denison), and 27 (Wooster - and while the Woo offense did score a bunch, this game was never truly in doubt past halftime)...and everyone else by 30 or more.

Wittenberg was expected to be very good, yes.  I think you can say that they left a trail of complete destruction in their wake by rampaging through the NCAC this year, and IMO meeting high expectations can be worthy of recognition as well.  I very much respect seinfeld's argument for Colaprete but I don't think this was a mindless "vote for the champion" thing, I believe that Wittenberg was a truly "outstanding" champion.

[boobyhasgameyo]

Just wanted to give a quick shout out to some of the Wabash posters.  Some of you have been supportive of St. John Fisher on these boards after the John Carroll win, almost like you've adopted our team for this playoff run.  It's been really fun to see and definitely appreciated.  Looks like we might run into a buzz saw this weekend with UMHB but we are ever hopeful to prove everyone wrong!  Thanks again NCAC friends. 

[Li'l Giant]

I had planned to go to the SJF/UMHB game but 150 miles of icy Texas highways doesn't sound like fun so we decided to cancel the trip. With sleet and temps hovering around the freezing mark you have to think SJF will be unfazed. Not sure about the Texas boys, though. Best of luck to SJF.

[wally_wabash]

Jeff Ramsey has stepped down at Oberlin.  Bit of a surprise from my view way on the outside. He did great work at Oberlin and I wish him the best in whatever comes next.  Big shoes to fill now at Oberlin.

[Joe Wally]

Jeff Ramsey has stepped down at Oberlin.  Bit of a surprise from my view way on the outside. He did great work at Oberlin and I wish him the best in whatever comes next.  Big shoes to fill now at Oberlin.

That is a shame for the Obies.

[Li'l Giant]

I'll add this to the coaching conversation- right this minute I think we've got the best collection of head coaches that we've had in the league in the 14 years that I've been following the NCAC.  I can't speak too much on the 90s era coaches with Fincham and Barnes and O'Keefe, but as a whole I'd be willing to bet that what the NCAC has right now is about as good as the NCAC has ever had.  There are a lot of guys doing really, really good work in the league right now and it's going to be really difficult to decide who has done the "best" job year after year.  I think it's a great thing for the league that we can have this kind of debate over several great coaches. 

I blame Wally for this Ramsey/Oberlin news. He jinxed it.

Good luck to Coach Ramsey in whatever he does next.

And good luck to Oberlin in their coaching search. I hope they can find someone who can do what Ramsey has done, or better.

[sigma one]

Sorry to see Ramsey go.  I wonder if this will prompt the Obie administration to think about how to help the football program.  Even if they do, too bad it won't be with Ramsey at the helm. 

[Pat Coleman]

Compiled a few of the Oberlin stories we've had over the years to flesh out the Oberlin news release:
http://www.d3football.com/notables/2013/12/oberlin-coach-steps-down

[DadofBashWarrior..]

Anyone here watching the Bethel NCC game?

[USee]

I am. comments in the CCIW in game update room

[smedindy]

Let us hope Oberlin decides to keep the somewhat forward momentum. I have a feeling Ramsey did all he could there, and will be missed.

[formerd3db]

Let us hope Oberlin decides to keep the somewhat forward momentum. I have a feeling Ramsey did all he could there, and will be missed.

I agree.  Perhaps he simply got tired of fighting "against the grain".  I also hope that they will continue to move forward.  The Oberlin program has been in this situation several times before and actually much worse than at present (remember when it was almost dropped back in 1979).  However, if schools like Olivet and even Eureka can do it (and, of course, Kenyon), there is no reason that Oberlin can't.  I do hope they don't give in and choose the "Swarthemore Debacle".

[wally_wabash]

Let us hope Oberlin decides to keep the somewhat forward momentum. I have a feeling Ramsey did all he could there, and will be missed.

I agree.  Perhaps he simply got tired of fighting "against the grain".  I also hope that they will continue to move forward.  The Oberlin program has been in this situation several times before and actually much worse than at present (remember when it was almost dropped back in 1979).  However, if schools like Olivet and even Eureka can do it (and, of course, Kenyon), there is no reason that Oberlin can't.  I do hope they don't give in and choose the "Swarthemore Debacle".

I don't think Oberlin football is in a life support situation.  The school recently got a sizeable gift, at least some of which has been earmarked for revovations at Savage Stadium.  Lights, locker rooms, press box, synthetic turf...they intend to give it a pretty comprehensive overhaul and turn that space into a multipurpose venue for outdoor sports. 

The facilities are definitely a positive step.  I hope they also find some dollars to help Oberlin locate, target, and successfully recruit student athletes- travel budget, an extra full time assistant or two.  We'll see what happens, but I remain optimistic about the future of Yeomen football.