FB: North Coast Athletic Conference

[formerd3db]

Gross.  

I can only hope that whatever it is, the leaders at Wabash will do whatever they can to prevent this.  I cannot believe it has even gotten this far.  I get the fact that winning coaches will be sought after but going from Wabash to Valpo??  It makes no sense to me.

Brutal for recruiting too...and many other reasons...........

As someone who lives in Valpo and has attended a game each year for the last 5-6 years, I'm comfortable stating that the VU football program is a joke.  Zero fan support, zero tradition.....overall, it's just gross.  There are local HS programs who draw more interest/fan support than the Crusaders.  If in fact ER has dropped his name into the proverbial hat, I'd lose a lot of respect for him.  If you looked up "lateral coaching moves" in the dictionary, the VU head coaching position would be at the top of the list.  I'm all for having career goals, but give me a break.......

ER has an opportunity to do some really remarkable things at Wabash over the next few years, and at that point, should a more attractive position open up somewhere, I wouldn't really have a beef.  But to make a move for VU?  I just threw up in my mouth......

So are suggesting then that Valpo drop the program?  IMO, that is not the answer.  I guess then also that you think that no one can eventually step in and improve the program.  Many, many people said that for years about Northwestern in the Big Ten, that they should drop the program all together and that there was no way they would ever be able to compete in the program.  Of course, they were proved wrong and it is obvious now that while admittedly Northwestern will never be a powerhouse, they certainly are "no joke" now and are competitive.  I realize I'm talking about "DI" here vs. the situation in DIII vs. DIAA non-scholarship that you are discussing , however, the "principle" is the same.  For Valpo's level, I can't imagine that it can't be done eventually, if someone (administration, coach, etc.) was really serious about doing it and really put forth the effort to do so, and eventually also build up community, alumni i.e. fan support (although perhaps the latter is a "different animal" as you say.  There was a time when Valpo was much better in playing some of our MIAA teams years ago, however, you are obviously much more acquainted with the program than me for sure and thus in a better position to judge .  Yet, for those who say it can't be done, you need only to look at what Harbaugh did at San Diego in the same league before he went on to Stanford.  Of course, as others have said, Butler appears to be headed in a different direction perhaps, and similar to what Fordham has decided to do.

Anyway, good discussion guys and while I understand what you're saying, as an "outsider" I would also agree that it would be sad for Wabash to have ER leave the program, at least at this time.  Obviously, we'll see what plays out, if anything.

[short]

Maybe Valpo isn't the best job Today December 21, 2009, but Valpo is a fine school and I believe in time a good coach could turn the program around and make it a better job and program than Wabash.  Plus, maybe the pressure of Wabash Alum's is getting to ER after all who really wants to follow CC and the expectations he left behind.

[DPU3619]

How long did it take Bill Lynch to jump out of D3?  Mike DuBose went right back to it recently...to be a coordinator for a nobody. 

I don't really want to split hairs, but while Lynch technically applies, I don't think this is the same thing.  There was only one job that Bill Lynch would have left DePauw for.  He told me personally on several occassions that he thought he'd be at DePauw for a long, long time.  Unfortunately, that job opened up when his best friend Terry Hoeppner got a head job at the only place in the state that Lynch really wanted to coach at.

Also, I'm with you, wally, that non-scholarship D1 and D3 is not a lateral move.  Yeah, Valpo's in the tank.  But, the Butler comparison is a relevant one.  Butler may have a great overall athletic budget because of MBB, but I don't think the football program saw very much of it.  The Butler football program was a train wreck until Jeff Voris showed up.  Valpo probably couldn't beat DePauw or Wabash right now, but Butler was in the same boat until JV got hired.  I think ER might even be looking at what a guy like JV is doing and see that as an achievable goal.  Look at the top 2 teams in the Pioneer.  Butler and Drake.  A couple of schools that weren't doing so hot 3-4 years ago that are having D3 guys lead the way.  Makes sense to me.

It all comes down to what your career goals are.  I think its possible ER gets Wabash to the promised land, but I think there's about 15 coaches that believe right now, and a whole heckuva lot of 'em aren't going to make it in the next few years.  If you're realistic about how difficult it is to win in a UWW/Mount world, maybe you try to get somewhere where the goal is more easily achieved.  I dunno.  I'm talking out my ass now, I guess.

[wally_wabash]

Maybe Valpo isn't the best job Today December 21, 2009, but Valpo is a fine school and I believe in time a good coach could turn the program around and make it a better job and program than Wabash.  Plus, maybe the pressure of Wabash Alum's is getting to ER after all who really wants to follow CC and the expectations he left behind.

I don't know that I'd really listen to anybody who said that ER hasn't maintained the standard set in the 7 years before his arrival in C'ville.  He's won a conference title.  He's returned the Monon Bell to the Allen Center.  He's been to the playoffs twice.  He's lost one single conference game...by a field goal...to a team that went toe to toe with the champs for three quarters...with his double OPOY winner out of action.  That is an extremely successful two years by any measure.  We all want to win the Walnut and Bronze, but if 19 wins in two seasons isn't good enough, we've gotten way too spoiled.  Coach Raeburn is doing nothing short of a tremendous job at Wabash so far. 

I don't really want to split hairs, but while Lynch technically applies, I don't think this is the same thing.  There was only one job that Bill Lynch would have left DePauw for.  He told me personally on several occassions that he thought he'd be at DePauw for a long, long time.  Unfortunately, that job opened up when his best friend Terry Hoeppner got a head job at the only place in the state that Lynch really wanted to coach at.

My examples are extreme...certainly I know that there is an enormous difference between PFL and the Big Ten (even if it is IU) and C-USA (even if it is Memphis).  But even if it is "just the PFL", those are D-I institutions that simply have a bigger stage and more eyes on them than we get in D-III.  It's not a knock on D-III, it's just a reality. 

[D3_DPUFan]

Valpo probably couldn't beat DePauw or Wabash right now, but Butler was in the same boat until JV got hired.  I think ER might even be looking at what a guy like JV is doing and see that as an achievable goal.

This year's Butler team wouldn't beat Wabash or DePauw most weeks, either. No disrespect to Coach Voris, who is doing a great job, but he needs to get more players to get where he wants things to be. Perhaps this year's success wil get him there. 

[Joe Wally]

My immediate concern is how this story will impact recruiting in the region.  We may all see this as little more than a journalist trying to fill space, but a eighteen year old kid trying to make a decision about college may not be willing to take that chance.

[Bash-Dad #84]

^ What he said!

[TooForRaider]

^ What he said!

Don't shun me bc I'm an outsider!

I have to agree w/ the recruiting aspect. I'd also have to say that Valpo isn't a step-up in prestige, but I'm not sure about the pay.

Not a lot of chat on the other boards, but I always enjoy reading this one.

[smedindy]

If someone offered me a higher paying job I'd listen, sure. But coaching isn't always about $$, and the COL in Valpo is higher than C'ville.

Besides, if ER wants to come 'home' and coach at Mt. Union one year I can't see a move to Valpo as part of the path to get there.

Until there's more substance, let's move on.

[short]

The writing is on the wall Vince will be the next Head Coach at Mount not ER.

If ER would leave for Valpo 1/3 of our league would have new HC's next season.  Congratulations are in order for Randy Moore new head Coach at Hiram.  I see him turning a corner at Hiram.  I look at what they are doing in Basketball and think "wow if they can get those type athletes on the football field look out"!  It will be very interesting to see what name get thrown around for the Denison job.  I don't see Denison as University that will rush into a decision and bet we don't hear much until February. If Wabash opens up it has got to be Gilbert's job to lose, IMHO.

[Li'l Giant]

I sincerely hope Coach Raeburn isn't going anywhere, though I would not begrudge him if he did; that's the nature of the profession. He's done an exceptional job in his two seasons and if he moves on I will wish him well and thank him for his efforts.

That said, the way these coaching rumors go I'll reserve judgment until there is an actual announcement. There was a coaching rumor hoax involving Notre Dame's coaching search earlier this month that goes to show how these things start a life of their own. Not that Valpo's job generates as much media interest in as ND's. But still.

[bashbrother]

 

[wabco]

Sorry Dannies and miscellaneous Crusaders ... ER will remain to thunder the Dannie brains out into the indefinite future ... now lets get back to regular programing ... such as ... "where in the world is Walters" and does the present interim coach of Dannieland really have his resume out as rumor has it?

[short]

Guess Coach Reaburn was feeling the the pressure from Alumni.  He has removed his name from the Valpo job.  He is staying in at Wabash!

[wally_wabash]

Valpo is going to have to poach elsewhere...Coach Raeburn is staying at Wabash.  

I'm very pleased to see that this was a priority for the College.  The football program and the success that has been enjoyed by that program over the last decade has been a great thing for College and the Wabash community at large.  Now it's time to look forward and focus on getting that NCAC title back!!  Wabash Always Fights!