FB: North Coast Athletic Conference

[DPU3619]

I'm certainly not questioning Mr. Huffman's decision, but it would be awfully hard for me to stay away for one more year after my team had a shot against Whitewater early in the 4th.  That would be plenty of motivation for me right there.

Also, despite his struggles against the LG's, I'd imagine there are a lot of smiling faces in the Wabash coaches' office this week.

[formerd3db]

There's an awful lot of time between now and next fall.  Today, Huffman feels comfortable moving on to post-undergrad life.  In four weeks, he may be filling out 2010 fall enrollment paperwork in.  We shall see if this story changes between now and August. 

I'm certainly not questioning Mr. Huffman's decision, but it would be awfully hard for me to stay away for one more year after my team had a shot against Whitewater early in the 4th.  That would be plenty of motivation for me right there.

Also, despite his struggles against the LG's, I'd imagine there are a lot of smiling faces in the Wabash coaches' office this week.

The tough time for any former player come around June or July.   When the wheels start spinning and you can smell the scent of two-a-days.  20 years later, it is still tough for me.  You may move on, but the desire to play competitively never leaves.

Well said. 30 years for me. Amazing how you never lose the smell of early mornings in August. One of the many reasons why football is America's passion. 

All of you make very great and valid points.  Indeed, it is a tough decision.  Yet, one also has to consider that (as we all know) this is DIII and thus:

1) Obviously, it costs a lot of $ even for one semester as Huffman mentioned, and if one doesn't have the means (academic, community scholarships, or parental help), then taking on additional loans and/or having to work a job while taking classes and planing football is not always the best option;

2) Indeed, there is something to value about "going out on top" i.e. Huffman has had a great career and while no one doubts he would only add to that, both for himself and Witt on the field next year, there is always the possibility of having not as great a year as he has had in the past - going out that way would be disappointing and something that would be a "not so fun memory" for the rest of your life - I know the latter has happened to some players.  Yet, if one chooses to play the extra semester, then obviously that is the chance one takes;

3)  Potentially turning down a decent job offer (and/or for many student-athletes, for example the opportunity to go on to graduate school such as medical, dental, law school, etc.) is not wise, particularly at this time in our nation's current economic and cultural situation.

4) Were this DI or DII level, with some scholarship $ involved, it would most likely be a different story and "easier" decision;

Lastly, as Huffman said, he has come to the decision that "it is time to move on" with his life, reflecting back on the great career he had and, I'm sure he intended that to include his memories of his entire collegiate experience at Witt.  Then again, perhaps as some of you have mentioned, one's emotions/feelings can play a role and he could change his mind.  That has happened at all levels as we know (one example to a degree obviously is Farve) and there is nothing wrong with that if one chooses that option.  Regardless, one has to make the decision that is best for themselves and that is never easy.  Then again, no one ever said it wouldn't be nor were any of us promised that.   Whatever Huffman ends up doing, I wish him all the best in his future. 

[Raider 68]

There's an awful lot of time between now and next fall.  Today, Huffman feels comfortable moving on to post-undergrad life.  In four weeks, he may be filling out 2010 fall enrollment paperwork in.  We shall see if this story changes between now and August. 

I'm certainly not questioning Mr. Huffman's decision, but it would be awfully hard for me to stay away for one more year after my team had a shot against Whitewater early in the 4th.  That would be plenty of motivation for me right there.

Also, despite his struggles against the LG's, I'd imagine there are a lot of smiling faces in the Wabash coaches' office this week.

The tough time for any former player come around June or July.   When the wheels start spinning and you can smell the scent of two-a-days.  20 years later, it is still tough for me.  You may move on, but the desire to play competitively never leaves.

Well said. 30 years for me. Amazing how you never lose the smell of early mornings in August. One of the many reasons why football is America's passion. 

All of you make very great and valid points.  Indeed, it is a tough decision.  Yet, one also has to consider that (as we all know) this is DIII and thus:

1) Obviously, it costs a lot of $ even for one semester as Huffman mentioned, and if one doesn't have the means (academic, community scholarships, or parental help), then taking on additional loans and/or having to work a job while taking classes and planing football is not always the best option;

2) Indeed, there is something to value about "going out on top" i.e. Huffman has had a great career and while no one doubts he would only add to that, both for himself and Witt on the field next year, there is always the possibility of having not as great a year as he has had in the past - going out that way would be disappointing and something that would be a "not so fun memory" for the rest of your life - I know the latter has happened to some players.  Yet, if one chooses to play the extra semester, then obviously that is the chance one takes;

3)  Potentially turning down a decent job offer (and/or for many student-athletes, for example the opportunity to go on to graduate school such as medical, dental, law school, etc.) is not wise, particularly at this time in our nation's current economic and cultural situation.

4) Were this DI or DII level, with some scholarship $ involved, it would most likely be a different story and "easier" decision;

Lastly, as Huffman said, he has come to the decision that "it is time to move on" with his life, reflecting back on the great career he had and, I'm sure he intended that to include his memories of his entire collegiate experience at Witt.  Then again, perhaps as some of you have mentioned, one's emotions/feelings can play a role and he could change his mind.  That has happened at all levels as we know (one example to a degree obviously is Farve) and there is nothing wrong with that if one chooses that option.  Regardless, one has to make the decision that is best for themselves and that is never easy.  Then again, no one ever said it wouldn't be nor were any of us promised that.   Whatever Huffman ends up doing, I wish him all the best in his future. 

former3db,

Great post! On the Huffman situation. He must make that call more sooner than later. This past season another 5th year QB Rafferty from Otterbein was up in the air about returning and he was in grad school.

I guess if Huffman really believes that Witt can go deep in the playoffs again, then he may return. Coming back just to play is one thing, coming back to be in the National title hunt is another.

I have heard that is why Cecil Shorts is returning vs. a shot at the NFL which he will probably have anyway.

[wally_wabash]

I'm certainly not questioning Mr. Huffman's decision, but it would be awfully hard for me to stay away for one more year after my team had a shot against Whitewater early in the 4th.  That would be plenty of motivation for me right there.

Also, despite his struggles against the LG's, I'd imagine there are a lot of smiling faces in the Wabash coaches' office this week.

On the one hand, Witt was in the game late against the champs and it would be tempting to make another run next year...on the other hand, Huffman got his brain scrambled on his last play of the season.  That's something that shouldn't be ignored either and might be something that influenced his decision to move on. 

As for what Wabash thinks...I'm not sure Wabash cares either way.  The LGs are going to line up against those Tigers on 11/7, likely for the league's playoff bid, no matter who is under center.  And it's going to be a tough game no matter who is under center.  Huffman wasn't the issue in the game this year...the issue was the stingy D. 

[wab64]

Don't anyone forget Dustin Huff. He came back for a 5th year in 2007, at the top of his game, and it ended with a broken leg covering an on-side kickoff in game one against Franklin

[DPU3619]

As for what Wabash thinks...I'm not sure Wabash cares either way.  The LGs are going to line up against those Tigers on 11/7, likely for the league's playoff bid, no matter who is under center.  And it's going to be a tough game no matter who is under center.  Huffman wasn't the issue in the game this year...the issue was the stingy D. 

Of course.  Pardon me for not mentioning that as a given.  But, all that said, I'd certainly rather not do it against the 5th year senior if I could avoid it.  Jake Gilbert still has to go through all the normal scouting and gameplanning before 11/7 regardless of Huffman's status. However, I'd rather miss playing the 2nd team all-conference QB instead of having to scout for him.  Particularly if I have go to battle in that game without my 1st team all-conference QB and NCAC POTY. 

But, again, that's a long, long time from now and there's still a lot to be sorted out at both teams' QB spot before November 7.  All I know is that if I were on that Wabash staff and heard the news that the toughest opponent in my conference wasn't going to have their QB back, I'd still be pretty thrilled considering it's early January.

[aueagle]

Need to catch up...so bear with me.......
nike: Your relatives visit that was uninspiring at OWU, isn't the first time I've heard of this.....
I've spoken with players & coaches that come away...well, they just walk away.
There is NO excitement in Delaware.....
and wally, you're right...There has to be a fresh approach...it is too long overdue.
Myself and others have tried to figure out the Bishops offense for at least 5-6 seasons....
The system that is in place doesn't produce wins...and, that's the bottom line....
The key selling point at Ohio Wesleyan is historic Selby....a great place to play & watch a ballgame...
But, does a kid want to play at a program like OWU with a Selby for 4 years or go to a Witt (for example)
and win and only have stands on one side (sorry Tigers...stands on one side bother me)..
Point here is; a stadium can only sell itself to a degree...then the PROGRAM has to sell itself......
the Bishops program obviously can't sell itself, as it stands today. Just look at the record
When nike says, "The players & coaches did not excite him": (read: relative) that just screams volumes to me....and it screams PROBLEMS.
28 losses in 4 years? And nothing changes?
When wabshcpa says, "Denison is not the place needed most for a change"...
I just wonder how painfully obvious does it has to be?

[aueagle]

I love guys like you ghost.....Since 2002 you've had 8 total posts on D3.....
Go away and walk the hallways of some Delaware building and feel good about yourself.....

[D3_DPUFan]

Go away and walk the hallways of some Delaware building and feel good about yourself.....

Now I know a great line if I ever run into Joe Biden. 

[Raider 68]

Any updates on what school joins the NCAC for this fall?

[smedindy]

Don't know if there will be one that joins for the coming year.

If so, the NCAC is sure to screw up the schedule again! 

[smedindy]

Mr. Aueagle.

How close are to the program really? I've sat back and read your posts for the last year. Did you have a bad personal experience with Coach H?

OWU as you should know is a program that graduates great men. The man that you want fired is responsible for making that happen.

Be a good alum and support your program like we all do.

The fact of the matter is that even at OWU, there needs to be some forward progress in winning some games. It's more than time for OWU to change. There are plenty of coaches in D-3 that graduate great men while being competitive. Look at Wabash, Wooster and Witt, among others.

Plus, there's nothing I hate MORE than Kool-Aid drinkers. You can support your team without kowtowing to their every move. People on this board know that (and I've taken some knocks for calling out my fellow Wallies for over-enthusiastic homerism) but there needs to be some reality checks even in fandom.

[short]

Here's two reasons why OWU will win and be successful.

1. They still run the Wing T

2. The Head Coach is named Hollway






Toledo S*cks

Were you being serious?

Toledo doesn't S*ck!

[cave2bens]

Here's two reasons why OWU will win and be successful.

1. They still run the Wing T

2. The Head Coach is named Hollway






Toledo S*cks

Were you being serious?

Toledo doesn't S*ck!

S*cks is a broad stroke of the brush, but with Packo's, Celtics Rugby, and April, walleye fishing at Turkey Foot Rapids as the few redeeming qualities, "Toodleedoo" is well on its way to catching Williams County as a prime target for a sorely needed enema.   
                                                                      - former Bryanite

[wabco]

It is cold and I took a quick look at Wabash returners.  I submot the following for discussion as to likely starters/those making an impact on playing time /suprises.  What do you think?
RB:  Yoder, Mambourg, Stevens, Walters, Hunt
QB:  Belton, Miracle
WR:  Chamblee, LeMond, Horn, Young
TE:  Kelley
OL:  Ruddy, Leatherman, Linthicium, Lembke, Kitley, Tichenor
C: Durm, Grand, Daniel
K:  Whitehead

CB: Wood, Powell
LB:  Pannell, Gum, Armbruster
DE: Coggins, Austin, McClintic
DL:  Zinsmaster, Hackett, Clegg, Brock, Ramsey
DB:  Smith
S:    Najar, Koop

There is a crop of this year's Frosh who just might (need to) step into the positions being vacated by this year's seniors.