FB: North Coast Athletic Conference

[cave2bens]

If their internet service is anything like it is in sub-Saharan Africa, they (Ms/Mr Tectonics, God, or other divinity of choice)  may have just heard the final score.  

[smedindy]

Matt Walker to UW - River Falls. Good luck in the WIAC, Matt. You'll need it!

[BashBacker#16]

Here's a good story for you guys...NCAC, Wabash, Woo, and D3 folks -

So I am traveling on business, about to board a flight out of Peoria, IL.  I am on my cell phone, talking to another Wabash buddy, and they announce that boarding will begin.  As I walk to the gate, I notice a big dude out of the corner of my eye get up and I spot "enemy colors" puke gold and black on a hooded sweatshirt.  At first glance I think it is DePauw.  A 2nd look, I see that it is actually a Wooster hoodie.  The guy gets in line right behind me.  Jokingly, I make a comment about a Wooster guy.  He says; "you must be from Wittenberg..."  I chuckled and said no, Wabash.  We both laughed.  I told him Wooster had only beaten us twice and it was ONLY because of Sutton.  He commented that at least he played on those 2 teams and jokingly said he and his O-line carried Sutton those years.  By now, we are getting on the plane as we continue to raz one another.  Just before I begin to introduce myself and get his name it hits me who it is.......none other than Wooster All American Rick Drushal!  I called it and said, "your Drushal, Rick right?"  He couldn't believe it that knew his name.  (Note *credit the Wooster player profiles that come out each year that we enjoy so much!    )  I actually saw both of those games - which were Sutton's junior and senior years.  We sat down and both had aisle seats directly across from one another and rapped D3 football the whole flight which was pretty cool.  Rick is a class guy and doing well.  Darkside-D - I got some scoop on you too...hahaha.

Small world!!!

[formerd3db]

Here's a good story for you guys...NCAC, Wabash, Woo, and D3 folks -

So I am traveling on business, about to board a flight out of Peoria, IL.  I am on my cell phone, talking to another Wabash buddy, and they announce that boarding will begin.  As I walk to the gate, I notice a big dude out of the corner of my eye get up and I spot "enemy colors" puke gold and black on a hooded sweatshirt.  At first glance I think it is DePauw.  A 2nd look, I see that it is actually a Wooster hoodie.  The guy gets in line right behind me.  Jokingly, I make a comment about a Wooster guy.  He says; "you must be from Wittenberg..."  I chuckled and said no, Wabash.  We both laughed.  I told him Wooster had only beaten us twice and it was ONLY because of Sutton.  He commented that at least he played on those 2 teams and jokingly said he and his O-line carried Sutton those years.  By now, we are getting on the plane as we continue to raz one another.  Just before I begin to introduce myself and get his name it hits me who it is.......none other than Wooster All American Rick Drushal!  I called it and said, "your Drushal, Rick right?"  He couldn't believe it that knew his name.  (Note *credit the Wooster player profiles that come out each year that we enjoy so much!    )  I actually saw both of those games - which were Sutton's junior and senior years.  We sat down and both had aisle seats directly across from one another and rapped D3 football the whole flight which was pretty cool.  Rick is a class guy and doing well.  Darkside-D - I got some scoop on you too...hahaha.

Small world!!!

Indeed, it is a small world.  It is always great meeting someone like that who you've played against in college.  It has happended to me a couple of times and I'm sure many of our colleagues here on the boards as well.  Great story and thanks for sharing it.

[Joe Wally]

Here's a good story for you guys...NCAC, Wabash, Woo, and D3 folks -

So I am traveling on business, about to board a flight out of Peoria, IL.  I am on my cell phone, talking to another Wabash buddy, and they announce that boarding will begin.  As I walk to the gate, I notice a big dude out of the corner of my eye get up and I spot "enemy colors" puke gold and black on a hooded sweatshirt.  At first glance I think it is DePauw.  A 2nd look, I see that it is actually a Wooster hoodie.  The guy gets in line right behind me.  Jokingly, I make a comment about a Wooster guy.  He says; "you must be from Wittenberg..."  I chuckled and said no, Wabash.  We both laughed.  I told him Wooster had only beaten us twice and it was ONLY because of Sutton.  He commented that at least he played on those 2 teams and jokingly said he and his O-line carried Sutton those years.  By now, we are getting on the plane as we continue to raz one another.  Just before I begin to introduce myself and get his name it hits me who it is.......none other than Wooster All American Rick Drushal!  I called it and said, "your Drushal, Rick right?"  He couldn't believe it that knew his name.  (Note *credit the Wooster player profiles that come out each year that we enjoy so much!    )  I actually saw both of those games - which were Sutton's junior and senior years.  We sat down and both had aisle seats directly across from one another and rapped D3 football the whole flight which was pretty cool.  Rick is a class guy and doing well.  Darkside-D - I got some scoop on you too...hahaha.

Small world!!!

Great Story!  Glad the way it turned out.  I was not looking forward to the story in the Indianapolis Star about the TSA that had to extricate the Danny from the overhead luggage compartment.   

[aueagle]

Thanks BB16...Great story
This weeks Sports Illustrated has UWW rb Levell Coppage in "Faces in the Crowd" this week.....It's nice when D3 gets print mention....to bad SI won't cover D3 in it's fall college football preview issue, like they use to...

[formerd3db]

Thanks BB16...Great story
This weeks Sports Illustrated has UWW rb Levell Coppage in "Faces in the Crowd" this week.....It's nice when D3 gets print mention....to bad SI won't cover D3 in it's fall college football preview issue, like they use to...

aueagle:

I agree.  That is one reason why I don't buy (or seldom read) that magazine anymore.  

BTW, what's "the story" with OWU?  Have you heard anything further about any change in the coaching staff yet (regardless of whether it is the HC position or not)?  Or do you think it appears the "status quo" will again be in place for 2011?

[aueagle]

I've heard nothing regarding a coaching change (staff or HC) in Delaware....but, I should be at OWU next week for a basketball game, so maybe I can talk to a few people. The later into January this goes; just tells me, the OWU brass will let this guy go a full 25 years and then give out the gold watch. I think in the Bishop history, they have only fired one coach....
Jim Good at Hamline goes 10-30 in 4 yrs - 3-29 in MIAC play
OWU goes 11-29 in 4 yrs - 11-18 in NCAC play
and as much as I respect Kreps at Hope, former3db, 3-7 is getting old.
Spring ball is just around the corner..........

[DadofBashWarrior..]

Here's a good story for you guys...NCAC, Wabash, Woo, and D3 folks -

So I am traveling on business, about to board a flight out of Peoria, IL.  I am on my cell phone, talking to another Wabash buddy, and they announce that boarding will begin.  As I walk to the gate, I notice a big dude out of the corner of my eye get up and I spot "enemy colors" puke gold and black on a hooded sweatshirt.  At first glance I think it is DePauw.  A 2nd look, I see that it is actually a Wooster hoodie.  The guy gets in line right behind me.  Jokingly, I make a comment about a Wooster guy.  He says; "you must be from Wittenberg..."  I chuckled and said no, Wabash.  We both laughed.  I told him Wooster had only beaten us twice and it was ONLY because of Sutton.  He commented that at least he played on those 2 teams and jokingly said he and his O-line carried Sutton those years.  By now, we are getting on the plane as we continue to raz one another.  Just before I begin to introduce myself and get his name it hits me who it is.......none other than Wooster All American Rick Drushal!  I called it and said, "your Drushal, Rick right?"  He couldn't believe it that knew his name.  (Note *credit the Wooster player profiles that come out each year that we enjoy so much!    )  I actually saw both of those games - which were Sutton's junior and senior years.  We sat down and both had aisle seats directly across from one another and rapped D3 football the whole flight which was pretty cool.  Rick is a class guy and doing well.  Darkside-D - I got some scoop on you too...hahaha.

Small world!!!

Great story 16!!!

[formerd3db]

aueagle:

Thanks for the follow-up.  Indeed, please keep us posted on anything you hear.  Also, I hope you enjoy the basketball game down there when you go back for the visit.  That is always an enjoyable experience being back on campus - brings back some great memories.  BTW, speaking of OWU/Delaware, OH, one of our daughter's recently had a "phone interview" with one of the major "national" insurance companies that has a branch there.  I had a fleeting and ridiculous thought that..."wow, if she gets hired and she/her husband move down there, I could apply for one of the assistant jobs, say, as special teams coach or something".  Of course, we'd have to move also, but, alas, that's not going to happen for a variety of reasons - first, most likely she's not going there and...besides, they'd never hire me (how ridiculous)!!! ! I guess I just had one of those "Woody Hayes" moments where I lost my mind for a few seconds!

And yes, I know, it is difficult for both OWU and Hope.  But...I am confident and "with a renewed spirit", the new season in 2011 will be better!  Indeed, spring practice will be here before we know it.

Again, enjoy your trip to OWU and the game.

[formerd3db]

I posted this over on the MIAA and OAC boards, but thought I would do it here so you don't have to "scour" around over there!

Well, there you have it.  Just reported that Jim Harbaugh has agreed to a 25 million dollar 5-year contract to be the Head Coach of the 49'ers of the NFL.  While most of us knew he wouldn't come back to Michigan, still I'm slightly disappointed he didn't stay then at Stanford as I think he had a chance at potentially becoming one of the great college coaches in this era if he had stayed at the collegiate level and really get Stanford to being even better than they are now.  However, I certainly understand the $ (although he really doesn't need it and Stanford had offered a VERY good $ deal without question), the chance to be a head NFL coach like his brother and the challenge of trying to bring back SF to prominence.  Yet, SF has not been exactly a hotbed for it's last several head coaches - Murriuci, Erickson, Nolan, Singletary couldn't turn them around and got fired; and the way the NFL is, that will probably happen to Harbaugh.  But...he has played in the NFL and thus, knows the mentality of those type of players.  The trick will be to see if he can get them to follow him.  Much, much different than working with college age players.  Nonetheless, I wish him the best.  Won't it be neat to see the Baltimore/SF games?  A great but rare experience for them and the fans.

[smedindy]

Harbaugh is a football guy and the NFL is the ultimate football test. I'm not surprised he went there. He seems to really like the Bay Area and California. He turned around San Diego and Stanford. Why not try the 49ers? They need help, especially at QB - though I don't think the Smith Brothers (hah) are the answer. And obviously, he discussed this with Andrew Luck. And I don't think Luck is surprised at all. He's going back to get his degree and avoid the Panthers.

It's very rare for one college coach to stay anywhere long enough to get 'tenure'. It's more common in D-3, but as D-1A becomes more chaotic, it ripples into D-1AA and D-2 and D-3 as well. Look at Neathery, now going to have some 'fun' in a D-1A program that will join the WAC in 2012. (Well, what's left of the WAC anyway...)

And I don't disparage any coach for wanting to move up - it's part of it all. But at least you should meet with the team and not have a cell phone call piped into the cabin of the plane. Yeesh.

[aueagle]

I really thought Harbaugh was going to give Meechigan a shot. UM wants a guy from the program, w/ experience
and a solid track record. With what he has done at SD & The Farm, he could have written his own ticket.
And you're right smedindy, it is rare in D1 for tenure...but, good or bad, we have Joe Pa and The Sweater Vest.
Harbaugh could have had more security  in Ann Arbor than the chew 'em up/spit 'em out NFL.

[wabco]

AUEagle

I do not believe Harbaugh really ever gave Michigan a thought.  That was all generated by Michigan fan base wishful thinking.  I don't think Miichigan is a "good spot" right now.  It ius a Notere Dame of a few years and coach changes ago ... caught in the twilight of one paridigm ... scholarship and good players always come etc.  And the SEC, Universities in the Satae of Florida, etc. approach to "minimally qualify academically and get out there and win ... and by the way try not to be too bad of criminals while doing this.

The WV Rod-man type player is not in the Michigan-ite view of itself as the "Meechigan player".  I am not going to a reality of whether they are in fact the same or not  ... just the Michigan fan, school, state perspective.  So ... Rod-man comes in ... significant Meechigan players there leave over the next short period, Rod-man recruits a number of "bandits" (at least from the Michigan-ite perspective ... and the delight of the Michigan State ites by the way),meshing problems,  some of them leave/go to jail/flunk out/whatever, fans begin to disparage Rod-man with fall off on the University leadership for "how could you?"(problem is that "win at any cost" is not the self perception of the Michigan-ite ... they want "win" but like to oimagine it is not "at all cost" but rather within the self constructed "Meechigan way") 
The program begins to lose significant steam.  Keep in mind there is an AD change here ... also a part of this mix both with a different view and the problem of time lag in leadershnip change.  Now the gene pool of the team is not what it was, fans/school are demanding immediate ND-esk demands of success, get back to where we are, get one of our guys and it will be all right.
It will not be immediate or all right.  Will be back ... but may take a couple of years and a couple of coach changes ...  Michigan is ND II

Now why would Harbaugh ... place himself in this grindder when he has it made in a number of other not so stressed enviornments.

[Bash-Dad #84]

Let me think....Ann Arbor, Michigan or San Francisco, Ca. at 5 million per.  Duh...