FB: North Coast Athletic Conference

[wally_wabash]

Well, I'm guessing that Favret knows his team better than you do.

Definitely true.  I probably bought into the Legend of Nash Nance™ a bit too much based on one half against Linfield.  As Duke said in Rocky IV, "He's not a machine, he's a man!" 

[Li'l Giant]

It was 3rd and 26 from their own 4. The punt was a quick kick by QB that went 49 with no return. Not a bad play at the time. The HSC starting punter did not have one that netted out within 10 yards of that punt. I not saying it's done often but it's not a dumb coaching move like you guys make it out to be. It made sense to coach at the time and it worked.

I remember this discussion post game and I agreed with it being a smart play. Was there any doubt that Wabash was going to force a punt out of the end zone there? I just can't kill a guy for that call.

[bashbrother]

So,  my conference ranking piece from yesterday only created more curiosity and thus,  I wanted to take a look and see if, based on D3Football.com's preseason  rankings,  Is 2015 a down this year for overall conference strength in the NCAC?.    In the past 10 years,  we've had Earlham leave and  Depauw joined.   We had  hoped that this would strengthen the conference.   Here is what I found.

Year & NCAC Avg. Preseason Ranking

2015 -   135
2014 -   126
2013 -   132
2012 -   131  - Depauw joins
2011 -   140
2010 -   129
2009 -   145 -  Earlham leaves
2008 -   141
2007 -   137
2006 -   121
2005 -   128

Consistent right?

I then wanted to take a look at the decline of some of middle tier teams in the conference  (Again, based on preseason rankings)

Wooster  (2005 to 2015 order)

25, 69, 90, 139, 79, 74, 72, 145, 179, 66 and 205

Allegheny  (2005 to 2015 order)

72, 85, 75, 147, 150, 68, 92, 105, 107, 196 and 227

I don't really know what I learned in all of this.....   I guess it would be that conferences may have deviations or have had  team strength shuffling over the years,  but they somewhat stay at similar overall group strength.  At least that is what we have seen in the NCAC.

[BashDad]

Wooster  (2005 to 2015 order)

25, 69, 90, 139, 79, 74, 72, 145, 179, 66 and 205

Jay-sus, Wooster. Right the ship.

[ExTartanPlayer]

Wooster  (2005 to 2015 order)

25, 69, 90, 139, 79, 74, 72, 145, 179, 66 and 205

Jay-sus, Wooster. Right the ship.

What's amazing about this is how quickly the earned some trust back after a decent 2013 (that 7-3 season launched their preseason 2014 ranking all the way up to #66!) and how quickly they lost it after a bad 2014.  I've said this a few times, but about 20 minutes into the 2014 opener, it looked like the Colaprete era had started with a nice bang and was going to keep rolling.  Whoops.

[wally_wabash]

Wooster  (2005 to 2015 order)

25, 69, 90, 139, 79, 74, 72, 145, 179, 66 and 205

Jay-sus, Wooster. Right the ship.

What's amazing about this is how quickly the earned some trust back after a decent 2013 (that 7-3 season launched their preseason 2014 ranking all the way up to #66!) and how quickly they lost it after a bad 2014.  I've said this a few times, but about 20 minutes into the 2014 opener, it looked like the Colaprete era had started with a nice bang and was going to keep rolling.  Whoops.

Yup.  It wouldn't shock me if Oberlin rosters more players in 2017 than Wooster.  Hot take!

[sigma one]

Yea, Allegheny has fallen on hard times for a few years.  I recall a couple of years ago hearing that they lost their top two recruiters  That was a thin excuse then, but understandable.  Now, they've had a chance to build some staff stability.  We will see.  When I look at their 2015 roster, they seem awfully small on the offensive line and generally small at running back.  Let's hope Nigro has matured, but that's not enough.  Murgo at LB was NCAC's  best new player in 2014, but that's not enough.  I recall the glory days, and I don't expect a return to them, but  they are still in rich recruiting territory and at present do not seem capable of pulling in the athletes they need to compete. 
     As for Wooster, is there a trend here?  Roster size has declined recently.  Constant position changes (a search for the right mix? or too much messing around?).  One of these teams, Gators or Scots, has to improve for the NCAC to strengthen its conference position.  One would think that the addition of DePauw would have  helped, but the constant coaching changes slowed them down.  Now they are positioned to be very good, more like the successful DPU teams of the relatively distant past.  Coach Lynch is the real deal, and they have a chance to win every game they play this year, something that could not have been said two or theree years ago. 
     By the way, I believe (and I don't quite know why) that Wooster will be better than its pre-season predictions.
     Bashbrother, nice work.  Very enlightening.

[Pat Coleman]

It doesn't seem like football is a high priority in the Allegheny athletic department right now.

[sigma one]

Totally agree, Pat.  But Why?   Times change, but given their history and geography, Why.

[Mr. Ypsi]

Totally agree, Pat.  But Why?   Times change, but given their history and geography, Why.

Isn't downgrading football in western Pennsylvania about as much a sin as a Texas HS dropping football?!

[Pat Coleman]

Totally agree, Pat.  But Why?   Times change, but given their history and geography, Why.

Sometimes when the leadership at a school changes, priorities change.

[sigma one]

I personally know the Allegheny AD.  Her husband is a superior football coach who coaches at a nearby university.  He played for Raeburn at Coe and coached at Wabash until moving to northwest Pa.  So, I would be surprised if Allegheny's athletic department alone is responsible for downgrading football.  As for those above her in the administration, who knows; but I believe Pat is correct.  Something appears to have happened, consciously or not, that is hampering football.  Contrast Allegheny and Washington and Jefferson, two schools with rich football traditions.  W & J continues to field outstanding teams, Allegheny not, and they both have about the same talent pool to dip into.  Allegheny is more academically selective, but not by so much that it would have a major impact on recruiting.  I don't know anything about how the two schools distribute academic and need-based financial aid.
     I've about exhausted my commentary on this issue.  But I am concerned that Allegheny College is not now competitive with most teams in the NCAC.  That's a shame given their football history until recently.  Who would have predicted that the Gators are mentioned together with Oberlin and Kenyon and Hiram as their best shot at beating NCAC opponents.  I hope for the sake of the NCAC they make some progress in the next couple of years.   

[wally_wabash]

Week 1 NCAC Pick 'Em games are coming tomorrow. 

[bashbrother]

The topic in general has always been one that I have been very interested in.

In collegiate athletics...   Why/how do programs rise, or maintain themselves at the top? and why/how do they fall?   I am sure each scenario is different in their own way,  while sharing many similarities.   I would expect that if we studied the top programs at any NCAA division level,  we would find that "winning consistently" requires a complex combination of having:  supportive administration,  admissions, focused athletic department,  quality coaching, quality recruiting/players, attractive geography, tradition of winning, supportive alumni/fans and other variables that all combine to elevate the program.   

For NCAC Programs such as Wabash & Witt to be able to maintain their programs at a high level for as long as they have is a a real testament to both schools.   As fans, alumni or students it is very easy for us to take for granted just how hard it actually is and how much is involved to field a winning team.   In most cases,  is much more than "We have a good coach and had a few good recruiting classes."

Program momentum has to be a fragile thing and very hard to turn when it is going in a negative direction.   

[DadofBashWarrior..]

Who's going to the Wheaton scrimmage? I will buy you a drink at Wabash/Witt if you PERISCOPE the game ( https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/periscope/id972909677?mt=8 ).

PLEEEEEEEEEASE.

I will be at the scrimmage at 1pm as I have heard from the Wheaties on this. I will however not be using periscope. I will report back Sunday sometime.

Also note my son has moved from NCAA D3 to NAIA...Press release from Feb below...



Cards Hire Andrew Rode as New Offensive Coordinator and Quarterbacks Coach

Football - Wed, Feb. 11, 2015 By Justin Litzner
(Ann Arbor, MI) – The Concordia University football program is pleased to announcing the hiring of the newest member of their coaching staff, Andrew Rode!

Rode, a Wabash College alum, will be entering his first season as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for the Cardinals.

Rode comes to Concordia from Greenville College where he served as the offensive coordinator for two years and helped the program amass a 16-4 record.  Both seasons, the offense was ranked 3rd in total rushing in the country.  In 2013, the offense averaged 473ypg placing them 18th in the NCAA, and in 2014, Rode led Greenville College to 29th in the NCAA in total offense rolling up 467ypg. During his five seasons at Greenville, the team went 38-14 with three NCCAA Victory Bowl appearances.

Prior to Greenville, Rode coached wide receivers at Anderson University in Indiana.

After growing up in the Chicago suburbs, Rode graduated from Wabash College with the highest four year win total in school history at 40-7.  He was a part of a class that won four consecutive NCAC conference championships and was a three year letter winner as a wide receiver as he served on the servant leadership council.  Rode also ran track and was a three year letter winner and NCAC All-Conference high jumper.

Andrew and his wife Joy were married in 2011. They currently live in Ypsilanti and are expecting their first child shortly.

Rode had this to say about his new coaching position, "I am very excited to be joining the Concordia football program. This is a vibrant and growing college that will support us in our effort to build a dynamic, successful offense and football program. We will maximize the potential of the offensive talent that we have by creating an explosive, exciting brand of offense."

Email: Andrew.rode@cuaa.edu

Phone Office: 734-995-7494

Phone Cell: 847-337-5065