FB: North Coast Athletic Conference

[Li'l Giant]

Seems like a good hire for Witt.  I didn't keep track of Collins when he went to SVSU but he did a really good job during his time at Cap.

Those Capital teams were pretty damn good. Witt made a pretty solid hire.

[Crawford]

D3 that was cruel, scoreboard shows Depauw up on WW 7 - 0, 12 minutes into the game.  Video shows score is actually 10 - 0 WW.

[oldtiger]

Seems like a good hire for Witt.  I didn't keep track of Collins when he went to SVSU but he did a really good job during his time at Cap.

Seems he had a little trouble at SVSU "vacating" 20 wins from '13-'17 (https://www.svsucardinals.com/sports/fball/Historical/Year-by-Year_Results/Year_by_year).

Witt's announcement mentions his 5-0 record vs Fincham while at Cap (https://www.wittenberg.edu/news/11-23-21/wittenberg-names-new-head-football-coach); but, fails to mention his overall record of 135-133 and 66-51 in Bexley. My son played DL in Witt's losses in '05 (0-54), '06 (7-57 and 14-32 in playoffs) and '07 (0-13) teams vs Capital. Following playoff loss in '06 he mentioned drastic difference in Cap's linemen's morphology in playoff contest compared to week 1. Seemed to have lost some power, too. Hmm; **** (atrophy of disuse?) happens, I guess. Son also mentioned Rocky had a helluva tan, for what that's worth. Might have just been age spots.

A couple months prior to "Champions Night" on 10/23/21 son informed me team I carried water for and one he played on were being recognized. After getting no definitive info I left a message for Bret Billhardt (https://www.wittenbergtigers.com/information/directory/index) the Thursday prior to game because, well, had a phone number listed. I receive return call from Fincham not Billhardt, confirming event and I can come. Note the 3 listed in Athletics Communications, also, Personally, thought Joe's time might be better spent prepping for the game as Tigers weren't exactly taking names at that point.

At the "Event" I spoke with a former assistant coach who informed me the previous AD, Williams, despised Fincham and, basically, campaigned against him. Reminded me of former Pres Wm Kinnison ramming a crowbar under, or up ? Maurer's ass in the early '80's  by not allowing aid packages to go out to football recruits until some ridiculously late date. Davey had struggled to a 129-23-3 record, 9-2 in the playoffs, while at the helm with only 3 National Titles in 15 years.

Impressed Collins could garner an assistant's position at UD after only one year at West Point. Bobby Knight and "Coach K" failed to accomplish such a move after multiple years at the academy.

Springfield News-Sun reported November 9 that Witt is hiring another Assistant AD to begin Dec 1 (https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/sports/wittenberg-hires-former-nfl-lineman-as-assistant-ad/KPVVOGUJOVGTJFN2Y7XVBZNDWM/). Hey, "It's a solid opportunity" for a guy with a sociology degree from Michigan State and a little AD experience at a Cinci area high school. Expertise doesn't appear to me to be in administration; but, I've been way off before. Kinda think he may get addition duties in the near future; similar to all recent hires in the athletics department: Agler got a VP position while Jeter-Williams only received a Senior AD spot.



It's comforting Witt did a thorough search, taking 4 days after Fincham announced his retirement to fill the position and the financial situation, at least in the athletics department, must be solid.

The Great Carnac sees great things in Witt's future ... if the ball is round. We'll see how successful cronyism is on the gridiron.

[Pat Coleman]

Seems like a good hire for Witt.  I didn't keep track of Collins when he went to SVSU but he did a really good job during his time at Cap.

Seems he had a little trouble at SVSU "vacating" 20 wins from '13-'17 (https://www.svsucardinals.com/sports/fball/Historical/Year-by-Year_Results/Year_by_year).

Witt's announcement mentions his 5-0 record vs Fincham while at Cap (https://www.wittenberg.edu/news/11-23-21/wittenberg-names-new-head-football-coach); but, fails to mention his overall record of 135-133 and 66-51 in Bexley.

You're kidding about the overall record at Capital, right? Did you see the program he took over? Capital did absolutely nothing before Collins got there and he was building a program from scratch.

[Whitecarrera]

Seems like the issues at Saginaw Valley were not his alone, but were more tied to the department as a whole:

https://www.mlive.com/sports/saginaw-bay-city/2019/04/svsu-vacates-395-wins-as-part-of-ncaa-penalties.html

[WAF]

Anyone know how we can watch some of the games this Saturday? If there are links, please let me know. Would love to see Mt. Union - Muhlen game. 

Thanks!

[smedindy]

Seems like a good hire for Witt.  I didn't keep track of Collins when he went to SVSU but he did a really good job during his time at Cap.

Seems he had a little trouble at SVSU "vacating" 20 wins from '13-'17 (https://www.svsucardinals.com/sports/fball/Historical/Year-by-Year_Results/Year_by_year).

Witt's announcement mentions his 5-0 record vs Fincham while at Cap (https://www.wittenberg.edu/news/11-23-21/wittenberg-names-new-head-football-coach); but, fails to mention his overall record of 135-133 and 66-51 in Bexley.

You're kidding about the overall record at Capital, right? Did you see the program he took over? Capital did absolutely nothing before Collins got there and he was building a program from scratch.

And have done nothing since.

[wally_wabash]

Anyone know how we can watch some of the games this Saturday? If there are links, please let me know. Would love to see Mt. Union - Muhlen game. 

Thanks!

You bet!  The D3football.com scoreboard is going have you covered.  Links for video and livestats will be available there.

[WAF]

Anyone know how we can watch some of the games this Saturday? If there are links, please let me know. Would love to see Mt. Union - Muhlen game. 

Thanks!

You bet!  The D3football.com scoreboard is going have you covered.  Links for video and livestats will be available there.

Many thanks - looking forward to a great Saturday of football, however not as great as November 13!

[sigma one]

it's early--but probably not too early-- to be pointing out that with the departure of Allegheny for the PAC several NCAC teams are searching for a tenth football game next year.  So far, D3FB Open Dates page shows DePauw, Denison, Wabash, and Wittenberg with an opening in Week 2.  Denison also posts an opening in Week 10.  Other schools looking for a Week 2 game are Albion, North Central (good luck with that), Brockport, Christopher Newport, Rhodes, Rowan, RPI, Salisbury, Southwestern, and St John Fisher.  Albion and North Central (good luck with that) are the only teams in the Midwest, although Rhodes is not all that far away.  It is possible that not all schools have posted their need for a game with D3, so the scramble is on.  It is also possible that one or more of the NCAC teams have filled that spot and have not taken their name off the list.  Allegheny's late departure has the potential of leaving some teams in the lurch with only 9 games next year.  Let's hope all the teams can find an opponent.
     Worth noting is that the only non-conference game so far for Wabash is a renewal of the series with Hampden-Sydney.  The game is scheduled at Little Giant Stadium in Week 1 next fall.

[Li'l Giant]

it's early--but probably not too early-- to be pointing out that with the departure of Allegheny for the PAC several NCAC teams are searching for a tenth football game next year.  So far, D3FB Open Dates page shows DePauw, Denison, Wabash, and Wittenberg with an opening in Week 2.  Denison also posts an opening in Week 10.  Other schools looking for a Week 2 game are Albion, North Central (good luck with that), Brockport, Christopher Newport, Rhodes, Rowan, RPI, Salisbury, Southwestern, and St John Fisher.  Albion and North Central (good luck with that) are the only teams in the Midwest, although Rhodes is not all that far away.  It is possible that not all schools have posted their need for a game with D3, so the scramble is on.  It is also possible that one or more of the NCAC teams have filled that spot and have not taken their name off the list.  Allegheny's late departure has the potential of leaving some teams in the lurch with only 9 games next year.  Let's hope all the teams can find an opponent.
     Worth noting is that the only non-conference game so far for Wabash is a renewal of the series with Hampden-Sydney.  The game is scheduled at Little Giant Stadium in Week 1 next fall.

I wonder if the NCAC would try another scheduling agreement like we did with the UAA. I know that wasn't universally popular but maybe they'd try it again with another conference.

[wally_wabash]

it's early--but probably not too early-- to be pointing out that with the departure of Allegheny for the PAC several NCAC teams are searching for a tenth football game next year.  So far, D3FB Open Dates page shows DePauw, Denison, Wabash, and Wittenberg with an opening in Week 2.  Denison also posts an opening in Week 10.  Other schools looking for a Week 2 game are Albion, North Central (good luck with that), Brockport, Christopher Newport, Rhodes, Rowan, RPI, Salisbury, Southwestern, and St John Fisher.  Albion and North Central (good luck with that) are the only teams in the Midwest, although Rhodes is not all that far away.  It is possible that not all schools have posted their need for a game with D3, so the scramble is on.  It is also possible that one or more of the NCAC teams have filled that spot and have not taken their name off the list.  Allegheny's late departure has the potential of leaving some teams in the lurch with only 9 games next year.  Let's hope all the teams can find an opponent.
     Worth noting is that the only non-conference game so far for Wabash is a renewal of the series with Hampden-Sydney.  The game is scheduled at Little Giant Stadium in Week 1 next fall.

I wonder if the NCAC would try another scheduling agreement like we did with the UAA. I know that wasn't universally popular but maybe they'd try it again with another conference.

I vote for an NCAC-SCIAC crossover.   

[Baldini]

I would think with the MIAA being a 7 team conference and the HCAC being a 8 team conference and both being next door, that finding an extra non conference game shouldn't be that difficult.

[sigma one]

That depends.  Because those conferences need OOC games, they likely try to schedule early so they don't get caught without 10 games.  As I noted, only Albion seems to be looking for a game in Week 2.  No other teams from those conferences show up on the "need a game" list.  Farther out, I'm guessing that if the NCAC doesn't develop an ongoing arrangement with another conference Wabash and DePauw would be well served by looking close at home at the MIAA and HCAC. Not too long ago the LGs played Albion; Franklin is a little further back.  And, of course, Wabash just finished a scheduled home and home with RHIT, the first of which was not played because of Covid.   The CCIW is close by as well for the Indiana schools.  The PAC might be available for the Ohio schools.  It will be interesting to see how the ADs handle the next few years. 
     Some years ago, during the Raeburn era, Wabash had to find a 10th game.  A few posters asked why didn't they just schedule so and so.  Well, scheduling is a two-way street.  The other team has to agree to play you, too.  I don't know how eager most of the HCAC would be to schedule Wabash or DePauw.  The MIAA might be another matter.  Teams from the top of both conferences might be willing to take on the challenge. 
     Just off the top I can remember (some of them well back) Wabash playing Albion, Hope, Kalamazoo, Hanover, RHIT, Franklin,  Manchester.  And from the OAC Wilmington, and the CCIW Millikin.  They have also played UW Stevens Point recently.  This year, DPU played Butler, but that's a fool's errand.  Another far-fetched possibility, though an intriguing one, is to divide the NCAC into two divisions and play a conference championship game.  But I'm not smart enough to figure out if that is feasible. Or to have another team join the conference.  Who might that be?  Case Western Reserve was once a member, but the thought of travelling to Indiana for all sports may be a game breaker.  They might be comfortable in the PAC because the travel is not nearly so onerous.  Other teams?   

[Li'l Giant]

Farther out, I'm guessing that if the NCAC Another far-fetched possibility, though an intriguing one, is to divide the NCAC into two divisions and play a conference championship game.

I wonder if such an East/West division setup could have prevented Allegheny from leaving. I'm assuming that decision was about more than football. Personally, I don't like the idea of a championship game for a purely selfish reason: the Bell Game would no longer be in the last week of the season. 

     Just off the top I can remember (some of them well back) Wabash playing Albion, Hope, Kalamazoo, Hanover, RHIT, Franklin,  Manchester.  And from the OAC Wilmington, and the CCIW Millikin.

I'd love to get Franklin and Hanover back on the schedule. Same with Albion, Hope, or K-zoo. I wonder if we could get CCIW schools to schedule us. I remember playing Wheaton in the regular season before. We have a long and relatively recent history of playing WashU.