FB: North Coast Athletic Conference

[BayernFan]

How about Chicago?

[sigma one]

Yes, I forgot.  Wabash played Chicago at least a decade ago.  And there are other schools in the suburbs and downstate.  I recall the LGs playing Benedictine ages ago.  Again, it all depends on the two-way street and on how far out some teams have arranged their schedules.
     I like Wally's tongue-in-cheek suggestion of the SCIAC..  I could use a trip to southern California!  The right thing to do is stay in region, however.

[Li'l Giant]

I recall the LGs playing Benedictine ages ago. 

I think the last time was back when I was still a student so that definitely qualifies as "ages ago".

[wabashcpa]

I was living in Memphis when Wabash visited to play Rhodes (late 90s), selfishly I would love to see that game re-emerge.

[Li'l Giant]

I was living in Memphis when Wabash visited to play Rhodes (late 90s), selfishly I would love to see that game re-emerge.

I know it would never happen because it's out of region but I'd love to see us come to Texas . I've seen baseball and hoops here in Texas before. Would love to add football. We could try to play TLU or Trinity. Or Southwestern. We played Southwestern in lacrosse and baseball a few years back.

[Baldini]

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?   

Just sub Hilbert into Allegheny's spot in the schedule and everyone is covered and Hilbert will have a 9 game schedule for 2022.

[sigma one]

Baldini, I don't know if you are serious or posting this tongue-in-cheek.  Earlier this fall, DIII reported that Hilbert was adding football and would play a "limited schedule" in 2022 and a full schedule in 2023.  If they were willing, they are close enough (Hamburg, NY) to play several of the Ohio teams, but I'm reasonably certain they won't want to take on the top half of the NCAC.

[Pat Coleman]

Hilbert still believes it can schedule 10 games but knowing the reality of scheduling football, we wrote it that way on our story.

[Baldini]

How about Chicago?

With the MWC new alignment for football, each team now only plays one non-conference game and Chicago plays Washington U. as a rival game every year. Until something changes in the MWC, Chicago will not be available for scheduling non-conference games.

[sigma one]

News from Kenyon is that James Rosenbury has resigned as Head Football Coach.  Rosenbury coached for two years, 2019/2021,  The Lords posted 3-7 records in both seasons.  I think he made their team more competitive, at least so they could compete with, and sometimes beat, teams from the bottom of the conference.  The DC has been named interim HC.

[Shamrock]

Mike Ridings is the new defensive coordinator at Wabash.  The IU grad spent the past two years as the DC at Keiser University (NAIA) in Florida.

[sigma one]

So, Ramsey is out as Wabash's DC.  When he was at Oberlin, he didn't win many games; but I thought that generally his teams punched above their weight.  In his early years at Wabash the D was still near the caliber of what had long been established.  Mystery is what happened.  Based on their high school accomplishments (compared to the resumes of those players who came before them) the players this year didn't seem inferior.   But we won't know that until the new DC has established his system.  Wabash has a lot of defensive players returning, so time will tell.
     Still, based on the performance this year I can't say i'm surprised.  Wabash isn't in the habit of firing coaches, so maybe Ramsey just decided he had enough.  Good guy.  I hope if he wants he gets another chance.

[wabashcpa]

So, Ramsey is out as Wabash's DC.  When he was at Oberlin, he didn't win many games; but I thought that generally his teams punched above their weight.  In his early years at Wabash the D was still near the caliber of what had long been established.  Mystery is what happened.  Based on their high school accomplishments (compared to the resumes of those players who came before them) the players this year didn't seem inferior.   But we won't know that until the new DC has established his system.  Wabash has a lot of defensive players returning, so time will tell.
     Still, based on the performance this year I can't say i'm surprised.  Wabash isn't in the habit of firing coaches, so maybe Ramsey just decided he had enough.  Good guy.  I hope if he wants he gets another chance.

If the last three quarters of the Bell game are any indication, there is plenty of talent on the defensive side of the ball.  Which underscores the overall underachievement of that group over the course of the season.  I hope Ridings can bring back the Hard Hat D we have been accustomed to for years.  Looking forward to seeing what he can do.

[Li'l Giant]

I don't think talent has been the issue. It looks like he's been a part of some good NAIA teams. I'm excited to see what he does.

After the "permanent fair catch" thing I'd kinda like to see a revamp of special teams maybe?

[Crawford]

Welcome Mike Ridings to the Little Giant football program.  Finally feel a bit of optimism.  Mike has a nice resume hope it translates at Wabash into a D that we are used too.