FB: North Coast Athletic Conference

[joepieters]

I agree , it would be cool, but I can't imagine that Metzelaars would go from an NFL assistant to a Div III head coach.

As was said when I mentioned Brock Spack earlier, with this coach we need a guy who intends to make a Div III coaching position his long term destination.

[Li'l Giant]

If not Metzelaars, what about Stan Parrish? He is currently OC at Ball State. That would also be cool.

There's a definite cool factor to having Coach Parrish come back. But realistically how long would he be around? He's been coaching a long time.

I'm with BB16 that our coach needs to be in the late 30s early 40s range.

Eric Koehler, who is 16-4 in two seasons at Wartburg, in the tough IIAC. He played at Hanover, and much like CC is his own offensive coordinator.

Sounds like a good candidate to me. Give him a call Smeds. 

[joepieters]

According to the BSU website, Parrish graduated high school in '64, which would put him in his early sixties.

[wabashcpa]

Barry Lewis' column in the Paper today mentioned a few former Wabash assistants today:

Scott Boone
Pete Germano
Brian Ward

Boone and Germano are Carlson-era, and Ward was an assistant under Creighton.  Boone and Germano both have D-1 experience as assistants and D-3 experience as head coaches.  Ward is currently an NAIA head coach. 

Any thoughts on these guys?

[smedindy]

Germano was the one who started to build up Case from a doormat, but he's at Ohio now. Don't know if he'd want to come home. He's the only Ohio assistant Solich kept when he came into the program, and that program has gone from a laughing stock to at least contending for .500 seasons and bowl games in the MAC. I think he'd be great, and it'd make a former QB that I know happy.

Boone was so-so at RMC. (37-33 by my calculations, and that includes 15-5 after two years.) He's at D-1AA William & Mary. While he had good offenses at RMC, and he's a linebacker coach (?) at W & M, I don't know if he'd be the best fit for Wabash.

Ward is 7-13 at McPherson, which is his alma mater. I doubt if he'd come back, or if he'd be the coach Wabash is looking for.

But again, it doesn't have to be a part of the 'family'. Just a good coach who wants to stay at Wabash a while. Frankly, I thought CC was gone soon after the first playoff appearance, but as soon as I think that he's a lifer, he's gone.

[wally_wabash]

I for one think Ward would be an excellent hire.  He had four years under CC and during his time as an assistant at Wabash our special teams were never better.  He won an AFCA assistant coach of the year award in 2002 (the same award Neathery won this year), so you know he gets it both on the field and off.  He's a monster recruiter...he connected Wabash to the southwest (Arizona) and if I remember correctly he did a lot of his in-state recruiting in southern Indiana which has netted some pretty key players (Russell and Lange to name a couple). 

I'll assume that he'd run a program similar to the one CC ran...what's so unappealing about this? 

[BashBacker#16]

I believe Coach Ward has only been at MacPherson for one season going 4-6 but starting 12 true Frosh.

He left CC's staff for D2 Missouri Southern - head coach died suddenly.  Then was on Kevin Wright's staff at Union H.S. (Wright resigned after 1 season after following a legend).  Then, this past season was the HC for MacPherson.  He's been gone for 3 years. 

[smedindy]

My bad, I looked at the wrong date on the release.

I just don't think Ward would leave his alma mater after one season, and I do think there are better candidates out there.

[wabndy]

I have absolutely zero inside knowledge - but I would have to wonder if Boone or Germano would agree to take a position under Vern Mummert or if it would even be offered to them.  Lest we forget who fired Carlson.  

Anybody got a web link on Barry Lewis' column?

[WallyFS4]

I would have to agree with Wally.

Brian Ward would be a great hire.  If anyone could continue what Chris Creighton has built, it would be Ward.  I believe most of his wife family is close to were they are now.  I believe he does have a sister in Indy.  Wabash would be lucky to hire Brian Ward.  As always.

WABASH ALWAYS FIGHTS!!

[smedindy]

I have absolutely zero inside knowledge - but I would have to wonder if Boone or Germano would agree to take a position under Vern Mummert or if it would even be offered to them.  Lest we forget who fired Carlson. 

Well, Vern may have had a hand, but I think the buck stopped up the food chain ultimately.

[pk14]

Not sure he would entertain the job, but another name I'll throw out there is Chris Wiesehan.  Outstanding Wabash man who held several Wabash receving records before graduating in '94.  He's currently the OL coach at Syracuse and has 13 years of coaching experience including Notre Dame, Purdue and Northern Arizona where he was the OC/Asst. Head Coach.  If you're looking for someone with unbriddled passion, knows the school and could sell the all-male institution---he has all the qualities we're looking for.  Again, not sure he'd entertain the position though.  Below is a link to his coaching bio.....

http://www.suathletics.com/Sports/Football/2007/wiesehanchrisbio.asp

[BashBacker#16]

Did you guys see this?  Pretty strong...from the DesmoinesRegister.com

Jim Tressel, Ohio State football coach, was one of Creighton's references in his job application. In a statement, Tressel described Creighton as "one of the great young coaches in our nation."

"Drake University is in for a wonderful experience and opportunity as Chris takes over their outstanding football program," Tressel said.

PK14 - make the call bro, see if he's interested. 

[smedindy]

Some other coaches of note that may be up for a move:

Rob Huber at MSJ - after a 2-18 record in his first two seasons is now 50-34 at MSJ.

Tom Journell has put together a string of 6-4 records at Elmhurst, which, considering the conference and the area, is pretty good.

We couldn't get Mike Leonard from Franklin, could we?

Mike Sirianni has kept up the tradition at W & J.

Just some names out there. Of course, since Ottawa was NAIA, CC was out of the blue. I haven't looked at coordinators yet.

[LGHistorian]

I'm not trying to burst anyone's bubble here, but historically Wabash does not hire alumni to be head football coaches. The best head coaches, if not all of the head coaches in Wabash football history have come from other colleges. Of course, there can always be a first time.

Another point to be considered would be the increased pressure that comes with returning to your alma mater. Speaking from personal knowledge, my brother who has been in coaching over 30 years never ever considered returning to his home school district to coach. And our parents never wanted him to because of the increased scrutiny from the home fans.

Just my 2 cents worth.