FB: North Coast Athletic Conference

aueagle · January 06, 2008, 08:25:26 AM

I would think that Wabash will have their Coach in place by the middle of February.
As mentioned in many posts...."No Rush To Judgement"...The right man will surface and the faithful will be happy.....I think he can come from D2 or even a D1 program, BUT, he has to have D3 in his resume. I don't think he has to have been a Head Coach, as some think. GO BISHOPS

wally_wabash · January 06, 2008, 02:05:23 PM

Quote from: aueagle on January 06, 2008, 08:25:26 AM
I would think that Wabash will have their Coach in place by the middle of February.

I would hope it doesn't take that long. I would think that Wabash could have this search wrapped up in 2-3 more weeks. At most.

formerd3db · January 06, 2008, 03:05:07 PM

Quote from: wally_wabash on January 06, 2008, 02:05:23 PM
Quote from: aueagle on January 06, 2008, 08:25:26 AM
I would think that Wabash will have their Coach in place by the middle of February.

I would hope it doesn't take that long. I would think that Wabash could have this search wrapped up in 2-3 more weeks. At most.

I agree with you Wally and would hope so. Even at the DIII level, these months from January to March are important in recruiting for prospective student-athletes, including those who might be entertaining offers from the other levels.

BTW, any further general (or inside

) info as to the current list of candidates for Wabash that are being considered?

WallyFS4 · January 07, 2008, 11:17:31 AM

I think we need to have someone in place the end of January at the latest. With the offical signing period starting February 6th the week after this should really heat up for all other division to finalize players. I want to make sure we get the right person, but also don't want to fall behind any more than we already are on the recruiting trail. I'm sure the rest of the remaining assistants are working the recruiting trail hard. As always.

WABASH ALWAYS FIGHTS!

BashBacker#16 · January 07, 2008, 01:42:03 PM

I would be shocked if it went beyond January. There is a Board of Trustees Winter meeting around the 25th of January - seems like an ideal time to introduce the new coach.

Hopefully things will heat up now...

The national coaches convention is going on this week in Anaheim some hopefully that will not delay things.

Wabash Always Fights!

seventiesraider · January 07, 2008, 05:36:41 PM

Admittedly I was not familar with the Assistant coach situation at Wabash but as this developed I wondered why there was no one pulling for his favorite in house coach to be the next HC. I was surprised to see the lack of tenure on the Wabash staff: one coach who has been around more than two years. Is there a reason for this? Does anyone beyond me see this as a major red flag to any head coach who wants "hit the ground running?" I guess it would be great if the candidate wanted to bring a couple of staff members with him, but still why so few long term coaches??

BashBacker#16 · January 07, 2008, 08:13:40 PM

Seventiesraider,

Valid question but not much behind it, really. CC's staff was typically made up of the following:

*Head Coach & OC - Chris Creighton
*D Coordinator & LBs - Neal Neathery (has been with CC since his first head job at Ottawa, 11 years!) - followed him to Drake
*O-Line - Jake Gilbert - Wabash grad former D-line standout, Ben Davis grad, excellent coach, formerly head coach at North Montgomery H.S., followed Coach Jozwiak - I think 5 years with CC
*DBacks/Special Teams - Tom Allen - replaced HuffyLegend, formerly head coach at Ben Davis H.S., great hire, followed Ward 4 years, Lemmond 2 years
*Running Backs - Steve House - has been on the Wabash staff for 22 years
*core staff guys (other position coaches are full time during season)
TE's - Ryan Flynn
D-line - Ben Needham
WRs - Eugene Will
OLBs - Aaron Selby

The new coach will have Gilbert, Allen, and House and those 3 bring a lot to the table with varied backgrounds and solid contributors. I certainly wouldn't say the new coach will not have much there. In fact, the new coach can bring his O-coordinator and/or D-coordinator which I think helps. On a side note, I believe Coach Gilbert and Coach Allen are candidates for CC's successor.

seventiesraider · January 07, 2008, 08:38:36 PM

Thanks for the insight. With the departure of the top two, it just seemed there wasn't much of an experienced core group left.

BashBacker#16 · January 07, 2008, 08:53:03 PM

I can see the new HC (if we go outside) being a D guy, bringing their own OC. If they will serve as the OC (like Coach Creighton), they could have the option to bring their DC. I would think Coach Allen would be a likely DC if the opportunity is there.

I think this is another selling point to the job and the current situation.

aueagle · January 08, 2008, 11:56:49 AM

Hanover put Joe Austin in charge of Panther football....
Was the OC at Univ. of Dubuque...
Young (27 yrs?)...former college QB...
Even thought the clock is ticking for the LG's....I still feel that the placement must be secured by mid-February.....

"I shall serve no fries before their time"
Brad Hamilton - Fast Times At Ridgemont High

wally_wabash · January 08, 2008, 02:51:36 PM

Quote from: aueagle on January 08, 2008, 11:56:49 AM
Even thought the clock is ticking for the LG's....I still feel that the placement must be secured by mid-February.....

Again...there's no way this search carries on for another 5-6 weeks. It just isn't going to happen. This will be done by the end of January at the latest. Frankly I'd be shocked if it takes that long.

BashBacker#16 · January 08, 2008, 05:59:19 PM

It will be interesting comparing Hanover's hire to the one Wabash will make soon. Not saying that this is necessarily a bad thing but I did not realize how "green" Joe Austin is - http://www.hanover.edu/abouthanover/newsevents/?article=austin - Apparently 27 years old. Should be interesting to watch...

formerd3db · January 08, 2008, 06:39:21 PM

BashBacker:

You think Hanover's new coach is "green", how about both Bluffton's and Kazoo's new hires?

Both guys are young also. I think they have a good chance of doing well (especially with good supporting coaching staff which is so important as you know well yourself and have mentioned the same re: Wabash) and I wish them both (actually all three) all the best.

gobash83 · January 08, 2008, 07:01:59 PM

Here is a random thought...are schools going with "younger" coaches because of the belief that they will relate better to today's students?

I draw an analogy to my profession (and I am sure others) where there is an ongoing debate over how to relate to this latest generation as they enter the work force, given the apparent difference in work ethic and sources of motivation for success. I think some of this discussion is cyclical (i.e. "what's a matter with kids today" type stuff) or just overblown. However, perhaps these recent hires of younger head coaches reflects a conscious strategy rather than having to "settle".

scotty · January 08, 2008, 07:09:07 PM

Quote from: gobash83 on January 08, 2008, 07:01:59 PM
Here is a random thought...are schools going with "younger" coaches because of the belief that they will relate better to today's students?

I draw an analogy to my profession (and I am sure others) where there is an ongoing debate over how to relate to this latest generation as they enter the work force, given the apparent difference in work ethic and sources of motivation for success. I think some of this discussion is cyclical (i.e. "what's a matter with kids today" type stuff) or just overblown. However, perhaps these recent hires of younger head coaches reflects a conscious strategy rather than having to "settle".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fMMg-L7Lqu4

let the process begin...