FB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[ADAWGISADAWG4LIFE]

Well after watching LSU drop one to Arkansas, they arent in the national championship hunt anymore, maybe Les Miles will end up at U of M.

[formerd3db]

Somehow, I think he will.  However, as Gary Barnett (the former coach and one of the  current ESPN analysts), I hope Michigan approaches this process with class.  I think they will, but would be surprised if they don't.

Who do you pick as the winner of these two games  Central (IA) game and the Curry game today?

[sac]

Curry of course! 

[formerd3db]

Some interesting scores from the playoffs yesterday.  Curry got blasted, although from what others said, they were the best team in a conference that wasn't as good this year.  Anyway, does anyone feel any of the remaining teams has a chance to upset Mount Union?  Obviously, the SJF game should be a good one, given those two teams contest in the playoffs last year.  Central was surprising in handling St. Johns, but also WisWW and Wabash are still in the running, as is Mary H-B from Texas.

Any news about any coaching staff changes (based on the fan "rumblings" this season) at Kazoo, Albion?  With the 7-3 season, saved Adrian as some of you mentioned.  Just curious.

Also, did anyone hear what the "problem" was at Defiance with their hc Taylor?

[Pat Coleman]

Obviously, the SJF game should be a good one, given those two teams contest in the playoffs last year.  Central was surprising in handling St. Johns ...

I wouldn't say it's obvious based on last year's game. Last year's Central/St. John's game was a good one last year and it wasn't this year.

[formerd3db]

Actually, Pat, from a general standpoint, it would seem that it would have been a good game i.e. close game this year (having seen Central play and also that St. John's was not having their usual stellar year).  However, you are right, it wasn't a good game this year from the fan's standpoint (except for Central's fans, of course ) in the sense that the Georgia/Kentucky game was yesterday!

[D306]

D3DB


Do you know something we dont?

I have heard rumblings RE: Kazoo and Albion also.

Kazoo is a tough job, the numbers are very low.
Seems to me that Kazoo alters the game plan for the talent they have, numbers and the size of those players are both very small.
I think the College as a whole needs to buy into the program and spend some money and energy to bring the program up. Could a new coach fire this up? Possibly, I think more is on the College itself.

Albion is a little more troubling. I expect more from Albion, they have history and nice field and good numbers in program.
I think 2007 season was hurt by lack of Experience on the field, very young. Is that on Coach, your call.
Loss of 2 Senior LB's really was evident when DB's lead team in tackles. Needed support on the run, to get off the field.
2008 is critical team returns most of the starters and have few long trips to go for games.  Is the "new" Admin Sports Friendly? New President attended and participated at the home games I attended. I know the Alums especially 90's group wants to see the dominance return.

I do not value the "Higher Stds" comment that I hear for Kazoo,
Hope and Albion are plenty selective and have high standards for the incoming students. I know several current players whom maintain 3.7 and higher GPA's that are performing at a high level in this league.

I think next year is a big year for several coachs in the league, for different reasons.
TSU can they keep the momenteum, OC now that several key people graduate what happens? Hope Booko, and some good linemen are gone now what? Alma the spread never fails to create offense can defense get better? Adrain the pressure remains Big money has been spent expectations are high in league not easy out of league games.

Should be a good off season to see the recruits and transfers that make a difference.

MIAA needs to be like GVSU load up on JC, and D1 transfers to build a stud team.
OOPS did I say that, now that GVSU is a power it is not quite as prevalent as it was in the past. Winning brings recruits less need for JC and Transfers.

[bonk78]

Coach Brooks resigned effective immediately!

[formerd3db]

D306:

Thanks for sharing your thoughts and opinions regarding Albion for next year.  As far as Hope, with Booko's departure, we already have an able returning RB in Jones as he was a part-time starter this year with some +100 yard games.  Hopefully, some one will step-up for the second RB.

No, I didn't know anything more than you or others regarding the just noted Brooks resignation at Kazoo.  However, it is not surprising as there were rumors during the season he would leave after it was concluded.  These were general rumors and I can't tell you any sources since I truly don't know where they actually came from but only that I "heard" them from some alumni.  Also, recall that he is an "east coast" guy (Va) so it wouldn't surprise me if he ended up going back to that region.

From the press release that Pat has posted on the front page here, it appears that the President and AD are committed to improving the fb program.  Kazoo will never drop it, but they do need to continue working on gaining further support from alumni and also trying to get more faculty support from the general faculty, which to my understanding, has been one of the longtime traditional problems there, among others.

As far as Albion, you would know more than the rest of us on that; it will be interesting to see if the administration would push for a coaching change if they have another losing season next year.

Jr. College and DI transfers less likely to happen in a general trend in the MIAA.  While there have been the latter on occasion in recent years at some of the schools, it is not a routine happening.  Besides, the cost of going to an MIAA school sometimes is a difficult aspect for some, unless, they qualify for the general aid/grants, academic and other scholarships available to the all students.  As I and others have mentioned in the past, the increased opportunities at the DII schools in our state and the Midwest region has affected the recruiting for MIAA and other DIII schools in the region.

It will be interesting to see who Kazoo picks for the new hc.  Keep us posted on anything you hear.

[HOF]

Coach Brooks is gone....best of luck to him. 

Do we (the MIAA) have any assistants in the league to take over these jobs?  I always see in other leagues coaches changing schools all over to other schools.  Sure would be good to see someone else from our league become a coach.  Good for the league.  Somebody in the league might understand what it takes at Kzoo, but then again maybe they wouldn't.

I heard today from a coach in the MIAA that Adrian is opening up with Capital next year.  That is an upgrade.  Either somebody from Adrian reads this board or somebody said lets do it from the AD.  I'd be interested to hear how they hooked up with them. Good for the league, I guess!  Ouch?

Black Monday in the coaching ranks for DI schools....ouch!

[D306]

Wow things happen fast today on the board.

Best of luck for Brooks, be interested to see where he is headed.

I was being somewhat fecisus about JC and D1 transfers, cost and recognition would be a big issue. DIII is not typically that sports orientated

I would like to see more emphasis be put on performance in the league though. No reason MIAA can not win a playoff game once in a while.
There is enough talent in the Great Lakes area, the educational value in the MIAA I feel is very good. Many students will get some assistance and this will bring the cost within reason compared to most state schools. I am basing this on student athletes whom have a good ACT, GPA. If you are not getting much assistance then MIAA is expensive, as is all private schools.

Regarding Jones the younger RB at Hope, please do not remind me Hope put a ton of yards on the Brits with the tandem this year. LOL

[ACRULZ]

Actually Adrian has been scheduled to play Capital in 2008 for more than a year now.  From what I hear this was a decision made entirely by the coaching staff.

[ADAWGISADAWG4LIFE]

Coach Brooks was in a tough situation that may have amounted to a no win, its my opinion that the best that program is and was capable of with the low level of support and commitment from the College is the 4-5 win seasons Coach Rogers was able to get.  Until the school decides to take its football more seriously than a JV highschool team any coach will find it a rough going.  With the overbearing academic standards and lack of financial aid packages or scholarships for incoming students football will continue to struggle.  If the school has anymore of the 11 freshman recruiting classes that it had last season the team and program could die.  I do not envy any coach who ends up at K next and I for one would be looking for some form of commitment from administration (i.e. TSU) before I would even touch that job.

formerd3db:

Obviously the rumblings at Kzoo turned out to be correct.  As for Albion everything I have heard is that Rundle's job is safe.  The man has an incredible track record at Albion despite complaints from fans and alumni recently, sure they went 2-8 this year but they did win the MIAA two years ago and everyone goes through rebuilding at some point, it just took Rundle longer than most to get to that point which is a testament to his coaching and recruiting ability.  In watching Albion play they have some good young talent but suffered from some injuries and players returning out of shape, on top of the fact that there were serious issues that I saw with their defensive coordinator, I think they would be well served to make a change there.

The Adrian coaching staffs jobs are safe, the win against Alma was a big one for the coaches and the team. While I cannot say for certain that they would have lost their jobs had they failed to beat Alma, I would have placed a wager that they would. 

Regarding Capital on the schedule, that has been scheduled since before last season.  Before Aaron Klotz left Adrian he set the schedule in order and one of the big upgrades he made was to add Capital to the schedule and increase the strength of Adrians non conference schedule.

On another note I have heard rumblings that Aaron Klotz is in the final runnings for the head coaching job at Bluffton University, a position I am sure he would bring some enthusiasm and energy to.

[HOF]

ACRULZ:  Thanks!

ADAWG:  Thanks!  I'm very happy that Adrian has decided to upgrade their schedule with Capital.  The good news is that AC upgraded their schedule, the bad news is AC upgraded their schedule with Capital.  Nothing to lose by playing that powerhouse.  Hopefully not a QB??

Kzoo has been a tough place to coach and recruit to.  If they only lowered those standards a tad....the potential would be unlimited, I think??   WMU right across the street, DIII school in a major DI town in Michigan.  The facility is pretty bad and the price tag is crazy, but hey new blood, we'll see.

Good to hear that a former MIAA guy is up for another job.  If I recall, Adrian and Bluffton tangled for the last couple years.  Is that game still set?  If so that would be a quick "homecoming".  Good luck to him.

Well Thanksgiving is gone, now all I hear on the radio is Christmas music.  I like it, but it kind makes me say....where the hell did the time go?  I thought I was just reading that football was starting in three weeks?

[formerd3db]

DAWG:

Thanks for your info.  I did not know that Bluffton was looking for a new head coach - I will have to check their website.  As I recall, the hc there has been at the college for a long time as an assistant before taking over about 5 years ago or so when the former longtime coach retired.  Hopefully, Klotz will get the job - he would be a great asset to them. 

As far as Kazoo, as I said, they will never drop the program, IMO.  However, I agree with your and HOF's assesments.  It is a tough sell, but perhaps some youn alum who played for them and knows the situation, such as the young man who is currently their interim head coach, might be the answer.  He would know how to approach the administration and other aspects in attempting to improve the program, as opposed to bringing in yet another "outsider".  It still would be a difficult and slow process, but not impossible.  All of you need to remember that this very same situation was at Olivet for years and years and people said they would never get to a level which they are now (then again, all you are too young to remember that, which means I am really an old "former"! ).  Anywaya, they do need to upgrade the facilities there, even though they did a little in recent years (the locker room, iron gates at the "new" side entrance and new visitors stands).  Presssbox is horrible!  I'd start there, keep the home stands as is, but obviously with new seats and, of course, add the new style synthetic turf.  The soccer teams could use that as well.  Just my thoughts.  Anyway, as you both said, it will be interesting to see what happens there in the new coach selection process.

Albion will rebound I don't doubt it.  As for Adrian, yeah, I guess a 7-3 season does wonders, even if you didn't win the title.  Still, firing Lyall would not be a good move IMO, he should be allowed to go out on his own terms when he's ready.