FB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[ACRULZ]

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.

I have not been around Adrian long but one thing I do know is that people LOVE Coach Lyall!  He is an all-around great guy.  I could not be happier having my nephew play for him!  He produces quality young men and he actually cares about the kids more than he does winning or being named Coach of the Year.  The kids love this guy!  That was evident at the end of the Alma game this year.  After the game was over the players chanted "Lyall!  Lyall!" over and over again.  It was a great thing to see!  I agree with you when you say he should be able to leave on his own terms.  If there were more coaches in college football like him I have a feeling we wouldn't see all of the off-the-field stuff that goes on with players these days.


BTW, sad day to hear what happened to Sean Taylor.  My prayers are with his family.

[ADAWGISADAWG4LIFE]

formerd3db and ACRULZ:

Just adding a little more on the firing Lyall being a bad decision.  As much as President Docking wants to win now and win big, that is not what Division III football is entirely about, there are no NFL players, there are no TV contracts and there are no 14 million dollar bowl games.  There is however the growth and learning one goes through in 4 years of collegiate football, both as a player and a person.  Lyall has always been good in guiding young men to make the right choices, to take their academics seriously because thats what will last and to be accountable for your own actions.  He instills a great individual pride in the players as well as a pride in the school and program that is truly exceptional.  During my time at Adrian from 2000-2007 as a player and coach the majority of kids that came to Adrian cited Coach Lyall as well as the coaching staff as the big reason for attending Adrian.  When my freshman class came in to Adrian there was no field, there was no facilities, it was Jim Lyall that got kids on campus with his enthusiasm and pride in the school.  Even in down years players never quit on him, 2-8 or 8-2 everyone played and plays for coach Lyall.  If the administration ever made the decision to remove Lyall from his position it would be a monumental mistake as there would be almost 20 years of football Alumni who would most certainly take offense to the decision and I know myself personally would have no involvement with the program if they should ever move in that direction.  At the end of the day winning is what matters, it is what people will remember but it is not the only thing, as long as Lyall has the kids on his side, runs a clean trouble free program and stays true to the identity of Division III football he should always have a place at Adrian and should only leave on his terms when he sees fit.  The same should be true for any coach, whether it is Rundle at Albion, Kreps at Hope or any other coach in Division III.

[Stinger]

I think it's best for both parties that Coach Brooks resigned.  I don't think that he really understood the challenges of being at a Division III school, especially at a school like Kalamazoo that doesn't lend its support to athletics in general. I believe that you need to find a Kalamazoo football alumnus.  Two names that come to mind immediately are Jamie Zorbo and Jeff Sokol.   Zorbo is a 2000 grad that played under Rogers and followed him to Depauw. He is currently the Linebakers coach.  Sokol is a 1996 grad who started at Defiance and has been on the University of Chicago coaching staff for 8 years, offensive coordinator for the last 3 years. I believe Sokol was on the final list before Brooks one the job.  I know Jeff personally, and think that he would be an excellent candidate. 

[bulldogalum]

I will join the bandwagon of support for Jim Lyall.  He's as enthusiastic as they come--and not just about football, but about the success of his kids in life.  I think he represents both Adrian College and the MIAA in a great way, and he has really developed a fine program at Adrian.  I'm glad to see him continue to receive the support of his players, coaches, former coaches, and interested parties throughout the state and hope he continues to coach the Bulldogs for quite some time.

[ADAWGISADAWG4LIFE]

Stinger:

Good points, I had the same kind of thoughts when they first hired Brooks.  Kzoo isnt exactly a college that someone without experience and an idea of what it is all about can come in and succeed with.  For K hiring from the family may be the best move as they would be more attached and more in tune with what the program needs and what it could take to be successful.

That being said K still needs to step up its commitment to its football team as it has for several other sports.  While I agree that K will never cancel its football program if it continues to bring in 11 freshman than it may not have a choice it is a numbers game and even though K has never had huge numbers, 11 freshman will kill a program.

[D306]

My son and I had friends whom played for Kazoo.
They told us to come to Kazoo as he would play right away due to numbers. Not that he was some stud player. He did play elsewhere.
We did not make that choice, not based on Football but on programs offered and cost/scholarships elsewhere.

All I am trying to say is the numbers issue has been going on for a while now.
Great school, in a major city, strong Academics has had success in other sports.
I do not think it would be that hard to generate more support if the school wanted to. The program needs some financial support to bring the grounds and the faciluties up.
Visual impression is huge on a 17-18 year kid trying to decide if he wants to play, and if so is this the place. Many people that visit Kazoo are looking more to the educational offering than Football as that is the reputation Kazoo has built and fostered.

[blb]

Stinger, agreed Sokol would be a fine candidate too.

Also Brian Coon, offensive coordinator under Rogers. He may be looking to get out of Cornell and might welcome a chance to come back to Michigan.

However - none of these three have head coaching experience, which may have been part of Brooks' struggles. On the flip side, they are familiar with the college - its philosophy, strengths, weaknesses.

[sac]

I remember Stinger mentioning that the past President, Jones I think, didn't care for athletics much, maybe what we're seeing at Kzoo is just a result of that pseudo neglect, its not just football that has taken a step or two backwards.

On the facilities side, other than the top notch tennis center which no one in the MIAA will ever top, I see Kzoo's facilities slowly sliding down the pecking order in the MIAA hierarchy.

Just look at what Adrian, Hope, Albion, Alma have done, and what Calvin and Olivet are doing or going to do.  In the 17 years I've traveled to Kzoo for a sporting event I've never seen any construction of any kind. 

I'd be interested to know the state of athletics at Trinity, CT, which is where the former Kzoo president went after K I think.

[bonk78]

I hope K hires a coach with passion to light a fire in this program and hopefully the administration (trustees) and the alumni will support the program! There are a few parents of current players that are pushing the administration to upgrade the facilities inorder to show future recruits that the school does support athletics!

[Pat Coleman]

I think it's best for both parties that Coach Brooks resigned.  I don't think that he really understood the challenges of being at a Division III school, especially at a school like Kalamazoo that doesn't lend its support to athletics in general.

He came from a Division III school.

[ACRULZ]

Whatever happened to Coach Rogers from Kazoo?  The last I heard he was at Cornell and then DePauw.  I thought he did a great job for being at Kazoo.

[cave2bens]

Whatever happened to Coach Rogers from Kazoo?  The last I heard he was at Cornell and then DePauw.  I thought he did a great job for being at Kazoo.

Please forgive my intrusion from the dark depths of the NCAC and HCAC boards.
Regarding Coach Rogers at DePauw, there were some major disagreements with the administration a couple of years ago which have been tied up in litigation.  Have heard nothing of the outcome (geez, that sounded like Jack Webb...)  

Wes Anderson, esteemed columnist for the South Region for ATN, formerly DPU3619, and distinguished Dannie alumnus, might be able to provide perspective of that affair.  

[HOF]

Rogers was very good.  He does however say what is on his mind.  Sometimes that is not the right thing to do.  Anyways he is now on the west side of the state coaching GR West Catholic or something like that.  Maybe somebody can find the exact location for him.

Looks like Michigan might get Les after all.

[Stinger]

Coach Rogers was a helluva coach at K.  He constantly butted heads with the administration at Kzoo , specifically Jones (much like Coach Haklin).   As far as Depauw goes, I know a little about what went down due to his resignation. I do not know where litigation stands if there is any.

I did a little digging, and Coach Rogers was with GR Catholic Central this past fall. From the CC website:

Tim Rogers has been with us since the spring and has already made a positive impact on the student athletes at Catholic Central. Tim will be teaching Physical Education, Business and is our new Varsity Football coach. Tim is a veteran educator and coach who has worked primarily at the collegiate level. He has been a very successful coach and teacher at DeLaSalle Catholic High School in Chicago, Kalamazoo College, Eastern Michigan University, Cornell University and most recently at DePauw University in Indiana. We are excited to have Tim join our staff

I will try to find out what I can about what the direction of the Athletic Department at Kzoo in terms of a new hire.

[ACRULZ]

Thanks for the info on Coach Rogers!