FB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[formerd3db]

Miscellaneous:

Olivet's attendance numbers for their five home games were 1005, 6175, 1085, 2005, 4025 = 14,395 total for average of 2,579.  Very good for them.

Hope's attendance for five home games was 3095, 1874, 2031, 1401, 1245 = 9,646 total for average of ~1,929.  Okay, but not great, although I personally believe there were more in attendance at the last two games.

For Pat:

I realize it is a lot of work, however, any plans that you (or one of your staff) will put together the average attendance list for all the DIII schools sometime in the off-season after the Stagg Bowl like you have for some years in the past?  That is always interesting to read, at least for us readers in the off-season.  If you aren't. I totally understand, however, if you end up doing it, thanks!

It's actually not that much work for me, because mostly we're just republishing a news release the NCAA already issues. We just write a different first few paragraphs.

We haven't always gotten that story on the site because it comes during the heavy part of the basketball season, but now with me taking a huge step back on D3hoops.com there's no reason I shouldn't have the ability to get that on D3football.com in February or whenever it comes out.

Thanks Pat.  I/we'll look forward to it when it comes out, whenever you get the opportunity to do so depending on your schedule.  Appreciate your time and effort on that.  Also, I guess I missed somewhere that (or otherwise was simply unaware) that you were cutting back on your time spent on D3hoops.com  I, admittedly, do not follow the hoops boards much at all (only occasionally), yet certainly do understand the enormous amount of time it requires for you to oversee that and d3football, etc., etc.  So totally understand you cutting back, but absolutely glad you will continue full-steam with the football!   Hope your Thanksgiving with your family was a good one.

[Pat Coleman]

Thanks -- it was a great holiday, always my favorite. Hope yours was well.

And yes, full steam on football. All the steam!

[Mr. Ypsi]

Thanks -- it was a great holiday, always my favorite. Hope yours was well.

And yes, full steam on football. All the steam!

You disguise your preferences very well - until fairly recently I thought you were a basketball first sort of guy!

[Pat Coleman]

We definitely had basketball first -- but there's something about the natural weekly flow of football that makes it really a joy to put together. The fact that there are games every day, practically, in basketball, makes it really difficult to create the same sort of weekly rhythm and flow on the website and balance game coverage and features and the rest.

[formerd3db]

Mr. Ypsi:

I did you purchase your bowl game tickets and book your flight and hotel reservations in the Bahamas yet for Eastern Michigan's big trip?   Good luck to Eastern.

In other topics:  I was very surprised to see that Ferris State upset Grand Valley State at the latter's stadium yesterday in the NCAA Div. II quarterfinals.  Grand Valley was ranked No. 2 in the nation, there were +12,000 at the game (a little less than their usual ~16, 000 for home games).  Great accomplishment for Ferris State, however, they will have a tough test next weekend in the semis because the play perennially tough Northwest Missouri State, who has won the DII championship before if I recall correctly.  Regardless, this is as far as Ferris State has advanced in the playoffs since 1995.  The last two years, they have been knocked off in the first round, one of those years, they were ranked No. 1 in the nation.  Good luck to them.

[Mr. Ypsi]

Mr. Ypsi:

I did you purchase your bowl game tickets and book your flight and hotel reservations in the Bahamas yet for Eastern Michigan's big trip?   Good luck to Eastern.

In other topics:  I was very surprised to see that Ferris State upset Grand Valley State at the latter's stadium yesterday in the NCAA Div. II quarterfinals.  Grand Valley was ranked No. 2 in the nation, there were +12,000 at the game (a little less than their usual ~16, 000 for home games).  Great accomplishment for Ferris State, however, they will have a tough test next weekend in the semis because the play perennially tough Northwest Missouri State, who has won the DII championship before if I recall correctly.  Regardless, this is as far as Ferris State has advanced in the playoffs since 1995.  The last two years, they have been knocked off in the first round, one of those years, they were ranked No. 1 in the nation.  Good luck to them.

Nope.  Haven't even been to Rynearson in a few years.  By the time I realized these guys might be for real, it was getting too cold to enjoy.  We took a real nice late winter trip to the southwest last winter (record highs in New Mexico), but going to the Bahamas in early winter would be too painful.  With a late winter sunshine trip, you return to early spring; with an early winter trip to the tropics you come back to a LONG winter (and have lost any advantage of starting to get used to the cold! ) 

I admit I assumed GVSU would have little trouble with Ferris St.  I think GVSU might have handled NWMS, but I suspect Ferris will have trouble.

[sac]

Mr. Ypsi:

I did you purchase your bowl game tickets and book your flight and hotel reservations in the Bahamas yet for Eastern Michigan's big trip?   Good luck to Eastern.

In other topics:  I was very surprised to see that Ferris State upset Grand Valley State at the latter's stadium yesterday in the NCAA Div. II quarterfinals.  Grand Valley was ranked No. 2 in the nation, there were +12,000 at the game (a little less than their usual ~16, 000 for home games).  Great accomplishment for Ferris State, however, they will have a tough test next weekend in the semis because the play perennially tough Northwest Missouri State, who has won the DII championship before if I recall correctly.  Regardless, this is as far as Ferris State has advanced in the playoffs since 1995.  The last two years, they have been knocked off in the first round, one of those years, they were ranked No. 1 in the nation.  Good luck to them.

NW Missouri St. has won 2 of the last 3 titles and 5 overall and are defending champions.  They have the rather dubious distinction of having lost 4 straight national championship games from 2005 to 2008.  (twice to GVSU) but playing for the D2 title 9 times in 19 years you run that risk I guess.


NWMSt was the opponent during a semi-final game when GVSU was losing.  GVSU Coach Chuck Martin decided very late in the game in absolutely awful cold rainy conditions to run across the field to tell the NWMSt. coach he would not call timeout to stop the clock and to just run the ball into the line.  One of the oddest things I remember seeing during a game.

[DBQ1965]

I was at the Grand Valley - Ferris game and also was surprised at the outcome.  The Lakers fell behind early 5-0    (safety and fg) and never quite got into sync.  Some big Laker plays were answered immediately by Ferris and even when GVSU closed to within 2 at the half and then went ahead with a good drive to open the third quarter, Ferris came right back and maintained control for the rest of the game.  I wouldn't underestimate Ferris against Northwest Missouri. Tony Anneise has matured as a college coach and the Bulldogs should give a good accounting of themselves.

[Mr. Ypsi]

As far as Michigan MAC coaches:  I think EMU is safe from "poaching" for at least one more year, but would be surprised if WMU's Coach Fleck doesn't get "an offer you can't refuse".  Anyone have a guess on where he coaches next season?

[sflzman]

As far as Michigan MAC coaches:  I think EMU is safe from "poaching" for at least one more year, but would be surprised if WMU's Coach Fleck doesn't get "an offer you can't refuse".  Anyone have a guess on where he coaches next season?

I would've thought he was the ideal candidate for the Purdue.  Midwest guy.  Grew up about two hours from West Lafayette.  I definitely think I like him better than Jeff Brohm there. 

Cincinnati is the only other one that's intriguing, but IMO I think he's better off at Western than Cincy. (And as far as I'm aware there hasn't been a peep about his name and that job)

[formerd3db]

As far as Michigan MAC coaches:  I think EMU is safe from "poaching" for at least one more year, but would be surprised if WMU's Coach Fleck doesn't get "an offer you can't refuse".  Anyone have a guess on where he coaches next season?

I would've thought he was the ideal candidate for the Purdue.  Midwest guy.  Grew up about two hours from West Lafayette.  I definitely think I like him better than Jeff Brohm there. 

Cincinnati is the only other one that's intriguing, but IMO I think he's better off at Western than Cincy. (And as far as I'm aware there hasn't been a peep about his name and that job)

sflzman:

Good to see you back again posting (even if only occasionally).  I agree in that he would have been a good choice for Purdue, but they were going with "a Purdue alum guy".  As far as Cincy, that is not a bad job, however, he certainly has the high potential of establishing a real dynasty at Western if he stays.  I recall years ago when Schembechler called Western one of the worst jobs in the country, however, that, understandably, was after some of his former assistant(s) there were fired.  On a tangent topic, in checking out Western's football website, I recall one of their assistant coaches "way back when" who was recruiting my brother for fb (Michigan was also considering him for fb as well); I "googled" that coach and found out that after leaving Western, he finished his coaching career with East Carolina, then left coaching and then established an extremely successful financial planning company that he owns, which is doing very well today in North Carolina.  (of course, you already know "the rest of the story" re: my brother...his first love was baseball and he wanted to play both in college and the big schools (Western and U of M) said they were only interested in allowing him to play fb if they offered him a scholarship, so he ended up at Alma and had a great career in both sports. 

But, I digressed-sorry. Back to Fleck.  It would be sad to see him leave, yet as many have discussed here in the past on this board and the others regarding this same topic, no one can blame him for leaving for a ton of more $ than he will ever get at Western in the MAC.  I tend to see him leaving since he has already had a taste of successful assistant coaching the the NFL.  He has said he will not talk to anyone until after their upcoming bowl game at the Cotton Bowl.  It will be interesting to see where he ends up for next year.  BTW, Western's AD is a graduate of Hope (same class as mine) and was a very good athlete there.  She has done a phenomenal job at Western.  Anyway, best wishes to you for an enjoyable and blessed upcoming Christmas and New Years.

[Mr. Ypsi]

Aside from WMU coming up with more money than I assume would be possible, another thing that MIGHT keep Fleck around would be aspirations to become another Boise State.  (Last week's SI had an article on the breakthrough of Boise State to the 'big time' - the 2007 Fiesta Bowl where they beat heavily favored Oklahoma in OT.)  I doubt that EMU could ever be THAT team - the shadow of the Big House is just too great (it's only six miles between Rynearson and Michigan Stadium), and Ann Arbor no longer even has a daily newspaper (the Detroit papers basically ignore the existence of EMU sports).  I have no personal knowledge, but have been told that far more CMU students watch MSU football than CMU football (and that more CMU students spend fall Saturdays in E. Lansing sports bars than in Mt. Pleasant).  Kalamazoo just MIGHT be far enough away from UM and MSU (and Notre Dame) to have a fighting chance at being THE D1 football team for western Michigan.  It's doubtful you could stock a really good football team with just western Michigan recruits, but I doubt Boise State could have gotten anywhere with just Idaho recruits!

Of course, if WMU knocks off Wisconsin in the Cotton Bowl, they are ALREADY Boise State, so all bets are off!

[sac]

Dan Pfifer resigned from Olivet today to take the head coaching job at Walsh.

[formerd3db]

Dan Pfifer resigned from Olivet today to take the head coaching job at Walsh.

I am late in replying to this post as my wife and I were out-of-town celebrating Christmas with our daughters/sons-in-laws this weekend.  Anyway, I am kind of half surprised/half not surprised at this happening.  On one had, I thought perhaps Pfifer would stay at Olivet and continue working on creating somewhat of a "semi-dynasty" at the school (if that is possible at Olivet).  He really has developed the program there to a more than respectable level, which has resulted in not only good retention of players, but great support from their fans including attendance. In reality, that is a huge accomplishment, given Olivet's history, which is really well entrenched in MIAA football history despite their all-time overall poor record (aside from a few bright spots "here and there" such as the Livedoti and Seigler stints.  So in that regard, it is sad to see Pfifer move on.  Yet, on the other hand, it is not surprising.  He is an Ohio native and I suspect the chance to move Walsh into their next level/era was a great opportunity that he couldn't turn down, although that will be quite a challenge IMO, given that school's program. Karras, who was/is a great coach (who had excellent success at in the NAIA at two school, including a recent National Championship at Marion shortly after that program was established, and RHIT as I recall, couldn't quite do it at Walsh.I suspect there were some other "issues" there, however, admittedly, I have no idea other than perhaps "reading something into" one of the newspaper article relations of how difficult it was for them to compete in the GLIAC.  However, with Walsh and nearby Malone, and the other schools Hillsdale, Tiffin, Findley and Ohio Dominican (is Lake Erie leaving too, I believe?) all leaving for the new Ohio DII football league (Great Midwest Athletic Conference), I suspect that Pfifer will do well as he is a great recruiter.  According to the article, he plans on heavily recruiting Ohio and nearby and I imagine that might do well similar to how Grand Valley, Ferris State and even Wayne State have done well in concentrating on regional recruiting.  I would also venture (guess is the better term ) to say that Pfifer will make a better head coaching salary than Olivet was paying him or could ever pay him.  It is sad to see him go, however, I wish him (and his family) all the best.

It will be interesting to see what Olivet does with regard to selecting the next HC.  Will they give one of Pfifer's assistants (several who cam with him from Trine and are pretty much qualified for the position-similar to how Pfifer was) a chance at their first HC position or will they go outside?  A complete overhall of the staff might be a detriment in some measures. 

Also, jumping quickly back to the GLIAC...in one sense, it is sad to see Hillsdale leave.  Yet, despite having a good coaching staff, they have struggled in recent years to compete in that league and I can see where they see themselves as having a much better chance with a new start in the new league, given the current talent of most of those teams that will comprise the league.  Also, despite it being DII and with the exception of Grand Valley (and a few isolated games "here and there" for some of the other teams like Wayne State, Ferris, Northern Michigan and Tech) the average attendance is about the same (or sometimes worse) than the MIAA DIII, although granted, the latter has not been as good in recent years as compared to past years when the top teams were doing great and having much larger attendance-Trine, Albion, and Hope in the latter's better years, and when Alma had their last two championship teams). 

Sorry for the long post, but just throwing out some general personal thoughts for discussion.  Your thoughts/opinions sac and our other collleagues here?

P.S. Enjoyed seeing the Stagg Bowl Friday.  Great game! I also want to commend Pat, Keith and Kevin (and Ryan) for a great broadcast.  I listened to that with the live ESPN visual feed.  I would also just add to one of the other poster's comments over on the other board (OAC I believe) in that I thought the OC's for both UMHB and W-Osh did not call very good games-their play selection was not one of their best I would believe.  But...sometimes, it just goes that way.     

[sflzman]

former -

With the rumors of Minnesota possibly looking for a new head coach in the wake of the sexual assault mess, what do you think of that being the next step for Fleck?

The early name that I've heard is Craig Bohl from Wyoming who obviously had all of the success turning NDSU into a football dynasty.

Regardless, I think Fleck might be a good fit up there. I'd hope if Minnesota does elect to part ways with Claeys that Fleck would get a look.

I also agree with you about Olivet. I would hope that they stay in house. It would be sad to see all of the work that that group has put in to turn that program around pretty much walk out the door.