FB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[BOYA87]

That is the greatest compliment I could recieve not as a player but as a person.  Thank You!

[Diezel1]

Haha Adidas, if only you knew.  Sorry BOYA had to get my weekly shot in at ya 

[miaaol]

Any word on contenders for the job at OC?  The school seems to be keeping it close to the vest.  The only names I have heard are Sparks (dc) and Noel Dean from Lowell?  Any other info out there?

[02 Warhawk]

Any word on contenders for the job at OC?  The school seems to be keeping it close to the vest.  The only names I have heard are Sparks (dc) and Noel Dean from Lowell?  Any other info out there?

Charlie Wies?

[blb]

Some MLive posts (you know how reliable they are!) ate suggesting Herb Haygood.

Haygood was standout WR at MSU, played in NFL and other peripheral leagues.

Coached at OC in 2006, has been WR coach at Saginaw Valley State last threee seasons.

Has no head coaching or coordinator experience, and there also some internet posts that say he may be headed to Western Kentucky.

Look for Olivet to hire internally - Sparks, Smith, or Kubiak.

[miaaol]

After the performance of Kubiak's offense the past few years do you really think he is a candidate? 

I have heard the Haygood did a great job when he was at OC and could be a great choice as an OC for the new coach??? 

It seems to me that they would want to get something done soon so they can maybe get some recruits in there who can play? 

[formerd3db]

blb:
Thanks for the follow-up comments.  Indeed, there are aspects on both sides of the issues for all the OC candidates.  We'll just have to wait and see what happens.  BTW, I agree with you MLive is simply "non-credible" in the majority of the postings.

miaaol:
Your point is a legit one.  I would just say, though, that one can't always judge that by that aspect alone.  By that, I mean...  (and please know that I'm just throwing these aspects out for consideration in the general discussion) that:

a) your third point says it exactly i.e. despite what some may believe, it is not always the coaching that is "the problem", rather simply it is the players.  OC does need to get an increased numbers of talented players to campus, like they did three years ago and just before then.  If we were to use the "performance criteria" simply as a judge for picking a candidate (although admittedly and unfortunately, that is what happens even at the DIII leve - can you say Adrian? ), then even Kreps should be gone at Hope - of course, some have suggested that.  However, I will say that is simply not the problem and won't happen at Hope nor should it.  Kreps is a great coach and, moreover, IMO (and others as well), it wasn't coaching this year at Hope, but rather the players just didn't make the plays when necessary.  they simply came up short, partly because of the talent some would say (no disrespect intended to the players), but alot of it by "simply the breaks, i.e. no luck" - and I truly believe that does occur; and

b) in following the reasoning in "a" above, Kubiak's offense in their title season three years ago was very good.  They had some huge people on their offensive line and some great inovative plays and play calling.  Likewise, this year, again similar to Hope as I alluded to in a previous post, they weren't that bad, including their offense (which was scrappy and moved the ball well at times) and had some good performances almost winning some games, and some they should have.  As mentioned, if Hope had won the close games they lost, including the early season close ones and particularly against eventual playoff team IWU, I can almost guarantee you that they would have been seen as an entirely different team this year, at least by some.  Still, they need to improve in some areas just like Olivet, and while coaching obviously plays a great deal in that, IMO, the need lies in the "players" right now.  So, my apologies for going a long way around to answer your question in that, yes, I think Kubiak is a good candidate.  But Sparks and Smith are too, and if Olivet is going to stay "in house", I think it will be a tough decision in choosing between some of those guys.  

I also haven't heard if Jones, currently on the staff is interested and/or even being considered.

   

[formerd3db]

In other unrelated topics:

It was sad to see that two DIAA i.e. FCS universities took the "Swarthemore" way out and dropped football; Hofstra University dropped football yesterday and Northeastern University did last month (I guess I missed that latter announcement).  Many of you recall that university has had several NFL players in recent years.  Northeastern University joined its "neighbor" Boston University in "throwing in the towel" after 74 years (and, I guess not to forget that Fairfield did the same 3-4 years ago or so - I don't recall the exact year just off hand).  Simply too bad.  An ironic aspect of this is that 4 teams from their league are still in the FCS championship playoffs rounds.  I guess I won't be paying attention (and/or rooting for) to those schools anymore.  

Despite those schools dropping football, there are apparently 13 new programs starting for next year, according to the College Football section on Comcast spots section.

[DBQ1965]

RE:  the coaching vacancy at Olivet College.

For what its worth, Noel Dean might be just the ticket for the Comets.  When I moved to the Grand Rapids area in 1990, Lowell High School football was the doormat of the OK White Conference.  Along came Dean and now LHS has trouble filling non-conference dates because no one wants to take on a loss early in the season.

I think Noel Dean would bring energy, enthusiasm, discipline, success, and a strong sense of community to the Olivet campus and their football program ... but I (and the community of Lowell) would sure hate to see him leave his present position.

[formerd3db]

RE:  the coaching vacancy at Olivet College.

For what its worth, Noel Dean might be just the ticket for the Comets.  When I moved to the Grand Rapids area in 1990, Lowell High School football was the doormat of the OK White Conference.  Along came Dean and now LHS has trouble filling non-conference dates because no one wants to take on a loss early in the season.

I think Noel Dean would bring energy, enthusiasm, discipline, success, and a strong sense of community to the Olivet campus and their football program ... but I (and the community of Lowell) would sure hate to see him leave his present position.

No doubt, he probably would.  Yet, as has been brought up earlier on the board, do you and/or any of your Lowell area colleagues think Dean would actually leave his highly successful program, very stable (I presume) current teaching job to take over at Olivet College?  It obviously depends on what they would offer (pay) him there and if it was worth it to him to leave Lowell.  Of course, going back to one's alma mater (IMO) is always a lifetime dream for most people and if he has aspirations of being a head coach at the college level, it very well might be for him.  Then again, many young coaches would jump at the chance.  As far as the $, we all know that the small college coaching jobs don't pay that much, but there are obviously other tangibles that may be/ are more important depending on one's personal aspirations, goals, values, etc.

Good input and I'm sure your area people agree with you that it would be sad/a loss to see him leave.

 

[sac]

In other unrelated topics:

It was sad to see that two DIAA i.e. FCS universities took the "Swarthemore" way out and dropped football; Hofstra University dropped football yesterday and Northeastern University did last month (I guess I missed that latter announcement).  Many of you recall that university has had several NFL players in recent years.  Northeastern University joined its "neighbor" Boston University in "throwing in the towel" after 74 years (and, I guess not to forget that Fairfield did the same 3-4 years ago or so - I don't recall the exact year just off hand).  Simply too bad.  An ironic aspect of this is that 4 teams from their league are still in the FCS championship playoffs rounds.  I guess I won't be paying attention (and/or rooting for) to those schools anymore.  

Despite those schools dropping football, there are apparently 13 new programs starting for next year, according to the College Football section on Comcast spots section.

even sadder........one less Flying Dutchmen in the ranks.    (although they changed their name to Pride in 2004 for P.C. reasons, but they'll always be the Flying Dutchmen to me)

...also curious despite being a school of Dutch heritage their motto is in French.     Je maintiendray   -- which means I shall maintain........which apparently didn't apply to their nickname or football program.

[miaaol]

Being a close observer of the MIAA since I was done playing (years ago) I have seen a lot of football games involving the Comets.  I remember when they were one of the worst programs in the country.  Like when they lost to Albion something like 80-7.  I also saw Irv (career high school coach) lead them to respectability and made a name for them around the country.  Olivet was actually known for something other than being terrible.  After Irv departed I saw them regress for a couple of season until Sparks had control of the defense and was able to recruit some of his players.  The defense won them the MIAA in 2007, no doubt about it.  So it seems to me the decision comes down to the loyal assistant who had a huge part in the most recent success of the program...or the hot alum who has had major success at the high school level (like Irv).  This is a big hire for Tuski and Bateman.  Hopefully there is some word soon?

[BOYA87]

I think we should be carefull before throwing players under the bus for the success, or lack their of, of a program.  I can attest to the quality of talent on the Tri-State team prior to now Trines success and to be honest there isnt a huge difference.  The biggest difference is attitude.  A coaching staff sets the entire tone for the team and if that tone is weak then it wont matter how good of players you have on the team. 

Trines coaches will be the first to give back all the credit to their players for their success because as one coach said "we arent out there playing these games".  But I give them a huge amount of credit for turning the Trine team around and even breathing life into the campus of Trine.  It was an attitude change, not a talent change, that helped Trine become successful.

p.s. The players must be able to buy in to the new vision and changes a coaching staff will make or else it will fail.  The coaches must be strong and willing to sacrifice players that jeopardize that vision.

[formerd3db]

Being a close observer of the MIAA since I was done playing (years ago) I have seen a lot of football games involving the Comets.  I remember when they were one of the worst programs in the country.  Like when they lost to Albion something like 80-7.  I also saw Irv (career high school coach) lead them to respectability and made a name for them around the country.  Olivet was actually known for something other than being terrible.  After Irv departed I saw them regress for a couple of season until Sparks had control of the defense and was able to recruit some of his players.  The defense won them the MIAA in 2007, no doubt about it.  So it seems to me the decision comes down to the loyal assistant who had a huge part in the most recent success of the program...or the hot alum who has had major success at the high school level (like Irv).  This is a big hire for Tuski and Bateman.  Hopefully there is some word soon?

Good points and historical summary.  Remember also that both Irv and Dom were alums -  All-MIAA football players at Olivet.  Indeed, I would assume they would want to make a decision by Christmas/New Year's i.e. before the semester is out for the holidays.

[formerd3db]

I think we should be carefull before throwing players under the bus for the success, or lack their of, of a program.  I can attest to the quality of talent on the Tri-State team prior to now Trines success and to be honest there isnt a huge difference.  The biggest difference is attitude.  A coaching staff sets the entire tone for the team and if that tone is weak then it wont matter how good of players you have on the team. 

Trines coaches will be the first to give back all the credit to their players for their success because as one coach said "we arent out there playing these games".  But I give them a huge amount of credit for turning the Trine team around and even breathing life into the campus of Trine.  It was an attitude change, not a talent change, that helped Trine become successful.

p.s. The players must be able to buy in to the new vision and changes a coaching staff will make or else it will fail.  The coaches must be strong and willing to sacrifice players that jeopardize that vision.

I agree with you about the "attitude" aspect.  That was a huge aspect for the Northwestern turnaround (and, again, I have to throw Olivet in there as well).  Players for years there had the attitude they couldn't win and until Barnett changed that attitude (and now Fitz as their coach in continuing that), they believe they can win.  As I've said many times, these type of schools may never be powerhouses, but they are competitive and, indeed, can win the league title on occasion.

That being said, you still have to have talent to a large degree.  I think I mentioned this before, however, there are many very good high school football players who are not quite good enough to play at the DIII level because the base of talent pool is quite even and in many cases better.  By that I mean, you see all the time at various programs that all state players at smaller high school divisions are on the team, and while very good players, in some cases they just aren't able to compete consistently all the time with other players on the teams who simply have even better talent.  I'm not saying players can't improve and become good, heck even great during the course of their college careers, if they stick it out in "climbing the ladder" for playing time, because that does happen for sure commonly i.e. there are many "late bloomers/developers".  Some of that also depends on being at the "right place at the right time" i.e. the #'s game at one's position (and even, unfortunately, moving up on the depth chart due to the "injury factor".  However, if you don't have some players of higher calibur talent, you are not going to win consistently - and again, as many have said, I believe there is truth to the aspect that many of the higher talented players who used to go to the DIII schools are being picked up by the now increased DII programs and attraction for that in many aspects - at least in our Midwest area that appears to be a huge factor.  I don't think anyone is trying to "throw players under the  bus", but rather being realistic that talent, indeed, is a major part (factor) of the puzzle.

One question: how would you then have compared as well as described the situation at Trine (then Tri-State) in their undefeated NAIA team?  Do you not think there was a change in talent to some degree in the transition period going from scholarship to non-scholarship football?  Or are you saying that was entirely attitude in regards to the various coaching staff transition also?  While I obviously do not know anything as such about their program at that time as far as some of these details, still I have a hard time believing that a combination of the "needed" factors I've mentioned didn't play a part, at least to some degree, in all that.  Again, you make some good comments in the discussion.