FB: Centennial Conference

[Ralph Turner]

Very impressed with the Centennial Conference today.
Congrats!

[MUC57]

FWIW

I, of course, was at the Mount game. I think Johns Hopkins was one of the best teams Mount has played in sometime. Much of the time, watching them was like watching Mount play. And if you doubt The Blue Jays ability, check the score. And check out the back and forth as the game went on. Great team.
Now, since Muhlenberg is the only team to beat Hopkins in the regular season, and Hopkins gave us fits, how excited am I to play the Mules? OK, it should be a good game. The Raiders better be ready.
Good luck to Johns Hopkins next year. I have a feeling they'll be back. Oh, and Go Raiders!

[The Mole]

Probably a question for the podcast, but too many parts and characters to fit into Twitter. Along the lines of "parity" that was addressed last week--a better phrase may be "competitive balance". Teams like Muhlenberg and Hopkins have clearly closed the gap on Mount Union. They have yet to topple them but are getting very close. Keith referenced yesterday how it took NCC YEARS to finally crash the party with the purple powers.

Is the Mount not as dominant or a combination of Muhl/JHU improving? Also, and more importantly, what are the factors that have led to the rise? Obviously it is recruiting, coaching, admissions/admin support and help. But more specifically what are they doing within those factors that may be more nuanced that are differentiating them? Example, they could be doing something different for player development in the off-season--specifically certain types of nutrition, lifts, etc.

It is not easy to bust through. What are those critical success factors underneath the hood that may not be seen accelerating the jump?

[WRMUalum13]

Probably a question for the podcast, but too many parts and characters to fit into Twitter. Along the lines of "parity" that was addressed last week--a better phrase may be "competitive balance". Teams like Muhlenberg and Hopkins have clearly closed the gap on Mount Union. They have yet to topple them but are getting very close. Keith referenced yesterday how it took NCC YEARS to finally crash the party with the purple powers.

Is the Mount not as dominant or a combination of Muhl/JHU improving? Also, and more importantly, what are the factors that have led to the rise? Obviously it is recruiting, coaching, admissions/admin support and help. But more specifically what are they doing within those factors that may be more nuanced that are differentiating them? Example, they could be doing something different for player development in the off-season--specifically certain types of nutrition, lifts, etc.

It is not easy to bust through. What are those critical success factors underneath the hood that may not be seen accelerating the jump?

Something I noticed was both JHU and MUHL had two of the best passers in D3. For some reason in the last 5 years or so passing defense has seemed to be Mount Union's weakness. I think both JHU and MUHLs came into Alliance with the recipe to beat Mount which is strong QB play and an excellent front 7.

[The Mole]

And the QB was a 5th year, that helps. I heard from a former Hopkins player that JHU had several 5th year players this year. I know that was a boost for many teams across all of college football this season at all levels. Will it take a full 4 year cycle to work through?

At the end of the day, still no surprises for semifinal participants.

Probably a question for the podcast, but too many parts and characters to fit into Twitter. Along the lines of "parity" that was addressed

last week--a better phrase may be "competitive balance". Teams like Muhlenberg and Hopkins have clearly closed the gap on Mount Union. They have yet to topple them but are getting very close. Keith referenced yesterday how it took NCC YEARS to finally crash the party with the purple powers.

Is the Mount not as dominant or a combination of Muhl/JHU improving? Also, and more importantly, what are the factors that have led to the rise? Obviously it is recruiting, coaching, admissions/admin support and help. But more specifically what are they doing within those factors that may be more nuanced that are differentiating them? Example, they could be doing something different for player development in the off-season--specifically certain types of nutrition, lifts, etc.

It is not easy to bust through. What are those critical success factors underneath the hood that may not be seen accelerating the jump?

[The Mole]

John Troxell, F&M head coach resigned--heading to his alma mater Lafayette to be head football coach

[njf1003]

John Troxell, F&M head coach resigned--heading to his alma mater Lafayette to be head football coach

Disappointing, but can't blame him! Maybe the new higher can take the next step at F&M and finally get an NCAA berth.

[The Mole]

Cannot blame him at all. Dips are 500 team last 23 years (120-121). He got them to a bowl or ECAC games 9 of last 12 years. Not too shabby. To your point, can the new staff get them over the hump--beating Hopkins, Muhlenberg and now Susquehanna? Might be a tall order. One of the best stadium facilities in D3. Trox may have top ticked it there.....

John Troxell, F&M head coach resigned--heading to his alma mater Lafayette to be head football coach

Disappointing, but can't blame him! Maybe the new higher can take the next step at F&M and finally get an NCAA berth.

[MRMIKESMITH]

Cannot blame him at all. Dips are 500 team last 23 years (120-121). He got them to a bowl or ECAC games 9 of last 12 years. Not too shabby. To your point, can the new staff get them over the hump--beating Hopkins, Muhlenberg and now Susquehanna? Might be a tall order. One of the best stadium facilities in D3. Trox may have top ticked it there.....

John Troxell, F&M head coach resigned--heading to his alma mater Lafayette to be head football coach

Disappointing, but can't blame him! Maybe the new higher can take the next step at F&M and finally get an NCAA berth.

Although it's not to common in the D3 landscape where you see plenty of "lifer" coaches especially those that have done enough to be respected either in conference and/or nationally. F&M either will use this to get new coach (possibly younger) that can energize the current players and hit the recruiting trail from a different standpoint, recruiting is an all-hustle all-day, no-sleep, young man's game. Potentially allowing them to get over the hump in the next 2 to 4 years. I watch a lot of DIII football and notice that for some programs, a new coach with a new scheme (Aurora) or just getting younger (NCC) can catapult a program from one tier to the next.

[The Mole]

Troxell was 92-67 in 16 years, .578 win pct., 6-3 in Bowl Games. Second most wins all-time behind Dip legend Tom Gilburg. They took a chance on a young guy in his 30's to turn the ship. I would say it was a success--good record, kids graduating, beautiful new stadium built and very strong alumni outreach. The question is, does the administration care about making the playoffs? They would probably be content/satisfied with finding his clone: a young coach in his 30s that has played and coached in strong academic environments and wants to be a head man. They will get some good interest in this gig.....

Cannot blame him at all. Dips are 500 team last 23 years (120-121). He got them to a bowl or ECAC games 9 of last 12 years. Not too shabby. To your point, can the new staff get them over the hump--beating Hopkins, Muhlenberg and now Susquehanna? Might be a tall order. One of the best stadium facilities in D3. Trox may have top ticked it there.....

John Troxell, F&M head coach resigned--heading to his alma mater Lafayette to be head football coach

Disappointing, but can't blame him! Maybe the new higher can take the next step at F&M and finally get an NCAA berth.

Although it's not to common in the D3 landscape where you see plenty of "lifer" coaches especially those that have done enough to be respected either in conference and/or nationally. F&M either will use this to get new coach (possibly younger) that can energize the current players and hit the recruiting trail from a different standpoint, recruiting is an all-hustle all-day, no-sleep, young man's game. Potentially allowing them to get over the hump in the next 2 to 4 years. I watch a lot of DIII football and notice that for some programs, a new coach with a new scheme (Aurora) or just getting younger (NCC) can catapult a program from one tier to the next.

[Pat Coleman]

This is coming -- schools leaving the Centennial for football for the Landmark, which would have enough for an automatic bid.
https://d3football.com/notables/2022/02/landmark-to-add-two-take-football-automatic-bid

[njf1003]

Tom Blumenauer Selected to Lead F&M Football
https://t.co/SdAcEJqN8e

[Joe Rockhead]

NJAC/Centennial scheduling agreement starting in 2023. Three crossover games for each team each year. https://www.centennial.org/Schedules/2023-24-Football.pdf  Some interesting matchups. For instance, Salisbury will be playing Muhlenberg, Hopkins and McDaniel. On a side note, looking at the future schedules, it appears that this year may be the last for the long-standing Muhlenberg-Moravian rivalry for their annual last game of the year.   (Mules will be finishing up against Montclair State)  Don't know if that first game of the year will be the new slot for the Mules and Greyhounds or if it's going to be a hiatus for the matchup. Although not yet announced, I believe the Mules will be opening up against Mary Hardin Baylor this year down in Texas.  Don't know if that will be reciprocated with a trip by the Crusaders to Allentown the next year or not.

[MRMIKESMITH]

NJAC/Centennial scheduling agreement starting in 2023. Three crossover games for each team each year. https://www.centennial.org/Schedules/2023-24-Football.pdf  Some interesting matchups. For instance, Salisbury will be playing Muhlenberg, Hopkins and McDaniel. On a side note, looking at the future schedules, it appears that this year may be the last for the long-standing Muhlenberg-Moravian rivalry for their annual last game of the year.   (Mules will be finishing up against Montclair State)  Don't know if that first game of the year will be the new slot for the Mules and Greyhounds or if it's going to be a hiatus for the matchup. Although not yet announced, I believe the Mules will be opening up against Mary Hardin Baylor this year down in Texas.  Don't know if that will be reciprocated with a trip by the Crusaders to Allentown the next year or not.

Yeah, Salisbury will be playing one of the toughest, if not thee toughest schedule in 2023, probably playing against 3 Top 10/15 teams easily, while playing a Top 50 opponent in Stevenson.

[RowanPhan]

NJAC/Centennial scheduling agreement starting in 2023. Three crossover games for each team each year. https://www.centennial.org/Schedules/2023-24-Football.pdf  Some interesting matchups. For instance, Salisbury will be playing Muhlenberg, Hopkins and McDaniel. On a side note, looking at the future schedules, it appears that this year may be the last for the long-standing Muhlenberg-Moravian rivalry for their annual last game of the year.   (Mules will be finishing up against Montclair State)  Don't know if that first game of the year will be the new slot for the Mules and Greyhounds or if it's going to be a hiatus for the matchup. Although not yet announced, I believe the Mules will be opening up against Mary Hardin Baylor this year down in Texas.  Don't know if that will be reciprocated with a trip by the Crusaders to Allentown the next year or not.

Very exciting announcement