FB: Middle Atlantic Conference

john merrick · January 17, 2008, 01:45:49 PM

Also, I'm not talking about wins and losses or the Stagg Bowl. I'm talking about loyalty and respect. Respect to let the face of Lyco football have a say in his successor. For Coach G to have no say in who the next football coach would be is a travesty.

Little G · January 17, 2008, 01:47:24 PM

I think there are also some more differences. 34 years compared to 16. Also Wise is an alum and played for Lyco for 4 years. He's also in our Hall of fame. I respect your opinion, but I think in this case you are not aware of all the facts. I am also not just a casual fan. Frank Girardi is also my Father. Again, it's a dark day in Lyco history.

Pat Coleman · January 17, 2008, 02:01:03 PM

I think long-time is long-time. I know 34 is a big number but it's not like 16 is five or anything.

I'm not trying to belittle your opinion and I know you are in a different situation than most fans, but for MOST fans, I'm trying to say that it's not all doom and gloom when a school doesn't hire the heir apparent.

KitchenSink · January 17, 2008, 02:29:31 PM

I agree with Pat C - I see a lot of parellels to the Whitewater scene last year. There was a ton of Chicken-Littling going on after Leipold was hired. I wanted badly to be patient and see how it went - mostly because the new coach had a pretty solid resume (not to mention the appropriate school name on a diploma). And so far, it's worked out pretty durn good.

Coach Clark appears to have strong attributes, and is an alum. Get behind him, and keep supporting the team and school.

Little G · January 17, 2008, 02:44:34 PM

Kitchen Sink,
Alot easier to say from the outside looking in. I have been a part of Lycoming 39 of my 41 years on earth. Again, I know these things happen in athletics, but the entire process from start to finish was a slap in the face to my father and our family. This will not be easily forgotten!

Lyco80 · January 17, 2008, 03:14:12 PM

Wow - talk about emotion from the Warrior elite!

As a faithful contributing alumnus I must say Mike Clark's selection came as a bit of a surprise to me also. I know Steve and he is legendary as a player and a Defensive Coordinator and coach. Lycoming has always been famous for its D from the time of the mid-70s. If you take a breath and look at the teams that have been most successful they have combined tenacious defense with productive offense and excellence on special teams. The run of MAC championships in the mid to late 90s was such a combination of talent.

Recently the offense has tanked - check the stats not your feelings. I do not know about the process or who was involved but I am optimistic about Lycoming's football future with a new coach who brings an offensive mind-set to to the game. Must I point out what happened at DelVal after they hired a similar fellow called Magnus?

Perhaps the hiring process recognized the need for an infusion of offense to get the program back on track - defense only keeps the score at 0-0. The winners in D-III light up the scoreboard usually.

If the entire staff leaves that will be sad - but teams rebuild and life goes on.

If the G family is upset that saddens me. If Steve feels overlooked that disappoints me. But the goal for all teams and coaching staffs is ringing the victory bell and that is something that has not happened as frequently in Williamsport recently. Perhaps it is time for an overhaul.

ATB

PBR... · January 17, 2008, 03:38:10 PM

wow...not sure where to begin...obviously there is ALOT of emotion and open wounds right now...i would of hoped that the admin would asked coach G for his opinion and put alot of weight in that as well as team members. i can understand admin wanting a new direction and put their own stamp on the program i if you tell me they didnt ask for coach g's opinion that is pretty cold.

jb · January 17, 2008, 04:35:27 PM

Wow!
I was sort of surprise but not shock by the hiring at lyco. I thought that wiser would have been given a few more points in the process, but maybe lyco admin thought it was best to go in another direction and cut ties with current coaches.
My son was 1 of 4 current players who also interviewed the candidates for the job. He was surprised when he found out a couple days ago. The feeling with current players was Wiser was the right choice!
LITTLE G, take comfort in knowing that your DAD and your family have provide direction for many young men throughout the years, and all of their success is a direct result of that direction. G is one of the reasons my son is at LYCO. I know my son and every other player will do everything they can to honor G with a successful 2008 season.

KitchenSink · January 17, 2008, 11:05:05 PM

While asking the outgoing coach about hiring thoughts has some merit, I think that in some circumstances can carry a bit of risk. Is there a possibility that you end up with a try at copying the old way, that falls short? I guess there is risk whenever you make a change. Well, the school hires the coach, they're the ones accountable. Lycoming has a pretty solid athletic program, so somebody must be making some good decisions.

If I was an outgoing coach, I'd like to think I would avoid ranking the candidates. I think that's the school's job. Plus I'd find it at least a little difficult to compare an current assistant to an ex-player & coach who has been off campus for some time.

Little G, I'm sure it's a tough spot for many involved. You want to beleive that the decision was made with the football program's long term goals in mind. I would only suggest that when the dust settles you hang in there. You are certainly entitled to harbor a wait&see attitude.

I wish the Warriors fans the best. Love that name, by the way. Marquette should still be the Warriors, too .....

Little G · January 18, 2008, 07:52:36 AM

1st I want to reply to jb. Thank you for your kind words and support. I will sadly miss the Lycoming Football program. I will miss the family orientied atomoshere that once was at Lyco, and I will mostly miss the players that I have learned to love and respect. I wish them much success.
Lyco 80. Yes offensively we have struggled lately, but if you truly knew about Div III football you would know that the playing field is not always level. Acedemic standards for the schools in the MAC are different. I don't want to take anything from GA, del val or any other MAC school. But we were getting beat by alot of kids that preferred Lyco, but could not get in. Again, I don't blame school, because if we could get them in we would have also. As for the 3 people on the hiring commitee, their knowledge of Football is minimal at best. Offense wasn't the consideration. The man with the most money talked the loudest. Now, you say you wouldn't want to rank the candidates. When have you ever built a program from nothing into a National powerhouse or spent 36 years at an institution that you gave everything to? As for your comment on Lycoming's solid athletic programs. Guess who built them also? The AD since 1985, which also happens to be the same head coach that they didn't include in the hiring process. There is more to this decision than people know from the outside.
Lastly, I am finding out the character of alot of people during this process and I don't like what I see. Loyality is an easy word to say, but apparently it's a hard word to apply!!

PBR... · January 18, 2008, 08:31:16 AM

>>> I don't want to take anything from GA, del val or any other MAC school.<<<

Then dont stoop to spewing bogus info and taking cheap shots at all the other MAC schools. Your father had class show a little yourself. My sister is a lyco grad and i have been to many lyco football games and have the utmost respect for your father and his staff i would like to think the same about you.

Little G · January 18, 2008, 10:28:33 AM

uPBRmeASAP,
I appreciate your response and the kind words about my father and his program, but bogus information,that kind of strong. If you read my response, I said that I don't blame school for their decisions, because we would do the same thing if allowed. I think that you are trying to stir things up. Have a great day.

Lyco80 · January 18, 2008, 11:00:32 AM

Little G,

I have followed Lycoming footbball for 30 years, missed the first Stagg Bowl appearance because of a thing called Desert Storm, sat in the stands for the remarkable comeback against Rowan in the snow and then hosted 20 students in our home and then drove the next day to Salem for the beat down by MUC, contributed money throughout this time, and served on the Alumni Association Executive Board for many years. Your comment about my general knowledge or ignorance of D-III football or the academic entrance requirements at Lycoming in particular or the MAC in general is inaccurate and symptomatic of your pain.

Your father and family are deserved icons for the college, Williamsport, the MAC, and D-III football let that be your legacy.

Lastly, I categorically reject the suggestion that smart young men cannot make good football players.

ATB

Little G · January 18, 2008, 12:02:26 PM

Lyco 80,
When did I say that smart young men can't make good football players? I played for Lyco and I consider myself,my brother ,my brother inlaw and the over 3,000 young men that played for my father intelligent and he was able to win 257 games. Can you truly say that all is equal in Div III. Again, you are trying to get something started that isn't there. Thank you for your response ,your support of my father and your duty to our country. Because of the latter, we can discuss these issues openly. Maybe some day we can talk at a Lyco game. I don't know who you are,but you know who I am. Have a great weekend.

PBR... · January 18, 2008, 12:13:21 PM

Quote from: Little G on January 18, 2008, 10:28:33 AM
uPBRmeASAP,
I appreciate your response and the kind words about my father and his program, but bogus information,that kind of strong. If you read my response, I said that I don't blame school for their decisions, because we would do the same thing if allowed. I think that you are trying to stir things up. Have a great day.

not trying to stir things up at all. this argument has been tilled over and over on these boards. i am not going to bring it up again everyone has their beliefs and knowledge of this "academic standard". i wish nothin but the best for your father and your family. he left one heckuva legacy and tradition at lyco.