FB: Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[KitchenSink]

Well, when I looked at the resume's of all 4 candidates, I was impressed by all of them.  I posted a reply a couple of days that I was hoping UWW could end up with 1 as head coach and another as coordinator.  (Still possible? - but perhaps unlikely)

It's easy to say "let's not change any more than we have to."  But is that the best we can do?

It is a big gamble.  The safe choice was there, but apparently something lead them to make a different choice.  I hope it was for the right reasons ....

[EagleAlum]

Having met Dr. Plinske while he was at UW-La Crosse, I also don't believe the "intimidated" rumor in this decision. I guarantee he made the decision he felt best for the long-term success of the program, the school, and the athletic department. And if he was abrasive with administration it is a red flag ... especially knowing how well respected Plinske was with every coach at UW-L. I know nothing about the guy you all wish had been hired but maybe he had the attitude that you all seemed to have, "It's my job, done deal."

As has been stated, you have hired someone within the "family" who understands Whitewater football. It's not like they brought in an outsider to change everything. And as far as a former player happy he's leaving, there are plenty of players on every team in the country who will say they don't like their coach, in all sports. Especially coaches that are demanding and get after people.

And "it's been a tough day for the Warhawk family" ... nobody passed away. I see there's a lot of internal admiration for this coach but I have a hard time believing there wasn't a TON of consideration that went into this hire. I can see there's disappointment, but don't mistake this for some sort of tragedy

[Sakman 1111]

Flash if you think that the team would be better off in any of your scenarios you gave with Z leaving then it is obvious you are not very close to any of the returning team members or the players who are graduating. Simply the best man did not get the job but even more important than that is the very possible negative effect this will have on the current team that is returning.....

[Sakman 1111]

Likewise.....

[janesvilleflash]

Sak, I know you have been a huge fan and supporter, but c'mon, it's not about the coach, it's about the school and the program. Stick with it. We all loved Z. He recruited our kids, and carried the program. We all would haved loved for him to taken it over. It's out of our control. LL is a former Warhawk, and a good coach. He evidently has the job. He isn't a bad guy, and is more than qualified, let's back him and wish Z our best.

[janesvilleflash]

BadgerWarhawk, where are you. Weigh in on this.

[1_For_27]

As I have been reading all of the former posts there is one major factor you are all leaving out.  DLK!!!!!  We all knew going into this year that this guy has a hard on for stan and was going to do everything in his power not to allow him to get the job.  Not to mention I heard that LL was good buddies with DLK's kid.  Politics are the real issue here.. And as far as Dr. P being intimidated I could tottally see that being true.  Dr. P is a wet towel and a bit of a puss if you ask me. Not to mention a uwl eagle at heart..  I was recruited by stan and would do anything for that man then and now..   it is a shame and a loss to all the underclassman who have to play for this new jack..  As stated before I am a warhawk and will bleed purple with whomever they have at the helm..  Don't leave dinks, you made so many players what they are today!!  Go hawks.. beat lax!!!

[Sakman 1111]

Let's get this straight.....no one but Dink decided to pack his office....if you knew him you would know that is the case. Most of the players on this team(4 years) were recruited by Z. including my son and there is a bond with Z. that is extraordinary....I say this having an older son who is a coach. I am sure L. is qualified but whether he is a good coach I don't know.....I have heard mixed reviews. What has been preached to the players from the first day 5 years ago was the Warhawk family and most bought into it which helped made them a very special group and now they see that was baloney. Forget the loyalty that guys like Z. and Dink had for the program by staying on when they could have left for other positions, forget the fact that the players went to Plinske throwing their support totally behind Z., forget the fact that Z. has a ridiculously overqualified resume.....What is important here is that Plinske has his man in the job.....someone that I believe he said he has a connection with..... I wish Z. good luck whereever he winds up this year or the next and as for Dink he knows we think the world of him......

[Sakman 1111]

Going to bed now and when I get up tomorrow I hope that when I check Post Patterns I will find that this was a bad dream......1 for 27 I hope you are wrong but the disturbing part is that two people have mentioned the same reason to me today........

[1_For_27]

You are a very bright gentleman sak,  you son obvioulsy being the other to bring up the point I addressed..  We knew in aug. or hell when i was still there that this was going to be a major hurdle to overcome.  that crazy old man dlk owns that town and as I have been told before this is life.  hope all is well in the oprf and give coach al and nick my best....  as much as u bleed warhawk purple isnt this elmhurst bball season.. go rob!!

[wiacsuperfan]

Couple of thoughts... This situation reminds me alot of the Badger Hockey coaching change a few years ago.  Many in the Badger Hockey family believed that assistant coach Mark Johnson was the best choice for the promotion to HC to replace Jeff Sauer.  AD Pat Richter disagreed and hired Mike Eaves who was a part of the Badger family from many years ago and had a great resume.  He was not well recieved by many in the program during his early days, but it has certainly proved to be the right choice.  Does AD Paul Plinske = Richter & will Leipold = Eaves???  We'll find out together and no matter what their legacy will be defined together. 

[kestrel]

Coaches Z, Dinkel, and Purdy,

You were all Falcons once.  Just wanted you to know your old friends at UWRF have forgiven your recent trespasses against them and would let bygones be bygones.  Hint. Hint.

(From off in the distance I'm starting to hear a familiar chant. Could it be? Yes! "You effed up!  You effed up!")

[BoBo]

Just my $.02, but reading the recent posts concerning the coaching situation at WW, one can't help to think of the recent debacle at the Univ of Arkansas with the parents of those 3 players going to the AD demanding changes in the Razorback offense or whatever.  This situation is shaping up to rival that.  Sounds like a lot of fans/alums/parents at WW are willing to jump ship over some rumors put out by a "source with knowledge of the coaching search." Anyway, even a little dissension in Warhawk country will be greatly appreciated by the remaining WIAC rank-in-file. 

Everyone seems to be a big fan of Coach Z for many reasons so I have no doubt that he is a great man and coach.  But wiacsuperfan thoughts are a very good recent example close to home that the AD does what is good for the institution, not what the fans might think is the right choice. It just so happens to have worked rather well in Madison.  If in fact Leipold is the choice and is announced on Wed. you all need to stand up and support him like true fans/alums/parents.  And that is to say, "...you're either for us, or against us - what's it going to be?" 

[skunks_sidekick]

Although not a head coaching situation at Mount, this does remind me a bit of when Don Montgomery left Mount Union to take the job at E & H.  Monty was beloved by his players, had been LK's right-hand man for a long time, and did an amazing job recuiting. 

When it was announced he took the job, former players and fans weighed in with all the gloom and doom they could sling.  They said many players would transfer, all the assistants were going to leave in droves, etc, etc...

The reality of the situation was that one assistant (and maybe one student assistant?) left, and NO players.  As you all know, Mount never missed a beat and many of us Mount fans think the defense is MUCH better since Monty left then when he was at Mount.  Now there is a new batch of young turk assistants making their name at Mount Union. 

I know the situation isn't the same, but after reading a lot of the posts it has many similarities.

[kbh]

I didn't know college football teams could be bought, but apparently this DLK just bought himself one.