FB: Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[oldpurple]

L Leipold is a Warhawk through and through and has a longer history with the college than any of you can imagine.  Did you know that his father played basketball for the Warhawks in the late 50's or that his uncle was a great baseball player for the Warhawks??  Did you know that Leipold himself played baseball too at UWW??  Stop bashing a person unless you know their history and true loyalty to the UWW!  You will not find a person who bleeds more for that school than Leipold!

[BoBo]

A lot of you know this, but for those who don't:
These WIAC coaching jobs are state jobs. A new head coach can't come in and "fire" the assistants and put in his own choices. I do think (don't know for sure), that he can however change the pecking order of the assistants. In other words, if you were a coordinator, you could become a position coach instead. Bottom line, nobody loses their job if they want to stay.

That all maybe true, but a coach with a little common sense and a desire for advancement and career development/enrichment can read the writing on the wall and know when it is time to get on with their career elsewhere.

[janesvilleflash]

Oldpurple- I really don't see much if any LL bashing going on here. You're making it sound like everyone hates the guy. That's just not true. Some people can't hide their dissapointment that Z didn't get the job. That's understandable, but no one is bashing LL, in fact almost everyone has aknowledged his great resume and backround.

[bushman]

Just an obsevation on your debate over the new coach.  When LK leaves or retires from Mt. I am sure we will have similiar discussions.  Your new coach seems like a quality person in addition to his football resume.  As is your asst. who did not get the job.  I would take a wait and see attitude.  As   the next football season unfolds , I am sure you will have a clear picture of  the direction your program is heading.  Once he wins the existing  players over to his coaching style,  you will then have a better idea of  what is in store for WW football.  I am reminded of the movie Hoosiers when the new coach was hired.  What coach Leipold needs now is everyones support and so do your players.  I would give him that support .  Put yourself in his shoes, how would you feel without it?

[EagleAlum]

And another thing he never played a down of football. 

In his life? Again, as I said I'm not sure, but I don't think you are either. I know he played college basketball at Bethel and I still think he may have played football. I believe his dad was the 1998 AFCA Assistant Coach of the Year at Bethel. As I said, I think he has a working knowledge of football from the coaching perspective. Being involved with a D1 program at Illinois gives him background in the sport.

"He runs ... come on"? Good to see the meathead stereotypes are prevelent. So now quiet guys are pusses and people who run are what, too soft to be great leaders.

He just seems like a "nice guy" and as i was told once " nice guys sleep in parks". 

Teach your kids that, the world will be a better place.

Look, you all can be po'd as heck cause the guy YOU feel was best for the program didn't get hired. It's one thing to say, "I don't think they made the right choice." But you are attacking peoples' characters and integrities and you should have to come in with facts when you make the accusations you're making. Plus it's incredibly childish, as Bo-Bo said, the majority of you probably have never had a conversation with him but you're okay with calling him names cause you didn't get what you wanted. The WW AD was nationally posted a few years ago, if you were qualified to make these type of decisions ... you should have applied.

There are way too many "what probably happeneds..." and "what I thinks..." and "from what I sees..." 'to take any of you seriously.

There may not be direct bashing of LL but talking about "what a sad day it is" like it or not, is turning one of your FAMILY members (it sure isn't supporting him) who you all claim to be so loyal to who apparently has more purple in their veins than most of you. In fact, the guy you wanted isn't even an alum. I feel bad for this new coach, who has a lot of qualities most WIAC posters for other schools would love to have. Lots of experience playing in the WIAC and coaching in it for a few years ... having Wisconsin ties and having recruited in the state, and he's young and a school legend ... not to mention extremely qualified.

Is it just me or has this Warhawk Family grown exponentially the past few years?

[Warhawk 96]

Will you enlighten us? I have had interactions with Plinske over the past few years as he has been here and he does come off as shy, reserved, and rather quiet and I think that's why people don't rule out that he could be intimidated by someone who is loud, outgoing, and highly competitive like Z. Is there anything that you would like to say to dispute that impression?

So anybody who's quiet or shy is a wet towel and a puss. That's complete B.S. And that's just your impression from a few interactions. I've met most of the A.D.'s in the conference at one time or another, many of them don't strike me as loud or all that dominating.

The guy had the respect of everyone at La Crosse, and from what the coaches I know at Whitewater have said, they have really liked him there too. He was at La Crosse for probably 4-5 years, it's not like he's an alumn, so don't give me that Eagle at heart B.S. like this hire was to sabotage WW so LaX would benefit ... that's as big of a character accusation as you can make.
You don't think he spent the entire season, knowing that Brez was leaving from the start, evaluating the staff members who would probably apply for the job?

From what I remember, and I couldn't find his biography, but I believe Dr. Plinske he has a decent football background, doing some GA work for Tepper's program at Illinois and maybe playing collegiately. So he's not a complete novice to football. Not saying he's a football genious but he has a working knowledge of the game.

Easy eagle alum, I never bashed Plinske and I have spoken to him way more than a few times. All I said was that he seems small and quiet and that Z is a loud, oustpoken, and very competitive/aggressive individual. I said that that was why people don't rule out that he could have possibly been intimidated by him. Doesn't mean that he is, just mean that it's possible.

On another note, being dissappointed that the person you have had the most interactions with and have developed a relationship with didn't get a job is completely normal. It has nothing to do with hating the person who got the job. To say that we are on here bashing LL is completely unfair. From what I have read most people say in one way or another, "I am dissapointed that Z didn't get the job. I am happy that at least a family member got the job. Good luck coach LL." How is that bashing?

[EagleAlum]

[/quote]

Easy eagle alum, I never bashed Plinske and I have spoken to him way more than a few times. All I said was that he seems small and quiet and that Z is a loud, oustpoken, and very competitive/aggressive individual. I said that that was why people don't rule out that he could have possibly been intimidated by him. Doesn't mean that he is, just mean that it's possible.

On another note, being dissappointed that the person you have had the most interactions with and have developed a relationship with didn't get a job is completely normal. It has nothing to do with hating the person who got the job. To say that we are on here bashing LL is completely unfair. From what I have read most people say in one way or another, "I am dissapointed that Z didn't get the job. I am happy that at least a family member got the job. Good luck coach LL." How is that bashing?
[/quote]

I read your response as defense of the post that called him a wet towel and a puss since it was posted with that quoted. I think all of the descriptions of this potential intimidation factor fit what you guys want it to fit. What is "small" supposed to mean? And quiet, what about  soft-spoken, intelligent, calculated. And why can't anyone see in these descriptions of your assistant coach ... "loud, outspoken, competitive/aggressive" could be translated into "arrogant, ego-driven, obnoxious, hard to work with." I don't know the guy so I'm not saying any of those are true I just think everyone is fitting in whatever words are fitting the purpose of bashing administration and defending the assistant. Those descriptions could fit Bob Knight as well, not every AD in America is going to hire Bob Knight. Again, I don't know the guy, I'm just saying it's easy to manipulate the characteristics to fuel your argument.

And I agreed with you ... it is perfectly normal to be disappointed, if La Crosse job opened and Mike Durnin applied for the job and didn't get it ... I'd be extremely disappointed. I guess I'm looking at it from your new coach's perspective. If he comes on the board today and reads the last few days of posts, I don't think he's feeling, "Wow, look at all the support I have." It's probably closer to, "Wow, wait until I lose my first game and everyone in Whitewater wants me replaced by the old assistant. If I don't get back to the Stagg, I was the wrong hire." So, as I said in the last post, I don't think people are directly bashing him, but there sure as heck isn't much support.

[Warhawk 96]

I see your point, I guess perceptions are what you make of it. I wouldn't call Plinske a puss or anything llike that because I have never seen him put in a situation where he had to defend himself so I won't judge him on that. As far as Coach LL is concerned I'm behind him and I'm sure the rest of us are. We're behind the Warhawks and he is the new coach of the Warhawks. Sure some of us are disappointed that Z didn't get the job and have let it show but on the other hand it is relatively new information. It hasn't even been formally announced yet so being frustrated that things didn't work out the way they wanted is acceptable. If this was going on in September then there would be a problem but give us a break, its been like 3 days. I'm pretty sure they'll come around.

With that being said, happy new years everyone. I always thought it was funny that this is the only holiday that is primarily celebebrated the day before.

[1_For_27]

Say what you will about PP.  Football is a loud and abrasive game.  Very similar to life.  Z tells it like it is and that is the way life is!!!  As far as LL keeping any of the current coaches.  Ill bet the few dollars that I have that he has alot of guys in his coaching cupboard.  And trust me he can and will clean house..  from the equipment guy all the way to any position he wants to with football..   As far as Eagle alum jumping all over me with the "nice guy" comment.  PP just seems to lack an edge and p.s. being a g.a. administrator for U of I is not a football coach.  go hawks FLX

[eagle_defender]

  Football is a loud and abrasive game.  Very similar to life.  Z tells it like it is and that is the way life is!!! 

Maybe that's why "Z" didn't get the job.  Having played football for a long time and at many levels; loud, obnoxious, abrasive and in-your-face doesn't always make you a great coach or translate into W's on the field. 

As far as Paul's football knowledge, I don't think that would have a large impact on who he hires.  That argument would mean that a "good" AD would have had to have played or coached every sport they oversee.  He hired an awesome wrestling coach there away from LAX, does that make him a "homer" for LAX?  PP must have wrestled in the past to be able to hire a great wrestling coach!?

I was also asked to expand on why I thought Paul isn't a "puss" or "wet towel."  I'm not here to give a biography on him.  Those who know Paul know what I am talking about.

As for the new coach at WW, I hope he does well because I enjoy the rivalry between LAX and WW.

[EagleAlum]

p.s. being a g.a. administrator for U of I is not a football coach.  go hawks FLX

Thanks for the clarification. I'll have to go back to find where I said he coached ... I didn't. I said he had background in the sport. If his dad is a college coach and he worked for the football program at Illinois, he has a background with football ... which he doesn't necessarily even need to make these hires. He hired a VB coach who won a National Title her first year and a pretty good wrestling coach.

Whatever, you've made comments about someone you have vague perceptions about to justify why your guy didn't get the job. I'm done defending him, I think you're all barking up the wrong tree. The interview process is set up to find the best candidate, as well as find the strengths and expose the weaknesses of candidates. Why is it unthinkable that your guy went in overconfident, arrogant, or didn't interview well. Maybe he thought the job was his and didn't thoroughly prepare? Maybe he did. I just know there are plenty of interviews in all professions where the best person on paper doesn't get the job cause they butcher the interview or don't relate well to people or their potential bosses. And if any of us walk into an interview, whether or not we are the most qualifed, like it or not, if the boss doesn't like you or has a bad feeling about you, we're probably not getting the job.

As long as we're being taught life lessons ... you know what else is real life ... sometimes you have to adjust your personality to mesh with people you're going to work with and deal with on a daily basis. Again, I don't know the guy and I'm all for being who you are, but you also need to adjust to the situations you're put in. So if he did intimidate Plinske and the committee, maybe he should have toned it down a bit and been easier to deal with. I'm sure the response will be, "He's very competitive and his own man and believes in who he is" which is fine, but again, it also translates as stubborn. I have seen very few posts that say maybe Z has some responsibility in not getting the job.

And as was mentioned earlier, this is not Division 1, the new guy can't just come in and fire people and hire who he wants. Even if some of the returning staff quits. Full time jobs will need to be posted and open for applications. He may get input if that happens but he can't handpick his entire staff.

I really don't want to argue you guys cause you have much more invested personally than those of us who are basically just unbiased observers. And Warhawk96 you are absolutely right, it is very new info and I have forgotten the shock factor in the emotion people are showing ... understandable and I'm sure the support for LL will build ... at least until the 1st loss. I just think personal attacks by others based on hearsay and perception are pretty lame.

[college66qbfan]

Doesn't it seem odd to see so much talk about a decision that will not even be announced until Wednesday Jan 3.  You can only assume that someone felt it necessary to gain attention for themselves and not the betterment of the program by posting it.  If the information was leaked from a member of the staff then you must question the loyalty of that member to the program.  Teamwork and Respectful Trust go hand in hand.  The leak of this information shows the true character of the individual that ran to others with their jaws flapping.  That's just the person I would like on my team. (Ha)  I agree with "Eagle Alum" who logged in just to tell you about the courage of Athletic Director Plinske.  He has treated people with the utmost dignity by allowing them time to digest the information before the public.  Allowing them time to prepare how they would deal with the student athletes and program they claim to care about.  Instead it looks like someone has chosen to "Flap their jaws" thinking only about their own feelings and not thinking about how all of the people they claim to "Lead" would react.   

I believe that Dr. Plinske and Coach Berezowitz have shown great courage and respect for the staff in preparing them for the changes ahead.  Thank you both.  Yet someone did not have the insight or forethought to understand what true leadership means.  So to the person or persons that   made the decision to open their mouth(s) "shame on you" for not caring about the students, the program and not showing by your actions that you truly care about UW-Whitewater and only care about your own personal feelings.  There are many of us that actively support the fact the Post-Secondary education means not only teaching in the classroom but, in teaching but our actions. 

Take a page from the team that beat you for the National Championship (twice)...Do you think that LK told you everything that was going on with his Mount Union team during the playoffs before the game.  Right after the game a television reporter asked LK what his secret to winning was he made the following statement: "If I told you what my secret to wining is it would not be my secret anymore."  LK never took his eye off of the goal (winning a national championship).  After watching the game do you think that some of UW-W staff may have jumped ahead a week too soon and took their eye off of the goal on December 16, 2006?   I am sure that the person that opened his mouth knows who he is, and the people that "passed on" the information to anyone who would listen, thanks for your assistance.  Maybe you should go support Mount Union and you can babble their secret in winning!

To the Players and their Parents that read or post on this board there are supporters that you do not even know you have.  This Warhawk Family numbers in the tens of thousands, of devoted people that pay money and travel many miles to see you play a game that you love to play.  They want nothing more than to see you succeed in your goal to be a #1 team, which is part of a #1 athletic and academic organization.  You have a great opportunity to take your program to an outstanding level.  I as a supporter of the UW-W would love to see a MUC vs. UW-W rematch every year for the next decade or two. 

If the rumor is true then Welcome Home Lance Liepold, you have more support than you will ever know.  To any member that does not want to be a part of winning team and can't respect the needs of the team over the needs of yourself,   See you around...we know your number and will be able to beat you and any team that my have you, because you are so predictable..... 

[stoutguy]

These last three posts (the ones just after 1-27!) provide amazing insite to an outsider who has been reading all of this WW stuff and I would like to add a big thank you for reminding us how post discussions should be.  I now feel informed.

[Sakman 1111]

All this discussion is great I guess and we all wish Z. the best even though he will do just fine and I don't believe anyone wishes the new coach ill......but the thing that is most depressing to me is that the guy who should have got the job didn't get it because a better coach was selected......he didn't get it because the guy with the $$$$$$ exerted his influence on whoever made this decision. The lesson learned would be that if you want the job you need to brownnose the guy with the influence or go find another job.....

[Walston Hoover]

Glad to hear we get to keep Coach Willis. It would have been good for him, but bad for Wartburg had he got the job. Good luck to you guys.