FB: Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[02 Warhawk]

Because if they are big AND fast, they go to D-I schools, not UWW or anywhere else in D-III. The world we live in means we get guys that have some kind of drawback.  Big, but slow. Fast, but small.

Yes, they come to D-III everyonce in a while, but that's why D-III is really about maximizing what you have. Not worrying about what you don't, because you often can't control that.

I'm still looking for the "drawback" on Shorts and Garcon.     

[badgerwarhawk]

Why is it UWW can't seem to land the big and fast receivers? Are any of our receivers over 6 ft? They weren't when I played. We had guys like Paul Jones, fast as hell but rather short so jump balls favored the d-backs. Looks like that hasn't changed much. Getting a superfast guy like CS with alittle size is tough. Are there just not many of these types to go around adter the D-1 programs get to them?

Of the 15 players listed on the roster as either tight ends or receivers two thirds (10) of them are over 6'.  Brandes is 6'3".  The average height of that group is about 6'3".  True those are seeing the most playing time are shorter but if height alone determined how good they are how is Rusch able to break virtually every receiving record.  

[Warhawk 96]

With the ability level of some of our younger guys I think that we'll be faster next year on both sides of the ball. It's hard to get players like Garcon, Shorts, or even Knapp who seems to have been forgotten in the discussion. I too would like to know how Mt. Union is able to have an absolute monster at WR every year. I heard a rumor that Mt. Union's recruiting area is rather expansive so maybe that has a bigger role in the process than we give it credit for. If UWW wants to send me to Florida to "recruit" I'd be more than happy to oblige 

[Kira & Jaxon's Dad]

With the ability level of some of our younger guys I think that we'll be faster next year on both sides of the ball. It's hard to get players like Garcon, Shorts, or even Knapp who seems to have been forgotten in the discussion. I too would like to know how Mt. Union is able to have an absolute monster at WR every year. I heard a rumor that Mt. Union's recruiting area is rather expansive so maybe that has a bigger role in the process than we give it credit for. If UWW wants to send me to Florida to "recruit" I'd be more than happy to oblige 

There is A LOT of talent in FL that ends up not going to College because there are no small college or JC programs in FL.  Mount Union started to get FL talent a few years ago and those kids end up recruiting their friends and former HS opponents.  They do hold a Small College Recruitment Fair down here and other schools in the OAC have started to come to that.  Heidelberg, Muskingum and Wilmington come to mind lately on Northern schools signing local (to me in the Tampa Bay Area) talent.

The biggest hurdle is the travel (most kids don't want to be that far away from home) and weather, not a lot like the cold weather in the winter.

[warhawkguard]

Don't get me wrong, our guys certainly get the job done. It seems odd that the new National Super Power that also wears purple could land an occasional recruit the likes of which Mount gets, and that monster Wesley had. I don't want to be see as knocking our guys at all.

Now regarding getting a coach from D-3's royal family in our own back yard, that would certainly change some things. Has anyone heard anything regarding the LaCrosse opening? Wouldn't that make a bit more attractive position to a Kehres than RF? Restore the great program to its past glory. It has the facilities, a nice city, backing, and tradition. If I was a coach looking for a position like that, I would certainly pick LaX over RF, and I played a year in RF. Plus, LaX certainly isn't a bad team at all so its not like it would require a total rebuilding job. Just some tweaks and they will challenge anyone.

[D O.C.]

Sure hope we get to see Grand Valley State vs. Northwest Missouri State in the Division II Championship game this year.   

[Kira & Jaxon's Dad]

I'm wondering if VKehres is the next in line at MTU, but LKehres wants Vince to go out on his own and prove himself before giving him the reins for the Purple Raiders.

There are others out there (Mike Siriani, Mike Hallet, Eric Raeburn, Dean Paul) who come from the MTU family that have the Head Coaching experience though...

[Raider 68]

I think the mere fact that Kehres has been interested in the job shows what others think about the WIAC.  He's willing to leave a coordinator position at the most respected DIII program in the nation to take on a rebuilding job at lower level WIAC program. 

Also, he is probably ready to step out from being in his Dad's shadow.  I applaud him for wanting to see what he can do outside of Mount Union.

It would be part of his grooming process: Become a HC in a top conference,
then return to his alma mater when Coach Kehres retires. No doubt dinner table discussions on more than one occasion!

[rome]

Question for Purple fans

What was the tipping point? What I mean is this...what was the change that began to bring this great success to your respective programs.

Mout--early 90s and they went from a very good program to elite

WW--in 2000s it seemed they took things to another level...

I am always fascinated on how people build "programs" and these two certainly got the formula working     

[ncc58]

Wouldn't this be a negative for any school that interviews VK - the possibility that he's going to leave when LK is ready to retire? How would RF feel if any coach left after he got the program in the right direction to take the job he was "groomed" for?

It would be part of his grooming process: Become a HC in a top conference,
then return to his alma mater when Coach Kehres retires. No doubt dinner table discussions on more than one occasion!

[Kira & Jaxon's Dad]

Wouldn't this be a negative for any school that interviews VK - the possibility that he's going to leave when LK is ready to retire? How would RF feel if any coach left after he got the program in the right direction to take the job he was "groomed" for?

It would be part of his grooming process: Become a HC in a top conference,
then return to his alma mater when Coach Kehres retires. No doubt dinner table discussions on more than one occasion!

Possibly, but who knows, maybe VK just wants to go out and build a top notch program on his own.  Don Montgomery is attempting that at Emory & Henry.  Not successful yet.

[Warhawk 96]

Wouldn't this be a negative for any school that interviews VK - the possibility that he's going to leave when LK is ready to retire? How would RF feel if any coach left after he got the program in the right direction to take the job he was "groomed" for?

It would be part of his grooming process: Become a HC in a top conference,
then return to his alma mater when Coach Kehres retires. No doubt dinner table discussions on more than one occasion!

I understand what you're saying but I think there's very few coaches at any level in this sport that would stay in one place if a better offer came around. As competitive as it is on the field, it's even more competitive at the top. If any school can get a quality coach, even if it feels like a short term lease, they would be happy with the success that they will bring to them. It's worked for Grand Valley for quite some time. I think UWRF should be happy that coaches of that caliber want to come there.

[Warhawk 96]

Question for Purple fans

What was the tipping point? What I mean is this...what was the change that began to bring this great success to your respective programs.

Mout--early 90s and they went from a very good program to elite

WW--in 2000s it seemed they took things to another level...

I am always fascinated on how people build "programs" and these two certainly got the formula working    

>90% off season weight room attendance for several years straight, facility upgrades to help recruiting, hating UW-LAX A LOT, but most importantly, striking luck in the recruiting process and landing a good crop of athletes a few years in a row that were good but willing to work harder. It's not rocket science, it's MAGIC. Make A Greater Individual Commitment

[rscl70]

Wouldn't this be a negative for any school that interviews VK - the possibility that he's going to leave when LK is ready to retire? How would RF feel if any coach left after he got the program in the right direction to take the job he was "groomed" for?

It would be part of his grooming process: Become a HC in a top conference,
then return to his alma mater when Coach Kehres retires. No doubt dinner table discussions on more than one occasion!

I understand what you're saying but I think there's very few coaches at any level in this sport that would stay in one place if a better offer came around. As competitive as it is on the field, it's even more competitive at the top. If any school can get a quality coach, even if it feels like a short term lease, they would be happy with the success that they will bring to them. It's worked for Grand Valley for quite some time. I think UWRF should be happy that coaches of that caliber want to come there.

I think VK would be a good choice at River Falls.  Since his outburst at the Stagg a couple of years ago and his subsequent banishment to the press box the following season, he has matured a great deal.  Even if he only stayed five of six years, wouldn't RF benefit if he were able to build a successful program?  And who knows, if he does really well at RF, maybe he wouldn't want to return to Mount and have to fill his father's shoes.

[HScoach]

^ Might be a crazy thought, but if I'm him why would I want to be a head coach in the shadow of Dad at Mount?   Regardless of how good VK could ever turn out to be, he'll never win like Larry did.  No one will.  And even if he ended up being a great coach that wins 85% of his games with a couple titles, Larry would still get the credit for building The Machine.  All VK would be is baby-sitting Larry's program.  IMHO, it's a no-win situation for VK if he gets the HC position at Mount.