FB: Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[Pat Coleman]

And all my point was to shine a light on the 2012 quarterback situation and note that even the best coaches sometimes don't have one star quarterback they can turn to. So to call out Wabash for this year's quarterback situation is a red herring, in my mind.

You and your red herrings. I don't like rotating QB's by series- it's my opinion.

I have red herrings?

[Retired Old Rat]

Been away for nearly a month.  Any update on UWW coaching vacancy?

[KitchenSink]

They hired Larry Kehres.

[02 Warhawk]

They hired Larry Kehres.

He edged out Jim Tressel

[badgerwarhawk]

It was offered to John Fox but the Bears wouldn't let him out of their contract.

[02 Warhawk]

As long as it isn't Trestman

[Mr. Ypsi]

They hired Larry Kehres.

He edged out Jim Tressel

I heard that UWW outbid Michigan for Jim Harbaugh - salary goes from LL's $100K to $8M!

[emma17]

Question
What amount of importance do you place on the candidate's famialiarity/knowledge of WI and WI's high schools?

I'm curious to find out how much it plays a part in the final decision.

[bleedpurple]

Question
What amount of importance do you place on the candidate's famialiarity/knowledge of WI and WI's high schools?

I'm curious to find out how much it plays a part in the final decision.

IMO, it is a low-to mid level factor. Knowing and being familiar with schools and programs is a good thing. A much more important thing, and in my mind, where it becomes a  mid-level factor is when a candidate has really strong and developed relationships with with high school coaches. For the UW-W job, I would include northern Illiniois in that conversation as well. My high level factors would always come down to the character, talent, skills, and experiences of the candidate. A good man and a good coach will be able to develop the relationships needed with high school coaches and a big part of his job would be to do it. However, having the relationships already established is certainly helpful.

[NewHawk]

Question
What amount of importance do you place on the candidate's famialiarity/knowledge of WI and WI's high schools?

I'm curious to find out how much it plays a part in the final decision.

IMO, it is a low-to mid level factor. Knowing and being familiar with schools and programs is a good thing. A much more important thing, and in my mind, where it becomes a  mid-level factor is when a candidate has really strong and developed relationships with with high school coaches. For the UW-W job, I would include northern Illiniois in that conversation as well. My high level factors would always come down to the character, talent, skills, and experiences of the candidate. A good man and a good coach will be able to develop the relationships needed with high school coaches and a big part of his job would be to do it. However, having the relationships already established is certainly helpful.

I would agree that WI/Northern IL contacts are important.  A good coach can develop those contacts but I think if you bring someone in without the personal relationships already developed with the HS coaches you take the chance of having 1 or 2 years of recruiting being down while until the rapport is established.  The program speaks for itself but when you add in that at least one program offers in state tuition for IL residents, the coach to coach relationship can make a difference. 

[ScreamingEagles]

Question
What amount of importance do you place on the candidate's famialiarity/knowledge of WI and WI's high schools?

I'm curious to find out how much it plays a part in the final decision.

IMO, it is a low-to mid level factor. Knowing and being familiar with schools and programs is a good thing. A much more important thing, and in my mind, where it becomes a  mid-level factor is when a candidate has really strong and developed relationships with with high school coaches. For the UW-W job, I would include northern Illiniois in that conversation as well. My high level factors would always come down to the character, talent, skills, and experiences of the candidate. A good man and a good coach will be able to develop the relationships needed with high school coaches and a big part of his job would be to do it. However, having the relationships already established is certainly helpful.

I would agree that WI/Northern IL contacts are important.  A good coach can develop those contacts but I think if you bring someone in without the personal relationships already developed with the HS coaches you take the chance of having 1 or 2 years of recruiting being down while until the rapport is established.  The program speaks for itself but when you add in that at least one program offers in state tuition for IL residents, the coach to coach relationship can make a difference.

From my outsiders perspective, I would see Northern Illinois recruiting as very important in the new coaching hire.  Players from there have been instrumental in UWW's run at the top of D3 Football (Blanchard and Coppage are two just off the top of my head), and the competition level in high school football there is just higher than that in Wisconsin.  You can see this at UWP as well, as their recent success has occurred at the same time as an influx of Illinois players on their roster.  UWW's location to that talent compared to other WIAC schools is a definite advantage that they need to continue capitalizing on.

[bleedpurple]

Question
What amount of importance do you place on the candidate's famialiarity/knowledge of WI and WI's high schools?

I'm curious to find out how much it plays a part in the final decision.

IMO, it is a low-to mid level factor. Knowing and being familiar with schools and programs is a good thing. A much more important thing, and in my mind, where it becomes a  mid-level factor is when a candidate has really strong and developed relationships with with high school coaches. For the UW-W job, I would include northern Illiniois in that conversation as well. My high level factors would always come down to the character, talent, skills, and experiences of the candidate. A good man and a good coach will be able to develop the relationships needed with high school coaches and a big part of his job would be to do it. However, having the relationships already established is certainly helpful.

I would agree that WI/Northern IL contacts are important.  A good coach can develop those contacts but I think if you bring someone in without the personal relationships already developed with the HS coaches you take the chance of having 1 or 2 years of recruiting being down while until the rapport is established.  The program speaks for itself but when you add in that at least one program offers in state tuition for IL residents, the coach to coach relationship can make a difference.

From my outsiders perspective, I would see Northern Illinois recruiting as very important in the new coaching hire.  Players from there have been instrumental in UWW's run at the top of D3 Football (Blanchard and Coppage are two just off the top of my head), and the competition level in high school football there is just higher than that in Wisconsin.  You can see this at UWP as well, as their recent success has occurred at the same time as an influx of Illinois players on their roster.  UWW's location to that talent compared to other WIAC schools is a definite advantage that they need to continue capitalizing on.

Without a doubt, continued strong recruiting in both Illinois is absolutely mandatory. When I said mid-level, I wasn't at all trying to minimize the absolute importance of it. I believe UW-W has really solid ties with high school coaches that go far beyond LL and the coaches that just went to Buffalo. Many were established much earlier.  Those relationships are gold. And I agree with the poster who said a year or two of recruiting COULD be affected. But I also wouldn't concede that if I were the new coach. A HUGE part of my initial 60 day plan would be to connect with coaches we already have great relationships with. I may even try to get Brez or others who may have established relationships come with me (Sorry Brez, I know you've been busy lately!).

Here's the thing. Each year, more and more athletes have had amazing experiences at UW-W. Coaches are confident in the experience their kids will have at UW-W in terms of athletics, academics, and the quality of people that will be mentoring and assisting them.  None of that is going to change. UW-W will hire a candidate who is high in character and a good leader and developer of young men.

I will also add this (which is NOT a reply to the above post or any other recent post):
Anyone who is hoping this coaching change will lead to the demise of UW-W will be sorely disappointed.

[emma17]

I forget, was Alan Hensel the UWW recruiter for IL?

I tend to agree w Bleed in that losing the existing staff shouldn't diminish the high regard the High School coaches hold UWW in. One concern I have is the scenario where a kid is on the fence. The unknown element in the short term adds an obstacle, which is along the lines of what NewHawk is saying.

Fact is, I feel the same element of uncertainty as a parent. My high school senior wants to attend UWW- for many reasons but certainly his trips to the Stagg w me play a significant role.

[emma17]

Thinking more about the candidates, and more specifically, who might have applied.
Some have mentioned the idea of UWW being a stepping off point for higher divisions.
Certainly it worked for LL (although I'm not certain that was his plan initially). 
However, isn't an assistant coach or OC/DC at a D2 school, or a HC at a D3 school taking a huge chance in coming to UWW?  After all, their record will always be compared to LL's.  Even though reasonable people won't expect the same success, they will expect a high level of success.

I'd think there may have been a lot of quality coaches that decided against applying for the UWW job.

[wally_wabash]

However, isn't an assistant coach or OC/DC at a D2 school, or a HC at a D3 school taking a huge chance in coming to UWW? 

Um, no.  Whitewater has every conceivable advantage in the Div III pond.  You take a chance at a place like Earlham.  Now that's taking a chance.  Whitewater isn't a "huge chance"...Whitewater is the golden goose.  If you can't win there right now with that infrastructure, you're not good at this. 

After all, their record will always be compared to LL's.  Even though reasonable people won't expect the same success, they will expect a high level of success.

I'd think there may have been a lot of quality coaches that decided against applying for the UWW job.

This is kind of ludicrous, really.  I'd love to see a list of applicants (that information should be public, yes?).  I don't believe Whitewater didn't have an outstanding pool of candidates to choose from.