FB: Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[badgerwarhawk]

Also, Bullis announced his retirement a few days after the game. The AD didn't know he was gonna do that? Don't buy that.

Or the AD knew he was going to force him out if a short playoff run. If the case he should have have a plan to hire a coach quickly in place.

Though I've never asked AD Ryan Callahan I have had conversations with multiple other staff in the athletic department and with a significant number of boosters all of whom knew the odds of Coach Bullis remaining for another season were somewhere between never and no way.    After all he'd sold his home, his wife had moved and was working in California where his daughter is playing collegiate volleyball and he was renting an apartment.  He's way too much a family man to live like that another year.  So it's virtually impossible for me to believe AD Ryan Callahan was in the dark when so many around him knew.  He's way too involved in what goes on out there for that to be the case.  You can't post a job before the person you're replacing actually retires.  State hiring practices dictate the procedure regarding posting, interviewing, etc.  after that. 

I just want to COMPLETELY dismiss the notion that Coach Bullis was in any way under any pressure to win if he wanted to keep his job.  That simply had nothing to do with this, nothing at all.  We've had four coaches since I was a freshman in 1968.  We don't do that.

[SpartanHouse4]

Sounds like the WIAC really handcuffs their programs when a coach leaves. Noticed that Gennings wasn't hired till March 1 at Osh Kosh last year. How was their recruiting class last year?

[Pat Coleman]

It's the state of Wisconsin's requirements, not the WIAC's.

[bleedpurple]

I'd probably push back against most everything that's been posted about WW not showing more urgency on a HC hire.

Yes they have an interim HC and coaches on the road but how can they sell the program from coaches who most likely won't even be at WW in a month?

While there is no signing day in division three, whitewater recruits do get scholarship offers so signing day is a big deal for WW and top tier D3 programs. How can a kid pick WW over a scholarship offer if they don't even know who the WW staff will be?

The new coach might come in and not like what the recruiting board looks like and not like the commits he has. Then what?

Transfer portal? No time for that this year.

Is the AD a former football coach?

This post reminds me of a shotgun blast that scatters everywhere except hitting the target:

Yes they have an interim HC and coaches on the road but how can they sell the program from coaches who most likely won't even be at WW in a month?


Of course it presents a challenge. But UW-W has a lot of selling points. Among them that roster spots are super competitive. If kids don't commit and come back to us later and those spots are filled, nothing is guaranteed. To answer your question literally, you sell the tradition, the facilities, the strengths of the business school and other academic disciplines. Is it a challenge yes. But we will and are getting commitments.

But your premise is way off. I'll go on record right now in saying it is not true that the "coaches most likely won't even be at WW in a month."

While there is no signing day in division three, whitewater recruits do get scholarship offers so signing day is a big deal for WW and top tier D3 programs. How can a kid pick WW over a scholarship offer if they don't even know who the WW staff will be?

February 1st, the second signing day, is more significant to UW-W than the first. If a student-athlete picks UW-W over a scholarship offer, it is likely a D-II offer or non-scholarship offer.  In both of those cases, the parents have to take the time and  pay a fortune to travel and watch their kid play. UW-W is an attractive alternate to that regardless of who is coaching the team.

The new coach might come in and not like what the recruiting board looks like and not like the commits he has. Then what?

The new coach has to deal with it. Just like he has to deal with the roster of players we have. If we made a commitment to the kid, he is going to be on the roster as a freshman. Period. New coach or not.

Transfer portal? No time for that this year.

For the record, the transfer portal is not all that time consuming.  But whatever.

Is the AD a former football coach?

No, the AD is Ryan Callahan, one of the best pitchers in UW-W history. He was a three year 1st Team All-WIAC performer and spent three years in the Giants and Twins organization before returning to UW-W.

I have full confidence Ryan will make the right decision in this hire. Bright days ahead for UW-W.

[retagent]

Merry Christmas to all my "Friends" on the WIAC PP. May your New Year bring you many more victories than losses.

[bleedpurple]

Merry Christmas to all my "Friends" on the WIAC PP. May your New Year bring you many more victories than losses.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year Ret!

[SpartanHouse4]

I'd probably push back against most everything that's been posted about WW not showing more urgency on a HC hire.

Yes they have an interim HC and coaches on the road but how can they sell the program from coaches who most likely won't even be at WW in a month?

While there is no signing day in division three, whitewater recruits do get scholarship offers so signing day is a big deal for WW and top tier D3 programs. How can a kid pick WW over a scholarship offer if they don't even know who the WW staff will be?

The new coach might come in and not like what the recruiting board looks like and not like the commits he has. Then what?

Transfer portal? No time for that this year.

Is the AD a former football coach?

This post reminds me of a shotgun blast that scatters everywhere except hitting the target:

Yes they have an interim HC and coaches on the road but how can they sell the program from coaches who most likely won't even be at WW in a month?


Of course it presents a challenge. But UW-W has a lot of selling points. Among them that roster spots are super competitive. If kids don't commit and come back to us later and those spots are filled, nothing is guaranteed. To answer your question literally, you sell the tradition, the facilities, the strengths of the business school and other academic disciplines. Is it a challenge yes. But we will and are getting commitments.

But your premise is way off. I'll go on record right now in saying it is not true that the "coaches most likely won't even be at WW in a month."

While there is no signing day in division three, whitewater recruits do get scholarship offers so signing day is a big deal for WW and top tier D3 programs. How can a kid pick WW over a scholarship offer if they don't even know who the WW staff will be?

February 1st, the second signing day, is more significant to UW-W than the first. If a student-athlete picks UW-W over a scholarship offer, it is likely a D-II offer or non-scholarship offer.  In both of those cases, the parents have to take the time and  pay a fortune to travel and watch their kid play. UW-W is an attractive alternate to that regardless of who is coaching the team.

The new coach might come in and not like what the recruiting board looks like and not like the commits he has. Then what?

The new coach has to deal with it. Just like he has to deal with the roster of players we have. If we made a commitment to the kid, he is going to be on the roster as a freshman. Period. New coach or not.

Transfer portal? No time for that this year.

For the record, the transfer portal is not all that time consuming.  But whatever.

Is the AD a former football coach?

No, the AD is Ryan Callahan, one of the best pitchers in UW-W history. He was a three year 1st Team All-WIAC performer and spent three years in the Giants and Twins organization before returning to UW-W.

I have full confidence Ryan will make the right decision in this hire. Bright days ahead for UW-W.

Appears the hiring regulations are what they are. Just appears to really handicap the new coaches first year of recruiting.

While WW has numerous selling points, trying to convince recruits to commit while not having a coaching staff in place is monumental.

[emma17]

Merry Christmas to all.
Thanks to the D3 guys for this site.

My gift to myself- watching the 2009 Stagg Bowl. Wow, both teams were loaded with talent.

[bleedpurple]

I'd probably push back against most everything that's been posted about WW not showing more urgency on a HC hire.

Yes they have an interim HC and coaches on the road but how can they sell the program from coaches who most likely won't even be at WW in a month?

While there is no signing day in division three, whitewater recruits do get scholarship offers so signing day is a big deal for WW and top tier D3 programs. How can a kid pick WW over a scholarship offer if they don't even know who the WW staff will be?

The new coach might come in and not like what the recruiting board looks like and not like the commits he has. Then what?

Transfer portal? No time for that this year.

Is the AD a former football coach?

This post reminds me of a shotgun blast that scatters everywhere except hitting the target:

Yes they have an interim HC and coaches on the road but how can they sell the program from coaches who most likely won't even be at WW in a month?


Of course it presents a challenge. But UW-W has a lot of selling points. Among them that roster spots are super competitive. If kids don't commit and come back to us later and those spots are filled, nothing is guaranteed. To answer your question literally, you sell the tradition, the facilities, the strengths of the business school and other academic disciplines. Is it a challenge yes. But we will and are getting commitments.

But your premise is way off. I'll go on record right now in saying it is not true that the "coaches most likely won't even be at WW in a month."

While there is no signing day in division three, whitewater recruits do get scholarship offers so signing day is a big deal for WW and top tier D3 programs. How can a kid pick WW over a scholarship offer if they don't even know who the WW staff will be?

February 1st, the second signing day, is more significant to UW-W than the first. If a student-athlete picks UW-W over a scholarship offer, it is likely a D-II offer or non-scholarship offer.  In both of those cases, the parents have to take the time and  pay a fortune to travel and watch their kid play. UW-W is an attractive alternate to that regardless of who is coaching the team.

The new coach might come in and not like what the recruiting board looks like and not like the commits he has. Then what?

The new coach has to deal with it. Just like he has to deal with the roster of players we have. If we made a commitment to the kid, he is going to be on the roster as a freshman. Period. New coach or not.

Transfer portal? No time for that this year.

For the record, the transfer portal is not all that time consuming.  But whatever.

Is the AD a former football coach?

No, the AD is Ryan Callahan, one of the best pitchers in UW-W history. He was a three year 1st Team All-WIAC performer and spent three years in the Giants and Twins organization before returning to UW-W.

I have full confidence Ryan will make the right decision in this hire. Bright days ahead for UW-W.

Appears the hiring regulations are what they are. Just appears to really handicap the new coaches first year of recruiting.

While WW has numerous selling points, trying to convince recruits to commit while not having a coaching staff in place is monumental.

Agreed that the uncertainty makes things more challenging. I'm no expert on coaching changes, given UW-W has had four coaches over the past 66 years. And I'm not disagreeing with the notion that there are challenges to recruiting this year for sure.  What I believe is being overstated in this case is that we don't have a coaching staff in place. We do have a coaching staff in place. What is true is that the Head Coach currently has an interim tag. Could that dissuade some recruits? Sure.  But what I'm saying is, the guys doing the recruiting will still be here next fall if they want to be. So the recruits that do commit will have familiarity with the guys they spend the most time with in the recruiting process.

But to your overall point, I agree. The standardized requirements of the hiring process are not helpful.  They are not among the many "advantages" state schools enjoy over the privates.

[bleedpurple]

I'd probably push back against most everything that's been posted about WW not showing more urgency on a HC hire.

Yes they have an interim HC and coaches on the road but how can they sell the program from coaches who most likely won't even be at WW in a month?

While there is no signing day in division three, whitewater recruits do get scholarship offers so signing day is a big deal for WW and top tier D3 programs. How can a kid pick WW over a scholarship offer if they don't even know who the WW staff will be?

The new coach might come in and not like what the recruiting board looks like and not like the commits he has. Then what?

Transfer portal? No time for that this year.

Is the AD a former football coach?

This post reminds me of a shotgun blast that scatters everywhere except hitting the target:

Yes they have an interim HC and coaches on the road but how can they sell the program from coaches who most likely won't even be at WW in a month?


Of course it presents a challenge. But UW-W has a lot of selling points. Among them that roster spots are super competitive. If kids don't commit and come back to us later and those spots are filled, nothing is guaranteed. To answer your question literally, you sell the tradition, the facilities, the strengths of the business school and other academic disciplines. Is it a challenge yes. But we will and are getting commitments.

But your premise is way off. I'll go on record right now in saying it is not true that the "coaches most likely won't even be at WW in a month."

While there is no signing day in division three, whitewater recruits do get scholarship offers so signing day is a big deal for WW and top tier D3 programs. How can a kid pick WW over a scholarship offer if they don't even know who the WW staff will be?

February 1st, the second signing day, is more significant to UW-W than the first. If a student-athlete picks UW-W over a scholarship offer, it is likely a D-II offer or non-scholarship offer.  In both of those cases, the parents have to take the time and  pay a fortune to travel and watch their kid play. UW-W is an attractive alternate to that regardless of who is coaching the team.

The new coach might come in and not like what the recruiting board looks like and not like the commits he has. Then what?

The new coach has to deal with it. Just like he has to deal with the roster of players we have. If we made a commitment to the kid, he is going to be on the roster as a freshman. Period. New coach or not.

Transfer portal? No time for that this year.

For the record, the transfer portal is not all that time consuming.  But whatever.

Is the AD a former football coach?

No, the AD is Ryan Callahan, one of the best pitchers in UW-W history. He was a three year 1st Team All-WIAC performer and spent three years in the Giants and Twins organization before returning to UW-W.

I have full confidence Ryan will make the right decision in this hire. Bright days ahead for UW-W.

Appears the hiring regulations are what they are. Just appears to really handicap the new coaches first year of recruiting.

While WW has numerous selling points, trying to convince recruits to commit while not having a coaching staff in place is monumental.

Agreed that the uncertainty makes things more challenging. I'm no expert on coaching changes, given UW-W has had four coaches over the past 66 years. And I'm not disagreeing with the notion that there are challenges to recruiting this year for sure.  What I believe is being overstated in this case is that we don't have a coaching staff in place. We do have a coaching staff in place. What is true is that the Head Coach currently has an interim tag. Could that dissuade some recruits? Sure.  But what I'm saying is, the guys doing the recruiting will still be here next fall if they want to be. So the recruits that do commit will have familiarity with the guys they spend the most time with in the recruiting process.

Based on no inside information whatsoever, my personal prediction is that UW-W will indeed hire a new coach...for defensive line. I believe the Head Coach and the coordinators are already in the building.

But to your overall point, I agree. The standardized requirements of the hiring process are not helpful.  They are not among the many "advantages" state schools enjoy over the privates.

[badgerwarhawk]

Merry Christmas to all my DIII friends.  I hope your weekend is filled with joy and the companionship of your loved ones.

Like Bleed I too believe the head coach and coordinators are already in the building. 

[emma17]

Merry Christmas to all my DIII friends.  I hope your weekend is filled with joy and the companionship of your loved ones.

Like Bleed I too believe the head coach and coordinators are already in the building.

This surprises me. I'm certainly willing to give the benefit of the doubt, but I think I'd be a bit disappointed if the head coach and OC were already in the building (assuming this means they are on the current football staff). I'll jump on their bandwagon, but it's hard to get excited there will be necessary changes.

[bleedpurple]

Merry Christmas to all my DIII friends.  I hope your weekend is filled with joy and the companionship of your loved ones.

Like Bleed I too believe the head coach and coordinators are already in the building.

This surprises me. I'm certainly willing to give the benefit of the doubt, but I think I'd be a bit disappointed if the head coach and OC were already in the building (assuming this means they are on the current football staff). I'll jump on their bandwagon, but it's hard to get excited there will be necessary changes.

For my part, I should cushion my prediction with what else I believe.  I do believe there will be a legit national search. I just think the internal candidate is a really, really "tough out".  I don't have a vote.   But I am convinced that there will be a legit process that will help determine the best hire.

[02 Warhawk]

Merry Christmas to all my DIII friends.  I hope your weekend is filled with joy and the companionship of your loved ones.

Like Bleed I too believe the head coach and coordinators are already in the building.

This surprises me. I'm certainly willing to give the benefit of the doubt, but I think I'd be a bit disappointed if the head coach and OC were already in the building (assuming this means they are on the current football staff). I'll jump on their bandwagon, but it's hard to get excited there will be necessary changes.

I
For my part, I should cushion my prediction with what else I believe.  I do believe there will be a legit national search. I just think the internal candidate is a really, really "tough out".  I don't have a vote.   But I am convinced that there will be a legit process that will help determine the best hire.

I really hope they strongly consider an outside hire. Worked out well for them last time they went that route.

Not saying that if they do this they will find the next Lance, but maybe some fresh blood will do us some good.

[emma17]

Well, I was going to say maybe Brian Borland would want to come home for the UWW job, but he too received a salary bump. Kotelnicki got the big contract with $1m per year through 2027. Borland got bumped to $600k through 2023.