FB: Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[matlock2231]

Just out of curiousity, to the posters here who played D3 football...

Regarding the UWEC coaching vacancy... I see the list doesn't include Joe LaBuda again... But I am wondering, if you were a junior, or a senior going off to college next year, how much of a factor would the coach be in where to go?

Someone like LaBuda has won a lot; most high school kids probably know his name. He's won at the high school level, but is taking a step up to a higher level, where one might expect growing pains in the first season or two? Granted, most freshman don't start, but it might take a season or two for the new coach to get things rolling...

Also, how much of a factor do the returning starters have on a decision, too? And, high school teammates, too? How do the facitilities play into the equation?

EC has had a decent team during the Hoffner years, and
great facilities, so there is a bit of recent success and tradition there... But how much will a new coach factor into that decision???

I didn't play D3 sports, so I am just curious how players make their decisions on where to go???

I think any number of factors play into a D3 decision: location (most D3 players play within 75 miles of their hometown), type of offense (a QB who wants to fling the ball 45 times/game will go to Platteville; an option QB will go to RF), how well they seem to click with the coach who is recruiting them and the school itself. A kid who wants to become an engineer isn't going to pick Eau Claire (w/o any kind of engineering program) over Platteville. A kid who wants to be a forest ranger is going to go to Point, future athletic trainers will go to La Crosse, etc.

EC should be able to attract kids because it is one of the best academic schools in the conference and has a beautiful campus (*cough* with plenty of bars right across the river*cough*). I think the new coach will play into it somewhat. Remember how most of these kids stick close to home? Almost any Wisconsin high school kid within 75 miles of Menomonie had heard of Menomonie and LaBuda. The key would be how well LaBuda and his staff would fare in getting kids from Minnesota.

In the end, I don't think Joe gets the job -- if Glaser applies for it, it would be very tough to turn down a guy who has D3 head coaching experience, a former UWEC player and coach and a guy who already has recruiting contacts in the area from his days as EC's DC. From what I heard, he was a very good recruiter at EC.

[POUNDTHEROCK]

I find it interesting that coach Zweifel is applying for the job.As Brezowitz is entering his final season,and coach Z has told everyone and thier uncle that he will be the next head coach.
However big time booster in town has said otherwise,and he and Z don't get a long. I just think that Z wouldn't be applying for this job if he truly thought he had a chance for the Whitewater job next year.

[lilpeds]

Two things:

1.) Whether or not Booker comes to Whitewater doesn't matter. Coach Brez has already said he doesn't want him playing for Whitewater. That puts a cobbash on that.
and

2.) You're exactly right, Z won't get the head coaching job at UW-W after Brez is done because him and the biggest booster (DLK) basically hate each other. Matter of fact, rumor has it that when Brez leaves, there will be a major overhaul of the entire coaching staff.


Beaver rules!

[CaptainKurt]

Two things:

1.) Whether or not Booker comes to Whitewater doesn't matter. Coach Brez has already said he doesn't want him playing for Whitewater. That puts a cobbash on that.
and

2.) You're exactly right, Z won't get the head coaching job at UW-W after Brez is done because him and the biggest booster (DLK) basically hate each other. Matter of fact, rumor has it that when Brez leaves, there will be a major overhaul of the entire coaching staff.

I'm not so sure that everyone who thinks DLK runs the ship within the UWW football family is correct.  Now, we all know that he's the biggest donor/booster of many athletic programs at UWW, with football being one of them.  But he will not have a final say in the matter.  That is what Dr. Paul Plinske has been hired for.  The responsibility of hiring a new coach to replace Coach Brezowitz falls squarely on his shoulders.  If this was the University of Auburn, a school which has been well documented with it's boosters' invisible hands of influence, then I would say that the biggest booster would choose the next head coach.  But the fact of the matter is that, with UW-Whitewater being a public institution, the job search for the next head coach will go by the books.  And if Dr. Plinske decideds that Stan Zweifel is the man for the job, then he'll get it.  DLK does not have veto power.

However, my gut reaction is that Z will not get the job.  In my estimation (and I am an actuary) 90-95% of alumnus who played for Stan would tell you that he is the man for the job.  PERIOD.  He's not only earned the job and deserves it, but he is more qualified than any other candidate who will apply for this job.  I like his hiring because it allows for the chemistry of the current staff to stay intact.  Brian Borland is as important to UWW success as is Stan Zweifel.  But all of the speculation we makes doesn't really matter.  We can just kick back and watch this event unfold over time. 

[janesvilleflash]

Questions for Captain and others who are somewhat in the know.==What, if any importance will Brez's opinion have on the decison? and do you think Borland is a candidate. Also, Z is a relentless recruiter, is there anyone on the current staff equal to his ability as a recruiter?-- and finally, has Ben Coopers name appeared on anyones list of candidates.

[badgerwarhawk]

Stan Zwiefel is NOT a candidate for the Eau Claire job and from my understanding never was.  You'd be surprised how winning can influence attitudes in the community.

[CaptainKurt]

Stan Zwiefel is NOT a candidate for the Eau Claire job and from my understanding never was.  You'd be surprised how winning can influence attitudes in the community.

I like what you have to say BadgerWarhawk.  Janesville, I can't comment on what coach Brez's influence is on the next coach.  I'm sure he'll be asked and that he'll have his recommendation, but he's not in Alvarez's shoes (unfortunately).  Will Borland be a candidate as well?  I'm not sure on that either, but I would have to say yes.  I don't see him taking an idle role in this process.  If an outsider wins the job, I just can't see Borland risking his job if the new coach asks him to hit the bricks.  So, using common sense on this one, I have to say yes, Brian Borland is a candidate.  I could be wrong.  BW, can you comment on that?

[badgerwarhawk]

I have heard that Brian was planning on applying for the head coaching position but only second hand so I can't say so with certainty.  He would be a strong applicant in my opinion.   

[blugold45]

All this talk about UWW coaches getting the UWEC job is nice but there are only three names that I think EC people get excited about.

1. Todd Glaser- Mr. Eau Claire, bleeds blue and gold and has a pride in the program that is unrivaled.  If he wants the job he should be considered a front runner.

2. Glenn Caruso- He was Very well liked while at UWEC.  Also, I believe he and his family really liked it in Eau Claire.  His background and credentials I believe are more impressive then any assitant at WW or another D3 school.

3. LuBuda- The name in the Chippewa Valley carries a lot of weight.  I don't think the administration will give him what he wants.  With UWEC considered one of the better jobs in D3 football (not $$$ wise), is a highschool coach going to get that job? 

I think that Glaser gets the job if he applies but I would like to see Caruso get the job because of his fire and energy that he would bring to the program, also his ability to recruit and connect with the players and recruits.  In a perfect world Casruso would be running the offense and Glaser would be running the defense and Link Walker doing the "Bobby Bowden" administrative head coaching, then the Blugolds would be a force!

[CaptainKurt]

All this talk about UWW coaches getting the UWEC job is nice but there are only three names that I think EC people get excited about.

We were referring to the head coaching vacancy at UWW at the end of this coming season.  UWW's current coaches won't be applying for the UWEC job. 

[CaptainKurt]

Voice, where's our schedule at??

[badgerwarhawk]

It's still being finalized, CaptainK.  Evidently they had to switch a pair of conference games and are waiting for one of the schools to sign off on it.  A move the commissioner is supporting.

In addition to the the regular conference schedule we'll be playing Lakeland, Trinity (a NAIA school, not one of the d3s) and Hardin Simmons in Texas if it all works out as planned.

[KennethK]

Been anxiously awaiting the Hawks schedule.  Lakeland and Trinity would seem to be no match for WW..Hardin Simmons could be interesting.  Do you think the WIAC will return to form in 06 with the champ loosing a game or two. 

[voice]

The Texas team on UW-Whitewater's tentative schedule IS NOT Hardin-Simmons, its Mary Hardin-Baylor, the other is not Trinity, but Trinity International of metro Chicago.

[voice]

KennethK... The tentative schedule hopefully will get approval this week!