FB: Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[K-Mack]

Well,
The USC comparison ... that's probably more of a rare case, but I bet you can make an argument for it. I think the program's depth should be good after two post-Stagg recruiting classes, so I don't see any drops further than say, 7-3, but to think you could waltz right back to the Stagg Bowl would be a huge oversight on how special this senior class is/was: Kleppe, Jacobs, Stanley, Schmitt, Widuch, Sakellaris, Mrkvicka, Reuland, etc., etc. ... that's a lot to replace.

You do have a fresh look though, unfamiliar schemes and enough talent with which to deploy them (Beaver, most of the OL, Raebel, Borzick, etc.), so a return to the playoffs is not out of the question.

  Here are some comments I made off the top of the head on The Dose, without really reading the complete background on everything ... I thought I'd share them because I bet there's plenty in there to draw a response:

As far as Lance Leipold, I kind of feel bad for the guy, especially since he's a UWW guy who once worked with Berezowitz and not an outsider like some people are portraying.

Having been through a coaching change scenario as a player, I know everyone always wants the in-house coordinator to be the guy, and if that doesn't happen, you're pissed for a while ... but at a certain point, the guy is the guy who's leading you, and you have to accept him and accept that he wants the same things for you as the in-house guy would have, and the things you want for yourself.

Not having followed the situation too closely, I can only offer some basic logic and theory. One, if Plinske picked Leipold over a guy who has worked for UWW for 13/16 years (I forget who was which), it probably says more about how strongly he felt about Leipold rather than how he didn't feel that way about Zwiefel. It makes sense that he has two candidates that probably can do the job, and he has to select one. I think it was rather bold to select the unpopular candidate, but since the AD would only want the best for UWW, I don't understand why people won't give him the benefit of the doubt, since he clearly must have seen something in Leipold to make what he had to know was going to be an unpopular choice.

I am sure Stan Zwiefel will land on his feet, and I am willing to bet that UWW ends up liking the new hire in the long run. It could fail, sure, but it's an interesting situation. While I don't think UWW is a Stagg Bowl contender for next year, these are key times for building/recruiting/sustaining the success from consecutive Stagg appearances. And it's kind of a no-win situation, because if he loses (and I mean only a few games. I could see the Warhawks possibly missing the playoffs or not winning the WIAC next year, depending on what's back elsewhere) he'll get blamed, but if he wins they'll say it was all with Berezowitz's guys.

Anyway, those are kind of thoughts from afar. Having been through a transition, you kind of have to get on board with the new guy ASAP and start defining your role. For some it's a fresh start and it works out, some other lose favor they'd curried with the old staff. But you're all working toward the same goal, and the AD and fans all want the same thing - mo' Ws - so I don't see why so much trust and discontent besides the obvious emotional sting, and I don't mean any of this to be insenistive to Zwiefel.

I guess I'm more of a rational, benefit of the doubt type-guy than a cynic / conspiracy theorist.

FWIW.

[K-Mack]

Okay after much deliberation. I think e would all agree that the case of the UW-Whitewater football coaching hiring is closed.
I move to envolk a order stating no more talking about this, as i is done and overwith.
All in favor of this motion reply with an I and GO WARHAWKS vote.

Oh, oops. I probably shouldn't have been speaking out of turn, but I'm nose-deep in the ATN Year in Review, Pt. 1

Which reminds me, back to it ... if I'm gonna hit this Jan. 5 deadline y'all.

[K-Mack]

OK, I just read back about 5 pages, and I see everything was covered pretty much in detail, so if you want to ignore my comments about the hire and take me on about Whitewater's record next year, feel free.

I really think they could go a couple different ways with it, still be pretty good and in the playoffs, or backslide a bit because that was such a special senior class. They do have a lot of good players back though.

Will La Crosse be the other team to beat next year? I'm sorry ... I can't really think at the moment.

[frank uible]

History tells us that the chance that any 2006 WIAC senior finds himself on any future NFL roster for any regular season or post-season game is slim. No strong candidate to fulfill this chance has come to my relatively inattentive attention.

[Bisondad]

I'd like to see predictions for the WIAC next year.  I think LaCrosse will be extremely interested in finally beating Whitewater, and I think they will.  I hope RF and Stout don't remain at the bottom, but I think they might.  What about everybody else?

[badgerwarhawk]

Judging by the response at last night's booster meeting I think the program's supporters transitition to Coach Leipold is off to a very good start.  He was met with resounding applause and enthusiasm.  WARHAWK people are going to line up behind him.

KMack, if LaCrosse isn't the team to beat they are definitely the other team to beat every year.  

[bluecollardevils]

Is Kleppe going to try to play anywhere??  I realize that he does not have the height requirments to play in the NFL, but from what I have heard and seen, he has the ability and work ethic to play some where (AFL, AFL2, CFL, NFLEurope).  I also realize that he is a great student, so maybe he is ready to move on in life.

[footballfan413]

Judging by the response at last night's booster meeting I think the program's supporters transitition to Coach Leipold is off to a very good start.  He was met with resounding applause and enthusiasm.  WARHAWK people are going to line up behind him.

Absolutely!!  While some initial disappointment by many was inevitable, I believe, no one wants Coach Leipold and the Warhawks to be anything less than tremendously successful and will continue to give the program and the new coach 100% support.

[janesvilleflash]

Bluecollar- good question about Kleppe's future, maybe someone can shed some light? How are things going at Stout. Any new developements.

[Breeze46]

No news yet about Kleppe's plans, but given his major (Phys. ED) a role here in Whitewater would be a wonderfull development!!  Two Gagliardi finalists on the sidelines again next year would add a nice touch to the season.

[UniqueInsight38]

What about coach Z going back to his Alma Mater to coach???

[UniqueInsight38]

What is happening at UW-Stout since the big news broke about Mr. Steffen?  Will there be any changes in the program?

[ScheckDiesel]

Well,
The USC comparison ... that's probably more of a rare case, but I bet you can make an argument for it. I think the program's depth should be good after two post-Stagg recruiting classes, so I don't see any drops further than say, 7-3, but to think you could waltz right back to the Stagg Bowl would be a huge oversight on how special this senior class is/was: Kleppe, Jacobs, Stanley, Schmitt, Widuch, Sakellaris, Mrkvicka, Reuland, etc., etc. ... that's a lot to replace.

You do have a fresh look though, unfamiliar schemes and enough talent with which to deploy them (Beaver, most of the OL, Raebel, Borzick, etc.), so a return to the playoffs is not out of the question.

 

I know that my point about comparing UWW's depth to USC was weak, but I was hoping to convey that although we lost an amazing group of seniors, I think our recruiting will keep us competing for the WIAC.  I hope that you didnt get the idea that I thought UWW was on its way to a third straight Stagg Bowl.  I would like to see us keep our perfect record at home for the third year in a row(even with MHB) coming to town.  I'm seeing a dogfight between UW-LAX and UWW for the title next year.

[Sakman 1111]

#1 still has a year of eligibility and from what I heard was planning to come back before all the coaching excitement began.....It would be awesome to have him back.....

[badgerwarhawk]

He'll be back.