FB: American Rivers Conference

[Thunderbolt]

326 pass attempts and 350 rushes over 8 conference games  = 41 passes and 44 rushes per game.  That took me about 20 seconds to figure out from the IIAC stats page.  I know its exciting to be a UD fan with a coach of such high expectations, but my BS meter is spiking a bit on the whole only 24 were retained quote when he stretches some basic stats that badly. 

I was also struck by the fact that they had 117 players report to camp, given the 110 new faces.

[warthog]

Since I've never met him, perhaps someone could tell me who Coach Z. looks like.  Based on some of the conversations from the last couple days, I was guessing John Goodman.  

I'm willing to give the guy some latitude.  He might be like some of us on this site and be a little prone to exaggeration.  He is attempting to build a new attitude concerning Spartan Football.  

Did he really tell all but 24 players they were no longer wanted? I doubt it, but if only 24 chose to take the new road, what he said was partially true.  I would guess the players themselves decided they didn't want to be part of the squad.  Based on that, I guess it probably true they didn't fit into plans for the future.

Did he really not know what UD has been running offensively for the past few years? I doubt it, but if you're going to change things up you might as well make it sound like big changes when you talk to the press.  He is not only trying to change the attitude of the team, but he also needs to fire up the base of support.

Lets give him some time.  Lee Corso and Hayden Fry were always more fun to listen to than most other Big Ten coaches.  God knows they were prone to exaggeration at times.

[doolittledog]

warthog = voice of reason

[Thunderbolt]

Some times the fastest way to fix something right, is to tear it down and start over. Like the old saying: To make a good omelet, you have to break a few eggs.

[Willie University]

 Dubuque has had a balanced attack...it was just out of the spread, compared to how Zweifel plans to attack things.  It's hyperbole on his part, but it just kind of comes off like a used car salesman at times when he keeps hammering that UD was a spread offense that threw the ball all the time and now we will be more balanced.  We led the conference in rushing in 2007. 

Now, these kids are basically being told they aren't wanted.  I know they don't have to leave UD.  But will they still get the same amount of finantial aid that they recieved before?  Good question.  It might not be all that easy to transfer into another school.  It will be hard to go to another school and break into another team just as much as it would be hard to stay at UD and not be a part of the football team. 

The reason UD was "balanced" in the spread is because in their "pass-first, run-second" offense, if someone wasn't open downfield, jamar tucked it and ran leading to the balance for which you talk about. Sure, some were designed run plays but many times jamar turned pass plays into run plays and that is where the IIAC stats don't tell the whole story.....at least from my observations....but who really cares, the offense worked with jamar running it for 2 seasons and now UD will have a different offense that will work with Coach Z calling the plays.

Let's be realistic also about the retention thing. If a kid doesn't want to stick it out because he doesn't feel he should be 2nd or 3rd on the depth chart, then YOU DON'T WANT THAT CANCER AROUND in your locker room or sideline. I don't coach but if I did, I want kids that are going to give 110% no matter what and give everything they've got to be part of the team. They are going to accept obstacles put in front of them and they are going to figure out a way to get over them. I am sure those 25 or so kids that are left are those types of kids. For the ones that aren't part of it for whatever reason, so be it. The TEAM is probably better off without them.

By the way, financial aid has NOTHING to do with whether they play football or not, period. Unless you play football for Wartburg 

Willie U

[DutchFan2004]

326 pass attempts and 350 rushes over 8 conference games  = 41 passes and 44 rushes per game.  That took me about 20 seconds to figure out from the IIAC stats page.  I know its exciting to be a UD fan with a coach of such high expectations, but my BS meter is spiking a bit on the whole only 24 were retained quote when he stretches some basic stats that badly. 

Oh, I NEVER said there wouldn't be BS!   

Look, he is going to have to prove his worth on the field and in the win column, no doubt.  I'm just saying that he is a quality coach with a proven track record as a recruiter and as a winner.  Given time, he will take the Spartans to a new level of success.  Of this, I am confident but I understand the nervousness on fans part.  UD has benefited by the fact that Coach Z wants to be a HC again and I am guessing, welcomes the challenge of this program.  If he thought that any of the veterans that he let go would develop into the quality of player that he expects to field at UD, they would have stayed.  Change is never easy but many times, necessary to move forward.     I don't want to be guilty of raising expectation too high, just think the UD is lucky to have him and looking forward to seeing how they progress.  Afterall, with a 2-8 record last season, nowhere to go but up, IMHO.

Not to start a war here, but how long do you give him to turn it around?  I think Brautigan had turned the program around to have a team that had to retool and rebuild.  With a donor kind of running the program (if true) how long will he get and if he does build a contender and have a rebuilding year will he get the same treatment from the administration?  What do you think?  I mean is Coach Z a guy that could be there for a long time or is this a stepping stone to other positions.  From what you said Coach Z is not a guy that does not look at the whole picture and makes off the cuff decsisions.  Just curious to your thoughts. 

[Willie University]

326 pass attempts and 350 rushes over 8 conference games  = 41 passes and 44 rushes per game.  That took me about 20 seconds to figure out from the IIAC stats page.  I know its exciting to be a UD fan with a coach of such high expectations, but my BS meter is spiking a bit on the whole only 24 were retained quote when he stretches some basic stats that badly. 

Oh, I NEVER said there wouldn't be BS!   

Look, he is going to have to prove his worth on the field and in the win column, no doubt.  I'm just saying that he is a quality coach with a proven track record as a recruiter and as a winner.  Given time, he will take the Spartans to a new level of success.  Of this, I am confident but I understand the nervousness on fans part.  UD has benefited by the fact that Coach Z wants to be a HC again and I am guessing, welcomes the challenge of this program.  If he thought that any of the veterans that he let go would develop into the quality of player that he expects to field at UD, they would have stayed.  Change is never easy but many times, necessary to move forward.     I don't want to be guilty of raising expectation too high, just think the UD is lucky to have him and looking forward to seeing how they progress.  Afterall, with a 2-8 record last season, nowhere to go but up, IMHO.

Not to start a war here, but how long do you give him to turn it around?  I think Brautigan had turned the program around to have a team that had to retool and rebuild.  With a donor kind of running the program (if true) how long will he get and if he does build a contender and have a rebuilding year will he get the same treatment from the administration?  What do you think?  I mean is Coach Z a guy that could be there for a long time or is this a stepping stone to other positions.  From what you said Coach Z is not a guy that does not look at the whole picture and makes off the cuff decsisions.  Just curious to your thoughts. 

Coach B had coached at UD for how many years? I dont have time to look it up? 7-8? I have met Coach Z and from what I understand, his goals don't stop at winning the IIAC so I guess unless you see that happening in his first year, I suppose that means he is in it long term. He did his research before taking the job and as was mentioned many times before, he has been offered other head coaching jobs. UD was the right fit for him and his career goals and we are lucky to have him. His track record of being at UW-W for what 20+ years say a lot as well. I forsee this being a very long term thing and maybe even a place to end his career. But from what I understand about him living and breathing football, that might not be for 20 years! 

Willie U

[doolittledog]

When the IIAC commish announced last spring the conference was considering expansion, I wonder if this school might be in consideration...



Well I thought maybe that might lighten the mood a bit around here.  Can't wait for Sept. 5th!!!

[footballdaddy]

All this spin put on Zweifel is making me dizzy!

[footballfan413]

But will they still get the same amount of finantial aid that they recieved before?  Good question.  

Willie beat me to the punch but to piggyback, since athletic $ at the D-3 level is against NCAA rules, then the financial aid package should not change!      
Being a fan of a public school, this is a pet peeve of mine!  

Z is a, "run first, run often with enough pass plays to open up the run game," kind of coach.  And the list of RB's that he has recruited and developed during his time at Whitewater is very impressive.  But UWW really moved up to the next level when the offense became more 50/50 beginning in 05 with a talented QB, WR and TE to compliment the running game.  


DF2004.  
Coachiing is a transient profession so who really knows but Coach Z was at UWW for 16 seasons and had he gotten the HC job, he would have retired a Warhawk, I have no doubt.  I also had no doubt that he would continue to make changes until a HC job that he wanted became available.  How long will it take to turn things around?  I have no idea as I am not familiar with the Spartan program except what I can read on paper.  As long as he is successful and wanted, I see no reason why this stop will not be a long one but if I could predict the future, my 401K would look a lot healthier.

footballdaddy,
  No spin on my part, just saying what I know.  Those of us who are showing support for him did so in response to some posts expressing "worry," understandable as it is by UD fans.  As you can tell, I have great respect for the man because he earned it.    

[warthog]

Thought for the day:

Coaches who can outline plays on a black board are a dime a dozen. The ones who win get inside their player and motivate.

- Vince Lombardi

[sportsknight]

The season kicks off in 9 days and Dubuque fans are controlling the conversation here?  What is the world coming to?

In other news, I'm expecting the Wartburg roster will be up soon.  Someone with knowledge of the situation told me they were planning to have it on the website by the end of the week, and the unclickable word "roster" isn't on the football page anymore, which tells me that it is being worked on.

[footballdaddy]

I heard a rumor that when Zwiefel recruits in Wisconcin he doesn't bother with bridges, he just walks across the Mississippi. Just a rumor.

[sportsknight]

I heard that if Zwiefel coached Tim Tebow, they could win the BCS by themselves.  Wouldn't even need 10 other players.

[Purple Heys]

Chuck Norris learned everything he knows from Coach Zweifel