FB: American Rivers Conference

[sportsknight]

Right now, the only coaches I can think of around the IIAC that have stayed at their post despite the chance to move onward and upward would be VanHaaften at BV (basketball) Jim Miller at Wartburg (wrestling) and both of Simpson's basketball coaches.  Good, bad, or indifferent, that's just the way of the world right now.

I'm pretty sure George Wares is in that club as well.  Coaches that are coaching at their alma mater have more reason to stay than other coaches.  I'm hoping Coach Mac is right in there.  I heard rumors last year and he is still here.  I hope he follows Skip's example of knowing a good thing when he has it without all the added pressure that you have at higher division schools. 

Good call.  I forgot about George.

[Alfredeneumann]

W'loo Courier story about Willis/Koehler transition - quotes about  GV St.

http://wcfcourier.com/articles/2008/07/28/sports/local/10500108.txt

[Thunderbolt]

For the sake of Eric Koehler, how awesome would it be for him if the GVSU staff was hired at PSU after this season? That would be like a record fast jump
.

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/otl/news/story?id=3504915&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab3pos1

Looks like Iowa isn't the only team in the media about legal trouble.  I know many D1 teams have these types of troubles with young men getting into trouble with the law, but not every school is brought in the front of headlines nationaly like Iowa and now Penn State has recently.  Also, does anyone have any opinions on wether this is Joe Pa's last year coaching or at least at Penn State?  His contract is up at the end of the season, and both Joe Pa and the President of Penn State have said they will wait until the end of the season to talk about the contract issue.  Does this year put exta pressue on Joe Pa and Penn State to have a good year?  Since, Joe Pa is 2nd in most wins I believe he will be able to stay at Penn State until he dies....so I don't see any extra pressure.

Why not, stranger things have happened. St Olaf's coach got a pretty good gig with the Redskins. I don't think to many people saw that coming.
  You can count me as one of the Norse faithful DBQ1965

[the_mayne_event]

For the sake of Eric Koehler, how awesome would it be for him if the GVSU staff was hired at PSU after this season? That would be like a record fast jump
.

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/otl/news/story?id=3504915&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab3pos1

Looks like Iowa isn't the only team in the media about legal trouble.  I know many D1 teams have these types of troubles with young men getting into trouble with the law, but not every school is brought in the front of headlines nationaly like Iowa and now Penn State has recently.  Also, does anyone have any opinions on wether this is Joe Pa's last year coaching or at least at Penn State?  His contract is up at the end of the season, and both Joe Pa and the President of Penn State have said they will wait until the end of the season to talk about the contract issue.  Does this year put exta pressue on Joe Pa and Penn State to have a good year?  Since, Joe Pa is 2nd in most wins I believe he will be able to stay at Penn State until he dies....so I don't see any extra pressure.

Why not, stranger things have happened. St Olaf's coach got a pretty good gig with the Redskins. I don't think to many people saw that coming.
  You can count me as one of the Norse faithful DBQ1965

if he's not at Penn State, he won't be coaching.

[Thunderbolt]

 My mistake TME. I was trying to reference Walstons comment. I think this will be it for Joe Pa.

[the_mayne_event]

My mistake TME. I was trying to reference Walstons comment. I think this will be it for Joe Pa.

i was refering to Kohawk Remedy's comment... i just didnt want to go back to look for the original

[TheOne89.1]

W'loo Courier story about Willis/Koehler transition - quotes about  GV St.

http://wcfcourier.com/articles/2008/07/28/sports/local/10500108.txt

"He led the Knights to a 79-17 record and four NCAA Division III playoff berths, including an undefeated Iowa Conference championship squad in 1999."

They can add 2003 to that article as well.

Good article.  No bad blood at Wartburg, just perfect timing for Koehler.  I'm sure any of us would do the same thing.  It's not every day you get to jump from D3 to a program like Grand Valley State.  I remember when Coach Mitchell announced that he would be leaving for GVS.  Same situation.  Success of the team is good for the coaches involved as well and allows for big opportunities.  Coach Tressel, same thing with Ohio State (although having Jim there probably helped a bit).  Walston, you seem to be pretty well in touch with Wartburg coaches, anyword on how Tressel is doing or where he is at now?

[davedevine]

Wow, lots of exciting news coming out of Wave town in the past 24 hours.

While I can attest that the timing isn't maybe the best, I feel pretty good about the situation based on who's taking over.  I've heard pretty good things about him.     If it were anyone else,  I'd probably feel a little different.

Koehler might as well keep most of his items packed because there's a good change the staff @ GVS might only be there another season or two.   

I was back home a month ago and  I got to visit with Willis, Koehler and Morrison
The series of events that have just occured was the furthest thing from happening at that time.   

It's all about who you know and opportunities and this is a prime example of it. 

I'm happy for both coaches and each will have a lot of success in the upcoming season. 

by the way, Tressel is coaching at Mich St. now after being previously at Cinncy.

[Klompen]

While I can attest that the timing isn't maybe the best, I feel pretty good about the situation based on who's taking over.  I've heard pretty good things about him.     If it were anyone else,  I'd probably feel a little different.

Not too many schools would actually be in a position to benefit from a head coaching change less than a month before camp begins, but Wartburg is in a position to do just that.  No disrespect intended for Coach Koehler, just a lot of respect for Coach Willis.  Though Koehler did know how to hire roofing crews.   

[dutchfan1]

Will Willis continue to serve as AD?

[TheOne89.1]

Thanks for the Tressel update Dave.  What's he coach?

[sportsknight]

Hey quick question for ya, is this new addition to the knight offense the addition of suckow to that potent offense.  Just what i heard through the rumor mill, someone want to confirm.

Note the date signature on that post.  Apparently the last week of July is a typical time for change within the Wartburg football program.

[OzJohnnie]

Was anyone else reading the front page thinking, "He's baaaaaaack"?? With Willis back at the helm, everyone needs to watch out for Wartburg (AGAIN). He's amazingly talented and definitely knows the conference.

Congrats to Koehler on making the move to a higher level.

I don't get why Willis stepped aside in the first place.  Was he tired of coaching?  Why did Wartburg ever hire Koehler if thy still had Willis sitting in the next office?

[Alfredeneumann]

Will Willis continue to serve as AD?

YES, he will still be AD. Now he won't have to KINDLY ask (?) students to move away from front rail. 

[Alfredeneumann]

Was anyone else reading the front page thinking, "He's baaaaaaack"?? With Willis back at the helm, everyone needs to watch out for Wartburg (AGAIN). He's amazingly talented and definitely knows the conference.

Congrats to Koehler on making the move to a higher level.

I don't get why Willis stepped aside in the first place.  Was he tired of coaching?  Why did Wartburg ever hire Koehler if thy still had Willis sitting in the next office?

All the moves were due to "the W" project. Then AD Grace was asked by JackO to become VP Business/Finance to oversee the project. Willis was asked to take over AD and be athletic dept. contact  on construction. With Koehler there and skilled enough to become FB coach the moves were done, even though there was a search for coach Koehler was pretty much the "heir apparent" at the time.  The  AD and FB coach had offices next door was because AD office is larger then most in coaches wing and near largest conf. room the assist fb coaches were positioned in exterior offices and made sense to have Head FB coach nearest them.