FB: American Rivers Conference

[doolittledog]

It's been a lot of factors for Dubuque.  WillieU could probably talk about this better than me.  He was at Dubuque more recently and was part of the team.  

One thing was sports in general weren't supported very well by the administration.  Facilities weren't top notch.  Losing program meant it was hard to find local talent.  

What Coach B has done that previous Dubuque coaching staffs didn't do in my opinion, is develop relationships with high school coaching staffs.  Previous staffs just plastered their names around Cali and Florida and took anybody who showed up.  Some good kids came through the system and stuck around and enjoyed their time in Dubuque.  But mostly you had a group of players that were only there to play football and weren't interested in school.  Once it got cold out and the losses mounted up they took off for home.  This also caused people to think the only way to win in the IIAC was with local kids.  They would point out that Dubuque had all these great Florida athletes and they couldn't win in the conference.  The current Dubuque staff goes out and knows high school coaching staffs and works with them to find kids that have talent but have flown under most schools radar screens.  They also find kids that want to play football, but also want to get a college education.  Having kids stick around through their senior season is why Dubuque is starting to win some games now.  Having a roster full of Freshmen won't get it done.  

As good as Wartburg and Central have been, I don't think their freshman teams would have been going 8-0 in conference play!!!

So uh, lets see.  Coach B and his staff at Dubuque are good coaches for the x's and o's...but also are good at recruiting kids that will stick around for 4 years.  And that is what it takes to succeed in the Iowa Conference.  

[Klompen]

I would answer that question a couple different ways. First, there have been some fine coaches that coached at UD over the past 15 or so years that did not see the success that UD has seen recently. Coach B was very instrumental in the "resurrection" of the winning tradition that UD had in the past. A very long and difficult process and he and his staff and those football players that "believed" should be commended for sticking it out and seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.

Now, think about it on a larger scale (which for those of you posting on here back when I started will remember- the lance harbor days, etc..) What has helped the football program and ALL athletic programs has been the transformation of UD as a whole. Back in the late 90's, UD took drastic measures to ensure it's future and success today. As an institution, academic programs have gotten national attention, fundraising has been among the top in the state, region, and country, and the campus has practically doubled in size and not only size, but the facilities at UD are absolutely amazing. No cut corners nor "mix-matched" buildings. Everything architecturally matches and carries the UD theme throughout.

That, in a nut shell, is the "other" ingredient that has led to the Spartan success in recent years.

Willie U

So true.  I remember the days of rumblings that UD was about ready to close the doors because the finances were in trouble.  UD is a completely different school today and that new field is part of the proof of just how far things have come.  Props on all fronts.

[doolittledog]

Well said and I agree with all that you said.  I think Brautigan has done a great job in turning the program around.  I have not been around all that long watching the IIAC but was that part of the problem too, the coaching for UD in years past?

Whatever the sport, the first step to turning a program around IMHO, is getting a coach with some staying power.  You have to be willing to endure some bad years when you come to a team with a losing record if you really want to turn things around.  It takes time and patience to really turn a team around because you have to get the players that are willing to try to be the athletes that help the team turn that corner.  Most times those are not the "top" athletes.  The top athletes want to attend a school with a winning program and are sure enough of their skills to believe they will get the playing time there.  I think it is the next tier of athletes that recognize they may not get the PT at a winning program, but could at a contender or more certainly a team with a program that needs to turn a corner.  

It follows that the top schools will mostly always be the top schools, the contenders will mostly stay contenders, and the teams that need to turn things around will have to have a coach that understands it is a long process.  Further, it doesn't take long to fall from the top towards the bottom, but getting back to the top takes real dedication.

Well said about a coach with staying power.  Coach B went from a GA at St. Cloud St. to the HC at Mt. Senario and stayed there for 10 years.  He only left there when the school was closing its doors.  He stayed at Dubuque when most coaches would have thrown their hands in the air and run away.  He went from 2-8 to 1-9 to 0-10.  His first 5 seasons he went 3-39 in conference play.  Not only did he stick around but the administration of the school stuck behind him and saw that he had a plan and was seeing it through. 

But enough of this UD love fest...I'm ready to see some actual football being played on the field!!!  Sept. 6th can't come soon enough!!!

[DBQ1965]

Looking at the Cornell roster it's dissappointing to see a freshman class with only 5 Iowa High School players. I truly believe that this conference is one with quality players from Iowa High Schools. Look at how Central, Coe and  Wartburg have had recent success with Iowa kids. Until Cornell can do a better job of getting Iowa kids they may continue to struggle.

I think Cornell would love to have more Iowans on their team.  It seems to me that Iowans don't want to play for a program with a losing history.  Dubuque, for years had a hard time recruiting local kids...not through a lack of trying.  Now that Dubuque has a winning team there are more and more Iowa kids showing up on their roster.  There have been plenty of posters on here that said there was no way they would have played for Dubuque because they didn't want to work their butt off and go 0-10.

I don't think having a roster loaded with Iowa kids is the secret ingrediant to a winning program.  I think what you need is an experianced core of talented football players.  A lot of juniors and seniors on your roster.  Also a roster over 100 players.  While Iowans are nice to have...and I think having Iowans on the roster can help the out-of-state kids adjust to school here.  In the end you need a big roster with a lot of Juniors and Seniors with experiance. 

Well said and I agree with all that you said.  I think Brautigan has done a great job in turning the program around.  I have not been around all that long watching the IIAC but was that part of the problem too, the coaching for UD in years past?

My first year at UD was 1962, right after Moco Mercer stopped coaching football.  His replacement, Owen Evans, had one winning season (maybe 2, but I'm not sure about that) over about 6 seasons.  Doolittledog can come up with some specifics on that, I'm sure.  Coach Evans had mostly Iowa players ... had some good talent with a few standouts ... but I don't think he was a great motivator.  Maury Waugh followed Evans and lasted only a few years ... again I think it was a question of motivation.  Then came a coach or two before Don Birmingham. 

Birmingham turned the program around with a mix of Iowa and California (and maybe a few from Texas) ... and got the Spartans into the playoffs twice.  I often wondered what UD football would have been if Birmingham had stayed? 

Then there was another unsuccessful coach (or was it two?) before Brautigam arrived on the scene.  I've only seen Brautigam coach in two games and haven't observed practices to speak knowledgeably ... but I think he has the right combination of football knowledge ... coaching skill and application, especially including motivating his players ... and good staff.  I hope this season shows fewer of what others here have observed as "dumb mistakes on the field" and  "lack-of-discipline" penalties.  I only hope Brautigam will stick around for a while and build on his success at UD rather than go off and try to rebuild another program somewhere else.

[DutchFan2004]

Ok who all is up for the Pickem page this year?  That Girl (DF1) had been doing really well until last year when she missed a couple of weeks.  I know she will want to put us guys to shame.  K-Mack you in this year too?  It was nice to have you and you add a lot when FB time is upon us.  Good Luck to all this year!

[doolittledog]

I am in.  Just let me know when the page is up on the other board.  And let me know the rules for this year. 

[Willie University]

It's been a lot of factors for Dubuque.  WillieU could probably talk about this better than me.  He was at Dubuque more recently and was part of the team.  

One thing was sports in general weren't supported very well by the administration.  Facilities weren't top notch.  Losing program meant it was hard to find local talent.  

What Coach B has done that previous Dubuque coaching staffs didn't do in my opinion, is develop relationships with high school coaching staffs.  Previous staffs just plastered their names around Cali and Florida and took anybody who showed up.  Some good kids came through the system and stuck around and enjoyed their time in Dubuque.  But mostly you had a group of players that were only there to play football and weren't interested in school.  Once it got cold out and the losses mounted up they took off for home.  This also caused people to think the only way to win in the IIAC was with local kids.  They would point out that Dubuque had all these great Florida athletes and they couldn't win in the conference.  The current Dubuque staff goes out and knows high school coaching staffs and works with them to find kids that have talent but have flown under most schools radar screens.  They also find kids that want to play football, but also want to get a college education.  Having kids stick around through their senior season is why Dubuque is starting to win some games now.  Having a roster full of Freshmen won't get it done.  

As good as Wartburg and Central have been, I don't think their freshman teams would have been going 8-0 in conference play!!!

So uh, lets see.  Coach B and his staff at Dubuque are good coaches for the x's and o's...but also are good at recruiting kids that will stick around for 4 years.  And that is what it takes to succeed in the Iowa Conference.  

Actually, I am closer to your age Doolittle but not quite that old. Anyway, here is the formula that has lead to UD's success:

Good Coaching Staff + Dedication/hard work recruiting + Long Term Commitment to institution and vice versa + Adversity (Living through the rough years not giving up) + new and improved Facilities + academic reputation + endowment = Long term success for all athletic teams and institution.

Let's use our top 2 IIAC teams as an example:

Central: Nice campus and facilities, not the best but certainly better then average BUT they have the one advantage that no other IIAC has-----a long standing winning tradition started by one of football's great coaches. They have lived off that winning tradition and as long as they continue to reach back to it's roots, they will stay on top.

Wartburg: Similar to UD as far as facilities, definitely one of the nicest campuses in the state. I remember the years when wartburg was not very good and just turning the corner. The administration put together a strategic plan and starting building the campus, fundraising, improving academic reputation and ultimately led to competitive athletic programs all the way around. (One of the differences between central and wartburg also---wartburg has seen more success universally in all it's athletic programs which was a result of "institutional" improvements.

For comparison purposes, UD is the Wartburg of the 90's that turned the corner as an institution and the success that followed.

Willie U

[DutchFan2004]

I am in.  Just let me know when the page is up on the other board.  And let me know the rules for this year. 

Ok go to the pickem board to sign up for the up coming season.  I put out a suggestion for a tie breaker there.  If that is agreeable with everyone we will use it.  If not make some suggestions here for a tie breaker and we can talk about it here.  ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL?

[doolittledog]

I am in.  Just let me know when the page is up on the other board.  And let me know the rules for this year. 

Ok go to the pickem board to sign up for the up coming season.  I put out a suggestion for a tie breaker there.  If that is agreeable with everyone we will use it.  If not make some suggestions here for a tie breaker and we can talk about it here.  ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL?

I like your suggestion to pick the conference order in the preseason as the way to determine the tiebreakers.  Either that, or whoever lives the closest to La Porte City wins the tiebreaker...I could see that working as well 

[the_mayne_event]

Ok who all is up for the Pickem page this year?  That Girl (DF1) had been doing really well until last year when she missed a couple of weeks.  I know she will want to put us guys to shame.  K-Mack you in this year too?  It was nice to have you and you add a lot when FB time is upon us.  Good Luck to all this year!

i'm in

[the_mayne_event]

I am in.  Just let me know when the page is up on the other board.  And let me know the rules for this year. 

Ok go to the pickem board to sign up for the up coming season.  I put out a suggestion for a tie breaker there.  If that is agreeable with everyone we will use it.  If not make some suggestions here for a tie breaker and we can talk about it here.  ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL?

I like your suggestion to pick the conference order in the preseason as the way to determine the tiebreakers.  Either that, or whoever lives the closest to La Porte City wins the tiebreaker...I could see that working as well 

i liked the idea of weighting games

[TrainsEqualCrowdNoise]

Looking at the Cornell roster it's disappointing to see a freshman class with only 5 Iowa High School players. I truly believe that this conference is one with quality players from Iowa High Schools. Look at how Central, Coe and  Wartburg have had recent success with Iowa kids. Until Cornell can do a better job of getting Iowa kids they may continue to struggle.

I know the majority of those who post on this board are from Iowa so I'm sure this will ruffle some feathers, but I do not believe you need Iowa high school kids to win in this conference.  While it is strange that there were only 5 freshman from Iowa, I believe this shows the coaching staffs ability to scour the country in search of talent to bring the right kind of kid into the program.  With Cornell's unique class schedule, this will always draw prospects from all over the country and it is something the staff sound definitely take advantage of.  While Iowa HS football does produce some great football players, so does most every other state, the trick is finding the ones who get overshadowed by a D-1 caliber player yet can perform at a high level.

I agree with all the comments on this topic so far about how you have to win before in state kids will want to play for your program.  UD proves this and so does even big D-1 programs such as Missouri that until 2 years ago, most Missouri kids went out of state to play football.  Now with the emergence of the program that had most of its impact players from out of state, kids like Jeremy Macklin and other stars from the Saint Louis and Kansas City areas are choosing Missouri because of the success they are having.  The kids in state always know more about the programs than anyone else and a lot of the times these kids want to win and know who the successful programs are.

[DutchFan2004]

I am in.  Just let me know when the page is up on the other board.  And let me know the rules for this year. 

Ok go to the pickem board to sign up for the up coming season.  I put out a suggestion for a tie breaker there.  If that is agreeable with everyone we will use it.  If not make some suggestions here for a tie breaker and we can talk about it here.  ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL?

I like your suggestion to pick the conference order in the preseason as the way to determine the tiebreakers.  Either that, or whoever lives the closest to La Porte City wins the tiebreaker...I could see that working as well 

i liked the idea of weighting games

The only problem with that is who weights them and who chooses the criteria to weight those games.  If you say weight them 1-4 every week and then how do you weight the noncon games 1-9?  Then you have the problem with say you weight the Central/Wartburg game as the most important game of the week.  The Knight backers get a 3 point advantage over the Central fans if they all pick with their hearts.  3 points may not seem like a lot but if you look at the pickems that last 3-4 years the point totals at the end are pretty close.  I thought most people decided to go the way it had been.  If I misread the IIAC posters wishes we can talk about it now.  

[Pat Coleman]

Because I have a backlog of season previews in my inbox, we gave SIDs access to post previews from their login.

Kickoff (t-minus 7 days) is the priority above and beyond anything else right now.

If you have a question about site operations you can always drop me an e-mail.

Pat you don't need sleep or a life do you? 

If I hadn't been moving across the country this summer I'd have gotten a little more of all of that done.

[DutchFan2004]

Looking at the Cornell roster it's disappointing to see a freshman class with only 5 Iowa High School players. I truly believe that this conference is one with quality players from Iowa High Schools. Look at how Central, Coe and  Wartburg have had recent success with Iowa kids. Until Cornell can do a better job of getting Iowa kids they may continue to struggle.

I know the majority of those who post on this board are from Iowa so I'm sure this will ruffle some feathers, but I do not believe you need Iowa high school kids to win in this conference.  While it is strange that there were only 5 freshman from Iowa, I believe this shows the coaching staffs ability to scour the country in search of talent to bring the right kind of kid into the program.  With Cornell's unique class schedule, this will always draw prospects from all over the country and it is something the staff sound definitely take advantage of.  While Iowa HS football does produce some great football players, so does most every other state, the trick is finding the ones who get overshadowed by a D-1 caliber player yet can perform at a high level.

I agree with all the comments on this topic so far about how you have to win before in state kids will want to play for your program.  UD proves this and so does even big D-1 programs such as Missouri that until 2 years ago, most Missouri kids went out of state to play football.  Now with the emergence of the program that had most of its impact players from out of state, kids like Jeremy Macklin and other stars from the Saint Louis and Kansas City areas are choosing Missouri because of the success they are having.  The kids in state always know more about the programs than anyone else and a lot of the times these kids want to win and know who the successful programs are.

TCEN,  I would agree that if you can get out of state kids to campus and they will stay on campus all four years you can win with those kids.  The trouble has been as mentioned here is keeping them all four years.  Kids coming in as freshman and sophmores can not win (if the team is made up mostly of underclassmen) at the college level.  If the coaches can recruit successful kids out of state then the will have some good results.  I am in the camp of trying to recruit locally if possible.  Know human nature kids will get lonely for home and if things are not going well at a school far away from home they will not stay long.