FB: Ohio Athletic Conference

[flaballcoach]

I wouldn't think they would get tired of winning big.  It's probably a big part of their sustained success.  Blowing people out allows you to get your younger kids a lot of varsity PT against other teams' starters.  Plus you're playing 50% more games than almost anybody else every year.  That's 5 more games, 5 more weeks of practice reps, etc. that your kids get EVERY YEAR.  That's huge for the development of your young guys.  It's literally giving them an extra season of development by the time their junior season starts.

Also, I'm not sure if I'd say they usually blow everyone out until the Stagg Bowl.  Often times during their run the OAC has had a strong 2nd team.  Admittedly not as often as we'd like lately with the exception of JCU the last 2 years.  And they've definitely been pushed hard in the playoffs before Salem.  UMHB, Wesley, NCC off the top of my head have all pushed them to the brink recently in Alliance.

Totally agree on the benefit of extra practice time for the younger guys. Makes a HUGE difference. But, also having a JV program is a big help. Regardless of the blow outs, 98 % of the freshmen don't even dress for varsity games and those that do really don't get in much regardless of score, Lowery is the exception this year. But they do get playing time on the JV squad,along with some sophomores who wouldn't see alot of playing time on Saturdays, which really helps experience wise. Another big factor in player development at MU is the quality of competition the freshmen and sophomores go up against in practice when running a joint practice or serving as the scout teams. Even down here, for years, the kids at UM would say they improved the most practicing against each other. Appears to me that while varsity playing time for a freshman is extremely limited, and playing time for most sophomores is slightly more, you have players, who by their Junior years, are ready to step in......reminds me of an assembly line!!  lol!!!

[Dr. Acula]

And on the JV point it should be noted that not only do they have a JV program, but in playing Ashland, JCU, BW, W&J all once or twice per year they're playing quality teams too. 

[rscl70]

Because it is the middle of the week and I am bored:

1. What team breaks Mounts scoreless streak?

Were it not for a motion penalty, the answer would be Marietta.

[ohiofan1954]

I have no idea what Vince Kehres may or may not do in 2 or 3 or 10 years.  But no coach ever, anywhere is going to do an interview like that and say anything other than some iteration of "I love it here, I'm not planning on going anywhere".  That's always the case right up until the minute that it isn't.  And it's not even fake or insincere either- there just may be opportunities down the road that nobody foresees right now.

Bingo. Coaches always will adamantly deny interest in other jobs, whether they are definitely staying put or they just got off the phone from their agent to set up a secret interview an hour outside of Tuscaloosa to discuss the Alabama job.  And I don't really blame them, even when they are being insincere.  If you open that door at all - "Yeah, it's nice here, but man if that Texas job opens up, I'm gone" - you're opening a whole bunch of different cans of worms.

We live in an era where Bobby Petrino just up and left the Falcons mid-NFL-season with a letter that could fit into a couple of Tweets, and where Nick Saban firmly denied that he was a candidate for any NFL jobs right up til he took the Dolphins job (and then denied that he was a candidate for any college jobs right up til he took the Alabama job), and where Bret Bielema just slinked off and left Wisconsin right before they played in the Rose Bowl.  Guys will never open that door until they're already gone.

I don't know about y'all, but I'm sure you have navigated some job transitions in your day.  Do most of you let your bosses know when you're just poking around at other places, or do you wait until there's a firm offer in hand?

   The only exception to this that I ever heard about was Lou Holtz, who had it written into his contract when he took the Minnesota job that they had to release him if Notre Dame ever came calling.

My problem isn't with coaches leaving for other jobs. I'm a MAC fan , in our league if you are good you advance, if you're bad you get fired. The only ones that stay are .500. My problem is with people who want to cry when a coach they grabbed off someone else then leaves them. Cincinnati is a case in point. When Kelly left for Notre Dame the hand ringing from Bearcat fans was nauseating. Nobody complained when the same coach left Central Michigan before a bowl game to come to Cincy. They didn't seem to mind when the replacement for Kelly left the same school for their job before a bowl. Usually the people who complain the most in the above example are the first ones to ask whose coach are we going to get to replace ours.

[Spurrier]

Speaking of the bearcats... Tubby sent the hurricanes back to the state of Miami...polar bears get it done on Saturday just the same way...where u at?

[bleedpurple]

Do the players/coaches ever get tired of pounding everybody, until the Stagg Bowl ? It would be interesting to watch UMU schedule up for it's OOC game, top D3, D2 or top NAIA program and would probably be more fun for the kids in the program. I love to win as much as anyone, but beating everybody regular season by a lot just seems, well, frankly boring. Unbelievable program that I assume Linfield (as an example) would love to have a home/away series with and that type of game would be great for D3 football. I'll assume UMU 2nd and 3rd teams could go 10-0 during the regular season, most years, certainly this year.

I think you raise a good question.  I don't think teams "get tired" of pounding everybody. And I think the word "boring" would be a bit strong. However, I will tell you that from the players' perspective at UW-W, they have a lot more fun preparing for and playing against a team that is competitive with them.  Unlike fans, players are not afraid to lose. They are competitors and they like to compete.  What is perceived as "better for the program" may be a different matter.  But ask the players and they will tell you they would rather play in a competitive game every time.  It's really no accomplishment at all to beat an outmanned opponent and the players know it.

[formerd3db]

I have no idea what Vince Kehres may or may not do in 2 or 3 or 10 years.  But no coach ever, anywhere is going to do an interview like that and say anything other than some iteration of "I love it here, I'm not planning on going anywhere".  That's always the case right up until the minute that it isn't.  And it's not even fake or insincere either- there just may be opportunities down the road that nobody foresees right now.

Bingo. Coaches always will adamantly deny interest in other jobs, whether they are definitely staying put or they just got off the phone from their agent to set up a secret interview an hour outside of Tuscaloosa to discuss the Alabama job.  And I don't really blame them, even when they are being insincere.  If you open that door at all - "Yeah, it's nice here, but man if that Texas job opens up, I'm gone" - you're opening a whole bunch of different cans of worms.

We live in an era where Bobby Petrino just up and left the Falcons mid-NFL-season with a letter that could fit into a couple of Tweets, and where Nick Saban firmly denied that he was a candidate for any NFL jobs right up til he took the Dolphins job (and then denied that he was a candidate for any college jobs right up til he took the Alabama job), and where Bret Bielema just slinked off and left Wisconsin right before they played in the Rose Bowl.  Guys will never open that door until they're already gone.

I don't know about y'all, but I'm sure you have navigated some job transitions in your day.  Do most of you let your bosses know when you're just poking around at other places, or do you wait until there's a firm offer in hand?

   The only exception to this that I ever heard about was Lou Holtz, who had it written into his contract when he took the Minnesota job that they had to release him if Notre Dame ever came calling.

My problem isn't with coaches leaving for other jobs. I'm a MAC fan , in our league if you are good you advance, if you're bad you get fired. The only ones that stay are .500. My problem is with people who want to cry when a coach they grabbed off someone else then leaves them. Cincinnati is a case in point. When Kelly left for Notre Dame the hand ringing from Bearcat fans was nauseating. Nobody complained when the same coach left Central Michigan before a bowl game to come to Cincy. They didn't seem to mind when the replacement for Kelly left the same school for their job before a bowl. Usually the people who complain the most in the above example are the first ones to ask whose coach are we going to get to replace ours.

ohiofan:

Just thought I'd jump in here with some general comment on your interesting discussion. I agree and understand with most of what you are saying.  However, I would disagree with you on one aspect to an extent.  Actually, there were many people who complained when Kelly left Central Michigan for Cincinnati.  First, a disclaimer here to my comments in that I will admit I am not a Kelly fan. I and many others think he was highly disingenuous about his leaving Central Michigan and the way he did it.  His first intent was to obtain the Michigan State job, which of course went to Dantonio.  There were some reports from some (credible behind the scenes) sources that Kelly accepted the Iowa State job, which he was courting i.e. trying to use as leverage while trying to land the Michigan State job.  Then after accepting at Iowa State, he abruptly turned it down when he didn't get the Michigan State job and landed the Cincinnati job as Dantonio was offered the former.  Kelly duped Cincinnati also for the ND job.

Like you and others, I don't have a problem with coaches trying to climb the ladder and improving their financial situation and/or their dream job if that is their life goal as opposed to the opposite tradition for others in staying at one place for their entire career.  However, while I realize college football is a business (yes, even at the DIII level), at the same time, I have a problem with people who are disingenuous in the process-giving someone your word, then going back on it is not the appropriate way.  Integrity in that regard is an important character quality and IMO, coaches like Kelly and Sabanm(and even Meyer) have fallen quite short of that.   

[Desertraider]

I have no idea what Vince Kehres may or may not do in 2 or 3 or 10 years.  But no coach ever, anywhere is going to do an interview like that and say anything other than some iteration of "I love it here, I'm not planning on going anywhere".  That's always the case right up until the minute that it isn't.  And it's not even fake or insincere either- there just may be opportunities down the road that nobody foresees right now.

Bingo. Coaches always will adamantly deny interest in other jobs, whether they are definitely staying put or they just got off the phone from their agent to set up a secret interview an hour outside of Tuscaloosa to discuss the Alabama job.  And I don't really blame them, even when they are being insincere.  If you open that door at all - "Yeah, it's nice here, but man if that Texas job opens up, I'm gone" - you're opening a whole bunch of different cans of worms.

We live in an era where Bobby Petrino just up and left the Falcons mid-NFL-season with a letter that could fit into a couple of Tweets, and where Nick Saban firmly denied that he was a candidate for any NFL jobs right up til he took the Dolphins job (and then denied that he was a candidate for any college jobs right up til he took the Alabama job), and where Bret Bielema just slinked off and left Wisconsin right before they played in the Rose Bowl.  Guys will never open that door until they're already gone.

I don't know about y'all, but I'm sure you have navigated some job transitions in your day.  Do most of you let your bosses know when you're just poking around at other places, or do you wait until there's a firm offer in hand?

   The only exception to this that I ever heard about was Lou Holtz, who had it written into his contract when he took the Minnesota job that they had to release him if Notre Dame ever came calling.

My problem isn't with coaches leaving for other jobs. I'm a MAC fan , in our league if you are good you advance, if you're bad you get fired. The only ones that stay are .500. My problem is with people who want to cry when a coach they grabbed off someone else then leaves them. Cincinnati is a case in point. When Kelly left for Notre Dame the hand ringing from Bearcat fans was nauseating. Nobody complained when the same coach left Central Michigan before a bowl game to come to Cincy. They didn't seem to mind when the replacement for Kelly left the same school for their job before a bowl. Usually the people who complain the most in the above example are the first ones to ask whose coach are we going to get to replace ours.

ohiofan:

Just thought I'd jump in here with some general comment on your interesting discussion. I agree and understand with most of what you are saying.  However, I would disagree with you on one aspect to an extent.  Actually, there were many people who complained when Kelly left Central Michigan for Cincinnati.  First, a disclaimer here to my comments in that I will admit I am not a Kelly fan. I and many others think he was highly disingenuous about his leaving Central Michigan and the way he did it.  His first intent was to obtain the Michigan State job, which of course went to Dantonio.  There were some reports from some (credible behind the scenes) sources that Kelly accepted the Iowa State job, which he was courting i.e. trying to use as leverage while trying to land the Michigan State job.  Then after accepting at Iowa State, he abruptly turned it down when he didn't get the Michigan State job and landed the Cincinnati job as Dantonio was offered the former.  Kelly duped Cincinnati also for the ND job.

Like you and others, I don't have a problem with coaches trying to climb the ladder and improving their financial situation and/or their dream job if that is their life goal as opposed to the opposite tradition for others in staying at one place for their entire career.  However, while I realize college football is a business (yes, even at the DIII level), at the same time, I have a problem with people who are disingenuous in the process-giving someone your word, then going back on it is not the appropriate way.  Integrity in that regard is an important character quality and IMO, coaches like Kelly and Sabanm(and even Meyer) have fallen quite short of that.

I agree wholeheartedly. I was a long time loyal Michigan fan. I did not like the way they went after Rodriguez, didn't like the way they treated Lloyd Carr, and didn't like that RR had just signed an extension with WV before turning his back and leaving. All my UM gear went in the trash - sorry but I value ethics and integrity - and I have not gone back. Granted- UM got over the loss of me .

[raiderpa]

Mount will never schedule "up" as long as LK is in charge, and I agree with the philosophy.  It would be nice, as a fan, to see Mount schedule Walsh, Malone, and maybe some Pa. schools, but it will never happen on LK's watch.
Further, I don't believe that VK will leave Mount anytime soon.  The father-son loyalty is so strong here that moving may not be considered, unless dad encourages it.  LK was a devoted son to his father and I believe Vince is the same.  These are quality family men who think beyond moving up for the sake of moving up.

[ohiofan1954]

I have no idea what Vince Kehres may or may not do in 2 or 3 or 10 years.  But no coach ever, anywhere is going to do an interview like that and say anything other than some iteration of "I love it here, I'm not planning on going anywhere".  That's always the case right up until the minute that it isn't.  And it's not even fake or insincere either- there just may be opportunities down the road that nobody foresees right now.

Bingo. Coaches always will adamantly deny interest in other jobs, whether they are definitely staying put or they just got off the phone from their agent to set up a secret interview an hour outside of Tuscaloosa to discuss the Alabama job.  And I don't really blame them, even when they are being insincere.  If you open that door at all - "Yeah, it's nice here, but man if that Texas job opens up, I'm gone" - you're opening a whole bunch of different cans of worms.

We live in an era where Bobby Petrino just up and left the Falcons mid-NFL-season with a letter that could fit into a couple of Tweets, and where Nick Saban firmly denied that he was a candidate for any NFL jobs right up til he took the Dolphins job (and then denied that he was a candidate for any college jobs right up til he took the Alabama job), and where Bret Bielema just slinked off and left Wisconsin right before they played in the Rose Bowl.  Guys will never open that door until they're already gone.

I don't know about y'all, but I'm sure you have navigated some job transitions in your day.  Do most of you let your bosses know when you're just poking around at other places, or do you wait until there's a firm offer in hand?

   The only exception to this that I ever heard about was Lou Holtz, who had it written into his contract when he took the Minnesota job that they had to release him if Notre Dame ever came calling.

My problem isn't with coaches leaving for other jobs. I'm a MAC fan , in our league if you are good you advance, if you're bad you get fired. The only ones that stay are .500. My problem is with people who want to cry when a coach they grabbed off someone else then leaves them. Cincinnati is a case in point. When Kelly left for Notre Dame the hand ringing from Bearcat fans was nauseating. Nobody complained when the same coach left Central Michigan before a bowl game to come to Cincy. They didn't seem to mind when the replacement for Kelly left the same school for their job before a bowl. Usually the people who complain the most in the above example are the first ones to ask whose coach are we going to get to replace ours.

ohiofan:

Just thought I'd jump in here with some general comment on your interesting discussion. I agree and understand with most of what you are saying.  However, I would disagree with you on one aspect to an extent.  Actually, there were many people who complained when Kelly left Central Michigan for Cincinnati.  First, a disclaimer here to my comments in that I will admit I am not a Kelly fan. I and many others think he was highly disingenuous about his leaving Central Michigan and the way he did it.  His first intent was to obtain the Michigan State job, which of course went to Dantonio.  There were some reports from some (credible behind the scenes) sources that Kelly accepted the Iowa State job, which he was courting i.e. trying to use as leverage while trying to land the Michigan State job.  Then after accepting at Iowa State, he abruptly turned it down when he didn't get the Michigan State job and landed the Cincinnati job as Dantonio was offered the former.  Kelly duped Cincinnati also for the ND job.

Like you and others, I don't have a problem with coaches trying to climb the ladder and improving their financial situation and/or their dream job if that is their life goal as opposed to the opposite tradition for others in staying at one place for their entire career.  However, while I realize college football is a business (yes, even at the DIII level), at the same time, I have a problem with people who are disingenuous in the process-giving someone your word, then going back on it is not the appropriate way.  Integrity in that regard is an important character quality and IMO, coaches like Kelly and Sabanm(and even Meyer) have fallen quite short of that.

thank you for that information, it is appreciated, much of what you say I did not know.

[Raider 68]

Mount will never schedule "up" as long as LK is in charge, and I agree with the philosophy.  It would be nice, as a fan, to see Mount schedule Walsh, Malone, and maybe some Pa. schools, but it will never happen on LK's watch.
Further, I don't believe that VK will leave Mount anytime soon.  The father-son loyalty is so strong here that moving may not be considered, unless dad encourages it.  LK was a devoted son to his father and I believe Vince is the same.  These are quality family men who think beyond moving up for the sake of moving up.

Regarding Walsh, Malone and some PA Schools, Coach L.Kehres wanted to play them some time ago, but none of those
schools wanted to play Mount for the reasons that were stated earlier. And yes, that would not happen now. It is very
difficult when you only have one non-conference game. Personally, I would like a Linfield/Mount game, but I do not
see that happening either.

[formerd3db]

desertraider:

I know what you mean re: Rodriguez and the WVa/U of M mess.  I should have included Rodriguez in my list.  He was not forthcoming on much of what transpired when he left, although I also agree with you that U of M administrators bear some responsibility for that mess as well (and my saying that despite my being a U of M fan-my dad was an alum).  One aspect that I could never figure out is that someone-either U of M or Rodriguez or WVa lied about whether or not there was ever truly permission to talk about the coaching change.  Each side said the opposite and I don't recall that ever being solved or revealed-someone had to be lying because they obviously all couldn't be right/telling the truth with opposite stories!   Anyway, as I mentioned, unfortunately, these types of situations we've been discussing also happens at the DIII level.  I guess that is just it is human nature.

ohiofan:  You are welcome.  While I admit I don't know all the specifics regarding that situation, what I mentioned I do know from some people "who knew and were somewhat close to the situation", which will remain nameless here.  Usually, I don't like using "un-named sources" or "taking the 5th", but...I'll cop out and take it here!   Thanks for your own opinion/input.  An interesting discussion for sure.

[Desertraider]

desertraider:

I know what you mean re: Rodriguez and the WVa/U of M mess.  I should have included Rodriguez in my list.  He was not forthcoming on much of what transpired when he left, although I also agree with you that U of M administrators bear some responsibility for that mess as well (and my saying that despite my being a U of M fan-my dad was an alum).  One aspect that I could never figure out is that someone-either U of M or Rodriguez or WVa lied about whether or not there was ever truly permission to talk about the coaching change.  Each side said the opposite and I don't recall that ever being solved or revealed-someone had to be lying because they obviously all couldn't be right/telling the truth with opposite stories!   Anyway, as I mentioned, unfortunately, these types of situations we've been discussing also happens at the DIII level.  I guess that is just it is human nature.

ohiofan:  You are welcome.  While I admit I don't know all the specifics regarding that situation, what I mentioned I do know from some people "who knew and were somewhat close to the situation", which will remain nameless here.  Usually, I don't like using "un-named sources" or "taking the 5th", but...I'll cop out and take it here!   Thanks for your own opinion/input.  An interesting discussion for sure.

My understanding of the UM - WV - Rodriguez thing was that UM had to buy out the contract of RR at WV and they were assessed a fine, which raised the price to something like $4.2 million, payable to WV because they had not sought permission to speak with RR. In addition, WV was considering sueing RR for negotiating in bad faith because of the timing (it was reported he was negotiating with BOTH schools but that WV didn't know). I remember Les Miles was mentioned as part of it because he appeared to be helping UM by acting as a "back-channel" to communicate with some coaches so that UM was not in "direct communication". Detroit Free Press (wanna say Mitch..Albloom (?)) had a few pieces on it after it happened. All-in-all it was an ethics nightmare and on top of it all was Lloyd Carr getting essentially trashed by UM in the process. Just left a bad taste in my mouth and made me not want to root for them anymore.

[Dr. Acula]

Looking at the stats ahead of this weekend's games some interesting stuff...

Ott's leading rusher is averaging 35.7 yds/gm.  That doesn't sound good to me.

Cap's Walton is leading the OAC in rushing (172.0) and rushing TD's (9).  He's also averaging 7.6 YPC.  Safe to say the option is working well for at least one guy.

BW's Moeglin is putting up over 100 yds rushing per game (108.7).  In case anyone forgot he's their QB.  That's a lot of running for a QB (currently 20+ carries per game).

Mount sports 3 of the top 4 players in YPC.  Mitchell, Scott and Nemeth are all averaging 6.1 or better.  Mitchell is first at 8.7 to date.

This may be ONU's best collective group of skill guys in years.  They currently have the OAC's leading passer in Freed (289 yds/gm), two of the top four WR's in Allen (100.3) and Price (87.7) and the second leading rusher in Magazine (141.7).  Allen is also tops in the conference with a huge 27.4 yds/rec so far.  Saturday is going to be very interesting at JCU.  It should give us a better idea on both the ONU offense and JCU defense.

[Desertraider]

Looking at the stats ahead of this weekend's games some interesting stuff...

Ott's leading rusher is averaging 35.7 yds/gm.  That doesn't sound good to me.

Cap's Walton is leading the OAC in rushing (172.0) and rushing TD's (9).  He's also averaging 7.6 YPC.  Safe to say the option is working well for at least one guy.

BW's Moeglin is putting up over 100 yds rushing per game (108.7).  In case anyone forgot he's their QB.  That's a lot of running for a QB (currently 20+ carries per game).

Mount sports 3 of the top 4 players in YPC.  Mitchell, Scott and Nemeth are all averaging 6.1 or better.  Mitchell is first at 8.7 to date.

This may be ONU's best collective group of skill guys in years.  They currently have the OAC's leading passer in Freed (289 yds/gm), two of the top four WR's in Allen (100.3) and Price (87.7) and the second leading rusher in Magazine (141.7).  Allen is also tops in the conference with a huge 27.4 yds/rec so far.  Saturday is going to be very interesting at JCU.  It should give us a better idea on both the ONU offense and JCU defense.

I am interested in the ONU/JCU game as well. Neither team has really looked great (from my view) so it will be interesting to see this match-up. On CAP's Walton - I don't think he is going to have those numbers this weekend. Well maybe those numbers...but with adjusted decimal positions.