FB: Ohio Athletic Conference

[USee]

Interesting...

http://www.cleveland.com/pluto/index.ssf/

This says VK interviewed for the job and then "...never heard anything". He also says he is "...open to other things". Looks to me like VK would be open to leave for the right opportunity.

[emma17]

Fair or unfair, if I'm a D1 athletic director, I'd like to see how Lance Leipold does at Buffalo before hiring a D3 guy to make that giant leap.

And the jury is still out on Leipold at Buffalo. (Although that can't be the easiest place to recruit.)

I think this is accurate. Jeff Quinn was fired from Buffalo in the middle of his 5th season at 20-36, 13-22 in conference. LL is entering his 4th season, 13-23, 8-16. Quinn showed progress every year increasing his win totals until he was fired at 3-4 in his 5th year, LL has been... inconsistent. 5-7,2-10, 6-6. I'm thinking this upcoming year is close to make or break for LL. If he wins 7 or more, I'm guessing he gets a real nice extension. If he looks to be winning 5 or less, I'm guessing he's toast. In the middle who knows? His contract currently runs through 2020, so he's already recruiting on an expiring contract. By the end of next season he will need an extension if they intend to keep him or it will be extremely difficult to tell recruits he's likely to stay during their years at the school.

I have some friends from up in that area. It doesn't seem like there is much consensus either way so far. There isn't a big push calling him a disappointment yet, but there also isn't a lot of faith he will take them to what passes for the promise land... consistent competition for the MAC title.

This next season it's his guys, his system all the way. Given the putrid history of the program, I think 7 wins is a pretty low bar but it should get it done.

I understand the importance of wins-losses and ultimately that will likely drive LL's future there. However, right now the U of B needs to get butts in the seats. Winning surely helps, but maybe almost equally as important is the game experience. The UB offense went from morbid in 2016 to #1 or #2 in the MAC, and I think top 25 passing in the country. They have a great QB and wide receiver breaking all-time UB records. They lost 71-68 in one of the most exciting shootouts in the history of college football (I know, where's the D). Fans like to watch entertaining football and smart coaches understand that. Their worst loss was 10 points. They had a record 11 players on the All-MAC Academic team.
The point is, besides pure wins and losses, there can be no doubt for the UB administration that things are moving in the right direction for the program in general. UB is doing a massive amount of marketing to the Buffalo area to generate interest in the program. An exciting team that is easy to root for won't only improve attendance, it will attract more local top talent.

[WRMUalum13]

has anybody looked at the future schedules for Mount?
http://athletics.mountunion.edu/sports/fball/future_schedules

half of this board will be dead before we have a meaningful, late season game with JCU again in 2028

Not sure why they rotate the schedule, can't our rivalry game just stay end of season?

I got a problem with jcu being called a rivalry game. I mean they have won 1 in the last 26...27...years and what 4 overall? The closest thing to a rival - FOR NOW - Mount has is UMHB and UWW and those games come toward the end of the year.

I just view them as a rival because we play them every year, they are close geographically and have offered some close games in recent years. And they are the closest team in the OAC to having national football recognition (Don Shula, London Fletcher other NFL guys) like if you had to pick an in conference rival it would be JCU right?

[JCUStreaks70]

has anybody looked at the future schedules for Mount?
http://athletics.mountunion.edu/sports/fball/future_schedules

half of this board will be dead before we have a meaningful, late season game with JCU again in 2028

Not sure why they rotate the schedule, can't our rivalry game just stay end of season?

I got a problem with jcu being called a rivalry game. I mean they have won 1 in the last 26...27...years and what 4 overall? The closest thing to a rival - FOR NOW - Mount has is UMHB and UWW and those games come toward the end of the year.

I just view them as a rival because we play them every year, they are close geographically and have offered some close games in recent years. And they are the closest team in the OAC to having national football recognition (Don Shula, London Fletcher other NFL guys) like if you had to pick an in conference rival it would be JCU right?

We're not at the same level, I won't argue that we are. However, since 2013 5 of the 6 games have all been 1 possession games.. We may have only won one game, but we have been competitive against Mount..

[edward de vere]

I understand the importance of wins-losses and ultimately that will likely drive LL's future there. However, right now the U of B needs to get butts in the seats. Winning surely helps, but maybe almost equally as important is the game experience. The UB offense went from morbid in 2016 to #1 or #2 in the MAC, and I think top 25 passing in the country. They have a great QB and wide receiver breaking all-time UB records. They lost 71-68 in one of the most exciting shootouts in the history of college football (I know, where's the D). Fans like to watch entertaining football and smart coaches understand that. Their worst loss was 10 points. They had a record 11 players on the All-MAC Academic team.
The point is, besides pure wins and losses, there can be no doubt for the UB administration that things are moving in the right direction for the program in general. UB is doing a massive amount of marketing to the Buffalo area to generate interest in the program. An exciting team that is easy to root for won't only improve attendance, it will attract more local top talent.

Sounds good to me, as the last thing I want to see is him back at Whitewater.

[emma17]

If UWW and Mt ever do match up again in the Stagg, we should arrange for an integrated tailgate party. I think I'd enjoy hanging out with you folks.
In case I get sidetracked, Merry Christmas to all.

[hsbsballcoach7]

To those worried about Fulford leaving UMU, he just tweeted that he wants to being some southher Florida boys back with him to UMU. He doing a little of his own recruiting....

[edward de vere]

Good news.  Though I certainly like Luke, too.

But this Twitter thing that all the hep cats are doing nowadays:  Kind of makes the official/unofficial ban of players posting on D3.com somewhat dated, n'est-ce pas?

[Jack Parkman]

I know very little about UMU other than their amazing success, but I am curious what is is about LK and VK that have made them so damn good?  Any insight?

[Raider 68]

I know very little about UMU other than their amazing success, but I am curious what is is about LK and VK that have made them so damn good?  Any insight?

Jack Parkman,

There are so many factors that many people can list as to the success of the program under Coach L. Kehres and Coach V. Kehres. Here is just a few:

- Set the goal each year of winning the conference and making the playoffs

- Recruiting the best talent across the country.

- Building the team based upon the talent you have versus requiring players to fit into a system

- Studying in depth the competition and assessing with great accuracy a game plan for success

- Recruiting those players who are very intelligent and want to obtain their degrees in four years

- Having stability of a great coaching staff blending new talented coaches with seasoned veterans

- Confidence in making in-game successful adjustments and always respecting your oponents

- Preparation is a top priority

The success of program attracts the talent and the 15 week season allows younger players more time
to develop and make a contribution. Graduation becomes the "next man up" approach and all this plus
more over the last 25 plus years.

[formerd3db]

edward de vere:  I know what you mean.  However, at the same time, it really doesn't matter whether that is "old school" or not; you can't have everyone running amok as some control in somethings is needed to a degree.   So, I'm good with the "unofficial" ban, and yes, you can call me "old school".  New or change is not always good nor needed.

Raider68: Great comments, great analysis, +k

[Desertraider]

To those worried about Fulford leaving UMU, he just tweeted that he wants to being some southher Florida boys back with him to UMU. He doing a little of his own recruiting....

That's all well and good BUT - did he actually go to court this time? Not taking a dig at him but showing up hasn't been something he has been good at thus far.

[MUC57]

Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas and a happy holiday season. Let's not forget the true meaning of the season. Safe travels to all. Maybe for a little while we can forget our differences and put any animosity aside. We'll cheer for our teams and hope for a great 2018!

A big thank you to Pat Coleman and the whole d3football.com staff for providing the means for us to follow Dlll football. Your site allows us to swap ideas back and forth and even to, disagree. I know of no site comparable to this one for all that it does.

There is nothing like Dlll football. Let's all realize how lucky we are to have this in our lives!

[joelmama]

I know very little about UMU other than their amazing success, but I am curious what is is about LK and VK that have made them so damn good?  Any insight?

Jack Parkman,

There are so many factors that many people can list as to the success of the program under Coach L. Kehres and Coach V. Kehres. Here is just a few:

- Set the goal each year of winning the conference and making the playoffs

- Recruiting the best talent across the country.

- Building the team based upon the talent you have versus requiring players to fit into a system

- Studying in depth the competition and assessing with great accuracy a game plan for success

- Recruiting those players who are very intelligent and want to obtain their degrees in four years

- Having stability of a great coaching staff blending new talented coaches with seasoned veterans

- Confidence in making in-game successful adjustments and always respecting your oponents

- Preparation is a top priority

The success of program attracts the talent and the 15 week season allows younger players more time
to develop and make a contribution. Graduation becomes the "next man up" approach and all this plus
more over the last 25 plus years.

Also support of the administration and alumni financially assisting with facilities.

[Blutarsky]

I know very little about UMU other than their amazing success, but I am curious what is is about LK and VK that have made them so damn good?  Any insight?

Jack Parkman,

There are so many factors that many people can list as to the success of the program under Coach L. Kehres and Coach V. Kehres. Here is just a few:

- Set the goal each year of winning the conference and making the playoffs

- Recruiting the best talent across the country.

- Building the team based upon the talent you have versus requiring players to fit into a system

- Studying in depth the competition and assessing with great accuracy a game plan for success

- Recruiting those players who are very intelligent and want to obtain their degrees in four years

- Having stability of a great coaching staff blending new talented coaches with seasoned veterans

- Confidence in making in-game successful adjustments and always respecting your oponents

- Preparation is a top priority

The success of program attracts the talent and the 15 week season allows younger players more time
to develop and make a contribution. Graduation becomes the "next man up" approach and all this plus
more over the last 25 plus years.

Also support of the administration and alumni financially assisting with facilities.

Also, no favoritism in playing time.  No, "I'm a senior, I deserve to play".....when our son was recruited by LK, he said "the best will play".....period.