FB: Ohio Athletic Conference

[WRMUalum13]

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.

Also there are just some inherent coaching and cultural things LK did that aren't easily described or  replicated... LK himself might not know exactly what made his program so successful for so long. If it was as simple as follow these best practices, everyone would do it.

But I do think the previous points brought up previously on this board are valid. I'm just trying to say it's not an exact science.

[Toph]

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.

Humility.  Look at everything Larry Kehres has ever written or said.  Very little, if anything, is ever about him.  He credits his players, his staff, his mentors.  That kind of attitude permeates an organization, whether it's a football team or an office staff.  It's admirable.

I heard a story years ago that every week LK would start film session by showing the best capabilities of whatever team they happened to be playing, whether it was a team actually looking at a shot at an OAC title or 0-8 Heidelberg.  And the message behind that was always the same: if you don't play every down to the best of your ability this team (even 0-8 Heidelberg) will beat you.

Everyone says these sort of things, very few get the team to buy in.

[Jack Parkman]

Very good info, thanks for mentioning them.  I am mostly familiar with the SCIAC and I think one thing that hurts a lot of the schools is that they don't have many full-time positions and the cost of living is so high it's very tough to have a "normal" job and coach at the same time.

Already looking forward to the 2018 season and hope to see some posters at the Stage Bowl.

[hsbsballcoach7]

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.

Humility.  Look at everything Larry Kehres has ever written or said.  Very little, if anything, is ever about him.  He credits his players, his staff, his mentors.  That kind of attitude permeates an organization, whether it's a football team or an office staff.  It's admirable.

I heard a story years ago that every week LK would start film session by showing the best capabilities of whatever team they happened to be playing, whether it was a team actually looking at a shot at an OAC title or 0-8 Heidelberg.  And the message behind that was always the same: if you don't play every down to the best of your ability this team (even 0-8 Heidelberg) will beat you.

Everyone says these sort of things, very few get the team to buy in.

As a high school coach, it is VERY difficult as a staff to get your players to not play down to your competition. I coach for a bigger school and anytime we play smaller schools our kids will let them play with us way too often. We are usually pretty successful, but I can't imagine the mental prep work that they do to instill such a great mindset of never taking your opponent lightly....to the tune of 13 national championships! This is one reason I admire the program!

[Desertraider]

I like the quote from LK years ago in the Beacon when asked about building the program: "we just decided to stop complaining about the type of players we didn't have and start developing the players we did have" - players, formations, plays.

Take what you got and make it better, then get next level and make it better. Repeat until you have not 1, not 2, not 3, not 4...but 13 National Championships!

[Desertraider]

Just saw this:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/ncaafb/report-ohio-state-to-hire-top-wsu-assistant-grinch/ar-BBHaswI

Alex Grinch to OSU. Oh well, I guess if the State's best, most-dominant, 13x National Championship program isn't hiring, settling for the Buckeyes isn't a bad move. 

[Desertraider]

To Pat and all the D3football.com staff - Thanks for all you guys do to make this site possible. It has been a great year and all your hard work does not go un-noticed (I know, a thanks from me is worth more than any amount of money - it's why you do it all). Look forward to next year and a

PURPLE RAIDER REPEAT!

[WRMUalum13]

You know this is a very interesting off-season feeling. I can't remember the last time it felt like a repeat for the purple raiders was a very likely possibility. After 2012 and 2015 were senior laden teams that lost a ton of talent but I'd be surprised if the 2018 Mount team doesn't end up better than the 2017 team. Very exciting!

[bleedpurple]

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.

Not integrated, separate is good.  But Mount fans, we will trade you Emma for Merle and a two six packs!

[edward de vere]

We would ask you to throw in a third-round draft choice as well, but why look a gift horse in the mouth?

Deal.

[Craft_Beermeister]

Just saw this:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/ncaafb/report-ohio-state-to-hire-top-wsu-assistant-grinch/ar-BBHaswI

Alex Grinch to OSU. Oh well, I guess if the State's best, most-dominant, 13x National Championship program isn't hiring, settling for the Buckeyes isn't a bad move. 

This move is a step up for Alex even though he is moving from defense coordinator to possibly a lower position for the Buckeyes.  Current Buckeye DC Greg Schiano has been a top candidate for a FBS head coaching position including the Tennessee job which he lost because of false rumors.  The odds are Schiano will eventually leave OSU and Grinch will then slide into his place if Alex doesn't land a head coaching position before then.  Grinch isn't replacing anyone and the position is available because of a FBS rule change that effective Jan 9th permits FBS teams to add a 10th assistant coach.

Alex's WSU defense has a great reputation for pass defense including defending TE which is something the Buckeyes have been burnt on in recent years.

[Desertraider]

Just saw this:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/ncaafb/report-ohio-state-to-hire-top-wsu-assistant-grinch/ar-BBHaswI

Alex Grinch to OSU. Oh well, I guess if the State's best, most-dominant, 13x National Championship program isn't hiring, settling for the Buckeyes isn't a bad move. 

This move is a step up for Alex even though he is moving from defense coordinator to possibly a lower position for the Buckeyes.  Current Buckeye DC Greg Schiano has been a top candidate for a FBS head coaching position including the Tennessee job which he lost because of false rumors.  The odds are Schiano will eventually leave OSU and Grinch will then slide into his place if Alex doesn't land a head coaching position before then.  Grinch isn't replacing anyone and the position is available because of a FBS rule change that effective Jan 9th permits FBS teams to add a 10th assistant coach.

Alex's WSU defense has a great reputation for pass defense including defending TE which is something the Buckeyes have been burnt on in recent years.

If they keep hiring former Raiders I may have to actually not puke when I see those atrocious colors. 

On the Emma for Merle trade - make it a case of Rhinelander Bock (I always liked it) and some curds and its a deal.

[Raider 68]

To all the OAC posters, Have a Merry Christmas, Happy and Healthy New Year and safe travels!

[MUC57]

What Raider 68 said!

[Desertraider]

Rough night for Jason Candle's Rockets. Ouch.


Merry Christmas to you all.