FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[Mr. Ypsi]

I heard that Mike Conway and his wife Beth Ann went to Hawaii over the holidays -- and that, at Mike's insistence, they took a detour to Samoa so that he could do some face-to-face recruiting. NPU had two Samoan freshmen on the roster last season that he really liked, one of whom finished the season as a starter, and he'd like to increase NPU's Samoan contingent.

I strongly doubt that his wife objected, but, still -- a 2,500-mile vacation detour in order to do some recruiting? That's my kind of coach!

With QB well-manned for the next three years, it is probably 1 or 2 years premature to recruit QBs.  But next time he detours to Samoa, I hope he nabs a QB - it's about time for the CCIW to have a 'Throwin' Samoan'!

And, yes, I'm well aware that coaches go to Samoa primarily for linemen.  But Samoan teams do not play simply line vs. line without bothering with a football!

[Gregory Sager]

If he happened to spot any young ladies who are good with oars -- I have to think it's likely that there are some in an island culture -- he could've passed on their names to NPU rowing coach Alison Ford. Then we'd have a "Rowin' Samoan" on campus.

I was going to add that if he saw any high-schoolers who are good with a sax or a trumpet or a trombone, he could've notified NPU jazz ensemble instructor Joe Lill, so that North Park could have a "Blowin' Samoan" ... but that would probably be stretching it.

(Also, it's never too early to start recruiting other QBs. I hate to even think about it, but there's no crystal-clear guarantee on T.D. Conway's health. Quarterbacking is an inherently dangerous endeavor, and NPU could use at least one really good backup signal-caller.)

[CardinalAlum]

I heard Wheaton stayed with an alum and internal staff member for the D-Coordinator job. This is the guy from what I hear:

http://athletics.wheaton.edu/staff.aspx?staff=130

Hope he is as good a coach as he was a player.

Interesting choice.  He was a great player!  Seems a bit inexperienced to be the DC but Swider calls the Defense anyway, doesn't he?

[USee]

I heard Wheaton stayed with an alum and internal staff member for the D-Coordinator job. This is the guy from what I hear:

http://athletics.wheaton.edu/staff.aspx?staff=130

Hope he is as good a coach as he was a player.

Interesting choice.  He was a great player!  Seems a bit inexperienced to be the DC but Swider calls the Defense anyway, doesn't he?

Swider called the defense for years and ultimately turned that over to Sandberg. I suspect there will be some mentoring going on and Swider will be much more active in the defensive gameplan and playcalling duties.

[Langhorst_Ghost]

I heard Wheaton stayed with an alum and internal staff member for the D-Coordinator job. This is the guy from what I hear:

http://athletics.wheaton.edu/staff.aspx?staff=130

Hope he is as good a coach as he was a player.

Interesting choice.  He was a great player!  Seems a bit inexperienced to be the DC but Swider calls the Defense anyway, doesn't he?

Swider called the defense for years and ultimately turned that over to Sandberg. I suspect there will be some mentoring going on and Swider will be much more active in the defensive gameplan and playcalling duties.

Happy New Year to all.

While loyalty and family are certainly two of the core values in which the Wheaton program has been deeply invested during the Swider era (very noble and admirable virtues), this move is still very surprising for me, given his age and his experience.  To be appointed to a position this high profile for a prominent, National program competing in a highly respected conference, Wheaton and Swider must think very highly of this young man. 

Familiarity with the program, the campus, and the mission of the institution are all positive points, and it doesn't hurt that the dude was a legit stud as a player = instant respect with the players and recruits.  And i am sure that Langs has been an outstanding position coach and student of the game, learning and leading from one of D3's most successful and dynamic  Head Coaches.  And as a young alum, i am sure he will bring energy and passion to the position.

The Thunder seem confident in him.  Coordinating at the college level demands one's patience, one's leadership, one's intelligence, and one's experience.  Building a structure and installing terminology and technique, installing game-plans, developing practice schedules, adjusting in-game strategy, managing relationships with the student-athletes on and off the field, and so much more - this position is a big deal.  But Swider believes in him and his ability to handle the role - and that's certainly quite a vote of confidence given his reputation. 

We shall wait and see just how much influence the HBC has on the defensive philosophy and the play call sheet on Saturdays.  For now, i wish him the best...except for the day he gets off the bus at Langhorst Field. 

[79jaybird]

The Elmhurst Community lost a great person the other day in our Athletic Trainer Matt Passalaqua.  Matt helped every EC sport and I recall some great bus trips talking to him prior to EC Football Games.  Hopefully the Jays can pick up some W's for him (in every sport) to remember him.  Thoughts and prayers to his family.  Taken way too soon.

[USee]

I heard Wheaton stayed with an alum and internal staff member for the D-Coordinator job. This is the guy from what I hear:

http://athletics.wheaton.edu/staff.aspx?staff=130

Hope he is as good a coach as he was a player.

Interesting choice.  He was a great player!  Seems a bit inexperienced to be the DC but Swider calls the Defense anyway, doesn't he?

Swider called the defense for years and ultimately turned that over to Sandberg. I suspect there will be some mentoring going on and Swider will be much more active in the defensive gameplan and playcalling duties.

Happy New Year to all.

While loyalty and family are certainly two of the core values in which the Wheaton program has been deeply invested during the Swider era (very noble and admirable virtues), this move is still very surprising for me, given his age and his experience.  To be appointed to a position this high profile for a prominent, National program competing in a highly respected conference, Wheaton and Swider must think very highly of this young man. 

Familiarity with the program, the campus, and the mission of the institution are all positive points, and it doesn't hurt that the dude was a legit stud as a player = instant respect with the players and recruits.  And i am sure that Langs has been an outstanding position coach and student of the game, learning and leading from one of D3's most successful and dynamic  Head Coaches.  And as a young alum, i am sure he will bring energy and passion to the position.

The Thunder seem confident in him.  Coordinating at the college level demands one's patience, one's leadership, one's intelligence, and one's experience.  Building a structure and installing terminology and technique, installing game-plans, developing practice schedules, adjusting in-game strategy, managing relationships with the student-athletes on and off the field, and so much more - this position is a big deal.  But Swider believes in him and his ability to handle the role - and that's certainly quite a vote of confidence given his reputation. 

We shall wait and see just how much influence the HBC has on the defensive philosophy and the play call sheet on Saturdays.  For now, i wish him the best...except for the day he gets off the bus at Langhorst Field. 

I hear your point but I actually don't think it's all that uncommon to have young coordinators. If you look at Mt Union, they have made a living doing it. There entire coaching staff is young former players. Jeff Dart, their current O-Coordinator, is a 2008 grad from Mt Union and was on the Wheaton Staff from 09-11. He became OC at Mt Union 3 years removed from his playing days and so is Langs. I don't have a problem with it.

[Mr. Ypsi]

I heard Wheaton stayed with an alum and internal staff member for the D-Coordinator job. This is the guy from what I hear:

http://athletics.wheaton.edu/staff.aspx?staff=130

Hope he is as good a coach as he was a player.

Interesting choice.  He was a great player!  Seems a bit inexperienced to be the DC but Swider calls the Defense anyway, doesn't he?

Swider called the defense for years and ultimately turned that over to Sandberg. I suspect there will be some mentoring going on and Swider will be much more active in the defensive gameplan and playcalling duties.

Happy New Year to all.

While loyalty and family are certainly two of the core values in which the Wheaton program has been deeply invested during the Swider era (very noble and admirable virtues), this move is still very surprising for me, given his age and his experience.  To be appointed to a position this high profile for a prominent, National program competing in a highly respected conference, Wheaton and Swider must think very highly of this young man. 

Familiarity with the program, the campus, and the mission of the institution are all positive points, and it doesn't hurt that the dude was a legit stud as a player = instant respect with the players and recruits.  And i am sure that Langs has been an outstanding position coach and student of the game, learning and leading from one of D3's most successful and dynamic  Head Coaches.  And as a young alum, i am sure he will bring energy and passion to the position.

The Thunder seem confident in him.  Coordinating at the college level demands one's patience, one's leadership, one's intelligence, and one's experience.  Building a structure and installing terminology and technique, installing game-plans, developing practice schedules, adjusting in-game strategy, managing relationships with the student-athletes on and off the field, and so much more - this position is a big deal.  But Swider believes in him and his ability to handle the role - and that's certainly quite a vote of confidence given his reputation. 

We shall wait and see just how much influence the HBC has on the defensive philosophy and the play call sheet on Saturdays.  For now, i wish him the best...except for the day he gets off the bus at Langhorst Field. 

I hear your point but I actually don't think it's all that uncommon to have young coordinators. If you look at Mt Union, they have made a living doing it. There entire coaching staff is young former players. Jeff Dart, their current O-Coordinator, is a 2008 grad from Mt Union and was on the Wheaton Staff from 09-11. He became OC at Mt Union 3 years removed from his playing days and so is Langs. I don't have a problem with it.

Yes, if judiciously selected (and with a bit of luck), the 25-year-old d3 coordinators are the 40-year-old head coaches in d1 (or the pros) - unless they fall in love with d3 and eschew the big bucks.  There are a (perhaps) surprising number of d3 coaches who have turned their backs on more money and fame in order to be 'lifers' and live a more satisfying life.  (Personally, it doesn't surprise me at all that there are a number of them - even (most) d3 HCs make more than I ever did as a university lecturer, and I find the d3 lifestyle far less stressful and more rewarding. )

[Titan Q]

IWU offensive coordinator and QB coach Billy Dicken has been named WR coach at Illinois State...

http://www.pantagraph.com/sports/college/football/isu-s-spack-hires-bhs-grad-dicken-as-receivers-coach/article_3c7fafc0-7fc4-11e3-bfea-0019bb2963f4.html

http://www.goredbirds.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/billy_dicken_882267.html

Dicken has done a great job at IWU...this is a pretty big loss for the Titans.


IWU will be hiring a new offensive coordinator...

http://www.iwu.edu/iwujobs/Asst.FtballCoach.html#10340997

[shepherd]

The Sept. 13 MIAA Opponent TBA is now going to be Wheaton at Kalamazoo College at noon cst.  The time is only on the Kalamazoo site.

http://athletics.wheaton.edu/schedule.aspx?path=football&
http://hornets.kzoo.edu/sports/fball/2014-15/schedule

[D3MAFAN]

The Sept. 13 MIAA Opponent TBA is now going to be Wheaton at Kalamazoo College at noon cst.  The time is only on the Kalamazoo site.

http://athletics.wheaton.edu/schedule.aspx?path=football&
http://hornets.kzoo.edu/sports/fball/2014-15/schedule

So is this an improvement from last year or somewhat the same as far as OOC schedule for Wheaton?

[wally_wabash]

The Sept. 13 MIAA Opponent TBA is now going to be Wheaton at Kalamazoo College at noon cst.  The time is only on the Kalamazoo site.

http://athletics.wheaton.edu/schedule.aspx?path=football&
http://hornets.kzoo.edu/sports/fball/2014-15/schedule

So is this an improvement from last year or somewhat the same as far as OOC schedule for Wheaton?

Coe/K'zoo/UW-EC is probably an improvement over Benedictine/Albion/Luther.  Certainly qualitatively.  The 2013 records of the 2013 non-con opponents was 17-14 vs. 15-15 for the 2014 group, but the 2014 grouping is going to see some OOWP benefit from swapping the NAC and MWC opponents for IIAC and WIAC opponents.  So Wheaton ought to be a tad better off quantitatively here also, unless UW-EC goes 2-8 again and Coe does something like 5-5 or worse. 

[GRIZ_BACKER]

IWU offensive coordinator and QB coach Billy Dicken has been named WR coach at Illinois State...

http://www.pantagraph.com/sports/college/football/isu-s-spack-hires-bhs-grad-dicken-as-receivers-coach/article_3c7fafc0-7fc4-11e3-bfea-0019bb2963f4.html

http://www.goredbirds.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/billy_dicken_882267.html

Dicken has done a great job at IWU...this is a pretty big loss for the Titans.


IWU will be hiring a new offensive coordinator...

http://www.iwu.edu/iwujobs/Asst.FtballCoach.html#10340997

In other CCIW/HCAC news related to IWU (and Franklin College):  The GRIZ will open the 2014 on the road in Bloomington, IL against the IWU Titans on September 6. Great matchup. The GRIZ return home the following Saturday to host UW Whitewater.

[02 Warhawk]

IWU offensive coordinator and QB coach Billy Dicken has been named WR coach at Illinois State...

http://www.pantagraph.com/sports/college/football/isu-s-spack-hires-bhs-grad-dicken-as-receivers-coach/article_3c7fafc0-7fc4-11e3-bfea-0019bb2963f4.html

http://www.goredbirds.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/billy_dicken_882267.html

Dicken has done a great job at IWU...this is a pretty big loss for the Titans.


IWU will be hiring a new offensive coordinator...

http://www.iwu.edu/iwujobs/Asst.FtballCoach.html#10340997

In other CCIW/HCAC news related to IWU (and Franklin College):  The GRIZ will open the 2014 on the road in Bloomington, IL against the IWU Titans on September 6. Great matchup. The GRIZ return home the following Saturday to host UW Whitewater.

I like the aggressive scheduling...but I suppose that's nothing new for Franklin when it comes to their non-conference schedule. They seem to always challenge themselves early in the season.

Kudos to them.

[GRIZ_BACKER]

IWU offensive coordinator and QB coach Billy Dicken has been named WR coach at Illinois State...

http://www.pantagraph.com/sports/college/football/isu-s-spack-hires-bhs-grad-dicken-as-receivers-coach/article_3c7fafc0-7fc4-11e3-bfea-0019bb2963f4.html

http://www.goredbirds.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/billy_dicken_882267.html

Dicken has done a great job at IWU...this is a pretty big loss for the Titans.


IWU will be hiring a new offensive coordinator...

http://www.iwu.edu/iwujobs/Asst.FtballCoach.html#10340997

In other CCIW/HCAC news related to IWU (and Franklin College):  The GRIZ will open the 2014 on the road in Bloomington, IL against the IWU Titans on September 6. Great matchup. The GRIZ return home the following Saturday to host UW Whitewater.

I like the aggressive scheduling...but I suppose that's nothing new for Franklin when it comes to their non-conference schedule. They seem to always challenge themselves early in the season.

Kudos to them.

We have been to Whitewater so many times we know where the best food and beer in town is.