FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[shepherd]

Some of you Cardinal fans are already looking ahead to the Stagg Bowl.  I'm sure Aesop has a few fables dealing with folly like that.  Odds are that cardinal and grey will be the new purple.

Thankfully, as has been mentioned, we on the boards have zero effect on the outcome of Saturday's game and have the luxury of looking ahead as much as we like with no consequence. I'm sure the team is laser focused on your Mules. And in the immortal words of Han Solo...

*And in the immortal words of Han Solo*
"Chewy Didn't we talk about you using the bathroom instead of the floor?"

[crusader_nation]

Big news coming out of Wheaton's football program today. Stay tuned.

[duckfan41]

https://athletics.wheaton.edu/news/2019/12/10/mike-swider-announces-his-retirement.aspx

Wow... What a career it was

[blue_jays]

https://athletics.wheaton.edu/news/2019/12/10/mike-swider-announces-his-retirement.aspx

Wow... What a career it was

Frankly I'm shocked, thought he would be there until they wheeled him out. This will be quite the offseason.

[robertgoulet]

Was interesting listening to the ATN podcast this week. They pontificated on Swider possibly retiring.

[USee]

Swider says of his decision, "I have known for a while that this is the right time. However, I decided to wait until now to make the announcement because this entire program is about the whole team and not one person.

"I have seen Wheaton football through the lens of a player for four years, through the lens of a coach for 35 years, and through the lens of a dad for six years. I especially saw the impact it had on my sons," notes Swider. "Through all those years you learn how special this place and this program is. We wanted to make a program that would transcend generations." He concludes, "If one half of one percent of Mike Swider is in the lives of each of my players then that means I have left something. Wins and losses fade, but if I have left something with my players and they leave that with others then that is how you can impact the world."

Pretty special person I have known for 35 years. Like a brother. He will be missed.

[formerd3db]

Yes, wow! Just saw that on front page here d3fb.com. The comments in the article really says it all about Coach Swider. Certainly not how some tried to characterize him in their comments about that post game interview this past weekend- those of you who know him and have followed the program know the type of man and coach that Swider truly is and the impact he had had on all the young men he had coached there. I respect and admire how he decided to handle his decision this season as he described in the article/announcement. Congratulations to him on a great career. My, how life changes, but...we all know that's just how it is.
It will be interesting to see who is chosen as the next HC.

[DuffMan]

Congrats to Coach Swider on a great career.  He's quite obviously a great coach.  May he enjoy his retirement!

Hopefully, Wheaton will find an excellent replacement.  With many top programs, the search often doesn't need to look too far.

[Pat Coleman]

Big news coming out of Wheaton's football program today. Stay tuned.

We already had it on Twitter and the D3football.com front page when you posted this message.

[SpartanHouse]

Who will his replacement be? Jesse Scott? Would think Don Beebe down the street in Aurora would be considered.

[DuffMan]

...D3football.com front page...

What's that? 

[Pat Coleman]

Who will his replacement be? Jesse Scott? Would think Don Beebe down the street in Aurora would be considered.

There are Wheaton people in Division III head coaching positions elsewhere. I would assume they will be strong candidates if they are interested in being considered.

[mdrem7]

Who will his replacement be? Jesse Scott? Would think Don Beebe down the street in Aurora would be considered.

Rod Sandberg at Whitworth has a lot of ties to Wheaton. I'd think Jesse Scott gets it, however.

[matblake]

My dark horse would be Pedro Arruza at RMC.  Successful program, Wheaton guy. No idea if he would be interested though, he's been at RM a long time now. 

Lots of factors to be considered for whomever may be interested.   

[79jaybird]

Congratulations to Coach Swider on a well deserved retirement.  A hockey teammate of mine works with his wife. We talked about the WC/SJU recap and how he heard at church that Swider was contemplating retirement. 

What a class act!   Despite being from a rival school and Wheaton's domination over EC,  he always found something positive to say.  He is a great friend.

Is Tim Hardy still coaching?  That's a name that if available could (also) see filling in.