FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[Scotdog82]

While sad about Barnes departure, Cushman is a great choice for the program.  The players on both sides of the ball respect him.  6-4 seasons are not good enough at Augie and change will be good for the program.  Expect the first change will be the additon of an offensive coordinator with significant spread offense experience.  Good luck to Barnes---great record of producing great student athletes diring his entire tenure---things that last well beyond wins and losses.

[TCrawf5825]

  Rick is a great recruiter and coach !!!!   Rick would probably not leave the area for Rock island for a number of reasons.  He was born and raised in Woodridge, his wife has a good teaching job in the area, and he really likes the administration and coaching staff at NCC.  A another unrelated note he used to coach at ONU  :-)

[Augie6]

Haven't posted at all this year as I've been busy coaching my sons in football and have only seen 1 CCIW game this year (Augie vs. Elmhurst, which was about as ugly as it could be from an Augie perspective).  I wish Coach Barnes luck in his future endeavors.  I think he put everything he could into keeping Augie at a high level of competitiveness, it just hasn't worked out like he (and other Augie football alum) had hoped.  From things I've heard over the past few years, I don't believe there is much of a commitment by the current administration to get the football team back to a championship level.  Pure speculation on my part, but that may be one of the reasons for Coach Barnes departure.  The immediate hiring of Cushman as the head coach would seem to support that.  Immediately hiring a guy who seems to have bounced around quite a bit,  has a pretty spotty record as a head coach and who hasn't done much from a defensive perspective to get anyone that excited, seems like the easy way out.  Have to wonder about his ability to effectively recruit the Chicago area, which is key to rebuilding the program. The fact that the players like/respect him doesn't mean it's a great choice for the program.  Hopefully, I'm wrong on this and in a season or two we're looking at Augie winning a CCIW title and returning to the playoffs.

Congrats to NCC and Wheaton on representing the CCIW so well in the first round of the playoffs.  Good luck to both teams this weekend. 

[Gregory Sager]

Congratulations to North Park DB Nick Pantaleo upon being named to compete in the Division III Senior Classic in Salem on December 3.

[79jaybird]

I don't think it is a lack of desire to win or get back to the 80's prowess by the Augie staff. I think it more of a challenge to recruit for Augie.  This is due in part to the rise of Wheaton, North Central,  and the other schools.

I can see Augie being a tough job.  It is like sales-  it is not what have you done for me in the past, rather what have you done for me lately?  It can be a thankless job and I know Barnes put as much energy as he could into that job.

Happy Turkey day to all.  If you are traveling safe travels.

[usee]

In a sign of the times:

Ndamukong Suh apologized to Marion Barber for tackling him by his hair!!

[CardinalAlum]

In a sign of the times:

Ndamukong Suh apologized to Marion Barber for tackling him by his hair!!

Ridiculous!  If you don't want to get tackled by it, keep it in your helmet!  This hair all the over the names and numbers is so sorely in need of policing by the league!

[CardinalAlum]

Haven't posted at all this year as I've been busy coaching my sons in football and have only seen 1 CCIW game this year (Augie vs. Elmhurst, which was about as ugly as it could be from an Augie perspective).  I wish Coach Barnes luck in his future endeavors.  I think he put everything he could into keeping Augie at a high level of competitiveness, it just hasn't worked out like he (and other Augie football alum) had hoped.  From things I've heard over the past few years, I don't believe there is much of a commitment by the current administration to get the football team back to a championship level.  Pure speculation on my part, but that may be one of the reasons for Coach Barnes departure.  The immediate hiring of Cushman as the head coach would seem to support that.  Immediately hiring a guy who seems to have bounced around quite a bit,  has a pretty spotty record as a head coach and who hasn't done much from a defensive perspective to get anyone that excited, seems like the easy way out.  Have to wonder about his ability to effectively recruit the Chicago area, which is key to rebuilding the program. The fact that the players like/respect him doesn't mean it's a great choice for the program.  Hopefully, I'm wrong on this and in a season or two we're looking at Augie winning a CCIW title and returning to the playoffs.

Congrats to NCC and Wheaton on representing the CCIW so well in the first round of the playoffs.  Good luck to both teams this weekend. 

Great post, A6!

I have to agree with you. I thought they would consider recruiting when making their selection.  There are some outstanding high school coaches in the area that are Augie alums, that may have made a bigger impact in recruiting.   Time will tell, but if the administration isn't committed to a winning football program, then it won't succeed.    I've seen firsthand at NCC what can happen when you have that commitment! 

[usee]

I agree w CA and A6. The quick hiring at Augie tells me Barnes was burnt out by trying to beat the big boys with no help/resources. And the hiring of the D coordinator confirms the program is not looking to win or build. Its good for the NCC's and Wheaton's but too bad for Augie. Barnes is a good coach and was passionate to represent his alma mater, the fact that he is now gone and his short term DC takes over is not a good sign for Augie.

[Viking Mike]

Please... someone from administration assure me that this was not a quick, easy, reflexive hire.

As an alumni who attended every game (home and away) during my four years when the Vikings went 50-1-1,  I would be disgusted if these young men and coaches were not being supported and provided with all the resources needed to succeed on the field.  If Barnes left due to lack of support, then shame on the administration.  The press release on the new hire was generic and boring.  As alumni, we deserve more information than this.

My extended family and I have invested alot of time and dollars in support of the school and various athletic programs.  Hopefully this was a well thought out hire and not the easy fix that all on this site are suggesting.  There is no reason why Augie shouldn't be the premier place to get an education and play championship football on a yearly basis.  I only hope all those involved in this decision realize how much we alumni really care about the success of the Viking program!!!

[ncc58]

I had a conversation with Ponx a few weeks ago, and he was not interested in chasing head coach positions around the country. There is only one head coach position he would pursue ...

Give them Benedictine's then....they're now a playoff caliber team!   

That would be great-leave Ponx alone, NC needs him for at least a little while longer. He's the best thing to happen to the defense in a long time.

[matblake]

Happy Thanksgiving everyone.  Hope you stay safe and have a great day with family and friends.  Let's hope that ONU and BU are not the "Lucy" this year.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MmFfTJlIvhQ&feature=channel

[hyrooster]

Happy Thanksgiving to all!!!

As far as NCC vs. ONU I believe that NCC wins by 14-17 points. Not as big a differential as ONU vs. MU but this is the playoffs.
ONU's real strength on O is their rushing attack and NCC's real strength is their rushing defense. Since offense put butts in the stands and defense wins championships this favors NCC and their road to victory Saturday and there will be a lot of people there. Actually with NCC being on trimesters there is always a good chance for less fans in the stand throughout the playoffs at any home game. Takes away the home field advantage a little.
Turnovers and players on both teams playing and staying healthy is always the great unknown. If all falls into place NCC will be moving on.

[usee]

I would argue the home field in D3 football has little to do with fans in the stands and a lot more to do with routine. familiarity, home bed, food, meeting places, locker room, etc. When you travel, everything is new and you expend energy and focus adjusting to new locker rooms, new bed night before, figuring out where to meet, what to eat, etc. At home, its all a routine and your focus is locked in on the game. fewer distractions. There aren't that many fans in the stands at a d3 football game to make a difference. In basketball its much more of a factor because 2,000 people fills many gyms and makes a lot of noise.

[hyrooster]

I would argue the home field in D3 football has little to do with fans in the stands and a lot more to do with routine. familiarity, home bed, food, meeting places, locker room, etc. When you travel, everything is new and you expend energy and focus adjusting to new locker rooms, new bed night before, figuring out where to meet, what to eat, etc. At home, its all a routine and your focus is locked in on the game. fewer distractions. There aren't that many fans in the stands at a d3 football game to make a difference. In basketball its much more of a factor because 2,000 people fills many gyms and makes a lot of noise.

I agree with all you've said henceforth the reference to it "Takes away the home field advantage a little." not a lot. I will tell you though that when it comes to noise the band UW-EC brought to NCC was pretty cool and could've caused more distractions if allowed. I hope ONU isn't bringing their band.