FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[Son of Tailgater]

The thread from Day 1 of the CCIW chat in case any missed it and wanted to see what was discussed (I apologize for the length of this post)

   
2012 CCIW Football Chat (Day 1)
   
Monday August 6, 2012
9:08
   
   Day One of the 2012 CCIW Football Coaches Chat will begin at 10 a.m. with Augustana, Carthage, Elmhurst and Wheaton
9:55
   
   Welcome to Day One of the 2012 CCIW Football Coaches Chat. We're still waiting on a couple more people to join us and we'll get started shortly.
10:00
   
   This is Mike Krizman, Assistant Commissioner and Sports Information Director of the CCIW. I will be facilitating today's chat with Augustana, Carthage, Elmhurst and Wheaton.
10:00
   
   We will take questions from the audience until 10:30 a.m. All questions will be screened and we will try to get to as many as possible in the next half hour.
10:01
   
   With that, we will start with questions.
10:01
   
   Question for Augustana: Losing a three-year starter at quarterback (David Lee) appears to leave a big hole to fill on offense. What are your thoughts as you try to replace a player who took down all of Ken Anderson's school passing records?
10:01
   
   Question for Elmhurst: After averaging 34.1 points and over 450 yards per game, the Bluejays return the majority of their starters on offense. How valuable is the experience that they bring to the table and do you believe they can be even more explosive this season?
10:01
   
   Question for Wheaton: Your offense returns several starters and players with experience. What expectations do you have for that unit?
10:01
   
   Question for Carthage: Last year, Carthage ran several offensive schemes, including the option. What are your offensive plans for 2012?
10:02
   
   
Comment From Tim Lester-Elmhurst
We are excited to bring back so much experience. I think we finished the season playing at a high level and we are hoping to build on that. I believe that experience could help us at critical times. Our guys understand that nothing comes easy and we will have to earn every yard.
10:02
   
   
Comment From Mike Swider, Wheaton
We expect our offense to perform consistently throughout the entire year, regardless of our opponent. Experience doesn't make you perfect, but experience can be counted on at crucial moments. This group can be counted on.
10:03
   
   
Comment From Rob Cushman Augustana
That's the biggest question we have heading into fall camp. David did so much for this program, in so many ways, both on and off the field. We have two quarterbacks in the program that virtually have no game experience and we recruited five newcomers to come in and challenge. It would not surprise me if one of the young guys ends up getting the job because it's such a talented group.
10:04
   
   Question for Augustana: What kind of impact will the big announcement this summer of the new stadium project on the Augustana campus have on your football program going forward?
10:05
   Question for Elmhurst: Scottie Williams has turned in back-to-back seasons of over 1,000 yards. What is it that makes Scottie so effective running the ball and do you believe that he'll continue his past success with teams focusing on trying to stop him?
10:06
   
   
Comment From Tim Lester-Elmhurst
Scottie has continued to improve every season he has been here at Elmhurst College. Most importantly, he is one of the hardest working young men I have ever been around. He is a guy that runs hard and is a leader on our offense. Our offensive coaches need to continue to put him in good positions and he can continue to improve.
10:06
   Question for Wheaton: What concerns do you have for the 2012 season?
10:07
   
   
Comment From Rob Cushman Augustana
Obviously this is huge news for us. Everyone is extremely excited as this project will move us forward and hopefully get us back on top. Both current players and recruits want to have the very best facility as possible and this will put us in that category. The new turf is ready for this season and the stadium will be complete by the 2013 season.
10:07
   
   
Comment From Mike Swider, Wheaton
Obviously we lost several defensive starters. Our biggest challenge is to create some continuity with our new players on defense. We have some good athletes stepping into starting roles, but we must get them to play with confidence as a unit.
10:08
   
   
Comment From Doug Green QC Times
For Rob Cushman: What does Tom Casey bring to the fold as your new Defensive Coordinator?
10:09
   Question for Wheaton: Coach Swider, your team returns last year's CCIW Offensive Player of the Year in Garrett Meador. Jordan Roberts, who was scheduled to be the 2011 starter at QB, returns from an injury. What do you expect from either of those players in 2012?
10:10
   
   
Comment From Tim Rucks
Our plans are to get back to a more spread-type offense that we had been used to. We ideally would like to be a 50/50 pass-run combination.
10:10
   
   
Comment From Rob Cushman Augustana
Tom and I worked together for 3 years at a Junior College in California in the early 2000's so we are very familiar with each other. We have the same philosophy and more importantly together created this flex defense, so it should be a seamless transition. His Division 1 experience will be a real plus.
10:10
   
   
Comment From Guest
Question for Carthage: What would be the short list of top recruits coming in that will impact the 2012 season right away?
10:11
   
   
Comment From Mike Swider, Wheaton
Preseason training camp is going to be interesting. Both athletes are proven winners on the field. Our team believes that they can win with either athlete. They are both capable of leading us to victory on Saturdays. We are going to take it one day at a time. No one practice is going to make or break either player. Decisions will be based on the overall body of work in the preseason. We are blessed to have these two young men competing to lead the Thunder.
10:11
   
   
Comment From D3 Fan
Question for Elmhurst: With the addition of Trine in your off season schedule, will we be see a stronger scheduling of non-conference opponents in the future?
10:12
   
   
Comment From Guest
Question for Augustana: With the obvious need of replacing your quaterback what other areas of need concern you for the upcoming season and how have you address it in the off season
10:13
   
   
Comment From Tim Rucks
I actually think the list might be longer then shorter. We have 90 freshmen coming in next week and I think it is long on talent. That being said, they are freshmen and this is the CCIW, but there is defintely some athleticism combined with some size on both sides of the line.
10:13
   
   
Comment From Tim Lester-Elmhurst
We are always trying to upgrade our non-conference schedule. It is essential to prepare ourselves for CCIW play. I takes some years to plan out, but that was our thought. We look forward to playing a very successful Trine team.
10:14
   
   
Comment From Jerry Beach
For Tim Lester; You have an impressive list of recruits for this year... Do you expect them to be able to come in and compete from day one? or do you think that they will be eased in over the course of the season?
10:14
   
   
Comment From Rob Cushman Augustana
We need to get much better offensively and so we put a major emphasis in recruiting and feel like we have some good young talent that needs to be developed. This development falls on the coaches and we have five new coaches on staff that should help us improve in this area. Defensively, we need to get back on top where we have been in the past and feel we have a good core of veterans returning to make this happen.
10:14
   
   
Comment From Tom Johnston, Dispatch/Ar
For Augie coach Rob Cushman. ... With all of the new faces -- defensive coordinator, offensive backfield, both lines -- what are the expectations for this season?
10:15
   Question for Carthage: One of the positives from 2011 was the performance of your defensive unit. Will that be a strength again in 2012 and why?
10:16
   Question for Wheaton: What would be the short list of top recruits coming in that will impact the 2012 season?
10:16
   
   
Comment From Tim Lester-Elmhurst
We are very excited about our incoming athletes. I am sure they will need some time to get comfortable in our league. I am hoping some of them can find a way to get on the field by the second half of the season. You cannot count on that, but it is fun to watch the young guys develop.
10:17
   
   
Comment From Rob Cushman Augustana
We were competitive a year ago, but were not able to finish games, so that's our goal this year is to be able to compete for all four quarters and finish the deal. With so many question marks it's hard to predict, but we feel very good about our talent and are excited to watch this team play. We will know much more at the conclusion of fall camp.
10:17
   
   
Comment From Tim Rucks
Our defense was a big improvement last season and I expect continued improvement. We have several key players coming back but I also think our depth is very good. I like our two-deep right now in the line and I think we can be athletic at linebacker and in the defensive backfield.
10:18
   
   
Comment From D3 Fan
Question for Augustana: The Dubuque night game on September 1st; What did you learn last year from the loss to Dubuque at home and what needs to be done this year to start with a W over a much improved Dubuque team of the past?
10:18
   
   
Comment From Mike Swider, Wheaton
Traditionally we do not count on freshmen to have significant impact on our football team. In this conference you win with upperclassmen. However, we do have a nice group of freshmen coming in, who after gaining the necessary experience are capable of being successful in this league.
10:18
   
   
Comment From Pete
for Coach Swider; You have several athletes on your team that turned down D1 opportunities to be @ Wheaton. What makes the program so attractive to top players from coast to coast?
10:19
   Question for Carthage: You're pretty upbeat about your offensive line, and you're coaching that group yourself in 2012. Tell us about that.
10:21
   
   
Comment From Tim Rucks
I think Mike Greenwood at left tackle is one of the best in the league and David Steele at right tackle was on the all-conference team last year. I like their demeanor all across the board and they will be pushed by a physically strong and big group of freshmen.
10:21
   
   
Comment From Rob Cushman Augustana
A year ago, we were really uncertain what Dubuque would bring in the season opener and we found out very quickly they were an outstanding team and ended up winning the Iowa Conference. It was a hard fought game that we had a chance to win in the fourth quarter, but did not finish the deal. This year going to Dubuque we know exactly what we are in for and our guys understand what a great challenge the opener will be. The key should be finding a way to slow down their great offense.
10:21
   
   
Comment From Mike Swider, Wheaton
As an institution in general, Wheaton naturally draws students from around the entire country. Here in athletics it is no different. I believe that the combination of our academic reputation and our Christian community are what make Wheaton an attractive option to any student.
10:22
   Question for Augustana and Elmhurst: What would be the short list of top recruits coming in that will impact the 2012 season?
10:23
   While we wait for answers to come in, just a reminder that Day Two of the 2012 CCIW Football Coaches Chat will take place tomorrow from 10-10:30 a.m.
10:24
   Joining us tomorrow will be Illinois Wesleyan, Millikin, North Central and North Park.
10:25
   
   
Comment From Rob Cushman Augustana
Quarterbacks - Sam Frasco, Dillon Nelson, Colton Schulenberg and Chris Salazar. WR/DB - Robert Condon and OL Trevor Loew
10:25
   
   
Comment From Tom Johnston, Dispatch/Ar
For Augie coach Rob Cushman... With all of the new coaches on staff, what will change for the Vikings this season on the field because of those coaching changes?
10:26
   We'll have time for one more group question once we receive the remaining answers.
10:28
   For all once you are ready: What will it take to win the CCIW this season?
10:29
   
   
Comment From Rob Cushman Augustana
With new staff comes new ideas and new drills, new energy, which I hope collectively will improve the program. I feel real good about what I've seen so far, I'm excited to watch this group coach our guys. I'm hoping this will make a difference in how we perform.
10:29
   
   
Comment From Tim Lester-Elmhurst
We have a lot of players coming in that we are really excited about. I feel good about many players in this group, but cannot predict how they will make the transition into the CCIW. I think the one position that new guys could make a big impact is in our kicking game. We have 2 freshman and 1 junior college transfer that could come in and make a difference in our kicking game.
10:30
   
   
Comment From Tim Rucks
I think to stay as healthy as possible over the course of the season and the ability to make gains in special teams and the ability to play in a consistent manner week to week.
10:31
   
   
Comment From Rob Cushman Augustana
This is one of the top conferences in the country Division III football. Every week you need to be your best. The guys at the top the last few years have been awfully good, so in order to win the championship there is very little margin for error. The team that executes and gets a break or two will be the team that comes out on top and we hope to be in that mix.
10:31
   
   
Comment From Tim Lester-Elmhurst
I think the CCIW champion is always a well coached football team with a great group of senior leaders that stays healthy.
10:32
   
   
Comment From Mike Swider, Wheaton
I am sure all of our answers are going to be relatively the same. First, you need to stay healthy. Secondly, you can't beat yourself! Finally, your seniors can't let you down, on or off the field.
10:32
   Thank you to all the coaches for taking time out of their day to join us on this year's chat.

[NCF]

Thanks for posting this. No controversial statements , just typical preseason talk. I was hopng for a little more, buy it's nice to see/hear each coaches perspective. I,for one, am ready for some FOOTBALL!

[NCF]

Does anyone know why the coaches chat isn't completed in one day? They could do a morning/afternoon session. Just wondering.

[matblake]

Does anyone know why the coaches chat isn't completed in one day? They could do a morning/afternoon session. Just wondering.

I don't have any real information on this, but my guess would be a time issue.  The past few years it has been completed in one day, but there was not a lot of time for questions.  It appeared to me that some more questions were able to be answered than in years past.  This is only speculation though.

[NCF]

Does anyone know why the coaches chat isn't completed in one day? They could do a morning/afternoon session. Just wondering.

I don't have any real information on this, but my guess would be a time issue.  The past few years it has been completed in one day, but there was not a lot of time for questions.  It appeared to me that some more questions were able to be answered than in years past.  This is only speculation though.

Thanks for the info. I figured you might know.

[AndOne]

2012 CCIW COACHES' POLL:

NCC picked to win its seventh straight football title. Quite an achievement.
The poll results don't really seem like much of a surprise.

http://www.cciw.org/news/2012/8/7/FB_0807125026.aspx

[ncc58]

We know that Thorne voted for Wheaton. And Swider voted for NCC. Who else voted for Wheaton? Eash?

2012 CCIW COACHES' POLL:

NCC picked to win its seventh straight football title. Quite an achievement.
The poll results don't really seem like much of a surprise.

http://www.cciw.org/news/2012/8/7/FB_0807125026.aspx

[NCF]

We know that Thorne voted for Wheaton. And Swider voted for NCC. Who else voted for Wheaton? Eash?

2012 CCIW COACHES' POLL:

NCC picked to win its seventh straight football title. Quite an achievement.
The poll results don't really seem like much of a surprise.

http://www.cciw.org/news/2012/8/7/FB_0807125026.aspx

Of course. I am pretty sure Eash does not like NCC. That was who I figured it was as well.

[matblake]

We know that Thorne voted for Wheaton. And Swider voted for NCC. Who else voted for Wheaton? Eash?

2012 CCIW COACHES' POLL:

NCC picked to win its seventh straight football title. Quite an achievement.
The poll results don't really seem like much of a surprise.

http://www.cciw.org/news/2012/8/7/FB_0807125026.aspx

Of course. I am pretty sure Eash does not like NCC. That was who I figured it was as well.

That's happened the last several years. 

[Mugsy]

2012 CCIW COACHES' POLL:

NCC picked to win its seventh straight football title. Quite an achievement.
The poll results don't really seem like much of a surprise.

http://www.cciw.org/news/2012/8/7/FB_0807125026.aspx

That assumes they get it done, of course!   

[NCF]

2012 CCIW COACHES' POLL:

NCC picked to win its seventh straight football title. Quite an achievement.
The poll results don't really seem like much of a surprise.

http://www.cciw.org/news/2012/8/7/FB_0807125026.aspx

That assumes they get it done, of course!   

You're right! polls mean nothing unless you prove yourself on the field:)

[AndOne]

2012 CCIW COACHES' POLL:

NCC picked to win its seventh straight football title. Quite an achievement.
The poll results don't really seem like much of a surprise.

http://www.cciw.org/news/2012/8/7/FB_0807125026.aspx

That assumes they get it done, of course!   

And Mugsy, is winning SIX conference titles in a row not "quite an achievement" in itself?   

You're right! polls mean nothing unless you prove yourself on the field.

True, true, & true.   

[NCF]

2012 CCIW COACHES' POLL:

NCC picked to win its seventh straight football title. Quite an achievement.
The poll results don't really seem like much of a surprise.

http://www.cciw.org/news/2012/8/7/FB_0807125026.aspx

That assumes they get it done, of course!   

And Mugsy, is winning SIX conference titles in a row not "quite an achievement" in itself?   

Haha-of course SIX is great but 7 is even better!

[NCF]

surprised that no IWU or Carthage fans with their thoughts on the upcoming season. NC plays at Carthage (again) so that should be a good game. Carthage always plays NC tough at home. We get IWU for homecoming-should be another battle.

[AndOne]

Naperville Sun article on NCC football.
The Cardinals are 59-12 over the past six seasons, including 39-3 in CCIW play.

http://napervillesun.suntimes.com/sports/14322150-419/football-north-central-named-cciw-favorite.html