FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[blue_jays]

Long Time D3 football post reader. Just wanted to weigh in on my Titans.

It looks like a disappointing season on the gridiron with no real hope of any possible recovery. Especially feel bad for a couple guys who were part of the building blocks of some of the brighter days of Titan football under Norm and have sons on the current roster. I'm sure they didn't envision their sons having an experience like this. Troy Bozarth and Brian Tencza were great Titan players. who were part of some great Titan teams in the early 90s.

Although the spring was not a real season, we should have learned a few things that were concerning. A loss to Millikin and a 12-0 win vs Augie, doesn't give me much confidence with the remainder of our schedule: Millikin, North Central, North Park, Wheaton & Augie. How many wins do you see on that list? Add that to the current 1-3 conference record and Norm just might tie for the most CCIW losing seasons (11) by any coach. Looking at conference games is a pretty good way to compare guys success rates (everyone is playing the same schedule and you don't count the non-conference cupcakes that guys can schedule) Most guys don't last long enough to get that many losing conference seasons.

[SpartanHouse]

Long Time D3 football post reader. Just wanted to weigh in on my Titans.

It looks like a disappointing season on the gridiron with no real hope of any possible recovery. Especially feel bad for a couple guys who were part of the building blocks of some of the brighter days of Titan football under Norm and have sons on the current roster. I'm sure they didn't envision their sons having an experience like this. Troy Bozarth and Brian Tencza were great Titan players. who were part of some great Titan teams in the early 90s.

Although the spring was not a real season, we should have learned a few things that were concerning. A loss to Millikin and a 12-0 win vs Augie, doesn't give me much confidence with the remainder of our schedule: Millikin, North Central, North Park, Wheaton & Augie. How many wins do you see on that list? Add that to the current 1-3 conference record and Norm just might tie for the most CCIW losing seasons (11) by any coach. Looking at conference games is a pretty good way to compare guys success rates (everyone is playing the same schedule and you don't count the non-conference cupcakes that guys can schedule) Most guys don't last long enough to get that many losing conference seasons.

TrueGreen - what's your take on current state of the IWU program and why they are having the season they are having?

(modified by GS for formatting)

[TrueGreen]

Long Time D3 football post reader. Just wanted to weigh in on my Titans.

It looks like a disappointing season on the gridiron with no real hope of any possible recovery. Especially feel bad for a couple guys who were part of the building blocks of some of the brighter days of Titan football under Norm and have sons on the current roster. I'm sure they didn't envision their sons having an experience like this. Troy Bozarth and Brian Tencza were great Titan players. who were part of some great Titan teams in the early 90s.

Although the spring was not a real season, we should have learned a few things that were concerning. A loss to Millikin and a 12-0 win vs Augie, doesn't give me much confidence with the remainder of our schedule: Millikin, North Central, North Park, Wheaton & Augie. How many wins do you see on that list? Add that to the current 1-3 conference record and Norm just might tie for the most CCIW losing seasons (11) by any coach. Looking at conference games is a pretty good way to compare guys success rates (everyone is playing the same schedule and you don't count the non-conference cupcakes that guys can schedule) Most guys don't last long enough to get that many losing conference seasons.

TrueGreen - what's your take on current state of the IWU program and why they are having the season they are having?

(modified by GS for formatting)

Current State: Program is tired, engine is idling and no apparent desire to compete with NCC (this year will be 11 in a row if NCC wins). Only matched by the 11 losses in row to Augie during the Reade run (1981-1992).

Why this season: Because the numbers predict it. Unless something dramatic happens, this will be Norm's 11 losing season in conference play in 34 years. Swider? 24 years - 0 losing season, Reade? 16 yrs - 0 losing, John Thorne 13 yrs - 0 losing, even Coach Larson only had 6 in 33 years. That says a lot about quality of coaching year in and year out. And the numbers show that this year isn't really that rare. 

[Gregory Sager]

Long Time D3 football post reader. Just wanted to weigh in on my Titans.

It looks like a disappointing season on the gridiron with no real hope of any possible recovery. Especially feel bad for a couple guys who were part of the building blocks of some of the brighter days of Titan football under Norm and have sons on the current roster. I'm sure they didn't envision their sons having an experience like this. Troy Bozarth and Brian Tencza were great Titan players. who were part of some great Titan teams in the early 90s.

Although the spring was not a real season, we should have learned a few things that were concerning. A loss to Millikin and a 12-0 win vs Augie, doesn't give me much confidence with the remainder of our schedule: Millikin, North Central, North Park, Wheaton & Augie. How many wins do you see on that list? Add that to the current 1-3 conference record and Norm just might tie for the most CCIW losing seasons (11) by any coach. Looking at conference games is a pretty good way to compare guys success rates (everyone is playing the same schedule and you don't count the non-conference cupcakes that guys can schedule) Most guys don't last long enough to get that many losing conference seasons.

TrueGreen - what's your take on current state of the IWU program and why they are having the season they are having?

(modified by GS for formatting)

Current State: Program is tired, engine is idling and no apparent desire to compete with NCC (this year will be 11 in a row if NCC wins). Only matched by the 11 losses in row to Augie during the Reade run (1981-1992).

Why this season: Because the numbers predict it. Unless something dramatic happens, this will be Norm's 11 losing season in conference play in 34 years. Swider? 24 years - 0 losing season, Reade? 16 yrs - 0 losing, John Thorne 13 yrs - 0 losing, even Coach Larson only had 6 in 33 years. That says a lot about quality of coaching year in and year out. And the numbers show that this year isn't really that rare.

"If NCC wins"? Nothing short of an extensive outbreak of COVID-19 within the North Central two-deep is going to stop the Cardinals from winning all of their games in the second half of the regular season. What's more, I think that Wash U is the only team left on NCC's slate that has a shot at staying within four touchdowns of the Cardinals by the end of the game.

But your general point about Norm Eash's tenure at IWU with regard to his relative tendency to suffer from downturns is a pretty good one.

[D3FLETCH]

Norm will have the Titans prepped for the Cardinals in two weeks. 

[blue_jays]

Norm will have the Titans prepped for the Cardinals in two weeks. 

Prep is one thing. Winning is another.

[TrueGreen]

Norm will have the Titans prepped for the Cardinals in two weeks. 

Not sure what makes you think that. I'm assuming you have "tongue firmly planted in your cheek"!!!

My understanding is the last few years, survival has been the theme, not let's win one for the Gipper.

(Modified by PC for formatting)

[SpartanHouse]

Norm will have the Titans prepped for the Cardinals in two weeks. 

Not sure what makes you think that. I'm assuming you have "tongue firmly planted in your cheek"!!!

My understanding is the last few years, survival has been the theme, not let's win one for the Gipper.

(Modified by PC for formatting)

I think the Cards will want to give IWU a little something extra and will be at least a 40pt W.

[SpartanHouse]

Long Time D3 football post reader. Just wanted to weigh in on my Titans.

It looks like a disappointing season on the gridiron with no real hope of any possible recovery. Especially feel bad for a couple guys who were part of the building blocks of some of the brighter days of Titan football under Norm and have sons on the current roster. I'm sure they didn't envision their sons having an experience like this. Troy Bozarth and Brian Tencza were great Titan players. who were part of some great Titan teams in the early 90s.

Although the spring was not a real season, we should have learned a few things that were concerning. A loss to Millikin and a 12-0 win vs Augie, doesn't give me much confidence with the remainder of our schedule: Millikin, North Central, North Park, Wheaton & Augie. How many wins do you see on that list? Add that to the current 1-3 conference record and Norm just might tie for the most CCIW losing seasons (11) by any coach. Looking at conference games is a pretty good way to compare guys success rates (everyone is playing the same schedule and you don't count the non-conference cupcakes that guys can schedule) Most guys don't last long enough to get that many losing conference seasons.

TrueGreen - what's your take on current state of the IWU program and why they are having the season they are having?

(modified by GS for formatting)

Current State: Program is tired, engine is idling and no apparent desire to compete with NCC (this year will be 11 in a row if NCC wins). Only matched by the 11 losses in row to Augie during the Reade run (1981-1992).

Why this season: Because the numbers predict it. Unless something dramatic happens, this will be Norm's 11 losing season in conference play in 34 years. Swider? 24 years - 0 losing season, Reade? 16 yrs - 0 losing, John Thorne 13 yrs - 0 losing, even Coach Larson only had 6 in 33 years. That says a lot about quality of coaching year in and year out. And the numbers show that this year isn't really that rare.

Any idea how much longer Norm plans to go for?

[TrueGreen]

Although the spring was not a real season, we should have learned a few things that were concerning. A loss to Millikin and a 12-0 win vs Augie, doesn't give me much confidence with the remainder of our schedule: Millikin, North Central, North Park, Wheaton & Augie. How many wins do you see on that list? Add that to the current 1-3 conference record and Norm just might tie for the most CCIW losing seasons (11) by any coach. Looking at conference games is a pretty good way to compare guys success rates (everyone is playing the same schedule and you don't count the non-conference cupcakes that guys can schedule) Most guys don't last long enough to get that many losing conference seasons.

TrueGreen - what's your take on current state of the IWU program and why they are having the season they are having?

(modified by GS for formatting)

Current State: Program is tired, engine is idling and no apparent desire to compete with NCC (this year will be 11 in a row if NCC wins). Only matched by the 11 losses in row to Augie during the Reade run (1981-1992).

Why this season: Because the numbers predict it. Unless something dramatic happens, this will be Norm's 11 losing season in conference play in 34 years. Swider? 24 years - 0 losing season, Reade? 16 yrs - 0 losing, John Thorne 13 yrs - 0 losing, even Coach Larson only had 6 in 33 years. That says a lot about quality of coaching year in and year out. And the numbers show that this year isn't really that rare.

Any idea how much longer Norm plans to go for?

Hahahahaha. I think I first heard that question asked about 15 years ago. It doesn't seem like anyone at the school has the authority to make the decision for him, so it will probably be another 15 years!!!

[devildog29]

Although the spring was not a real season, we should have learned a few things that were concerning. A loss to Millikin and a 12-0 win vs Augie, doesn't give me much confidence with the remainder of our schedule: Millikin, North Central, North Park, Wheaton & Augie. How many wins do you see on that list? Add that to the current 1-3 conference record and Norm just might tie for the most CCIW losing seasons (11) by any coach. Looking at conference games is a pretty good way to compare guys success rates (everyone is playing the same schedule and you don't count the non-conference cupcakes that guys can schedule) Most guys don't last long enough to get that many losing conference seasons.

TrueGreen - what's your take on current state of the IWU program and why they are having the season they are having?

(modified by GS for formatting)

Current State: Program is tired, engine is idling and no apparent desire to compete with NCC (this year will be 11 in a row if NCC wins). Only matched by the 11 losses in row to Augie during the Reade run (1981-1992).

Why this season: Because the numbers predict it. Unless something dramatic happens, this will be Norm's 11 losing season in conference play in 34 years. Swider? 24 years - 0 losing season, Reade? 16 yrs - 0 losing, John Thorne 13 yrs - 0 losing, even Coach Larson only had 6 in 33 years. That says a lot about quality of coaching year in and year out. And the numbers show that this year isn't really that rare.

Any idea how much longer Norm plans to go for?

Hahahahaha. I think I first heard that question asked about 15 years ago. It doesn't seem like anyone at the school has the authority to make the decision for him, so it will probably be another 15 years!!!

My pipe dream was that it would be in time for Rob Zvonar to want to come back to B-town after the success he's had at Lincoln Way and hope to have a similar success arc as Thorne did from HS to CCIW.  A boy can dream.

[Gregory Sager]

According to his bio on iwusports.com, Eash was a Little All-State football selection in 1970 (I prefer the class designation for All-State selections; I think that the old-school method of referring to the picks from the smaller school levels as "Little All-State" was demeaning). He graduated from Illinois Wesleyan in 1975. That seems to put Stormin' Norman at 67 or 68 years old, although, truth be told, he looks older than that.

[SpartanHouse]

Although the spring was not a real season, we should have learned a few things that were concerning. A loss to Millikin and a 12-0 win vs Augie, doesn't give me much confidence with the remainder of our schedule: Millikin, North Central, North Park, Wheaton & Augie. How many wins do you see on that list? Add that to the current 1-3 conference record and Norm just might tie for the most CCIW losing seasons (11) by any coach. Looking at conference games is a pretty good way to compare guys success rates (everyone is playing the same schedule and you don't count the non-conference cupcakes that guys can schedule) Most guys don't last long enough to get that many losing conference seasons.

TrueGreen - what's your take on current state of the IWU program and why they are having the season they are having?

(modified by GS for formatting)

Current State: Program is tired, engine is idling and no apparent desire to compete with NCC (this year will be 11 in a row if NCC wins). Only matched by the 11 losses in row to Augie during the Reade run (1981-1992).

Why this season: Because the numbers predict it. Unless something dramatic happens, this will be Norm's 11 losing season in conference play in 34 years. Swider? 24 years - 0 losing season, Reade? 16 yrs - 0 losing, John Thorne 13 yrs - 0 losing, even Coach Larson only had 6 in 33 years. That says a lot about quality of coaching year in and year out. And the numbers show that this year isn't really that rare.

Any idea how much longer Norm plans to go for?

Hahahahaha. I think I first heard that question asked about 15 years ago. It doesn't seem like anyone at the school has the authority to make the decision for him, so it will probably be another 15 years!!!

My pipe dream was that it would be in time for Rob Zvonar to want to come back to B-town after the success he's had at Lincoln Way and hope to have a similar success arc as Thorne did from HS to CCIW.  A boy can dream.

Did John Thorne hit retirement before taking the NCC job?

Zvonar is making 111k at LWE for his teaching duties. Probably another 10k for being HFC. Think he would do a GREAT job at IWU.

Would think Brad Spencer would be a good fit there as well. Hope he gets a HFC job soon.

[D3FLETCH]

Although the spring was not a real season, we should have learned a few things that were concerning. A loss to Millikin and a 12-0 win vs Augie, doesn't give me much confidence with the remainder of our schedule: Millikin, North Central, North Park, Wheaton & Augie. How many wins do you see on that list? Add that to the current 1-3 conference record and Norm just might tie for the most CCIW losing seasons (11) by any coach. Looking at conference games is a pretty good way to compare guys success rates (everyone is playing the same schedule and you don't count the non-conference cupcakes that guys can schedule) Most guys don't last long enough to get that many losing conference seasons.

TrueGreen - what's your take on current state of the IWU program and why they are having the season they are having?

(modified by GS for formatting)

Current State: Program is tired, engine is idling and no apparent desire to compete with NCC (this year will be 11 in a row if NCC wins). Only matched by the 11 losses in row to Augie during the Reade run (1981-1992).

Why this season: Because the numbers predict it. Unless something dramatic happens, this will be Norm's 11 losing season in conference play in 34 years. Swider? 24 years - 0 losing season, Reade? 16 yrs - 0 losing, John Thorne 13 yrs - 0 losing, even Coach Larson only had 6 in 33 years. That says a lot about quality of coaching year in and year out. And the numbers show that this year isn't really that rare.

Any idea how much longer Norm plans to go for?

Hahahahaha. I think I first heard that question asked about 15 years ago. It doesn't seem like anyone at the school has the authority to make the decision for him, so it will probably be another 15 years!!!

My pipe dream was that it would be in time for Rob Zvonar to want to come back to B-town after the success he's had at Lincoln Way and hope to have a similar success arc as Thorne did from HS to CCIW.  A boy can dream.

Did John Thorne hit retirement before taking the NCC job?

Zvonar is making 111k at LWE for his teaching duties. Probably another 10k for being HFC. Think he would do a GREAT job at IWU.

Would think Brad Spencer would be a good fit there as well. Hope he gets a HFC job soon.

What is considered a great job at IWU? I just don't see a scenario that they catch NCC/Wheaton. I think IWU is going the way of Augustana/Millikin. Long Term- Wash U will become the 3rd best team in the CCIW.

[CardinalAlum]

Luke Lehnen has been named the CCIW offensive player of the week.  Congrats to him and the two Bluejays chosen as Defensive and Special Teams POW's! 

https://cciw.org/news/2021/10/11/north-centrals-luke-lehnen-elmhursts-bryce-gable-and-elmhursts-ryan-brenner-were-selected-as-the-college-conference-of-illinois-wisconsin-cciw-football-student-athletes-of-the-week-on-monday.aspx

Speaking of Norm....Lehnen was a priority recruit for Norm that didn't quite go his way...