FB: Northwest Conference

[wildcat11]

11, you know something about the George Fox position?

I've got nothing.  I'd imagine Fox should be getting close to making a hire.  If not, I'm concerned they're going to put themselves behind the 8 ball in a number of ways.

[d-train]

11, you know something about the George Fox position?

If not, I'm concerned they're going to put themselves behind the 8 ball in a number of ways.

Yeah, I'm sure you're really 'concerned' for them.

[d-train]

Shout out to Scam Newton

NCAA broadens definition of agents, closing Cam Newton loophole:
http://www.oregonlive.com/collegefootball/index.ssf/2012/01/ncaa_broadens_definition_of_ag.html

[cawcdad]

You can watch Menlo's big breaking news announcement live on Thursday at 10:25 - http://www.menloathletics.com/article/4234.php

[river]

Mark Speckman steps down as Head Coach of Willamette

http://www.statesmanjournal.com/article/20120111/UPDATE/120111013/Mark-Speckman-resigns-Willamette-football-coach?odyssey=nav|head

Wish I could shed some light on this, but I'm totally shocked.

I'm doubly totally shocked!

[river]

More on Coach Speckman from the Oregonian/Oregonlive.com--

Willamette football coach Mark Speckman resigns

[Gig Harbor Cat]

Big move by Coach Speckman.  Has to be more to it than is in the press.  Moving back to California where he was so successful as a HS coach is one.  Going to a program that is possibly willing to invest in facility and the football program as a whole is another.  Personally I think one of the big battles is ease of admission issue, especially with our economy in the state it is in.  Finally is his base network for recruiting.  I expect he will turn Menlo into one heck of a program.  Since he will be the head guy, I wonder how many asst coaches he will take with him ?

The first time I met him was at a coaches clinic in the bay area, he was there to speak on the Fly offense.  Ran in him on in the lobby and talked a bit.  Have had the chance to talk to him from time to time over the years.  I think he is one of the good guys out there.  Wish him the best-- Except of course when they come to our Catdome next year !!

GHC out

[Bearcat Press]

Big move by Coach Speckman.  Has to be more to it than is in the press.  Moving back to California where he was so successful as a HS coach is one.  Going to a program that is possibly willing to invest in facility and the football program as a whole is another.  Personally I think one of the big battles is ease of admission issue, especially with our economy in the state it is in.  Finally is his base network for recruiting.  I expect he will turn Menlo into one heck of a program.  Since he will be the head guy, I wonder how many asst coaches he will take with him ?

The first time I met him was at a coaches clinic in the bay area, he was there to speak on the Fly offense.  Ran in him on in the lobby and talked a bit.  Have had the chance to talk to him from time to time over the years.  I think he is one of the good guys out there.  Wish him the best-- Except of course when they come to our Catdome next year !!

GHC out

+1 GHC.  From what I'm hearing, there may be some staff shakeup, but not much.  Fowles is likely to be the next head coach, and Naggi will probably stay as DC.  Most of the other guys we have on staff are Willamette alums with roots and day jobs in the Salem area.

Of course, that's not to say that there won't be some shifts schematically.  My general sense is that Fowles likes to open things up a bit more than Speckman did.  And the last time Willamette handed off a program from a legendary coach to a longtime assistant - basketball (Gordie James to 10 year assistant and alum Kip Ioane) - Kip completely scrapped Gordie's system and things went a radically different direction.*

*down

[(509)Rat]

So Dan Hawkins isn't coming back???   

[wildcat11]

So Dan Hawkins isn't coming back???   

I don't know if Hawkins would want to try to step into the shoes of the Speckman legend.

[Gig Harbor Cat]

Heard that Hawkins is coaching in a girls semi pro league somewhere

Phone it in

[river]

More on Coach Speckman from the StatesmanJournal:

Mark Speckman's departure 'bittersweet'
Former Willamette head coach takes same post at Menlo College
11:30 PM, Jan. 12, 2012

However quickly a coach becomes "former"...

[river]

Nice video on Coach Speckman from ABC channel 7 in the Bay Area:

Inspirational coach comes to Menlo College
Thursday, January 12, 2012

[(509)Rat]

Heard that Hawkins is coaching in a girls semi pro league somewhere

Phone it in

Heard? Don't pretend like you aren't a Seattle Mist season ticket holder..."heard", good one.

[Bearcat Press]

Heard that Hawkins is coaching in a girls semi pro league somewhere

Phone it in

Heard? Don't pretend like you aren't a Seattle Mist season ticket holder..."heard", good one.

If the administration decides to open up the search to other candidates besides Fowles, they'd be stupid not to at least give Hawkins a call.  I doubt he'd return that call, but if he did ... I'm willing to bet there are a couple of trustees who'd pony up the salary he'd ask for.  People who care about the program haven't forgotten what a laughingstock Willamette football was pre-Hawkins.

All that wishful thinking aside, I'd be truly surprised if anybody but Fowles gets the call.