FB: New England Small College Athletic Conference

ColbyFootball · January 05, 2018, 09:51:30 AM

I appreciate the substantive info provided by Pat Coleman and jknezek about W & L. I knew of W & L having visited it (great school and beautiful D3 stadium), but I didn't know the specifics, ie. how long they've been running the option. Thank you

jknezek · January 05, 2018, 10:23:10 AM

Quote from: ColbyFootball on January 05, 2018, 09:51:30 AM
I appreciate the substantive info provided by Pat Coleman and jknezek about W & L. I knew of W & L having visited it (great school and beautiful D3 stadium), but I didn't know the specifics, ie. how long they've been running the option. Thank you

The mid-2000s makeover of Wilson Field turned an oversized eyesore into a great little venue. The improvements to the facilities, as well as the change in system, have really helped W&L change from a long-term middling ODAC team into a regular competitor. I hope this coaching change doesn't disrupt that but it has me very concerned. W&L has only had 3 coaches since 1978, and the previous 2 transitions were seamless coach in waiting type situations, so I'm also not used to this kind of change!

bsc73 · January 05, 2018, 07:33:31 PM

Mark Harriman's wife just accepted an AD's job in CA. Just wondering

lumbercat · January 05, 2018, 09:06:42 PM

bsc73-
old news but rumors of Mark Harriman's status at Bates are flying around following his wife's departure. He's been there for 20 years and thought is the new AD wants to make a change.

ColbyFootball · January 06, 2018, 11:56:30 AM

Quote from: lumbercat on January 05, 2018, 09:06:42 PM
bsc73-
old news but rumors of Mark Harriman's status at Bates are flying around following his wife's departure. He's been there for 20 years and thought is the new AD wants to make a change.

I would expect Harriman to leave, as I'm not sure how a marriage can work coast to coast. If so, maybe they'll hire Colby's former HC.

OldCardinal · January 06, 2018, 03:02:05 PM

From where I sit, I think Harriman has done a really good job at Bates - for the most part. It's funny how every school's alumni seem to think 5 or 6 wins is a reasonable goal and barometer of success. There are only so many wins to go around in a league with an increasing number of really strong teams. Now that Williams appears to be on the road back to their traditional level, something has to give. Will be interesting to see how this plays out in the next few years.

gridiron · January 06, 2018, 04:09:42 PM

Agree with OldCardinal there are only so many wins to go around. Even though there are only so many wins to go around, with greater balance there would be more close games. The only answer is for the weaker teams to somehow get stronger to provide more balance. My guess is most alumni from schools finishing in the bottom half would be encouraged if teams were competitive with the top half of the league---at least as a starting point. For many years now, picking winners each week has been very easy. On average, there is only about one game per week in question, and some weeks all are no-brainers (sorry to those who boast of their prowess in picking winners).

Much easier said than done, but greater balance would make for a more interesting league to follow.

The seeker · January 06, 2018, 04:31:53 PM

Colby football
They've done this before and have family on both coasts. Their marraige will be fine. 😀

bsc73 · January 06, 2018, 09:23:14 PM

He will remain coaching this year

ColbyFootball · January 06, 2018, 11:22:08 PM

Quote from: The seeker on January 06, 2018, 04:31:53 PM

Colby football
They've done this before and have family on both coasts. Their marraige will be fine. 😀

If they do the long distance marriage, I wish them well. 3,000 miles has to be tough. He's a better man than me.

warriorcat · January 07, 2018, 01:45:57 PM

My son played for Bates 2011-2014 and even though he was not particularly close to Coach Harriman (he was a D lineman and he was recruited and stayed very close to AC Duncan Averill), my son thought a great deal of him as a coach and a leader. They had to work through the deaths of two of their teammates and Coach Harriman and his staff treated our sons with great compassion and provided them with examples of how to deal with tremendous adversity beyond wins, losses, and injuries. I know that the offensive scheme was not the most popular aspect of the program during those years. The relative success of those teams (16-16) was due to a sturdy defense and excellent special teams. At the end of the day, however, Coach Harriman and his staff provided my son and his group of friends with a great college football experience in the true NESCAC way. When he chooses to leave Bates I hope it is on his terms and for his reasons.

ColbyFootball · January 07, 2018, 04:17:42 PM

Quote from: warriorcat on January 07, 2018, 01:45:57 PM
My son played for Bates 2011-2014 and even though he was not particularly close to Coach Harriman (he was a D lineman and he was recruited and stayed very close to AC Duncan Averill), my son thought a great deal of him as a coach and a leader. They had to work through the deaths of two of their teammates and Coach Harriman and his staff treated our sons with great compassion and provided them with examples of how to deal with tremendous adversity beyond wins, losses, and injuries. I know that the offensive scheme was not the most popular aspect of the program during those years. The relative success of those teams (16-16) was due to a sturdy defense and excellent special teams. At the end of the day, however, Coach Harriman and his staff provided my son and his group of friends with a great college football experience in the true NESCAC way. When he chooses to leave Bates I hope it is on his terms and for his reasons.

Very classy well said post.

bsc73 · January 07, 2018, 04:38:37 PM

Mark Harriman is an outstanding coach and person. It is unfortunate that he coached at a school that cares very little about athletics.

gridiron · January 09, 2018, 07:55:57 AM

Despite being the off-season there continues to be considerable positive buzz on Mayflower Hill and the Mule alumni community regarding the new direction for the football program. Apparently yesterday was the first official day on the job for the new coach.

lumbercat · January 09, 2018, 10:09:36 AM

Quote from: bsc73 on January 07, 2018, 04:38:37 PM
Mark Harriman is an outstanding coach and person. It is unfortunate that he coached at a school that cares very little about athletics.

bsc73-
Agree with that but there is change taking place in that regard. The administration has engaged an outside consultant to review the Athletics as a whole and they are devising a plan to implement upgrades throughout the Athletic Department. The President is the catalyst for this initiative.