FB: New England Small College Athletic Conference

[nescac1]

Pretty cool student-made documentary on the Ephs' season:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=cFaq8LjGZkg

[The Mole]

very well done. great piece for Ephs and NECSCAC in general

Pretty cool student-made documentary on the Ephs' season:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=cFaq8LjGZkg

[JEFFFAN]

We lost one of our brethren recently as Polbear73 passed away.   A Bowdoin graduate from the early 70s, he was a football player on one of the finer teams in Bowdoin history – the 1970 team that went 6-1.   He loved Bowdoin and in the face of difficult evidence to the contrary, hope always sprang eternal with him about the program.   Each late summer brought optimism to his voice about the upcoming season.  He was an avid Bowdoin fan of all sports, and he enjoyed speaking with (fake) disdain about his dislike of Amherst and Williams.  The Fall 2021 Bowdoin defeat of Amherst brought him great joy!  He also understood the values of the NESCAC schools and the role that athletics play in these fine schools.  RIP my friend.

(Posting on the football and hoops boards.)

[jumpshot]

The documentary Six Seconds (see NESCAC1's link above) captures the superb journey led by Coach Mark Raymond, the assistant coaches, the players, and the Williams community in going from 0-8 to 9-0. One of the best narratives in college sports recently, showing what's possible resulting from outstanding leadership, hard work, and grit. Legendary .... within a storied football history at Williams ...  with more to come ....

[lumbercat]

We lost one of our brethren recently as Polbear73 passed away.   A Bowdoin graduate from the early 70s, he was a football player on one of the finer teams in Bowdoin history – the 1970 team that went 6-1.   He loved Bowdoin and in the face of difficult evidence to the contrary, hope always sprang eternal with him about the program.   Each late summer brought optimism to his voice about the upcoming season.  He was an avid Bowdoin fan of all sports, and he enjoyed speaking with (fake) disdain about his dislike of Amherst and Williams.  The Fall 2021 Bowdoin defeat of Amherst brought him great joy!  He also understood the values of the NESCAC schools and the role that athletics play in these fine schools.  RIP my friend.

(Posting on the football and hoops boards.)

Sad news- so sorry to hear of Joes passing. We connected in business in the 80's and had a great relationship as former rivals at competing schools. Joe's run at Bowdoin preceded my time at Bates but I knew well he was fine back on the best Bowdoin team of that era.
Ironically we reconnected on this board in recent years and had a lot to fun following the CBB and NESCAC football. 
Joe was great guy who personified class and loved Bowdoin Football.

[ColbyDad]

Never a great time to lose an OC or DC, but Colby's new OC should spark a talented group.

[Charlie]

Never a great time to lose an OC or DC, but Colby's new OC should spark a talented group.

I think this is also going to be a loss. I figured Coach Dugan would have been the next HC at Colby. Cosgrove I felt had a few years left and Coach Dugan being groomed for that position. Not only hard loss for Colby he had large territory of recruitment. So now this years recruiting will also suffer from this loss.

On side subject why is it NESCAC schools dont regularly update their coaching rosters and remove the coaches that leave. Amherst , Wesleyan , Williams they all should update their Websites ridiculous that they don't monitor these regularly.

[ColbyDad]

Never a great time to lose an OC or DC, but Colby's new OC should spark a talented group.

I think this is also going to be a loss. I figured Coach Dugan would have been the next HC at Colby. Cosgrove I felt had a few years left and Coach Dugan being groomed for that position. Not only hard loss for Colby he had large territory of recruitment. So now this years recruiting will also suffer from this loss.

Not so sure that Dugan was being groomed for the HC job or what it'll mean for this years recruiting class, but I think it's a win/win for both Dugan and Colby.

[Charlie]

Never a great time to lose an OC or DC, but Colby's new OC should spark a talented group.

I think this is also going to be a loss. I figured Coach Dugan would have been the next HC at Colby. Cosgrove I felt had a few years left and Coach Dugan being groomed for that position. Not only hard loss for Colby he had large territory of recruitment. So now this years recruiting will also suffer from this loss.

Not so sure that Dugan was being groomed for the HC job or what it'll mean for this years recruiting class, but I think it's a win/win for both Dugan and Colby.

What is going on at Amherst College. Coach Mills must be going crazy. He Lost the following coaches in a span of two months

Coach Banks Coach             - HC Loomis Chaffe
          Mitchel Thompason   = Asst Bates Collage
          James Mayden          -  Asst Bates College

I have never seen this kind of turnover on a team that has been trending downward. Is something going on at the College. Has admissions or the culture crippled the football program cant figure this out.Either that or Coach Coyne assembling a great staff at Bates

[nescac1]

Losing low-level coaches from typically high turnover jobs is not anything consequential.  Those guys all have one goal: to get promoted.  Amherst's head coach and three unit coordinators have all been there for well over a decade.  Those are the coaches who matter for a program.  I don't love the talent returning for Amherst - the QBs will be veterans but are still mediocre, they lack any sort of playmakers at the skill spots, and they lose three all-league defenders from a unit that will be good but has huge holes to fill.  They could have one of the three worst offenses in Nescac next year (after Bates and Hamilton) unless they recruited a few superstar skill guys. 

But EJ and his staff remain rock solid and will as always maximize the talent on hand.  That talent was pumped up during Williams' dark days, but now that Williams is back and Wesleyan and Tufts have pumped up their programs, Amherst can't dominate its recruiting pool the way it did for the classes coming in from 2011 through 2016.  Amherst is probably about where it was in the decade before Kelton (when 5-3 was a typical season), but there are also fewer bottom feeders in Nescac, so what once was a 6-2 or 5-3 season is now more like a 5-4 or 4-5 one.

[Charlie]

Losing low-level coaches from typically high turnover jobs is not anything consequential.  Those guys all have one goal: to get promoted.  Amherst's head coach and three unit coordinators have all been there for well over a decade.  Those are the coaches who matter for a program.  I don't love the talent returning for Amherst - the QBs will be veterans but are still mediocre, they lack any sort of playmakers at the skill spots, and they lose three all-league defenders from a unit that will be good but has huge holes to fill.  They could have one of the three worst offenses in Nescac next year (after Bates and Hamilton) unless they recruited a few superstar skill guys. 

But EJ and his staff remain rock solid and will as always maximize the talent on hand.  That talent was pumped up during Williams' dark days, but now that Williams is back and Wesleyan and Tufts have pumped up their programs, Amherst can't dominate its recruiting pool the way it did for the classes coming in from 2011 through 2016.  Amherst is probably about where it was in the decade before Kelton (when 5-3 was a typical season), but there are also fewer bottom feeders in Nescac, so what once was a 6-2 or 5-3 season is now more like a 5-4 or 4-5 one.

I agree but to loose your recruiting coordinator from last two years at Amherst and especially now when recruitment heats up is going to be tough. Lets not forget that this 2022 recruitment won't be felt for two years. Amherst had bad recruiting class for 2022. So this could perhaps be a decline in football for Amherst for the next three seasons. an Early prediction for this yearend this will change slightly.

1. Trinity       - Surprised if they do not go undefeated Incredible 2022 recruiting class and VETS
                      returning.HC has way of getting new recruits integrated quickly.
2. Williams    - Only because returning a good chunk of OL not a good recruiting year in 2022 too
                      many losses at key positions. Losing Coach Blu will be impacted.
3. Wesleyan  -  Always play tough can never blow out opponents but talent will get them this
                       spot.Down year 2022 recruiting and loss of Coyne will be major.
4. Tufts          - Talent at QB and few playmakers not enough to make hurdle poor 2022 recruit
                       class.Coaching always question mark there.
5. Middlebury - Decent team will try to grind out wins decent 2022 recruit class
6. Hamilton.   - QB has potential lack of talent and recruiting puts them this position. HC on
                       bubble. Teams in NY should not be this bad.
7. Bates         - Coach Coyne will get these kids playing hard and start something. Outlook looks
                       good in ME
8. Colby         - Will always be bottom feeder until new blood at Coaching and recruiting steps up
                       Colby facing same dilemma as Bowdoin. Academic standards , Location cant
                       attract top athletes.
9. Bowdoin     - Despite Coaches good intentions and ability admissions & recruitment will
                       prevent him from getting solid players. He will always get low tier players. The
                       better players will go Ivy or to a higher tiered program in NESCAC. Mirror of   
                      Colby's problems regarding campus and location.

[SpringSt7]

Agreed that this could be a hard year for Amherst but kicking them out of the league entirely seems a little harsh!

[nescac1]

Hah Spring Street!

I think it's a bit premature to judge 2022 recruiting classes considering those classes are not even completed and certainly not public anywhere.  The recruits I've seen committed to Williams so far look quite solid (though generally not concentrated in glamour positions) so I'm curious as to the basis for concluding the unfinished 2022 class is a poor one. 

After making "money" off betting on Bates v Nescacman I'm happy to go the other way this year.  It seems nuts to put Bowdoin and Colby, both of whom return loads of talent and are clearly on the rise, behind a depleted Bates roster that graduated a ton of critical guys.  Bates will have a very very hard time avoiding 0-9 next year.  Give Coyne at least three years of recruits!  Bowdoin offense was fairly explosive down the stretch despite being very young. 

[Charlie]

Hah Spring Street!

I think it's a bit premature to judge 2022 recruiting classes considering those classes are not even completed and certainly not public anywhere.  The recruits I've seen committed to Williams so far look quite solid (though generally not concentrated in glamour positions) so I'm curious as to the basis for concluding the unfinished 2022 class is a poor one.

After making "money" off betting on Bates v Nescacman I'm happy to go the other way this year.  It seems nuts to put Bowdoin and Colby, both of whom return loads of talent and are clearly on the rise, behind a depleted Bates roster that graduated a ton of critical guys.  Bates will have a very very hard time avoiding 0-9 next year.  Give Coyne at least three years of recruits!  Bowdoin offense was fairly explosive down the stretch despite being very young.

Only going by the responses have seen on various twitter feeds and talking with various recruiting coordinators. Much of the ranking based on the Vets returning for Trinity and the solid recruit class they have and displayed on social media. I would have put Williams possibly at one or tied they lost too many last minute recruits who went Ivy & D2 schools.

The reason I like Bates is i like the scheme that Coyne presents each and every week. Even with a few stars on Wesleyan defense and average players behind at the LB and Secondary he played every NESCAC close last year except Williams. However in watching that game the defense did keep it close for awhile but Wesleyans offense could not do anything. I think he will win some games by coaching alone and will build a culture there. You maybe right though three years maybe neccesary. Anyone else find it peculiar that he raided Amherst for three coaches. Coach Waltrous , Mayden and Thompson. Just found that slightly odd but maybe a type of promotion I guess.

Tufts DC left and perhaps thats a blessing as there defense under acheived all year. They shouldhave beaten Williams and stole that game. The Interior DL were the bright spots on that side of the ball. However Tufts has had numerous Coaching changes as well on the staff this year and i think they are trying to find themselves an identity. I truly think Hamilton and Tufts need a change at the HC jobs.

Colby will still will subpar even thogh returning VETS. I just dont think the retruners are that good. I think Bowdoin may surprise but now they have a new OC as the old one left for Dayton , OH. So a new offenseive scheme will be in place. Again tough to get talent at those schools with the high admissiosn standards and location.

We will see

[lumbercat]

Some good offseason banter. I'll toss in a few thoughts.

If anyone is concerned about Amherst College having a recruiting problem because Mills lost some assistants I would tell them not to worry.
Amherst and Williams are the Harvard and Yale of the little Ivies and recruits will choose those 2  schools more than schools choosing them.
It's been several years so I forget if it was Coach Ostendarp at Amherst or Farley at Williams..... when asked about the secret of effective recruiting Coach responded as follows......"I just have to make sure I'm in my office when they call"

I know its a different climate now but the prestige of an Amherst or Williams diploma is probably more prestigious today.

Up in Lewiston ex Card Matt Coyne winning a lot of friends. He's a worker and a grinder with a very clear plan for the Garnet. Stay tuned.

One earlier post said Bates was going to be depleted by a loss of seniors. Not so, they have 13 or 14 returning fifth year seniors coming back thanks to Coyne's influence since arriving on the scene. But yes, it will take time for Coyne get his recruiting arsenal on line.

Bates would have been 0-9 this year without Brendan Costa. He is a huge loss. Too bad Coyne won't have him this year.

The last memory Bates fans have of Matt Coyne before he came to town as HC this year was in 2011 or 2012. The Birds were losing to Bates by 3 with less than a minute to go in a great game. It was 4th and 2 for the Birds on the Bates 25. Bates stacked the box expecting a run off tackle..........No...... the Whale and Seidlecki call a naked bootleg for our guy Coyne and he waltzes around the left end for the TD. Birds win. A real heartbreaker for the Garnet faithful that day.

Never thought the Whale would skip tailgate food but he couldn't get out of Lewiston quick enough with that Win.

We've got a winner in Lewiston and everyone associated with Bates Football is thrilled to welcome Coach Coyne.