FB: New England Small College Athletic Conference

[lumbercat]

Great for Helbig- one of the all-time NESCAC greats.
I'm sure if he had to, Coach Coyne would be willing to drive him to Winston-Salem as long he doesn't have to deal with him in the opener next year in Lewiston.

[nescac1]

Definitely an all-time great.  Here are my candidates for top NESCAC defensive player of the past 30 years (cutting it off based on guys I've actually seen, but obviously omits some clear candidates going back further, like Eph three-time all-American Ted Rogers).  Lots of great ones, including a few NFL players.  Forgive any omissions, I'm sure I'm forgetting someone!

Nick Helbig - Wesleyan
Ethan Brooks - Williams
Andy Steele - Midd
Scott Farley - Williams
Alex Bernstein - Amherst
Michael Blair - Trinity
Walter Fallas - Trinity
Andrew Yamin - Amherst
Kevin Ryan - Midd
Bobby Walker - Williams
Steven Cella - Trinity
Kevin Ferber - Amherst

[lumbercat]

Another OC change at Bowdoin. Matt Cochran is evidently moving on. Second time in 2 years their OC has departed after one season. Looks like they will elevate someone from present staff as new OC.

[The Ghost of John Wesley]

Congrats to Helbig--that's awesome. Looking forward to following his time with the Demon Deacons!

Looking at the Wake Forest roster, they seem to favor D-Linemen in the 250-290lbs range, so on the surface that's a good fit. And he's plenty strong. Will be fun to see if/how he makes an impact--the jump from NESCAC to ACC is huge, but I think he has the stuff to do it!

[NESCACPeople]

NESCAC Head Coaches Rankings

(Based off the opinions of are many correspondents

1.   Jeff Devanney- Consistent winner, stable program, reloads in recruiting year after year. A lifer in the Coop if he is smart.
2.   Mark Raymond- Great rebuild from the dumps, we think if he stays in Willytown for the long term he will continue to win way more than he loses. Seems to know how to run a program, biggest question mark is the offensive identity of his team.
3.   EJ Mills- Previous track record buys him some slack but changes seem needed to avoid a fall from grace. Offensively team seems lost.
4.   Jack Cosgrove- Has laid the foundation over the last few years, but is he the right guy to lead the mules to the next tier. Only question is can him and his staff connect to players to get the most out of them and build consistent results.
5.   Jay Civetti- Probably toughest coach to rank, tun the corner after a tough start to tenure with the Jumbos. Talent is there, seems like they are set up for success but cannot deliver consistent results on Saturdays. In game decisions at times could easily push him down the rankings.
6.   Matt Coyne- Killed it in recruiting in terms of increasing numbers, seems to be building a solid culture within program, will on field success follow? Big question is can they develop current and future players to overcome talent gap.
7.   Dan Dicenzo- Besides recruiting great talent to Middletown continues to falls short of expectations every year. No more Helbig, Estevez, Tomlinson, Banks, Simco. Lot of talent and production will need to be replaced for the most undisciplined team in the CAC.
8.   BJ Hammer- Showed some promise, but still has not adjusted schemes to put players in best position to be successful ween in and week out. If not, for the win against Wesleyan, last season would have just been another disappointment.
9.   Dave Murray- Just seems happy to see another year and another paycheck. Showed promise early in tenure but program seems ok just to play 9 games each year regardless of result.

N/A- Doug Mandigo- We will have to wait and see but if he finds the right formula offensively don't see why he can't continue the success at Midd.

After 1 and 2 you could probably make a case for any order between 3-7 depending on metrics used. Sorry if we offended anyone by ranking there coach too low. Charlie don't let them get you down keep up the great work!

[GroundandPound]

I think Dicenzo should be no lower than 4th. (36-16)  I did some quick math and it looks like he has a .692 winning percentage as HC compared with Cosgrove's 10-17 or .37 winning percentage as HC, or Civeitti's 43-50 record or .462 winning percentage.  I think that winning percentage should be the most significant metric.

[Charlie]

NESCAC Head Coaches Rankings

(Based off the opinions of are many correspondents

1.   Jeff Devanney- Consistent winner, stable program, reloads in recruiting year after year. A lifer in the Coop if he is smart.
2.   Mark Raymond- Great rebuild from the dumps, we think if he stays in Willytown for the long term he will continue to win way more than he loses. Seems to know how to run a program, biggest question mark is the offensive identity of his team.
3.   EJ Mills- Previous track record buys him some slack but changes seem needed to avoid a fall from grace. Offensively team seems lost.
4.   Jack Cosgrove- Has laid the foundation over the last few years, but is he the right guy to lead the mules to the next tier. Only question is can him and his staff connect to players to get the most out of them and build consistent results.
5.   Jay Civetti- Probably toughest coach to rank, tun the corner after a tough start to tenure with the Jumbos. Talent is there, seems like they are set up for success but cannot deliver consistent results on Saturdays. In game decisions at times could easily push him down the rankings.
6.   Matt Coyne- Killed it in recruiting in terms of increasing numbers, seems to be building a solid culture within program, will on field success follow? Big question is can they develop current and future players to overcome talent gap.
7.   Dan Dicenzo- Besides recruiting great talent to Middletown continues to falls short of expectations every year. No more Helbig, Estevez, Tomlinson, Banks, Simco. Lot of talent and production will need to be replaced for the most undisciplined team in the CAC.
8.   BJ Hammer- Showed some promise, but still has not adjusted schemes to put players in best position to be successful ween in and week out. If not, for the win against Wesleyan, last season would have just been another disappointment.
9.   Dave Murray- Just seems happy to see another year and another paycheck. Showed promise early in tenure but program seems ok just to play 9 games each year regardless of result.

N/A- Doug Mandigo- We will have to wait and see but if he finds the right formula offensively don't see why he can't continue the success at Midd.

After 1 and 2 you could probably make a case for any order between 3-7 depending on metrics used. Sorry if we offended anyone by ranking there coach too low. Charlie don't let them get you down keep up the great work!

I have to agree hard to give a ranking to Coyne of that Stature without some history there. I do think Dicenzo should be higher at the four spot. Only based on his historical under performing record. Having said that he has had Winning years. I think EJ is slipping fast down the ranks. We are basing his rank on past performance and teams. I think his program is still in slight decline.

I think this year if Civetti has a great year he could leap over Cosgrove but Cosgrove had a decent recruiting class this year and last so interesting to see where that pans out. As much as I like some of Tufts recruits there in game Coaching blunders keep the ranking low. I think you are dead on with Hammer and Murray.

[The Mole]

This is the handing of the clickbait baton from Charlie.....

NESCAC Head Coaches Rankings

(Based off the opinions of are many correspondents

1.   Jeff Devanney- Consistent winner, stable program, reloads in recruiting year after year. A lifer in the Coop if he is smart.
2.   Mark Raymond- Great rebuild from the dumps, we think if he stays in Willytown for the long term he will continue to win way more than he loses. Seems to know how to run a program, biggest question mark is the offensive identity of his team.
3.   EJ Mills- Previous track record buys him some slack but changes seem needed to avoid a fall from grace. Offensively team seems lost.
4.   Jack Cosgrove- Has laid the foundation over the last few years, but is he the right guy to lead the mules to the next tier. Only question is can him and his staff connect to players to get the most out of them and build consistent results.
5.   Jay Civetti- Probably toughest coach to rank, tun the corner after a tough start to tenure with the Jumbos. Talent is there, seems like they are set up for success but cannot deliver consistent results on Saturdays. In game decisions at times could easily push him down the rankings.
6.   Matt Coyne- Killed it in recruiting in terms of increasing numbers, seems to be building a solid culture within program, will on field success follow? Big question is can they develop current and future players to overcome talent gap.
7.   Dan Dicenzo- Besides recruiting great talent to Middletown continues to falls short of expectations every year. No more Helbig, Estevez, Tomlinson, Banks, Simco. Lot of talent and production will need to be replaced for the most undisciplined team in the CAC.
8.   BJ Hammer- Showed some promise, but still has not adjusted schemes to put players in best position to be successful ween in and week out. If not, for the win against Wesleyan, last season would have just been another disappointment.
9.   Dave Murray- Just seems happy to see another year and another paycheck. Showed promise early in tenure but program seems ok just to play 9 games each year regardless of result.

N/A- Doug Mandigo- We will have to wait and see but if he finds the right formula offensively don't see why he can't continue the success at Midd.

After 1 and 2 you could probably make a case for any order between 3-7 depending on metrics used. Sorry if we offended anyone by ranking there coach too low. Charlie don't let them get you down keep up the great work!

[SpringSt7]

NESCAC Head Coaches Rankings

(Based off the opinions of our many correspondents)

It's good to have another...conglomerate...on the boards.

[LochNescac]

The NESCAC football board;  "It just Means More"....

[Ephmen]

For your information it was the AD director at Trinity who stated these facts !!

In addition easy to judge a Coach when winning. Better to judge when they are not and how team is handled and the current information of how players are treated are being conveyed is from actual players on the team

Yes, for example the Trinity lacrosse coach and his senior class? . (Maybe the trinity AD can chime in on that...)

I've known several current and former players for Raymond, all were very positive on the program, ranging from all-conference level players to a few guys who barely get on the field. 

[NESCACPeople]

GroundandPound we hear you and again admit the middle was hard to rank. In our opinion winning percentage is important but in the NESCAC we feel you have to dig a little deeper. We wanted to reward guys who have done more with less. We considered the recruiting advantages/disadvantages, the state of the program each coach inherited, and living up to expectations, etc. For example Cosgrove is convincing talent to make a home in Waterville, ME thats a lot harder than convincing kids to set up shop in Middletown, CT/ Boston, MA. Or as was mentioned earlier think of the dumpster fire Raymond inherited do you think 3-7 would have fared nearly as well and so quickly. We could go on but our last point for thought. We'll pose it as a question, if you are being honest did anyone think Wesleyan would not have won a championship over the last 10 years looking back at the trajectory the program was on in 2013 and 14.

Charlie- We feel what keeps Mills 3rd for now is that he has won championships. No one else below him can say that. If we had to make one change it would probably be Coyne but we valued the energy/excitement he has brought to program that seemed to be on the verge of collapse.

Mole we meant no disrespect and hope you will give us a chance. If we had to produce power rankings going into next year Wesleyan would be #2 or #3.

[lumbercat]

Let's get one fact out there on Coach Raymond- I know his body of work implicitly going back to his tenure at St Lawrence, first hand. I know his performance and demeanor at Williams also. Yet some clown fabricates a story about the Coach and his staff on this site and interaction with the the Trinity AD......it's ungrounded and false.

[Ephmen]

Definitely an all-time great.  Here are my candidates for top NESCAC defensive player of the past 30 years (cutting it off based on guys I've actually seen, but obviously omits some clear candidates going back further, like Eph three-time all-American Ted Rogers).  Lots of great ones, including a few NFL players.  Forgive any omissions, I'm sure I'm forgetting someone!

Nick Helbig - Wesleyan
Ethan Brooks - Williams
Andy Steele - Midd
Scott Farley - Williams
Alex Bernstein - Amherst
Michael Blair - Trinity
Walter Fallas - Trinity
Andrew Yamin - Amherst
Kevin Ryan - Midd
Bobby Walker - Williams
Steven Cella - Trinity
Kevin Ferber - Amherst

Solid list.  Since you mentioned Rogers, and he's someone I did see, one thing that stood about him was the number of game winning plays he had.  Not that it's a huge number, but a game winning defensive play is pretty rare, and he had at least a few.  The kinds of plays that shouldn't happen, really.  (And of course it's always a team effort, not just him - don't get me wrong, it wasn't just him.)

[Scoops]

I think Dicenzo and Civetti are a toss up at 5/6 (Coyne should not be that high on the list). Yes Dicenzo has a lot of wins because he has talented players. However, much like Civetti, the inconsistency and head scratching losses are hard to ignore. The talent on the rosters should have Wesleyan/Tufts as the two best teams in the league. But the culture and leadership at Trinity allows them to win with less actual talent. Wesleyan and Tufts could quiet a lot of the criticism with a NESCAC championship next season.

I think Dicenzo should be no lower than 4th. (36-16)  I did some quick math and it looks like he has a .692 winning percentage as HC compared with Cosgrove's 10-17 or .37 winning percentage as HC, or Civeitti's 43-50 record or .462 winning percentage.  I think that winning percentage should be the most significant metric.