FB: New England Small College Athletic Conference

[Pat Coleman]

His football coaching resume really tops out at offensive coordinator for Wooster in 1990? I thought Nescac10 was being harsh in calling it "a year off" but this is certainly interesting.

Previous coach was hired in July (position came open in May). Generally the applicant pool isn't as strong that late in the offseason.

Seems like Steve Stetson is still coaching golf at Hamilton.

[met_fan]

It's got to be tough to get the right coach at a place like Hamilton - someone who's good enough to be a successful coach and get the right kids into the program, but who's not looking to move on to something bigger after the first signs of success.  That said, the school doesn't seem to put a lot of effort into improving the program.

[FourMoreYears]

Tragic story from Rome:

http://www.bates.edu/news/2014/02/22/durkin-death-announcement/

The second death of a Bates football player in less than two years.

Puts things in perspective ...

[warriorcat]

My son is a classmate and teammate of John's.  He is in shock.

[Lawrence Oliver]

I hear Hamilton is not waiting until after season to hire a new HFC.  Any news?  Candidates?

[amh63]

Must be inside info....but not too surprising when you think about it.  No conference announcement on the HFC opening, while there are announcements for upcoming college Prez openings at Bowdoin and Middlebury.
Hamilton must be searching quietly...to get a new coach before the next academic year.  It does not help in getting good recruits if they do not know the head coach until their 2nd year.  Maybe the administration and the AD finally came to an understanding on the direction of the football program.
This rumor seems to be positive.  Better than a decision to shut the football program down.

[quicksilver]

Hamilton posted an ad for a new head football coach on April 8, with an April 18 deadline for the submission of applications. Here's the ad, which implies an openness to consider applicants who do not necessarily have much of a coaching background.

[amh63]

Quicksilver....thanks!   Seems to me that they maybe turning to the remaining in house coaches for their pick....low key "ad" announcement and they would be the ones that did the recruiting for the incoming class.   Still, they are not paying the HFC big bucks to coach....and maybe coach another sport too.  Interesting. 

[D3viewer]

Looks like Hamilton has hired Dave Murray..HC at Alfred. Pretty good hire..I'd say.
Academic standards will be a bit tougher than what he may have been used to, but has done a very good job at AU.
Defensive minded coach.

[amh63]

D3viewer...nice "inside" info....the Hamilton website has nothing on the matter.  The good news for the conference, IMO , is that Hamilton will play out the 2014 season.  Amherst does not have them on the schedule for the time being.  Bates replaces Hamilton for The Lord Jeff's...a jump in difficulty, I fear.

At least, Hamilton will not go the path of such schools as Swarthmore in the near future.  In my bias opinion...I hope Hamilton will raise its financial support of its Athletic department...proud program....but one of the most underfunded programs in the conference...based on dollars per student athlete...and on the last available conference numbers online.  Yes, a little outdated...2008-9 numbers?

[AUPepBand]

Here's the release from Alfred University, FYI:

ALFRED, NY – Dave Murray has resigned his position of head football coach at Alfred University to take over the same post at Hamilton College, effective June 1.

"I want to thank Coach Murray for the tremendous job he has done in building a championship caliber football program here at AU," said Paul Vecchio, Director of Athletics. "His efforts on behalf of Saxon football cannot be overstated and we wish him and his family nothing but the best. I will move quickly to find his successor and the expectations of our football program to compete for Empire 8 championships and to earn a place in the NCAA tournament field each and every year will not waver."

Murray was appointed the Saxons' head coach prior to the 1998 season. In 16 seasons at AU, he had a record of 108-60, with his 108 coaching victories second only to Alex Yunevich on the school's all-time list. A three-time Empire 8 Conference Coach of the year, Murray led the Saxons to two Empire 8 championships and two NCAA Division III championship appearances (2009 and 2010).


Pep says:
Hamilton will do well with Murray. He's a class act. He loves his kids. Makes it fun. Runs a tight focused practice with some fun thrown in. He's a solid defensive coordinator. Outstanding recruiter. Kids like him. In his 16 seasons at Alfred, Pep doesn't remember a single game that his boys weren't giving their all.

Pep has heard it said that the recipe of a successful football coach is 60% material, 10% coach's knowledge, 10% the coach's ability to impart that knowledge, 10% organized practices and 10% personality of the coach. If Hamilton College can attract some football talent (60%), Murray has got the other 40% covered.

Pep wishes Coach Murray the best of luck in Clinton.

[amh63]

AUPepands.....Thanks for the info....the coach and his approach to the game seems to be what Hamilton needs to rebuild its program.  Saw on the Saxon website that many of the present players are from the area around Clinton, NY.
Will be interesting to see what he can do with the talent on hand, as well as the assistant coaches.
Did notice on your board the mention that the new coach had thought about the Hamilton job when it was available several years ago.  Any comment on that matter?   On second thought...it is not important.  The new coach...a graduate of Springfield....will have his hands full.  Alfred Un.'s  Colors are the same as Williams....an opponent  of Hamilton this season, I believe.

[frank uible]

It is suspected that Murray would not have made the move without credible assurance from the Hamilton administration of substantially increased support for the football program.

[Pat Coleman]

Or it may speak volumes about the support Murray felt he was receiving at Alfred, who knows?

[AUPepBand]

Or it may speak volumes about the support Murray felt he was receiving at Alfred, who knows?

Certainly not a reflection of the outstanding support given throughout the years by AU's Pep Band.