FB: New England Small College Athletic Conference

[jumpshot]

Look for Bates to drop football in the foreseeable future.

[Nescacman]

I miss a lot of Nescac football news these days.....but WHAT has happen at Bates?  Their website shows only 4 coaches including an interim HC!

The problem LM63 is what hasn't happened at UBates (at least nothing good has happened)...we feel bad for the student-athletes...

[Nescacman]

Look for Bates to drop football in the foreseeable future.

That would be extreme, but it could happen...maybe they should form a coop program with the Camels?!?

[lumbercat]

No chance of Bates dropping football. As long as the CBB remains intact there is virtually no possibility of that. Bates is a proud NESCAC member but the legacy allegiance is to the CBB and the Maine State Football Series which goes back 100+ years.

I know the CBB has clearly been the the bottom rung of the NESCAC of late. However, note that Bates is 14-6 in the CBB against Bowdoin and Colby in the last 10 years. The CBB still carries some importance in the 3 Maine programs.

In 2018 a new AD with no prior Football experience utilized the services of a "prominent" Atlanta sports search firm to conduct a national search at a hefty price. The result was evidently a bad hire. Thats all it takes.

Bates lost 3 good young assistant coaches in the past couple of months and things blew up from there. There were other factors as well. Coach Hall was absent  from the Golf Fundraiser in late June which is the primary fundraising event for the program. This piqued a lot of speculation. The specifics beyond that are unknown to most despite a number of rumors and some stuff flying around which is just flat false.

At this point the Bates program is back to where it was in 2018. The plan is to go with an interm head coach in Ed Argast who has a very good coaching resume. Both Coordinators have been maintained and they are currently finalizing additional hires. A search for a new head coach will take place following the current season.

Certainly not a desirable situation but there is some talent on that roster, 19 and 20 were relatively good recruiting years. Nobody ranks the QB Costa as one of the best in the league but I assure that he is with some support. They won their last 2 in 2019. They may surprise some people. I wouldn't sleep on 'em.

You will see significant improvements as they re start the rebuilding process. Stay tuned.

[The Mole]

I love the optimism, but saying the CBB is the bottom rung of the NESCAC of late is a stretch. Here are some cold, hard facts: Trinity has less LOSSES (47) then Bates has wins (50) since 1992 (let that sink in for a moment). Bobcats have averaged less than 2 wins a year for almost 30 years and just a single winning slate. This is who they have always been, they are not regressing to what they were in 2018. The comeback Hamilton win to end 2019 gave them some momentum for things to be headed in the right direction as the Conts were playing for a winning record, so that was a great sign. Its an uphill climb in Lewiston and always has been and will be for the next man up. "Come here and help us turn things around" only goes so far, especially when you blow out a coach a month before camp starts. There is clearly a decades long lack of administrative support. The rest of the league has done very well with recruiting and the overall level of play in the league is at an all-time high. What is significant progress? Winning the CBB and having a winning record would be cause for a celebration in Lewiston, doing one of them is a great start.

Bowdoin is slightly better with 61 wins (.268 win %) and two winning seasons in 1998 and 2005, but not exactly a juggernaut of late (1 win since 2016) to your point. Polar Bears have been very aggressive in recruiting (well documented and commented on here) but can they beat out the "contenders" for the right players? That is the big question. Hammer needs that signature W and perhaps it could come this year ?

Colby is the head of the class with 100 wins (.427 win % since 1992) and 1 title (shared) but 2005 was the last time above .500. So they have been down for awhile. The financial commitment is there, but for all these teams it really comes down to recruiting and getting the talent.

The teams that have the best handle on that process and have consistency of staff (low turnover) have done the best. Plain and simple. After experiencing the recruiting process with my son, it became very easy to make a decision based upon those factors. He was decided by August and really 3 teams were in the mix. Every NECSAC team (except one) contacted him via Twitter follow, DM or phone call and it started in March/April. None of the CBB contacted him via phone. One contacted him via DM Thanksgiving weekend and asked "what all do you have going on recruiting wise?" Really? The recruiting process was indicative of the results on the field.

Apologies for the monologue. As fans we tend to over analyze factors that are not as critical. Coaching and facilities matter, but it ain't about the X's and and the O's, it is about the Jimmies and the Joes!

Looking forward to the season and the start of camp on 8/24. The 2020 and 2021 recruiting classes are unknown and combined with returning seniors on rosters, it could be a wild ride. Hope cooler heads prevail with the "delta variant" and we get the full season in, it has been long enough.

No chance of Bates dropping football. As long as the CBB remains intact there is virtually no possibility of that. Bates is a proud NESCAC member but the legacy allegiance is to the CBB and the Maine State Football Series which goes back 100+ years.

I know the CBB has clearly been the the bottom rung of the NESCAC of late. However, note that Bates is 14-6 in the CBB against Bowdoin and Colby in the last 10 years. The CBB still carries some importance in the 3 Maine programs.

In 2018 a new AD with no prior Football experience utilized the services of a "prominent" Atlanta sports search firm to conduct a national search at a hefty price. The result was evidently a bad hire. Thats all it takes.

Bates lost 3 good young assistant coaches in the past couple of months and things blew up from there. There were other factors as well. Coach Hall was absent  from the Golf Fundraiser in late June which is the primary fundraising event for the program. This piqued a lot of speculation. The specifics beyond that are unknown to most despite a number of rumors and some stuff flying around which is just flat false.

At this point the Bates program is back to where it was in 2018. The plan is to go with an interm head coach in Ed Argast who has a very good coaching resume. Both Coordinators have been maintained and they are currently finalizing additional hires. A search for a new head coach will take place following the current season.

Certainly not a desirable situation but there is some talent on that roster, 19 and 20 were relatively good recruiting years. Nobody ranks the QB Costa as one of the best in the league but I assure that he is with some support. They won their last 2 in 2019. They may surprise some people. I wouldn't sleep on 'em.

You will see significant improvements as they re start the rebuilding process. Stay tuned.

[Nescacman]

I love the optimism, but saying the CBB is the bottom rung of the NESCAC of late is a stretch. Here are some cold, hard facts: Trinity has less LOSSES (47) then Bates has wins (50) since 1992 (let that sink in for a moment). Bobcats have averaged less than 2 wins a year for almost 30 years and just a single winning slate. This is who they have always been, they are not regressing to what they were in 2018. The comeback Hamilton win to end 2019 gave them some momentum for things to be headed in the right direction as the Conts were playing for a winning record, so that was a great sign. Its an uphill climb in Lewiston and always has been and will be for the next man up. "Come here and help us turn things around" only goes so far, especially when you blow out a coach a month before camp starts. There is clearly a decades long lack of administrative support. The rest of the league has done very well with recruiting and the overall level of play in the league is at an all-time high. What is significant progress? Winning the CBB and having a winning record would be cause for a celebration in Lewiston, doing one of them is a great start.

Bowdoin is slightly better with 61 wins (.268 win %) and two winning seasons in 1998 and 2005, but not exactly a juggernaut of late (1 win since 2016) to your point. Polar Bears have been very aggressive in recruiting (well documented and commented on here) but can they beat out the "contenders" for the right players? That is the big question. Hammer needs that signature W and perhaps it could come this year ?

Colby is the head of the class with 100 wins (.427 win % since 1992) and 1 title (shared) but 2005 was the last time above .500. So they have been down for awhile. The financial commitment is there, but for all these teams it really comes down to recruiting and getting the talent.

The teams that have the best handle on that process and have consistency of staff (low turnover) have done the best. Plain and simple. After experiencing the recruiting process with my son, it became very easy to make a decision based upon those factors. He was decided by August and really 3 teams were in the mix. Every NECSAC team (except one) contacted him via Twitter follow, DM or phone call and it started in March/April. None of the CBB contacted him via phone. One contacted him via DM Thanksgiving weekend and asked "what all do you have going on recruiting wise?" Really? The recruiting process was indicative of the results on the field.

Apologies for the monologue. As fans we tend to over analyze factors that are not as critical. Coaching and facilities matter, but it ain't about the X's and and the O's, it is about the Jimmies and the Joes!

Looking forward to the season and the start of camp on 8/24. The 2020 and 2021 recruiting classes are unknown and combined with returning seniors on rosters, it could be a wild ride. Hope cooler heads prevail with the "delta variant" and we get the full season in, it has been long enough.

No chance of Bates dropping football. As long as the CBB remains intact there is virtually no possibility of that. Bates is a proud NESCAC member but the legacy allegiance is to the CBB and the Maine State Football Series which goes back 100+ years.

I know the CBB has clearly been the the bottom rung of the NESCAC of late. However, note that Bates is 14-6 in the CBB against Bowdoin and Colby in the last 10 years. The CBB still carries some importance in the 3 Maine programs.

In 2018 a new AD with no prior Football experience utilized the services of a "prominent" Atlanta sports search firm to conduct a national search at a hefty price. The result was evidently a bad hire. Thats all it takes.

Bates lost 3 good young assistant coaches in the past couple of months and things blew up from there. There were other factors as well. Coach Hall was absent  from the Golf Fundraiser in late June which is the primary fundraising event for the program. This piqued a lot of speculation. The specifics beyond that are unknown to most despite a number of rumors and some stuff flying around which is just flat false.

At this point the Bates program is back to where it was in 2018. The plan is to go with an interm head coach in Ed Argast who has a very good coaching resume. Both Coordinators have been maintained and they are currently finalizing additional hires. A search for a new head coach will take place following the current season.

Certainly not a desirable situation but there is some talent on that roster, 19 and 20 were relatively good recruiting years. Nobody ranks the QB Costa as one of the best in the league but I assure that he is with some support. They won their last 2 in 2019. They may surprise some people. I wouldn't sleep on 'em.

You will see significant improvements as they re start the rebuilding process. Stay tuned.

Great post, Mole...+1 to you

We have heard many of these facts before but always good to remind the posters since they seem to easily forget....reality will soon settle in up north once the chin straps are snapped and the pads start popping....btw, as we have said many times before, we agree strongly with Lumber on UBates QB Costa...great athlete who could win in the right offense surrounded by some talent (think Kenny Gray and Matt Hersch)...we'd like to see UBates scrap the air raid O and go back to Costa running the triple option...we think that gives them the best chance at success...

So far, no official takers on the NESCACMAN UBates-Lewiston challenge...we're waiting Nescac1! We are giving 200 points on the combined margins of victory for HS, TTUN, MID and WES against UBates...we're waiting!   

[lumbercat]

Mole- Completely accurate. I know the history all too well, as well as anyone. No denials here.
Nescacman- haven't "forgotten" anything. As Bill Parcells liked to say "you are what the numbers say you are"

My point was that Bates has dominated the CBB over the past 10 years which is a positive for the program.

[Nescacman]

Mole- Completely accurate. I know the history all too well, as well as anyone. No denials here.
Nescacman- haven't "forgotten" anything. As Bill Parcells liked to say "you are what the numbers say you are"

My point was that Bates has dominated the CBB over the past 10 years which is a positive for the program.

Correct...UBates, the winner of the annual Maine pillow fight, aka the C-B-B...

[Trin9-0]

For anyone interested in the ongoing progress of Trinity's new stadium construction you can view photos here.
It's apparently on track to be completed for fall competition, though it looks like they've got a bit of work left to complete (these photos were posted last week).

[amh63]

Not to "pick" on the Maine schools.....but...the Colby website shows Colby's coaching staff a bit "short"...only 5 coaches.  I am aware the HC was the UMaine HC for decades...but.  Did all the funds go into the new sports complex? Practice should start in a few weeks, I believe.

[nescac1]

If it wasn't clear Nescacman, I will take Bates +200.  I'd take them +160!

So it's been awhile, who are the top returning candidates for POY?  I'm assuming anyone in that conversation from the class of 2021 is likely back this fall unless we've heard otherwise. 

Starting on offense, in no particular order, I'd go with: Jon Girard, Frank Stola, Matt Simco, Bobby Maimaron, Ashton Scott, Will Jernigan, Joel Nicholas, Alex Maldjian, David Estevez.  That's a darn dynamic group of playmakers.  What's missing is a lot of TBs. I bet that Trinity, Amherst, Tufts and/or Colby will unleash a star we've yet to see at that spot.  Especially Trinity. 

[amh63]

Amherst's website has convocation on Aug'29....the start of the academic year!  First Years have arrived and "settled in".  Saw somewhere that sport's upperclass personnel will be on campus by the 24th.  Not much time to practice with the sporting events occur in EARLY Sept!.  Sure the coaches have everything covered with fingers crossed  .

[Nescacman]

If it wasn't clear Nescacman, I will take Bates +200.  I'd take them +160!

So it's been awhile, who are the top returning candidates for POY?  I'm assuming anyone in that conversation from the class of 2021 is likely back this fall unless we've heard otherwise. 

Starting on offense, in no particular order, I'd go with: Jon Girard, Frank Stola, Matt Simco, Bobby Maimaron, Ashton Scott, Will Jernigan, Joel Nicholas, Alex Maldjian, David Estevez.  That's a darn dynamic group of playmakers.  What's missing is a lot of TBs. I bet that Trinity, Amherst, Tufts and/or Colby will unleash a star we've yet to see at that spot.  Especially Trinity.

Nescac1, let's split the difference...we'll give you UBates (Lewiston Campus) +180...deal?

Looking forward to the Week1 tilt when the Pants travel to the purple mountains to play TTUN...should be one of the better games in the 'CAC this year....we may even make an appearance there....

Pretty good group listed...many others not on the list plus you didn't mention the defensive side of the ball where there are a bunch of returning dynamic players...more names to follow...

[SpringSt7]

I think Maimaron has to be the favorite, I would've given it to him last year but the NESCAC coaches (in several sports) refuse to consider anyone that isn't on the team that wins the league, so maybe he can get that treatment this year. If Williams wins the league I don't see how he doesn't get it, and I think they're the favorites.

Sticking with the betting theme here, I'll take Maimaron and Ashton Scott for POY and you guys can take the field. Think it would take a massive effort otherwise for someone else to win.

A dark horse name not mentioned: Seamus Lambert

[Nescacman]

I think Maimaron has to be the favorite, I would've given it to him last year but the NESCAC coaches (in several sports) refuse to consider anyone that isn't on the team that wins the league, so maybe he can get that treatment this year. If Williams wins the league I don't see how he doesn't get it, and I think they're the favorites.

Sticking with the betting theme here, I'll take Maimaron and Ashton Scott for POY and you guys can take the field. Think it would take a massive effort otherwise for someone else to win.

A dark horse name not mentioned: Seamus Lambert

We'll take the Ohio kid at QB for the Polars....what's his name?!?