FB: New England Small College Athletic Conference

[The Ghost of John Wesley]

Gotta agree with the Mole on this one. Based on his comments and narratives the Ghost seems like a grandstander at best- kind of a second guesser who professes to know how to get it done but has never actually been in the fray himself. More of a critic.
I could be wrong and we may find he was a great one in Cards history but I  doubt that based on his comments.

I will stand by everything I've said. I don't think "back up your trash talk" or "make statements through your actions and not your words" are particularly controversial sentiments, but then again it's 2023 and maybe I'm just a dinosaur.

[Scoops]

Real classy Jonny. You got called out for correcting someone without doing any research, and your response is to be snippy when you're corrected by someone who bothered to do a cursory Google search? Do better. And also, how are you knocking him being a D1 "co-ordinator" like that's a bad thing? Again, I would assume most NESCAC assistants would jump at that opportunity. Let's not belittle the guy's accomplishment because you wanted to be the condescending "smart guy".

Chuck, what in the world are you talking about? A division 1 coordinator job is a DOWNWARD move from a NESCAC coordinator job? What kind of delusional thinking is that? I get that we are all fans of the NESCAC and recognize the quality and value of the football that gets played at these elite academic institutions, but find me ANY assistant coach in the league who wouldn't leave for a D1 coordinator job in a heartbeat.

From all accounts, Coach Manning was beloved by the players and parents. Huge loss for tufts, as their defense was excellent this year. Although I'm hearing that the job is highly coveted, and that Tufts could bring in another guy from the D1 world. Clearly an important hire to keep them among the top teams in the league.

Coaching Moves

Tufts Defensive Coordinator leaaves Tufts and takes LB Job at Austin Peay State University. Odd selection seems like a downward move from DC job at Tufts. He was position coach before taking DC job at Tufts.

Fwiw the move is from a d3 DC to a FCS position coach.  Still a move up.

https://x.com/coachjmann919/status/1735723688236888569?s=46&t=6dzmKTnu6IlLwtu5vvMotA

Most definitely a coordinator job. Do your research before you start correcting people

If you read Charlie's post he (and I) were under the impression that it was a position coach (he even said it).  Of course a mediocre d3 coordinator (job not coach) moving to a good FCS coordinator job is a move up.  Thanks Einstein.  And it's still a Co~DC job.

[RedAndBlack]

Gotta agree with the Mole on this one. Based on his comments and narratives the Ghost seems like a grandstander at best- kind of a second guesser who professes to know how to get it done but has never actually been in the fray himself. More of a critic.
I could be wrong and we may find he was a great one in Cards history but I  doubt that based on his comments.

I will stand by everything I've said. I don't think "back up your trash talk" or "make statements through your actions and not your words" are particularly controversial sentiments, but then again it's 2023 and maybe I'm just a dinosaur.

I get what Ghost is saying and I agree that there has been disappointment in recent years when it would appear that Wes has had equal talent to the top teams in the league but would drop games to considerably lower talent teams. Losses fall on coaching. period. They need to put the guys in a position to win. Recent losses like Colby in 2023, Bowdoin in 2022, and the drubbing at Middlebury in 2019 showed a level of either unpreparedness or schedule watching that lead to trap games. What Whales and Dice have done has been remarkable. The level of coaching is far higher than when I played in the "doomed" 2000s, but they still have a ways to go before they can consider themselves in the top tier of teams. Its been great to watch, but there is more work ahead for the cardinals.

Also not sure if it was ever discussed, but the rebranding of the athletic dept and new logo is horrendous. Looks like someone blow dried a bird post-shower and its not happy about it.

[Jonny Utah]

Real classy Jonny. You got called out for correcting someone without doing any research, and your response is to be snippy when you're corrected by someone who bothered to do a cursory Google search? Do better. And also, how are you knocking him being a D1 "co-ordinator" like that's a bad thing? Again, I would assume most NESCAC assistants would jump at that opportunity. Let's not belittle the guy's accomplishment because you wanted to be the condescending "smart guy".

Chuck, what in the world are you talking about? A division 1 coordinator job is a DOWNWARD move from a NESCAC coordinator job? What kind of delusional thinking is that? I get that we are all fans of the NESCAC and recognize the quality and value of the football that gets played at these elite academic institutions, but find me ANY assistant coach in the league who wouldn't leave for a D1 coordinator job in a heartbeat.

From all accounts, Coach Manning was beloved by the players and parents. Huge loss for tufts, as their defense was excellent this year. Although I'm hearing that the job is highly coveted, and that Tufts could bring in another guy from the D1 world. Clearly an important hire to keep them among the top teams in the league.

Coaching Moves

Tufts Defensive Coordinator leaaves Tufts and takes LB Job at Austin Peay State University. Odd selection seems like a downward move from DC job at Tufts. He was position coach before taking DC job at Tufts.

Fwiw the move is from a d3 DC to a FCS position coach.  Still a move up.

https://x.com/coachjmann919/status/1735723688236888569?s=46&t=6dzmKTnu6IlLwtu5vvMotA

Most definitely a coordinator job. Do your research before you start correcting people

If you read Charlie's post he (and I) were under the impression that it was a position coach (he even said it).  Of course a mediocre d3 coordinator (job not coach) moving to a good FCS coordinator job is a move up.  Thanks Einstein.  And it's still a Co~DC job.

Not knocking anyone just correcting someone who didn't want to be corrected when he was also wrong.  wtf cares it's a mistake. 

[The Ghost of John Wesley]

Also not sure if it was ever discussed, but the rebranding of the athletic dept and new logo is horrendous. Looks like someone blow dried a bird post-shower and its not happy about it.

I'm not a huge fan of the new cardinal either, but I can live with it. It's not as bad as the University's worst branding misstep in the last decade. That honor belongs to the attempted institution-wide rebranding a few years ago where they paid a marketing & design firm over a million bucks to come up with an avant-garde "W" and shield made of broken sticks. Looked like a community college logo or tennis ball brand. Total trash. That was so ill-advised the administration (thankfully) walked it back within a week or two. I'm still bummed they've phased out the traditional heraldic shield/coat-of-arms with the seashells.

[MammothDad]

Who do they "loose" (IYKYK  ) recruits to? Why didn't your son choose Middlebury over Amherst? Had not had a losing season since 1993 and 3 of the last 4 have been losing records. League has historically been dominated by Williams, Amherst and Trinity. Why were they winning in the first place? 

Loose?

Because Amherst was rated the better school, per most rankings.  But Middlebury is a great school and they put plenty on Wall Street.

Winning?  Per the consensus of this message board, your kid's weightlifting regimen, your "program culture" and your Head Coach are the ONLY 3 relevant factors ...

Confused more now but thanks for replying!

[The Mole]

Not trying to be cryptic--you answered it. Most offered by Williams & Amherst will turn down other NESCAC based upon the academics, culture and winning. If they are beating out the rest of the league for players in recruiting, should that not transfer to the field of play?

Who do they "loose" (IYKYK  ) recruits to? Why didn't your son choose Middlebury over Amherst? Had not had a losing season since 1993 and 3 of the last 4 have been losing records. League has historically been dominated by Williams, Amherst and Trinity. Why were they winning in the first place? 

Loose?

Because Amherst was rated the better school, per most rankings.  But Middlebury is a great school and they put plenty on Wall Street.

Winning?  Per the consensus of this message board, your kid's weightlifting regimen, your "program culture" and your Head Coach are the ONLY 3 relevant factors ...

Confused more now but thanks for replying!

[NE Football Fan]

Not trying to be cryptic--you answered it. Most offered by Williams & Amherst will turn down other NESCAC based upon the academics, culture and winning. If they are beating out the rest of the league for players in recruiting, should that not transfer to the field of play?

Who do they "loose" (IYKYK  ) recruits to? Why didn't your son choose Middlebury over Amherst? Had not had a losing season since 1993 and 3 of the last 4 have been losing records. League has historically been dominated by Williams, Amherst and Trinity. Why were they winning in the first place? 

Loose?

Because Amherst was rated the better school, per most rankings.  But Middlebury is a great school and they put plenty on Wall Street.

Winning?  Per the consensus of this message board, your kid's weightlifting regimen, your "program culture" and your Head Coach are the ONLY 3 relevant factors ...

Confused more now but thanks for replying!

Mole, you are 100% correct! Amherst and Williams will win the recruiting battle for a kid 95% of the time. It comes down to putting the players in the right position for success and game planning/adjustments. No excuses for both Amherst and Williams to be where they are win/loss as they should be top 4 every year with the other two being Trinity and Tufts (different reasons). 

[lumbercat]

It's a double edge sword for Amherst and Williams. Agree they will win a majority of the recruiting battles. However, believe they also have stiffer admissions requirements than Tufts or Trinity so they have to pass on a number of recruits that other schools can readily accept.

[BigKat]

Not trying to be cryptic--you answered it. Most offered by Williams & Amherst will turn down other NESCAC based upon the academics, culture and winning. If they are beating out the rest of the league for players in recruiting, should that not transfer to the field of play?

Who do they "loose" (IYKYK  ) recruits to? Why didn't your son choose Middlebury over Amherst? Had not had a losing season since 1993 and 3 of the last 4 have been losing records. League has historically been dominated by Williams, Amherst and Trinity. Why were they winning in the first place? 

Loose?

Because Amherst was rated the better school, per most rankings.  But Middlebury is a great school and they put plenty on Wall Street.

Winning?  Per the consensus of this message board, your kid's weightlifting regimen, your "program culture" and your Head Coach are the ONLY 3 relevant factors ...

Confused more now but thanks for replying!

Mole, you are 100% correct! Amherst and Williams will win the recruiting battle for a kid 95% of the time. It comes down to putting the players in the right position for success and game planning/adjustments. No excuses for both Amherst and Williams to be where they are win/loss as they should be top 4 every year with the other two being Trinity and Tufts (different reasons).

Will respectfully disagree here. I won't debate the academics but several of the current Tufts' roster turned down offers from both those schools. Watched a Tufts' night game this year with 3 "impact" Amherst players from the '14/15 championships teams. All three to a man said they'd have chosen tufts now seeing the upgraded facilities, commitment to football and proximity to Boston. A no brainer.

[RedAndBlack]

Also not sure if it was ever discussed, but the rebranding of the athletic dept and new logo is horrendous. Looks like someone blow dried a bird post-shower and its not happy about it.

I'm not a huge fan of the new cardinal either, but I can live with it. It's not as bad as the University's worst branding misstep in the last decade. That honor belongs to the attempted institution-wide rebranding a few years ago where they paid a marketing & design firm over a million bucks to come up with an avant-garde "W" and shield made of broken sticks. Looked like a community college logo or tennis ball brand. Total trash. That was so ill-advised the administration (thankfully) walked it back within a week or two. I'm still bummed they've phased out the traditional heraldic shield/coat-of-arms with the seashells.

It was all a part of the same redesign... but after they walked it back and didn't talk about it for a year, they just implemented it! Head to the website, they have the new "crest" on the top left. The school touts its history, like having the oldest field in America. So the redesign was focused on "modernizing" the image of the university... makes no sense

[NESCACFball24/7]

Not trying to be cryptic--you answered it. Most offered by Williams & Amherst will turn down other NESCAC based upon the academics, culture and winning. If they are beating out the rest of the league for players in recruiting, should that not transfer to the field of play?

Who do they "loose" (IYKYK  ) recruits to? Why didn't your son choose Middlebury over Amherst? Had not had a losing season since 1993 and 3 of the last 4 have been losing records. League has historically been dominated by Williams, Amherst and Trinity. Why were they winning in the first place? 

Loose?

Because Amherst was rated the better school, per most rankings.  But Middlebury is a great school and they put plenty on Wall Street.

Winning?  Per the consensus of this message board, your kid's weightlifting regimen, your "program culture" and your Head Coach are the ONLY 3 relevant factors ...

Confused more now but thanks for replying!

Mole, you are 100% correct! Amherst and Williams will win the recruiting battle for a kid 95% of the time. It comes down to putting the players in the right position for success and game planning/adjustments. No excuses for both Amherst and Williams to be where they are win/loss as they should be top 4 every year with the other two being Trinity and Tufts (different reasons).

Will respectfully disagree here. I won't debate the academics but several of the current Tufts' roster turned down offers from both those schools. Watched a Tufts' night game this year with 3 "impact" Amherst players from the '14/15 championships teams. All three to a man said they'd have chosen tufts now seeing the upgraded facilities, commitment to football and proximity to Boston. A no brainer.

The location is be coming more and more of an advantage for Tufts, Wesleyan and Trinity especially as the league starts to look for more out of region kids for talent. Most of those guys don't want to fly 3-6 hours and then drive another 2-3 to get to school every single time or have their parents have to do that to come watch a game. A much easier sell to be at some of the more rural schools if the kid is already from the northeast but that already limits your pool of kids significantly and drops the talent level you can get as well. I will say Amherst and Wesleyan have tried to get more out of region kids the last few years but have not had close to the success as tufts Wesleyan or even middlebury for whatever reason have found with the strategy.

[NE Football Fan]

Not trying to be cryptic--you answered it. Most offered by Williams & Amherst will turn down other NESCAC based upon the academics, culture and winning. If they are beating out the rest of the league for players in recruiting, should that not transfer to the field of play?

Who do they "loose" (IYKYK  ) recruits to? Why didn't your son choose Middlebury over Amherst? Had not had a losing season since 1993 and 3 of the last 4 have been losing records. League has historically been dominated by Williams, Amherst and Trinity. Why were they winning in the first place? 

Loose?

Because Amherst was rated the better school, per most rankings.  But Middlebury is a great school and they put plenty on Wall Street.

Winning?  Per the consensus of this message board, your kid's weightlifting regimen, your "program culture" and your Head Coach are the ONLY 3 relevant factors ...

Confused more now but thanks for replying!

Mole, you are 100% correct! Amherst and Williams will win the recruiting battle for a kid 95% of the time. It comes down to putting the players in the right position for success and game planning/adjustments. No excuses for both Amherst and Williams to be where they are win/loss as they should be top 4 every year with the other two being Trinity and Tufts (different reasons).

Will respectfully disagree here. I won't debate the academics but several of the current Tufts' roster turned down offers from both those schools. Watched a Tufts' night game this year with 3 "impact" Amherst players from the '14/15 championships teams. All three to a man said they'd have chosen tufts now seeing the upgraded facilities, commitment to football and proximity to Boston. A no brainer.

The location is be coming more and more of an advantage for Tufts, Wesleyan and Trinity especially as the league starts to look for more out of region kids for talent. Most of those guys don't want to fly 3-6 hours and then drive another 2-3 to get to school every single time or have their parents have to do that to come watch a game. A much easier sell to be at some of the more rural schools if the kid is already from the northeast but that already limits your pool of kids significantly and drops the talent level you can get as well. I will say Amherst and Wesleyan have tried to get more out of region kids the last few years but have not had close to the success as tufts Wesleyan or even middlebury for whatever reason have found with the strategy.

Most of the Tufts/Trinity players do not have Amherst, Williams, or even Middlebury offers. It's not the same recruiting at all as they are working on different timelines and from different pools 95% of the time. Location is a factor, no doubt for the 5%, but such a large percentage are not crossover. NO EXCUSES why Tufts is not a top tier team each and every year.

[BantChamps]

Hearing major, credible rumblings about Cooper Mandel, the 1st team all league Trinity Defensive Lineman, potentially coming back for another year. He was not rostered in 2019, and with a covid year it would make sense as he has a year left of eligiblity. Have not seen his name in the transfer portal to go elsewhere either.

[NFO]

Not trying to be cryptic--you answered it. Most offered by Williams & Amherst will turn down other NESCAC based upon the academics, culture and winning. If they are beating out the rest of the league for players in recruiting, should that not transfer to the field of play?

Who do they "loose" (IYKYK  ) recruits to? Why didn't your son choose Middlebury over Amherst? Had not had a losing season since 1993 and 3 of the last 4 have been losing records. League has historically been dominated by Williams, Amherst and Trinity. Why were they winning in the first place? 

Loose?

Because Amherst was rated the better school, per most rankings.  But Middlebury is a great school and they put plenty on Wall Street.

Winning?  Per the consensus of this message board, your kid's weightlifting regimen, your "program culture" and your Head Coach are the ONLY 3 relevant factors ...

Confused more now but thanks for replying!

Mole, you are 100% correct! Amherst and Williams will win the recruiting battle for a kid 95% of the time. It comes down to putting the players in the right position for success and game planning/adjustments. No excuses for both Amherst and Williams to be where they are win/loss as they should be top 4 every year with the other two being Trinity and Tufts (different reasons).

Will respectfully disagree here. I won't debate the academics but several of the current Tufts' roster turned down offers from both those schools. Watched a Tufts' night game this year with 3 "impact" Amherst players from the '14/15 championships teams. All three to a man said they'd have chosen tufts now seeing the upgraded facilities, commitment to football and proximity to Boston. A no brainer.

I've been reading this list since 2012. No offense, but the 2014 and 2015 Amherst players went 16–0.  They wouldn't have gone to Tufts in 1000 years at that point.

I think you're a view is revisionist history.