FB: New Jersey Athletic Conference

[MRMIKESMITH]

As of today, it appears that Salisbury, TCNJ, Rowan, and Kean all have only 9 games. I know Salisbury and Rowan had to cancel or restructure their away trips to UW-Oshkosh and Linfield due to budget concerns. Really wish those were still on the schedule. Other teams less than 10 games within Region 1 and 2 (according to D3football.com) are - Anna Maria (9 - ECFC), Gallaudet (7 - ECFC), SUNY-Maritime (9 - ECFC), Misericordia (9 - MAC), Alvernia (9 - MAC), Widener (9 - MAC), West Conn (MASCAC - 9), Plymouth State (MASCAC - 9), Curry (9 - CCC), UNE (9 - CCC),  MIT (9 -NEWMAC), Merchant Marine (9 - NEWMAC), Brockport (9 - E8),  and Ithaca (9 - LL). Those are 15 teams that need 1 more game and 1 team in the need of 3.

[RowanPhan]

Hi All.. hope everyone had a great holiday weekend.

Since we're heading into the dog days of summer, I thought it would be a fun idea to organize a D3 football zoom call for a few fans.  We're meeting for the first time tomorrow afternoon - then we'll sort out logistics for the remaining weeks of the summer.  All are welcome to join - If you would like an invite, send me a private message me your email address and I'll add you to the zoom invite

[JT2]

Speaking of Keeler ....  he's still out there winning

https://www.texasfootball.com/article/2021/05/17/kc-keeler-takes-place-amongst-the-elite-after-second-national-title?ref=article_preview_img

He was constantly mocked, but he knows how to assemble programs, and coaching staffs. KC was always nice to me, and so were his parents. His parents used to eat my gumbo at tailgates before the game.

[JT2]

Wearing sunglasses during night games, the constant scowl, running up the score on lesser foes and living and dying on transfers are not the characteristics larger programs are looking for...just my 2 cents. He is exactly where he belongs

Speaking of Keeler ....  he's still out there winning

https://www.texasfootball.com/article/2021/05/17/kc-keeler-takes-place-amongst-the-elite-after-second-national-title?ref=article_preview_img

There is something there that I could never put my finger on.  He must have rubbed Deleware fans/boosters/admin if they went to fire him after what looks like a very good coaching record there.  But, hearing him on the Paul Finebaum show and listening to him on some post game press conferences, I do have a feeling someone at the D1 level will be taking a shot at him.  Paul and others seemed very impressed with him as well.  If you didn't know him (I guess I don't either) he seems like a very passionate guy who cares about his players and basically wins wherever he goes.

New AD at Delaware... wanted his own guy.

[JT2]

I read about Wesley when it happened, damn shame. Great battles between Rowan and Wesley. Some blowouts, but all I remember were the nail biters. I wonder if this might have a positive impact on Rowan recuiting. I remember Drass [RIP] getting quite good at snatching talent from South Jersey.

[jmcozenlaw]

Speaking of Keeler ....  he's still out there winning

https://www.texasfootball.com/article/2021/05/17/kc-keeler-takes-place-amongst-the-elite-after-second-national-title?ref=article_preview_img

He was constantly mocked, but he knows how to assemble programs, and coaching staffs. KC was always nice to me, and so were his parents. His parents used to eat my gumbo at tailgates before the game.

At Rowan....................he was a "one man transfer portal"..................a couple of decades before the transfer portal.

[JT2]

Speaking of Keeler ....  he's still out there winning

https://www.texasfootball.com/article/2021/05/17/kc-keeler-takes-place-amongst-the-elite-after-second-national-title?ref=article_preview_img

He was constantly mocked, but he knows how to assemble programs, and coaching staffs. KC was always nice to me, and so were his parents. His parents used to eat my gumbo at tailgates before the game.

At Rowan....................he was a "one man transfer portal"..................a couple of decades before the transfer portal.

Can't win a DIII title today without at least some talent that is on the NFL's radar. Probably couldn't win one in the recent past without that kind of talent. I'm just going by the games I've seen both live and on the web/tv. There were plenty of four year guys, KC just had a great network of people who knew unhappy guys at other programs and knack for filling holes to keep rolling.... for example Joe Flacco at U of D.

[@d3jason]

I read about Wesley when it happened, damn shame. Great battles between Rowan and Wesley. Some blowouts, but all I remember were the nail biters. I wonder if this might have a positive impact on Rowan recuiting. I remember Drass [RIP] getting quite good at snatching talent from South Jersey.

A lot of that was Steve Azzanessi, that was his recruiting area and he followed South Jersey HS football fanatically. He is the OC at Delaware State now.

Interestingly, when Wesley beat Rowan for the first time in '14, I know it meant a lot to Joe Callahan, a Holy Spirit product. When I interviewed him afterward, I asked him what it meant to him. He said that he had seen how Rowan had advertised how "they were recruiting the best players in South Jersey." "I guess I wasn't on that list."

[jmcozenlaw]

I read about Wesley when it happened, damn shame. Great battles between Rowan and Wesley. Some blowouts, but all I remember were the nail biters. I wonder if this might have a positive impact on Rowan recuiting. I remember Drass [RIP] getting quite good at snatching talent from South Jersey.

A lot of that was Steve Azzanessi, that was his recruiting area and he followed South Jersey HS football fanatically. He is the OC at Delaware State now.

Interestingly, when Wesley beat Rowan for the first time in '14, I know it meant a lot to Joe Callahan, a Holy Spirit product. When I interviewed him afterward, I asked him what it meant to him. He said that he had seen how Rowan had advertised how "they were recruiting the best players in South Jersey." "I guess I wasn't on that list."

Jason - Any more updates on Wesley players and the whereabouts of the coaching staff heading into the 2021 season?

[MRMIKESMITH]

Open Dates:
Anna Maria - 9/4 (Wk1), 10/9 (Wk 6)
Gallaudet - 9/4 (Wk1), 9/11 (Wk2), 9/18 (Wk 3), 10/30 (Wk 9)
SUNY-Maritime - 9/4 (Wk1), 10/23 (Wk 8)
Misericordia - 9/4 (Wk 1), 11/13 (Wk 11)
Alvernia - 10/9, 10/23 (Wk 8)
Widener - 10/9 (Wk 6), 10/30 (Wk 9)
West Conn -  10/9 (Wk 6), 11/13 (Wk 11)
Plymouth State - 9/25 (Wk 4), 10/9 (Wk 6)
Curry - 9/25 (Wk 4), 10/23 (Wk 8)
UNE - 9/25 (Wk 4), 10/16 (Wk 7)
MIT - 9/18 (Wk 3), 10/9 (Wk 6)
Merchant Marine - 9/11 (Wk 2), 11/6 (Wk 10)
Salisbury - 9/18 (Wk 3), 10/9 (Wk 6)
Rowan - 9/18 (Wk 3), 10/9 (Wk 6)
TCNJ - 9/18 (Wk 3), 10/30 (Wk 9)
Kean - 9/18 (Wk 3), 11/6 (Wk 10)

Playing Matchmaker -
Widener vs. Alvernia - 10/9, as both teams are within same conference and will give both 8 conference games.
West Conn vs. Plymouth State – 10/9, as both teams are within same conference and will give each team that 8th conference game.
Misericordia vs. Gallaudet - 9/4, good opening game for new head coach that was recently at Gallaudet
SUNY-Maritime vs. Curry – 10/23, good matchup on similar quality teams and is day trip.
MIT vs. Anna Maria – 10/9, I 90 Classic
Gallaudet vs. Merchant Marine – 9/11, a good matchup of similar quality teams.
Salisbury/Rowan/TCNJ vs. Gallaudet – 9/18
MIT vs. Kean – 9/18, Kean only has 9/18 available and MIT is the filler
Rowan vs. Anna Maria – 10/9, good matchup for both teams trying to get to playoffs.

The NJAC teams are pretty much out of luck unless some other Region 3,4,5 or 6 team(s) have availability. UNE open dates can't accommodate non-conference opponents and will need help from Region 3,4,5, or 6.

[MRMIKESMITH]

Updated Open Dates:
Anna Maria - 9/4 (Wk1), 10/9 (Wk 6)
Gallaudet - 9/4 (Wk1), 9/11 (Wk2), 9/18 (Wk 3), 10/30 (Wk 9)
SUNY-Maritime - 9/4 (Wk1), 10/23 (Wk 8)
Misericordia - 9/4 (Wk 1), 11/13 (Wk 11)
Curry - 9/25 (Wk 4), 10/23 (Wk 8)
UNE - 9/25 (Wk 4), 10/16 (Wk 7)
MIT - 9/18 (Wk 3), 10/9 (Wk 6)
Merchant Marine - 9/11 (Wk 2), 11/6 (Wk 10)
Salisbury - 9/18 (Wk 3), 10/9 (Wk 6)
Rowan - 9/18 (Wk 3), 10/9 (Wk 6)
TCNJ - 9/18 (Wk 3), 10/30 (Wk 9)
Kean - 9/18 (Wk 3), 11/6 (Wk 10)

Updated Playing Matchmaker - If Kean and Merchant Marine reschedule their matchup from 9/25 to 11/6. We can fill out the schedule as noted.

Merchant Marine v. Curry - 9/25
Kean v. UNE - 9/25
Salisbury v. MIT - 10/9
Gallaudet v. Misericordia - 9/4
Gallaudet v. TCNJ - 10/30
Gallaudet v. Rowan - 9/18
SUNY v. Anna Maria - 9/4

[@d3jason]

I read about Wesley when it happened, damn shame. Great battles between Rowan and Wesley. Some blowouts, but all I remember were the nail biters. I wonder if this might have a positive impact on Rowan recuiting. I remember Drass [RIP] getting quite good at snatching talent from South Jersey.

A lot of that was Steve Azzanessi, that was his recruiting area and he followed South Jersey HS football fanatically. He is the OC at Delaware State now.

Interestingly, when Wesley beat Rowan for the first time in '14, I know it meant a lot to Joe Callahan, a Holy Spirit product. When I interviewed him afterward, I asked him what it meant to him. He said that he had seen how Rowan had advertised how "they were recruiting the best players in South Jersey." "I guess I wasn't on that list."

Jason - Any more updates on Wesley players and the whereabouts of the coaching staff heading into the 2021 season?

Here's what I have seen/heard:

Jay Holmes, linebacker from local HS Caesar Rodney, is headed to IUP.

Mathew Gore, D-lineman headed to William Paterson.

D'Andre Curry, D-back to Fairmont State.

Brady Walters, quarterback to Widener.

Mike Brewer, LB/SS type to Shippensburg.

DC Arthur Smith may coach LBs at Delaware State. Former assistants Steve Azzanesi and Jeff Braxton are already there.

Many of the juniors and seniors will walk on at Delaware State. I imagine so they don't lose credits transferring. I'd think FS Marcus Gaspard and All-NJAC corner Isaiah Mitchell are among those.

Interested as to what Dante Daniel, NJAC DPOY in '19, is going to do? Del State?

Also, QB Drew Fry did not come back to school for '20-'21. Not sure if he still has plans to play ball. Man, is he talented.

[MRMIKESMITH]

I read about Wesley when it happened, damn shame. Great battles between Rowan and Wesley. Some blowouts, but all I remember were the nail biters. I wonder if this might have a positive impact on Rowan recuiting. I remember Drass [RIP] getting quite good at snatching talent from South Jersey.

A lot of that was Steve Azzanessi, that was his recruiting area and he followed South Jersey HS football fanatically. He is the OC at Delaware State now.

Interestingly, when Wesley beat Rowan for the first time in '14, I know it meant a lot to Joe Callahan, a Holy Spirit product. When I interviewed him afterward, I asked him what it meant to him. He said that he had seen how Rowan had advertised how "they were recruiting the best players in South Jersey." "I guess I wasn't on that list."

Jason - Any more updates on Wesley players and the whereabouts of the coaching staff heading into the 2021 season?

Here's what I have seen/heard:

Jay Holmes, linebacker from local HS Caesar Rodney, is headed to IUP.

Mathew Gore, D-lineman headed to William Paterson.

D'Andre Curry, D-back to Fairmont State.

Brady Walters, quarterback to Widener.

Mike Brewer, LB/SS type to Shippensburg.

DC Arthur Smith may coach LBs at Delaware State. Former assistants Steve Azzanesi and Jeff Braxton are already there.

Many of the juniors and seniors will walk on at Delaware State. I imagine so they don't lose credits transferring. I'd think FS Marcus Gaspard and All-NJAC corner Isaiah Mitchell are among those.

Interested as to what Dante Daniel, NJAC DPOY in '19, is going to do? Del State?

Also, QB Drew Fry did not come back to school for '20-'21. Not sure if he still has plans to play ball. Man, is he talented.

Yes, this was just made official.

[CNU85]

CNU gets new DC. His resume looks decent.

https://www.cnusports.com/news/2021/7/21/chris-cosh-named-christopher-newport-football-defensive-coordinator.aspx

[RowanPhan]

I read about Wesley when it happened, damn shame. Great battles between Rowan and Wesley. Some blowouts, but all I remember were the nail biters. I wonder if this might have a positive impact on Rowan recuiting. I remember Drass [RIP] getting quite good at snatching talent from South Jersey.

A lot of that was Steve Azzanessi, that was his recruiting area and he followed South Jersey HS football fanatically. He is the OC at Delaware State now.

Interestingly, when Wesley beat Rowan for the first time in '14, I know it meant a lot to Joe Callahan, a Holy Spirit product. When I interviewed him afterward, I asked him what it meant to him. He said that he had seen how Rowan had advertised how "they were recruiting the best players in South Jersey." "I guess I wasn't on that list."

Jason - Any more updates on Wesley players and the whereabouts of the coaching staff heading into the 2021 season?

Here's what I have seen/heard:

Jay Holmes, linebacker from local HS Caesar Rodney, is headed to IUP.

Mathew Gore, D-lineman headed to William Paterson.

D'Andre Curry, D-back to Fairmont State.

Brady Walters, quarterback to Widener.

Mike Brewer, LB/SS type to Shippensburg.

DC Arthur Smith may coach LBs at Delaware State. Former assistants Steve Azzanesi and Jeff Braxton are already there.

Many of the juniors and seniors will walk on at Delaware State. I imagine so they don't lose credits transferring. I'd think FS Marcus Gaspard and All-NJAC corner Isaiah Mitchell are among those.

Interested as to what Dante Daniel, NJAC DPOY in '19, is going to do? Del State?

Also, QB Drew Fry did not come back to school for '20-'21. Not sure if he still has plans to play ball. Man, is he talented.

Yes, this was just made official.

Saw on Twitter that Keshawn Munford (6'2 335lb DL) is heading to Rowan