MBB: St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[Gregory Sager]

Hope Fontbonne gives Steve Schweer a look. He's going to be a really good head coach when he gets a chance.

http://www.monmouthscots.com/coaches.aspx?rc=199&path=mbball

I'll second that.

[Joevegas]

It will be important for FU to get new coach quick. So they can make sure their main players don't bolt

[Titan Q]

It will be important for FU to get new coach quick. So they can make sure their main players don't bolt

Would like to get this kid up couple hours up I-55...

http://www.fontbonnegriffins.com/sports/mbkb/2013-14/bios/degeare_bryan_ktjn

I think he has All-American talent.

[iwumichigander]

Hope Fontbonne gives Steve Schweer a look. He's going to be a really good head coach when he gets a chance.

http://www.monmouthscots.com/coaches.aspx?rc=199&path=mbball

I'll second that.

He would be a really good choice.  Good people skills, would be a great recruiter and not going to out work Steve as he gives 110%,

[Hoosier Titan]

Hope Fontbonne gives Steve Schweer a look. He's going to be a really good head coach when he gets a chance.

http://www.monmouthscots.com/coaches.aspx?rc=199&path=mbball

I'll second that.

I concur. Great basketball knowledge and a first class person.

[Pat Coleman]

Pat. Sometimes you just got to holler and scream to get a Change. I guess I just don't come from the same cut of cloth.

Then holler or scream at the people who make decisions, not at the denizens of D3boards.com. Here you're just grandstanding. Go actually make a difference if you really want to do so.

[WUPHF]

I feel so bad if Schafer resigned today... Young guy who is in a perfect position to make an impact...

Your assessment of Schafer is more positive than I would have expected.  Not suggesting that he was on the hot seat, but...

[WUPHF]

I have been lurking most to the season, but these old bones got to get in on this one. [...]

I think we all knew you would be back when McKinney started talking about the good old boy conspiracies...

[Gregory Sager]

I feel so bad if Schafer resigned today... Young guy who is in a perfect position to make an impact...

Your assessment of Schafer is more positive than I would have expected.  Not suggesting that he was on the hot seat, but...

He was at Fontbonne for three years. The typical rule of thumb is that you give a head coach at least four years -- the span of one recruiting class -- to prove himself. (Of course, that's different nowadays in D1, but, unlike D1, D3 programs aren't driven by a profit motive.) Besides, the Griffins have increased their number of wins in each of the past two seasons. Sure, 9-16, 9-9 is nobody's idea of success, but in terms of W-L the Griffins are well ahead of where they were the year before Schafer arrived -- and the turbulence and tragedy of Lee McKinney's final year meant that Schafer did not start out in a good position three seasons ago.

Unless there's some inside stuff going on that I don't know about, I don't see how the term "hot seat" comes into play here regarding Schafer's tenure at Fontbonne, even hypothetically.

[Denny McKinney]

I will go on record to say Coach Schaefer spoke to his players (women's golf/ MBB). I don't know about any paperwork or public announcement/ release.

He'll be leaving FU for Benedictine College at Mesa. One building w/ a nice front and another building under construction. They don't have a conference but will be NAIA. Plans for first year sports are Golf, Tennis, Cross Country and Badmitton. I may have missed one. Basketball is to come online in 15-16 season.

[WUPHF]

He was at Fontbonne for three years. The typical rule of thumb is that you give a head coach at least four years -- the span of one recruiting class -- to prove himself. (Of course, that's different nowadays in D1, but, unlike D1, D3 programs aren't driven by a profit motive.) Besides, the Griffins doubled their number of wins this season from last, both overall and in SLIAC play. Sure, 8-17, 6-10 is nobody's idea of success, but in terms of W-L the Griffins are slightly ahead of where they were the year before Schafer arrived -- and the turbulence and tragedy of Lee McKinney's final year meant that Schafer did not start out in a good position three seasons ago.

Unless there's some inside stuff going on that I don't know about, I don't see how the term "hot seat" comes into play here regarding Schafer's tenure at Fontbonne, even hypothetically.

And, that is why I said he was not on the hot seat...

His record improved in his second year, but not much in the way of improvement this year compared to last as you suggest.  Mistakes happen. 

They certainly added a few more SLIAC wins this season, but let's look at the wins: two of those wins were over a dreadful Iowa Wesleyan team that was obviously not even in the conference last season and two wins over Eureka who is way, way down this season as you certainly know.  Add in Principia, Blackburn, Greenville and a key win over MacMurray this season and there you go.  Is the MacMurray game evidence of a big improvement in the conference? 

Overall, a lower Massey rating and strength of schedule in 2014 from 2013.

Otherwise, I used the term hot seat in contrast to the suggestion that Shafer was in the perfect position to make an impact.  Maybe he was, but I am not sure we knew that.  I have talked Fontbonne basketball shop, in person, with Mr. SLIAC and I was surprised by his assessment.

[Denny McKinney]

My first feeling was. Sad. Small three letter word. There was absolutely NO "hot seat" involved. It was a step up financially that could not be over looked. Fontbonne has become one of the toughest places to coach. The battles with Admissions and Financial AID. The VP of Student Life is who Athletics answer to. Is Vacant. There is a job search. And, any recruiting is going to drag because of packages. The of Financial AID and two staff were let go two weeks ago.

But, no matter what is going on. It is a very pretty quaint College. Which the Sisters of St. Joe would prefer enrollment and 1000 instead of 1600. And, has as nice a facility as you could ever hope for. It's a great Place. I wonder if it would of gone thru my mind, "hey in 2 years I'll have twice as many offers."

New President and New Head Coach, throw in some VP's. First Thing I would get on the President's desk to sign. invoice for free standing baskets. Yes. Yes. Yes!

I really thought this guy was the man. I thought, Catholic, Private School, on the bench at Augustana, NPU (where he was a finalist and Benedictine. Bingo! He'll be here for awhile. Something wasn't right. But, don't know what. Two more years would of been Great. Or, you get three year grace and it ain't looking good.

If you want to see this group kept together. Hire in house. Ask current players, they would say the assistant coach. Plus, earned it.

[hopefan]

Funny thing is, Denny asked for my opinions about Fontbonne before this news had broken, and I had held off.   I had indicated I was Discouraged.... and a writeup would have included negatives... but the overall assessment would have finished with the word hopeful...... I had a lot of faith in Coach Schafer... and as I had indicated to Denny a while back on these pages, I felt they would be a top 4 team in the conference next year.  I do have to say I'm surprised at Titan Q's comment regarding Brian DeGeare.. I hope TQ is right, but this kid really pooped out the last month of the season.. but then that happens with many freshmen.....

[Denny McKinney]

It will be important for FU to get new coach quick. So they can make sure their main players don't bolt

Would like to get this kid up couple hours up I-55...

http://www.fontbonnegriffins.com/sports/mbkb/2013-14/bios/degeare_bryan_ktjn

I think he has All-American talent.

Q, I've never steered ya wrong on a kid. Degeare is at FU for a reason. Several actually. 6'8 172. Started the season. He ain't gained a pound. Does not like contact. And, weak on his feet. He is a streaky three point shooter. Looks good. No handles to be a slasher. More importantly he is not overly inspired. Just seems happy go lucky and plays that way. I'll trade you Your AA. For Bryce and the kid from Holt.

[hopefan]

Add in Principia, Blackburn, Greenville and a key win over MacMurray this season and there you go.  Is the MacMurray game evidence of a big improvement in the conference? 

To correct and comment...Fontbonne did not beat Greenville this year....Greenville was a pure 4/5 in the conference.. they beat everyone below them twice, including Fontbonne, and they lost twice to everyone above them. They split with Westmin.

The win over MacMurray could easily been looked at as a turning point win for the Fontbonne program.. Mac that night was playing for a share of the conference championship... something Coach Creal wanted badly and had his kids pointing to.. and Fontbonne snatched it away from them... Fontbonne was competitive at least once with each of the 5 teams that finished above them except Webster.. they lost to Spalding by 2 and 8, they lost to Westmin by 3, they lost to Mac by 6, then beat them, they lost to Greenville by 5.... Webster clobbered them with the zone..  They accomplished this with Freshmen and Sophomores (Senior Yada Demisse was good for one hoop a game... good kid, played hard, not much impact).    The program has a great chance to finish top 4 next year under new leadership.  Unfortunately I don't know if there is a basketball/academic person on the campus qualified to make the best new personnel decision.... Do they want to win? Do they want to bring back some spirit on campus and empty out the dorms over to the gym on game night to watch the Griffs... It's pitiful to go to the nicest facility in the conference and see 30 people on the far side of the gym, and maybe 200 total attendance... Fontbonne got some decent following in the Fogerty-MCCoy-Storandt years(decent, not great).. it would be neat to build up back to that level....
AND... how much fun would it be to have some competitiveness come back to the Fontbonne Webster Rivalry.....