FB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[SagatagSam]

As the retirement rumors swirl, is there any sense from you Johnnie fans about wanting to see what may turn out to be the last games of John's career? Or is the product on the field just so painful you don't want to see it end like this? Honest questions.

Yes, I will show up to see my Johnnies get their arses kicked.

Developing....

My choice is between listening online and taking a weekend trip out to Savannah, GA.
I pick sweet tea and shrimp & grits on Bay Street.

[SUMMIT!!!!!]

As the retirement rumors swirl, is there any sense from you Johnnie fans about wanting to see what may turn out to be the last games of John's career? Or is the product on the field just so painful you don't want to see it end like this? Honest questions.

As someone who has deep respect for all that John has done and accomplished, I plan to be in Arden Hills for the season finale, even more so if the rumormongers are correct and it is The Last Game. While the championships are impressive, the thing that boggles my mind is the 45 (and counting) seasons without a losing record. And 60 years without a whiff of scandal? Most D-I programs, successful or not, cant make it 60 hours with a scandal. But I think the thing John is most proud is the men he helped turnout-- doctors, lawyers, business execs, teachers, men of sciences, (even one Aussie). That is his legacy, whether 2012, 2013 or beyond is this final season.

For what its worth, I cant imagine SJU losing to Carleton, GAC or Hamline, so 5-5 is the worst they should finish. While that may be disappointing to fans spoiled with success, its a far cry from 2-8 (Roney's final season).

[DustySJU]

Tomorrow won't be his last home game.

I do plan to be in attendance on the 27th.   

What if he spends the entire game in the pressbox?  Will we even know he's in attendance?

Would John come onto the field for his swan song as he did in 2003 with the victory over Bethel and Brother Deitrich in tow?  Now that was a great celebration with the new all-time victory record in hand, an unbeaten season, playoffs and national championship around the next turn and 13,000 some odd people in attendance. 

Would a crowd that size turn out for the GAC game and final appearance by The Football Sage?

If JG does retire lets give Tom Stock and the AD Department a full off-season to organize "The Party for Gagliardi".

See you next season.

Developing.....

[hazzben]

As the retirement rumors swirl, is there any sense from you Johnnie fans about wanting to see what may turn out to be the last games of John's career? Or is the product on the field just so painful you don't want to see it end like this? Honest questions.

As someone who has deep respect for all that John has done and accomplished, I plan to be in Arden Hills for the season finale, even more so if the rumormongers are correct and it is The Last Game. While the championships are impressive, the thing that boggles my mind is the 45 (and counting) seasons without a losing record. And 60 years without a whiff of scandal? Most D-I programs, successful or not, cant make it 60 hours with a scandal. But I think the thing John is most proud is the men he helped turnout-- doctors, lawyers, business execs, teachers, men of sciences, (even one Aussie). That is his legacy, whether 2012, 2013 or beyond is this final season.

For what its worth, I cant imagine SJU losing to Carleton, GAC or Hamline, so 5-5 is the worst they should finish. While that may be disappointing to fans spoiled with success, its a far cry from 2-8 (Roney's final season).

Couldn't agree with you more on John's incredible run and legacy. It's impressive on all counts, on the field and off.

And of the three you list, GAC is the only one I think would be a threat. They are an improved team and I'm sure they'd love to get a swing at SJU while they appear vulnerable. That said, when's the last time GAC beat SJU period, much less in Collegeville? There's a lot of football left. If Gags does decide to hang it up, that final game against Bethel is gonna be no gimme. I'm sure he'd love to go out taking a pound of Royal flesh with him. That will be an amped environment in Arden Hills if it proves to be his final game.

EDIT: To answer my own question, the last time SJU lost to Gustavus: At home in 1997 16-24. SJU finished the year 6-4. Eerily similar to what may be on the line October 27, 15 years later.

[faunch]

Tomorrow won't be his last home game.

I do plan to be in attendance on the 27th.   

What if he spends the entire game in the pressbox?  Will we even know he's in attendance?

Would John come onto the field for his swan song as he did in 2003 with the victory over Bethel and Brother Deitrich in tow?  Now that was a great celebration with the new all-time victory record in hand, an unbeaten season, playoffs and national championship around the next turn and 13,000 some odd people in attendance. 

Would a crowd that size turn out for the GAC game and final appearance by The Football Sage?

If JG does retire lets give Tom Stock and the AD Department a full off-season to organize "The Party for Gagliardi".

See you next season.

Developing.....

I really don't think John will do that...not under the circumstances.  Not that I really know him  or what he thinks...I just don't think he would want that...maybe I'm wrong.

I do believe that if an announcement comes out prior to the GAC game the crowds for the final 3 games of the season will be larger then they would have been otherwise.
Why?
-GAC...could / would be John's final home game
-HAM...could be final shot at a win
-BU...final game (players would be up for this and could manage an upset to send John out).
My wife might want to kill me but I'll do what I can to attend all three.  I'd take the kids up for the GAC game ...it'll give here a day to herself. ;-)

I've been thinking a great deal about the current situation the last couple of days.  As much as I believe there needs to be some changes in Collegeville I feel sad that John's coaching career might be coming to an end.  SJU and Johnnie football is an extension of John's family.  They have been a part of the institution and the institution has been part of them for 60 years.  To retire and walk away from the program would have to feel like losing a beloved family member.  If I feel a bit melancholy I can't imagine how the Gagliardi family might feel if this is John's final season. 

For fans there is a also the fear of the unknown if John is not at the helm.  One thing I do believe is that it can't get much worse than this season has been...at least I hope not.

[AO]

For fans there is a also the fear of the unknown if John is not at the helm.  One thing I do believe is that it can't get much worse than this season has been...at least I hope not.

At the end of the year you might be able to say 2011 was a worse season.   Beat my guys (who I believe are improved) more handily.  Turned a L into a W against Eau Claire.  Augsburg and Concordia are better.  You were closer to St. Thomas.  You will probably be closer to Bethel.

[Retired Old Rat]

2011 team got better.

This team seems to be getting worse.

[hazzben]

I've been thinking a great deal about the current situation the last couple of days.  As much as I believe there needs to be some changes in Collegeville I feel sad that John's coaching career might be coming to an end.  SJU and Johnnie football is an extension of John's family.  They have been a part of the institution and the institution has been part of them for 60 years.  To retire and walk away from the program would have to feel like losing a beloved family member.  If I feel a bit melancholy I can't imagine how the Gagliardi family might feel if this is John's final season. 

I'm guessing this is pretty accurate. I love Bethel and Bethel football. It kills me to see them lose or struggle. But I can't even imagine the emotional investment and attachment he must feel towards SJU after 60+ years. It has to be just agonizing for him to contemplate the end, even if it doesn't happen this year, it's definitely drawing close. And knowing that Jimmy's future is connected to it can't make it any easier.

For perspective, it seems like Coach J has been at Bethel forever, parts of 4 different decades now. But he's been there for barely more than a third of the amount of time John has been at SJU. Mind boggling.

[edstone]

Not only is it mind boggling to think of the length of JG's tenure, I believe the quote is that when he took over the previous coach, Johnny "Blood," said "you can't win at St John's."

I've been in Minnesota since 1965. John was already a legend back then. During that time, I've developed a love-hate relationship with SJU football. I love the level of play that has been brought to the D-III schools around here, because of his pushing and pulling to get wins. I hate the fact that we lost close to 20 games in row before finally beating SJU and John G. 

[gordonmann]

Seeing a St. John's game in Collegeville coached by Gagliardi is on my D3 bucket list.  For purely selfish reasons, I hope he sticks around at least one more season so I can schedule a time to do it next year.

[AO]

Good luck to former Auggie DT and current Edina asst. coach Jason van Houten as his #2 Hornets travel to EP to take on the #1 Eagles tonight.

This could be one of the shortest games of all time.  Both teams play it very close to the vest and keep it on the ground.  When Edina played Hopkins the game started at 6:00 pm and I was in my car by about 8:30.  The team that can sustain drives and not turn the ball over wins...I think the Hornets have a chance.

Maybe the Mike Grant rumors might slow down now that the cake eaters have beaten him?

Can't wait for an all Lake conference final four in the Dome.

[DuffMan]

Good luck today, Johnnies!  The past is the past.  No looking back--run the table!

[sju56321]

As bad as this SJU team is-now is not the time for John to retire. I would hope he leaves with the team on the upswing-maybe next year or the year after. But don't leave after one of the worst seasons ever.

[DustySJU]

Seeing a St. John's game in Collegeville coached by Gagliardi is on my D3 bucket list.  For purely selfish reasons, I hope he sticks around at least one more season so I can schedule a time to do it next year.

Gordon Mann;  Get busy, you've had 60 years.

As far as reminiscing about the Gagliardi era, it's been fun however we're pretty darn lousy right now.  Whatever gap has developed between the head coach and the rest of the program is growing significanlty and quite obviously needs reconfiguring. 

SJU can simply limp along as it is or it can make a course direction immediatley.  You couldn't expect much optimism unless some change is made going into next season. 

Face it, SJU has underperformed for about 4 years now.

I've been in contact with Coach Grant this week and although he reinterates he's had no contact with SJU, he does trust "The Johnnie Nation" will rise again.  In his words, "a victory today over Carleton will help ease Johnnie minds."


Developing.....

[hazzben]

As bad as this SJU team is-now is not the time for John to retire. I would hope he leaves with the team on the upswing-maybe next year or the year after. But don't leave after one of the worst seasons ever.

With 20/20 hindsight, you wonder if 2009 wasn't the year to hang it up. Not a dominant team, had it's flaws, but they made the playoffs. But after that season you're probably thinking, no way I want to go out having just lost at home in the first round. And who foresaw what unfolded the next three seasons.

But yeah, I agree, this isn't the swan song anyone at SJU would have written for him.