FB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[bennie]

Now I am as sad as all the die-hard Duck fans around here...

Congratulations John! What a fantastic career. Not many people have the opportunity to influence as many people's lives as you have. I hope you are moving into retirement with much happiness ahead of you and good health. You will be missed.

[OzJohnnie]

So, John is gone. Good luck and thanks to him; enjoy retirement. And good luck to the search committee. I have a feeling that they'll pick well. Lets hope.

[DuffMan]

Maybe Caruso would like to end up behind the pine curtain??? 

I'm curious who is/will be on the search committee.

[oldsju67]

Congratulations to John Gagliardi on his retirement.  Truely an unrivaled career by an unrivaled man.  It was an honor to play for him and a privlige to know him as a man after I graduated from SJU....

[Pat Coleman]

Can't remember last time I posted on this board!

Sept. 15, 2010. Stick around?

http://www.d3boards.com/index.php?topic=4550.msg1227308#msg1227308

[d-train]

Adding my congrats to John G.:  class guy all the way and a major influence on a lot of lives. 

My career ended with a playoff loss to the Johnnies.  It was pretty special to be a part of a Frosty Westering (PLU) and Gagliardi head-to-head.

[emma17]

Congratulations to Coach Gagliardi for an amazing career.  All of D3 football has benefitted from what he's done over the years.  A big congratulations as well to those that played for him- giving the game what he gave you in practice. 

I hope they do something memorable for him at the Stagg this year.   

[faunch]

Maybe Caruso would like to end up behind the pine curtain??? 

I'm curious who is/will be on the search committee.

If I had a vote in the selection process I would give this guy some consideration:
http://www.tommiesports.com/ftbl/coaches/KuchinskiWallie.html

[bleedpurple]

Congratulations to Coach Gagliardi on an incredible career.  His accomplishments are surpassed only by the impact he undoubtedly had on thousands of young men. He is leaving a legacy on which anyone associated with St. John's has the right to be exceptionally proud!

[tommiegun]

I won't be able to add anything more eloquent than what's already been said.  Congratulations on the finest collegiate coaching career, ever, and enjoy retirement.

[ron doney]

St. John's should be proud to see the network light up with stories and compliments for John - well deserved. 

As speculation turns to fact, what are coaches in the MIAC thinking today?  And just as interesting, how has that reaction evolved over the last 10 years?

My guess:  If John had retired at the top in 2003 his peers in the MIAC would have let out a sigh of relief.  Distractions in Collegeville surrounding the retirement ceremonies and the coaching transition would have given other teams in the MIAC a welcomed window to steal a championship or two. 

John didn't retire in 2003 and went on to have continued success - winning 4 of the next 6.  A retirement announcement in any one of those years would have been welcomed by MIAC coaches as well.  But the conversation began to change in 2010.

With sentimental football up in Collegeville over the last 3 years, the MIAC's other squads have enjoyed resurgence in their programs.  Which is why with today's news, I think coaches in the MIAC are shaking in their boots.  John passing the torch, means a monumental comeback for SJU can begin. 

SJU is ripe for a resurgence... and that is scary.   SJU is blessed with a strong and successful alumni network and I can't imagine the amount of money they will raise in the coming months.  An exciting new coach with new facilities on the come (maybe this dome they have been talking about) on top off a storied program equate to a resurgence who's only limit is the Stagg bowl.

In my opinion the change is sentiment is great for the conference.  In fear of what might come, other schools will fight even harder to improve.  They've learned what what it takes to compete on at the national level these last few years.  A resurgent SJU program results in "iron sharpening iron" in the MIAC and hopefully our playoff teams become real national championship contenders.  It is going to be a great run for the conference in the coming years.

[stormyfuture]

Congratulations to Coach Gagliardi on an outstanding career.

[skunks_sidekick]

Best wishes for a long, and fulfilling retirement.  Now that he is not coaching, I wonder what he will do as a second career.   

A fantastic career, and an even better man.

Good luck in your search SJU!

Time to change gears, and get back in the national championship hunt.

[GoldandBlueBU]

I won't be able to add anything more eloquent than what's already been said.  Congratulations on the finest collegiate coaching career, ever, and enjoy retirement.

Agreed...the MIAC owes much of its reputation to John G.  I hope he continues to enjoy good health for many years of retirement...he's certainly earned some time off.



On a completely unrelated side note, I also read AJ Barker's letter...what a tool shed.  As Hazz noted, good luck explaining that if ever asked about it in an interview.  I  loved the massive "PS" section at the end...He might have been talented, but he posseses the psyche of a 14 year old girl.  Quoting his friend's mother was also priceless, as already noted.

[repete]

Congrats, John.

Saw him at three Stagg Bowls and was a neighbor for one summer, but my enduring  memory comes from my freshman year when a bunch of us were sitting around my room on 4th Tommy. It's the morning of game  day and John is rumbling around the hallways looking for Brad Eustice, the bowling ball of a running back who lived a few doors down.

It was fairly late in the morning and John was frantic to find Brad (AKA Baby Bull) and our door was open. He stuck his head in, asked if we'd seen Eustice. Someone asked something about the game just a few hours away and John leaned against the wall and started talking. A few minutes later he sat down. He held court for at least half an hour and then wished us luck in our freshmen year and scurried off.

Amazing guy. Unmatched career. Here's hoping for a great, well-earned retirement.