FB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[WashedUp]

Week 6 Pickems

No games between top 25 teams this week.  St. John's is getting used to being the underdog and the Auggies hope to stay within 6 TDs of the Tommies.

I liked it better early in the season when you weren't nailing the spreads.

[USTBench]

One parent I chatted with about it said that his son didn't feel like St. Johns really wanted him.  Instead there was an arrogance from the staff that he should feel honored that they were even talking to him.  I think that speaks to the point about St. Johns relying a lot on their reputation to land recruits instead of doing all they could/should to recruit athletes these days.

I can't say that things have not changed in the past 11 years, but I can't say I got that feeling at all from the SJU staff (and I was by no means an all-star).  I truly felt welcome there and had a great time on recruiting visits.  They were not as persistant as other schools, though, and perhaps that could be viewed as arrogance?

I, too, considered UST, but didn't really feel that they wanted me.  But, that's the recruiting process, I guess.

In hind sight, if I would have gone to the place where I was recruited hardest, I would have ended up at Hamline or Bemidji State...glad I made the right choice 

If it were the case for me I would've ended up at Mayville. Lol.

Tom Flood recruited offensive players for UST, and I don't know if he did a good job of bringing the best players in, but he did a great job of turning okay players into great players, and bringing players that had great potential in. 

He told you like it was, trusted his players, and should have been given the O-Coordinator job personally. But I guess offense wasn't really the problem when I was on the team.

If you take Blake Elliot out of the equation, I'd say UST had just as much offensive talent back then, with Hilliard, Barkley, Ambrassas, Learn, Hall, et al. I think with NDSU and UND going FCS it's raised the talent level at some MIAC schools. I mean, honestly, who wants to go to Concordia St. Paul or Southwest Minnesota State?

[DuffMan]

If you take Blake Elliot out of the equation, I'd say UST had just as much offensive talent back then, with Hilliard, Barkley, Ambrassas, Learn, Hall, et al.

I would agree.

[USTBench]

I have an unrelated question:

What in the hell happened to Concordia?

[Willy Wonka]

One parent I chatted with about it said that his son didn't feel like St. Johns really wanted him.  Instead there was an arrogance from the staff that he should feel honored that they were even talking to him.  I think that speaks to the point about St. Johns relying a lot on their reputation to land recruits instead of doing all they could/should to recruit athletes these days.

I can't say that things have not changed in the past 11 years, but I can't say I got that feeling at all from the SJU staff (and I was by no means an all-star).  I truly felt welcome there and had a great time on recruiting visits.  They were not as persistant as other schools, though, and perhaps that could be viewed as arrogance?

I, too, considered UST, but didn't really feel that they wanted me.  But, that's the recruiting process, I guess.

In hind sight, if I would have gone to the place where I was recruited hardest, I would have ended up at Hamline or Bemidji State...glad I made the right choice 

Frank Rickard approves this statement.

[DoubleO]

"Simply put every game is a BIG game for the Johnnies. Just because the Lane Kiffin of the MIAC and his band of purple clad Oakland Rider wanna be uniform boys are rolling into the "Ville" does not escalate this week over any other!"

-Johnnie Tats


Yes, Caruso does Tommie Media, WCCO, Star Trib, Pioneer Press, interviews. But I was unaware coaching a college football team was supposed to be a secret. I figured Caruso wouldn't be labled attention whore by SJU fans, considering Gags has done the EXACT same interview with multiple national media oulets every year for the last decade and a half. Even the videography is the same. Gags sitting at his desk going through his list of "Nos," low angle shots of players ankles as they practice, elevator music over shots of the Natural Bowl, some big time reporter that finds the simple philosophy endearing, especially considering that "John Gagliardi has more wins than any coach in college football history. Including Joe Paterno and Bobby Bowden." And then some players gushing over the fact they get to call him John. Not necessarily in that order, but it's been done. And done. And done.

Maybe Caruso will move on to what he thinks may be greener pastures or maybe he's found his own little slice of heaven. All I know is the smile on his face on Saturday seemed to indicate he likes Summit and Cretin just fine.

Caruso and UST are doing something different than SJU and finding their own way, and finding success. You can hate on the bandwagon jumpers, but I suffered through Roney, Wemeier, 3 hour full pad practices, the 100 man roster in which only 22 of us were trusted to play, the scout team, the constant drubbing by SJU, the delay of games because our O Coordinator was 90, the assistant coaching turnover, and the perpetual mediocirty. Cut me some slack.

Looking at it objectively there's no reason UST should not have a decent program year in and year out. That's what was so frustrating. Good location, good looking women, new facilities, etc.

Hate it, love it, but it's good for the MIAC. And yes, I am acknowledging 50+ years of sustained success at SJU. I'll be the first to admit with 31 Conference titles, 4 national titles, the "do something before you talk," has some validity.

But with a few playoff wins, a probable #1 seed on the horizon (I know, I know, the NCAA "doesn't seed"), and a win in Collegeville (finally), I'd say UST is on their way.

Bench-I think your analysis is spot on-I completely share your sentiments. I wanted to address a couple of your points.

Regarding Caruso, I am not really all that concerned with the chatter regarding him leaving for "greener pastures" because it is mostly out of our control. All we can do there is support him/the program and trust that the administration will take care of him.

Don't know Tom Flood-must've been after my time, but I feel it necessary to defend George Wemeier. While I am in agreement with the pace of play calling and all of the delay of game penalties, I sympathize with Roney's position regarding him. Simply put, that man had more knowledge of offensive scheming in his little finger than I could ever wish to have. Guy was a wizard. Like you said, offense wasn't really the problem during his tenure. Defensively, now that is another story. Changes should've been made there long before they were.

Fortunately, that is all water under the bridge now. Caruso had a clear cut plan when accepting this position and he has proven to be 'stalwart" thus far in the implementation of this plan. God willing, this will continue!

sjusection105, you are correct in saying that challengers to the MIAC crown come and go, but on thing remains constant. For the sake of conference success and competition level I hope they can maintain their level of excellence. However, one MAJOR component of that sustained success won't be at the wheel forever. What happens when the day he decides to step asides comes along is anybody's guess/wish. One thing is for certain, I do not envy those charged with hiring his replacement!

[WithasilentK]

From TMQ today, he's talking about O-lineman throwing passes, and thows in a quick snippet about 2006 Carleton v Bethel:

Mike Gravelle, currently serving with the 2nd Battalion, 8th Marines, reports, "I have an example of an offensive lineman throwing a pass from my days playing at Division III Carleton College in Minnesota. The play won the game for us against a nationally ranked opponent. We set it up by running the University of Alabama version of the play earlier in the game -- left tackle takes a lateral, then runs. This time the left tackle threw, touchdown. It is my favorite memory from high school and college football days. Here's a write-up of the two guys who made the play and better still, watch it happen."

I normally can't stand TMQ, but I'll make an exception for this week.

[SUMMIT!!!!!]

"Simply put every game is a BIG game for the Johnnies. Just because the Lane Kiffin of the MIAC and his band of purple clad Oakland Rider wanna be uniform boys are rolling into the "Ville" does not escalate this week over any other!"

-Johnnie Tats


Yes, Caruso does Tommie Media, WCCO, Star Trib, Pioneer Press, interviews. But I was unaware coaching a college football team was supposed to be a secret. I figured Caruso wouldn't be labled attention whore by SJU fans, considering Gags has done the EXACT same interview with multiple national media oulets every year for the last decade and a half. Even the videography is the same. Gags sitting at his desk going through his list of "Nos," low angle shots of players ankles as they practice, elevator music over shots of the Natural Bowl, some big time reporter that finds the simple philosophy endearing, especially considering that "John Gagliardi has more wins than any coach in college football history. Including Joe Paterno and Bobby Bowden." And then some players gushing over the fact they get to call him John. Not necessarily in that order, but it's been done. And done. And done.

Maybe Caruso will move on to what he thinks may be greener pastures or maybe he's found his own little slice of heaven. All I know is the smile on his face on Saturday seemed to indicate he likes Summit and Cretin just fine.

Caruso and UST are doing something different than SJU and finding their own way, and finding success. You can hate on the bandwagon jumpers, but I suffered through Roney, Wemeier, 3 hour full pad practices, the 100 man roster in which only 22 of us were trusted to play, the scout team, the constant drubbing by SJU, the delay of games because our O Coordinator was 90, the assistant coaching turnover, and the perpetual mediocirty. Cut me some slack.

Looking at it objectively there's no reason UST should not have a decent program year in and year out. That's what was so frustrating. Good location, good looking women, new facilities, etc.

Hate it, love it, but it's good for the MIAC. And yes, I am acknowledging 50+ years of sustained success at SJU. I'll be the first to admit with 31 Conference titles, 4 national titles, the "do something before you talk," has some validity.

But with a few playoff wins, a probable #1 seed on the horizon (I know, I know, the NCAA "doesn't seed"), and a win in Collegeville (finally), I'd say UST is on their way.

Bench-I think your analysis is spot on-I completely share your sentiments. I wanted to address a couple of your points.

Regarding Caruso, I am not really all that concerned with the chatter regarding him leaving for "greener pastures" because it is mostly out of our control. All we can do there is support him/the program and trust that the administration will take care of him.

Don't know Tom Flood-must've been after my time, but I feel it necessary to defend George Wemeier. While I am in agreement with the pace of play calling and all of the delay of game penalties, I sympathize with Roney's position regarding him. Simply put, that man had more knowledge of offensive scheming in his little finger than I could ever wish to have. Guy was a wizard. Like you said, offense wasn't really the problem during his tenure. Defensively, now that is another story. Changes should've been made there long before they were.

Fortunately, that is all water under the bridge now. Caruso had a clear cut plan when accepting this position and he has proven to be 'stalwart" thus far in the implementation of this plan. God willing, this will continue!

sjusection105, you are correct in saying that challengers to the MIAC crown come and go, but on thing remains constant. For the sake of conference success and competition level I hope they can maintain their level of excellence. However, one MAJOR component of that sustained success won't be at the wheel forever. What happens when the day he decides to step asides comes along is anybody's guess/wish. One thing is for certain, I do not envy those charged with hiring his replacement!

I've always said I wouldn't want to be the person following Gagliardi if/when the time comes, but I sure wouldn't mind being that guy's successor

also, regarding all the talk about Caruso moving on to "greener pastures"-- he's a young, talented, energetic coach, so its easy to see where he might be tempted to move (heck, even Gagliardi considered offers and actually accepted one in the 80s wasnt it? only to change his mind and stay). But I think Caruso enjoys the challenge and situation he has now and for the short term, that should keep him at the corner of Summit & Cretin. Personally, I'd be fine with 40-50 more years of him

[USTBench]

Double OO,

I've discussed this issue before, but since you're newer to PP, I'll give you my Wemeier take. Wemeier obviously accomplished a lot as a high school coach, and did some decent things at Auggie Tech and the U. My problem wasn't having him around in some sort of capacity, but Coordinator?

Between Roney and Wemeier there was no question who wore the pants in that relationship. Wemeier frequently dressed down other coaches in front of players, knew almost nobody's name, took way too much time getting play calls in, and monopolized the first defense's time so he could spend an hour on skelly.

And yes, his knowledge and volumonous playbook was un-matched, but with the players we had we were going to score points regardless.

To paraphrase a Chuck Klosterman article, football is steeped in conservative values, but is really the most progressive game on the planet. It is constantly evolving. That's why Mike Leach found success:

"There's two ways to make it more complex for the defense," Leach told journalist Michael Lewis, writing for The New York Times Magazine. "One is to have a whole bunch of different plays, but that's no good because then the offense experiences as much complexity as the defense. Another is a small number of plays run out of lots of different formations. That way, you don't have to teach a guy a new thing to do. You just have to teach him new places to stand."

Simple, and Gagliardi-esque. Bottom line, Roney was the head coach not Wemeier. The game passed the Wizard by. Same way it passed Mike Martz by.

End Note: I'm not a Bears fan, but in a close game, when you have a terrible back up quarterback, and Forte and Chester Taylor, maybe some running plays might work?

[DuffMan]

Frank Rickard approves this statement.

I'll let him revel in his one sub-second moment of glory 

[AuggieBacker]

Auggie Backer- do you care to let us know what side of the ball said recruit played on 

Not sure what you are trying to imply here but if you think I'm talking about my son you are incorrect.  I was just sharing a few things that I'd heard from a couple of parents I know that had kids going through the recruiting process.  My intent wasn't to rip the St. John's coaching staff and if it came across that way I sincerely apologize.

[cobbernation]

I have an unrelated question:

What in the hell happened to Concordia?

A few things have happened.  1) lack of experience at several key positions (which is most positions on offense and defense) 2) only 1 returning starter on defense (it shows) 3) not getting the ball into the best players hands as much as possible. 4) Having a qb that is not an option quarterback.  he is a passer and needs to be in a spread offense. 

[D O.C.]

If you take Blake Elliot out of the equation, I'd say

LINFIELD gets MUC at a vulnerable point in that last game.

[sjusection105]

Auggie Backer- do you care to let us know what side of the ball said recruit played on 

Not sure what you are trying to imply here but if you think I'm talking about my son you are incorrect.  I was just sharing a few things that I'd heard from a couple of parents I know that had kids going through the recruiting process.  My intent wasn't to rip the St. John's coaching staff and if it came across that way I sincerely apologize.

No apology needed,I was just wondering what position the recruit plays. I have a hunch which coach would have the greatest possibility to rub the greatest number of people the wrong way even if he wasn't trying to 

[cobbernation]

News from the ALCS.  A.J. Burnett won't be pitching for the Yankees in the series, too bad he usually gets knocked around.  Better news is Jim Joyce won't be on the umpire crew either.  He usually gets knocked around after blowing a call for a perfect game!