FB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[faunch]

Being that I live a block from the Columbia football field, I'd like to take credit for creating the Caruso-to-Columbia rumor out of thin air. Pretty sure I brought it up here long before Charley ever mentioned it.

And yes, I did create it out of nothing but a bit of logic and nonsense: He turned around a D3 program. Ivy League has some D3 qualities, probably has more in common with D3 than any other division of play. Would be a great rebuilding job, Columbia's had one winning season in about 30 years. Last time they were dominant Sid Luckman played QB and Lou Gehrig was on the baseball team. Columbia's about 89th on the sports scene here in NYC but if they started winning there could be some excitement in the crowd and could get the city behind them a bit. Getting St. Paul excited about football is cool and all. Doesn't compare to getting NYC excited about college football.

This is the guy - probably the only guy - who blogs about Columbia football. He's been leading the Fire Norries Wilson brigade, but five years ago he wrote an open letter to him talking about the challenges of Columbia.

http://roarlions.blogspot.com/2006/09/open-letter-to-coach-norri_115747677829552497.html

Don't take all the credit for the rumor....Charley Walters over at the St. Paul Pioneer Press has been writing about possible Ivy league offers for GC since about early October.

[SUMMIT!!!!!]

well, Nathan is gone to Texas....Cuddyer will be signing elsewhere soon...Kubel to follow....but Gardy wants C(r)apps back, and with Carroll signed, who needs pitching?

This must be what Pirate, Royal and Cubs fan feel like.  Blech

[DustySJU]

Last time they [Columbia] were dominant Sid Luckman played QB ....

Actually, the Lions were 21-6-0 from 1945-47, and Luckman was long-gone and playing for the Chicago Bears. In 1947 Columbia ended West Point's 32-game winning streak, 21-20, at Baker Field.
The Cadets were the two-time defending national champions.

Noted. By the way, Gehrig held (probably still does) the Columbia record for most strikeouts in a game by a pitcher: 17.

I've been emailing with the guy who runs the Columbia blog. He hadn't heard of Caruso but now is researching him. I'm going to make this happen. SJU will be back on top in no time. He noted that the most successful Ivy League coach, the guy at Penn, came from a D3 school. And a previous Columbia coach who had success in the mid 90s used to be at D3 Rochester (which no longer has a program, apparently).

This is awesome!

Now if we can get CobberNation and TDT on board this thing could really catch fire!


Developing....

[GoldandBlueBU]

Last time they [Columbia] were dominant Sid Luckman played QB ....

Actually, the Lions were 21-6-0 from 1945-47, and Luckman was long-gone and playing for the Chicago Bears. In 1947 Columbia ended West Point's 32-game winning streak, 21-20, at Baker Field.
The Cadets were the two-time defending national champions.

Noted. By the way, Gehrig held (probably still does) the Columbia record for most strikeouts in a game by a pitcher: 17.

I've been emailing with the guy who runs the Columbia blog. He hadn't heard of Caruso but now is researching him. I'm going to make this happen. SJU will be back on top in no time. He noted that the most successful Ivy League coach, the guy at Penn, came from a D3 school. And a previous Columbia coach who had success in the mid 90s used to be at D3 Rochester (which no longer has a program, apparently).

That is really funny. 

Don't you think SJU needs to figure out how to stop losing to Bethel before they can worry about being back on top of UST?

[SagatagSam]

Don't you think SJU needs to figure out how to stop losing to Bethel before they can worry about being back on top of UST?

That would be like saying that Alabama's primary concern coming into this season was to figure out how to beat South Carolina.
Hell no. It is true that Bama is 2-3 vs. SC in their last 5, but it's still not a priority.
They lost the Iron Bowl last year to Auburn, and that is what everyone in Tuscaloosa wants to avenge.

While Bethel has had their way with SJU over a period of several seasons, the priority in Collegeville is, and always will be, beating UST.

[sfury]

Being that I live a block from the Columbia football field, I'd like to take credit for creating the Caruso-to-Columbia rumor out of thin air. Pretty sure I brought it up here long before Charley ever mentioned it.

And yes, I did create it out of nothing but a bit of logic and nonsense: He turned around a D3 program. Ivy League has some D3 qualities, probably has more in common with D3 than any other division of play. Would be a great rebuilding job, Columbia's had one winning season in about 30 years. Last time they were dominant Sid Luckman played QB and Lou Gehrig was on the baseball team. Columbia's about 89th on the sports scene here in NYC but if they started winning there could be some excitement in the crowd and could get the city behind them a bit. Getting St. Paul excited about football is cool and all. Doesn't compare to getting NYC excited about college football.

This is the guy - probably the only guy - who blogs about Columbia football. He's been leading the Fire Norries Wilson brigade, but five years ago he wrote an open letter to him talking about the challenges of Columbia.

http://roarlions.blogspot.com/2006/09/open-letter-to-coach-norri_115747677829552497.html

Don't take all the credit for the rumor....Charley Walters over at the St. Paul Pioneer Press has been writing about possible Ivy league offers for GC since about early October.

Checking my posts, I was on the Caruso-to-Columbia bandwagon - actually, I was in the driver's seat, steering it out of the carnage left behind after 63-7 - on October 4. If Charley had this fake rumor before me, I tip my fedora. Plus, he actually has sources. I have nothing but my imagination and the Columbia field down the block fueling it.

Gold,
Don't worry, we're taking care of Bethel, too. Or you haven't heard the rumor that Johnson's replacing Pat Sullivan at Stamford?

Back to reality for a second, I haven't read much lately, is Fritz (not Steve) being talked about for the NFL much? Free agent possibility? I know he already has a job scheduled after school, but I'm assuming he'd be up for a detour.

[DustySJU]

Being that I live a block from the Columbia football field, I'd like to take credit for creating the Caruso-to-Columbia rumor out of thin air. Pretty sure I brought it up here long before Charley ever mentioned it.

And yes, I did create it out of nothing but a bit of logic and nonsense: He turned around a D3 program. Ivy League has some D3 qualities, probably has more in common with D3 than any other division of play. Would be a great rebuilding job, Columbia's had one winning season in about 30 years. Last time they were dominant Sid Luckman played QB and Lou Gehrig was on the baseball team. Columbia's about 89th on the sports scene here in NYC but if they started winning there could be some excitement in the crowd and could get the city behind them a bit. Getting St. Paul excited about football is cool and all. Doesn't compare to getting NYC excited about college football.

This is the guy - probably the only guy - who blogs about Columbia football. He's been leading the Fire Norries Wilson brigade, but five years ago he wrote an open letter to him talking about the challenges of Columbia.

http://roarlions.blogspot.com/2006/09/open-letter-to-coach-norri_115747677829552497.html

Don't take all the credit for the rumor....Charley Walters over at the St. Paul Pioneer Press has been writing about possible Ivy league offers for GC since about early October.

Checking my posts, I was on the Caruso-to-Columbia bandwagon - actually, I was in the driver's seat, steering it out of the carnage left behind after 63-7 - on October 4. If Charley had this fake rumor before me, I tip my fedora. Plus, he actually has sources. I have nothing but my imagination and the Columbia field down the block fueling it.

Gold,
Don't worry, we're taking care of Bethel, too. Or you haven't heard the rumor that Johnson's replacing Pat Sullivan at Stamford?

Back to reality for a second, I haven't read much lately, is Fritz (not Steve) being talked about for the NFL much? Free agent possibility? I know he already has a job scheduled after school, but I'm assuming he'd be up for a detour.

I did hear Dave Lee post game, might have been the BU v UST tilt, if Fritz had a chance at the professional level.  Coach Caruso made slight mention of a potential opp for his star wide receiver and steered the conversation back to their next opponent. 

We'll see if he can match Blake's appearance in The Hula Bowl.


Developing....

[USTBench]

1) Fritz getting free agent possibilities is pure speculation at this point. He's got playmaking ability but the athletic intangibles (blazing speed) don't seem to be up to  par as other 5'10" white guys in the NFL. "Game speed" might exist, but you still have to prove actual speed at pro days. I could see him getting a shot locally with the Vikings, but I think he'd be a long shot to make the roster.

2) If going on the fan blogs of schools in different divisions to raise interest in Caruso is the best way you guys can think of to beat UST, may a suggest a different approach? Have the assistant coaches get in their cars and drive to homes/schools of good high school football players in the area that would fit in well with the SJU program, and, I don't know, invite them to come play for you. Perhaps have them come to campus to participate in a campus visit or come see a game. Maybe do something more than say, "Hey, we're SJU, of course you're going to play for us."

[faunch]

Being that I live a block from the Columbia football field, I'd like to take credit for creating the Caruso-to-Columbia rumor out of thin air. Pretty sure I brought it up here long before Charley ever mentioned it.

And yes, I did create it out of nothing but a bit of logic and nonsense: He turned around a D3 program. Ivy League has some D3 qualities, probably has more in common with D3 than any other division of play. Would be a great rebuilding job, Columbia's had one winning season in about 30 years. Last time they were dominant Sid Luckman played QB and Lou Gehrig was on the baseball team. Columbia's about 89th on the sports scene here in NYC but if they started winning there could be some excitement in the crowd and could get the city behind them a bit. Getting St. Paul excited about football is cool and all. Doesn't compare to getting NYC excited about college football.

This is the guy - probably the only guy - who blogs about Columbia football. He's been leading the Fire Norries Wilson brigade, but five years ago he wrote an open letter to him talking about the challenges of Columbia.

http://roarlions.blogspot.com/2006/09/open-letter-to-coach-norri_115747677829552497.html

Don't take all the credit for the rumor....Charley Walters over at the St. Paul Pioneer Press has been writing about possible Ivy league offers for GC since about early October.

Checking my posts, I was on the Caruso-to-Columbia bandwagon - actually, I was in the driver's seat, steering it out of the carnage left behind after 63-7 - on October 4. If Charley had this fake rumor before me, I tip my fedora. Plus, he actually has sources. I have nothing but my imagination and the Columbia field down the block fueling it.

Gold,
Don't worry, we're taking care of Bethel, too. Or you haven't heard the rumor that Johnson's replacing Pat Sullivan at Stamford?

Back to reality for a second, I haven't read much lately, is Fritz (not Steve) being talked about for the NFL much? Free agent possibility? I know he already has a job scheduled after school, but I'm assuming he'd be up for a detour.

Charley was suggesting Ivy League offers back on Oct. 1st.
http://www.twincities.com/ci_19021239

It would be interesting to know how many schools actually contact Caruso about job openings but I doubt that info would be made public.  Maybe Charley Walters has a mole over in the UST athletic department and he can keep us informed.
I would suggest that even if the Toms make it to finals or win the whole thing that Caruso would have to solicit jobs in order to be considered.
It's hard to believe that he or any other successful D3 coach is a known commodity on a national level. 
Maybe a search committee at some school that has an opening will track him down and offer him a job...that said it's a good thing sfury is spreading the word about Coach C.

That said...I don't believe he's going anywhere but it makes for good bar talk.

[SagatagSam]

2) If going on the fan blogs of schools in different divisions to raise interest in Caruso is the best way you guys can think of to beat UST, may a suggest a different approach? Have the assistant coaches get in their cars and drive to homes/schools of good high school football players in the area that would fit in well with the SJU program, and, I don't know, invite them to come play for you. Perhaps have them come to campus to participate in a campus visit or come see a game. Maybe do something more than say, "Hey, we're SJU, of course you're going to play for us."

This "recruiting" thing would violate Gag's list of "No's," wouldn't it?

[USTBench]

2) If going on the fan blogs of schools in different divisions to raise interest in Caruso is the best way you guys can think of to beat UST, may a suggest a different approach? Have the assistant coaches get in their cars and drive to homes/schools of good high school football players in the area that would fit in well with the SJU program, and, I don't know, invite them to come play for you. Perhaps have them come to campus to participate in a campus visit or come see a game. Maybe do something more than say, "Hey, we're SJU, of course you're going to play for us."

This "recruiting" thing would violate Gag's list of "No's," wouldn't it?

It was kitschy and somehow worked in a different era of college football. But I think if the list of "NOs" includes, "NO doing anything all offseason" you might have a problem. Just saying.

[SagatagSam]

2) If going on the fan blogs of schools in different divisions to raise interest in Caruso is the best way you guys can think of to beat UST, may a suggest a different approach? Have the assistant coaches get in their cars and drive to homes/schools of good high school football players in the area that would fit in well with the SJU program, and, I don't know, invite them to come play for you. Perhaps have them come to campus to participate in a campus visit or come see a game. Maybe do something more than say, "Hey, we're SJU, of course you're going to play for us."

This "recruiting" thing would violate Gag's list of "No's," wouldn't it?

It was kitschy and somehow worked in a different era of college football. But I think if the list of "NOs" includes, "NO doing anything all offseason" you might have a problem. Just saying.

I know that Gary Fasching does yeoman's work with recruiting, but the perception from outside the athletic department is that Gags doesn't get actively engaged in the process.
Gary will bring the players by John's office for a meet-and-greet, but aside from that I don't think John does very much.

I do know that I saw John and the rest of the coaching staff in a private suite at the prep bowl in '06. But, that doesn't mean John actually spoke to any prospective players.

[USTBench]

2) If going on the fan blogs of schools in different divisions to raise interest in Caruso is the best way you guys can think of to beat UST, may a suggest a different approach? Have the assistant coaches get in their cars and drive to homes/schools of good high school football players in the area that would fit in well with the SJU program, and, I don't know, invite them to come play for you. Perhaps have them come to campus to participate in a campus visit or come see a game. Maybe do something more than say, "Hey, we're SJU, of course you're going to play for us."

This "recruiting" thing would violate Gag's list of "No's," wouldn't it?

It was kitschy and somehow worked in a different era of college football. But I think if the list of "NOs" includes, "NO doing anything all offseason" you might have a problem. Just saying.

I know that Gary Fasching does yeoman's work with recruiting, but the perception from outside the athletic department is that Gags doesn't get actively engaged in the process.
Gary will bring the players by John's office for a meet-and-greet, but aside from that I don't think John does very much.

I do know that I saw John and the rest of the coaching staff in a private suite at the prep bowl in '06. But, that doesn't mean John actually spoke to any prospective players.

I don't really recall talking to Roney before I showed up for camp at UST either (Of course I wasn't really on his radar). I spent most of my time talking to Tom Flood, who did a good job on selling me on a campus plan that wouldn't come to fruition until 6 years after I graduated.

[DuffMan]

Back in my day (consider it was 1999 when I was being recruited  ), Fasching made a few phone calls to me (albeit pretty late compared to other schools).  I also had some pressure on me from John Elton, who was a defensive assistant and head wrestling coach.  After a few calls, Fasching and Elts had myself and a couple of my teammates out to campus for a visit and tour.  We literally spent 2-3 hours in John's office BSing with him.  It was a very fun visit.  If you've ever talked to John during the off-season, you know what I mean.  The guy can flat-out talk your ear off!

After the visit, I received a hand-written and personal letter from John, something that I thought was really cool.  I still have the letter.

A little later in the spring, my parents and I were at campus for a scholarship interview and ceremony.  We stopped in to see if John was around (my dad played for John in the early '70s) and ended up talking to him again for at least another hour. 

I don't know how things have changed since then, but that was my experience.  SJU definitely was not as aggressive (at least from a football perspective) as most of the other schools I was considering.

[hazzben]

But saying Monmouth has the best QB in D-III is like saying Texas Tech always had the best QB in the Mike Leech era. Statistically sure. But Joe Bagofdonuts can come in and throw for 500 yards in certain systems.

Put Tanney in any system that throws the ball and he'd be an All-American. Or to put it another way...UST is a better team with Tanney at QB than with Tracy.

At this point I don't think there's any arguing how good Tanney is. If it was just the system, why was Monmouth so utterly average to below average last year after Tanney went down. Those systems you mention simply plug a warm arm into the offense and it continues to run. Monmouth went off the rails last year without Tanney. This year he's also got a running back to help him out.

I think UST wins and I think it'll be by double digits. But I think it's a better game than it was in 2009. And I think both UST and Monmouth are better this year than they were in 2009.