FB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[Mr.MIAC]

The kid from San Francisco St. Ignatius who is going to Tommieland is a pretty good player - made first team all city.  (I will note, however, that SI lost to Marin Catholic, where #13 went to school - a bragging point among my two kids since the older one attended SI.)  It's impressive to me the way that Caruso seems to be cherry picking kids from other states.  SJU could do the same thing, but so far as I know they don't even try.  The out-of-state kids who end up at SJU seem to be legacies or have some other prior connection with the school; only one or two, like us, just fall into their lap.  I know an SJU alum who is coaching in Colorado and had some good players he thought would be good fits for SJU.  He tried to get the coaching staff to reach out to them but nothing happened.  This needs to change.

tmerton,
Do you know anything about Jack Gilliland from Grace Brethren HS?  The team only has 22 players on it, but somehow St. Thomas recruited this kid.  I'm just curious about who he is and if you know how Caruso recruited him.  According to one web site (http://www.impactprospects.com/northroster.htm) he was being recruited by Cal Poly, Cal State Sacramento, Cal Davis, Northern Arizona, and St. Thomas.

This level of recruiting only reaffirms my belief that that Coach Caruso has his sights set on pastures greater than the MIAC.  There is no point in developing this level of recruiting system unless you have the goal of coaching at a higher level.   I may be proven wrong but IMHO he's hoping to parlay his UST success into something bigger.

I too have heard all of the rumors that Caruso may be looking to move beyond the MIAC to pursue better opportunities either at a DI school or in the NFL.  Why this may seem plausible, I am not totally sold on this notion and believe that much of it is wishful thinking on behalf of some my SJU friends and a few of their coaches I maintain contact with. First, I am not sure where these rumors came from. Caruso is a very discipline man. He would not let up and tell anyone that his intent is to use UST to pursue a career somewhere else. Caruso has been able to convince several outstanding young men to come play football at UST. I know a liar when I see one and I am sure the recruits hammer him with that question and want to know if he's going to be around for the long haul.  Every time I speak to Caruso he looks like a man on a mission and I think players get the same vibe – unlike former St. Olaf head coach Meidt who attempted to recruit me.  There was something about him that wasn't quite genuine.  Although people are quick to make fun of Caruso for his over the top personality, I truly believe that he is passionate about what he does and he believes in what he is saying.  Young men like to be apart of something great...Caruso has an ability to show them his vision and get them to believe.

Second, Caruso previously was the offensive coordinator at Division II South Dakota in his two seasons and was also offensive coordinator at North Dakota State during a six-year stay as the Bison transitioned to Division IAA.  I guess my question is, why would Caruso leave those programs to coach DIII?  Maybe he truly does believe in the philosophy of developing good young men who strive for excellence in the classroom, on the field, and in their personal lives.  If he was trying to go to the NFL or Division I that doesn't seem like a logical move in my mind.

Third, quite frankly, I think Caruso badly wants to win a national championship.  Caruso is the type of guy that hates unfinished business.  Right now his problem is Whitewater and Mount Union.  I think it drives him nuts that there are programs out there that are better than his.  He's just a competitive guy by nature and he wants to be the best (which is why he added two WIAC teams to his nonconference schedule).  I think if he left now he'd feel like he didn't accomplish what he set out to do.  Which leads me to his recruiting strategy.  Caruso obviously knows that White Water recruits Wisconsin and northern Illinois and they pretty much have a monopoly over that entire region.  Thus, I think he realizes that he had to develop a different strategy and look elsewhere for talent.  Judging from where these outstate recruits went to school, it looks like he's taping into Catholic high schools all over the country.   

My last point, a lot of the execution of Caruso's recruiting strategy was headed by Blane Tetreault who left UST to pursue opportunities in the business sector. Blane is a squared away guy.  I had the privilege to play under him.  I feel like he played an important role in executing Caruso's strategy.  It will be interesting to see who fills that role because currently the position remains vacant, according to the Tommie web site.

And if I'm wrong I hope Caruso learns a lesson from coach Meidt...it looks like he may have left St. Olaf a little prematurely.  The economy has been hard for everyone:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/locked-out-former-redskins-assistant-chris-meidt-is-called-down-another-aisle-in-life/2011/03/10/AFpRmDAD_story.html.

Great post.  I totally agree that Glenn Caruso isn't going anywhere soon.  My opinion, developed through admittedly few interactions with him, is that he feels a sense of pride and ownership over the football program.  I don't know where rumors of his impending departure come from either. His primary goals seem to be to promote excellence at UST and develop men through the game of football.  You must be doing something right when your critics and competitors talk more about your future plans than ways to beat you on the field.

On a related note, if anyone would like to further induce Glenn Caruso to stay for the long haul please establish an endowment to pay for his salary.  The trustees have ponied up $20 million in matching funds for all further donations under the Opening Doors Campaign.   Where's the value in your new Lamborghini when instead you could ensure UST football dominance for generations to come?

Link: http://www.tommiemedia.com/more-news/trustee-challenge-helps-opening-doors-campaign-finish/ 

[OzJohnnie]

Well, I'm convinced.

Meidt and Wallmart.  May the Schadenfreude be with you.  Roll on Purple Vengeance!  What's that link again?  I've got to do my part to get Caruso's million dollar salary paid.  It's a tough economy, after all.

[SUADC]

Right now his problem is Whitewater and Mount Union (which is why he added two WIAC teams to his nonconference schedule). 

Forgot to include Wesley, UMHB, and Linfield. These teams right here have been good for years and have had their blows with the purple powers for a while. Also, why didn't he add Whitewater (UMHB did years back).

[Mr.MIAC]

Checkout this recent interview with Glenn Caruso.  He's asked about rumors of a move from UST/DIII.  Sounds like he has plans to stay for awhile.

Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tw_qZESKtYc

[Tom Thumb]

Right now his problem is Whitewater and Mount Union (which is why he added two WIAC teams to his nonconference schedule). 

Forgot to include Wesley, UMHB, and Linfield. These teams right here have been good for years and have had their blows with the purple powers for a while. Also, why didn't he add Whitewater (UMHB did years back).

Certainly.  They are all outstanding teams too, no disrespect intended.  I was just making a point about where Caruso wants to take the program.  With respect to your Whitewater question, I'm not sure why they didn't add them to the schedule.  Maybe they did reach out to them, maybe they didn't.  What we can deduce is that over the past few years they've added harder teams to their schedule each year.  They started with Macalester, then St. Norberts, then River Falls, and now Eau Claire.  I think it's a good strategy to improve in increments and understand where your team is at.  They played Whitewater last year...now the team (and coaches) understand what it will take to compete at that level.  The lesson has already been learned. 

[SUADC]

Right now his problem is Whitewater and Mount Union (which is why he added two WIAC teams to his nonconference schedule). 

Forgot to include Wesley, UMHB, and Linfield. These teams right here have been good for years and have had their blows with the purple powers for a while. Also, why didn't he add Whitewater (UMHB did years back).

Certainly.  They are all outstanding teams too, no disrespect intended.  I was just making a point about where Caruso wants to take the program.  With respect to your Whitewater question, I'm not sure why they didn't add them to the schedule.  Maybe they did reach out to them, maybe they didn't.  What we can deduce is that over the past few years they've added harder teams to their schedule each year.  They started with Macalester, then St. Norberts, then River Falls, and now Eau Claire.  I think it's a good strategy to improve in increments and understand where your team is at.  They played Whitewater last year...now the team (and coaches) understand what it will take to compete at that level.  The lesson has already been learned.

Agree 100%. I watch some video of Caruso and I think he is an amazing coach, especially his motivational speeches and the way he approaches the game. Just by watching the little footage would make me want to go to UST.

[SagatagSam]

Checkout this recent interview with Glenn Caruso.  He's asked about rumors of a move from UST/DIII.  Sounds like he has plans to stay for awhile.

Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tw_qZESKtYc

Last time I checked, media appearances are not done under oath. Robert Irsay lied to Baltimore media just hours before moving the Colts to Indianapolis in the middle of the night back in 1984.

Maybe he'll crack like Mustafa in the original Austin Powers movie if you ask him three consecutive times if he is using UST just to move up the coaching ladder.
 

"Well, you got me, I'm actually looking really hard at making a nice transition into a FCS school as a coordinator for a few years before making my big splash as a head coach at a top-tier FBS school."

[GoldandBlueBU]

Checkout this recent interview with Glenn Caruso.  He's asked about rumors of a move from UST/DIII.  Sounds like he has plans to stay for awhile.

Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tw_qZESKtYc

Last time I checked, media appearances are not done under oath. Robert Irsay lied to Baltimore media just hours before moving the Colts to Indianapolis in the middle of the night back in 1984.

Maybe he'll crack like Mustafa in the original Austin Powers movie if you ask him three consecutive times if he is using UST just to move up the coaching ladder.
 

"Well, you got me, I'm actually looking really hard at making a nice transition into a FCS school as a coordinator for a few years before making my big splash as a head coach at a top-tier FBS school."

I think this is right on...you're a fool if you believe that he is staying just because he says so in promotional videos / interviews, but I think there is also an awful lot of wishful / hopeful thinking going on in the Johnnie fan base. 

That said, only Caruso, his wife, and maybe a couple of trusted friends know of his long term goals.  The rest is just speculation.

I would also say that the way the SJU fan base hopes to become the conference heavy again through the decline of other programs points to their lack of confidence in their own team's ability to improve.

[57Johnnie]

50 years ago the same things were being said about John that are being said about Caruso now -------- of course Al Gore hadn't invented the internet yet 

[Mr.MIAC]

Perhaps we might return to the "UST could go D-I FCS" debate.  The UST Board of Trustees just concluded a yearlong strategic review and approved goals for the university.  Their number one goal is to "develop a reputation for excellence beyond the Catholic higher education community and in the broader academy nationally and internationally."

One way to do so would be to increase UST's academic standing.  Reverend Dennis Dease, longtime president of UST, just announced his retirement set for 2013.  A search committee has been formed to hire his successor.  Based on my sources the Board of Trustees seeks a Catholic layperson with national and international standing.  Basically they're talking about an all-star who will raise awareness of UST within the academic research establishment.

Another way would be to heighten UST's visibility amongst the general public through athletics.  Mark Deinhart, former Athletic Director at the University of Minnesota and current Senior Vice President at UST, and current Athletic Director Steve Fritz are raising the profile of UST athletics.  The hiring of Glenn Caruso and development of the athletic complex were big steps in this direction.  I think it's safe to say that all the media attention UST athletics has received over the past couple of years (from WCCO and other outlets) is raising awareness of the institution.

UST could take it to the next level by going D-I FCS.  I think it might be doable on the financial side.  UST has raised nearly $500 million over the past few years and with the push for greater national and international recognition it seems likely that donors would present themselves.  If this were to happen, Glenn Caruso wouldn't have to climb the coaching ladder by going elsewhere.  He would have built the ladder on his home turf. 

[Retired Old Rat]

What sort of meds are they handing out at Georgetown cocktail parties these days?  I want some.

[Mr.MIAC]

What sort of meds are they handing out at Georgetown cocktail parties these days?  I want some.

Codeine and antibiotics...I've had acute bronchitis and pneumonia for the past week. So do you have a substantive response?  Look at the D-I FCS schools.  There are plenty with lower endowments, smaller student bodies, and perhaps less interest in gaining a place on the national-level stage.

[OzJohnnie]

Good God, does UST replace the humor detection gland with a Bud Abbott straight man organ during Freshman introductions?

Yes, it could be that we Johnnies are scared senseless by Caruso and desperately want him to leave and end this reign of terror. Or, it could be that UST fans are so obviously scared that it might actually happen that we can't resist tweaking you.  If we have a guilty pleasure, it taking advantage of the emotionally disabled.

[OzJohnnie]

What sort of meds are they handing out at Georgetown cocktail parties these days?  I want some.

Codeine and antibiotics...I've had acute bronchitis and pneumonia for the past week. So do you have a substantive response?  Look at the D-I FCS schools.  There are plenty with lower endowments, smaller student bodies, and perhaps less interest in gaining a place on the national-level stage.

Can you please stop with this substantive response crap?  You write four paragraphs of poorly structured love note about your school of yesterday and expect us to argue with you.  I could give a rat's a$$ about your Tommie obsessions.  Enough of the BC of the Midwest lovestory already.

You know another way that UST could build a reputation for excellence?  Be more selective in their admissions.

[Mr.MIAC]

Good God, does UST replace the humor detection gland with a Bud Abbott straight man organ during Freshman introductions?

Yes, it could be that we Johnnies are scared senseless by Caruso and desperately want him to leave and end this reign of terror. Or, it could be that UST fans are so obviously scared that it might actually happen that we can't resist tweaking you.  If we have a guilty pleasure, it taking advantage of the emotionally disabled.

All teasing aside, I'm actually interested in people's opinions on UST going D-I FCS.  I was back in the Twin Cities a few months ago and the campus is buzzing about big changes coming.  The President, Dean of the Law School, and Dean of the Opus College of Business are all stepping down and people talk about heavy academic hitters coming in to replace them.  On the athletic side, people talk about the "beginning of a new era" for UST.  I'm not really sure what that means, but for football that could mean a move to (perhaps) D-I FCS over time.  Do people think such a move is possible?