FB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[OzJohnnie]

So, if you read the interview with the new SJU president that faunch posted, what do you think the schools position is?

“I’m not naive when it comes to the need to stay competitive with the rest of our conference when it comes to staffing and facilities. But we did a departmental review in the past year, and as I observe it, we are competitive. And we’re committed to staying that way.”

So let's say this quote means that for SJU this is as good as it gets.  Which of the three candidates will accept that position?

[oldsju67]

So, if you read the interview with the new SJU president that faunch posted, what do you think the schools position is?

"I'm not naive when it comes to the need to stay competitive with the rest of our conference when it comes to staffing and facilities. But we did a departmental review in the past year, and as I observe it, we are competitive. And we're committed to staying that way."

m

So let's say this quote means that for SJU this is as good as it gets.  Which of the three candidates will accept that position?

Fauching and Ramler

[johnnie_esq]

I think we're reading too much into the story, to be honest.

The President was hired to lead the school.  He is an academic first and foremost, and has to at the very least give lip service to the academic side of the institution.  Were he to talk about winning at all costs, he'd be facing a lot of heat from the Regents-- some of whom are professors-- for selling the school as a jock school instead of its primary purpose-- education.

That being said, he's no dummy.  He knows football success drives alumni support and admissions gains.  For 100 years winning on the football field means winning in the prestige arena.  He's not going to give that up because the biology department wants a new microscope.

But considering the amounts being spent on SJU football-- both institutional and from alumni support-- is more than competitive.  I would assume only a handful of other D3 schools are willing to spend what SJU has on football in the last 15 years.  As Redtooth pointed out, the bulk of that came from alumni-- and that's where the President may be pushing this conversation-- if alumni want to spend it, that's fine.  But he's not going to trade away the academic mission (nor should he).  Put another way, it will be interesting being able to re-purpose John's and Jimmy's salary and re-jiggering it to see where that leaves the program-- my guess is that there is more money there to pay a few other coaches.

What I take from this is that the President is going to force the new coach to be creative and not rely on just spending institutional cash to solve the problem.  I have no problem with that approach.  Some of those things should be easy (web streaming games, for example); but others will have to rely on a new way of thinking of the same old problem. 

Keeping fully in mind that John's greatest genius was pushing new ways of thinking about current problems-- that's what the list of "no's" was all about.

[sjusection105]

I think we're reading too much into the story, to be honest.

The President was hired to lead the school.  He is an academic first and foremost, and has to at the very least give lip service to the academic side of the institution.  Were he to talk about winning at all costs, he'd be facing a lot of heat from the Regents-- some of whom are professors-- for selling the school as a jock school instead of its primary purpose-- education.

That being said, he's no dummy.  He knows football success drives alumni support and admissions gains.  For 100 years winning on the football field means winning in the prestige arena.  He's not going to give that up because the biology department wants a new microscope.

But considering the amounts being spent on SJU football-- both institutional and from alumni support-- is more than competitive.  I would assume only a handful of other D3 schools are willing to spend what SJU has on football in the last 15 years.  As Redtooth pointed out, the bulk of that came from alumni-- and that's where the President may be pushing this conversation-- if alumni want to spend it, that's fine.  But he's not going to trade away the academic mission (nor should he).  Put another way, it will be interesting being able to re-purpose John's and Jimmy's salary and re-jiggering it to see where that leaves the program-- my guess is that there is more money there to pay a few other coaches.

What I take from this is that the President is going to force the new coach to be creative and not rely on just spending institutional cash to solve the problem.  I have no problem with that approach.  Some of those things should be easy (web streaming games, for example); but others will have to rely on a new way of thinking of the same old problem. 

Keeping fully in mind that John's greatest genius was pushing new ways of thinking about current problems-- that's what the list of "no's" was all about.

So would it be out of the question to have an off-shoot of the J-Club specifically for football and open it up to all Johnnie Football fans,not just those who were varsity athletic participants while at SJU? The SJU Community lost a great friend and supporter this year, John Quinlivan,he did not graduate from SJU but donated plenty over the years. If I am not mistaken,he was not eligible to be a dues paying member of the J-Club.Please correct me if I am wrong. I feel very confident if there was a Johnnie Football Booster Club (not just the general athletic department fund like the J-Club) that John Q. would have been the first to write a check.

[oldsju67]

I think we're reading too much into the story, to be honest.

The President was hired to lead the school.  He is an academic first and foremost, and has to at the very least give lip service to the academic side of the institution.  Were he to talk about winning at all costs, he'd be facing a lot of heat from the Regents-- some of whom are professors-- for selling the school as a jock school instead of its primary purpose-- education.

That being said, he's no dummy.  He knows football success drives alumni support and admissions gains.  For 100 years winning on the football field means winning in the prestige arena.  He's not going to give that up because the biology department wants a new microscope.

But considering the amounts being spent on SJU football-- both institutional and from alumni support-- is more than competitive.  I would assume only a handful of other D3 schools are willing to spend what SJU has on football in the last 15 years.  As Redtooth pointed out, the bulk of that came from alumni-- and that's where the President may be pushing this conversation-- if alumni want to spend it, that's fine.  But he's not going to trade away the academic mission (nor should he).  Put another way, it will be interesting being able to re-purpose John's and Jimmy's salary and re-jiggering it to see where that leaves the program-- my guess is that there is more money there to pay a few other coaches.

What I take from this is that the President is going to force the new coach to be creative and not rely on just spending institutional cash to solve the problem.  I have no problem with that approach.  Some of those things should be easy (web streaming games, for example); but others will have to rely on a new way of thinking of the same old problem. 

Keeping fully in mind that John's greatest genius was pushing new ways of thinking about current problems-- that's what the list of "no's" was all about.

Esq- I agree with what your statement, the President represents all that is St. John's and can't show favoritism to just a piece of it, aka the football team.  The university is known nationally and/or world wide for a number of things, academic reputation, Johnnie bread, St. John's Bible, Liturgical Press, recently SJU golf and Hill Manuscript Library to name a few.  They're also known for John Gagliardi and the football team. 

Regardless of division, I would think presidents and regents of most schools would be envious of the reputation SJU football has and the marketing, recruiting and yes, that dirty word, money that goes along with it.

The University of Minnesota was a national power in football for many years into the 1960's.  My understanding, and I could be wrong and if any of my well seasoned friends on the board knows the real reason please correct me, was that the president and regents at the time felt football wasn't important and let that reputation die.  Now look where they're at.  Been fighting for over 40 years just to be relevant in football again and all the reputation they had from being a national power from the 1930's to the 1960's, winning 4 National Championships, just as many as Texas and more than Auburn, LSU, Florida, Florida State, Penn State and, yes, Michigan, is a distant memory.  *Note:  I'm using National Poll Championships that started in 1936 and was when voting by coaches and press decided the championship.  Prior to that, schools could claim they were National Champs on their own.  If we include that data, then the U of M has 6 Nat'l Championships.*

I feel that SJU is at that crossroads.  And, as you Esq. said last week, the school now has to decide what it's identity is going to be.  I for one don't want to see St. John's football go down the same path as Augustana Ill., Central College of IA, UW La Crosse, Pacific Lutheran or the University of Minnesota, where they lose their national identity.  Just call me protective I guess....

[oldsju67]

I think we're reading too much into the story, to be honest.

The President was hired to lead the school.  He is an academic first and foremost, and has to at the very least give lip service to the academic side of the institution.  Were he to talk about winning at all costs, he'd be facing a lot of heat from the Regents-- some of whom are professors-- for selling the school as a jock school instead of its primary purpose-- education.

That being said, he's no dummy.  He knows football success drives alumni support and admissions gains.  For 100 years winning on the football field means winning in the prestige arena.  He's not going to give that up because the biology department wants a new microscope.

But considering the amounts being spent on SJU football-- both institutional and from alumni support-- is more than competitive.  I would assume only a handful of other D3 schools are willing to spend what SJU has on football in the last 15 years.  As Redtooth pointed out, the bulk of that came from alumni-- and that's where the President may be pushing this conversation-- if alumni want to spend it, that's fine.  But he's not going to trade away the academic mission (nor should he).  Put another way, it will be interesting being able to re-purpose John's and Jimmy's salary and re-jiggering it to see where that leaves the program-- my guess is that there is more money there to pay a few other coaches.

What I take from this is that the President is going to force the new coach to be creative and not rely on just spending institutional cash to solve the problem.  I have no problem with that approach.  Some of those things should be easy (web streaming games, for example); but others will have to rely on a new way of thinking of the same old problem. 

Keeping fully in mind that John's greatest genius was pushing new ways of thinking about current problems-- that's what the list of "no's" was all about.

So would it be out of the question to have an off-shoot of the J-Club specifically for football and open it up to all Johnnie Football fans,not just those who were varsity athletic participants while at SJU? The SJU Community lost a great friend and supporter this year, John Quinlivan,he did not graduate from SJU but donated plenty over the years. If I am not mistaken,he was not eligible to be a dues paying member of the J-Club.Please correct me if I am wrong. I feel very confident if there was a Johnnie Football Booster Club (not just the general athletic department fund like the J-Club) that John Q. would have been the first to write a check.

I think that has to happen!

[DustySJU]

I think we're reading too much into the story, to be honest.

The President was hired to lead the school.  He is an academic first and foremost, and has to at the very least give lip service to the academic side of the institution.  Were he to talk about winning at all costs, he'd be facing a lot of heat from the Regents-- some of whom are professors-- for selling the school as a jock school instead of its primary purpose-- education.

That being said, he's no dummy.  He knows football success drives alumni support and admissions gains.  For 100 years winning on the football field means winning in the prestige arena.  He's not going to give that up because the biology department wants a new microscope.

But considering the amounts being spent on SJU football-- both institutional and from alumni support-- is more than competitive.  I would assume only a handful of other D3 schools are willing to spend what SJU has on football in the last 15 years.  As Redtooth pointed out, the bulk of that came from alumni-- and that's where the President may be pushing this conversation-- if alumni want to spend it, that's fine.  But he's not going to trade away the academic mission (nor should he).  Put another way, it will be interesting being able to re-purpose John's and Jimmy's salary and re-jiggering it to see where that leaves the program-- my guess is that there is more money there to pay a few other coaches.

What I take from this is that the President is going to force the new coach to be creative and not rely on just spending institutional cash to solve the problem.  I have no problem with that approach.  Some of those things should be easy (web streaming games, for example); but others will have to rely on a new way of thinking of the same old problem. 

Keeping fully in mind that John's greatest genius was pushing new ways of thinking about current problems-- that's what the list of "no's" was all about.

I'm with JohnnieEsq on this one, no need to over react just yet. 

Unless Prez Hemasath has a huge agenda to change the shape of SJU, he understands the makeup of the alumni and student body.

We're an all guys institition and with that we're meat eaters, beer guzzlers and sporting fantatics.  Don't however for an instant sell us short in the areas of academic accomplishment, cultural contribution or entrepreurial success.

Study hard, play hard.

Johnnie will rise.


Developing....

[johnnie_esq]

Sounds like we can live stream the public meetings of the SJU coach interviews.

Click here to get there.

I could make a comment on how they can live stream an interview but not a football game.   

[Retired Old Rat]

Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas, Happy New Years to Pat, Keith and the rest of the D3 Sports guys.  Thanks for another great year of covering D3 sports and providing us a place to spout our wisdom and insight.  You guys do an awesome job.

[sfury]

Thanks for the link, Esq. Didn't see it in time so I only caught last few minutes of his talk. Will try to catch other two.

Here's the Times' live updates from it.

http://www.sctimes.com/interactive/article/20121217/SPORTS04/121217001/St-John-s-University-football-coach-interviews

Dave Aeikens - SC Times: Grant says he has received calls from players at Division 1 schools who say they would transfer if he became coach.

[DoubleO]

3 finalists named for SJU head coach position: Mike Grant, Gary Fasching and Kurt Ramler. Interviews next week.

In breaking news out of Collegeville...Mike Grant accepts SJU Head Coach position and immediately names Gary Fashing DC and Kurt Ramler OC. I must've been in a Tommie playoff run coma because I completely missed the Gagliardi stepping down. DOH!:o

[USTBench]

Can someone tell me why this  guy didn't get more playing time this year at SJU?

http://www.hudl.com/athlete/748761/highlights/2466540
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jKsCDX8Cq3I
http://www.mnfootballhub.com/roster_players/537790
http://www.gojohnnies.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=8418&path=football

Compare him to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jKsCDX8Cq3I

Faunch, the compare video is also of Sam.  Quick answer to your question, because in John's system he leans heavily on upper classmen.  Even if a freshman is slightly better...

Sorry...compare to: http://www.tommiesports.com/ftbl/roster/Braddock_Brenton.html

I understand that's how the system worked.  Don't necessarily agree w/ it.  If every coach in the country did that Johnny M might not have won the Heisman this year.

That said I'm trying to be optimistic that the Johnnies have a few underclassmen waiting in the wings.

Agree, but remember there has been freshman who've started at SJU.  Bungum this year is an example and Nick Martin too.  We just had a lot of running backs this year and they didn't get injured, plus Sura did see game time which is more than a lot of freshman at SJU can say.  I'm sure if you went back to Steve Johnson's high school videos you would see he busted off the same types of runs that we see in Sam's video...

What really needs to happen is SJU to put together a JV squad.  As was mentioned by some current players, and felt by former players, they went out for the football team to play football and many never get a chance to show if they're even able to play.  It's easy to get lost in the swarm of 180 players.  That being said, running a JV squad is gonna be an expense for the department.  Travel costs, someone to coach the game while the head coach is with the varsity team etc...  I can see a tradeoff if you cut the roster size from 180 to 100 ish, but if you don't where does the money come from?

I think the other thing that has to happen at SJU, are more position coaches.  An individual very close to the team made a comment to me at an alumni function a few years ago regarding QB's specifically, but I think it fits for all positions.  This person made the statement that QB's that come into the system generally are the best they will ever be when they walk in the door as freshman.  That's because there's no position coach to work with them on mechanics, reading a defense etc... and when you think about it that person is right.  So, if it's true for one position it must be true for all positions, right?  Again, more money then the University had to spend in the past, so will they spend it now....

Somewhat disagree. Under Roney UST had a JV squad and it was great for guys like me to get a chance to play, but what tended to happen was too much clutter be it not-enough-snaps-to-go-around, or even worse, the JV game turning into a must-win as opposed to a tool to evaluate talent.

A "futures" game is the best way, in my opinion, to figure that out. If you have an abundance of bodies, which many teams do, in a futures game, everyone is taking snaps and all-of-the-sudden a coach may discover "Hey, that weird kid we didn't even recruit has some stick to him, can run guys down and knows the defense. I did not gather that by simply watching his unorthodox running style for 5 seconds during two-a-days and immediately putting him on the 'Will Never Play in a Million Years Even if We're Winning by 1,000 points' category."

Don't get me wrong, I received plenty of snaps on the JV level and parlayed that into some memorable garbage time/special teams scenarios at the Varsity level, but you're still spreading your time out amongst guys that are one injury away from starting on Saturday or guys on your same level or below on the depth chart, so you don't really get to be "in-the-flow" of the game. There were series I remember where I would catch a ball or two, and maybe carry it a few times and start feeling like I was getting something going, maybe a first down or something, and then a different guy gets the next series or spells you after a first down.

Futures games are incredibly easy to organize, you don't have the logistics of bringing in another team or traveling somewhere. Just turn on the lights on Sunday night, turn on the scoreboard, split up the teams, bring in some refs and play. Guy 1-44 should be there helping coach up the younger guys/scout teamers on their assignments and boom: game-like atmosphere, using the actual offense/defense and coaches get to honestly evaluate talent. Should be easy for any team that fields more than 100 guys to pull off.

Additionally, there are so many in-measurables that one doesn't see during a school's "combine" day. A kid at the the DIII level may run a 5 second forty and struggle/fail to put up 225lbs one time on the bench press, but if you get him on the field he may have a knack for setting up blocks, or great hands in traffic, or be a fantastic tackler, get concept better than someone else. You just don't know if you don't put them in a game situation.

[Mr. Ypsi]

Not saying it is right for every school's situation, but Mount Union has multiple JV teams - seems to work out fairly well for them!

Same in basketball.  Body-numbers permitting, IWU always has a JV squad.  Many future stars have played JV.  Certainly worked well for Keelan Amelianovich (for one example), who gained much more from being a JV go-to guy than playing garbage minutes on a loaded varsity squad - from JV freshman to sophomore CCIW POY, to two-time All-American!

[retagent]

Sounds like we can live stream the public meetings of the SJU coach interviews.

Click here to get there.

I could make a comment on how they can live stream an interview but not a football game.   

But you won't.

[oldsju67]

Sounds like we can live stream the public meetings of the SJU coach interviews.

Click here to get there.

I could make a comment on how they can live stream an interview but not a football game.   

But you won't.

For what it's worth, it's John who didn't want to stream the games and not the University....