FB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[johnnie_esq]

All right, all three have now given a public interview.

So what do we all think?

[sjusection105]

All right, all three have now given a public interview.

So what do we all think?

They all have strong points- it's tough. Of course the actual interview Q & A- we will never know. If they all follow through with what that mentioned in the open forums, they would all do well. My heart says Ramler, but I think the committee will go with Grant. IMHO- for whatever that is worth.

[repete]

With the UMD job opening up today, might a D3 coach get a call to lead a D2 power?

(Paging Mr. Caruso...pick up the maroon phone....)

Unlikely but ... perhaps a longshot bid/negotiating lever for M. Grant. His brother Bruce was a pretty fair QB there early 80s.

And if I recall, Harry P. was from Superior.

[Retired Old Rat]

From Frank's twitter feed:

1:54
Frank Rajkowski@rajko1973Eden Prairie resident, SJU grad: Kurt, we're a little worried about losing out football coach so I hope today goes well for you. (laughs )
1:55
Frank Rajkowski@rajko1973That guy may or may not go be the name of DustySJU

Classic Dusty.

[Boys of Fall]

I think the three finalists were known the day John retired.  Each of these three would bring slightly different things to the program, it's now up to JM, TS, and MH to decide which way to go.  I suspect they will go with Grant.  He brings a history of winning along with a name that will help with recruiting.  He also answered the questions regarding student values well.  I don't think they would go wrong with Fasching, but this might upset a lot of alumni as not making enough of a change.  Ramler was the darkhorse all along, and I'm not sure his history is enough to jump over the others.  If they do go with Grant it will be interesting to see if all three end up on the staff.  Grant is more of an offense guy, but he may still want Ramler to be OC.  Depending on others options Ramler may take this (he does need a job).  Fasching is a great guy, he does like St. John's, and his kids are getting closer to college age.  The turnaround at SJU may be quick given the new excitement, and it's not like they're starting from scratch.

[OzJohnnie]

Oz, put me down for Christmas Eve, 10:05 to be exact.

Christmas Eve.  Check.

Sorry, Stanbob, but Dusty beat you to Christmas Eve by an hour and 45 minutes.  I'll put you to Boxing Day (the 26th)?  It's still open.

[stanbob]

Oz, put me down for Christmas Eve, 10:05 to be exact.

Christmas Eve.  Check.

Sorry, Stanbob, but Dusty beat you to Christmas Eve by an hour and 45 minutes.  I'll put you to Boxing Day (the 26th)?  It's still open.

that'll be good Oz.

[DuffMan]

Duff,
Do you remember a CB from 2001, I believe who was a transfer- James Schaffer(?) #8- do you where he transferred in from?
I remember a 99 yard fumble recover -scoop & score vs. Bethel

Yeah.  I am pretty sure he came to SJU from North Dakota State School of Science.  Not 100% certain, but that sounds correct to me.

[DuffMan]

From the SC Times:

The 10-member search committee charged with finding a new head coach is scheduled to reconvene Thursday morning and offer its final recomendation to Fr. Doug Mullin, the school's vice president of student development, and St. John's president Michael Hemesath.

I'm pretty sure SJU will have a new coach before Christmas.

[DuffMan]

So what do we all think?

I agree that they all have strong points, and with none of us having privy to their actual interviews, it's an even tougher race to call.  Were I on the committee, I don't have a clue how I'd lean.  I'd put my money on Grant, but I think all three are good candidates.

[MadRedFan]

It would be interesting to know who all the applicants were - who didn't get an interview?

While all three have something to offer, plenty to offer, I start with the "consensus" that recruiting has not been good enough the last few years.  And Fasching has been in charge of recruiting.  I'm not sure how you turn it over to him if you think recruiting needs to get better.  Ramler has the advantage of youth, not to be taken lightly, and also some experience "outside the family".  What's the "discount" for the "Carleton factor" - did he do pretty damn good at CU given the potential of the program?  Or was he just not a very successful head coach?  I wish he had a better track record - the other two guys have won championships, albeit at the HS level.

Which leaves me with Grant.  He's maybe a little old for "today's game", but then, he's replacing a guy well into his 80's.  His success as a coach is clear.  One assumes he's going to be able to connect with the HS coaching fraternity.  And he's going to keep the connection with the best of the past (granted, one assumes all three would do that).  I think this is the direction they are going to go.

[Pat Coleman]

Didn't Ramler win with Brann's recruits, then struggle? That was my thought.

[OzJohnnie]

Oz, put me down for Christmas Eve, 10:05 to be exact.

Christmas Eve.  Check.

Sorry, Stanbob, but Dusty beat you to Christmas Eve by an hour and 45 minutes.  I'll put you to Boxing Day (the 26th)?  It's still open.

that'll be good Oz.

Done.

Ok, Duffman is up first. We'll see if today the committee is like a seventeen year old parking for the first time with a girlfriend.

[sjusection105]

It would be interesting to know who all the applicants were - who didn't get an interview?

While all three have something to offer, plenty to offer, I start with the "consensus" that recruiting has not been good enough the last few years.  And Fasching has been in charge of recruiting.  I'm not sure how you turn it over to him if you think recruiting needs to get better.  Ramler has the advantage of youth, not to be taken lightly, and also some experience "outside the family".  What's the "discount" for the "Carleton factor" - did he do pretty damn good at CU given the potential of the program?  Or was he just not a very successful head coach?  I wish he had a better track record - the other two guys have won championships, albeit at the HS level.

Which leaves me with Grant.  He's maybe a little old for "today's game", but then, he's replacing a guy well into his 80's.  His success as a coach is clear.  One assumes he's going to be able to connect with the HS coaching fraternity.  And he's going to keep the connection with the best of the past (granted, one assumes all three would do that).  I think this is the direction they are going to go.

Three very valid points.
It's in the committee's hands now. We should know by the 21st   

[OzJohnnie]

Grant has got a beard and dad named after a weak sauce beer.  He can't win.