FB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[skunks_sidekick]

I wonder if any of the three knew how many days it was until SJU plays UST, and gave the "Tressel speech" as part of the interview.  THAT'S the guy I want hired!

After watching Caruso's act, SJU needs to get back to the top of the MIAC.

[sjusection105]

I wonder if any of the three knew how many days it was until SJU plays UST, and gave the "Tressel speech" as part of the interview.  THAT'S the guy I want hired!

After watching Caruso's act, SJU needs to get back to the top of the MIAC.

Is there a low opinion on the part of the Mount Union faithful of the U$Td head coach? 

[DuffMan]

One assumes he's going to be able to connect with the HS coaching fraternity.

Part of me wonders how Mike's relationships with HS coaches around the state are.  Do they despise him for pounding on their teams so often?

[oldsju67]

One assumes he's going to be able to connect with the HS coaching fraternity.

Part of me wonders how Mike's relationships with HS coaches around the state are.  Do they despise him for pounding on their teams so often?

Valid and I think possibly true point.

[DuffMan]

Is there a low opinion on the part of the Mount Union faithful of the U$Td head coach? 

From watching portions of the Stagg, a couple of intangibles that rubbed me wrong:

#1) The Caruso/Kehres interaction after the game just looked uncomfortable.  I don't think anyone is looking for a deep and meaningful conversation at that point.  "Good game.  Congratulations," is about all that is needed.

#2) In Caruso's post-game huddle, I noticed that he put his hand on the cheek of one of his players.  Not a little tap--he rested it there for a few seconds.  As a player, that would have made me uncomfortable.  A "good job!" smack on the arse--fine, but that just seemed too intimate.  I get that he's very passionate, but I just don't like the feeling I get from him.

Of course, there are a few other "sportsmanship" complaints that have already been brought up.

Just my opinions.   

[DuffMan]

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.

I think it could happen today, but I'll bet tomorrow is more likely.

[Boys of Fall]

With the students gone for the Christmas break (is it okay to say Christmas break since SJU is a catholic institution?) I wonder how the announcement will be made.  Having a public forum may not draw many people if the campus is quiet.

[WashedUp]

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

The seniors from the '08 season were Brann's recruits and the team did struggle (or rather, went back to being Carleton) after that.  I got the impression that he was a good recruiter and the struggles with bringing in talent were more a result of a lack of administrative support than anything else.

[sjusection105]

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.

I think it could happen today, but I'll bet tomorrow is more likely.

That's why I got up early in the morning to claim that date 

[sfury]

In Kurt's Q&A with Frank, here's what he said about his departure:

"The year we had our great success (2008) was the only year we had a roster of over 80 players at the beginning of the season. My philosophy as a coach is very similar to John's. I like a large roster, and I think success in this league today really requires it.

"That tied into my departure. Nobody, in any profession, would stay somewhere that they couldn't have all the tools they needed to be successful."

I've actually emailed quite a bit with the brother of one of our most distinguished posters here, trying to analyze the Carleton stuff.

That 2008 season was pretty remarkable, although I'm not sure how many seniors there were, etc. Just a quick look: The leading rusher was a freshman. Second-leading rusher was an underclassman so I'm guessing was also Ramler recruit. THe great QB they had was a senior, though, as was the top receiver, I think. And I think the MIAC was down a bit. But still, 7-3 at Carleton and the three losses: Lost in OT to Gustavus, lost by 2 to Tommies; lost to Johnnies in final seconds. Very close to 10-0. At Carleton. They did win some close games as well that sort of balanced everything out. The next year they were 3-1 but then lost 31-28 to Augsburg and 28-21 to Gustavus and didn't win rest of the year.

And if we're going on track record...Caruso was 2-7 and 4-5 as a coach before the Tommies (he did have the coordinator experience obviously). And Caruso, rightly, has gotten credit for those Macalester teams, but...does he have those records with Mac if he's playing in the MIAC? Does he have as good of a record as Ramler did during his time at Carleton? No. (Carleton and Ramler actually played Macalester in Caruso's two years, winning 52-0 and 34-10). Ultimately I do think the Carleton record is a plus, even with the struggles at the end.

[DoubleO]

Is there a low opinion on the part of the Mount Union faithful of the U$Td head coach? 

From watching portions of the Stagg, a couple of intangibles that rubbed me wrong:

#1) The Caruso/Kehres interaction after the game just looked uncomfortable.  I don't think anyone is looking for a deep and meaningful conversation at that point.  "Good game.  Congratulations," is about all that is needed.

#2) In Caruso's post-game huddle, I noticed that he put his hand on the cheek of one of his players.  Not a little tap--he rested it there for a few seconds.  As a player, that would have made me uncomfortable.  A "good job!" smack on the arse--fine, but that just seemed too intimate.  I get that he's very passionate, but I just don't like the feeling I get from him.

Of course, there are a few other "sportsmanship" complaints that have already been brought up.

Just my opinions.   

Taken with a grain of salt considering the camp you come from. I certainly wouldn't expect a love fest for Caruso coming from a John.

I've heard nothing but praise from guys that HAVE actually played for him and I know he is thought highly of by the administration. General consensus of the UST community really couldn't be better.

In the last couple of weeks there was a post made (ironically from another John) about pre Caruso era players feeling alienated by this administration. I countered by relaying a story of him reaching out to and meeting with former players in the Chicago area when he was in town recruiting after his first season as evidence to his willingness to connect with former players. To further this point, Coach Caruso invited all former players to a reception in the football locker room after practice the Tuesday prior to the Stagg Bowl to surprise the players and to wish the team well just prior to their departure for Salem. Hardly an invitation made by a guy who has no regards for players who played before his arrival.

Bottom line is this, say what you want about his motives, his "used car salesmanship", his sportsmanship, his passion or anything else for that matter, none of it takes away from the job he's done at UST. I get it that when you're on the top of the mountain (MIAC anyway, so relax there Skunks Sidekick) you're going to have your detractors and those who want to take pot shots, but the job that Glenn has done at St. Thomas is nothing short of remarkable.  Futile attempts to discredit him from the peanut gallery on this or any other board will not change that. His record speaks for itself, plain and simple!

[hazzben]

#1) The Caruso/Kehres interaction after the game just looked uncomfortable.  I don't think anyone is looking for a deep and meaningful conversation at that point.  "Good game.  Congratulations," is about all that is needed.

I thought it seemed awkward as well. And from what I could see it was pretty one sided. Looked like LK just wanted out of there to go celebrate with this team. I obviously don't know, but I also wonder if LK was also a little annoyed about the end of game shenanigans. It did seem strange though.

All that said, it reminds me, we get to see the height of coaching acrimony this weekend as Harbaugh and Carroll face off in a key NFC West matchup. They don't like each other, and they aren't afraid to show it. Can't wait to pull up a chair and watch!

[Boys of Fall]

Who was the President at Carleton when Ramler resigned?

[retagent]

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

I didn't know there was a beer named "Harold". Is that an Aussie beer?

[ron doney]

Is there a low opinion on the part of the Mount Union faithful of the U$Td head coach? 

From watching portions of the Stagg, a couple of intangibles that rubbed me wrong:

#1) The Caruso/Kehres interaction after the game just looked uncomfortable.  I don't think anyone is looking for a deep and meaningful conversation at that point.  "Good game.  Congratulations," is about all that is needed.

#2) In Caruso's post-game huddle, I noticed that he put his hand on the cheek of one of his players.  Not a little tap--he rested it there for a few seconds.  As a player, that would have made me uncomfortable.  A "good job!" smack on the arse--fine, but that just seemed too intimate.  I get that he's very passionate, but I just don't like the feeling I get from him.

Of course, there are a few other "sportsmanship" complaints that have already been brought up.

Just my opinions.   

I lost track of the source, but in one of the many pieces the week before the game (maybe even Mike Max's show) Caruso mentioned he spent an hour talking with Kehres at the 2011 game (Caruso attended as part of player of the year award ceremony). I imagine the exchange after the game was a continuation of that is some way.  At least Caruso was going for that.  Kehres looked like he wanted to move on and find his wife/son. 

Keith said it well in the coverage before the game as well, where he acknowledged Caruso's style is not for everyone - but you can't argue with the results (paraphrasing).  I wouldn't be suprised if his style evolved after more success on the national level.  I'd say in MIAC play he's a bit more composed, but he's also proven himself there.  For example, you don't see that type of emotion on Mike Max's show.

Suprised no one has mentioned that as coordinator he has not scored an offensive TD in either final game the last two years. That needs to change.