FB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[OzJohnnie]

How many days from John's retirement to the naming of Gary as coach?  How about a pool on how many days it takes the Oles to name their new coach?  I've got some old sweatsocks and jock strap I'd be willing to give away.

Hmmm...  Maybe. How old?

[Tom Thumb]

In other news, congrats to Curtis James for winning the Division III Rimington Award as the division's best center.  Well deserved. 

http://www.tommiesports.com/ftbl/news/James_1228.html

[stanbob]

Oz, being has I failed miserably in my attempt to get free Hawthorn gear I have been trying to find an online site to order a t.  That hasn't been working out so good either, can you send me a reputable link where I could place an order?  Thanks.

[OzJohnnie]

I just read a great quote from Earl Warren, former US Supreme Court Chief Justice:

"I always turn to the sports section first. The sports page records man's accomplishments; the front page has nothing but man's failures."

I like that.

[OzJohnnie]

Oz, being has I failed miserably in my attempt to get free Hawthorn gear I have been trying to find an online site to order a t.  That hasn't been working out so good either, can you send me a reputable link where I could place an order?  Thanks.

If anyone beyond stanbob is intersted, here's the AFL online store is at http://shop.afl.com.au/

Looks to be about $30 in overseas shipping costs.  Aussie dollars which are worth about $.05 more than a US dollar, so about $31.50 US.

[sjusection105]

To all the characters on MIACPP may you have a very happy,safe & prosperous new year! 

[faunch]

Did anybody see this in the Pioneer Press yesterday?
From Shooter:  http://www.twincities.com/sports/ci_22281342/charley-walters-ex-viking-stu-voigt-expects-heck


Ron Fowler, a 1971 University of St. Thomas grad, and 1976 St. John's football standout Scott Becker, who played for John Gagliardi's national champions that year, are part of the new San Diego Padres ownership group.

DON'T PRINT THAT

Mike Grant, the Eden Prairie High football coaching legend who was considered the favorite to succeed the retired Gagliardi, spent a lot of time talking with his father, legendary Vikings coach Bud Grant, before withdrawing from consideration for the St. John's job that went to Johnnies assistant Gary Fasching.

Mike Grant said he did not turn down the job.

Bud Grant, 85, retired as coach of the Vikings the first time when he was 56, before returning for two seasons, then retired for good in 1985.

Mike Grant is 55.

"My dad said he never looked back, and that (retiring) was the best thing he ever did," Mike said.

Mike Grant and St. John's administrators were in constant conversation about the Collegeville job.

But in the end, Mike said, "It was more about me and Eden Prairie than it was about St. John's. Listen, (St. John's) is a great job, and I was really impressed with the people up there, (search committee head) Joe Mucha and (athletics director) Tom Stock. We had a lot of back-and-forth conversations, and I'm sure the other candidates did, too.

"Timing is everything. As I looked into my retirement and looked into all my years at Eden Prairie and all the things that I had done there, all those things ... there wasn't one thing that (said) 'this is why I wasn't interested anymore.' There were 10 things that added up to say, 'You know what, the best thing is for me to stay at Eden Prairie.'

"I'm really happy about Gary. He's a good guy. I played with him at St. John's. If anybody deserves it ... he's been there a long time."

Grant, who also is the AD at Eden Prairie, said he had thought about the St. John's job for a long time.

"But I've got a great job, and I've got great kids, and what we're focused on is trying to win three (state titles) in a row and win our ninth state title. So it's 'Where should I be working; where should I be doing this? When it got down to it, it wasn't an easy decision to withdraw. But it was the honest decision."

Grant figured the St. John's job would take a five- to 10-year commitment.

"Life is short," he said.

People in the know say that each finalist -- Fasching, Grant and Kurt Ramler -- was assured by administrators that he would get whatever resources he required to return the Johnnies to MIAC championship contenders again. That includes financial resources and salary.

Speaking of Ramler, it wouldn't be surprising if the former St. John's QB ends up as a candidate for the Luther College coaching job. The St. Olaf coaching job also is available.

[sfury]

I take it Mike means Bud's second retirement. I think Les Steckel certainly made him regret the first one.

[faunch]

Grant figured the St. John's job would take a five- to 10-year commitment.


I think this was a huge factor in Grant's decision....55 years old and almost eligible for full retirement from EP.

[sfury]

Gary will be on 1500 at 11:30.

http://www.1500espn.com/

[USTBench]

Once upon a time UST made a "safe" hire of a "nice" guy who was part of the program. Maybe this will yield different results, but doesn't really reek of the adrenaline shot SJU needs.

[raiderguy]

For what it is worth I think St John's got the right man in Gary Fasching for head coach. I have always been impressed with his passion and intensity when it comes to SJU Football. He fully understands the history and the legacy he is following as well as the commitment of the fan base to succeed. He also knows what it is going to take to compete with STU and the rest of the MIAC when it comes to recruting. That would seem to be something Mike Grant would have to get up to speed on if he were the new coach. After all there is no "recruiting" in high school especially at EP. I also wonder if there would be a certain amount of jeolousy or resentment from some of the other high school coaches that have had their collective arsses kicked by EP. Maybe not but Gary has the time to commit to getting the job done right.

There is another coach I seem to recall that spent 16 years as an assistant before he got his chance and he seems to have done OK. Do the initials LK ring a bell? Speaking of out of conference matchp ups......unfortunately the Raiders are not available for three more years with their recent commitment to play Bethany College. We have the same problems as SJU has finding that out of conference game at the begining of the season.

Happy New Year to all my friends back in Minnesota....I miss you guys and hope to get back for a visit soon.

[hazzben]

Here's another angle on Grant that someone brought up a few days ago:

Grant realized he wasn't going to get the job and withdrew his name to save face. Maybe its a combination of factors, but I could absolutely see him not wanting to get the cold shoulder from another D3 school.

On another note, I think Fasching is a solid hire. And he sounds like a class act. Coach J has never had anything but positive things to say about him, from their time together at Cathedral to the days in the MIAC.

It's going to be an interesting next few years in the MIAC. This has been an unprecedented amount of turnover in one year.

How fast can SJU climb back up? Who does Olaf hire and do they take a step back? Can Augsburg make the jump into the top tier after knocking on the door this year? Can Caruso continue his streak of taking the program one step further each year?

[SagatagSam]

Fasching includes staff in the list of things to be changed for next year in his interview on 1500 ESPN.

[hazzben]

Interesting interview.

Towards the end they dropped word that the rumor is St. Olaf will hire Mike Aldrich. That'd be interesting, Olaf and Auggie would essentially be swapping Head Coaches.