FB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[PurpleReign]

I often have fond memories of where St Thomas was prior to the arrival of Caruso. I can only imagine they'd be in that same boat if he hadn't arrived. With the success he has had, is there any likelihood that he moves on?

Your next post should have something to do with St. Thomas moving up to Division I - that too has been discussed ad nauseam.

[Mr.MIAC]

I often have fond memories of where St Thomas was prior to the arrival of Caruso. I can only imagine they'd be in that same boat if he hadn't arrived. With the success he has had, is there any likelihood that he moves on?

Here we go again. I was starting to wonder when the Johnnies would trot out with calls for Caruso's departure. You're a little late this year.

I see that some already well-travelled conversations are off limits. That's good to know. Any chance you could publish some easy to follow guidelines on when things that have been discussed ad infinitum are worthy of an eye roll when when they aren't?

Good: Conversations that seek to clarify aspects of the game, including its play and administration
Bad: Conversations that intentionally or unintentionally only serve to express Johnnie Envy^TM

[sjujohnnie]

Unless I'm missing something, from a historical perspective, St Thomas is relatively new to postseason experience.

[PurpleReign]

Unless I'm missing something, from a historical perspective, St Thomas is relatively new to postseason experience.

We are doing it one yard at a time.  Speaking of one yard. 

[miac952]

I often have fond memories of where St Thomas was prior to the arrival of Caruso. I can only imagine they'd be in that same boat if he hadn't arrived. With the success he has had, is there any likelihood that he moves on?

I hope your memory is really good from those fond days. This reminds of a tweet from a local sports journalist a week ago: How many Johnnies does it take to change a light bulb? 3. 1 to change it and 2 talk about how great the old one was. 

Caruso and the family are embedded here in schools and activities. A lot of their extended family is here or has moved here. He has great friendships within the University. D2 would pay less and not be a big jump. And there aren't many D1 AD's that are going to put their own job on the line and hire a non scholarship D3 coach. I don't really see him fitting as an assistant either. So...get used to it, if you haven't yet.

[Mr.MIAC]

I often have fond memories of where St Thomas was prior to the arrival of Caruso. I can only imagine they'd be in that same boat if he hadn't arrived. With the success he has had, is there any likelihood that he moves on?

I hope your memory is really good from those fond days. This reminds of a tweet from a local sports journalist a week ago: How many Johnnies does it take to change a light bulb? 3. 1 to change it and 2 talk about how great magical the old one was. 

Caruso and the family are embedded here in schools and activities. A lot of their extended family is here or has moved here. He has great friendships within the University. D2 would pay less and not be a big jump. And there aren't many D1 AD's that are going to put their own job on the line and hire a non scholarship D3 coach. I don't really see him fitting as an assistant either. So...get used to it, if you haven't yet.

[sjusection105]

I often have fond memories of where St Thomas was prior to the arrival of Caruso. I can only imagine they'd be in that same boat if he hadn't arrived. With the success he has had, is there any likelihood that he moves on?

Next to zero.
I have never had a conversation with the guy,but from what I've observed he has a very good situation. He has the ability to make money away from football if he so chooses. With the vast Tommie alumni base,there are certainly opportunities to make money from speaking engagements and not have to uproot his family for another job. He has a young family and stability is important. I would estimate that he could easily double (or more) his coaching income with motivational speaking to Tommie owned businesses as well as doing football camps in the summer.

My observations,nothing scientific.

[miac952]

Unless I'm missing something, from a historical perspective, St Thomas is relatively new to postseason experience.

Ask a 16-17 year old recruit what they thought of the last Johnnie NCAA playoff run to the quarterfinals? They probably won't remember though, given they were in diapers the last time it happened. Meanwhile, UST has done 6-7 times, Bethel 2-3 times as well.

And the inevitable counter will be what about those national championships? 2003 was nice, but the memories are turning into history from 1.5 decades ago now. And please don't bring up the lil 4 team playoff NAIA titles from the Korean War era. UST had one helluva a Cigar Bowl Team too.

[D O.C.]

Karma to spare for schools that subscribe to Hessians...

How about an article by the NCAA - even d3football.com, who would do a better job - on football player graduation rates at Division III schools.

[Mr.MIAC]

I often have fond memories of where St Thomas was prior to the arrival of Caruso. I can only imagine they'd be in that same boat if he hadn't arrived. With the success he has had, is there any likelihood that he moves on?

Next to zero.
I have never had a conversation with the guy,but from what I've observed he has a very good situation. He has the ability to make money away from football if he so chooses. With the vast Tommie alumni base,there are certainly opportunities to make money from speaking engagements and not have to uproot his family for another job. He has a young family and stability is important. I would estimate that he could easily double (or more) his coaching income with motivational speaking to Tommie owned businesses as well as doing football camps in the summer.

My observations,nothing scientific.

You make a lot of good points. I bet Caruso could also hold coaching bootcamps to help underperforming programs or those dealing with a precipitous decline in success. Any thoughts on who might be interested?

[sjusection105]

You make a lot of good points.

I am well aware of this. Please tell my wife! 

[DuffMan]

This Tommie Smokefest is similar to what happened with UW Whitewater in the mid-2000s, with the exception that they actually collected some rings.  Enjoy it while it lasts, fellas. 

[miac952]

if Caruso jumps I see it 7-8 years from now when the kids are out of school. It would be at a similar age as when Lance Leipold made the leap. Let's not forget that Leipold DOMINATED d3 football with multiple titles on top of taking the throne from Mount Union. I love Caruso, but he isn't near that level. And, Leipold's jump was considered pretty extraordinary at the time. To date he hasn't exactly lit the world on fire. Nor has Craig Bohl and he jumped from FCS. Raeburn's school he jumped to is now dropping back to D2 and losing significant funding along the way. The grass isn't always greener.

Brad Salem left D2 Augustana for a Michigan State assistant job. That has paid off in terms of a rising and fairly successful program and $300k - $400k a year position coach gig. But, it takes a unique personality to go from head coach to taking orders and having only 3-4 kids you are responsible for. All that on top of the relentless national recruiting throughout the year.

[Mr.MIAC]

if Caruso jumps I see it 7-8 years from now when the kids are out of school. It would be at a similar age as when Lance Leipold made the leap. Let's not forget that Leipold DOMINATED d3 football with multiple titles on top of taking the throne from Mount Union. I love Caruso, but he isn't near that level. And, Leipold's jump was considered pretty extraordinary at the time. To date he hasn't exactly lit the world on fire. Nor has Craig Bohl and he jumped from FCS. Raeburn's school he jumped to is now dropping back to D2 and losing significant funding along the way. The grass isn't always greener.

Brad Salem left D2 Augustana for a Michigan State assistant job. That has paid off in terms of a rising and fairly successful program and $300k - $400k a year position coach gig. But, it takes a unique personality to go from head coach to taking orders and having only 3-4 kids you are responsible for. All that on top of the relentless national recruiting throughout the year.

That's interesting about salary differentials. So in DIII we can't give athletic scholarships, but can donors endow athletic programs? For example, could a UST alumnus drop $20 million on the football program to ensure it's well-funded, enabling spending on coaches and facilities, into the future?

[OldAuggie]

if Caruso jumps I see it 7-8 years from now when the kids are out of school. It would be at a similar age as when Lance Leipold made the leap. Let's not forget that Leipold DOMINATED d3 football with multiple titles on top of taking the throne from Mount Union. I love Caruso, but he isn't near that level. And, Leipold's jump was considered pretty extraordinary at the time. To date he hasn't exactly lit the world on fire. Nor has Craig Bohl and he jumped from FCS. Raeburn's school he jumped to is now dropping back to D2 and losing significant funding along the way. The grass isn't always greener.

Brad Salem left D2 Augustana for a Michigan State assistant job. That has paid off in terms of a rising and fairly successful program and $300k - $400k a year position coach gig. But, it takes a unique personality to go from head coach to taking orders and having only 3-4 kids you are responsible for. All that on top of the relentless national recruiting throughout the year.

That's interesting about salary differentials. So in DIII we can't give athletic scholarships, but can donors endow athletic programs? For example, could a UST alumnus drop $20 million on the football program to ensure it's well-funded, enabling spending on coaches and facilities, into the future?

Just think about it Rev, you could be the one that pushes UST over the edge, the difference maker that brings UST a National Title. Yes, you write that check.