FB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[SagatagSam]

Through the rumor mill, I've heard there is some unrest in the athletic department at SJU.

ooooOOOOOooooooh! "Unrest" is a word that is open to some interpretation (and imagination)--care to mention the specific type of "unrest"?

[Johns Knees]

Through the rumor mill, I've heard there is some unrest in the athletic department at SJU.

Does that mean it was performance-related?

[SagatagSam]

Through the rumor mill, I've heard there is some unrest in the athletic department at SJU.

Does that mean it was performance-related?

High-water mark for Johnnie Soccer in the John Haws era was a 2nd place finish in the MIAC in 2015. Other than that, they were solidly average.

2023 - 7-7-4 (4-4-2 MIAC - 6th)
2022 - 8-7-3 (4-5-1 MIAC - 6th)
2021 - 8-9-1 (4-6 MIAC - 6th)
2020 - 2-3-1 (0-0 MIAC - COVID)
2019 - 10-8-1 (6-4 MIAC - 4th)
2018 - 8-7-1 (4-6 MIAC - 7th)
2017 - 7-8-2 (4-4-2 MIAC - 5th)
2016 - 7-9-3 (5-4-1 MIAC - 5th)
2015 - 12-4-2 (7-2-1 MIAC - 2nd)
2014 - 13-7 (7-3 MIAC - 4th)
2013 - 9-7-3 (6-2-2 MIAC - 4th)
2012 - 9-6-4 (6-2-2 MIAC - 4th)
2011 - 9-8 (4-6 MIAC - 8th)
2010 - 6-6-4 (5-3-2 MIAC - 6th)

[hazzben]

Through the rumor mill, I've heard there is some unrest in the athletic department at SJU.

 

[repete]

Not to go too far down the soccer rabbit hole, but there is a Johnnie running the GAC team and is 63-14-8.

[SagatagSam]

Not to go too far down the soccer rabbit hole, but there is a Johnnie running the GAC team and is 63-14-8.

That's a good catch! Tudor and I were a year apart at SJU. His cohort had a decently successful stint as players (4th, 3rd, 5th, 3rd), including a MIAC Playoff Championship in 2005. He served as an assistant at SJU (including associate head coach in 2013 and 2014).

He would be a great add to the program, and really strengthen the athletic department in the all-sports competition.

[IC798891]

FWIW, I do believe that the extra week has made the season...not too long per se...but has created a postseason length that is, relative to the length of the regular season, too long. So while I do not think I would select that option, if I did, that would be the reason, not that it "waters down" anything

[Texas Ole]

The MIAC last year was very strong in the other football.  We had 3 teams in the NCAA tournament.  St. Olaf brought home a national championship in football!  Is the MIAC a soccer/football conference and not an American football conference now?

Jokes aside GAC was one of the schools that had a great year last year and several other very good ones recently.  They were knocked out of the playoffs by a very good Calvin College team.  Calvin finished as the 11th ranked team in the country and GAC received votes.  No too shabby. 

It definitely feels like the days of being a lifer coach in the MIAC are going quickly.  That frustrates me.  I remember taking classes from many of the coaches, and I really enjoyed getting to know them.  I liked how many St. Olaf coaches were alumni.  It felt more communal.  Of course there were coaches at St. Olaf I didn't like, and I wish would have left school.  That being said I do miss the old days.  I am going to go yell at the sky now. 

[WashedUp]

Carleton still has the same head coach in 11 of the 18 sports as when I graduated 15 years ago.  Football is the only sport where it seems like we've had consistent turnover at head coach.

[SagatagSam]

The further along I get, the most stunned I am at what the coaching line-up was at SJU when I graduated (2007):

Baseball: Jerry Haugen (30 years), still serving in his 47th season
Basketball: Jim Smith (43 years), retired in 2015 after his 51st season
Cross Country: Tim Miles (28 years), retired in 2023 after his 44th season
Football: John Gagliardi (55 years), retired in 2012 after his 60th season at SJU
Golf: Bob Alpers (13 years), retired in 2023 after his 29th season
Hockey: John Harrington (14 years), resigned in 2008 after his 14th season to be the head coach of a National "A" League team in Switzerland
Soccer: Pat Haws (30 years), retired in 2009 after his 32nd season
Swimming & Diving: Bill Saxton (8 years), retired in 2018 after his 19th season
Tennis: Jack Bowe (10 years), still serving in his 27th season
Track & Field: Tim Miles (28 years), retired in 2015 after his 36th season
Wrestling: Brandon Novak (3 years), resigned in 2014 after his 10th season, continues to serve as an assistant football coach in his 24th season

[Pat Coleman]

It definitely feels like the days of being a lifer coach in the MIAC are going quickly.  That frustrates me.

This isn't just a MIAC thing, for sure. People are just more mobile now as the world is more connected.

[faunch]

The further along I get, the most stunned I am at what the coaching line-up was at SJU when I graduated (2007):

Baseball: Jerry Haugen (30 years), still serving in his 47th season
Basketball: Jim Smith (43 years), retired in 2015 after his 51st season
Cross Country: Tim Miles (28 years), retired in 2023 after his 44th season
Football: John Gagliardi (55 years), retired in 2012 after his 60th season at SJU
Golf: Bob Alpers (13 years), retired in 2023 after his 29th season
Hockey: John Harrington (14 years), resigned in 2008 after his 14th season to be the head coach of a National "A" League team in Switzerland
Soccer: Pat Haws (30 years), retired in 2009 after his 32nd season
Swimming & Diving: Bill Saxton (8 years), retired in 2018 after his 19th season
Tennis: Jack Bowe (10 years), still serving in his 27th season
Track & Field: Tim Miles (28 years), retired in 2015 after his 36th season
Wrestling: Brandon Novak (3 years), resigned in 2014 after his 10th season, continues to serve as an assistant football coach in his 24th season

I recall a story in SI or USA today or some other media outlet 20 or more years ago detailing the longevity of coaches at SJUl.

[art76]

St. John's is in at number #14 with Bethel just outside the pre-season top 25: https://www.d3football.com/top25/2024/preseason

[BiggieSmalls]

St. John's is in at number #14 with Bethel just outside the pre-season top 25: https://www.d3football.com/top25/2024/preseason

How many returning starters do the Johnnies vs Royals have this upcoming season? I think this is last year of "CovID year", correct?

[faunch]

St. John's is in at number #14 with Bethel just outside the pre-season top 25: https://www.d3football.com/top25/2024/preseason

Johnnies will move into top 10 with a win over Wartburg. If they struggle and lose by 10+ (which i think is possible) they will drop to the high teens or 20+.
This team better be inspired, motivated and play with a chip on their shoulder. Playoff wise SJU hasn't done anything since Erdmann's senior year. IMO this is a pivotal year for Gary, the coaching staff and the program. Need to finish with a couple playoff wins and a top 10 finish to remain a relevant top D3 program.