FB: Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[RFB]

Whittier is a taking on Whittier Christian

Walk before you can run, I always say...

FTP.

Purple your back, I was hoping someone knew that reference. You know I always felt if WC got their act together, they could farm the heck out the LB, SG, and Southeast areas....really good players to field a good squad. I knew Coach O back from the day...

One would think that they'd even get a few overlooked North OC kids and few kids from Los Al, HH Wilson on the other side of Colima.

Whittier is so darn centrally located, one should think that they could do better.  I really can't speak to their pitch to kids since my kid didn't play football there...Mike Neal seems like a nice enough guy and his CV's seem fine to me.  He's got all sorts of things going for him.  Prior success at the D3 level.  A San Diego history.  He is young-ish and energetic in a Mike Reilly sort of way, does not come off as a gruff, a-hole ball coach.  I would think kids these days would be drawn to him.  It has not seem to come together yet.

The 2018 Roster is published and it looks like a 53 man (25 Freshman) roster.  That's a big let down.  Beating Oxy is not a lock.

It comes down to the "sell".  I understand that Whittier is a hard sell and I wonder why.   My former college roommate was an Associate HC there several years ago and he finally had to let go.

It's pretty simple - it's near impossible to build a program when you have a revolving door at head coach. I knew that program was doomed when BJ Hammer threw up his hands and gave up (resigned).

[Gray Fox]

It's pretty simple - it's near impossible to build a program when you have a revolving door at head coach. I knew that program was doomed when BJ Hammer threw up his hands and gave up (resigned).

BJ Hammer has turned around the program at Allegheny College.

[RFB]

It's pretty simple - it's near impossible to build a program when you have a revolving door at head coach. I knew that program was doomed when BJ Hammer threw up his hands and gave up (resigned).

BJ Hammer has turned around the program at Allegheny College.

He is a very good coach. His teams at Whittier did not get the wins, but they were competitive and played teams tough. He was also a good recruiter and had the program going in the right direction. I was wrong in my previous post. BJ Hammer did not resign, he was fired.

[Purple Heys]

There's no pretense that Whittier has to, or will, compete for the SCIAC title right away.  I think Neal is there to be that steady position holder.  Crawl before walking, walking before running is a valid strategy.  I will say it hurt them not getting to play Oxy and register a W - not that it would have been guaranteed - but getting a win, any win would have bolstered them.  It would have validated forward progress however minuscule it might have been.

This year WC needs to reel in those blowout losses in league and pick up a win over Oxy; and maybe next year go out and find non-conference opponents they can beat, even if that means some longer distance travel.  Whittier is not ready for NWC opponents.  They need to look at lesser UMAC or MWC squads as an example.

[10Freeway]

The way FCS and NCAA D2 schools are recruiting So Cal HS and JC athletes, it is getting tougher for the SCIAC.  If a kid is offered any athletic money from directional D2 state college university, it is looked better upon than 70% academic scholarship from a SCIAC school.  That is hurting numbers for a lot of SCIAC schools.  This didn't happen 20 years ago. 

[olddog]

The way FCS and NCAA D2 schools are recruiting So Cal HS and JC athletes, it is getting tougher for the SCIAC.  If a kid is offered any athletic money from directional D2 state college university, it is looked better upon than 70% academic scholarship from a SCIAC school.  That is hurting numbers for a lot of SCIAC schools.  This didn't happen 20 years ago.

10,  I respectfully disagree the SCIAC kid is a different player, maybe loosing a few but that's it, The HSU kids are finding their way to the SCIAC. Those RMC D2 schools are so easy to get into, an ACT of 18 and you can get in. If you just want to go to a college that is great, but it does not compare to a degree from most SCIAC schools if you decide to settle in the So Cal...not even close. The JCs have more of an impact on SCIAC kids, than D2 schools in the RMC. There is a greater amount of JC kids that would go to SCIAC schools but cant get in or afford to go...Of course many kids go JC wanting to play up after their JC career. I think money is the reason SCIAC looses any players to JCs. In my opinion what has had the biggest impact on the SCIAC is how aid is given out. It used to be grades, income, now race is a part too...but that is a landmine conversation. When a school like Redlands has a goal of 50 percent diversity by 2020, how do you think they achieve this issue?  Others have similar goals. Just an observation, I agree things have been out of balance...just not how implemented/burdened is not a fair path.

[10Freeway]

I am with you Old Dog.  It looks like it may be easier for JC football players to find traction in the SCIAC with some recent legislation from the state forcing schools to follow the grad plans they come in with.  One can only hope.  UR has an advantage with so many JC programs near Redlands. 

[10Freeway]

Going back to Whittier, they have a test optional policy for any student over a 3.0.  How are the coaches not salivating and getting any HS student in?

[astro9046]

Got to visit CLU Friday when my boys came out west for a game at a nearby high school.  The facilities were impressive.  That leaves me with Chapman, Whittier and LaVerne as the only schools I haven't toured/visited.  The coaches were very hospitable and I had a great time on campus.  Look forward to my next trip to Cali.

What high school game did your boys play/attend that Friday? Chandler vs Centennial?

I am the OC for Apache Junction HS (AZ) and we played (and beat  ) Royal HS in Simi Valley.

I saw you guys on the field at CLU, pretty cool place. I also coached here in the valley. Good Luck this season

[Purple Heys]

There's no pretense that Whittier has to, or will, compete for the SCIAC title right away.  I think Neal is there to be that steady position holder.  Crawl before walking, walking before running is a valid strategy.  I will say it hurt them not getting to play Oxy and register a W - not that it would have been guaranteed - but getting a win, any win would have bolstered them.  It would have validated forward progress however minuscule it might have been.

This year WC needs to reel in those blowout losses in league and pick up a win over Oxy; and maybe next year go out and find non-conference opponents they can beat, even if that means some longer distance travel.  Whittier is not ready for NWC opponents.  They need to look at lesser UMAC or MWC squads as an example.

I think if Mike Neal can turn around Whittier to a perennially .500 or better team, then he's worked a minor miracle.  I am sure he has his sites set a bit higher than that.  My impression is that he is deeply committed to getting this program turned around and that he's in it for the long haul.  I am rooting for him.

[OxyBob]

I think if Mike Neal can turn around Whittier to a perennially .500 or better team, then he's worked a minor miracle.  I am sure he has his sites set a bit higher than that. 

Neal has a tough job ahead. His first goal should be to get WC's first win since they beat La Verne in October, 2014. 30 straight losses since. As for loftier goals, the Poets haven't been .500 since 2000, and haven't had a winning season since 1998.

OxyBob

[reality check]

Got to visit CLU Friday when my boys came out west for a game at a nearby high school.  The facilities were impressive.  That leaves me with Chapman, Whittier and LaVerne as the only schools I haven't toured/visited.  The coaches were very hospitable and I had a great time on campus.  Look forward to my next trip to Cali.

What high school game did your boys play/attend that Friday? Chandler vs Centennial?

Crazy that you saw us there.  Small world.  Coach Mac asked the kids how many had been to CA prior to this trip and only about 20% had ever been to Cali.  We decided that if we won, we would surprise the team with an unplanned stop at the beach.  About 30 of my players got to experience the ocean for the first time at 8 am Saturday morning before we returned to AZ.
I am the OC for Apache Junction HS (AZ) and we played (and beat  ) Royal HS in Simi Valley.

I saw you guys on the field at CLU, pretty cool place. I also coached here in the valley. Good Luck this season

[Oxy1995]

Dropping the kid off at Oxy. I'm watching practice while she moves in. The numbers look REALLY low.

[RFB]

Dropping the kid off at Oxy. I'm watching practice while she moves in. The numbers look REALLY low.

Not surprising. If you had options as a potential player, would you go there with the program in its current state?

[Oxy1995]

Dropping the kid off at Oxy. I'm watching practice while she moves in. The numbers look REALLY low.

Not surprising. If you had options as a potential player, would you go there with the program in its current state?

I agree. What bothers me is I counted a dozen fewer than what they told the alums they had.