FB: Old Dominion Athletic Conference

[D-BAT]

Gonna be interesting to see who the pool of candidates will be??

November 12, 2012

WINCHESTER, Va. – Shenandoah University Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Doug Zipp announced Monday that Paul Barnes has been released from his position as head football coach.

Barnes, the Hornets head coach for the past 11 seasons, departs the program with a 41-70 record.

The Baltimore native took over the helm of the program after program founder Walter Barr's resignation following the conclusion of the 2001 campaign and led the team to USA South Conference co-championships in both 2003 and 2004.

In 2004, SU appeared in the NCAA playoffs after winning the USA South with a 5-1 league mark. The 7-4 overall record stands as the second-most successful season in program history, just after the 2003 team and its 8-2 record. That squad was also 5-1 in the USA South.

Barnes was named as both the USA South and Virginia State Sports Information Directors Coach of the Year following the 2004 season.

The Hornets slipped to a 1-9 record in 2005 and a 6-4 mark in 2011 was the program's best record since that NCAA playoff appearance campaign.

Shenandoah finished the 2012 season, its first in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference, this past Saturday with a 1-9 record. The lone win came in a 26-16 victory at Stevenson in the season opener.

"There are times when we have to evaluate each athletic program, where we are and where we are headed," Zipp said. "In order for our football program to move forward on a more consistent basis, a change is needed in the leadership of the program.

"I want to thank Paul for all he has done for the program and for Shenandoah," Zipp said.

"He worked tirelessly to help us build this program and we will always appreciate everything he has done for the department and the university. He has formed relationships with student-athletes that he and those student-athletes will cherish for a lifetime."

Zipp made the decision to dismiss Barnes in consultation with SU President Tracy Fitzsimmons.

"I want to also thank Paul for his years of service to the university," Dr. Fitzsimmons said. "He has dedicated not only his time and effort, but his heart to our football program. Since he joined the university, he has always been willing to lend a hand with whatever project we were undertaking to advance the institution's goals.

"I will be forever grateful for everything he has done for Shenandoah."

Zipp indicated that Brock McCullough, Brian Wolf, Joe Jacoby and Kalvin Oliver, Barnes' full-time assistants, would remain on staff until a new head coach is selected.

McCullough will serve as interim head coach until the new coach is selected.

A national search for a head coach will commence immediately.

###

[Uncle Jessie]

I wish Barnes all the best but in all reality this should had been done along time ago. I've always said just because SU is in div 3 it should not be an excuse not to win games. Mount Union is a great example and in the ODAC we have teams like W&L and Bridgewater year after year playing for a trip to the NCAA playoffs and giving those fans something to hope for. Its just so painful to know that by the 4th game of the season your team is out of the running for a playoff run. Hopefully the Hornets get someone that will turn this program around. Us fans need it along with the community.

[hasanova]

I wish Barnes all the best but in all reality this should had been done along time ago. I've always said just because SU is in div 3 it should not be an excuse not to win games. Mount Union is a great example and in the ODAC we have teams like W&L and Bridgewater year after year playing for a trip to the NCAA playoffs and giving those fans something to hope for. Its just so painful to know that by the 4th game of the season your team is out of the running for a playoff run. Hopefully the Hornets get someone that will turn this program around. Us fans need it along with the community.

Every time a college head job comes open, there will be a lot of (qualified) guys to apply.  I hope SU makes a great choice!

[narch]

any time a coach loses his job it is a sad thing...that's how he feeds his family and puts a roof over his head - coach barnes has got a tough job market awaiting him and i wish him the best of luck - i always thought his su teams were well prepared and played hard, even if they weren't always the most talent-laden

i also understand the excitement exhibited by the su fans...i know too well the frustration of watching 2-8 or 3-7 or 4-6 football year after year...hopefully the next coach can deliver better results for the hornets

[ITH radio]

Have no idea what Hobart looks like but they don't have long to prepare for the W&L triple option. Make the ODAC proud.

Have nothing at all to say about The Game other than Macon kicked our butts, again. Two years in a row is tough to take !!!

I'll have something up to preview the W&L-HOB game around Thursday.  Please PM me if you have any insights re W&L.  For what it's worth, Hobart's conference has 3 option teams, so they're familar with it.

[Tiger Mic]

Just getting around to reading the board today after this weekend's game, and I see that I caught it pretty hard for my "Little Pedro" reference.  I can see why.  As soon as that came out I thought, "That doesn't sound so hot."

Well, my partner on home games, Rob Stanley, was a legendary RMC linebacker (and college coach for many years--RMC, Ashland U, VMI) in the 80s.  It just so happens that he was known as "Little Red."  He, to my chagrin, got a MAJOR kick out of it and repeated it a couple of times.  On-air I urged him to move on from that.  Rob is a good friend of Coach Arruza and assured me today he would not take offense, and I hope that's true.

If you do 30 games a year for 20 years you WILL say something unintentionally odd or offensive at some point, and I really try to minimize those.  I put some serious travel time in for this 2nd job (I have a family and a real job as a financial adviser with its share of intensity), and I try to serve the game and make it fun.  Sorry if we miss the mark on occasion.

Goober-in-Chief

[jknezek]

Just getting around to reading the board today after this weekend's game, and I see that I caught it pretty hard for my "Little Pedro" reference.  I can see why.  As soon as that came out I thought, "That doesn't sound so hot."

Well, my partner on home games, Rob Stanley, was a legendary RMC linebacker (and college coach for many years--RMC, Ashland U, VMI) in the 80s.  It just so happens that he was known as "Little Red."  He, to my chagrin, got a MAJOR kick out of it and repeated it a couple of times.  On-air I urged him to move on from that.  Rob is a good friend of Coach Arruza and assured me today he would not take offense, and I hope that's true.

If you do 30 games a year for 20 years you WILL say something unintentionally odd or offensive at some point, and I really try to minimize those.  I put some serious travel time in for this 2nd job (I have a family and a real job as a financial adviser with its share of intensity), and I try to serve the game and make it fun.  Sorry if we miss the mark on occasion.

Goober-in-Chief

Now that takes a good man to come here and explain. I think we all put our feet in our mouths occassionally and most of us aren't in a position where it goes out over the air. Hopefully most people will read this and move on and you will stick around and join the conversation. Generally speaking, we are a mild-mannered and friendly spot for ODAC chatter.

For what it's worth, +K

[Pat Coleman]

Goober-in-Chief

+1 for this line. Welcome to the board.

[HSCTiger74]

Just getting around to reading the board today after this weekend's game, and I see that I caught it pretty hard for my "Little Pedro" reference.  I can see why.  As soon as that came out I thought, "That doesn't sound so hot."

Well, my partner on home games, Rob Stanley, was a legendary RMC linebacker (and college coach for many years--RMC, Ashland U, VMI) in the 80s.  It just so happens that he was known as "Little Red."  He, to my chagrin, got a MAJOR kick out of it and repeated it a couple of times.  On-air I urged him to move on from that.  Rob is a good friend of Coach Arruza and assured me today he would not take offense, and I hope that's true.

If you do 30 games a year for 20 years you WILL say something unintentionally odd or offensive at some point, and I really try to minimize those.  I put some serious travel time in for this 2nd job (I have a family and a real job as a financial adviser with its share of intensity), and I try to serve the game and make it fun.  Sorry if we miss the mark on occasion.

Goober-in-Chief

For what it's worth at this point, I made my post in the heat of the moment as well so I would definitely like to apologize to you and your broadcast partners for a really poor choice of expressions. I can only echo what jknezek said in his post, and hopefully you and the guys will be able to be there for another twenty years.

[wesleydad]

Just getting around to reading the board today after this weekend's game, and I see that I caught it pretty hard for my "Little Pedro" reference.  I can see why.  As soon as that came out I thought, "That doesn't sound so hot."

Well, my partner on home games, Rob Stanley, was a legendary RMC linebacker (and college coach for many years--RMC, Ashland U, VMI) in the 80s.  It just so happens that he was known as "Little Red."  He, to my chagrin, got a MAJOR kick out of it and repeated it a couple of times.  On-air I urged him to move on from that.  Rob is a good friend of Coach Arruza and assured me today he would not take offense, and I hope that's true.

If you do 30 games a year for 20 years you WILL say something unintentionally odd or offensive at some point, and I really try to minimize those.  I put some serious travel time in for this 2nd job (I have a family and a real job as a financial adviser with its share of intensity), and I try to serve the game and make it fun.  Sorry if we miss the mark on occasion.

Goober-in-Chief

very nice explanation of foot in mouth.  been there/done that.  continue with the conversation as i am sure being the announcer you can add some valuable insight to odac games.  +1

[HSCTiger74]

Playoff pick-ems are now up in the ODAC pick-em board. Everyone is starting fresh, so even if you missed the regular season feel free to join in now.

[2RMCFans]

Just getting around to reading the board today after this weekend's game, and I see that I caught it pretty hard for my "Little Pedro" reference.  I can see why.  As soon as that came out I thought, "That doesn't sound so hot."

Well, my partner on home games, Rob Stanley, was a legendary RMC linebacker (and college coach for many years--RMC, Ashland U, VMI) in the 80s.  It just so happens that he was known as "Little Red."  He, to my chagrin, got a MAJOR kick out of it and repeated it a couple of times.  On-air I urged him to move on from that.  Rob is a good friend of Coach Arruza and assured me today he would not take offense, and I hope that's true.

If you do 30 games a year for 20 years you WILL say something unintentionally odd or offensive at some point, and I really try to minimize those.  I put some serious travel time in for this 2nd job (I have a family and a real job as a financial adviser with its share of intensity), and I try to serve the game and make it fun.  Sorry if we miss the mark on occasion.

Goober-in-Chief

Thanks for the explanation Tiger Mic.  We have great respect for all our coaches at R-MC & are glad to know that he did not take offense to those remarks.  But the level of abuse then directed toward 78rmc who simply expressed his thoughts (and he was not alone in what he thought!) added insult to injury.  We hope he doesn't leave the boards for good.  And we hope everyone learned that we ALL need to be more respectful toward our leadership.  GO Generals!

[abnrgr]

Hasa
You seen those Mount Union guys skulking about on the USA board. LOL. Talking smack they are. Poor Captains

[hasanova]

Hasa
You seen those Mount Union guys skulking about on the USA board. LOL. Talking smack they are. Poor Captains

I've seen it.  You can talk smack if you can back it up. lol  If you normally don't lose until at least the national championship game, you've probably earned the right.    I think the Captains will be sunk by at least 28.

[jknezek]

Hasa
You seen those Mount Union guys skulking about on the USA board. LOL. Talking smack they are. Poor Captains

I've seen it.  You can talk smack if you can back it up. lol  If you normally don't lose until at least the national championship game, you've probably earned the right.    I think the Captains will be sunk by at least 28.

I only saw one real comment talking smack and it came in response to a Captain fan making an idiotic comment about telling mount fans who their players to watch is tantamount to giving them the playbook. But yeah, it escalated a bit after that. I think 28 points is kind. CNU just isn't up to their usual standards this year, and Mount's defense is off the hook. I can't imagine CNU is much better than the middle of the OAC, a bunch of teams that Mount basically blanked this year...