FB: Old Dominion Athletic Conference

[hasanova]

I see Guilford on the upswing as well, having won 5 games last year with a freshman QB.  I really believe the potential is there for a win (or 2) improvement again this season.  HSC has been GC's nemesis, however, and we just seem to play our worst against them.  I haven't researched it fully, but I don't think the Quakers haven't beaten the Tigers since 1999.  As someone noted, however, if you play close games, 2-5 may be just as likely as 5-2. 

[tigerfanalso]

I'm pulling for all ODAC teams to get better but before GC can improve to a level of competing for the ODAC title, they need to keep the kids in the program for four years. There is a reason they played fresh. & soph last year; very few Jr. & Sr. in the program. I really want E&H to return to their glory days. They actually had some teams that could compete in the playoffs, BC as well. That's what needs to happen to make the ODAC better.

[hasanova]

I'm pulling for all ODAC teams to get better but before GC can improve to a level of competing for the ODAC title, they need to keep the kids in the program for four years. There is a reason they played fresh. & soph last year; very few Jr. & Sr. in the program. I really want E&H to return to their glory days. They actually had some teams that could compete in the playoffs, BC as well. That's what needs to happen to make the ODAC better.

No argument here, tfa - I agree.

[jknezek]

I'm pulling for all ODAC teams to get better but before GC can improve to a level of competing for the ODAC title, they need to keep the kids in the program for four years. There is a reason they played fresh. & soph last year; very few Jr. & Sr. in the program. I really want E&H to return to their glory days. They actually had some teams that could compete in the playoffs, BC as well. That's what needs to happen to make the ODAC better.

I don't think the ODAC, top to bottom, is a particularly weak conference, so I'm not overly concerned about strength across the board. Shenandoah could use some help, but they are new to the league and have recognized the issue with the coaching situation. The biggest problem with the ODAC is simply that the top team, in any given year, isn't as good as the top team in other conferences. The ODAC's OOC results show that most teams in the conference compare reasonably well with other local conferences. I think the USAC top to bottom is a bit weaker, the Centennial is probably a bit stronger, the SAA is pretty comparable, etc. The ODAC seems very much a middle of the road D3 league top to bottom.

What the ODAC lacks is a power team. I don't have a problem with the thought that the league as a whole could stand to improve, surely it could, but what the ODAC really needs to get a reputation boost is for the strongest team in the league to win a playoff game or two multiple years in a row. With a reputation boost comes the benefit of the doubt come playoff time, and that might give you one or two slots higher in the seeding, making it that much easier to win a game or two.

[tigerfanalso]

Jk

I agree. BC was the last dominant team in the ODAC and I'm not sure a team of that caliber will ever be seen in the ODAC again but that doesn't mean the ODAC Champ can't be much better than it has been in recent history.

I think W&L, RMC, HSC, BC & E&H all have the ability to take their programs to another level. They have the history, tradition, facilities and resources to get it done. There may be others capable but I really don't see it in my lifetime.

[jknezek]

Jk

I agree. BC was the last dominant team in the ODAC and I'm not sure a team of that caliber will ever be seen in the ODAC again but that doesn't mean the ODAC Champ can't be much better than it has been in recent history.

I think W&L, RMC, HSC, BC & E&H all have the ability to take their programs to another level. They have the history, tradition, facilities and resources to get it done. There may be others capable but I really don't see it in my lifetime.

It's definitely possible. But it's also a bit of a double-edged sword. The ODAC, as a whole, is pretty balanced and plays decent football. That makes for a very exciting conference schedule every year and a lot of good games, minor surprises, and at least some variety in champions.

While the league would probably have a better reputation if we had a repeat of the Bridgewater years, it wouldn't be near as much fun for most of the conference. I go back and forth. When I think of a repeat of the Bridgewater years with W&L playing the title role, I'm all for it of course! But when I think of how much more I've enjoyed the last 6 years or so, with 3 different champions and a slew of teams in any given year with a reasonable chance of winning... well, it's much more interesting every week of the season.

Sadly the postseason has been a significant letdown.

[tigerfanalso]

Jk

In a previous post you mention OOC schedules don't look so good 2013. Beginning in 2014 HSC will play Wabash home and away. That should be fun and will greatly improve OOC for HSC. Double edged sword as you have stated; ODAC champ has to go 9-1 or 10-0 to get a decent first round game. If HSC or any other ODAC school loads up with two or three really tough OOC games and then run the table in the ODAC, the ODAC champ may well be in Alliance each and every year if the go 7-3 or 8-2.

[jknezek]

Jk

In a previous post you mention OOC schedules don't look so good 2013. Beginning in 2014 HSC will play Wabash home and away. That should be fun and will greatly improve OOC for HSC. Double edged sword as you have stated; ODAC champ has to go 9-1 or 10-0 to get a decent first round game. If HSC or any other ODAC school loads up with two or three really tough OOC games and then run the table in the ODAC, the ODAC champ may well be in Alliance each and every year if the go 7-3 or 8-2.

I was surprised about the CG game since it seemed HSC had scheduled a really good OOC once a year recently. This must be a filler game before the Wabash home and away starts. Similar to how poor Alma had to travel to Lexington two years ago just because both teams needed to cover a gap. But I think the Wabash game is a really neat matchup. Two of the last all male schools, both with good academic reputations and long histories, playing. If I didn't live so far away, I'd go see that game.

Be interesting to see how it shakes out. Wabash is certainly not an opponent to take lightly. I don't think 8-2 sends you to Alliance. There is generally a 3 or 4 loss team that sneaks in from somewhere. But 8-2 from the ODAC will land you as a 7 or 8 seed, so it wouldn't be out of the question. On the other hand, if you schedule 3 strong OOC teams and lose to all 3, then run the ODAC schedule, it's hard to make a case that you would belong in the top half of a bracket. The seedings generally represent where teams belong. I think W&L maybe got shafted by a spot this year, maybe, but it was close enough. Other than the "flight avoidance" games, I haven't really seen a matchup that I think is an unjustifiable shaft.

So I wouldn't worry about it. You have to win. If you can't beat good teams in the regular season, you probably can't beat them in the playoffs. If you don't play them, go undefeated, you might get a good first round game, but you're going to get hammered in round 2. Ducking the competition just postponed the inevitable, it didn't actually change the outcome.

The ODAC champ can play with the 3-6 seeds in any given year. I have faith in that. Maybe not beat them, but play with them. But I haven't seen an ODAC champ since Bridgewater (and mostly I didn't see those teams since I was out of school and living far away!) that could compete with a 1 or 2 seed. So yes, going 10-0 or 9-1 and ducking all competition might get you a first round win, but it probably won't help the program improve over the long run. Playing up a level in competition and learning what it takes to beat those top teams... that can really help strengthen your program.

That being said, W&L's schedule is probably set in stone for as long as the three traditional OOC teams agree to keep it that way. Centre, Sewanee, and a Centennial team are convenient, competitive, and cover the main recruiting areas. So I don't expect W&L to change up much, but then again I don't see W&L really attempting to challenge for a national title either. ODAC champs, maybe a playoff win or two, would see the Generals pretty much with a permanent smile.

Now when it comes to tennis, or it used to be with lacrosse, there was a definite possibility and goal of winning a national championship.

[tigerfanalso]

Tennis still offers a National Championship possibility most every year. I find it rather ironic W&L's football program has  improved the past 10 years and during that same period, the lax program has become less competitive and lax use to be the main sport on campus. Everything goes in cycles and I'm certain the lax program will regain it's competitive edge. Do the Baltimore kids still come South to Lexington ?

[jknezek]

Tennis still offers a National Championship possibility most every year. I find it rather ironic W&L's football program has  improved the past 10 years and during that same period, the lax program has become less competitive and lax use to be the main sport on campus. Everything goes in cycles and I'm certain the lax program will regain it's competitive edge. Do the Baltimore kids still come South to Lexington ?

The lax team has been in decline since coach stagnitta left for his failed stint at Rutgers. Since then the recruiting has been less effective. It happens

[mattvsmith]

Tennis still offers a National Championship possibility most every year. I find it rather ironic W&L's football program has  improved the past 10 years and during that same period, the lax program has become less competitive and lax use to be the main sport on campus. Everything goes in cycles and I'm certain the lax program will regain it's competitive edge. Do the Baltimore kids still come South to Lexington ?

Lax used to be the number one sport at Hobart, but ever since we went do D1 in 1995(?) things have not been so rosy. Remarkably, that's just about the time that the football program started crawling back up from rock bottom (around 1990-91).

[D-BAT]

To view the coaching staff ... http://www.suhornets.com/sports/fball/coaches/index

February 12, 2013

WINCHESTER, Va. – Shenandoah University Head Football Coach Scott Yoder announced the completion of his full-time staff Tuesday morning.

Yoder, who was hired as the third head coach in program history on January 3, retains Brock McCullough and Kalvin Oliver from the previous staff while welcoming Drake Woodard and Stan Hodgin as new assistants.

McCullough, who has been on staff for the past seven seasons and the defensive coordinator since the spring of 2008, will take on a new role as Associate Head Coach and work on the offensive side of the ball.

Oliver, a member of the first SU team back in 2000 and an assistant coach since his graduation in 2004, will remain as the defensive line coach.

Woodard, a 2012 Hobart College graduate, joins Oliver on the defensive side of the ball as defensive backs coach.

As a defensive back for the Statesmen from 2008-11, Woodward was a four-time All-Liberty League selection and earned 2011 All-America honors from D3football.com.

He earned the Francis L. 'Babe' Kraus '24 Memorial Award following his senior season as the most outstanding senior athlete at Hobart.

This past fall Woodard was the wide receivers coach at his alma mater.

Yoder completes the defensive staff as he will serve as his own defensive coordinator.

Hodgin brings a wealth of coaching experience to the table as the Hornets new offensive coordinator. In addition to 20 years of high school experience in both Virginia and North Carolina as a head coach, offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, Hodgin has been an assistant at both Averett University and Emory & Henry College in the past three seasons.

After spending 2010 at Averett tutoring the Cougars quarterbacks, Hodgin moved to fellow ODAC member E&H to become the Wasps' offensive coordinator.

This past season, Emory & Henry threw for a second-best-in-the-league 264 yards per game and three different players earned All-ODAC honors.

"I think we have assembled a great staff," Yoder said. "Brock was the glue that kept the recruiting process together during the transition period and I have been very impressed with him and his leadership skills in the short time I have been here.

"Brock and Kalvin are great coaches who are excited to be a part of our new staff.

"I had the pleasure of coaching Drake for four years and coaching with him this past fall. He knows the defense we are going to install and is going to be an outstanding coach for us.

"Stan knows the ODAC and is the perfect person to coordinate our offense. I have complete confidence in his ability to run a balanced attack for us."

The determination of the makeup of the part-time staff will be made following the completion of spring practice.

Shenandoah opens its 2013 season on September 7 with a non-league home game against Gallaudet University.

###

[mattvsmith]

Thanks for posting that story D-bat.
Scott Yoder is a great coach. We loved him at Hobart and we'll miss him.
I wish SU the best this season.

[tigerfanalso]

I wish the new staff at SU the best as well; up hill battle and it will be fun to see how they are able to recruit/coach going forward. I suspect they will not go 0-7 in the ODAC many more years. Hopefully they can catch up and be competitive week in/week out. In many ways the SU staff is facing a similar situation faced by the GC staff several years back and GC has become more competitive in league play.

[Uncle Jessie]

I love the new additions to the Hornets coaching staff. I cant wait to see what the new offensive coordinator Stan Hodgin will bring for the team. Its nice to see that Shenandoah is finally going to start playing football that's being played in the 21'st century. If SU can get anywhere near the 264 yards per game average that Emory & Henry had last season us fans in Shentel Stadium are going to be in for a treat. I know my wife will be happy. Its hard to get her to be happy at the games when all we see is run after run after run. Lets face it chicks dig the 20+ yard pass.