FB: Old Dominion Athletic Conference

[Pat Coleman]

Football starts on Sept. 7 rather than Sept. 1 or 2 this year, and that may impact timelines for such things. We also did our preseason poll later than usual as well.

[D-BAT]

With all the coaching changes that the new Shenandoah University AD is making for teams not being more competitive within the ODAC, is she eyeing the football program this year? 

Is a 16-25 record in the ODAC after 6 years good enough?

2018 was suppose to be the program's year but they went 5-5. 

[Air Raid]

With all the coaching changes that the new Shenandoah University AD is making for teams not being more competitive within the ODAC, is she eyeing the football program this year? 

Is a 16-25 record in the ODAC after 6 years good enough?

2018 was suppose to be the program's year but they went 5-5.

Interesting thought.   He has obviously struggled to consistently be competitive, and his decision making skills are very questionable at best.  This year will be no exception as they will struggle to replace several players. I think one of their issues is player retention.  They had talented players last season which lead to high expectations but only had about 9 seniors.  That indicates a higher than normal attrition rate, and should be of concern to the athletic department.  The school is very marketable and recruiting is not the issue as they had 80-90 freshman players come in this season.  Player mismanagement is the overwhelming key issue. I believe a coaching change will be imminent.  Athletic directors typically like their own personnel in place that share a common vision. 

[Macon]

With all the coaching changes that the new Shenandoah University AD is making for teams not being more competitive within the ODAC, is she eyeing the football program this year? 

Is a 16-25 record in the ODAC after 6 years good enough?

2018 was suppose to be the program's year but they went 5-5.

Interesting thought.   He has obviously struggled to consistently be competitive, and his decision making skills are very questionable at best.  This year will be no exception as they will struggle to replace several players. I think one of their issues is player retention.  They had talented players last season which lead to high expectations but only had about 9 seniors.  That indicates a higher than normal attrition rate, and should be of concern to the athletic department.  The school is very marketable and recruiting is not the issue as they had 80-90 freshman players come in this season.  Player mismanagement is the overwhelming key issue. I believe a coaching change will be imminent.  Athletic directors typically like their own personnel in place that share a common vision.

Player retention as a factor in a program's success?  I've never thought of that!

[Pat Coleman]

Also, program's success as a role in player retention!

[Air Raid]

I assume that in DIII, there is a high correlation between winning programs and player retention.  Recently, RMC has maintained an approximately 93+% player retention.  I'd think that's extremely high among most DIII programs.  If you're playing with a high number of juniors and seniors, you're probably winning games.  Recently, RMC is fielding 30+ juniors and 30+ seniors.  I wonder how other ODAC teams do on this front?

Well stated -kind sir.    Honestly, I have heard on several occasions about the connection that Coach Arruza has with his players.  Everyone on the roster feels a sense of belonging and like they are part of the family. The jackets success is a testament to that end. Good luck this season

[Macon]

Air Raid, good luck to SU as well.  I know little about SU, but I see SU as an outlier in the ODAC, given it's larger size and history as a music conservatory.  You mentioned SU as marketable, why so?  Honestly interested in your thoughts especially on the athletic front as to why a football player would go to SU over another ODAC.  (BTW, an R-MC fraternity brother was SU president for many years.)

[Air Raid]

Air Raid, good luck to SU as well.  I know little about SU, but I see SU as an outlier in the ODAC, given it's larger size and history as a music conservatory.  You mentioned SU as marketable, why so?  Honestly interested in your thoughts especially on the athletic front as to why a football player would go to SU over another ODAC.  (BTW, an R-MC fraternity brother was SU president for many years.)

IMO, logistics plays a factor for some students. Located in northwestern VA allows proximity to Maryland, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia in addition to the Commonwealth. Winchester is a decent sized town without being overwhelming.  DC is within an hour for those that like metropolitan areas  They are ranked by Niche.com as one of the top 16 values for the costs with the state ( W&L is number according to this poll). The conservatory does a fantastic job for the arts.  They also have a good selling point in the medical field (occupational and physical therapy) and sports management programming ( which has allowed students to attend the Super Bowl and D1 championship game).

[Macon]

Thanks for the info, congrats on those items that makes SU unique.

[hasanova]

No report on today's scrimmage, but the Quakers hosted NC Wesleyan today.  Two weeks until their first game at Huntingdon in Montgomery.

[Macon]

R-MC scrimmaged CNU yesterday.  Have no details, but I did see a tweet from a CNU fan that CNU 'won easily'.

[thescottharris]

H-SC roster up to 23 freshmen. Still only three QBs on the roster, two of which are seniors, one of which has never gotten a single snap. Likewise for the sophomore who apparently "signed" to play baseball at H-SC as a high school senior in 2018, citing size as the reason to go with baseball over football. He was not on the H-SC baseball roster at the end of the season.

This is a bold strategy. Maybe Marty is going to let Kaleb Smith be a Michael Vick style QB next year then.

[HSCTiger fan]

H-SC roster up to 23 freshmen. Still only three QBs on the roster, two of which are seniors, one of which has never gotten a single snap. Likewise for the sophomore who apparently "signed" to play baseball at H-SC as a high school senior in 2018, citing size as the reason to go with baseball over football. He was not on the H-SC baseball roster at the end of the season.

This is a bold strategy. Maybe Marty is going to let Kaleb Smith be a Michael Vick style QB next year then.

In 2011 HSC had 2 senior QBs and a freshman who played baseball as a third. The next year Nash Nance showed up on campus. I'm sure there's a gunslinger out there somewhere looking for system that will allow them to showcase their talents.

[Macon]

Saw this article in Farmville paper:

https://www.farmvilleherald.com/2019/08/do-unto-others/

An encouraging message wrapped around the HSC/RMC rivalry.  Rev. and Mrs. Kendall, I welcome your son to RMC and I have no doubt that he will have an outstanding experience at RMC.  Good luck to him!

[Air Raid]

ODAC Preseason Poll has been released

#9 Southern VA 8 points
#8  Guilford 19 points
#7 Shenandoah 21points
#6 EH 33 points
#5 WL 38 points
#4 Ferrum 44 points
#3 HSC 46 points
#2 Bridgewater 51 points
#1 RMC 64 points