FB: Old Dominion Athletic Conference

[HSCguy]

I'm just saying, Pedro made something out of nothing by getting that down and out team back into contending for the ODAC Championship in just 4 short years.  That's pretty impressive.  Anyways, If Marty does win COY, I will be very happy for him because he does deserve it due to the fact that he got 2 big monkeys of his back this year (BC and the ODAC Championship).  I'm sorry if I upset you willierobin.  GO TIGERS!!!       

[allsky7]

I'm just saying, Pedro made something out of nothing by getting that down and out team back into contending for the ODAC Championship in just 4 short years.  That's pretty impressive.  Anyways, If Marty does win COY, I will be very happy for him because he does deserve it due to the fact that he got 2 big monkeys of his back this year (BC and the ODAC Championship).  I'm sorry if I upset you willierobin.  GO TIGERS!!!       

      I posted previously that if H-S won Saturday, that Marty's name at least should be brought into the conversation for COY.  After seeing the game against Macon in person, I feel even more strongly that way. I think the decision is more difficult now than ever. I am always thrilled when any type of award goes to a Tiger, but I think the edge still has to go to Pedro. I think you have to look at the full body of work and put it into the context of expectation. Winning the ODAC title and beating BC certainly got the monkey off Marty's back and were big team accomplishments. I think the bottom line is from where the Jackets were to where they ended up Saturday is the most unlikely of stories. I'd be willing to bet that back in August, (with the exception of maybe the most faithful of Jackets) most probably would have considered a 5 and 5 season a huge success. 8 and 2 and a shot at the ODAC title....no way!! Disclaimer: If the Tigers upset Wesley Saturday, I reserve the right to change my mind.  If the Tigers are playing on the newly named Willis White Field on December 15th,  I'll be flying in from Vegas baby!!  "Limo driver...STONE STATION....PRONTO!!"   
     
     
     

[algernon]

I'm confused. How is Macon's 8-2 season with a decisive loss to HSC (and by all accounts a better coaching day for Favret)more deserving of COY for Pedro than Marty's 8-2 seaon and the win over Pedro FOR THE CHAMPIONSHIP? Pedro did a great job in going from 2-8 to a 2ND PLACE finish, but Marty took a 4-6 team and WON THE CHAMPIONSHIP by beating Macon and Pedro on their home field 31-13!! This should be easy - Favret is the COY.

Favret took a team that was 1-9 in 1999 and turned it into a team that was 8-2 by 2002.  He received his first COY in 2003 the following year when the Tigers went 9-1.

Having lost the 3 ODAC POYs (Singh, Clemmons, Ricca) that contributed so greatly to the Tigers' 2002-2005 record of 33-7, the team finished only 4-6 last year, but look at where the preseason #5 is at the end of the season .... ODAC champs, 8-2 record, and the championship was gained by beating Macon and Pedro Aruzzo on their home field with clever coaching.  It might not be an easy choice, but I think that Favret is pretty clearly the COY.

[@d3jason]

VOTE FOR PEDRO 

(Sorry no t-shirts still available.)

[R-MC Guy]

I'm just saying, Pedro made something out of nothing by getting that down and out team back into contending for the ODAC Championship in just 4 short years.  That's pretty impressive.  Anyways, If Marty does win COY, I will be very happy for him because he does deserve it due to the fact that he got 2 big monkeys of his back this year (BC and the ODAC Championship).  I'm sorry if I upset you willierobin.  GO TIGERS!!!       

I think that Pedro has done a great job, but he is not ready to be COY yet. First, let's consider the great job.  R-MC has not been a serious contender for the ODAC Championship since long before Pedro arrived. While this was his fourth season as the R-MC head coach, he only has three recruiting classes because he arrived too late to recruit his first year. Going from an also ran to a serious condender with just three recruiting classes is a real accomplishment. He has restored pride and discipline to a program that had neither. Hats off to Pedro.

Going from 2-8 to 8-2 is quite an accomplishment. However, last year's 2-8 record was not as bad as it seems on the surface. First, most of the games were very close. Second, there were about eight starters out for most games. If healthy, I believe that team would have been 4-6 or 5-5. Never the less, 8-2 if remarkable this early in the turnaround.

Pedro runs the R-MC offense personally. It is unidimensional at best. Not only is it a run only offense, it is really a run Zak Thornton straight ahead only offense. In spite of having a QB who can both throw the ball and use his feet, R-MC had no real passing game and no misdirection in the offense. This showed itself in the H-SC loss. Marty stacked for the run for the first three quarters until R-MC had to pass and then defended the pass. To get my vote for COY (not that I have one), Pedro will have to develop a more multidimensional offense that can run straight ahead, utilize misdirection and throw the ball both short and down the field. Zak Thornton would be much tougher to defend if the defense actually had to defend the entire field on each play.

Marty on the other hand flat out coached Pedro on Saturday. R-MC was off balance all day. A couple of examples: On offense Marty utilized the pass, the run, and plenty of misdirection. He ran multiple reverses, fake reverses and counters, a hook and lateral, a Statue of Liberty play and a half-back pass (although the half-back pulled the ball down because the receiver was covered). His offense was creative and kept a fine R-MC defense confused all day. R-MC never got any pressure on the QB, in large part, because they didn't know what was coming next.

The on-side kick was a very gutsy call. If it hadn't worked, the game might have been different. From where I sat (on about the 45 yard-line) the H-SC player touched the ball before it went 10 yards, but that doesn't matter. The official didn't call it and the play worked. Marty forced R-MC to change a lot of what they were doing. The on-side kick forced R-MC to put six men on the front line of the kick-off return team. This disrupted an otherwise outstanding R-MC kick return team. By mixing up when the punt team came in, he forced R-MC to use a timeout and H-SC punted several times with the R-MC defense on the field rather than the punt return team. R-MC's punt return team is actually quite good and a threat to return the ball for a TD, but not when they are standing on the sidelines. I could go on, but IMO Marty simply out coached Pedro on Saturday. If that had not been the case, I think I would support Pedro for COY even if H-SC had won. But, because of the fact that H-SC won in large part because Marty beat Pedro, I have to give my vote to Marty.

Pedro is a smart, hard working coach. I expect that he will learn a lot from this bitter loss. But, until he does, he is not ready to be COY.

Congratulations to H-SC on a great year and a great victory on Saturday. Good luck in the NCAA's!

Hopefully next year will be different. GO JACKETS!

[allsky7]

I'm just saying, Pedro made something out of nothing by getting that down and out team back into contending for the ODAC Championship in just 4 short years.  That's pretty impressive.  Anyways, If Marty does win COY, I will be very happy for him because he does deserve it due to the fact that he got 2 big monkeys of his back this year (BC and the ODAC Championship).  I'm sorry if I upset you willierobin.  GO TIGERS!!!       

I think that Pedro has done a great job, but he is not ready to be COY yet. First, let's consider the great job.  R-MC has not been a serious contender for the ODAC Championship since long before Pedro arrived. While this was his fourth season as the R-MC head coach, he only has three recruiting classes because he arrived too late to recruit his first year. Going from an also ran to a serious condender with just three recruiting classes is a real accomplishment. He has restored pride and discipline to a program that had neither. Hats off to Pedro.

Going from 2-8 to 8-2 is quite an accomplishment. However, last year's 2-8 record was not as bad as it seems on the surface. First, most of the games were very close. Second, there were about eight starters out for most games. If healthy, I believe that team would have been 4-6 or 5-5. Never the less, 8-2 if remarkable this early in the turnaround.

Pedro runs the R-MC offense personally. It is unidimensional at best. Not only is it a run only offense, it is really a run Zak Thornton straight ahead only offense. In spite of having a QB who can both throw the ball and use his feet, R-MC had no real passing game and no misdirection in the offense. This showed itself in the H-SC loss. Marty stacked for the run for the first three quarters until R-MC had to pass and then defended the pass. To get my vote for COY (not that I have one), Pedro will have to develop a more multidimensional offense that can run straight ahead, utilize misdirection and throw the ball both short and down the field. Zak Thornton would be much tougher to defend if the defense actually had to defend the entire field on each play.

Marty on the other hand flat out coached Pedro on Saturday. R-MC was off balance all day. A couple of examples: On offense Marty utilized the pass, the run, and plenty of misdirection. He ran multiple reverses, fake reverses and counters, a hook and lateral, a Statue of Liberty play and a half-back pass (although the half-back pulled the ball down because the receiver was covered). His offense was creative and kept a fine R-MC defense confused all day. R-MC never got any pressure on the QB, in large part, because they didn't know what was coming next.

The on-side kick was a very gutsy call. If it hadn't worked, the game might have been different. From where I sat (on about the 45 yard-line) the H-SC player touched the ball before it went 10 yards, but that doesn't matter. The official didn't call it and the play worked. Marty forced R-MC to change a lot of what they were doing. The on-side kick forced R-MC to put six men on the front line of the kick-off return team. This disrupted an otherwise outstanding R-MC kick return team. By mixing up when the punt team came in, he forced R-MC to use a timeout and H-SC punted several times with the R-MC defense on the field rather than the punt return team. R-MC's punt return team is actually quite good and a threat to return the ball for a TD, but not when they are standing on the sidelines. I could go on, but IMO Marty simply out coached Pedro on Saturday. If that had not been the case, I think I would support Pedro for COY even if H-SC had won. But, because of the fact that H-SC won in large part because Marty beat Pedro, I have to give my vote to Marty.

Pedro is a smart, hard working coach. I expect that he will learn a lot from this bitter loss. But, until he does, he is not ready to be COY.

Congratulations to H-SC on a great year and a great victory on Saturday. Good luck in the NCAA's!

Hopefully next year will be different. GO JACKETS!

     OK....who the heck am I to argue with that post!! Since I was just one little itty bitty push from being on the Marty side of the fence anyway, I changed my mind. MARTY for COY!! 
     Like I have a vote anyway but I will gladly trade one COY award for a W over Wesley. Bet Marty would too. GO TIGERS!!

[Matt Barnhart (kid)]

The conference awards and teams should be announced next week on Tuesday, November 20.

IMO, Coach Arruza should win POY. I see the points made of why Coach Favret deserves it, and if there was ever a year where co-COYs was awarded, this would be the one.

Keep in mind Coach Favret has been trying to "out-coach" ODAC opponents since he started at H-SC. He has been using the "smoke and mirrors" game plan year in and year out. More often than not, it didn't work. It just so happened that this year (unlike 2002 to 2006), it did.

Coach Arruza, on the other hand, went from 0-6 in conference last year to 5-1 this year. And he did it the "old fashion way." And keep in mind that the Jackets weren't just picked last in the coaches preseason poll - they were picked last by everyone but Coach Arruza. They received only nine votes, and there are seven people voting. I'm assuming Coach Arruza at least thought his team was going to finish 5th, leaving the other six coaches picking them dead last.

I don't think COY award necessarily has to go to the team who wins the title. Coach Clark won it in 2000 (E&H won the crown); Coach Miriello won a share of it in 2001 (BC won the crown); Coach Favret won it in 2003 (BC won the crown); and Coach Miriello won it in 2004 (BC won the crown).

Anyway, like in 2001 when Coach Clark and Miriello were named co-coaches of the year, I wouldn't be shocked if that happened again this season. But if only one is to win it, I definitely think Arruza should.

[R-MC Guy]

The conference awards and teams should be announced next week on Tuesday, November 20.

IMO, Coach Arruza should win POY. I see the points made of why Coach Favret deserves it, and if there was ever a year where co-COYs was awarded, this would be the one.

Keep in mind Coach Favret has been trying to "out-coach" ODAC opponents since he started at H-SC. He has been using the "smoke and mirrors" game plan year in and year out. More often than not, it didn't work. It just so happened that this year (unlike 2002 to 2006), it did.

Coach Arruza, on the other hand, went from 0-6 in conference last year to 5-1 this year. And he did it the "old fashion way." And keep in mind that the Jackets weren't just picked last in the coaches preseason poll - they were picked last by everyone but Coach Arruza. They received only nine votes, and there are seven people voting. I'm assuming Coach Arruza at least thought his team was going to finish 5th, leaving the other six coaches picking them dead last.

I don't think COY award necessarily has to go to the team who wins the title. Coach Clark won it in 2000 (E&H won the crown); Coach Miriello won a share of it in 2001 (BC won the crown); Coach Favret won it in 2003 (BC won the crown); and Coach Miriello won it in 2004 (BC won the crown).

Anyway, like in 2001 when Coach Clark and Miriello were named co-coaches of the year, I wouldn't be shocked if that happened again this season. But if only one is to win it, I definitely think Arruza should.

Kid, you make some good points. Perhaps my perspective is colored by a very disappointing loss on Saturday. I expect to be over it in about 362 days!

[allsky7]

The conference awards and teams should be announced next week on Tuesday, November 20.

IMO, Coach Arruza should win POY. I see the points made of why Coach Favret deserves it, and if there was ever a year where co-COYs was awarded, this would be the one.

Keep in mind Coach Favret has been trying to "out-coach" ODAC opponents since he started at H-SC. He has been using the "smoke and mirrors" game plan year in and year out. More often than not, it didn't work. It just so happened that this year (unlike 2002 to 2006), it did.

Coach Arruza, on the other hand, went from 0-6 in conference last year to 5-1 this year. And he did it the "old fashion way." And keep in mind that the Jackets weren't just picked last in the coaches preseason poll - they were picked last by everyone but Coach Arruza. They received only nine votes, and there are seven people voting. I'm assuming Coach Arruza at least thought his team was going to finish 5th, leaving the other six coaches picking them dead last.

I don't think COY award necessarily has to go to the team who wins the title. Coach Clark won it in 2000 (E&H won the crown); Coach Miriello won a share of it in 2001 (BC won the crown); Coach Favret won it in 2003 (BC won the crown); and Coach Miriello won it in 2004 (BC won the crown).

Anyway, like in 2001 when Coach Clark and Miriello were named co-coaches of the year, I wouldn't be shocked if that happened again this season. But if only one is to win it, I definitely think Arruza should.

Kid, you make some good points. Perhaps my perspective is colored by a very disappointing loss on Saturday. I expect to be over it in about 362 days!

     R-MCGuy....you talked me into switching over to Marty....don't bail on me now!!  Seriously, kid I thought about CO-COY but didn't realize the ODAC had done that before. I think that might be a fair answer to the question.  And while we are at it why not CO-POY....Drew Smith and Josh Simpson.  I agree with you on that kid...both are worthy but Josh getting suspended may hurt his chances.

[R-MC Guy]

The conference awards and teams should be announced next week on Tuesday, November 20.

IMO, Coach Arruza should win POY. I see the points made of why Coach Favret deserves it, and if there was ever a year where co-COYs was awarded, this would be the one.

Keep in mind Coach Favret has been trying to "out-coach" ODAC opponents since he started at H-SC. He has been using the "smoke and mirrors" game plan year in and year out. More often than not, it didn't work. It just so happened that this year (unlike 2002 to 2006), it did.

Coach Arruza, on the other hand, went from 0-6 in conference last year to 5-1 this year. And he did it the "old fashion way." And keep in mind that the Jackets weren't just picked last in the coaches preseason poll - they were picked last by everyone but Coach Arruza. They received only nine votes, and there are seven people voting. I'm assuming Coach Arruza at least thought his team was going to finish 5th, leaving the other six coaches picking them dead last.

I don't think COY award necessarily has to go to the team who wins the title. Coach Clark won it in 2000 (E&H won the crown); Coach Miriello won a share of it in 2001 (BC won the crown); Coach Favret won it in 2003 (BC won the crown); and Coach Miriello won it in 2004 (BC won the crown).

Anyway, like in 2001 when Coach Clark and Miriello were named co-coaches of the year, I wouldn't be shocked if that happened again this season. But if only one is to win it, I definitely think Arruza should.

Kid, you make some good points. Perhaps my perspective is colored by a very disappointing loss on Saturday. I expect to be over it in about 362 days!

     R-MCGuy....you talked me into switching over to Marty....don't bail on me now!!  Seriously, kid I thought about CO-COY but didn't realize the ODAC had done that before. I think that might be a fair answer to the question.  And while we are at it why not CO-POY....Drew Smith and Josh Simpson.  I agree with you on that kid...both are worthy but Josh getting suspended may hurt his chances.

Allsky, I'm not recanting anything I said and my opinion is unchanged. I am simply admitting that it may be a bit colored.

[fallguy]

Kid, "Marty's been trying to out coach Odac opponents since he started. " Whats Wrong with that?
"More often than not it didn't work" 33 times it did to 15 times were it didn't I'll take
68.8 % (# 1 in the ODAC )         '

[willierobin]

I take back my final statement...this is not an easy decision. I would have no problem with co-COY's. If it goes to just one, than leaving out Marty would be more of an injustice than leaving out Pedro. I think the way the schedule played out made it slightly tougher on HSC. They beat an undefeated BC team, Macon beat a BC team that was eliminated from the post-season and with Highfill hurt. HSC beat Guilford (at GC) when they were undefeated and flying high (over 50 points per game) and Vogelbach was healthy, Macon won at home over a struggling Guilford team with Vogelbach still banged up. HSC had to go to E&H after their huge win over BC (and played poorly), Macon beat E&H at home. Macon was the recipient of 6 turnovers (2 for tds) at Catholic and 6 turnovers (1 td) at W&L (the Jacket defense had a lot to do with that but still a bit fortunate). And finally, when it all came down to 1 game for the crown, it was all HSC. Marty for COY.

[algernon]

Keep in mind Coach Favret has been trying to "out-coach" ODAC opponents since he started at H-SC. He has been using the "smoke and mirrors" game plan year in and year out. More often than not, it didn't work. It just so happened that this year (unlike 2002 to 2006), it did.

Coach Arruza, on the other hand, went from 0-6 in conference last year to 5-1 this year. And he did it the "old fashion way." And keep in mind that the Jackets weren't just picked last in the coaches preseason poll - they were picked last by everyone but Coach Arruza. They received only nine votes, and there are seven people voting. I'm assuming Coach Arruza at least thought his team was going to finish 5th, leaving the other six coaches picking them dead last.

I don't think COY award necessarily has to go to the team who wins the title. Coach Clark won it in 2000 (E&H won the crown); Coach Miriello won a share of it in 2001 (BC won the crown); Coach Favret won it in 2003 (BC won the crown); and Coach Miriello won it in 2004 (BC won the crown).

Anyway, like in 2001 when Coach Clark and Miriello were named co-coaches of the year, I wouldn't be shocked if that happened again this season. But if only one is to win it, I definitely think Arruza should.

Kid .... You make good points, but I disagree in a number of ways.  I think that Coach Favret outcoached Coach Arruza this year, particularly when these two coaches' were face-to-face and the title was on the line.  He deserves the COY. 

I can't figure out what's wrong with "trying to outcoach ODAC opponents" .... That sort of seems to be what it's all about.  While it seems that you prefer "the old fashioned way" to "smoke and mirrors," I imagine you'd prefer to win more than anything else.  Hampden-Sydney wouldn't have had the tremendous success they've had over the past 6 years without a coach who was outcoaching his ODAC opponents.  Bridgewater may have been the ODAC's #1 team from 2002-2005, but Hampden-Sydney's 33-7 record during those 4 years indicates that, more often than not (83% of the time), the Hampden-Sydney game plan definitely DID work.

I don't think the COY award necessarily has to go to the team that achieves the most relative to the coaches' preseason poll.  When the poll was done, the coaches just couldn't see into the future very well.  They're not wizards.

In 4 of the last 7 years, the COY has gone to the coach of the ODAC Champion, with Mike Clark as the beneficiary of this fact in 3 of his 5 championship years ... and Frank Miriello getting the COY award in his only championship year:

2000   Emory & Henry   Mike Clark
2001   Bridgewater   Mike Clark, Frank Miriello
2002   Bridgewater   Mike Clark
2003   Bridgewater   Marty Favret
2004   Bridgewater   Frank Miriello
2005   Bridgewater   Mike Clark
2006   Washington & Lee   Frank Miriello

[fallguy]

Unlikely that we could have co-COY with only two clear canidates and 7 voters.

[willierobin]

My imaginary vote for POY also goes to Drew Smith.He was the best receiver in the league (imo) on the best team. A case could be made for Josh Simpson, but he only played in 7 games. I think both were equally valuable to their team, but I would vote for the senior who played in all the games.