FB: Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference

[Just_that_kid]

Coaches are responsible to other's, which, I acknowledged. In case it blew past you, I was emphasizing the bigger issue at hand. This isn't the NFL or D1 program, it's D3. Division 3 players aren't on scholarship, and, I would assume, D3 sports aren't a major money making endeavor for the coaches or universities. It's about passion for the game. These players spill their guts simply because they love the game.
So, the question is, what/who is more important? Coach DuBose deals with an administration who lends little to no support to himself, the team, or athletic program's in general.
I DO understand what you're saying.. I DO understand he still has a boss.. I DO, however, think that politics don't belong in football. Is it incorrect to say that his number one focus should be the young men he leads? Or any coach for that matter? Is D3 football about the student-athletes, or appeasing constituencies?

[INQBScout]

Coaches are responsible to all sorts of constituencies.

I agree.

Sincerely,

R.M. Knight
Texas Tech University

...couldn't resist 

[Just_that_kid]

P.S. And I mean no disrespect. I simply wish to keep the focus on what counts--D3 athletes.

[Ron Boerger]

With all due respect, newbie posters shouldn't be telling the creator and owner of d3sports.com where the focus should be.  I kind of think he knows already. 

[Pat Coleman]

As far as this issue is concerned, coach DuBose is accountable to nobody but his team and staff.

That's what I read.

Coaches are responsible to other's, which, I acknowledged. In case it blew past you, I was emphasizing the bigger issue at hand.

Eventually you may have gotten around to acknowledging the others, but I was responding to your original post. Once you played the "maybe it's been a while since you've been part of a team" card, I really stopped caring to read anything new you said.

[Just_that_kid]

With all due respect, newbie posters shouldn't be telling the creator and owner of d3sports.com where the focus should be.  I kind of think he knows already. 

Like I said, I meant no disrespect. Further, with all due respect, my being a "newbie" to blogging on this website is entirely irrelevant to what I'm saying. I respect Mr. Coleman for all he and D3.com have done for D3 football, but does simply creating something make one an authority? We can agree to disagree... even though the disagreement has less to do with football, and more to do with business. (And no, none of what I just said is a shot at Mr. Coleman, as I'm fully aware of whom he is, and I understand his extensive knowledge of D3 football. Much like any D3 football player, or former player, I appreciate everything this website has done for the game.) I do, however, apologize if I insulted anyone personally, as it was not my intent.
I don't particularly care who does, or does not like me. If you don't agree with what I'm saying, you're more than welcome to your opinion--I whole-heartedly respect it.
Perhaps I didn't clearly express my point from the get-go, and for that I apologize, but the point is valid. The coach's number one responsibility (especially at this level) is to his players. Coaches can take the one knee approach and make all the "important" people in the "chain of command" happy, but that doesn't translate to success on the field. (Refer to Millsaps' record prior Coach DuBose's tenure as head coach).
If I'm young and ignorant as to the "business" end of it, I apologize. When it's all said and done, though, a coach's departure causes complications to an administration, but it hardly compares to the ramifications a team. Players chose a school based on many reasons, coaches being one of them. The personal commitment between coaches and players far out weighs any comparison to a coach and an administration--especially an administration that truly doesn't help a legendary coach turn a doormat into the powerhouse it could potentially become.
Still, though, this is all speculation. Until Coach DuBose resigns, he is still a member of the Millsaps football team, and has yet to do anything detrimental or negative to the program. IF and when he leaves, perhaps this will be more than a newspaper column. Until then, though, he is still in charge, and the SCAC and all of D3 has another season to recon with him and the Millsaps squad. 

[exmajor]

I understand your point kid, but I don't think we should label Millsaps a powerhouse or even "potential powerhouse" after one great year.  I came into the program the year after a co-championship with Trinity, we had an impressive freshman class (numbers wise) and many returing players, but went on to a 3-7 season. 

I am excited about the possibilities of the SCAC race being more wide open than it has in the past, but let's root the Majors onto another fine season before we declare a new power atop the SCAC.  Judging from who is returning this year and from what impact the freshman class may have, I don't see any reason the Majors are not poised for another fine year!

[evacuee]

Good call.  And he has yet to "Turn the program around."  They won the conference, but they haven't had any back to back winning seasons much less conference championships.  I also disagree with the kid on the responsibility issue, particularly at this level.  I believe his responsibility is to perform his duties in a way that upholds the values of the school.  To take the side of the student-athlete in all circumstances would be pretty unprofessional in my opinion. 

Kid, if you're already telling us that you don't care whether or not people like you on this board, you might want to work on your diplomacy skills.  I know I've had my moments on this board, but you've got an awful lot of venom for the few posts that you've made.

[Just_that_kid]

EXMAJOR
I entirely agree, and I never said Millsaps WAS a powerhouse. I said the powerhouse they COULD be. I've said several times that the conference is wide open. There are several teams who have a legitimate chance to win the SCAC. I feel the competition will dramatically help which ever team represents the conference in the playoffs. My bias aside, I want to see every SCAC team succeed.
Also, I didn't imply that having numbers on the roster equaled success. I'm making the point that; his name alone has brought in depth that Millsaps has been lacking for quiet awhile. I believe Millsaps only lost 4 starters from last season, so the freshman class probably won't be a major factor this year (although I hope several of them can step into playmaking roles).
TU2
Millsaps has had four consecutive losing seasons, finishing in the bottom half each time. In one season, Millsaps went from doormat to conference champions. Perhaps it's premature, but that seems like a turn around to me. There's a different attitude and a different swagger within the program. Simply put, it's night and day. Anyone around the program who actually knows what is and has gone on can attest to what I'm saying.
He does have a responsibility to the school, but the relationship must be two ways. The administration has had done little to help the program or coach DuBose. Truthfully, the administration seems to want the attention of a big name, but is un-willing to maintain. I don't imagine it's easy having to fight to attain simple needs associated with any football program.
And as for myself, I'm a fairly passive individual. I didn't pick any fights, nor do I feel I'm having any. Diplomacy is needed when there is a dispute. We're all grown men. I'd like to think that text doesn't sway the mood of individuals. This is a forum for opinion. My opinions, on multiple occasions, have met rebuttal. I simply defended my position, despite having the true implication of the comment negated because of contextual disagreements and differing opinion.
I'm not spitting venom, nor do I intend to offend. I'm simply defending a coach who's yet to do any harm within his current program, and who's entitled to seek employment where ever he deems fit. Until the whole truth is known, it's simply not fair to judge. I hope coach DuBose elects to end his career at Millsaps, but know enough about the "business" end of the game to realize that a coach must be equipped to do his job, and he's not getting it.

[DPU3619]

Good call.  And he has yet to "Turn the program around."  They won the conference, but they haven't had any back to back winning seasons much less conference championships.

I may be mistaken, but I thought last year was his first year as the HC?  So while you're technically correct, DuBose has done more than any other HC in Jackson in quite some time.

[Ron Boerger]

I was going to post yet another blurb about Jerheme Urban yesterday (one where he was called [2nd string Dallas QB] Brad Johnson's favorite WR), but here is a much better one from DallasCowboys.com.  Sounds like the injuries to the top two receivers have finally given the coaching staff a decent chance to see what they have.

http://www.dallascowboys.com/news.cfm?id=41E56191-ABC8-318D-ED2DDCB04E77E43D

Excerpt:

When you ask Cowboys wide receivers coach Ray Sherman about a young receiver, you usually get a standard answer: He's got some talent, that's why we have him; he's made some good plays out there; he'll get his chances to prove himself, especially with our current injury situation; but come preseason, we'll see.

Unless you ask about Jerheme Urban.

"I tell you what, he's had a great camp," Sherman said after last Friday's afternoon practice. "I'm really happy with the way he's practicing and hopefully he'll continue to bring that into the preseason, but he's doing a good job for us and I'm very pleased with him."

Evidently, Urban has impressed Sherman, and that's no easy task. Sherman has seen it all in 20 years as an NFL coach, but throughout training camp Urban has shown him some things he didn't expect.

Good article and a lot more at the link above.  I pinged one of the Dallas Morning News reporters today and he said that Jerheme is in the mix for one of the WR spots.    Hopefully he will play well in whatever time he gets Thursday against the Colts to stay in contention.   

[Just_that_kid]

Anyone know how many players Rhodes lost off that defense?

[frank_ezelle]

I haven't seen this as an official announcement, but it looks like the Saints have released Chris Jackson.  I didn't see anyone wearing his jersey #15 at yesterday afternoon's practice and Chris is no longer listed on the Saints roster.  In all likelihood, Chris will be like most college football players and he will never play in the NFL, but he definitely put himself in an elite category just by participating in an NFL training camp.

[Ron Boerger]

It's so hard for a D3 receiver to overcome the built-in prejudices that many coaching staffs have.   If you get any time in camp you are working with scout teams and guys that have a hard time getting the ball to you in the first place.

Speaking of which, according to this, Chris was cut to allow the Saints to bring in a FIFTH QB candidate.   

[FerricMajor82]

Exmajor,

"Despite what you say, the college is still ranked high academically (see here: http://www.millsaps.edu/get_to_know/awards.shtml) and has had a very good year in recruitment.  In fact it is a five year high, with the freshman class numbering 297 compared to the past 4 years' final numbers as follows:  '06 = 232, '05 = 258, '04 = 279, '03 = 260 students.  The freshman class also has very good test scores and come from a variety of different places." -Exmajor

Perhaps a more telling statistic would be to look at those students that remain in school at Millsaps (total enrollement, or total students transferring out of Millsaps or not returning).  While freshmen recruitment numbers are slightly on the rise, as I indicated by the success of the baseball team and recent success of the football team, the entire school enrollment is falling.  Moreover, let's avoid a little bit of bias by not going to the Millsaps website to find out about its academic credentials and accomplishments.  The school has dropped in a number of the categories within which it was listed, and has fallen out of others in which it had previously been listed. 

"Regardless of what coach DuBose decides to do, he has single handedly turned the football program around, and gave both of you (exmajor and ferric) the ring on your hand." -Just that kid

Just that kid,
I like what you have to say, but don't assume anything.  Do a little bit of research and deliver some statistics when you report.  In the academic world it is called evidence based research.  I graduated in 2005 and do not have a ring on my finger.  Thanks though for fingering me (pun intended) as a former player that needs to give Mike DuBose his credit.  The man is a good man, has done wonders for the program, but I certainly don't owe him for the ring that is not on my finger.

Frank Ezelle,
You are my man.  Thanks for providing good information.  Yes, you are correct Raymece Savage is back with the team.  He should be seeing rotation at WR.  Good eye, I should have let the board know he was back, but it slipped my mind.

Also, I wonder if Chris Jackson being released by the Saints and Steelers had anything to do with his attitude.  I believe he is skilled enough (after all he did play at Miami-Ohio and is an All-American).  I simply know the coaches at Millsaps used to jokingly call him T.O.