2014 / 2015 Coaching Carousel

[Brother Flounder]

Speaking of Brandt rumor has it that he is getting itchy about his situation at Navy. If given the opportunity he would jump at a chance to take over the Pittsburgh Riverhounds of the USL. They have an interim coach at the moment but are actively looking for a head coach

Mr.Right,

How in the world can you say with such seeming authority that..."If given the opportunity he would jump at a chance to take over the Pittsburgh Riverhounds of the USL"?  You frequently present your careless opinions as if they are some sort of fact.

Hey D3SOCEERWATCHER I said Brandt was transferring to D1 about 3 weeks ago and you flipped about that also...Looks like Brandt is headed to Louisville and I heard he got "sick" of the whole Messiah thing and wanted D1...I am always RIGHT. Mr.Right is Right

I wonder if the loss to Tufts had anything to do with it?

[PaulNewman]

BF, seriously?  Messiah lost to Tufts and you think that might be related to Brandt transferring?  How does that thought even occur to you?

[Saint of Old]

Last years' championship perhaps plays a bigger role than this season's loss to Tuffs.
The kid knows that he is and always be a Champion.
Why not push yourself and maximize your talents if you think you can? Especially if there is a chance at having a pro career...
I do believe that there are many players at the D3 level who play for elite schools who could have made the jump to D1 after a year or two.

A D1 Coach would much rather take a chance on Adam Beek (Skidmore) 2 years ago, than an untested incoming freshman.

There is no competition in D2  (generally speaking) so these boyz are taking one step up not two.

For players from strong programs with good traditions of training/style of play, the jump to D1 is challenging but not necessarily difficult.

I wish the young man the best, he comes from a good program and good stock!

[D3soccerwatcher]

Speaking of Brandt rumor has it that he is getting itchy about his situation at Navy. If given the opportunity he would jump at a chance to take over the Pittsburgh Riverhounds of the USL. They have an interim coach at the moment but are actively looking for a head coach

Mr.Right,

How in the world can you say with such seeming authority that..."If given the opportunity he would jump at a chance to take over the Pittsburgh Riverhounds of the USL"?  You frequently present your careless opinions as if they are some sort of fact.

Hey D3SOCEERWATCHER I said Brandt was transferring to D1 about 3 weeks ago and you flipped about that also...Looks like Brandt is headed to Louisville and I heard he got "sick" of the whole Messiah thing and wanted D1...I am always RIGHT. Mr.Right is Right

And were you also right about Coach Brandt leaving Navy to go to Pitts???

[Brother Flounder]

Last years' championship perhaps plays a bigger role than this season's loss to Tuffs.
The kid knows that he is and always be a Champion.
Why not push yourself and maximize your talents if you think you can? Especially if there is a chance at having a pro career...
I do believe that there are many players at the D3 level who play for elite schools who could have made the jump to D1 after a year or two.

A D1 Coach would much rather take a chance on Adam Beek (Skidmore) 2 years ago, than an untested incoming freshman.

There is no competition in D2  (generally speaking) so these boyz are taking one step up not two.

For players from strong programs with good traditions of training/style of play, the jump to D1 is challenging but not necessarily difficult.

I wish the young man the best, he comes from a good program and good stock!

I certainly understand pushing yourself. There may also be other contributing factors that we don't know about, which is often the case on this board. Plus, there is a strong class that will be graduating....I wish him the best....

[lastguyoffthebench]

Is Brandt leaving Messiah for Louisville any indication of where Dave might end up? 
 
Maybe Danny really wants to take up Equine Business in the heart of it all right around the corner from Churchill Downs, while playing for a great program, in a solid conference.

[Falconer]

If Danny Brandt has in fact transferred to Louisville or some other D1 program--information I am not confirming--then it wouldn't really be a big surprise. He wanted to play D1 coming out of DeMatha, where he played for a national championship club. He wasn't entirely happy with the offers extended to him at that point, so he went to Messiah. His sister, who was a POY at Messiah a couple of years ago, had started at a D1 program but didn't like the school, so she transferred to Messiah after her first season. Danny and his sister grew up playing soccer on the field and in the gym at Messiah; his father has full confidence in the men's and women's coaches at Messiah. It was a no-brainer to go to Messiah, if he wasn't happy with the interest from top D1 programs.

Nevertheless, it was known when he arrived on campus that he might be at Messiah for just two years, before transferring to D1. So, if the rumor is true, it can't be a shock to his coaches or teammates. Nor does it say or imply anything about Messiah as a college or a program, except the obvious: that Messiah is D3, not D1.

Since the rumor is specific about the ACC, I should point out that another current Messiah player (not one of the seniors) was recruited by an ACC school and several other D1 programs, but he wanted to play at Messiah instead. I won't be more specific than that, b/c I'm not interested in bringing him or that school into this conversation, which is about Danny Brandt and Louisville--but also allegedly about Messiah, given what Mr Right has been saying. I mention it simply to point out that some players with high D1 options simply choose to play at Messiah, for various reasons. Indeed, the player regarded by some (including me) as the best player ever at Messiah, Kai Kasiguran, turned down an offer from Akron (who were ranked #1 or 2 at the time), which was located right in his backyard, to play at Messiah. The fact that Messiah's accounting major was ranked #1 or #2 in PA, depending on the CPA exam pass rate in a given year (our main competitor for that honor was the Wharton School at Penn, which is a graduate school as well as an undergraduate school), was probably part of that picture.

Men and women choose to play soccer at Messiah for many reasons, with the team itself just one of those reasons. This is also true at many other schools, but esp true for D3 schools. When they say that they strive to be "the best place to play soccer," they don't mean the best place in D3, they mean the best place in college soccer. That's obviously not a claim that can be evaluated objectively against other such claims, but it's certainly something worth striving for--as other places also do in soccer and other sports, with some credibility.

[Brother Flounder]

If Danny Brandt has in fact transferred to Louisville or some other D1 program--information I am not confirming--then it wouldn't really be a big surprise. He wanted to play D1 coming out of DeMatha, where he played for a national championship club. He wasn't entirely happy with the offers extended to him at that point, so he went to Messiah. His sister, who was a POY at Messiah a couple of years ago, had started at a D1 program but didn't like the school, so she transferred to Messiah after her first season. Danny and his sister grew up playing soccer on the field and in the gym at Messiah; his father has full confidence in the men's and women's coaches at Messiah. It was a no-brainer to go to Messiah, if he wasn't happy with the interest from top D1 programs.

Nevertheless, it was known when he arrived on campus that he might be at Messiah for just two years, before transferring to D1. So, if the rumor is true, it can't be a shock to his coaches or teammates. Nor does it say or imply anything about Messiah as a college or a program, except the obvious: that Messiah is D3, not D1.

Since the rumor is specific about the ACC, I should point out that another current Messiah player (not one of the seniors) was recruited by an ACC school and several other D1 programs, but he wanted to play at Messiah instead. I won't be more specific than that, b/c I'm not interested in bringing him or that school into this conversation, which is about Danny Brandt and Louisville--but also allegedly about Messiah, given what Mr Right has been saying. I mention it simply to point out that some players with high D1 options simply choose to play at Messiah, for various reasons. Indeed, the player regarded by some (including me) as the best player ever at Messiah, Kai Kasiguran, turned down an offer from Akron (who were ranked #1 or 2 at the time), which was located right in his backyard, to play at Messiah. The fact that Messiah's accounting major was ranked #1 or #2 in PA, depending on the CPA exam pass rate in a given year (our main competitor for that honor was the Wharton School at Penn, which is a graduate school as well as an undergraduate school), was probably part of that picture.

Men and women choose to play soccer at Messiah for many reasons, with the team itself just one of those reasons. This is also true at many other schools, but esp true for D3 schools. When they say that they strive to be "the best place to play soccer," they don't mean the best place in D3, they mean the best place in college soccer. That's obviously not a claim that can be evaluated objectively against other such claims, but it's certainly something worth striving for--as other places also do in soccer and other sports, with some credibility.

Excellent post, Falconer!  One thing that I have noticed is that some players coming out of high school "have to play at D1 schools" and end up at some podunk university with an average or poor soccer team.  I think players are better off playing at a D3 school that is a quality college with good soccer.  There will, most likely, be more playing time also.  Some people just have to say they played D1 soccer. We know that the best D3 teams can beat 25% of the D1 teams...

The above analysis does not apply to Brandt and I wish him well

[Mr.Right]

If Danny Brandt has in fact transferred to Louisville or some other D1 program--information I am not confirming--then it wouldn't really be a big surprise. He wanted to play D1 coming out of DeMatha, where he played for a national championship club. He wasn't entirely happy with the offers extended to him at that point, so he went to Messiah. His sister, who was a POY at Messiah a couple of years ago, had started at a D1 program but didn't like the school, so she transferred to Messiah after her first season. Danny and his sister grew up playing soccer on the field and in the gym at Messiah; his father has full confidence in the men's and women's coaches at Messiah. It was a no-brainer to go to Messiah, if he wasn't happy with the interest from top D1 programs.

Nevertheless, it was known when he arrived on campus that he might be at Messiah for just two years, before transferring to D1. So, if the rumor is true, it can't be a shock to his coaches or teammates. Nor does it say or imply anything about Messiah as a college or a program, except the obvious: that Messiah is D3, not D1.

Since the rumor is specific about the ACC, I should point out that another current Messiah player (not one of the seniors) was recruited by an ACC school and several other D1 programs, but he wanted to play at Messiah instead. I won't be more specific than that, b/c I'm not interested in bringing him or that school into this conversation, which is about Danny Brandt and Louisville--but also allegedly about Messiah, given what Mr Right has been saying. I mention it simply to point out that some players with high D1 options simply choose to play at Messiah, for various reasons. Indeed, the player regarded by some (including me) as the best player ever at Messiah, Kai Kasiguran, turned down an offer from Akron (who were ranked #1 or 2 at the time), which was located right in his backyard, to play at Messiah. The fact that Messiah's accounting major was ranked #1 or #2 in PA, depending on the CPA exam pass rate in a given year (our main competitor for that honor was the Wharton School at Penn, which is a graduate school as well as an undergraduate school), was probably part of that picture.

Men and women choose to play soccer at Messiah for many reasons, with the team itself just one of those reasons. This is also true at many other schools, but esp true for D3 schools. When they say that they strive to be "the best place to play soccer," they don't mean the best place in D3, they mean the best place in college soccer. That's obviously not a claim that can be evaluated objectively against other such claims, but it's certainly something worth striving for--as other places also do in soccer and other sports, with some credibility.

They choose to play at Messiah because of the "christian" thing...If you read the book put out by Frey and Brandt in 2010 they admit that they use this to their advantage. I have no problem with this as they should

[Mr.Right]

Geoff Wheeler of Wesleyan CT is one of 3 finalists to be Yale Men's Soccer Coach. One of the other finalists is an assistant coach at Wake Forest. That could be good news for Wheeler since Wake Forest job just opened up with their Head Coach going to the Timbers. This is not unfamiliar territory for Wheeler as he has been a finalist in the past 5-7 years for Dartmouth,Harvard and Brown. This tells me he has the resume. 15 years at Wesleyan with a very impressive resume, former player at Dartmouth, and we all know he has Wesleyan extremely organized defensively. The issue is if he is becoming a finalist and not getting jobs he might not be closing these interviews very well. He should have the experience in these situations so let's see if he can Close the deal with Yale.

[Mr.Right]

FYI-Rumor of the Week

A couple coaches who applied/inquired but did not get interviewed by Williams.

1. Fran O'Leary- Toronto FC, former head man at Elmira, Kenyon, Dartmouth, George Mason and Bowdoin.

2. Mike Middleton- Gustavus Adolphus, former head man at Fredonia and Cortland St.

3. Adam Clinton-RPI

4. Ian Byrne- Oneonta St

[Corazon]

Wheeler would be a strong candidate. He's been working those camps with Tompkins so probably knows the people there. I'd hate to lose him from NESCAC but I believe he would succeed at Yale.

[Corazon]

Interesting that O'Leary did not even get a look. I'm sure he regrets leaving Bowdoin n

[D3soccerwatcher]

If Danny Brandt has in fact transferred to Louisville or some other D1 program--information I am not confirming--then it wouldn't really be a big surprise. He wanted to play D1 coming out of DeMatha, where he played for a national championship club. He wasn't entirely happy with the offers extended to him at that point, so he went to Messiah. His sister, who was a POY at Messiah a couple of years ago, had started at a D1 program but didn't like the school, so she transferred to Messiah after her first season. Danny and his sister grew up playing soccer on the field and in the gym at Messiah; his father has full confidence in the men's and women's coaches at Messiah. It was a no-brainer to go to Messiah, if he wasn't happy with the interest from top D1 programs.

Nevertheless, it was known when he arrived on campus that he might be at Messiah for just two years, before transferring to D1. So, if the rumor is true, it can't be a shock to his coaches or teammates. Nor does it say or imply anything about Messiah as a college or a program, except the obvious: that Messiah is D3, not D1.

Since the rumor is specific about the ACC, I should point out that another current Messiah player (not one of the seniors) was recruited by an ACC school and several other D1 programs, but he wanted to play at Messiah instead. I won't be more specific than that, b/c I'm not interested in bringing him or that school into this conversation, which is about Danny Brandt and Louisville--but also allegedly about Messiah, given what Mr Right has been saying. I mention it simply to point out that some players with high D1 options simply choose to play at Messiah, for various reasons. Indeed, the player regarded by some (including me) as the best player ever at Messiah, Kai Kasiguran, turned down an offer from Akron (who were ranked #1 or 2 at the time), which was located right in his backyard, to play at Messiah. The fact that Messiah's accounting major was ranked #1 or #2 in PA, depending on the CPA exam pass rate in a given year (our main competitor for that honor was the Wharton School at Penn, which is a graduate school as well as an undergraduate school), was probably part of that picture.

Men and women choose to play soccer at Messiah for many reasons, with the team itself just one of those reasons. This is also true at many other schools, but esp true for D3 schools. When they say that they strive to be "the best place to play soccer," they don't mean the best place in D3, they mean the best place in college soccer. That's obviously not a claim that can be evaluated objectively against other such claims, but it's certainly something worth striving for--as other places also do in soccer and other sports, with some credibility.

They choose to play at Messiah because of the "christian" thing...If you read the book put out by Frey and Brandt in 2010 they admit that they use this to their advantage. I have no problem with this as they should

Mr.Right,

First, the book you reference was written by Michael Zigarelli in 2011 (it was not "put out by Frey and Brandt...).

Second, Falconer is correct..."Men and women choose to play at Messiah for many reasons...".  While the "Christian thing" as you term it, may play a role, it is not a unique factor by any sense.  Below is a partial list of schools with the "Christian thing"...some with more of it then Messiah and some with less.  If the "Christian thing" is the reason for players to pick a school..they certainly have a vast pool of options to choose from...many at higher level divisions and conferences with scholarship opportunities that Messiah does not offer.  I think Falconer has it right again...Messiah's goal to be the best place to play college soccer, while lofty, is a key factor in players choosing Messiah. And this too, as Falconer also points out, is also not specifically unique to Messiah, as other programs have strived for this with "some credibility".

DIVISION 1 (Scholarships)
Liberty (SoCon)
Houston Baptist (WAC)
Oral Roberts (Southland)
Gardner-Webb University (Big South)
Campbell University (Big South)
Presbyterian University (Big South)
Lipscomb University (Atlantic Sun)

DIVISION 2 (Scholarships)
Carson Newman
Cedarville University
Palm Beach Atlantic
Anderson University
Mars Hill University
Azusa Pacific University
Malone University
Seattle Pacific University
Milligan College
Lee University
Dallas Baptist University
Colorado Christian University
Oklahoma Christian University
Roberts Wesleyan College

NAIA (Scholarships)
John Brown University
Oklahoma Wesleyan University
Dordt College
MidAmerica Nazarene
Martin Methodist
Indiana Wesleyan University
Taylor University
Bryan College
Spring Arbor University
Trevecca Nazarene University
Westmont College
Asbury University
Judson University
Biola University
The Masters College


DIVISION 3
Messiah College
Wheaton College (IL)
Houghton College
Gordon College
Geneva College
Eastern Mennonite University
Grove City College
Eastern University (Phila)
Hope College
Calvin College
Berry College
Bethel University
George Fox University
Greenville College
University of Mary Hardin-Baylor
The Masters College
Baptist Bible College
Lancaster Bible College
University of Valley Forge

NCCAA
Numerous Christian Colleges in this organization

[Brother Flounder]

Wheeler would be a strong candidate. He's been working those camps with Tompkins so probably knows the people there. I'd hate to lose him from NESCAC but I believe he would succeed at Yale.

Anyone would help Yale. Mr. Right,  i'll pose the question everyone asks you....Where do u think they would have finished in the NESCAC last year??? lol....

Notwithstanding how bad they have been, wouldn't mid a diploma from there, even if they never one a game.....

What happened to the rumor about Shapiro going to Yale?