I finally got to listen pretty intently to the end-of-season All Access interview with Coach Fox after the St. Thomas game. Two things, generally, kinda stuck with me.
1) What he said. Fox acknowledged that Valpo lost some games they could have won if they had been able to put more points on the board. He said we have to get better at that. How? Different system? Shift in coaching responsibilities? Reprioritizing recruiting? He gave no real specifics, so, therefore, the title of this post. But at the same time it pointed to things we've discussed on this board throughout the past season and that is a good thing.
2). What he didn't say. Brandon asked what was on the schedule for him and his staff now that the season was complete, and Coach said pretty much that they gotta focus on recruiting. Missing from that response (understandably) was any mention of or illusion to his personal plans regarding the future of the VU FB program. Yet, isn't that the elephant in the room? We'll see I guess.
Quote from: VULB#62 on November 27, 2023, 08:53:02 AM
I finally got to listen pretty intently to the end-of-season All Access interview with Coach Fox after the St. Thomas game. Two things, generally, kinda stuck with me.
1) What he said. Fox acknowledged that Valpo lost some games they could have won if they had been able to put more points on the board. He said we have to get better at that. How? Different system? Shift in coaching responsibilities? Reprioritizing recruiting? He gave no real specifics, so, therefore, the title of this post. But at the same time it pointed to things we've discussed on this board throughout the past season and that is a good thing.
2). What he didn't say. Brandon asked what was on the schedule for him and his staff now that the season was complete, and Coach said pretty much that they gotta focus on recruiting. Missing from that response (understandably) was any mention of or illusion to his personal plans regarding the future of the VU FB program. Yet, isn't that the elephant in the room? We'll see I guess.
I think what really matters is the substance of Coach Fox's next big conversation with Charles Small. He's got to have a wish list, and he's not going to broadcast that.
Six of VU's losses were by a combined 33 points. Concededly, their three wins were pretty close as well. But all in all, this team was competitive. Coach Fox has assembled a very respectable roster.
I know this season was frustrating and sometimes downright disappointing. It appears, however, that VU is not too far away from entering the top half of the PFL.
Departures: All confirmed
Portal:
WR Solomon Davis
Graduating:
WR Moise Tezzo
WR Johnny Foley
RB Jashon Butler
LB Evan Annis
Offense looks different already, Davis and Butler were arguably two of the three most important players to touch the ball all season.
Makes sense for Solomon, as I assume that he graduated, and wants to try his success at a scholarship program for a GT year.
Agreed. Without Butler kick returns or Davis deep balls it gets bleak.
If Eberhart, Szczepanski, Woody, and Vickers all come back. The making is there for Mann to have a big year.
13 - Brandon Barthel - WR has entered portal
Quote from: valpofb16 on November 29, 2023, 01:14:07 PM
13 - Brandon Barthel - WR has entered portal
Did Barthel ever play?
Quote from: IndyValpo on December 01, 2023, 01:19:49 PM
Quote from: valpofb16 on November 29, 2023, 01:14:07 PM
13 - Brandon Barthel - WR has entered portal
Did Barthel ever play?
Zero receptions and zero (special teams(?) tackles. Probably didn't see much action.
OT Brett Gray and DT Logan Chastain have entered portal.
Chastain probably will play up and is a massive loss.
In the days of NIL and scholarships. Us offering neither probably means we are a glorified Juco for some kids.
More of the same from 40 years ago
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DE Amar Elmore has entered the portal. That's 2 out of last years 8 rotation linemen
For what it's worth, home states of first four underclassmen in the portal:
California, Oregon, Arizona, Washington
Can Valpo get likewise talent in the Midwest with NAIA powerhouses ( Marian , St Francis, IWU) and Conf foes (Butler, Drake, Morehead ) all heavily recruiting the area?
Grand View?
Add promising LB Wade Abrams to the mix.
Was really afraid of the up and comers on the defensive side leaving. If we fall off on defense too will be a long long year.
Some good news
OC Tyler Eberhart
OL Carter Woody
OL Sam Hafner
Are all staying for 5th years
Portal additions:
Mohamed Kamara
Keith Szczepanski
Promising OL Mason Smith is no longer with the team
RB Coach Trevor McConnell is headed to Coe College. Meaning we will be heading into our 5th RB Coach in the Symmes era (still under 1 year of real time)
RB Coach has seen the most turnover of any position coach over the last decade. My son was in the RB room for 5 years and worked with 3 different coaches in that span. Has been spelled out on this board over and over, but if you can't pay them, coaches will move on to a program who will.
If there is a football budget line that needs major beefing up it is assistant coach salaries. Facilities are fine for now. There's a decent, dedicated weight room. Buy games have helped considerably to defray operating expenses. But if Landon can't stabilize his staff because it is out of his control, it's a problem that will haunt year after year and, unfortunately, ensure mediocrity.
Football Assistant pay won't go up while we're paying Lottich several hundred thousand to sit at home.
Quote from: valpofb16 on January 22, 2024, 06:28:39 PMFootball Assistant pay won't go up while we're paying Lottich several hundred thousand to sit at home.
Is this still an issue now that Lottich is on the Mizzou MBB staff?
Quote from: valpofb16 on January 22, 2024, 06:28:39 PM
Football Assistant pay won't go up while we're paying Lottich several hundred thousand to sit at home.
Lottich is now an assistant at Missouri, and if his VU contract did not specify that the buy out would be reduced by the compensation in his next job, that would be criminal negligence.
Matt Lottich - Special Assistant to the Head Coach - Men's Basketball Support Staff - University of Missouri Athletics (mutigers.com) (https://mutigers.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/staff/matt-lottich/211)
Contract details released for Mizzou men's basketball assistant coach Kyle Smithpeters - ABC17NEWS (https://abc17news.com/news/2022/04/25/contract-details-released-for-mizzou-mens-basketball-assistant-coach-kyle-smithpeters/)
In 2022 these were the Univ of Missouri MBB asst coaches salaries
In head coach Dennis Gates' contract, $915,000 was included for his three assistant coaches.
With the hire of Smithpeters, that money has been divided between associate head coach Charlton Young who will make $600,000 yearly on a three-year contract and assistant coach Dicky Nutt who signed a one-year deal for $165,000.
Probably semantics as I assume that the other 6-7 assistant coaches and support staff (of which Lottich is included) are not all working for free. My guess is that the Whitten family pays for the HC and 3 assistants while the school pays for the remainder of the staff.
I agree that it is hard to believe that there would not be offset language in whatever buyout Lottich and Valpo agreed to. Paying assistants has also been an issue long prior to the Lottich issue so that may not be the main reason the FB and other staffs would be neglected in this regard.
Jack Jarnigan is returning as Valpos Tight End Coach ( 44GP @ Valpo , OL )
One of the better, if not the best, OLmen in the recent past for Valpo. Good to see him back.
Quote from: valpofb16 on January 23, 2024, 09:27:45 PMJack Jarnigan is returning as Valpos Tight End Coach ( 44GP @ Valpo , OL )
Isn't he the guy who helped set up the games with New Mexico?
Yes. Has been on staff at NMSU as a GA. This is a GREAT hire and he's connected to the university community in number of ways. Should bring som stability.
I have zero concern over our recruiting when it comes to the defensive side of the ball and kicking specialists. Fox has had his D scheme in place and stable since he arrived. Yeah, the assistant coach revolving door has impacted defense some, but it always comes down to Fox. He knows what he needs and who he wants there in the recruiting cycle. Our defense keeps our program competitive in just about every PFL contest.
Question: but how do you recruit for specific offensive talent when the O scheme changes from year to year based on an unstable staff and, alas, what appears to be no clear, consistent and established vision season to season?
We've :deadhorse: this as well numerous times. I certainly wish I could be a fly on the wall in the AD/HFBC meetings.
Can anyone here confirm whether or not Coach Prevost will return as OL coach in 2024? He no longer appears on the official staff page, but he also has not announced that on social media that he is coaching elsewhere. Wondering of Jarnigan will get his own room as OL coach...
According to his twitter profile Prevost is now with Cope Plastics. So not coaching Valpo OL in 2024 -- or anywhere.
:(
Well, I hope Fox gets a OL coach who knows the value of mixing up plays. Predictability gives Valpo opponent a huge advantage so stop using the same play on every 1st, 2nd attempt. Mix it up, use the WR/TE to get first downs. Work on QB improving field vision (makes a difference on broken plays) to capitalize on throwing to whoever's actually open. Anyway, I'm looking forward to Valpo football, I miss it... :twocents: