First change I noted in the staff is that Kurt Mattix has moved on to Eastern Kentucky. Mattix was the Special Teams Coordinator and LB coach. He was a Valpo grad. He had replaced Justin Stovall. Justin, IMO, was much better suited for that role -- he played LB at the I-AA level (Mattix didn't) and the 2014 special teams seemed more explosive (ranked first in the conference in punt return average (14.9 yds), kickoff return average (21.8 yds), blocked kicks (6), and special teams touchdowns (2). Valpo's kickoff return unit paved the way for Jarrett Morgan, as a freshmen, to lead the FCS in kickoff return average (34.9 yes). Wish Kurt well. Hope we can find a great replacement.
Nashville Post has Mattix going to EKU as DC which seems like a pretty big jump for him. Best of luck to Coach Mattix.
Mattix goes to a program who just replaced Hood, the HFBC for the past 8 years who had a 55-38 record. They had high hopes for a great season and only went 6-5.
Haven't seen anything on the EKU site yet. DC is a major jump for a guy with his resume (I.e., never been one I think). The new HC comes from UTennessee.
Quote from: VULB#62 on December 23, 2015, 04:37:29 PMMattix goes to a program who just replaced Hood, the HFBC for the past 8 years who had a 55-38 record. They had high hopes for a great season and only went 6-5. Haven't seen anything on the EKU site yet. DC is a major jump for a guy with his resume (I.e., never been one I think). The new HC comes from UTennessee.
I was looking for a connection between the new HC and Coach Mattix but couldn't find one. Coordinators typically are known entities to the HC but guess not in all cases. Maybe there is a logical connection that I just can't find.
Check out Brandon Vickrey's Twitter site for info on players who will not return next season.
https://mobile.twitter.com/BrandonVickrey
So far, losing Fr. WRs Keenan Franz and Chris Mercer, Fr. QB Nick Pilagia, (R-Soph) OLs Kyle Jones and Jonathan Hammond. Grayson Bastin expected to return and Brandon Hall is undecided.
Correct me if I am wrong, but if Keenan Franz cannot make it up the Valpo charts and if the twitter is true, how does he think he will succeed at a higher level? Give me a break. This is entitlement running amok.
Both Franz and Mercer had WR talent, but they did not see as much playing time as even I thought they would. But so much goes into determining that which us outsiders don't know about (e.g. sloppy pass routes in practice, missed weight sessions -- not implying that these were issues with these lads, just examples of possible behind the scenes reasons for placement on the depth chart). Had both stayed I'm sure their playing time would have increased corresponding to their offseason and spring efforts. But it could just be that they disagreed with their place on the depth chart and seek affirmation somewhere else. I hope they find what they are seeking.
Quote from: VULB#62 on December 24, 2015, 09:51:28 AMBoth Franz and Mercer had WR talent, but they did not see as much playing time as even I thought they would. But so much goes into determining that which us outsiders don't know about (e.g. sloppy pass routes in practice, missed weight sessions -- not implying that these were issues with these lads, just examples of possible behind the scenes reasons for placement on the depth chart). Had both stayed I'm sure their playing time would have increased corresponding to their offseason and spring efforts. But it could just be that they disagreed with their place on the depth chart and seek affirmation somewhere else. I hope they find what they are seeking.
One of these guys was a practice player who never showed up in games and probably saw too much playing time in the first place. In neither case was it apparent in any way that these guys would see more time in '16 anyway. The position opposite Catrine was up for grabs all year and no one took the spot and when Catrine went out, it was more of an opportunity for one or two of them to show up and none really did. Ryan Moore was probably the best of them and he and Colton Hill were seeing a good chunk of the playing time the last couple of games.
A couple of the not returners were also part of the frosh vs. returners thing on one side or the other. Let's hope the transfer happens for the QB.
Thanks for the added insight 2624.
Not surprising really. It's not unusual for freshman to feel that they are better than they really are at the college level. Reality checks are needed in a lot of cases. Unfortunately from everything I am hearing Brandon Hall is not going to be coming back. I know the coaches are trying desperately to convince him to stay but I think that ship has sailed. As far as Bastin is concerned I hope he can return. This team will need him at RB as well as his senior leadership and maturity.
[/quote
Quote from: usc4valpo on December 24, 2015, 08:15:35 AM
This is entitlement running amok.
What a sad post from you. Kid wants to try something bigger, nothing wrong with it whether or not he is successful.
Respectfully, you are wrong Indy. It is nice to have dreams, but one needs to consider reality and the future. Here is a player at a non-scholarship division 1 school, which is consistently in the bottom half of the worst rated conference in college football, and he has experienced minimal or no playing time. Now this player thinks he can elevate himself at a higher level of football. What is the reasoning here, or is there more to the story? The reality is that football will not take him to the promised land and he should prioritize what is important for his future. I have seen many athletes putting all their motivation into their sport, and then they find out that are not as good as they think.
Quote from: usc4valpo on December 24, 2015, 03:59:31 PM
Respectfully, you are wrong Indy. It is nice to have dreams, but one needs to consider reality and the future. Here is a player at a non-scholarship division 1 school, which is consistently in the bottom half of the worst rated conference in college football, and he has experienced minimal or no playing time. Now this player thinks he can elevate himself at a higher level of football. What is the reasoning here, or is there more to the story? The reality is that football will not take him to the promised land and he should prioritize what is important for his future. I have seen many athletes putting all their motivation into their sport, and then they find out that are not as good as they think.
(http://quotepixel.com/images/quotes/success/success-pictures-quotes_14195-2.png)(http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lwcttyBbpb1r837zqo1_500.png)(https://livingoutthebox.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/dreams_moon-scaled1000.gif)(http://cmster.com/media/IVes5WpsrUqWvy4SH9vJlEYcyLSs5raVKexGcepq9ZnVnJcdbeB2EKTD6B4sD7wA.jpg)
The reasons for the departure(s) can be multifaceted and those doing the departing from a situation will put out reasons which are only partially etched in truth. It could come down to non football reasons which could include that they simply couldn't afford the cost and just don't want to say that.
Mercer and Franz, btw, I wouldn't call their playing time minimal at all. If we think back to last year and the rotating of Gladney, Taibi and Warren at Z with one of them filling in for Kuramata for a series or two a game and the pattern was pretty much the same particularly through about the 3/4 mark of this season with different players.
OK, we are talking about 19 year old kids making decisions here ...
For the record, Franz played 9 games last year, for 5 catches for 44 yards.
I am guessing there is much more to his departure, perhaps academics, forking out $40K a year to play, etc. I certainly wish him the best.
Quote from: usc4valpo on December 25, 2015, 02:21:50 PM
OK, we are talking about 19 year old kids making decisions here ...
For the record, Franz played 9 games last year, for 5 catches for 44 yards.
I am guessing there is much more to his departure, perhaps academics, forking out $40K a year to play, etc. I certainly wish him the best.
It could I also be a Clay Yeo type of thing -- big fish in a smaller pond thing. This is college (not FBS) after all and none of these kids will play beyond graduation. So if they can find a place where they can play as much as they did in HS, so much better for them.
good call 62, but playing at a higher level is different than the big fish in a small pond scenario. There is more to life than catching a few passes a year on a football team.
Quote from: usc4valpo on December 25, 2015, 05:57:07 PMgood call 62, but playing at a higher level is different than the big fish in a small pond scenario. There is more to life than catching a few passes a year on a football team.
Which, at this point in their collegiate life, may not be as apparent to them as it is to those of us who've had much more life experience. It can take a couple of years before the college experience becomes less about (insert sport here) and more about the entire collegiate experience.
Excellent post. Perhaps someone who is a friend or has courage may want to have a reality check conversation with this young man.
Quote from: usc4valpo on December 25, 2015, 05:57:07 PM
good call 62, but playing at a higher level is different than the big fish in a small pond scenario. There is more to life than catching a few passes a year on a football team.
We are going with Brandon's words from Twitter on this. But 'higher' in this context could, might, maybe translate to "better" fit for each of them. That fit might be accurately assessed or, on the other hand, unrealistic. Time will tell for them. Regardless of where they wind up I wish them well. In the meantime, the Valpo program needs to constantly be looking for players that always increase the overall talent level at every position on both sides of the ball.
In that vein, I hope the 2016 class is a step up in quality and smaller in quantity. I know we are not in a position to be too picky yet, but it sure would be nice to bring in, say, 30 really good players and keep things more manageable. Not our call; just my opinion.
Change but not for valpo. Jacksonville's issues with change in coaching staff, major change in offense and players looking for immediate release because scholarships promised to them are not coming to fruition....at least according to the players.
http://jacksonville.com/sports/college/jacksonville-dolphins/2015-12-23/story/multiple-ju-football-players-seek-legal-help?utm_source=Recommendation_Widget&utm_medium=desktop&utm_campaign=qrec&utm_content=image (http://jacksonville.com/sports/college/jacksonville-dolphins/2015-12-23/story/multiple-ju-football-players-seek-legal-help?utm_source=Recommendation_Widget&utm_medium=desktop&utm_campaign=qrec&utm_content=image)
Quote from: VU2624 on December 26, 2015, 02:07:31 PM
Change but not for valpo. Jacksonville's issues with change in coaching staff, major change in offense and players looking for immediate release because scholarships promised to them are not coming to fruition....at least according to the players.
http://jacksonville.com/sports/college/jacksonville-dolphins/2015-12-23/story/multiple-ju-football-players-seek-legal-help?utm_source=Recommendation_Widget&utm_medium=desktop&utm_campaign=qrec&utm_content=image (http://jacksonville.com/sports/college/jacksonville-dolphins/2015-12-23/story/multiple-ju-football-players-seek-legal-help?utm_source=Recommendation_Widget&utm_medium=desktop&utm_campaign=qrec&utm_content=image)
Oh, this is juicy. You reap what you sew. This basically confirms that JU was luring players with the promise of FB scholarships. This could cause a lot of turmoil in that program. There must have been a lot of yelling and screaming in the athletic offices the last two years.
[Mercer Rant Alert]. Mercer at least was true to their sandbagging of the PFL and used it for only one season to jump start their program and then left. Glad they are gone. Kinda wish JU would have gone the same route.
Any word on where the ex-coach, Kerwin Bell, landed?
On a tangential path: seeing they hired an option coach who had success at Army and Lenoir Rhyne, I, me, personally (and an old-time FB coach ) have wondered why we haven't followed the Armies and Navies in implementing a rushing attack that neutralizes superior size and skill. If Navy can be successful against bigger, more talented FCS factories, why not us against bigger more talented PFL teams?
Quote from: VULB#62 on December 26, 2015, 03:26:35 PMQuote from: VU2624 on December 26, 2015, 02:07:31 PMChange but not for valpo. Jacksonville's issues with change in coaching staff, major change in offense and players looking for immediate release because scholarships promised to them are not coming to fruition....at least according to the players. http://jacksonville.com/sports/college/jacksonville-dolphins/2015-12-23/story/multiple-ju-football-players-seek-legal-help?utm_source=Recommendation_Widget&utm_medium=desktop&utm_campaign=qrec&utm_content=image (http://jacksonville.com/sports/college/jacksonville-dolphins/2015-12-23/story/multiple-ju-football-players-seek-legal-help?utm_source=Recommendation_Widget&utm_medium=desktop&utm_campaign=qrec&utm_content=image)
Oh, this is juicy. You reap what you sew. This basically confirms that JU was luring players with the promise of FB scholarships. This could cause a lot of turmoil in that program. There must have been a lot of yelling and screaming in the athletic offices the last two years. [Mercer Rant Alert]. Mercer at least was true to their sandbagging of the PFL and used it for only one season to jump start their program and then left. Glad they are gone. Kinda wish JU would have gone the same route. Any word on where the ex-coach, Kerwin Bell, landed? On a tangential path: seeing they hired an option coach who had success at Army and Lenoir Rhyne, I, me, personally (and an old-time FB coach ) have wondered why we haven't followed the Armies and Navies in implementing a rushing attack that neutralizes superior size and skill. If Navy can be successful against bigger, more talented FCS factories, why not us against bigger more talented PFL teams?
I've thought the same regarding running an offense no one else sees to defend against. It has it's plusses and minuses. If it's not working perfectly, it's an absolute disaster. Even teams such as GaTech, AirForce and Navy can, sometime inexplicably, just not be able to accomplish anything on offense and if the team gets behind it's not an offense that is a catch up offense. You also have to recruit to the offense which can be difficult for a school such as Valpo which seems to recruit more to bringing in who they can rather than specific attributes.
As far as JU, let's see if they can get that offense fired up quickly and have them remain at the top.
I know. You'd be recruiting QBs who are runners first and adequate passers. They also have to be smart with quick reactions. And you'd need a bunch of running backs in the FB and tailback mode. There is still room for wideouts and slot receivers, but you don't need to go 5 deep there. But, here is where the big difference comes in -- Navy can get away with smaller OL cuz it's mostly angle blocking and double teams.
maybe if we add the lonesome polecat play or recruit some farm boys for the line to run student body left, we can enhance the offense.
Valpo basically needs better talent at WR, RB and QB. Except for Catrine and Rane, the cupboard is bare and the varnish is peeling.
Oh, don't be so cynical USC. ;) In today's spread trend it is all about the QB. Good receivers don't matter if the guy getting the snap can't get them the ball. Heck, the the single wing, also with a deep direct snap, had more versatility and greater deception. It's not about gimmicks, it's about being realistic and having an offense that uses the best of what you've got the best way. But that's not for us to call. It's up to Coach C to find the fits and do the adjusting. Bottom line it stil comes down to blocking, tackling, passing, catching and carrying the football.
I need to be the voice of reason 62! Especially after being brainwashed listening to Chicago sports radio.
The spread requires a huge commitment and practice to execute it correctly.
Quote from: usc4valpo on December 26, 2015, 07:39:36 PMmaybe if we add the lonesome polecat play or recruit some farm boys for the line to run student body left, we can enhance the offense. Valpo basically needs better talent at WR, RB and QB. Except for Catrine and Rane, the cupboard is bare and the varnish is peeling.
The team had 2 backs who've put up seasons in the past of +/- 800yds in a season on the roster who couldn't get anything done last year. If you actually watch the games you'd see WRs running wide open in perpetuity in some cases (check the Butler game as a for instance) with the ball force fed to the one WR who isn't open and/or the wide open guys are missed with passes not even close.
The ability at WR and RB is fine with maybe some depth needed. When the QB can't get them the ball, which was a problem a good portion of the season and/or the OL can't provide protection or running lanes everyone wants to blame the backs and receivers.
Quote from: VULB#62 on December 26, 2015, 06:43:30 PMI know. You'd be recruiting QBs who are runners first and adequate passers. They also have to be smart with quick reactions. And you'd need a bunch of running backs in the FB and tailback mode. There is still room for wideouts and slot receivers, but you don't need to go 5 deep there. But, here is where the big difference comes in -- Navy can get away with smaller OL cuz it's mostly angle blocking and double teams.
Yeah you shift the emphasis from WR to RB in terms of numbers and you need mobile lineman and not more of the "behemoth" types....and I mean that in a relative sense.
Ok, so how do we find a qb to clean this? Check who is doing well in junior college to get a quick fix.
Quote from: usc4valpo on December 27, 2015, 09:02:37 PMOk, so how do we find a qb to clean this? Check who is doing well in junior college to get a quick fix.
Do JC players typically move to the PFL? JC players who are doing well move to scholarship programs I'd imagine.
That is a good observation 2624. My bad.
Valpo needs talent everywhere, but if there is a position where they are desperate, it is QB. And yes, I am the master of the obvious.
Quote from: VULB#62 on December 26, 2015, 10:09:53 AMQuote from: usc4valpo on December 25, 2015, 05:57:07 PMgood call 62, but playing at a higher level is different than the big fish in a small pond scenario. There is more to life than catching a few passes a year on a football team.
We are going with Brandon's words from Twitter on this. But 'higher' in this context could, might, maybe translate to "better" fit for each of them. That fit might be accurately assessed or, on the other hand, unrealistic. Time will tell for them. Regardless of where they wind up I wish them well.
Latest article by Brandon Vickrey mentions C. Mercer enrolling at Central Michigan and attempting to walk on. Nothing further on Franz. Cecchini also seemed to be implying that there were a few more who will do the same. The team had lost some players during the season (left the team) in a few WRs and at least one RB off the top of my head so we'll see what the true number is when off season workouts begin next week when the spring semester gets fired up.
Quote from: VU2624 on December 27, 2015, 09:56:24 PM
Quote from: usc4valpo on December 27, 2015, 09:02:37 PMOk, so how do we find a qb to clean this? Check who is doing well in junior college to get a quick fix.
Do JC players typically move to the PFL? JC players who are doing well move to scholarship programs I'd imagine.
David Macchi....find an undersized QB who can air it out in the JC ranks.
To this point, no QB has surfaced other than those from 2015. Maybe he's keeping a low profile.
Ronnie Reitz a WR from Chicago is first commit I can find.
Can we find a commit or two for DL and LB?
Quote from: VU2624 on January 16, 2016, 10:45:40 AM
Ronnie Reitz a WR from Chicago is first commit I can find.
Can we find a commit or two for DL and LB?
I read an article a couple of days ago about a kid from Edina, Minnesota who would play DL if he comes. He was offered by us (whatever that means?) and now is deciding between being a preferred walk-on at North Dakota and studying engineering at Valpo. Seems an easy decision to me.
http://www.scout.com/college/football/recruiting/story/1632176-hunt-talks-valpo-offer-und-commitment (http://www.scout.com/college/football/recruiting/story/1632176-hunt-talks-valpo-offer-und-commitment)
QuoteHe had previously had offers for a preferred walk-on spot from the University of North Dakota and South Dakota State University, but this was the first time a school offered him a scholarship.
He said that it was nice to finally have a school like him enough as a player to want to offer and the fact that Valparaiso has the degree he hopes to pursue makes it even more appealing.
"It was nice to finally get an offer," Hunt said. "Finally get that want from a school, the money, but it's a great school. They've got engineering there, that's what I want to study in college, so it's definitely nice."
This chap was offered a scholarship...presumably to Valpo? I might read that letter (assuming he got one and it's not a verbal) again.
Quote from: vu72 on January 16, 2016, 05:45:00 PM
Quote from: VU2624 on January 16, 2016, 10:45:40 AM
Ronnie Reitz a WR from Chicago is first commit I can find.
Can we find a commit or two for DL and LB?
I read an article a couple of days ago about a kid from Edina, Minnesota who would play DL if he comes. He was offered by us (whatever that means?) and now is deciding between being a preferred walk-on at North Dakota and studying engineering at Valpo. Seems an easy decision to me.
http://www.scout.com/college/football/recruiting/story/1632176-hunt-talks-valpo-offer-und-commitment (http://www.scout.com/college/football/recruiting/story/1632176-hunt-talks-valpo-offer-und-commitment)
The kid in question, Devan Hunt, plays at Edina High School in metro Minneapolis. I just happen to have a good friend who is a volunteer assistant coach on thier football team. I reached out to him and this is what he told me:
Yes, I'm still doing football. I have to tell you that Devan was one of my all-time favorites. He's a great kid, one of our Captains this year, very coach able, strong as an ox and comes from a nice family. He is also our best wrestler at heavyweight. He played at about 290 this year. He does need a little work on his foot speed on the line, but that can be coached.
Great report vu72. Now lets hope the young man completes the arduous journey to the first day of Valpo Football Camp in August.
Brandon Vickrey has tweeted some more commits as of this weekend. I can't copy and paste them but he reports at least 4 and one is OL I believe.
Quote from: VULB#62 on January 18, 2016, 08:26:46 PMBrandon Vickrey has tweeted some more commits as of this weekend. I can't copy and paste them but he reports at least 4 and one is OL I believe.
The OL is from Florida it appears based on coach tweets.
I think it's time for a 2016 recruits string. This string was targeted at program changes. Let's keep it that way. Please post observations on possible new 2016 players on the new "2016 Recruits" string.
Some notes and all of them aren't good. This all via Brandon Vickrey's twitter.
RBs coach John Snyder is now also the ST coordinator
Still interviewing for LB Coach.
9 commits thus far.
Bad news:
Legend Choudry DNR for semester 2. Tore his ACL in postseason, had surgery and elected to not return to school.
RBs may be down to Graysin Bastin and Jarrett Morgan. Fortunately RB is a spot freshman seem to be able to step into from the get go.
That is bad news about Legend. He had solid potential IMO. Electing not to come back for the second semester does not necessarily mean he is lost to the program, but a busted ACL takes time to repair and taking a semester off at this point allows for that healing without forking out the tuition (said hopefully).
Quote from: VULB#62 on January 20, 2016, 09:52:26 PM
That is bad news about Legend. He had solid potential IMO. Electing not to come back for the second semester does not necessarily mean he is lost to the program, but a busted ACL takes time to repair and taking a semester off at this point allows for that healing without forking out the tuition (said hopefully).
I asked about it after I found out and it didn't sound as if his not coming back was in anyway temporary.
Quote from: VU2624 on January 20, 2016, 02:11:56 PMLegend Choudry
for future research... you would probably need to spell his name correctly... Feel for him, he was showing solid progress in the RB position; hope he can get through the injury and continue his college academic and athletic career ...
Legend Choudhry
Quote from: talksalot on January 21, 2016, 09:15:07 AMQuote from: VU2624 on January 20, 2016, 02:11:56 PMLegend Choudry
for future research... you would probably need to spell his name correctly... Feel for him, he was showing solid progress in the RB position; hope he can get through the injury and continue his college academic and athletic career ... Legend Choudhry
I'll take that under advisement sir spell checker.
For future posting purposes....your sentence structure is poor and you left out a personal pronoun in one sentence.
Quote from: VU2624 on January 20, 2016, 02:11:56 PM
RBs coach John Snyder is now also the ST coordinator
Still interviewing for LB Coach.
We've gone through 2 STCs in two years. I'm glad John got the ST Coordinator job. We are going into year 3 and John has been with Cecchini's program from the start. Though the role is new for him, he represents continuity and an understanding of the program that a new guy would not necessarily have.
Quote from: VULB#62 on January 26, 2016, 11:44:07 AMQuote from: VU2624 on January 20, 2016, 02:11:56 PMRBs coach John Snyder is now also the ST coordinator Still interviewing for LB Coach.
We've gone through 2 STCs in two years. I'm glad John got the ST Coordinator job. We are going into year 3 and John has been with Cecchini's program from the start. Though the role is new for him, he represents continuity and an understanding of the program that a new guy would not necessarily have.
Coach Snyder is a holdover from the previous regime for one year. Good guy.
Yes, he was. He's the "senior citizen" of the staff ;) I think he'll do well at ST.
This has been out there for a few days on twitter but if you haven't seen the 2016 schedule here it is.
http://www.valpoathletics.com/football/schedule/2016-17/#.VqpkPln9mM9 (http://www.valpoathletics.com/football/schedule/2016-17/#.VqpkPln9mM9)
back to back warm weather games mid Oct.
And back-to-back away crunchers against scholarship FCS programs in early September. Ouch.
Illinois State went 10-3 last season and lost in the FCS third round to Richmond, at home, 39-27. They finished the season ranked #4 in the country. They killed WIU (who knocked out Dayton in the first round) in the second round of the FCS playoffs 36-19.
SHU finished 6-5 last season, tied for 3rd in the NEC, and beat us 56-3 at Brown Field.
We got ourselves a LB coach. He's out of the Michigan State coaching staff, played at Cincinnati and made it as far as the Buffalo Bills 53 man roster.
http://www.valpoathletics.com/football/news/2015-16/15190/cecchini-adds-manalac-to-coaching-staff/#.VquMja9OKrV (http://www.valpoathletics.com/football/news/2015-16/15190/cecchini-adds-manalac-to-coaching-staff/#.VquMja9OKrV)
Quote from: VULB#62 on January 29, 2016, 10:07:40 AM
We got ourselves a LB coach. He's out of the Michigan State coaching staff, played at Cincinnati and made it as far as the Buffalo Bills 53 man roster.
http://www.valpoathletics.com/football/news/2015-16/15190/cecchini-adds-manalac-to-coaching-staff/#.VquMja9OKrV (http://www.valpoathletics.com/football/news/2015-16/15190/cecchini-adds-manalac-to-coaching-staff/#.VquMja9OKrV)
Sounds like a very good hire!!
I have a good feeling about this. We have some young LBs and this young guy has both the playing experience and a varied coaching exposure to bring out their talent.
BUT.... We still need 4 studs up front to protect the LBs and stuff the A, B and C gaps.
Didn't know where to put this one. I wonder if this was the potential transfer mentioned prior to the break. I think Brandon Vickrey mentioned it and there was talk about it among some of the players.
QuoteQuarterback Willy Pflug (Portland, Oregon) signed with Montana a year ago, taking the Grizzlies' scholarship offer over Eastern Washington. He graduated from high school early and enrolled at Montana for the spring 2015 semester.
One problem...Montana hired a new head coach who didn't want Pflug.
"It was unfortunate that the staff changed after I committed as it turned out not to be a fit for what this staff values and the direction they want to go," Pflug told the Missoulian. "We both tried to make it work but they want to focus in a different direction. I wish them luck."
As a high school senior, he threw for 1,666 yards and 20 touchdowns. Don't know how he'll adapt to an option offense, but he is reportedly headed to Jacksonville. Contrary to this article, Pflug will not have to sit out 2016...and he should have four years of eligibility remaining. See NCAA Bylaw 14.5.5.2.10 (a)
http://pflfan.proboards.com/post/18362 (http://pflfan.proboards.com/post/18362)
Probably should go on the 2016 Recruit string but WTH. From this article it could be JU or JSU (AL). Man, if he was a Griz offer, he could not do wrong by VU. The plane fare to ORD for his folks would be lower ::)
Shoot, we need QBs
This is me but I'd go go for JC QBs and transfers right now. A good one would actually make our youngsters even better.
Not much can be done regarding spring ball but there's one available QB for spring.
Fall may not be much better. Stokes' injury is not one conducive to throwing anything.
Quote from: VULB#62 on January 29, 2016, 07:47:20 PM
I have a good feeling about this. We have some young LBs and this young guy has both the playing experience and a varied coaching exposure to bring out their talent.
BUT.... We still need 4 studs up front to protect the LBs and stuff the A, B and C gaps.
Here is Coach Manalac's twitter site. It's now got the Valpo logo on it and, reading the chatter, he got a lot of love from current MSU players and coaches for the move to Valpo. He's well respected which further supports that he'll be a good one for us.
https://twitter.com/Coach_Manalac
BTW, I noticed that he's been following Valpo sports and Valpo BB on Twitter since early January. :thumbsup:
Good article by Brandon on new LB coach Manalac. Sounds like he is as hungry for success as his players. That's a good thing.
http://www.valpotorch.com/sports/vu_sports/article_b481306a-d1bc-11e5-a3c1-e36ebf21061f.html (http://www.valpotorch.com/sports/vu_sports/article_b481306a-d1bc-11e5-a3c1-e36ebf21061f.html)
Tangentially related to Valpo but I read that Morehead St. DC moved on. That was an area of improvement for them last season and now we'll see if it falls back again after Wright's departure.
More of a question than a comment:
On the PFL board there's talk of 5th year players at Dayton and Marist. Dayton has put out that there are 15 5th year seniors returning in 2016. My question is how do they do this? I know how they are eligible but how do 15 players afford to pay what amounts to full tuition? I assume their undergraduate academic and need based money would run out in 4 years. Is there typically funding available for 5th year players in some fashion. Valpo has one player they are or were trying to have return for a 5th year but how he is/was going to pay for that semester was an issue.
Any insight?
Good question. Some other thoughts to go along with that.
Nate Koeneman came back for his fifth season. Spoke with his mom before one of the earlier games. He could have graduated, but felt compelled to return for that 9th semester ( I felt so sorry for him when he went down as a result). I believe he arranged his courses to allow for that. Could be that tuition (and associated financial aid) can be prorated/distributed by course load so that there may be some "left over" for that 9th semester. Could be also that a redshirt might take a semester off so that they still only have 8 semesters for the first semester of year 5. Then there is graduate school for a graduated senior. He still may qualify for financial aid like any other student. Finally, families might just be scraping the money together.
Btw, also on the PFL board related to this topic is the situation where guys who could be 5th year seniors opt to use their final year of eligibility playing as scholarship players for FCS teams. It happened this year going into next season for at least one OT on one of the better teams.
(Actually it was OT Zac Morgan of Dayton. He is playing as a graduate for U of Oregon -- that's FBS!).
I don't think financial aid is distributed by course load (I know my kids didn't appear to be) but I guess it's possible that there's a hindsight look back and say the school was overpaid for certain semesters and the funds can be redistributed.
I thought that redshirt eligibility was contigent upon the athlete remaining in school through all semesters.
You coul be right on all counts. I was just doing some unresearched brainstorming. Regardless, that 9th semester can be a big financial burden for some. Don't blame any kid for graduating in 8 or fewer semesters in today's higher education environment. That 9th semester is truly "pay to play."