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Post by Cousin Eddie on Dec 14, 2015 13:19:11 GMT -6
Some choice words in the WIU press release: goleathernecks.com/news/2015/12/14/FB_1214155621.aspxMy favorite, however: "The Leathernecks faced eight nationally-ranked programs for the second consecutive year, while playing the nation's toughest schedule this fall. A 6-5 regular season (7-6 overall), with three 'Top 25' wins, helped Western earn an at-large berth for the FCS Playoffs. Western won on the road at Dayton before falling at second-seed Illinois State." |
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Post by yote14 on Dec 14, 2015 13:20:10 GMT -6
best case scenario for us. Great coach. He can hopefully bring some of his recruits that already were going to play in the Valley with him. A couple current coaches I would like to see stay would be Petrino and Harvey. If Wes stayed but under a different position than the OC that would be fine too. Those are the 2 that I would think have the least chance to stay. IMO Coach Williams and Middleton are the most important to keeping recruiting continuity. It also helps to have a few minority coaches on the staff when we are trying to get minority student-athletes to come to Vermillion. I also think Wesley could have a chance to stay on as a position coach to help in the transition between staffs, I'm not sure if he would be interested in that though. I forgot about Williams and Middleton. Both have a lot of experience with the internships they have had with the NFL etc. A good point that is easy to overlook with having a minority coach a recruit from Florida or Texas could ask questions and relate to in SD. I know Petrino and Harvey may have the least chance at staying. Simply 2 coaches I have liked a lot over the past couple years and would like to see stay. |
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WIU
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Post by WIU on Dec 14, 2015 13:27:08 GMT -6
After looking at the team stats on the Missouri Valley conference website, what jumps out at you guys that you think Nielson is the guy for the job?
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Post by Cousin Eddie on Dec 14, 2015 13:36:33 GMT -6
A couple things that I would like to point out in response to some nay-saying about Bob Nielson's performance on defense last season.
1) The Co-Defensive Coordinators were in their first season in this role in 2015.
2) The DC from Bob's first two seasons, Brian Ward, became the DC at Bowling Green in 2015 for HC Dino Babers.
3) After Bowling Green's great success in 2015, Babers was hired to be the HC at Syracuse.
4) Ward, after being DC at Bowling Green for ONE SEASON was named the interim HC.
5) Ward has since been named the DC for Syracuse with Babers.
6) Nielson knows how to hire assistant coaches.
From Ward's Bowling Green profile, for purposes of providing context as to WIU's past defensive performance:
"When Ward arrived at Western Illinois for the 2012 season, the Leathernecks' defense ranked among the bottom of the Football Championship Subdivision in most statistical categories. But, Ward quickly turned the defense around, molding the Leathernecks into one of the top defensive units in FCS football and the Missouri Valley Football Conference.
Ward's 2013 defense ranked seventh in the nation in total defense, while ranking third nationally in passing defense. The WIU defense also showed an incredible improvement in passing efficiency defense, tackles for loss, and sacks as Ward continued to implement his scheme during his second year."
The fact of the matter is this, Nielson runs a true Hurry Up No Huddle offense. It is almost unheard of to have a highly successful defense STATISTICALLY with that type of offense. It generates a ton of plays and a ton of possessions. However, it can happen and the team as a whole can be highly successful and entertaining!
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Post by Cousin Eddie on Dec 14, 2015 13:41:14 GMT -6
After looking at the team stats on the Missouri Valley conference website, what jumps out at you guys that you think Nielson is the guy for the job? It has nothing to do with statistics - they can be misleading. It has to do with this: "The Leathernecks faced eight nationally-ranked programs for the second consecutive year, while playing the nation's toughest schedule this fall. A 6-5 regular season (7-6 overall), with three 'Top 25' wins, helped Western earn an at-large berth for the FCS Playoffs. Western won on the road at Dayton before falling at second-seed Illinois State." It has to do with taking a team from the tank when he got there to the 2nd round of the FCS playoffs from the best conference in FCS, by far, in three years. He is a builder. As Jeremy Hoeck pointed out on twitter, Nielson has taken his teams to the playoffs at every level of NCAA football - D3, D2 and D1. The dude builds winners and he does it the right way and on tight budgets. WIU is a financial mess. UMD didn't have great resources historically either. Also, it should be noted that Nielson knows college athletics. This may be why it was a challenge to get the contract ironed out. In addition to his brother being an AD (yes, former USD AD Joel Nielson is his brother), Bob became the AD at Minnesota Duluth in 2003. He knows the business of college athletics, he knows donar relations, he knows the politics, etc. Further, he knows the MVFC. I don't think this can be understated. I would argue that this may have been one of the things that great hampered Joe Glenn. It is for this reason that it took him a couple years to find the right guys to recruit to this conference and why he finally pushed to move to a 4-3 defense. There is a dramatic difference in the talent on our roster from Joe's first two years vs. his second two years, in my opinion. |
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WIU
Freshman Member
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Post by WIU on Dec 14, 2015 13:51:02 GMT -6
A couple things that I would like to point out in response to some nay-saying about Bob Nielson's performance on defense last season. 1) The Co-Defensive Coordinators were in their first season in this role in 2015. 2) The DC from Bob's first two seasons, Brian Ward, became the DC at Bowling Green in 2015 for HC Dino Babers. 3) After Bowling Green's great success in 2015, Babers was hired to be the HC at Syracuse. 4) Ward, after being DC at Bowling Green for ONE SEASON was named the interim HC. 5) Ward has since been named the DC for Syracuse with Babers. 6) Nielson knows how to hire assistant coaches. From Ward's Bowling Green profile, for purposes of providing context as to WIU's past defensive performance: "When Ward arrived at Western Illinois for the 2012 season, the Leathernecks' defense ranked among the bottom of the Football Championship Subdivision in most statistical categories. But, Ward quickly turned the defense around, molding the Leathernecks into one of the top defensive units in FCS football and the Missouri Valley Football Conference. Ward's 2013 defense ranked seventh in the nation in total defense, while ranking third nationally in passing defense. The WIU defense also showed an incredible improvement in passing efficiency defense, tackles for loss, and sacks as Ward continued to implement his scheme during his second year." The fact of the matter is this, Nielson runs a true Hurry Up No Huddle offense. It is almost unheard of to have a highly successful defense STATISTICALLY with that type of offense. It generates a ton of plays and a ton of possessions. However, it can happen and the team as a whole can be highly successful and entertaining! |
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Post by formeryote on Dec 14, 2015 13:52:00 GMT -6
I like this stat: Nielsen has compiled a 186-80-1 record for a win percentage of .698 in 23 seasons as a head coach.
Really the only stat that matters. Great hire!
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WIU
Freshman Member
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Post by WIU on Dec 14, 2015 13:52:16 GMT -6
Ward was a hold over from Hendrickson's staff and was forced onto Nielson's staff by our AD.
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Post by Cousin Eddie on Dec 14, 2015 13:54:32 GMT -6
Ward was a hold over from Hendrickson's staff and was forced onto Nielson's staff by our AD. Interesting... I did not know that. Also, I did not know that you were a WIU guy. The name "Lynx" threw me off. Regardless, I stand by my comments. As a whole, the team got better every year. |
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Post by Cousin Eddie on Dec 14, 2015 13:57:29 GMT -6
I assume this is to talk about succession planning at WIU...
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Post by stlawson on Dec 14, 2015 14:43:32 GMT -6
I assume this is to talk about succession planning at WIU... Probably either "we are beginning our search for new HC immediately" or "we are promoting Coach _____ to the position of HC". |
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Post by imacoyote on Dec 14, 2015 15:02:33 GMT -6
I assume this is to talk about succession planning at WIU... Probably either "we are beginning our search for new HC immediately" or "we are promoting Coach _____ to the position of HC". What a rough week for the WIU fanbase (granted we've had a rough 4 years). Finally get the program to a conference threat and then lose some of that momentum. Anyways, can't really argue with this hire. Has shown great improvements with each of his stops and has done it now at D1-AA and in the same conference. I now have a bunch of confidence that this program will come alive again. It appears a sleeping FCS giant might have been woken. |
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Post by Cousin Eddie on Dec 14, 2015 15:23:31 GMT -6
The WIU Administration indicated that they intend to name a successor tomorrow. Implications that it will be from within. That is good because it should provide an indication as to which assistants will be available to poach right away. They have a very young staff, but I think they are well thought of.
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Post by nccyote on Dec 14, 2015 15:57:01 GMT -6
Not sure about his OC at WIU. Teddy Schlafke is younger and less experienced than Wesley was. I don't know if he actually called the plays, but his title at WIU was co-offensive coordinator. I guess if he is added as the OC here it will be a different flavor. Not saying that he is bad, I'm just noting his lack of experience. Just like with a lot of boards out there, WIU fans have complained about there lack luster offensive play calling and predictability on that side of the ball.
Enough of that talk though. Excited for the future of Coyote football and looking forward to the Neilson era. Hopefully Coach Neilson can add to the momentum that this season has started and bring Coyote football to new heights in the Valley.
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Post by Yote 53 on Dec 14, 2015 16:09:36 GMT -6
So what would you guys think if Nielson retained Wes? Honestly, it wouldn't bother me. I think Wes has alot to offer. I know he is pretty well thought of in the coaching circles. I'm sure it would make a certain poster's head explode, that would just add to the awesomeness of a move like that, IMO.
I think if WIU hires from within (like I am guessing they will do) you will see alot of that staff staying in place, at least for the upcoming season.
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