New Football Head Coach announced

[Lurking Dog]

That was Fordham without their star QB.  Just saying.

[willy]

Hell, he lost the biggest game of the year to a down trodden Lafayette team. Miracle worker --bull poop. Still, I wish him the best although this looks like another "nepo" decision.

Down trodden LaFayette team???  You meant Patriot League conference champion LaFayette team right?  Hopefully next year we can be a down trodden conference championship team too!

[a3uge]

Hell, he lost the biggest game of the year to a down trodden Lafayette team. Miracle worker --bull poop. Still, I wish him the best although this looks like another "nepo" decision.

Down trodden LaFayette team???  You meant Patriot League conference champion LaFayette team right?  Hopefully next year we can be a down trodden conference championship team too!

Baby steps... I think winning more than 1 game would be a success.

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

[VUDad]

Lehigh converted 49% of 3rd downs, 75% of 4th downs. They averaged 464 yards per game, with 85% of trips in the red zone putting points on the board. Looks like he knows how to coach the offense. Now for the defense...

[vu72]

Lehigh converted 49% of 3rd downs, 75% of 4th downs. They averaged 464 yards per game, with 85% of trips in the red zone putting points on the board. Looks like he knows how to coach the offense. Now for the defense...

[/b]

Maybe the Defensive Coordinator at Texas A & M is looking for work!  Joking of course, but the nature of today's college game is to simply outscore your opponent.  Consider the Mizzou-Auburn game: 59-42!  And, both teams were suppose to be good at defense.  The offense is way ahead of the defense nationally.

[VUDad]

Good point, VU72. But Michigan State showed Saturday night that stopping another team's offense will win games. I believe our defense will improve with an offense that controls more of the game. Just my opinion though.

[VULB#62]

Lehigh converted 49% of 3rd downs, 75% of 4th downs. They averaged 464 yards per game, with 85% of trips in the red zone putting points on the board. Looks like he knows how to coach the offense. Now for the defense...

[/b]

Maybe the Defensive Coordinator at Texas A & M is looking for work!  Joking of course, but the nature of today's college game is to simply outscore your opponent.  Consider the Mizzou-Auburn game: 59-42!  And, both teams were suppose to be good at defense.  The offense is way ahead of the defense nationally.

The PFL is not cutting edge.  The main goal needs to always be: be competitive inside the league -- and take a beating in the OOC schedule (if necessary).  Here's how the league leaders got to be at the top (click to enlarge).  Most did not score boatloads of points, but most leaders Butler, Marist (especially - check out the +/-), Dayton and Drake (I don't acknowlledge Mercer) played some defense. 

[valpotx]

Lehigh has some fantastic facilities at their school, outside of their baseball/softball programs!

[FWalum]

Still, I wish him the best although this looks like another "nepo" decision. 

Maybe I missed something, but why is this "another "nepo" decision."?

[VULB#62]

MLB recruited him hard.  The press release will go out tomorrow morning (but no "press conference" per se). Then there will be a meet and greet open to the press and public with Coach Cecchini around 11AM in the football office and locker area.  He's meeting with the team tonight.   

[wh]

Could be the contract terms that we are not privy to.  If I were him, I'd leverage the offer to secure guarantees for things like better facilities, beginning immediately and continuing over the next 3 years to bring all aspects of the program to a D-IAA level. 

Reward a miserable failure of a program (that nobody outside of players' families and a few VU alums even care exists) with new/enhanced facilities over rewarding your highly successful flagship athletic program, whose coaches have found a way of not only persevering, but thriving, despite inferior facilities (relatively speaking) for years?  You have to be kidding.  If that happens before already-made-promises to upgrade the ARC are fulfilled, I think Bryce Drew will walk in a heartbeat.  Then we'll have a problem worth worrying about - a real problem. 

Be careful what you ask for!

[VULB#62]

Could be the contract terms that we are not privy to.  If I were him, I'd leverage the offer to secure guarantees for things like better facilities, beginning immediately and continuing over the next 3 years to bring all aspects of the program to a D-IAA level. 

Reward a miserable failure of a program (that nobody outside of players' families and a few VU alums even care exists) with new/enhanced facilities over rewarding your highly successful flagship athletic program, whose coaches have found a way of not only persevering, but thriving, despite inferior facilities (relatively speaking) for years?  You have to be kidding.  If that happens before already-made-promises to upgrade the ARC are fulfilled, I think Bryce Drew will walk in a heartbeat.  Then we'll have a problem worth worrying about - a real problem. 

Be careful what you ask for!

WH, you totally misunderstood what you underscored.  If you were the recruited candidate for a D-I, D-IAA coaching position yourself, wouldn't you try to leverage any advantage you may have to bring improvements to the program you are charged to lead?  You know me well enough by now to realize that I'm a facility guy, so it's only natrural that in listing a 'for instance' I'd think first of facilities to make my point. That is what I was saying.  I seriously doubt MLB would mortgage the ARC to build a new Brown Field stadium, but maybe the promise of a finally completed track around the playing field might have been an incentive to sign,  who knows. What disappointed me was the intensity of your remarks, especially the "miserable failure of a program (that nobody outside of players' families and a few VU alums even care exists)" generalization.  I'm sure you've done studies and conducted polls that support the statement, but MLB's actions in the past month might say otherwise. No one was asking for anything (much less with an exclamation point).  You normally are a calm and rational voice on this board who gives thought to  his postings.    So, I'm thinking this was a bad day colliding with a sore subject - we all have 'em. Don't matter none, keep sending out those insightful posts that make the MBB season fun to read about.

[wh]

Could be the contract terms that we are not privy to.  If I were him, I'd leverage the offer to secure guarantees for things like better facilities, beginning immediately and continuing over the next 3 years to bring all aspects of the program to a D-IAA level. 

Reward a miserable failure of a program (that nobody outside of players' families and a few VU alums even care exists) with new/enhanced facilities over rewarding your highly successful flagship athletic program, whose coaches have found a way of not only persevering, but thriving, despite inferior facilities (relatively speaking) for years?  You have to be kidding.  If that happens before already-made-promises to upgrade the ARC are fulfilled, I think Bryce Drew will walk in a heartbeat.  Then we'll have a problem worth worrying about - a real problem. 

Be careful what you ask for!

WH, you totally misunderstood what you underscored.  If you were the recruited candidate for a D-I, D-IAA coaching position yourself, wouldn't you try to leverage any advantage you may have to bring improvements to the program you are charged to lead?  You know me well enough by now to realize that I'm a facility guy, so it's only natrural that in listing a 'for instance' I'd think first of facilities to make my point. That is what I was saying.  I seriously doubt MLB would mortgage the ARC to build a new Brown Field stadium, but maybe the promise of a finally completed track around the playing field might have been an incentive to sign,  who knows. What disappointed me was the intensity of your remarks, especially the "miserable failure of a program (that nobody outside of players' families and a few VU alums even care exists)" generalization.  I'm sure you've done studies and conducted polls that support the statement, but MLB's actions in the past month might say otherwise. No one was asking for anything (much less with an exclamation point).  You normally are a calm and rational voice on this board who gives thought to  his postings.    So, I'm thinking this was a bad day colliding with a sore subject - we all have 'em. Don't matter none, keep sending out those insightful posts that make the MBB season fun to read about.

After rereading my post, you're right, my response was way too strong. My apologies to you and all Valpo football supporters.

For better or for worse I have always been highly sensitive (and probably overly) to what I have long considered a slight to the Drews and the basketball program by the administration for ignoring much needed ARC enhancements in favor of more important this and more important that. From now on I'll try to stay out of the football conversation.          

[78crusader]

wh, you WERE kinda negative, which is unusual for you.  I enjoy your excellent and thoughtful posts very much.

Keep in mind VU basketball went through a rough stretch too -- from 1978 until 1993.  It was a time of no winning seasons, losses to DIII and NAIA schools, a player openly challenging Coach Tom Smith during a game, editorials imploring VU to drop D1 athletics, sparse crowds, and the equipment manager forgetting to bring uniforms to a road game at Notre Dame. 

Fortunately, VU basketball recovered from those bad times.  VU football will also recover.  And, yes, people care about VU football.  It is an important component to the college experience and VU would not be as good a place without it.  Just ask our friends over at Evansville, many (if not most) of whom still regret the decision to drop football 20 years ago.

Paul

[valpotx]

Announcement:

http://www.valpoathletics.com/football/news/2013-14/13217/dave-cecchini-named-head-football-coach/

[vu72]

I just did a little research on Dave and what I found was uniform praise.  Many school fans wanted him to be considered for their head coaching job.  He has high integrity and a winning record with top notch schools.  This is another brilliant hire by Mark LaBarbera!  Really looking forward to next year.   

[covufan]

I thought this deserved a new thread.

http://www.valpoathletics.com/football/news/2013-14/13217/dave-cecchini-named-head-football-coach/

Dave Cecchini Named Head Football Coach

Wednesday, December 11, 2013

Valparaiso director of athletics Mark LaBarbera announced Wednesday Dave Cecchini has been hired as the 17th head football coach in school history.

"We made up a list of all the attributes that would be important for our next head coach, and Dave met every one of them. Everyone we've talked to about Dave indicated that he was not only an outstanding football coach, but an outstanding leader of young men," LaBarbera said.

Cecchini most recently served as offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach at Lehigh University for four seasons. It was his second stint with the Mountain Hawks. Cecchini also worked in the same capacity at The Citadel and Harvard, having coached Tennessee Titans quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick and Arizona Cardinals receiver Andre Roberts.

"I'm beyond excited about the opportunity that has been provided to me by Mark LaBarbera and President Heckler. It's humbling to be brought in and shown the vision for this University, and to then be included in it," Cecchini said.

He rejoined the Lehigh staff as offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach following the 2010 season. Upon his return, the Mountain Hawks enjoyed one of the strongest offensive seasons in program history. Thanks to an offense that averaged over 26 points per game, Lehigh secured its ninth Patriot League Championship in school history. Cecchini coached quarterback Chris Lum, the national runner-up in voting for the Walter Payton Award. Lum, an All-American, broke the Patriot League's single-season record for passing yards (4,378) and touchdown passes (32). Four Mountain Hawks achieved All-American status on Cecchini's watch.

Cecchini took over as offensive coordinator/wide receivers coach at The Citadel in 2007. In his first season with the Bulldogs, the squad set 16 offensive records including points in a season (39.5 PPG) and total offense (437.6 YPG). The 2007 Citadel team finished with the school's best record in 15 years. While in Charleston, Cecchini coached and mentored star receiver Andre Roberts. Under Cecchini's tutelage, Roberts was a First Team All-American who set program records for receptions in a season (95), receiving yards (1,334), and touchdown catches (15). Roberts was selected by the Arizona Cardinals in the third round of the 2010 National Football League Draft.

Cecchini assumed the role of offensive coordinator/quarterbacks and wide receivers coach at Harvard in 2003, where his offensive aptitude yielded immediate dividends. Harvard's 2003 offense averaged 461 yards per game, good for 4th in the nation in total offense that year. The 2004 Crimson team crafted a perfect 10-0 record en route to an Ivy League Championship. Harvard set 14 team or individual offensive records with Cecchini at the controls (2003-2006). In 2005, he was bestowed the American Football Coaches Association's Mike Campbell Top Assistant Coach Award after Harvard produced the top offense in 2005.

He is a 1995 graduate of Lehigh. An All-American wide receiver in his playing days, Cecchini established numerous single-season school and Patriot League records including receptions (88), receiving yards (1,318), and touchdown receptions (15) in addition to leading the country in receptions and receiving yards per game.

Cecchini joined the Mountain Hawk coaching staff the fall following his graduation from Lehigh. For the next several seasons he worked his way up, holding the position of quarterbacks coach, wide receivers coach, running backs coach, and tight ends coach before ultimately being named assistant head coach in 2001.

Cecchini and his wife, Tammy, have two sons, Evan and Will.

What They're Saying About Dave Cecchini:

Former Harvard and current Tennessee Titans quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick: "I really enjoyed Coach Cecchini not only as a coach but as a man. He helped me a lot in my college years. He helped me grow up, he taught me a lot about the game of football, and really taught me a lot about being a great husband and father. He had a lot of characteristics that I really looked up to, and I think he's going to make a great head coach."

Lehigh head football coach Andy Coen: "I am very happy for Dave and his family to have this opportunity. Dave is an outstanding coach but more importantly an outstanding person.  I have no doubt that Dave is ready for the challenge of becoming a head coach. I know this has been a goal of his for some time. I support him and wish him nothing but the best. I look forward to watching Dave build Valparaiso into a winner."

The Citadel head football coach Kevin Higgins: "Valpo made a great decision in hiring Dave Cecchini as its Head Coach. I have watched Dave grow from an All-American wide receiver to a very successful offensive coordinator leading several programs to multiple championships. He is a man of character and integrity that will be a great role model for his players. There aren't many brighter coaches in the country than Dave."

Harvard University head football coach Tim Murphy: "Dave Cecchini was an outstanding assistant coach for us and no doubt will be an outstanding head coach at Valparaiso. He's smart, passionate and has outstanding leadership skills. A very smart move by Valparaiso."

[VULB#62]

Reading this makes me optimistic.  This guy knows the environment.  Some nice testimonials.

[covufan]

I'm hesitant, due to experience from four years ago, to become overly optimistic.  When I read Carlson's bio, I really felt that it was a good hire.  What I really like about Cecchini is his experience at OC with some difficult to recruit Division I-AA (FCS) schools, and his immediate OC success wherever he went.  I also really like that he has had exposure to different HCs (Higgins, Lembo, Murphy and Coen), and was successful with each.  Each of these coaches has been successful, and I think he'll bring something from each of them.  I really like this hire, and look forward to changes next fall. 

[VUDad]

New enthusiasm in the players will result in renewed enthusiasm for putting in hard work on the off-season. A great choice by MLB. We might even snag some unexpected recruits.

[valpotx]

I'm hesitant, due to experience from four years ago, to become overly optimistic.  When I read Carlson's bio, I really felt that it was a good hire.  What I really like about Cecchini is his experience at OC with some difficult to recruit Division I-AA (FCS) schools, and his immediate OC success wherever he went.  I also really like that he has had exposure to different HCs (Higgins, Lembo, Murphy and Coen), and was successful with each.  Each of these coaches has been successful, and I think he'll bring something from each of them.  I really like this hire, and look forward to changes next fall. 

I was on the other side of the fence 4 years ago, as I was not impressed with Carlson's background.  Yes, he started those programs and they became good, but it was a completely different situation for our program than what he had at those schools, and I believed we could have pulled someone from the NCAA FCS Assistant ranks such as this hire.

[VULB#62]

One of my criteria for the new HFBC was young enough to relate well with the playetrs but old enough to have gained the necessary well-rounded experience to lead an effective FCS program.  This guy seems to fit that very well.  he looks the part.  I'm impressed by the many comments on his integrity and character.  That's very good for Valpo.

Lehigh parallels VU in many ways:  The university has four colleges: the P.C. Rossin College of Engineering and Applied Science, the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Business and Economics, and the College of Education.

[a3uge]

Here's the original thread from the old board with the crappy proboards software: http://valpofans.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=allsports&action=display&thread=4125&page=1

[valpotx]

Phew, no comments from me on how great of a hire Carlson was lol

[vu72]

I have no further comment on the recent hire.