Head Coach Opening/ Cecchini Departing

[JD24]

I did not say a current coach at one of those schools. None of those names are the name I heard. It's a former coach at one of them though.

Two names would be Erik Raeburn who's currently free from duty after 3 down years at Div II Savannah St. He had a great record at Wabash. 78-13 (54-6 in conference. 5 of 8 years in Div III playoffs. The other is Mike Land of Trine. He's their AD currently but had a solid record prior to Abel taking the job. Much less likely in my view. No other logical choices (my logic) and therefore can't POSSIBLY happen!

Savannah State has been at the FBS level in the MEAC now heading back to D2. Honestly not sure why you would leave Wabash for that disaster of an athletic department.

A guess of mine would be that he wanted a chance to play with scholarships.

[IndyValpo]

Looks like Cecchini chased the entire coaching staff except for the special teams coordinator. Miran announced as OC. Former VU Assistant Manalac is the new DC. Giacalone will be named something.

[valpofb16]

Erik Raeburn is one heck of a thought, he recruited me ran an excellent ship at Wabash

Not surprised Cecchini took staff, coaching trees is how college football works. Congrats to Miran, Giacalone, and Manalac. I have heard job is now down to seven candidates. I did not get any names.

I think the Crusaders will be just fine having time to think on things. Dave got a new locker room, jerseys, and weight room all comparable to our conference. He brought the overall talent of the roster up and I hear we are getting new turf this year.

It looks like one recruit did flip but the rest are fully buying into the University. Wabash and Valparaiso are very similar in cost, demographic (except Valpo has women) and academics. With his relationship with local high school coaches it is almost a no brainer.

[JD24]

Looks like Cecchini chased the entire coaching staff except for the special teams coordinator. Miran announced as OC. Former VU Assistant Manalac is the new DC. Giacalone will be named something.

Done deal as soon as the offensive staff (what remained) was removed from the Valpo website. Manalac was a good hire by Bucknell. Better choice, in my opinion, than Valpo's current DC.

[JD24]

He brought the overall talent of the roster up and I hear we are getting new turf this year. It looks like one recruit did flip but the rest are fully buying into the University. 

The problem currently is that the recruiting class is 18-19 players when the numbers leaving are nearly that number. We also don't know if the roster loses more from the committed list and/or the thought to be staying list because of the coaching change. In addition to that, this is typically a time when Valpo is picking a few recruits up and I haven't seen anything indicating that this has happened. I'd imagine the remaining staff is just trying to hold on to what they have at this point. They may also be more focused on their own careers and spending time on contingency plans if/when they are not retained. It's a tough spot for them.

In terms of the talent of the roster, I'd argue any talent upgrade was marginal at best over what they inherited.

[crusader05]

I think the the quality of the men improved more so than the talent did. Coach definitely picked academically stronger kids and those that were better fits and had better attitudes than the prior coach did but I don't know if the talent really jumped up.  I think what we saw more in improvement was just a better coach and better men vs a drastically better recruiting class year over year.

[covufan]

I did not say a current coach at one of those schools. None of those names are the name I heard. It's a former coach at one of them though.

Does he have a son that wears a super bowl ring?


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[JD24]

Hopefully we hear something by mid-week.

Giacalone and Matt Ford who was with Valpo 2 seasons ago were officially hired by Bucknell. OL and TEs respectively.

[VULB#62]

So......  with DC hiring Miran(OC), Manalac (DC) , Giacalone, and Ford, five (at least) out of 9 key position coaching slots are filled by former Valpo staff.  Although not precisely a match, it will, in the future, provideus  somewahat of a barometer of where Valpo was over the previous 5 seasons:  same guys, different place.  If DC and company turn Bucknell around fairly fast it validates what DC did here to an extent.  I certainly hope he does very well so that our improvement gains a little traction.

However, if not, maybe not -- especially when you consider that ....

>  Bucknell has tons more money (Bucks, get it?    ),
>  A  beautiful stadium that seats. 13,100     https://bucknellbison.com/facilities/?id=5 (check out the photos)
>  A coaching slot just for strength and conditioning (no position work identified)
>  They, like all Patriot Teams since the 2016-17 academic year, can award 60 full equivalent football scholarships

Some other background;
Bucknell's UG enrollment is 3,650
Endowment is $801 million (4th in the PL - But #1 Boston University does not play football - their hockey program is pretty good thoiugh
Bucknell offers 11 men's and 13 womens sport tieing them with Lehigh and Holy Cross for #1

[JD24]

>  A  beautiful stadium that seats. 13,100     https://bucknellbison.com/facilities/?id=5 (check out the photos) 

Named after Christy Matthewson who could probably wake from the dead and help Valpo as a punter.

[bbtds]

>  A  beautiful stadium that seats. 13,100     https://bucknellbison.com/facilities/?id=5 (check out the photos) 

Named after Christy Matthewson who could probably wake from the dead and help Valpo as a punter.

Matthewson is certainly an interesting story.

'Christy Mathewson is exactly the kind of role model we should be holding out to student-athletes,' he said. 'He achieved at an entirely different level.'

So a few hours before Saturday's kickoff against Dartmouth, Bucknell will christen its 65-year-old football field Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium.

Mathewson starred in three sports at Bucknell before joining the New York Giants in 1901. However, he left a legacy few college athletes today could match.

The Factoryville, Pa., native was a straight-A student. He was class historian and president of his junior class. He sang first bass in the glee club and played bass horn in the band. He was a member of the Euepia literary society, the Phi Gamma Delta social fraternity and Theta Delta Tau honorary society.

'Those are aspects of his career we would hope any athlete or any student would try to emulate,' Sojka said. 'Literally, he was a scholar, a singer, a musician, a writer, a leader -- the whole works.'

And Mathewson was an athlete. He was the basketball team's starting center. In his sophomore year, his only season on the baseball team, he compiled a 7-3 record. His biggest success came at football, where he played fullback and kicker. In three seasons, Mathewson scored 13 touchdowns and kicked eight field goals.

A 48-yard field goal from a difficult angle against Army in 1899 so impressed Walter Camp that the legendary coach proclaimed Mathewson the 'greatest drop kicker in intercollegiate competition.'

The facility was originally named Memorial Stadium in honor of wartime veterans in the Bucknell community. As a war veteran, Mathewson is already listed on a plaque in the stadium.

'The stadium is being dedicated to Christy Mathewson, but it remains dedicated to those people it was previously dedicated to,' Tufts said. 'We want this to continue to honor him and all those who served their country.'

[VULB#62]

Tough fighting the long history of those darned eastern schools.

[valpofb16]

Have heard that coaching search is down to five John Snyder, Ernest Moore, Erik Raeburn, Ted Karras, and i did not get a name for the last one

Side roster notes:

Freshman Center Riley Edgerton is transferring to University of Indianapolis (D2)
Freshman Tackle Adam Meyer has left team

Meyer had a good frame but was a project, Edgerton was a shoe in for the backup center role and showed promise last season on scout team

[NWIGuy]

Interesting list...

• Sure would like to know that final name
• Any one know what Karras has been doing since leaving Walsh in 2016?
• Snyder seems like the player's choice, but is he connected enough to assemble a staff?
• Is Moore ready to the face of the program, recruit nationally, etc.?
• Still trying to figure out why Raeburn thought SSU was a good fit. I understand the lure of the FBS, but nothing about his previous successful experiences transfer there. Valpo seems much more in line with his previous experience.

I'd have to believe that 1 or 2 of these guys will be on campus this week....

[IndyValpo]

Side roster notes:

Freshman Center Riley Edgerton is transferring to University of Indianapolis (D2)
Freshman Tackle Adam Meyer has left team

Meyer had a good frame but was a project, Edgerton was a shoe in for the backup center role and showed promise last season on scout team

Meyer was a 215 LB Offensive lineman he was way too light. I was surprised they didn't make him a TE. Edgerton is a loss.

[JD24]

Side roster notes: Freshman Center Riley Edgerton is transferring to University of Indianapolis (D2) Freshman Tackle Adam Meyer has left team Meyer had a good frame but was a project, Edgerton was a shoe in for the backup center role and showed promise last season on scout team

Meyer was a 215 LB Offensive lineman he was way too light. I was surprised they didn't make him a TE. Edgerton is a loss.

I think Meyers was the guy talked about on this board as hoping he could catch so he could play TE because of his weight. Edgerton going to Indy is disappointing. He may have even played this upcoming season if plans on some of the OLmen who have initially indicated they'd come back as 5th year seniors change their mind(s) particularly with the coaching change. Indy has a very good program.

[JD24]

Interesting list...

• Sure would like to know that final name
• Any one know what Karras has been doing since leaving Walsh in 2016?
• Snyder seems like the player's choice, but is he connected enough to assemble a staff?
• Is Moore ready to the face of the program, recruit nationally, etc.?
• Still trying to figure out why Raeburn thought SSU was a good fit. I understand the lure of the FBS, but nothing about his previous successful experiences transfer there. Valpo seems much more in line with his previous experience.

I'd have to believe that 1 or 2 of these guys will be on campus this week....

Without knowing who the final candidate is, Raeburn would be my choice based on his past.

[VULB#62]

Have heard that coaching search is down to five John Snyder, Ernest Moore, Erik Raeburn, Ted Karras, and i did not get a name for the last one

Raeburn had a very solid winning record at D-III Wabash (78-13) and Coe College (57-26) before that. Jumping to the FCS MEAC conference to take the SSU job was a scratch my head kind of decision, but he did some good things before being fired after only his third season at the helm.   He was 8-23 there and 6 of those losses were body bag games against FBS schools like UAB, Miami (FL),  Appalachian State, GA Southern and Southern Miss.   He won more games in only three years than that program won in the previous six (5).

I checked his three year record (2016-2018) against the team's record from 2010 to 2015 before he arrived.  Although 2018 was counter to the previous two seasons, they still were very competitive in conference games but lost some close games.  It's apparent he made over the program and his firing was a shock to him.  Here's a link to the article:  https://www.savannahnow.com/sports/20181207/football-coach-erik-raeburn-i-had-no-idea-savannah-state-firing-was-coming

Raeburn
2018 -  2-8, 1-6
2017 -  3-8, 3-5
2016 -  3-7, 3-5

Predecessors
2010 - 1-10 overall , 0-0 conf)
2011 -  1-10, 1-7
2012 -  1-10, 0-8
2013 -  1-11, 0-8
2014 -  0-12, 0-8
2015 -  1-9, 1-7

And I concur with JD24.  This guy can coach.

[VULB#62]

Just checked out the SSU coaching staff page.  Raeburn is still listed and pictured as the HFBC if you can believe that.  I also noticed that a few of the assistants were there only a couple of seasons (hired by Raeburn) and they also may be on the street with the coaching change. Wouldn't be surprised if they wind up at Valpo if Raeburn gets the job.

[JD24]

Have heard that coaching search is down to five John Snyder, Ernest Moore, Erik Raeburn, Ted Karras, and i did not get a name for the last one

Raeburn had a very solid winning record at D-III Wabash (78-13) and Coe College (57-26) before that. Jumping to the FCS MEAC conference to take the SSU job was a scratch my head kind of decision, but he did some good things before being fired after only his third season at the helm.   He was 8-23 there and 6 of those losses were body bag games against FBS schools like UAB, Miami (FL),  Appalachian State, GA Southern and Southern Miss.   He won more games in only three years than that program won in the previous six (5). I checked his three year record (2016-2018) against the team's record from 2010 to 2015 before he arrived.  Although 2018 was counter to the previous two seasons, they still were very competitive in conference games but lost some close games.  It's apparent he made over the program and his firing was a shock to him.  Here's a link to the article:  https://www.savannahnow.com/sports/20181207/football-coach-erik-raeburn-i-had-no-idea-savannah-state-firing-was-coming Raeburn 2018 -  2-8, 1-6 2017 -  3-8, 3-5 2016 -  3-7, 3-5 Predecessors 2010 - 1-10 overall , 0-0 conf) 2011 -  1-10, 1-7 2012 -  1-10, 0-8 2013 -  1-11, 0-8 2014 -  0-12, 0-8 2015 -  1-9, 1-7 And I concur with JD24.  This guy can coach.

One assistant at Wabash is now HC at Wabash. Doesn't appear that he took anyone from Wabash to SSU.

[bbtds]

Side roster notes:

Freshman Center Riley Edgerton is transferring to University of Indianapolis (D2)
Freshman Tackle Adam Meyer has left team

Meyer had a good frame but was a project, Edgerton was a shoe in for the backup center role and showed promise last season on scout team

Meyer was a 215 LB Offensive lineman he was way too light. I was surprised they didn't make him a TE. Edgerton is a loss.

I'll have to stop by UIndy and see what Valpo lost in Edgerton.

[VULB#62]

Just checked out the SSU coaching staff page.  Raeburn is still listed and pictured as the HFBC if you can believe that.  I also noticed that a few of the assistants were there only a couple of seasons (hired by Raeburn) and they also may be on the street with the coaching change. Wouldn't be surprised if they wind up at Valpo if Raeburn gets the job.

Just checked another page at the SSU site-- Staff Directory.  Only 4 football coaches remain listed:  Shawn Quinn (Interim HC), Russ DeMasi, Glenn Davis, Thomas Simms.

Gone are:

Bill Rychel - former OC/OL -- Mount Union UG and Coe PG (in tune with Raeburn's alma mater and coaching travels)
Nathan Scola - former running back coach - Wabash grad '14
Anthony Neymeiyer - former TE coach -  Wabash grad '09, EMU Masters and OL coach at EMU
Paul Humphries (no bio on the website)

SSU is transitioning out of FCS and going back to NCAA D-II starting in 2019.

[JD24]

Side roster notes: Freshman Center Riley Edgerton is transferring to University of Indianapolis (D2) Freshman Tackle Adam Meyer has left team Meyer had a good frame but was a project, Edgerton was a shoe in for the backup center role and showed promise last season on scout team

Meyer was a 215 LB Offensive lineman he was way too light. I was surprised they didn't make him a TE. Edgerton is a loss.

I'll have to stop by UIndy and see what Valpo lost in Edgerton.

Edgerton's hometown is close enough to Indy that maybe being able to be either closer to home or being able to commute may have played a factor in his departure.

[bbtds]

Side roster notes: Freshman Center Riley Edgerton is transferring to University of Indianapolis (D2) Freshman Tackle Adam Meyer has left team Meyer had a good frame but was a project, Edgerton was a shoe in for the backup center role and showed promise last season on scout team

Meyer was a 215 LB Offensive lineman he was way too light. I was surprised they didn't make him a TE. Edgerton is a loss.

I'll have to stop by UIndy and see what Valpo lost in Edgerton.

Edgerton's hometown is close enough to Indy that maybe being able to be either closer to home or being able to commute may have played a factor in his departure.

I hadn't noticed the hometown of Martinsville. It's near 25 minutes from my house.

[valpofb16]

Hearing that Erik Raeburn is the guy, announcement may come as early as Thursday