New Head Coach: Landon Fox

valpofb16 · March 01, 2019, 08:26:28 AM

Confirmed from within the program Valparaiso has hired Dayton defensive coordinator Landon Fox announcement coming later today

VULB#62 · March 01, 2019, 09:50:35 AM

If true, I like that we hired a D guy, but now I wonder what the O will be. Will we just be Dayton-West or will he bring in a different concept (flexbone? Veer? Read pass option? Wing T? Notre dame Box? Single wing?).

Based on how this played out, it seems like JD24s speculation that the #1 choice could not agree to terms might be accurate.

VULB#62 · March 01, 2019, 09:59:46 AM

Just to add a personal thought. I'm all for giving assistants who are ready a shot at being a HC. If it is Fox, so be it. Let's hope he is indeed ready, has his coaching act together, and will not have learn on-the-job. But I voiced earlier that we went that route already with DC and at this point in the program's progression we needed a guy who was an experienced HC with a strong winning record to take us to the next level. I'm a little disappointed that we were not able to get Raeburn on board and hope a few K in salary was not the obstacle.

NWIGuy · March 01, 2019, 10:37:02 AM

A move to defensive minded HC, even without HC experience, could work out well for the Crusaders. Let's face it, our opponent's averaged 35.6 ppg in 2018. That number is even higher if we just took at the 9 losses. With injuries at the QB position, a lack of WRs on the roster, and more depth at RB than any other off skill group... we could be looking at needing to run the ball more and playing better defense.

VULB#62 · March 01, 2019, 11:56:36 AM

Quote from: NWIGuy on March 01, 2019, 10:37:02 AM
A move to defensive minded HC, even without HC experience, could work out well for the Crusaders. Let's face it, our opponent's averaged 35.6 ppg in 2018. That number is even higher if we just took at the 9 losses. With injuries at the QB position, a lack of WRs on the roster, and more depth at RB than any other off skill group... we could be looking at needing to run the ball more and playing better defense.

I concur given our current circumstances. It was nice having a vibrant passing attack the last 9 years, but also so darned frustrating and so one-guy-dependent - the QB, whether it be Jimmy or going back to Eric Hoffman. As our QBs went so did we. In 2017, when Jimmy was healthy, we looked pretty good. In DC's first season he was left with Ben Lehman after Hoffman did not return for a 5th year. And Ben actually wound up being the perfect QB because he was not so heavily depended upon and we spread the responsibility for generating offense to include the running game and Ben contributed to that as well. Of course it sure helped Ben to have Tanner out there to catch passes when he did throw. We won four games that first season and were within striking distance of three more wins.

I am going to stereotype defensive minded head coaches - probably unfairly. They, by nature, are hard-nosed, physical people, because that's what you have to be to play D. That spills over, I believe, into how they approach the O side of the ball. In that respect, without anything to base this on, I expect (actually hope) the VU offense to be a more basic, lunchbox-type of a game that is less finesse than we are used to and more grind and ball control. I just want to win games and I don't care how pretty the wins are.

pvburnett · March 01, 2019, 12:57:01 PM

Quote from: valpofb16 on March 01, 2019, 08:26:28 AM
Confirmed from within the program Valparaiso has hired Dayton defensive coordinator Landon Fox announcement coming later today

Great Hire.

Sent from my SM-S327VL using Tapatalk

valpopal · March 01, 2019, 02:20:33 PM

It's official now. Welcome Coach Fox!

Dear Faculty and Staff,

I am pleased to announce that Landon Fox has been selected as the next head coach of the Valparaiso University football program.
Coach Fox will be formally introduced at a welcome reception on Tuesday, March 5 at 1 p.m. in the Athletics-Recreation Center media room. He spent the last 11 years as the defensive coordinator and secondary coach at the University of Dayton.

Coach Fox understands what it takes to be successful in the Pioneer Football League and what it takes to be a successful student at an institution like Valparaiso University. During his time at Dayton, he helped make defense the hallmark of a program that posted an 86-38 record, won three PFL championships and participated in the 2015 FCS playoffs.

Dayton's defenses consistently ranked among the national leaders in a variety of statistical categories during Coach Fox's tenure. Prior to joining the staff at Dayton, Coach Fox served as the linebackers coach and special teams coordinator at Wayne State University in Detroit from 2005-2007. His resume also includes stints as a defensive graduate assistant at Ball State University (2004), Dayton (2002-2003) and Lakeland College (2001). He began his coaching career as an assistant varsity coach at Preble Shawnee High School in Camden, Ohio during the 2000 season.

I invite you to join me in extending a warm welcome to Coach Fox at Tuesday's reception.

Sincerely,
Mark LaBarbera
Director of Athletics

crusader05 · March 01, 2019, 02:24:40 PM

Also this from Paul:

https://twitter.com/NWIOren/status/1101574887141986310

JD24 · March 01, 2019, 03:14:30 PM

First....Fox is not a bad choice but....

....in these types of negotiations there often is only one offer because the preliminary negotiations attempt to put together the entire deal prior to making the offer. That way the hirer (school, team, etc) can simply say "it was our only offer". I said earlier in the other thread that whoever the choice was whether it was the first or fifth choice would be said to have been the first choice. This has all the markings of a deal which could not be reached for whatever reason (which could be the potential hiree's issue as well as the school's) and thus delayed a week. The timing is way too coincidental.

However it could work out to the betterment of Valpo. Fox is experienced in the conference and I'm in an agreement that maybe a defensive guy is what the program needs. I've certainly expressed enough frustration with the defense under Coach Cecchini.

As to VULB's pertinent point about experience HC vs. coordinator to HC promotions, it can be tough for a program such as Valpo to find those experienced HC candidates as many available options are from lesser programs and the jump can be tough to make...see Raeburn and Karras. Fox seems like he's got enough experience moving up. What Valpo needs is a staff that is mature enough to handle the positions which, in some cases under DC, I wasn't sure was there but, again, the program is likely geared to younger coaches looking to build a resume.

He'll obviously need to hit the ground at an absolute sprint and get ready for Spring Ball.

valpopal · March 01, 2019, 03:15:33 PM

[tweet]1101584715285520386[/tweet]

JD24 · March 01, 2019, 03:18:05 PM

Coach Fox needs to correct his twitter account. Any social media giants on the board wish to assist him?

JD24 · March 01, 2019, 07:51:27 PM

Twitter fixed.

My first thought is with assistants particularly on the offensive side of the ball. Naturally the first staff to mine is Dayton's. First, I am struck by how much older Dayton's staff is which goes back to my maturity comment. Older doesn't necessarily mean mature but it certainly helps. Their RB coach has been around a while and has coached both RBs and WRs to good success. He might be someone to keep in mind. QB coach Kevin Hoying was the OC at Wittenberg for a few years before returning to Dayton where he was a very good QB and assistant coach.

I hope Coach Fox was hired with a fairly deep plan for a staff (which goes beyond a book) as it could take some time to put together a staff if he's just now beginning that process.

VULB#62 · March 01, 2019, 10:28:36 PM

Was wondering when you'd chime in 24. Thanks for the added perspective. If the twitter pic of him showing players a PLAN is accurate, then I am on board. That shows preparation and a strategy. I like that. And, as I mentioned a million times before, I also like to build the foundation on a strong defense.

VULB#62 · March 02, 2019, 09:34:22 AM

Yesterday, as a football alum, I received this email from Landon Fox. He's off to a good start.

Dear Football Alumnus,

Today, I was entrusted with leading the Valparaiso University Football program. I had an initial meeting with our student-athletes and handed each a link that is a part of a chain. I also gave each player the poem below, which I hope you will take the time to read. It represents the culture that our program will build. I look forward to meeting our Football alumni and making each of you a link in our chain.

Go Valpo!
Coach Landon Fox

The Link

I carry this link in my pocket
As a simple Reminder to Me
Of the fact that I am a team player
No matter where I may be.

This little link is not magic
Nor is it a good luck charm
It isn't meant to protect me
From any physical harm
It's simply an understanding
Between my teammates and me.

When I put my hand in my pocket
To bring out a coin or a key
The link is there to remind me
Of what a team member should be.

It links me to the team
It links me to the school
It's a constant reminder
That there is no place for a fool.

So I carry this link in my pocket
To remind me many a time
That a person without conviction
Isn't worth a simple dime.

-Norm Parker

Here is the url for the official release: http://www.valpoathletics.com/football/news/2018-19/18897/landon-fox-hired-to-lead-valpo-football-program/

VULB#62 · March 02, 2019, 09:41:45 AM

To back up his determination to recruit scholarship caliber athletes who seek academic excellence, I went back to the PFL web site to check on the 2018 PFL Academic Honor Roll. Just as in previous years, Dayton led the league in honorees: 79. In comparison, while setting a school record this past year in the number of honorees, Valpo came in 4th with 60. So, there are no empty words there.

crusader05 · March 02, 2019, 11:11:14 AM

It sounds like the new coach is definitely putting in the intensity and effort to win the trust and respect to lead this program.

We will see what happens in the next few months with recruits, new hires and current players but I'm feeling hopeful at this point.

VULB#62 · March 02, 2019, 11:18:55 AM

It will be interestting to see how he assembles his staff as well.

valpopal · March 02, 2019, 12:02:09 PM

Quote from: VULB#62 on March 02, 2019, 11:18:55 AM
It will be interesting to see how he assembles his staff as well.

I thought Coach Fox might bring his assistant coaches, Luther and Dauber. Oh, wait, wrong Coach Fox!

Valpo2013 · March 03, 2019, 10:09:55 AM

I like the plan
I like he's defensive minded
The link stuff is corny
Less fake motivation crap and more recruiting and development
Excited to see the changes

VULB#62 · March 03, 2019, 12:14:21 PM

Quote from: Valpo2013 on March 03, 2019, 10:09:55 AM
I like the plan
I like he's defensive minded
The link stuff is corny
Less fake motivation crap and more recruiting and development
Excited to see the changes

I'm glad you are excited. So am I for the same reasons you identify. But I have to comment on your statements in bold. In that one "corny" thing in his first team meeting on the very day he was officially hired he communicated his standard for team cohesiveness and symbolically set the bar. You were not there. You did not listen to everything he expects of this team going forward. He also simultaneously communicated the same concepts to us football alums in a separate email. All of this is entirely appropriate at this point and I am glad he set that standard and appreciate the way that he did iit, because he just completed his first, and possibly most important, recruiting visit — he first needed to re-recruit the players who DC left behind. Judging from the expressions on the faces of the players who managed to make that first meeting, it looked like he scored. BTW, as I read the release (and kind of read between the lines) recruiting is one of his fortes.

My goals, right now, are:
1 - to find out ASAP who will comprise his staff, and
2 - to find a way to get my hands on a copy of that plan he was holding up to the players.

Valpo2013 · March 03, 2019, 12:27:21 PM

Very true
Guess I just remember hearing that kind of stuff from Carlson and other coaches on other teams
Kinda Hollywood..imho

VULB#62 · March 03, 2019, 12:31:11 PM

If he was a Carlson clone he wouldn't have lasted 11 years at Dayton I'm thinking 🤔

JD24 · March 03, 2019, 03:08:16 PM

Couple of things on the "props" element of coaching. Typically that type of stuff works with some and not with others. So introducing it really means not much.

As far as hearing the same from other coaches, that is true. They all have their "motivation" lines. Carlson, hated though he may be, was actually pretty successful at both Trine and Ohio Dominican prior to moving to Valpo. So I'm not sure anything can be based on what a guy says at the opening meeting with the team who are all headed out the door for two weeks.

VULB62's comments regarding let's see the staff next along with maybe some words about what type of offense and what type of player he's interested in.

usc4valpo · March 03, 2019, 04:53:05 PM

Sorry, that's great he was successful at ham and egger rebuild schools, but Carlson was a clown. The Shields Up and Osteen quotes were insulting to our intelligence.

I am really hoping this guys works well and I hope Valpo supports his efforts.

JD24 · March 03, 2019, 05:06:08 PM

Quote from: usc4valpo on March 03, 2019, 04:53:05 PMSorry, that's great he was successful at ham and egger rebuild schools, but Carlson was a clown. The Shields Up and Osteen quotes were insulting to our intelligence. I am really hoping this guys works well and I hope Valpo supports his efforts.

I hope Coach Fox works out well as well. Point being we already know the results put forth by Carlson which were preceded by success. We have no idea of the results of the new leader. I can find plenty of people who think props such as the links and a book are just as ineffective nonsense as any quote, saying or prop used by any previous regime.