New Head Coach: Landon Fox

[vu72]

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.

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.

"Row the boat"

[VULB#62]

I wish I knew how extensive the hiring "dance" was.

I know MLB well enough to know that he talked to a lot of people about each of the candidates. He went into the hiring/offer process with all the info he needed.

What I don't know is how much leverage RFox had in doing his due diligence about the Valpo program. Did he get to talk with the current staff and some current players prior to making his decision to come aboard?  Was he able to get a straight answer that defined the true level of commitment and support VU FB would receive going forward before he said yes?  ....Things like that. My concern is that, as an assistant, the very bright attraction of being an FCS HC might cause some temporary blindness that could, in short order, produce some "buyer's remorse."  If he's the kind of guy that I saw in the pics and video, I think my concerns are minor.

I just hope he has the contacts in FB to assemble a great staff - FAST. And that he has the recruiting knowledge necessary to fill out the incoming class with some quality players. I wonder if he will mine the JC universe to at least get a year-one leg up on the recruiting handicap he has walked into by the late hiring thing.

[IndyValpo]

Did we look at Malone at all for potential players. A D2 program that dropped football for 2019. Looking at their roster at a minimum they had a kicker and kicker/punter who were redshirt freshman. Lots of wide receivers as
well.

[VULB#62]

Good point Indy. They are in Columbus, Ohio, which is Fox's wheelhouse.  But they were 2-8 last year and gave up a ton of points (no defenders there, maybe), but they did manage to score some points.

[VU75]

Good point Indy. They are in Columbus, Ohio, which is Fox's wheelhouse.  But they were 2-8 last year and gave up a ton of points (no defenders there, maybe), but they did manage to score some points.

They have a player participating in this years NFL combine so there must be some talent there.

[VULB#62]

Cool. Does he have a younger brother?

[JD24]

Dayton's roster is full of players from Ohio, Mich, PA, IL and doesn't wander too far west, south or muc h into the northeast. I wonder if Fox will change his focus or simply attempt to have the same recruits come to Valpo?

Malone has a much more diverse, in terms of geographic origination, roster and does have a couple of underclassmen kickers. Whether the roster can be mined for players would likely lie very heavily on whether they can qualify academically.

[VULB#62]

Dayton's roster is full of players from Ohio, Mich, PA, IL and doesn't wander too far west, south or muc h into the northeast. I wonder if Fox will change his focus or simply attempt to have the same recruits come to Valpo?

Malone has a much more diverse, in terms of geographic origination, roster and does have a couple of underclassmen kickers. Whether the roster can be mined for players would likely lie very heavily on whether they can qualify academically.

And if the financial package can equal what they were getting as D-II (possibly) scholarship players. Worth a shot. I think they would be immediately eligible as the program was dropped by Malone.

[JD24]

Dayton's roster is full of players from Ohio, Mich, PA, IL and doesn't wander too far west, south or muc h into the northeast. I wonder if Fox will change his focus or simply attempt to have the same recruits come to Valpo? Malone has a much more diverse, in terms of geographic origination, roster and does have a couple of underclassmen kickers. Whether the roster can be mined for players would likely lie very heavily on whether they can qualify academically.

And if the financial package can equal what they were getting as D-II (possibly) scholarship players. Worth a shot. I think they would be immediately eligible as the program was dropped by Malone.

Malone did provide scholarships as a Div II entity which likely means most were receiving partial athletic deals. Whether they can combine with need based or academic I think is up to the conference they are in and I'm not up on my GMAC financial Aid packages rules. Malone did say they were honoring the scholarships so the kids can stay and not play football if they wish.

[NWIGuy]

"Valparaiso (FCS – IN): Valparaiso University, who participates in the Pioneer Football League, is seeking three unpaid intern positions. These positions are available to those aspiring to get into the coaching profession. We are looking for interns on both sides of the ball and special teams. The offensive and defensive interns will coach their own position group (position to be determined). The interns will begin immediately. Please send cover letter, resume, and references to landonfoxvalpofootball@gmail.com." -http://footballscoop.com/the-scoop/

Unpaid interns coaching a position is a little scary... wondering if OC/DC/S&C will take up more of the assistant pool? Or... are these interns IN ADDITION the standard paid positions?

Anxious to see the first confirm asst. hire!

[JD24]

What's interesting is that the intern positions are not posted on the school job openings site which has, in the past, carried assistant coach positions when they were open.

As to what it means, who knows? Could mean that Fox wants to present the program as a program which can help launch coaching careers to Valpo's going to have 3 coordinators and 6 interns on the staff.

Since Malone came up, their staff was quite large and included 3 or 4 interns in addition to a staff which was at least as large as Valpo's last year.

[bbtds]

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.

This is my favorite Osteen quote.

Slapping a rattlesnake across the face with the back of your hand is safer than trying to fool Henry Aaron.

Claude Osteen

[VULB#62]

I'm wondering if the unpaid intern positions approach might be to attract local HS teachers who are getting paid to coach HS FB, but might forego their added school district stipend to enter the wonderful world of college football? I gotta believe, though, that Fox will still have his core of 3 coordinators and 4-5 position coaches. Interns and student assistant coaches would be extra and give him greater flexibility in assigning more mundane tasks, freeing up the F/T guys for recruiting, and giving greater individual attention to players.

[bbtds]

 

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

They were Minnesota State before there was a Minnesota State in Mankato.

[bbtds]

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.

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.

"Row the boat"

Gritty!

Well, ok, maybe not a good example.

[VULB#62]

Tweets from the introductory presser:

[tweet]1103007607315447808[/tweet]

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[tweet]1103009556148506624[/tweet]

[tweet]1103009865373495302[/tweet]

[tweet]1103010500932177920[/tweet]

[tweet]1103011610178793474[/tweet]

[tweet]1103013299870937090[/tweet]

[tweet]1103013873442086912[/tweet]
Tanner Kuramata has a response to this from California 

[valpopal]

[VULB#62]

Dang, Pal, you beat me to it.  He says all the right things and seems very approachable and down to earth.  He said that simplicity produces confidence.  I liked that.  He also diagnosed some of why we nose dived in 2018 pretty accurately.  He contacted DC before he accepted the job and asked him if DC's best friend were applying for the Valpo job would he tell him to take it -- and DC said he would.  This is a good video.

[JD24]

Like the outward intensity. A bit of a change for the HC at Valpo.

[VULB#62]

Yeah. He wasn't snarling or hyper, but there was a noticable difference from DC's measured style. And if it is noticable in this context, I'll bet it is even more intense (when appropriate I'm sure) in a team setting. One indicator of that intensity is that his measuring standard for improvement is a daily one, not weekly or at the end of a season.

[VULB#62]

More on Fox from the Valpo Athletics web site. 

Rise and Grind: Landon Fox Brings Fourth-and-Goal Mentality to Valpo Football
TUESDAY, MARCH 5, 2019

In order to understand what newly-anointed Valparaiso University football coach Landon Fox will bring to the program, you have to understand where it all began.

Not the beginning of his preparation for the Valpo job or the beginning of his time at Dayton or even the beginning of his life in football. We're talking about the very beginning for the Defiance, Ohio native.

"I grew up on a horse farm," Fox said at Tuesday's introductory press conference. "I had to get up in the morning and do chores on the farm before I got on the bus to go to school. That's where the work ethic came from. I'm not the smartest guy in the room, but I'm a grinder. One thing that I'll always do is work. I want to help young men grow. That's going to be important to me as we teach the game of football. We need to take on our commitment and responsibility to teach more than just a game. That's very important to me."

Part of that work ethic is a fourth-and-goal mentality that will define the approach of Fox, his staff and his players on a daily basis. And if there's one play in recent Valpo football memory that exemplifies a fourth-and-goal mentality, it's one that Fox witnessed in person from the opposite sideline. If you're a Valpo fan, you know the story of Jarrett Morgan throwing a two-point conversion pass to Ryan Clarke to beat Dayton 8-7 and clinch the program's first winning season in 15 years in 2017.

"It's funny how it has come full circle," Fox said. "I knew I wanted to be a head coach, and you're always molded by your experiences. When I talk about the fourth-and-goal mentality, the Valparaiso football team had it that day. On a play like that, you've got to do everything right. It's all about your attention to detail, your stance, your communication and your first step. That's how I want to approach everything we do."

When Fox interviewed with Director of Athletics Mark LaBarbera and President Mark Heckler, he presented a comprehensive and specific plan for leading the Valparaiso University football program.

"While the quality of the Dayton football program was notable, what really stood out to me during the search process was Landon's knowledge," LaBarbera said. "He has drawn his knowledge from serving under some outstanding coaches. I was impressed by the depth of his understanding of the Pioneer Football League, his passion, his genuine excitement to assume a leadership role and his enthusiasm for Valparaiso University and our football program."

That enthusiasm was evident from the moment Fox walked into the room for Tuesday's introduction.

"I wish somebody could come up and feel my heart," he said. "This is so exciting; it's so fun. To be able to do something I have such a passion for and know this is my purpose gives me goosebumps. This is about way more than just one person. It's not about me. It's about our players, our University and our community."

During the interview process, it didn't take Fox long to realize that Valparaiso University was the right place for his passion to meet his purpose.

"When I had the opportunity to meet with President Heckler, I could see and feel the value he placed on football at this University," Fox said. "I'm a teacher at heart, and our staff will represent that. I could tell he wanted this football program to continue to develop young men through the game of football. Mark LaBarbera and I had a shared vision. Part of the mission of this University is to develop leaders, and we'll do that within the football team. We want to serve each other, serve the University and serve our teammates. We are going to help these young men develop into good fathers, good husbands and good people."

http://www.valpoathletics.com/football/news/2018-19/18918/rise-and-grind-landon-fox-brings-fourth-and-goal-mentality-to-valpo-football/

[vu72]

I thought Mark kinda threw our defensive coordinator under the bus when he said that our new coach found a way to adapt to the changing nature of college football and specifically, defending the Davidson offense. We gave up 40 and lost by 5, Dayton gave up 21 and won by 21.  Not sure it is a fair comparison as to coaching ability but the facts are the facts.

[VULB#62]

I thought Mark kinda threw our defensive coordinator under the bus when he said that our new coach found a way to adapt to the changing nature of college football and specifically, defending the Davidson offense. We gave up 40 and lost by 5, Dayton gave up 21 and won by 21.  Not sure it is a fair comparison as to coaching ability but the facts are the facts.

Maybe, a little bit.  But I keep coming back to the apparent DC approach to competition: outscore them.  If D was  given a higher priority, maybe DC would have apportioned more resources and done more to support Moore.  Regardless, I hope Ernest is retained in some capacity.  Good young man. 

[crusadermoe]

Good hire it seems. 

1- Comes from a winning PFL program with good academics

2- Believes in simplicity to build excellence

3- Believes in simplicity in terms of recruiting focus.  Dayton did that well. - I have been screaming to do that for years.  There is a deep pool of smart players in metro Chicago who are able to afford Valpo and build pipelines to a deep group of feeder high schools.  For too many years we found random kids from far flung states (sometimes on basis of Pell grants) just doesn't build that network.

[VULB#62]

Good hire it seems. 

1- Comes from a winning PFL program with good academics

2- Believes in simplicity to build excellence

3- Believes in simplicity in terms of recruiting focus.  Dayton did that well. - I have been screaming to do that for years.  There is a deep pool of smart players in metro Chicago who are able to afford Valpo and build pipelines to a deep group of feeder high schools.  For too many years we found random kids from far flung states (sometimes on basis of Pell grants) just doesn't build that network.

This appraoch also builds another network that would help the program:  the Football alunni network.  The more FB alums we have within a 2-4  hour drive of campus, the more involved they can be.