What’s in store heading into 2024?

[VULB#62]

I finally got to listen pretty intently to the end-of-season All Access interview with Coach Fox after the St. Thomas game.  Two things, generally, kinda stuck with me.

1) What he said.  Fox acknowledged that Valpo lost some games they could have won if  they had been able to put more points on the board. He said we have to get better at that.  How? Different system? Shift in coaching responsibilities? Reprioritizing recruiting?  He gave no real specifics, so, therefore, the title of this post. But at the same time it pointed to things we've discussed on this board throughout the past season and that is a good thing.

2). What he didn't say.  Brandon asked what was on the schedule for him and his staff now that the season was complete, and Coach said pretty much that they gotta focus on recruiting. Missing from that response (understandably) was any mention of or illusion to his personal plans regarding the future of the VU FB program. Yet, isn't that the elephant in the room?  We'll see I guess.

[David81]

I finally got to listen pretty intently to the end-of-season All Access interview with Coach Fox after the St. Thomas game.  Two things, generally, kinda stuck with me.

1) What he said.  Fox acknowledged that Valpo lost some games they could have won if  they had been able to put more points on the board. He said we have to get better at that.  How? Different system? Shift in coaching responsibilities? Reprioritizing recruiting?  He gave no real specifics, so, therefore, the title of this post. But at the same time it pointed to things we've discussed on this board throughout the past season and that is a good thing.

2). What he didn't say.  Brandon asked what was on the schedule for him and his staff now that the season was complete, and Coach said pretty much that they gotta focus on recruiting. Missing from that response (understandably) was any mention of or illusion to his personal plans regarding the future of the VU FB program. Yet, isn't that the elephant in the room?  We'll see I guess.

I think what really matters is the substance of Coach Fox's next big conversation with Charles Small. He's got to have a wish list, and he's not going to broadcast that.

Six of VU's losses were by a combined 33 points. Concededly, their three wins were pretty close as well. But all in all, this team was competitive. Coach Fox has assembled a very respectable roster.

I know this season was frustrating and sometimes downright disappointing. It appears, however, that VU is not too far away from entering the top half of the PFL.

[valpofb16]

Departures: All confirmed

Portal:
WR Solomon Davis

Graduating:
WR Moise Tezzo
WR Johnny Foley
RB Jashon Butler
LB Evan Annis

Offense looks different already, Davis and Butler were arguably two of the three most important players to touch the ball all season.

[valpotx]

Makes sense for Solomon, as I assume that he graduated, and wants to try his success at a scholarship program for a GT year.

[valpofb16]

Agreed. Without Butler kick returns or Davis deep balls it gets bleak.

If Eberhart, Szczepanski, Woody, and Vickers all come back. The making is there for Mann to have a big year.

[valpofb16]

13 - Brandon Barthel - WR has entered portal

[IndyValpo]

13 - Brandon Barthel - WR has entered portal

Did Barthel ever play?

[VULB#62]

13 - Brandon Barthel - WR has entered portal

Did Barthel ever play?

Zero receptions and zero (special teams(?) tackles. Probably didn't see much action.

[valpofb16]

OT Brett Gray and DT Logan Chastain have entered portal.

Chastain probably will play up and is a massive loss.

In the days of NIL and scholarships. Us offering neither probably means we are a glorified Juco for some kids.

[covufan]

More of the same from 40 years ago


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[valpofb16]

DE Amar Elmore has entered the portal. That's 2 out of last years 8 rotation linemen

For what it's worth, home states of first four underclassmen in the portal:

California, Oregon, Arizona, Washington

Can Valpo get likewise talent in the Midwest with NAIA powerhouses ( Marian , St Francis, IWU) and Conf foes (Butler, Drake, Morehead ) all heavily recruiting the area?

[usc4valpo]

Grand View?

[valpofb16]

Add promising LB Wade Abrams to the mix.

Was really afraid of the up and comers on the defensive side leaving. If we fall off on defense too will be a long long year.

[valpofb16]

Some good news

OC Tyler Eberhart
OL Carter Woody
OL Sam Hafner

Are all staying for 5th years

[NotBryceDrew]

Portal additions:
Mohamed Kamara
Keith Szczepanski

[valpofb16]

Promising OL Mason Smith is no longer with the team

[valpofb16]

RB Coach Trevor McConnell is headed to Coe College. Meaning we will be heading into our 5th RB Coach in the Symmes era (still under 1 year of real time)

[NWIGuy]

RB Coach has seen the most turnover of any position coach over the last decade. My son was in the RB room for 5 years and worked with 3 different coaches in that span. Has been spelled out on this board over and over, but if you can't pay them, coaches will move on to a program who will.

[VULB#62]

If there is a football budget line that needs major beefing up it is assistant coach salaries. Facilities are fine for now.   There's a decent, dedicated weight room. Buy games have helped considerably to defray operating expenses.  But if Landon can't stabilize his staff because it is out of his control, it's a problem that will haunt year after year and, unfortunately, ensure mediocrity.

[valpofb16]

Football Assistant pay won't go up while we're paying Lottich several hundred thousand to sit at home.

[NWIGuy]

Football Assistant pay won't go up while we're paying Lottich several hundred thousand to sit at home.

Is this still an issue now that Lottich is on the Mizzou MBB staff?

[VULB#62]

Football Assistant pay won't go up while we're paying Lottich several hundred thousand to sit at home.

Lottich is now an assistant at Missouri, and if his VU contract did not specify that the buy out would be reduced by the compensation in his next job, that would be criminal negligence.

[historyman]

Matt Lottich - Special Assistant to the Head Coach - Men's Basketball Support Staff - University of Missouri Athletics (mutigers.com)




Contract details released for Mizzou men's basketball assistant coach Kyle Smithpeters - ABC17NEWS




In 2022 these were the Univ of Missouri MBB asst coaches salaries


In head coach Dennis Gates' contract, $915,000 was included for his three assistant coaches.
With the hire of Smithpeters, that money has been divided between associate head coach Charlton Young who will make $600,000 yearly on a three-year contract and assistant coach Dicky Nutt who signed a one-year deal for $165,000.

[JD24]

Probably semantics as I assume that the other 6-7 assistant coaches and support staff (of which Lottich is included) are not all working for free. My guess is that the Whitten family pays for the HC and 3 assistants while the school pays for the remainder of the staff.

I agree that it is hard to believe that there would not be offset language in whatever buyout Lottich and Valpo agreed to. Paying assistants has also been an issue long prior to the Lottich issue so that may not be the main reason the FB and other staffs would be neglected in this regard.

[valpofb16]

Jack Jarnigan is returning as Valpos Tight End Coach ( 44GP @ Valpo , OL )