I think he did the best one could expect, given all the challenges that people have mentioned. Above all, he conducted himself honorably and never made excuses for the circumstances that faced the program. I wish him much success in his next position and thereafter.
I agree he did the best he could, given the circumstances.
Paul’s article references the fact that we’re using a head hunter firm (Bowlsby Sports Advisors) to find a new head coach.
My question is why spend our limited money on that? What value are they really providing? Is that the best use of resources?
A firm to find an applicant for a highly desirable (relatively) job amongst the talent pool of current college coaches while all resumes (W-L, player / coaching credentials) are public. IMO is a giant waste of time and money.
I’ll help out. Find all Division 3 Head Coaches with high levels of success at non scholarship level. Then all coordinators at the FCS levels from successful non or limited scholarship programs (PFL, Ivy, Patriot) contact all the above. Find clients interested, interview.
Cecchini endorsed the LaBara admin for Fox when he was being interviewed. I wonder if Fox would do the same for Hosmer
looks like many current players are upset about Fox being let go. The team had momentum and came off a big win. Current Admin should be embarrassed if they did this without a replacement in hand.
I agree that they are a waste of money, but I understand why they are used. In Valpo's case, with the revolving door inside the athletic department, a national coaching search is just another headache. Hiring a firm to do the job for you is purely done for convenience sake. However I also think that it is stupid as well, but from a business standpoint it makes sense.
A firm to find an applicant for a highly desirable (relatively) job amongst the talent pool of current college coaches while all resumes (W-L, player / coaching credentials) are public. IMO is a giant waste of time and money.
(1) I’ll help out. Find all Division 3 Head Coaches with high levels of success at non scholarship level. Then all coordinators at the FCS levels from successful non or limited scholarship programs (PFL, Ivy, Patriot) contact all the above. Find clients interested, interview.
Cecchini endorsed the LaBarbara admin for Fox when he was being interviewed. (2) I wonder if Fox would do the same for Hosmer
Looks like many current players are upset about Fox being let go. The team had momentum and came off a big win. (3) Current Admin should be embarrassed if they did this without a replacement in hand.
[Valpofb16] You nailed it. (1) That would be the exact thing Hosmer will be paying the firm to do. VU could “hire” Google and a couple of students to create that list. I’d also insist that anyone who would come under consideration would come with BOTH a proven DEFENSE and, more importantly, an OFENSIVE system that can operate against more talented opponents and cause them big problems (ala Davidson’s hire of Abell). But wait a bit………#3 below deals with that.
(2) Dave left of his own accord for a much better funded and stable opportunity. Landon was shown the door. Ya think he’d wax quixotic in an endorsement?
(3) This is a key statement. Hosmer has not impressed me as a shoot-from-the-hip administrator. She’s organized and a planner. She did not wake up this morning and just decide to not renew Fox’s contract because she had a dream. This has been in the works for some time - obviously, because this was his last year. She was well aware of the awful timing and possible consequences, yet she acted decisively within less than 24 hours.
I know almost nothing about what went on behind the scenes the past seasons, but I do know this: While not having a great W-L record, Fox has reset a high bar for Valpo in-game competitiveness in the PFL. I will miss that part of Valpo football.
I was kind of surprised, but in reality for the long term this may be a plus for Fox regarding long term growth. I don’t think Valpo will find anyone that is an upgrade, but we will see. A D1 program without an OC doesn’t make sense.
Not happy about this. The results make this a 50/50 proposition but I would have leaned the other way.
Fox was really emotional during the press conference yesterday I wonder he already knew.
It wouldn't surprise me at all if he knew or suspected he was out nor would it surprise me to find out the decision was about the value of his contract.
The nationwide search (can’t help thinking of Peyton Manning) will become a joke when negotiations for HC and full staff salaries are discussed and we don’t have a Van Gogh to sell to fund the team. Until Valpo is serious about PFL football we will just be recruiting kids to pay tuition.
Not happy about this. The results make this a 50/50 proposition but I would have leaned the other way.
Fox was really emotional during the press conference yesterday I wonder he already knew.
It wouldn't surprise me at all if he knew or suspected he was out nor would it surprise me to find out the decision was about the value of his contract.
24, read Paul’s latest TVB post - a retrospective on his relationship with Fox.
Laurel Hosmer just sent out a “Season’s Greetings” email. It was really nice to read until I got to the end where it asks to give to the Valpo Victory Fund…
Fire the Head Coach on Sunday, ask for donations on Monday. Talk about bad timing (if not tone deaf).
I agree with many of the comments here. I like/liked Fox a lot, and felt that he kept us competitive with just about all teams we played, though the lack of OC consistency did him in. The guy seems to love Valpo, 47% of his games were within 1 score, and he could get FR to stay, while getting some key transfers in the portal. I wasn't embarrassed of our football team's lack of success and some of the ridiculous scores we lost, like I was in prior years. I liked that competitive feeling, and being assured that our HC seemed to want to be the Mike Kelly or Rick Chamberlain of Dayton at Valpo. The timing couldn't have been worse, coming off Saturday's win. I assume that the end result was already in place, prior to the game, and based on season expectations to gain an extension, but couldn't it have waited a few extra days?
I fear we will lose any of the true FR talent from this season's roster, so we are essentially doomed to go back to 1-10 next season. Unless Valpo pushes more funding into football, you can't expect more than 1 winning season out of every 3-4 at a school like Valpo, and with the current landscape where FCS scholarship and FBS teams can easily sway your players to sit the bench at their schools. We had 3 winning seasons (2 PFL championships) during my time on campus, and 20+ years later, I realize how spoiled I was to see that level of football success at a tough place to recruit and retain football players.
