Bob Berezowitz came up to me after the game and asked when our All-American team came out. When I told him it came out just before the game, he asked, “Did Kleppe make it?”
Hmm, yes, Ryan Kleppe was first team All-American and our Defensive Player of the Year. The Whitewater program had taken the AFCA All-American snub pretty hard, all things considered. Three state school players in the starting 22 for the AFCA (they only name a first team), six in ours.
Thos who talk about coaches reviewing film (by the way, does anyone still use film and a projector these days?) and make superior choices should use this as a guide. Kleppe’s value was far more evident on video or in person than on a stat sheet.
In the end, no All-American team is superior to any of the others. Some are more prestigious. Some involve less politics. Some are so large they aren’t worth the shirt they’re printed on for you to buy.
But in the end, it only seems fitting that Berezowitz was looking out for the best interests of his players.
THE GAME: You may have been to Salem once or twice. Maybe you haven’t been there in a few years. But if you haven’t, and you’re downplaying the experience based on your one or two trips in, you’re missing the boat.
Here’s what Salem has done for the game that you don’t know about:
Some things were done a long time ago, such as adding more lights and press box space. Most people have seen those in action.
However, if you haven’t been to Salem in the past two seasons, you might not realize that the stadium has a new scoreboard and there is now a large video screen stationed behind one of the end zones for the Stagg Bowl.
An elevator was installed last year to expand access to seating for wheelchairs and those who need help getting around.
This year, the locker rooms were completely overhauled with individual lockers installed for players.
Next year, there will be field turf. In fact, the grass may be coming out as we speak — while most wouldn’t commit to it happening, one person close to the field said the process could start as soon as Monday, today.
Here’s what the NCAA has done for the game that you don’t know about:
The home office’s liaison for Division III football, who has taken the moniker “Idiots of the First Magnitude” that was applied by a person posting a comment to the blog, was behind Division III getting the later time slot and the game on ESPN.
Fans realize that there was a video broadcast of the national semifinals last week. Since we promoted it heavily and our voices were involved, we’ve been getting a lot of credit, but in fact, that’s the NCAA’s doing. They paid for the video and got it done. We just did the talking.
There is probably more I don’t know about or have forgotten to mention.
THE LEGACY: With all apologies to Kenyon, it’s time we started talking about Mount Union football in John Wooden-like terms. This dominance of a major sport is approaching UCLA men’s basketball proportions. We should be talking about Larry Kehres in epic terms that transcend the sport of football, and he should be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame as soon as he’s eligible.
I agree 100%. LK is The Man!
I agree that LK should be in the hof as soon as he is eligible…To continually recruit as well as he has, and keep winning as star players come and go…its something quite remarkable…And he continues to do it with a great deal of class and style…His coaching was major factor in this latest stagg bowl win…the players got the job done, but LK knew what his game plan was, and used those players effectively …all of the MUC coaching staff had a heck of a game…kudos to VK too, as he had that D ready to play…and Matt Campbell for not getting conservative as the game wore on…
It’s hard to argue that LK doesn’t belong in the Hall. These last two years have cemented my opinion of him, as the Raiders’ superior game plans have been enough to defeat (this year, soundly defeat) a UWW team that was at least close to being just as talented as the Raiders.
I’m not sure what the eligibility requirements are, but there’s apparently no rule that says you can’t get in while you’re still coaching.
To answer my own question, according to the Wikipedia page (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/College_Football_Hall_of_Fame) for the College Football Hall of Fame, a coach “must be retired from coaching for at least three years or be at least 70 years old” to be eligible. This explains how Gagliardi made it while still active.
Oddly enough, I couldn’t find this information on the CFHOF website, but perhaps I just missed it.
I guess it will be awhile before LK makes it then. I think he’s about 57, and it doesn’t look like he’s retiring any time soon.
Moving from Salem would be a mistake…..Even with losing we had a great time each year. Luncheon is first class and accomodations are great. If the weather is bad there are many routes you can take to get there. Moving for the sake of moving is ridiculous. Keep it in Salem. A pox on the AFCA and their ridiculous All-American team….D3 has taken over their position of importance…..
Great game! Great coverage — we even got it on HDTV, almost (not quite) as good as being there, which we’ve done three times. Loved the video feeds on the semifinals — thank you D3 and NCAA! Great coaches! Great teams! First class all the way! I live in UW Badger country, and Big Ten games are OK. But I just LOVE D3 and all it stands for. Keep it in Salem, PLEASE! No city has committed so much to our D3 sport chanmpionship scence! As a Mount Union and Whitewater family (mom & dad MUC grads ’63 and ’64; son UW-Whitewater grad ’92), we all enjoyed the game. We couldn’t lose. Oh, and yes, Larry Kehres MUST go into the hof as soon as legally possible. And don’t forget the possibility of Bob B from Whitewater. If they take class, mentoring, quality of human being, and commitment to school and success in football, this guy should be a strong candidate. And further kudos to the ESPN announcers. Not once did they degrade Div3; they had nothing but praise for both teams, both schools, both coaches. Absolutely first class all the way. THANK YOU!!!!!!
kehres is the greatest college football coach of all time. he is one of the greatest coaches, any sport considered, of all time.
My only issue with Salem was the field looked pretty bad with the bare spots. But that issue is apparently right in the crosshairs – so the only reason I see to move it is to perhaps spread it out geographically. And that’s not much to go on – you’d have to maintain the high quality, and at the end of the day … if it ain’t broke …
Larry Kehres is a great coach; switching QB’s in the game and the vision of his staff to see a weakness in punt protection were keys to winning the game.
The Roanoke valley is a wonderful setting for DIII events; small town atmosphere but with a lot of class.
The game did not end the way I wanted to but 95% of the Mount Union/UWW fans were fantastic. The remaining 5% were addressed by the Salem mounted (bikes) police. Again, great event Salem!!
Great to hear you believe that about Larry Kehres and his program Pat. I have been saying for a few years the comparison to kenyon doens’t hold water, taking nothing away from what they have done there, which is simply amazing, if that program wants a good swimmer, really wants him/her, they will get them 9 out of 10 times. You just don’t have the recruiting battle you do in the major sports. Some might say the season is the off season for some of these football coaches.
keep it in Salem. They do an excellent job hosting the game and it’s a nice area to visit, even without the sixty five degree weather.
buddy i dont know about the kernes being the greatest coach of all time…yes he is a great coach dont get me wrong but in my opion john g. is the best coach of all time…there is no coach in history of d3 that can coach that many years and still be sucessfull…he is one of the greatest coaches in d3
Maybe we’ll just have to wait 15-20 years before we can really compare LK and Coach Gagliardi, but I have to agree, LK definitely belongs in the hall of fame. Very classy guy that has shown that he, along with the rest of his coaching staff, can outcoach and outplan pretty much anyone in the country.
This year was my first trip to Salem, and I have to say I was amazed at the atmosphere. Perfect for D3 football. And they are obviously addressing the issues with the field, so I don’t see any reason at all to move it.
From what I hear, I can’t say I agree with RaiderWarhawk about the quality of the announcers, but hey, we were still on ESPN. Just keep moving on up.
FYI
If for some reason you didn’t see/record/tevo etc, etc the game it is on tonight and tomorrow morning on ESPNU on cable/satellite. Just happened to see the listing on the guide.
12:00 am Tuesday(midnight) morning and again at 11:00 am.
Thanks Raiderguy,
Maybe now I can watch the first three minutes of the game.
not taking anything away from any other coach. gagliardi has been great forever, and is absolutely one of the greatest coaches. but no college football coach at any level has ever had a run of sustained excellence the way kehres has. 246-20-3 in 21 years. 223 games over .500 is the equivalent of 16 unbeaten 14-game seasons – and he’s done it in 21 years.
and mount has to be the early favorite for 2007, with so much of the team returning.
“THE GAME: You may have been to Salem once or twice. Maybe you haven’t been there in a few years. But if you haven’t, and you’re downplaying the experience based on your one or two trips in, you’re missing the boat.”
I totally concur with Pat on this. I highly recommend anyone that has ever considered making the trip to Salem, to do so. I do realize it is a bit more of a commitment for some due to distance. I assure you, it is worth the trip. Nothing compares to being there in person. The tickets are cheap, you can park within a few hundred yards of the stadium for free without donating 100k to someones program, you don’t have to miss a quarter of the ballgame waiting in line to use the restroom, and there isn’t a bad seat in the house. Not to mention the first class tailgaiting and fellowship with others that are also passionate about D3 football.
Thanks goes to ESPN for helping D3 get the exposure it deserves. Maybe the semi-finals next year?
And kudos to the NCAA if they are doing things to promote D3 that most of us are unaware of. I have one more suggestion…why not take a small amount from the money making machine called D1 football and inject it into improving D3 even more. I doubt seriously D1 would even miss it.
Over 6,000 fans in a 7,000 seat stadium. New field turf this year. Perhaps in a year or two, there will be a need to add a few thousand more seats to Salem Stadium?
the kenyon streak is pretty amazing. and i don’t think recruiting is that easy. they get a lot of D1 caliber swimmers who:
a) make the choice that they’d rather be a top dog in D3 than just another swimmer in D1, even with a scholarship, and …
b) have the financial means to dismiss big scholarship offers from those D1 schools and instead pay to attend kenyon.
I agree Larry K should be in the college football hall of fame when he is eligible.
BUT does anyone really think Larry K would/could accomplish the same record at the D1 level? I don’t.
And the reason I throw it out there is I don’t think it’s cut and dry to compare his accomplishments to those dynasties on the D1 level.
pumpkin,
Not sure about that. Sure, there are differences between the D1 and D3 levels but a good coach is a good coach. A good recruiter is a good recruiter. It is tough to stay on top no matter what level you are at. That is probably a question that won’t get answered. I would be shocked if he ever left MU. From MU, (D1 or not) there is only one direction for him to go and that’s south. I’m not talking south to Salem either. 🙂
LK is not going anywhere. He has been offered at least one D-I job that I know of, and an offensive coordinator job in the NFL. If he was going to leave it would have happened years ago. But for the record, I do not believe there has ever been a dynasty at DI to compare to what MUC has done. No college at any level has won 9 Championships in 14 years. Would he be successful at DI? Hell yes. The guy understands the game, makes great in-game adjustments, and obviously he can recruit. Would he have this same level of success at a D-I? Not bloody likely.
allsky7-
I’m not suggesting he leave MU. And I agree with you a good coach/recruiter is a good coach/recruiter, I guess my only point is that I don’t think Larry would go 246-20-3 in 21 years and win 8 national championships in a 11-year span at the D1 or D1-AA level. Because there are more good coaches/recruiters/facilities/scholarships/intangibles to prevent such dynasties from happening in D1. So a Mt Union to UCLA comparison is not a simple comparison.
Pumkinhead,
In comparision Jim Tressel is going for his 6th National Championship in 21 years in the BCS Championship game. I’m pretty sure he’s 2nd to LK in that regard in recent history. The 6 in 21 would be quite impressive given that his athletes are scholarship athletes (4 1-AA championships and 2 D1 if the Buckeyes win in January).
AUPepBand appreciates the idea of talking about Mount Union in “John Wooden-like terms”. Certainly Coach Kehres’s achievements at the Mount are comparable to what Wooden did at UCLA and when his time comes, LK will be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. Likewise, Coach Berezowitz, with a 144-72-4 mark at Whitewater, is both worthy and eligible for the honor.
But before either are inducted, AUPepBand would like to see the induction of an outstanding D3 college football coach who was a classmate of John Wooden at Purdue. Coach Alex Yunevich led little Alfred University to six undefeated seasons and seven one-loss seasons in a coaching career that spanned five decades. Following back-to-back unbeaten seasons in 1955-56, he was honored as small college coach of the nation in 1956 by the Washington Touchdown Club. His unbeaten Saxons in 1971 captured the Lambert Bowl, symbolic of D3 champs in the East, and he was named Small College Coach of the East by the NYS Football Writers. During his 36 seasons at Alfred, he compiled a 177-85-12 record, and in many of those seasons did the team laundry.
In a recent correspondence with AUPepBand, THE Coach John Wooden wrote, “Alex and I were friends at Purdue…we had some classes together and I followed his career at Alfred. He was a class individual and a fine fullback.”
Count me as one of the people that think LK is a football genius, but I’m also realistic to understand that he wouldn’t have a 92% winning percentage in D1. There’s no doubt in my mind that he has the football knowledge to win at the D1 level as he’s a great evaluator of talent and a real tactician when it comes to figuring out an opponent.
However I think where the biggest differences between D1 and D3 occurs is in the administration of those programs and on the relative parity amongst the teams. The administration of a bigtime football program is as much a challenge as the coaching. And using Tressel and OSU as the example, even the worst of the Big Ten teams is capable of hanging with OSU if the Buckeyes play sloppy or are not focused as all bigtime D1 schools have bigtime atheletes (ala Illinios this year). Maybe the bad Big Ten team doesn’t have as many great players, but the difference between great to good to average to poor is not that much in D1. But in D3 there are huge differences in talent between the best and worst teams. I’ve seen some bad D3 football teams that I’m sure would get beat by some high school teams. They bad in D3 is REALLY bad. So in that regard, the regular season winning percentage is helped out by facing a few really bad teams that couldn’t beat MUC’s freshmen team.
It isn’t LK’s overall winning percentage that impresses me the most. It’s his great percentage in the playoffs. That’s impressive because it comes against the best D3 has to offer. That to me proves how great a coach and game planner LK is more than his overall winning record.
I also think all this discussion of him moving up now is crazy as he’s already proven by not leaving numerous times that he’s very happy coaching at his alma mater. Also keep in mind the difference in player attitudes between D1 and D3. I can’t imagine it would be as much fun coaching D1 players that are attending class only to stay eligible and waiting for the NFL versus coaching a D3 student athlete that is preparing for life. In that regard, coaching at the D3 level has to be a real treat.
Of course he wouldnt win that many at the DI level…DI and DIII football are two completely different games…Youll never be able to really compare the two…but its not just Lk…nobody would win that many in that kind of time frame at the DI football level…what LK has done is build a tradition of excellence that is hard to surpass…like has been said before, star players have come and gone…the LK system is what has produced the years of dominance…the consistent recruiting, the masterful coaching in the big games…to me, he is deserving among the best of all time when it comes to having a vision, building a program, and coming back year after year and competing at the highest level of his chosen league ( DIII for LK)…that takes skill, it takes heart, it takes amazing vision….he is one of the brightest football minds of his generation, this is for sure…
“A pox on the AFCA and their ridiculous All-American team….D3 has taken over their position of importance….. ”
Sakman1111…would you have said that if a certain offensive tackle from the Dub would have been named to the AFCA team? Just curious?
Besides Kleppe getting snubbed that is a pretty dang good list of players to represent that All-American list and they only list a first team…it’s not like the AFCA lists out 100 players and tries to sell you gear. There is room for both the AFCA and D3.com’s list to be held in high praise.
I have a question for Pat Coleman…How is it that the Gagliardi Trophy winner, quarterback Josh Brehm of Alma, was not on the d3football.com All-American squad. You claim to be “the best source for Division III football information”, and yet the “Heisman” winner at this level was not even mentioned on your All-American team. This seems even more ludicrous to me than Ryan Kleppe not being named to the AFCA squad (which after seeing him play in person this past Saturday, he is more than deserving of). I just believe an explanation is needed.
Wildcat would have said it anyways and said it before the list came out. D3 makes an effort to see many teams,games,tapes,etc. AFCA’s effort is obvious and speaks for itself. Am I predjudice you bet but I along with many others(players) believe I am right…..and they are most happy to make the D3 team out of all of them……
Good point pumpkin. I do think LK would be successful on the D1 level. 246-20-3 is unbelievable. But as unbelievable as it is, being able to duplicate that on the D1 level is unlikely.
As for the UCLA streak…as amazing as that streak was/is, it was in a different era. The likelyhood of that ever happening again are slim also.
Sakman-
You do realize “The AFCA is the only one chosen exclusively by the men who know the players the best- the coaches themselves.” Not sure how you get any more legitimate than that.
pumkinhead,
Agree 100%. In fact there are many players that d3.com and the AFCA agreed upon.
AFCA All-American and D3.com 1st team A-A:
Offense:
Pierre Garcon WR
Chris Barnette WR
Michael Allen TE
Adam Feit OL
Josh Knox OL
Defense:
Andy Studebaker DL
Adam Haas DL
Jerrell Freeman LB
Steve Teeples DB
AFCA A-A and D3.com All-American (2nd, 3rd, or HM):
Offense:
Brandon Bennett OL (HM)
Andy Collins QB (3rd)
Tom Arcidiacono RB (2nd)
Phil Porta RB (3rd)
Defense:
Jason Trusnik DL (3rd)
Mark Carlisle LB (HM)
Craig Haywood DB (3rd)
Byron Westbrook DB (3rd)
AFCA A-A and not on D3.com A-A team:
Offense:
Chris Teter OL
Rick Drushal OL (Was also named to AP Little A-A team)
Defense:
Matt Lawless LB
Mario Harris DB (Was also named to AP Little A-A team)
….so out of the 22 All-American’s on the AFCA team only 4 were not picked on the D3.com’s teams (1st, 2nd, 3rd, HM). I think the AFCA did just fine in picking their team.
Wildcat
There’s a big difference between being called the best at a position and being called the third or fourth best. It’s all about pride. I would hope that what one group calls the best would at least be considered the fourth best by another group. Honestly, my ownly major beef is that Kleppe was snubbed. He established himself as the best defensive linemen in the country. The rest of the positions that UWW could have had players are a toss up because strong arguments can be made for multiple players at those positions.
Wow- Beaver misses 4 games and still makes D3football.com 1st team AA? That’s impressive……..
There’s a couple of things I would like to comment about:
1. Larry Kehres should be in the HOF now. Screw the rules, the first active coach in the HOF should be Larry Kehres. Mainjack touched on this in the gameday blog regarding the set-up he pulled off. Fooled the entire (D-III) nation into thinking they were one dimensional. That is not only gutsy, but, brilliant.
2. Salem, Salem, Salem. What a great venue and the people could not be any nicer. I don’t think I had even stepped out of the car before I was greeted with a smile and a “if you need anything, just holler”. Plus, the mountains in the background just make the game seem bigger. It took awhile for me to start rooting for my team (sorry, hawks) because I was so busy thinking how cool it would have been to play there.
3. Sakman. I have always enjoyed reading your posts. You are a wild man, clearly passionate about the game. I have one concern tho. I’ve noticed you’ve been letting “you bet” slip into your lingo. As a fellow FIB, that has no place in Chicago, leave that stuff up north in Illlinos State Park…uh, I mean Wisconsin 😉
(much like your son, I am from the chicagoland area and played at UW-W)
Actually, as long as it doesn’t morph into “You betcha”, I’ll let it slide. Just writing it still makes me cringe.
I thought the AFCA list included D2 & D3. Am I wrong about that?
This is my last comment on this……Coaches know players in their area or conferences it’s not like D1 where you can watch them on ESPN each night. All I am saying and will end saying that AFCA used to be the team to make but to many of the players I know in the WIAC D3 has become the team to make because they feel those guys make an effort to know as many players as they can…… Believe me when I say noone was waiting for the AFCA team to come out but they all wanted to know who made the D3 team.My example would be Kleppe—-if he has been left off a team then seriously there is a credibility gap. I will now fade into the off season on this subject……
mainjack, I think you’re thinking of the Little All-American (?) team, which I believe is done by the AP.
Runner,
Agree about Kleppe..I saw the SJU and Wesley games over the web and Kleppe in person at Linfield in 2005. Kid is a flat out stud and should have made the AFCA team this year…the rest I don’t really have an issue with.
Sakman,
I will agree that the D3.com team’s are very prestigious but I do enjoy how elite the AFCA makes their team with no sub teams. The AFCA did miss big this year with Kleppe.
“I have a question for Pat Coleman…How is it that the Gagliardi Trophy winner, quarterback Josh Brehm of Alma, was not on the d3football.com All-American squad.”
Not nominated. This has been beaten to death already.
I think I would be in favor of changing the College Football HOF rules to let Kehres in before retirement/70th birthday.
pumkinhead,
To elaborate on what Sakman said, I’ve always felt that coaches’ polls and AA teams were the LEAST credible. Sure they are the ones who know the players best – their OWN players and players on upcoming opponents. But as busy as they are during the season, why would they know diddly-squat about players they will not be facing? The average (knowledgable) fan (much less (diligent) sportswriters/casters) will know vastly more about the OVERALL range of players than most if not all coaches. It’s just not their job (or in their best interests) to ‘waste’ time knowing anything about players they will not line up against.
Pat,
I totally agree on changing the HoF rules. As a preliminary suggestion, how about after 20 (25?) years as a HC, or 30 (35) years overall in coaching?
(If Tressel could get HoF for 6 titles in 21 years, maybe he’d figure he has done everything he can do and retire, so Michigan can go back to beating OSU like a drum?!) 🙂
Or even if it’s more exclusive, like 10 titles gets you in no matter what. 🙂
But we like beating those Wolverines.
That was the best game and best atmosphere I’ve ever been in. It was worth the season ticket price and the 900 mile round trip drive on 7 occasions just to attend the OSU-Michigan game this year. A phenomenal experience.
Of course, the rest of the season hasn’t sucked either. It’s been a great year to be a Buckeye!
It was fun listening to the crowd (MUC side obviously) singing to the OSU fight song yelling out OH and hearing the IO resposne on the ESPN D3 national Championship game.
I’ve been a bit surprised that no one has mentioned how LK has adapted his teams over the past 15 years to stay ahead of the curve. In the early 90’s when the west coast offense was first starting to creep into the language, LK embrassed it, and blew people away with his 5 wideouts and wide open passing. back in those days as soon as MUC got anywhere near mid-field, they were going for the bomb. As the 90’s came to a close, and defenses were figuring out the west coast schemes, LK went to a very good running back, a blocking fullback and a tight end. Chuck Moore and Dan Pugh helped remake the Mount union offense, and allowed the passing game to be as successful as it needed to be. Now you have Kmic absolutely carrying the load behind a massive offensive line, with deep threat possibility in Garcon, and two or three other receivers doing damage on short routes……when necessary.
Football is cyclical, but LK has always stayed one step ahead of where the game is going, which is why they have not had many down years (if you can call one loss a down year).
Fire Tressel – Bring back John Cooper!! 🙂