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Post by longsuffering on Dec 7, 2023 21:28:48 GMT -5
I'll share something from the Duffner era. I was in a service organization and one of the members was an assistant director of food service for HC. She was always raving about Coach Duffner and said everybody loved him because he had the players trained to be deferential and polite when dealing with Kimball staff.
She said some coaches of other sports were brusque and demanding such as "and make sure we have this and don't forget to include that like you did last time" while Duff, staff and players were like "We would like it this way if you have time. We appreciate whatever you can do."
Coach Duffner met with Kimball management and told them to let him know immediately if any player or staff was impolite or negative and he would address it.
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Post by KY Crusader 75 on Dec 7, 2023 23:48:21 GMT -5
I can solve two problems: Matt Sluka returns as the first-ever college player-coach. 😄
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Post by 78purple on Dec 8, 2023 1:36:04 GMT -5
I'll share something from the Duffner era. I was in a service organization and one of the members was an assistant director of food service for HC. She was always raving about Coach Duffner and said everybody loved him because he had the players trained to be deferential and polite when dealing with Kimball staff. She said some coaches of other sports were brusque and demanding such as "and make sure we have this and don't forget to include that like you did last time" while Duff, staff and players were like "We would like it this way if you have time. We appreciate whatever you can do." Coach Duffner met with Kimball management and told them to let him know immediately if any player or staff was impolite or negative and he would address it. Which is why I wouldn't be shocked if he came back in some iteration, although I think that ship has sailed....he truly loves HC
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Post by cmo on Dec 8, 2023 8:36:06 GMT -5
Let’s hire someone who also gets hired by an FBS team in 5 years because they were so successful at HC.
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cross99
Climbing Mt. St. James
Posts: 85
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Post by cross99 on Dec 8, 2023 10:15:52 GMT -5
I think, though he doesn't have HC experience, Chris Smith is the best choice. My only real concern with him is can he put together a great staff? I would imagine that Chesney will almost certainly be taking Grautski and DiMichele. Other than that, I believe much of the rest of the staff can be saved (maybe Canan goes also as he went to college in Florida and Chesney brought him over from Assumption after his first year here -- not to mention his special teams have been amazing) I can't imagine Scott James moving from New England, so maybe if they give him the title of Defensive Coordinator/Associate Head Coach, it's possible he can be retained (I know some people believe James would be a great candidate for the HC position, but I honestly don't see him having interest nor do I think he would be a good hire). As long as players don't jump into the portal at an alarming rate, and the incoming class can be held together, for the most part, I have no doubt that this team will keep its momentum moving forward.
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Post by bfoley82 on Dec 8, 2023 10:21:12 GMT -5
You think that’s when Kit would begin compiling a list of names? Kit should have known the day he accepted the AD position that Chesney moving on at some point was going to happen. If he didn’t, after last season he surely knew it was going to happen. I don’t think ADKH is a dope. I imagine he’s got a list of 4-6 guys he wants to speak with in short order. Agreed. I was essentially suggesting that KH would have activated a plan with the most updated names. Let’s hope! I am actually surprised that Kit didn't hire a search firm since I believe (IIRC) he got hired through one of them.
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Post by drjack on Dec 8, 2023 10:22:33 GMT -5
He didn't for the Paulsen search, which was a nice change of pace from previous hires, imo.
He utilized members of the HC community to assist him as opposed to just using a firm
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Post by drjack on Dec 8, 2023 10:23:27 GMT -5
I think, though he doesn't have HC experience, Chris Smith is the best choice. My only real concern with him is can he put together a great staff? I would imagine that Chesney will almost certainly be taking Grautski and DiMichele. Other than that, I believe much of the rest of the staff can be saved (maybe Canan goes also as he went to college in Florida and Chesney brought him over from Assumption after his first year here -- not to mention his special teams have been amazing) I can't imagine Scott James moving from New England, so maybe if they give him the title of Defensive Coordinator/Associate Head Coach, it's possible he can be retained (I know some people believe James would be a great candidate for the HC position, but I honestly don't see him having interest nor do I think he would be a good hire). As long as players don't jump into the portal at an alarming rate, and the incoming class can be held together, for the most part, I have no doubt that this team will keep its momentum moving forward. Grautski is as good as gone, imo, but DiMike is a MUST retain. I'll keep my fingers crossed, but yeah I could see him getting poached. That would likely really hurt our recruiting class (if not this years, then definitely next years)
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Post by drjack on Dec 8, 2023 10:27:43 GMT -5
Just gonna say that Chris Smith liked a twitter post saying to bring him home...
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Post by hc1996 on Dec 8, 2023 10:33:27 GMT -5
What about Paul McGonagle from Endicott? Seems to have brought some serious success to that program. Also, pretty sure he worked with Chesney at Assumption.
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Post by cmo on Dec 8, 2023 10:38:34 GMT -5
FWIW, KH values prior head coaching experience.,
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Post by crusader12 on Dec 8, 2023 10:39:52 GMT -5
FWIW, KH values prior head coaching experience., I took that away from last nights zoom call as well
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Post by hc1996 on Dec 8, 2023 10:40:20 GMT -5
FWIW, KH values prior head coaching experience., McGonagle is the head coach at Endicott. And it appears as though he has done extremely well there.
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Post by alum on Dec 8, 2023 10:42:15 GMT -5
What about Paul McGonagle from Endicott? Seems to have brought some serious success to that program. Also, pretty sure he worked with Chesney at Assumption. I would say he is another example of a guy from the Chesney coaching tree who, when given the chance, won immediately. In the four years prior to his arrival, Endicott was 3-7 once and 5-5 the other three. Since he arrived, they have been 43-12 and won the conference and appeared in the playoffs the last three seasons. It may be that we can expect a lot of strong candidates given our recent success and our facilities, but this guy should be able to move up if he wants.
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Post by drjack on Dec 8, 2023 10:43:34 GMT -5
FWIW, KH values prior head coaching experience., I took that away from last nights zoom call as well Who was invited to the zoom call? My old roommate played football at HC, would he have been included? Or is it a more select grouping?
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Post by hc1996 on Dec 8, 2023 10:43:56 GMT -5
FWIW, KH values prior head coaching experience., I took that away from last nights zoom call as well What Zoom call are you referring to? Did we all have access to it??
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Post by cruskater31 on Dec 8, 2023 10:44:18 GMT -5
I think with the portal and NIL, it is a different landscape. I'm not sure how comfortable I am with lower level coaches at this juncture. We need someone with Chesney's persona and someone familiar with the program. Someone who lives and breathes football, especially Holy Cross football. A bandana doesn't hurt either.
There's no need for a search firm. All KH has to do is go to our message board!
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Post by drjack on Dec 8, 2023 10:45:56 GMT -5
I'll buy purple bandanas for everyone if we hire Coach Smith.
Hell, we can even do a purple bandana giveaway for the first X number of fans
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Post by 78purple on Dec 8, 2023 11:06:05 GMT -5
I think with the portal and NIL, it is a different landscape. I'm not sure how comfortable I am with lower level coaches at this juncture. We need someone with Chesney's persona and someone familiar with the program. Someone who lives and breathes football, especially Holy Cross football. A bandana doesn't hurt either. There's no need for a search firm. All KH has to do is go to our message board! Trust me, KH follows this board !!
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Post by midwestsader05 on Dec 8, 2023 11:06:28 GMT -5
I’m curious more of the “Why” when folks throw out takes and recommendations. I’m assuming the vast majority have not had more than a passing interaction or two with most coaches. Are you rooting for Smith simply because he was a good “OC”? Do you not think someone would be a good hire because…..?
I get everyone can have a generic fan opinion. I’m just curious how opinions are being formed on people that one has never spent any significant amount of time around nor knows their strengths/weaknesses, has talked to an extensive amount of primary sources about how one’s skills translate in other capacities and responsibilities etc.
I have other team’s I watch, root for and follow but know I would have zero clue on how they should handle a particular coaching change given my lack of knowledge of the above.
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Post by Sons of Vaval on Dec 8, 2023 11:19:55 GMT -5
FWIW, KH values prior head coaching experience., I was surprised that ADKH seemed to make prior experience as a head coach seemingly a pre-req. Disqualifies some good and interesting names.
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Post by hc1996 on Dec 8, 2023 11:22:14 GMT -5
FWIW, KH values prior head coaching experience., I was surprised that ADKH seemed to make prior experience as a head coach seemingly a pre-req. Disqualifies some good and interesting names. Anyone care to provide details on that Zoom call? Who was alerted to it and who had access?
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Post by HC92 on Dec 8, 2023 11:22:47 GMT -5
At this point, our lists are mostly just helping pass the time. I think most here would acknowledge that any of us we have might have 5-10% of the relevant info you’d want to have if you were actually making the decision. Some prioritize a strong connection to HC (Smith), perceived strong leadership ability (Smith), having won as a head coach (Toerper and McGonagle), having a connection to the Chesney tree (Smith, Toerper and McGonagle), perceived ability to retain current players and recruits (current staff plus Smith), etc. I hope no one thinks Kit should put a lot of stock in our lists and I’m sure he’s getting all the right inputs from all the right places.
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Post by cruskater31 on Dec 8, 2023 11:23:29 GMT -5
I’m curious more of the “Why” when folks throw out takes and recommendations. I’m assuming the vast majority have not had more than a passing interaction or two with most coaches. Are you rooting for Smith simply because he was a good “OC”? Do you not think someone would be a good hire because…..? I get everyone can have a generic fan opinion. I’m just curious how opinions are being formed on people that one has never spent any significant amount of time around nor knows their strengths/weaknesses, has talked to an extensive amount of primary sources about how one’s skills translate in other capacities and responsibilities etc. I have other team’s I watch, root for and follow but know I would have zero clue on how they should handle a particular coaching change given my lack of knowledge of the above. For me, I think I take a multifaceted approach to vetting candidates whose names I would mention. I've interacted with Chris as a student and a coach and while I don't have a friendship with him, I know enough to know his character, charisma, and love of our players. Characteristics of a great person and leader. I think his ability to lead the offense and be a needle that moved the entire team gives me confidence he could serve as head coach. For other candidates whose names have been thrown around, I would base my thoughts on watching them coach, observations, pressers, news accounts of them and their program first. I would then look at their record as head coach as well as their recruiting classes. The reason I have more info and a stronger opinion of the FCS/FBS coaches is partly because D2/D3 have less media attention and access to press conferences.
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cross99
Climbing Mt. St. James
Posts: 85
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Post by cross99 on Dec 8, 2023 11:31:18 GMT -5
I’m curious more of the “Why” when folks throw out takes and recommendations. I’m assuming the vast majority have not had more than a passing interaction or two with most coaches. Are you rooting for Smith simply because he was a good “OC”? Do you not think someone would be a good hire because…..? I get everyone can have a generic fan opinion. I’m just curious how opinions are being formed on people that one has never spent any significant amount of time around nor knows their strengths/weaknesses, has talked to an extensive amount of primary sources about how one’s skills translate in other capacities and responsibilities etc. I have other team’s I watch, root for and follow but know I would have zero clue on how they should handle a particular coaching change given my lack of knowledge of the above. Thats a great question. For me, Chris Smith passes the eye test. He bleeds Purple, had the respect of the players, was well respected by other coaches, and clearly had enough upside that the Giants hired him as a coach. His offense was electric, and he called great games. For the lay fan (as I am in that category) who only played 4 years of high school football (poorly I might add), I don't have any great knowledge of which candidate would be "best", however for me I think Chris would do well in Worcester and continue the program's upward trajectory. With all of that said, I do believe that ADKH will make the right hire, and I'll support that person 100%.
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