I have family in Delaware who never understood why they fired Keeler. They say he was an excellent coach. He knows the FCS and has won a title. He also likes the FCS and might be one willing to hang around awhile even with success. Tjeerdsma was a succesful coach...but he's pushing 70. He actually retired from coaching 3 years ago and is currently the AD at Northwest Missouri. The other 3 seem like good candidates but don't appear to have any head coaching experience. I'd prefer we don't hire someone who's clearly looking at this like a stepping stone. Given what I know about the candidates (little), I'd go with Keeler.
Yeah, Keeler seems like the obvious choice just by reading that story. The guy has won an FCS championship and his career coaching record is 100 games above .500. Also stayed at Delaware for 11 years instead of using it as a stepping stone.
Not the guy I wanted, and might have even been my last choice simply because he has one foot in the grave, but whatever. At least he's no longer a "Bearcat" anymore (whatever the **** that is).
A little disappointed. I can't argue with his track record...3 Div II national titles since 1998 and in the championship game 4 other times. He's been retired from coaching for 3 years and is 67. But based on system, age, and likelihood to stay a while...Keeler made much more sense.
LOL, what the hell's going on up there? Oh well, all's well that ends well. He was my first choice. Hiring a 67-year old just seemed odd no matter what his record.
He much younger and has been very successful in the FCS/1-AA. He also has an affinity for the division and is a good recruiter. He'll have to learn Texas recruiting but I think he will be fine. He also doesn't strike me as the type that's using this as a stepping stone to something bigger. I also like that he runs the spread.
I was really hoping the Texans would've drafted him late or signed him as a FA. I think he's ideal in the ZBS. I'll be pulling for him regardless. FLAAAAAAAAAAANDERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRS
FCS Coaches Poll released today, with the 'Kats coming in at 14. 1. North Dakota State (18) 2. Eastern Washington (6) 3. Southeastern Louisiana (1) 4. New Hampshire 5. Montana 6. Coastal Carolina 7. Towson (1) 8. Jacksonville State 9. McNeese State 10. South Dakota State 11. Eastern Illinois 12. Fordham 13. Villanova 14. Sam Houston State 15. Northern Iowa 16. Chattanooga 17. Tennessee State 18. Furman 19. Montana State 20. Maine 21. Youngstown State 22. William & Mary 23. Bethune-Cookman 24. Richmond 25. Northern Arizona Others receiving votes: Samford 95, Southern Illinois 59, Harvard 42, Charleston Southern 39, James Madison 30, Princeton 24, Southern Utah 20, Alcorn State 16, Liberty 16, Delaware 15, South Carolina State 15, Cal Poly 14, Missouri State 12, Sacred Heart 10, Wofford 8, Central Arkansas 7, Alabama State 6, Lehigh 6, Eastern Kentucky 4, Holy Cross 1, Illinois State 1, Jacksonville 1 And the first game is two weeks from Saturday!
And on ESPN. The REAL ESPN, not 2, 3 or U like FCS games are usually on. Should be an interesting game. We've really had EWU's number the last few years, but they are loaded this year and we are rebuilding with a new coach.
14 is good. I'll take that, considering all we lost. I'm not renewing my season tickets (despite the ticket office's best efforts - they certainly try VERY hard, so much so that were I not an ******* I might feel obligated to buy them again), but I'll still follow them as best I can. Here's to hoping Keeler knows what he's doing.
No, but watch for Keyshawn Hill. Ran for 536 yards last season on 81 carries (6.6 ypc) and 8 td. He was impressive in the time that I saw him play and should be pretty good this year. He's more of a straight ahead runner with better speed than Flanders. I'm more concerned about the WR position as there's little experience there.
Cool. I remember Hill even I was there 2 years ago. Of course did not play much as Freshman. Hopefully he will be solid. QB play I hope is better but if no receivers step up that might be a problem.
It shows how incredibly far the program has come that they are ranked 14th in the preseason prior to a season that will require about as much rebuilding as a rebuilding season possibly could.
