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Post by jackal on Dec 6, 2019 11:55:02 GMT -5
Not scientific, but Drew Cronic recently started following several recruits on twitter that have offers from or were Mercer commits. Also worth noting that Mercer's co-recruiting coordinator, Carter Barfield, is a former Furman player and was on the roster while Cronic was a coach with the Paladins 15 years ago. In fact, I think Cronic may have been Barfield's position coach. So, they have a history. Without any sort of insight, my best guess on December 6 is that Cronic's the guy, he'll retain his former player, Barfield, and Barfield is the guy currently tasked with trying to hold the recruiting class together. I was thinking about some of this last night, Jackal. I think you are spot on & great job of sleuthing on the Twitters. Of course, him following them could also mean that he sees them as opportunities for the L-R Bears to make a ‘steal,’ but I think your conclusion is more likely. Also want to add a couple of thoughts I had about Coach Barfield. If there is 1 position group in which Mercer has shown consistent excellence, it’s the Running Backs. From Payton Usher to Alex Lakes to Tee Mitchell to Tyray Devezin (and almost all of their backups), this group has been exceptional. They run hard, break tackles, don’t expect to go down, don’t fumble, catch the ball out of the backfield, and block (fairly) well. Coach Barfield has been here since Day1 &, if I’m not mistaken, his wife is from Macon. Regardless of the Head Coach ultimately hired, he should want Coach Barfield on his Staff & Coach Barfield should DEFINITELY be given an opportunity to interview for a role to remain part of Mercer Football...if he wants to. You are correct. His wife is from Macon. Looking back through the archives, Mercer announced Barfield's hire in July 2012, which seems unbelievable that is was that long ago. If it is Cronic, it'll be yet another odd twist in Bobby Lamb's career. Two head coaching jobs in the same conference and replaced by his former assistants. |
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It’s done
Dec 7, 2019 16:32:11 GMT -5
via mobile
Post by speakindatruth on Dec 7, 2019 16:32:11 GMT -5
Could be hearing something soon. Cronic and his run heavy offense was unable to mount the comeback late. Had to rely on the passing game late, which resulted in a late turnover. However, they did out rush them by 189 yards. Still not sold on this approach, but what do I know??
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It’s done
Dec 7, 2019 16:33:10 GMT -5
via mobile
Post by speakindatruth on Dec 7, 2019 16:33:10 GMT -5
Could be hearing something soon. Cronic and his run heavy offense was unable to mount the comeback late. Had to rely on the passing game late, which resulted in a late turnover. However, they did out rush them by 189 yards. Still not sold on this approach, but what do I know?? In all seriousness though. He might not be a bad choice! |
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Post by FUBeAR on Dec 7, 2019 19:52:34 GMT -5
Could be hearing something soon. Cronic and his run heavy offense was unable to mount the comeback late. Had to rely on the passing game late, which resulted in a late turnover. However, they did out rush them by 189 yards. Still not sold on this approach, but what do I know?? Looks like Special Teams (not their O) cost the L-R Bears the game today. Fumbled punt return leading to short-field TD, dropped punt snap for a Safety, and gave up a KOR for a TD...that’s 16 points; lost by 5. If Coach Cronic becomes Mercer’s HC, maybe he can lure Coach Grant Cain back from JMU with a DC job & a NICE comp plan...and he can mentor whomever is named Special Teams Coordinator. He’s an ST savant. |
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Post by speakindatruth on Dec 7, 2019 20:11:16 GMT -5
Could be hearing something soon. Cronic and his run heavy offense was unable to mount the comeback late. Had to rely on the passing game late, which resulted in a late turnover. However, they did out rush them by 189 yards. Still not sold on this approach, but what do I know?? Looks like Special Teams (not their O) cost the L-R Bears the game today. Fumbled punt return leading to short-field TD, dropped punt snap for a Safety, and gave up a KOR for a TD...that’s 16 points; lost by 5. If Coach Cronic becomes Mercer’s HC, maybe he can lure Coach Grant Cain back from JMU with a DC job & a NICE comp plan...and he can mentor whomever is named Special Teams Coordinator. He’s an ST savant. Amen to that!!! Love Coach Cain. Bringing him back would be a huge boost. Cronic does bring the toughness I think we need. Had a great first two years. |
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It’s done
Dec 7, 2019 21:35:10 GMT -5
via mobile
Post by FUBeAR on Dec 7, 2019 21:35:10 GMT -5
Looks like Special Teams (not their O) cost the L-R Bears the game today. Fumbled punt return leading to short-field TD, dropped punt snap for a Safety, and gave up a KOR for a TD...that’s 16 points; lost by 5. If Coach Cronic becomes Mercer’s HC, maybe he can lure Coach Grant Cain back from JMU with a DC job & a NICE comp plan...and he can mentor whomever is named Special Teams Coordinator. He’s an ST savant. Amen to that!!! Love Coach Cain. Bringing him back would be a huge boost. Cronic does bring the toughness I think we need. Had a great first two years. 47-6 as a Head Coach / .887. Playoffs all 4 years. Advanced in the Playoffs in the recent 3 years. Also has the only D2 Player invited to the 2020 Senior Bowl in Mobile. |
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Post by jackal on Dec 7, 2019 22:31:53 GMT -5
Could be hearing something soon. Cronic and his run heavy offense was unable to mount the comeback late. Had to rely on the passing game late, which resulted in a late turnover. However, they did out rush them by 189 yards. Still not sold on this approach, but what do I know?? In all seriousness though. He might not be a bad choice! He's a very good coach. He's a proven commodity as a head coach. He runs a wing-t type run-first offense, but can incorporate a lot of passing. |
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Post by speakindatruth on Dec 8, 2019 7:41:34 GMT -5
In all seriousness though. He might not be a bad choice! He's a very good coach. He's a proven commodity as a head coach. He runs a wing-t type run-first offense, but can incorporate a lot of passing. Yeah, I don’t mind him as much as I would the full blown option guys. He will use his athletes and run around that; some of the other mentioned choices are run no matter what. I’m just not a fan of not being able to mount a comeback if you go down two scores because you can’t throw. A balanced attack is the best offense to run. Look at the rest of the teams in the playoffs. Most are 55%~60% run over pass. I can live with that. |
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Post by FUBeAR on Dec 8, 2019 8:57:42 GMT -5
He's a very good coach. He's a proven commodity as a head coach. He runs a wing-t type run-first offense, but can incorporate a lot of passing. Yeah, I don’t mind him as much as I would the full blown option guys. He will use his athletes and run around that; some of the other mentioned choices are run no matter what. I’m just not a fan of not being able to mount a comeback if you go down two scores because you can’t throw. A balanced attack is the best offense to run. Look at the rest of the teams in the playoffs. Most are 55%~60% run over pass. I can live with that. Since NDSU began their run of championships, they have never been less than 61% run (2011)...and they’ve increased that over the string from 61% to 66%ish for a few years and up over 70% in the more recent years. It’s widely known that FUBeAR is a Bear of very little brain...so, without putting too much thought into it, I’d say that 65%-70% run seems to be a fairly effective balance for a good chance at success in FCS Football. LR was 75% run in 2019 & 71% run in 2018. |
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Post by FUBeAR on Dec 8, 2019 22:48:51 GMT -5
Interesting statistic I just read...
Only one remaining team [in the FCS Elite 8], Montana, is in the top 40 in the FCS in passing yards per game.
In fact 5 of the 8 remaining teams are ranked 79th or lower in the FCS in passing yards per game...
So, if you want to win & advance in the Playoffs in FCS Football, you might had better RUN THE DANG BALL!
That said, I will augment that stat. None of the Teams in the Elite 8 are Triple Option Teams.
* Illinois State, who, sort of ‘backed into’ the Playoffs, has the lowest ranked Passing Attack at #117 / 19 ATT / 123.8 ypg.
* Montana State is next lowest at #99 / 26 ATT / 174.6 ypg.
* Northern Iowa is next @ #90 / 25 ATT / 190.3 ypg.
* The favorite to repeat, NDSU, checks in at #87 / 19 ATT / 190.8.
* Weber State, who beat Kennesaw last week, is #79 with 30 ATT / 197.9 ypg.
* JMU, the favorite to knock off NDSU, is #54 & 24 ATT / 226.9 ypg.
* APSU, FUBeAR’s ‘rooting favorite,’ comes in at #41 with 30 ATT / 242.6 ypg.
* Montana, as mentioned, is the only Team that slings it a bunch - #8 with 38 ATT / 304.9 ypg.
2 Triple Option Teams made the Playoff Field of 24. They finished 1-2 & neither advanced past the 2nd round. Here are the passing numbers for (known) Triple Option Teams...
# 118 Cal Poly 12 ATT / 121.8 ypg
# 120 Davidson 12 ATT / 111.3 ypg
# 121 Wofford 13 ATT / 107.5 ypg
# 122 The Citadel 11 ATT / 99.6 ypg
# 123 Jacksonville 9 ATT / 82.0 ypg
# 124 Kennesaw St. 8 ATT / 79.6 ypg
Conclusion...yes, you need to RUN THE DANG BALL (#4, #8, #9, #28, #33, #45, #64, and, somehow, #101 (#7 in Total Defense, I guess) remain standing) but you better be able to throw it about 20-25 times for about 200 yards also.
Triple Option Teams look to do about half of that.
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It’s done
Dec 9, 2019 14:14:38 GMT -5
via mobile
Post by Beardown84 on Dec 9, 2019 14:14:38 GMT -5
Hearing Kerwin Bell is interested in the Job! Built Jacksonville University and Won National Championship at Valdosta State. Can really recruit and believe he can build Mercer into a championship program!
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Post by FUBeAR on Dec 9, 2019 15:41:19 GMT -5
FCS Head Coaching Positions Open(ed)
Murray State
Central Connecticut State - Filled
Gardner Webb
Northern Colorado
Mercer
EKU - Filled
Lamar
Cal-Poly - Filled (unconfirmed)
Wagner - Filled
Howard - Interim named
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Post by FUBeAR on Dec 9, 2019 18:18:23 GMT -5
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Post by FUBeAR on Dec 9, 2019 20:14:41 GMT -5
I was thinking about some of this last night, Jackal. I think you are spot on & great job of sleuthing on the Twitters. Of course, him following them could also mean that he sees them as opportunities for the L-R Bears to make a ‘steal,’ but I think your conclusion is more likely. Also want to add a couple of thoughts I had about Coach Barfield. If there is 1 position group in which Mercer has shown consistent excellence, it’s the Running Backs. From Payton Usher to Alex Lakes to Tee Mitchell to Tyray Devezin (and almost all of their backups), this group has been exceptional. They run hard, break tackles, don’t expect to go down, don’t fumble, catch the ball out of the backfield, and block (fairly) well. Coach Barfield has been here since Day1 &, if I’m not mistaken, his wife is from Macon. Regardless of the Head Coach ultimately hired, he should want Coach Barfield on his Staff & Coach Barfield should DEFINITELY be given an opportunity to interview for a role to remain part of Mercer Football...if he wants to. If it is Cronic, it'll be yet another odd twist in Bobby Lamb's career. Two head coaching jobs in the same conference and replaced by his former assistants. Coach Lamb’s successor at Furman was Coach Bruce Fowler. Coach Fowler was never an Assistant Coach under Coach Lamb. Coach Fowler left Furman & went to Vanderbilt with Coach Bobby Johnson before Coach Lamb was named Head Coach at Furman. Coach Hendrix ‘replaced’ Coach Fowler at Furman, not Coach Lamb. So...yeah, that is another story about Coach Lamb that you have oddly twisted. |
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