WTF happened to St Francis's football program? Just not enough talent
to feed St Johns, St Francis, and CC?

I've asked myself the same question. Cromwell retired and the bottom fell out.

(02-03-2017 12:06 PM)emanoh Wrote:  I've asked myself the same question. Cromwell retired and the bottom fell out.

Isn't it always about the head coach? Their BB program is on the way back.

The St. Francis Hockey team was ranked #1 in the state and made the finals last year, but lost either in the semi's or final game. The St. Francis swim team still dominates every year and sends kids all over the nation to swim in college.

One thing you have to remember is that the Catholic schools no longer play in the Toledo City League. They now play in the TRAC with the likes of Whitmer, Findlay, and Lima Senior. The guaranteed 3 or 4 wins a year are not there anymore. Also, there less TPL schools now days so the talent is not as thin as it was years ago if they do play a city public high school.

(02-03-2017 12:51 PM)Terry Wrote:  One thing you have to remember is that the Catholic schools no longer play in the Toledo City League. They now play in the TRAC with the likes of Whitmer, Findlay, and Lima Senior. The guaranteed 3 or 4 wins a year are not there anymore. Also, there less TPL schools now days so the talent is not as thin as it was years ago if they do play a city public high school.

Still doesn't explain why St Francis isn't putting out D1 players like St Johns and Central in football. I can see a more competitive league.

(02-03-2017 01:04 PM)utrocks84 Wrote:  

(02-03-2017 12:51 PM)Terry Wrote:  One thing you have to remember is that the Catholic schools no longer play in the Toledo City League. They now play in the TRAC with the likes of Whitmer, Findlay, and Lima Senior. The guaranteed 3 or 4 wins a year are not there anymore. Also, there less TPL schools now days so the talent is not as thin as it was years ago if they do play a city public high school.

Still doesn't explain why St Francis isn't putting out D1 players like St Johns and Central in football. I can see a more competitive league.

I read the question as why isn't they winning more games, not producing football recruits.

I'd argue that with the state of the Toledo City League really being sadder than it's ever been before in terms of overall talent, uncertainty, pride, and media exposure, it makes it even more inexcusable for the parochial schools if they can't find & develop talent.

Since Cromwell retired it has been a revolving door at head coach. Don't understand why no one has been able to sustain any success. St Francis has never had a ton of D-I talent. Cromwell and his staff were able to get more with less. Discipline, attention to detail, conditioning, but of course there were some exceptions to the rule. When Cromwell had exceptional talents, it was special. St Francis is also unwilling to compromise on academic standards.

(02-03-2017 09:26 PM)Rocket A Wrote:  Since Cromwell retired it has been a revolving door at head coach. Don't understand why no one has been able to sustain any success. St Francis has never had a ton of D-I talent. Cromwell and his staff were able to get more with less. Discipline, attention to detail, conditioning, but of course there were some exceptions to the rule. When Cromwell had exceptional talents, it was special. St Francis is also unwilling to compromise on academic standards.

Back in the day, St Francis produced players like Andy and Marty Huff, Paul Elzey, John Wiza, Mike Kennedy, etc.

It's been a perfect storm of issues for St Francis.

- Coach Cromell retired (but is now the AD at Cardinal Stritch Catholic)
- Enrollment plunged to < 100 boys per class
- Poor hiring decisions
- CYO Football (the primary feeder program) and football in general is dying slow-death as parents are thinking twice about letting their boys play this sport.