I think if the Dukes can win out and finish 9-3 in the regular season (with a playoff appearance), Coach Withers would have to be one of the leading candidates for CAA Coach of the Year award. I hope it happens. Would be great for him, the team, recruiting, etc.

Wait I thought he couldn't coach and the juice was all bs?

(11-08-2014 11:29 PM)formerjmusprinter84 Wrote:  I think if the Dukes can win out and finish 9-3 in the regular season (with a playoff appearance), Coach Withers would have to be one of the leading candidates for CAA Coach of the Year award. I hope it happens. Would be great for him, the team, recruiting, etc.

McDonnell at UNH will get it if he beats Delaware and Maine over the next 2 weeks......would finish undefeated in CAA, 10-1, #1 ranked team in the nation.

But he was picked to finish there. JMU was picked 8th.

(11-09-2014 12:12 AM)NJDuke97 Wrote:  Wait I thought he couldn't coach and the juice was all bs?

What Vad has been doing has nothing to do with Withers except thier recruiting relationship. The defense and the "HC" calls have been very shaky.

Defense wasn't shaky with their second half shutout on the road today.

(11-09-2014 02:04 AM)JMUska Wrote:  Defense wasn't shaky with their second half shutout on the road today.

+1

(11-09-2014 12:31 AM)Hotrod829 Wrote:  

(11-09-2014 12:12 AM)NJDuke97 Wrote:  Wait I thought he couldn't coach and the juice was all bs?

What Vad has been doing has nothing to do with Withers except thier recruiting relationship. The defense and the "HC" calls have been very shaky.

Uhhhh, c'mon. The relationship between starting QB and Coach has "nothing to do" with either of their success? You're better than that. We know who you are, and you know better than that as well. Most important on field, in game "relationship" on the team. C'mon.

(11-09-2014 12:12 AM)mainejeff Wrote:  

(11-08-2014 11:29 PM)formerjmusprinter84 Wrote:  I think if the Dukes can win out and finish 9-3 in the regular season (with a playoff appearance), Coach Withers would have to be one of the leading candidates for CAA Coach of the Year award. I hope it happens. Would be great for him, the team, recruiting, etc.

McDonnell at UNH will get it if he beats Delaware and Maine over the next 2 weeks......would finish undefeated in CAA, 10-1, #1 ranked team in the nation.

Sometimes a Coach of the Year Award goes to a coach other than the coach that wins the most games. Mickey Mathews won the Eddie Robinson Award in 1999 and 2008 and the Dukes weren't National Champions and didn't have the best record in the country either of those seasons.

(11-09-2014 04:32 AM)JMUDunk Wrote:  

(11-09-2014 12:31 AM)Hotrod829 Wrote:  

(11-09-2014 12:12 AM)NJDuke97 Wrote:  Wait I thought he couldn't coach and the juice was all bs?

What Vad has been doing has nothing to do with Withers except thier recruiting relationship. The defense and the "HC" calls have been very shaky.

Uhhhh, c'mon. The relationship between starting QB and Coach has "nothing to do" with either of their success? You're better than that. We know who you are, and you know better than that as well. Most important on field, in game "relationship" on the team. C'mon.

Generally, players have a closer relationship with their position coach and coordinator than with the head coach.

I think it's without a doubt coach Withers would win COY if the team wins out.

I think this is more of an award that gets determined during the playoff run, rather than before. So It kind of becomes a prerequisite to get there and then do well.

The coach for Coastal will be in that spot, if they go deep in the playoffs. Likely an undefeated regular season and getting to the semis or more.

Working against Wither's would be: expectations are very high, he was an interim HC at UNC already, JMU has all the 'advantages', and Wither's took the transfer approach to success.

Objectively, I would not have him as coach of the year, but if we go deep he too will get considered. I rate him a solid B and rising. I like what he has done with the attitude, approach, and players seem to now be playing with more unity and purpose. I think some of his game day decisions are too accepting of risk for the reward - resulting in putting a defense that is inconsistent in tough spots. I think the up-tempo really works well at this level, where there is not the depth on defense to withstand the pace. I am not sure if it is personnel or scheme - but short yardage and red-zone on offense where we never line up under center is maddening. With a large O-line, we really should be able to put a 1 yard plunge or sneak into the arsenal.

Our 2nd half performances seem to reflect either good adjustments at halftime or the up-tempo pace is simply wearing down the other team. Maybe even an understanding of our team - for instance nothing from Abduhlla in the first half and then in the 2nd he is in for runs and pass plays. It has been really nice to see players and coaching improve week to week.

He deserves it but he won't get it in the CAA or nationally. The CAA hates JMU because we are not long for this league and no way do we get any awards if there is a way to avoid it.

(11-09-2014 11:24 AM)JMU_Rocks! Wrote:  I think this is more of an award that gets determined during the playoff run, rather than before. So It kind of becomes a prerequisite to get there and then do well.

The coach for Coastal will be in that spot, if they go deep in the playoffs. Likely an undefeated regular season and getting to the semis or more.

Working against Wither's would be: expectations are very high, he was an interim HC at UNC already, JMU has all the 'advantages', and Wither's took the transfer approach to success.

Objectively, I would not have him as coach of the year, but if we go deep he too will get considered. I rate him a solid B and rising. I like what he has done with the attitude, approach, and players seem to now be playing with more unity and purpose. I think some of his game day decisions are too accepting of risk for the reward - resulting in putting a defense that is inconsistent in tough spots. I think the up-tempo really works well at this level, where there is not the depth on defense to withstand the pace. I am not sure if it is personnel or scheme - but short yardage and red-zone on offense where we never line up under center is maddening. With a large O-line, we really should be able to put a 1 yard plunge or sneak into the arsenal.

Our 2nd half performances seem to reflect either good adjustments at halftime or the up-tempo pace is simply wearing down the other team. Maybe even an understanding of our team - for instance nothing from Abduhlla in the first half and then in the 2nd he is in for runs and pass plays. It has been really nice to see players and coaching improve week to week.

I was talking more of the CAA COY award for Withers....only referencing the National Award that Mickey won twice without winning the NC or having the best record in the country. I am pretty sure that a coach in the CAA has won a CAA COY award in the past without having the best record in the CAA (just didn't feel like researching that). A deep playoff run would also put him into consideration for National COY. Dukes just need to keep on winning!!

(11-09-2014 11:03 AM)Dukester Wrote:  I think it's without a doubt coach Withers would win COY if the team wins out.

Agree. 1st year HC picked to finish 8th in the conference finishing with that many consecutive wins and in the top 3 of the CAA should be a shoe-in.

(11-09-2014 11:27 AM)HotHamandCheese84 Wrote:  He deserves it but he won't get it in the CAA or nationally. The CAA hates JMU because we are not long for this league and no way do we get any awards if there is a way to avoid it.

I'll take the bait with that statement. Its obvious that the CAA is screwing us every way possible and will continue to do so as long as we stay put - i've heard comments from Coach and others that would leave me to believe they "know" something about our future and are speaking honestly about how they view current officiating / scheduling/ game times, etc... and that they are being (poorly) handled by the CAA as regards JMU.

i don't think these things get said unless we are on the way out, and i don't mean "trying " to get out.

We must have a fairly legitimate plan in place and timetable to get out of this declining league.. I hope... because we certainly will get no love from the CAA or FCS going forward based on what i have heard and seen. The FCS polls ( meaningless as they are) are as much proof as you need.

Can you confirm your statement?

The phrase "the CAA hates JMU" is my opinion and my opinion alone. The phrase "we are not long for this league" is based on the fact that JMU has made it clear we are looking to move and we will move with the right opportunity. It is only natural to be upset with the flagship school that wants to leave.

(11-09-2014 02:10 PM)HotHamandCheese84 Wrote:  The phrase "the CAA hates JMU" is my opinion and my opinion alone. The phrase "we are not long for this league" is based on the fact that JMU has made it clear we are looking to move and we will move with the right opportunity. It is only natural to be upset with the flagship school that wants to leave.

Thanks for the reply. Let's just hope that we can get this done ASAP and something opens up ( that we will take) ! Got to get your foot in the door somewhere. Rome was not built in a day.

I agree. We need to move up ASAP.

(11-09-2014 02:03 PM)jmufbs Wrote:  We must have a fairly legitimate plan in place and timetable to get out of this declining league...

I believe JMU's intentions to depart the CAA are clear...at least they are to me. I would take exception, however, to your characterization of the CAA as a "declining league" with three teams in the top 10 entering the weekend. The CAA remains what it has always been, one of the very best, if not the best, FCS leagues top to bottom.

I'd also offer a little life advice for what it's worth. It's not wise or becoming to heap crap upon those you leave behind as you ascend the ladder of success. You'll never know whose help or goodwill you might need on the way back down if your best plans go astray.