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According to Bruce Rader at WAVY 10 Blake Larussa not returning for 2019 season.

https://www.wavy.com/sports/odu-football...1675333270


I had been waiting for this news to come out, lol

Puts us in a tough spot, but opens an opportunity for one of the new guys (or Williams if he improves).

Makes the JuCo QB signing a lot more meaningful.

https://pilotonline.com/sports/college/o...33c86.html

(12-26-2018 12:56 PM)Punk Wrote:  https://pilotonline.com/sports/college/o...33c86.html

Good for him. Can't knock him for that.

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well, um, that sucks! But, kudos to him for doing what he wants to do.

Kinda explains the whole taking on 2 QBs.

Blake more than earned his place in the ODU history book. I wish him well. About as nice and down to earth guy as they come.

Cynical b-hole time!

Is there any possibility that LaRussa either a) didn't think he'd get the starting nod next year or b) Wilder told him that they still wanted Williams or someone else to win the role, and he left when and how he did to better control the narrative of his departure? I have no doubt that he's sincere when he says he wants to be a Christian evangelist and that he wants to get a master's degree in divinity. But unless he has foreknowledge of the timing of the Rapture, would one more year of playing football kept him from pursuing that goal? It could well be a calling and if you think it is, you don't turn it down or delay it, but at the same time, plenty of athletes have advocated for the Lord while in a football uniform.

(12-26-2018 01:36 PM)Cyniclone Wrote:  Cynical b-hole time!

Is there any possibility that LaRussa either a) didn't think he'd get the starting nod next year or b) Wilder told him that they still wanted Williams or someone else to win the role, and he left when and how he did to better control the narrative of his departure? I have no doubt that he's sincere when he says he wants to be a Christian evangelist and that he wants to get a master's degree in divinity. But unless he has foreknowledge of the timing of the Rapture, would one more year of playing football kept him from pursuing that goal? It could well be a calling and if you think it is, you don't turn it down or delay it, but at the same time, plenty of athletes have advocated for the Lord while in a football uniform.

I am reminded of a VCU basketball player, Calvin Duncan, who around 1983 was drafted by the then Jordan led Chicago Bulls. He respectfully turned them down to pursue his calling.
When asked about it, his response was something like "I would rather be on Jesus' team than Jordan's team"

He is the pastor of a church here in Chesterfield county now.

(12-26-2018 01:45 PM)ODUalum78 Wrote:  

(12-26-2018 01:36 PM)Cyniclone Wrote:  Cynical b-hole time!

Is there any possibility that LaRussa either a) didn't think he'd get the starting nod next year or b) Wilder told him that they still wanted Williams or someone else to win the role, and he left when and how he did to better control the narrative of his departure? I have no doubt that he's sincere when he says he wants to be a Christian evangelist and that he wants to get a master's degree in divinity. But unless he has foreknowledge of the timing of the Rapture, would one more year of playing football kept him from pursuing that goal? It could well be a calling and if you think it is, you don't turn it down or delay it, but at the same time, plenty of athletes have advocated for the Lord while in a football uniform.

I am reminded of a VCU basketball player, Calvin Duncan, who around 1983 was drafted by the then Jordan led Chicago Bulls. He respectfully turned them down to pursue his calling.
When asked about it, his response was something like "I would rather be on Jesus' team than Jordan's team"

He is the pastor of a church here in Chesterfield county now.

And maybe that's what this is. I certainly am not going to doubt one's sincerely held beliefs, not simply on timing alone. But speaking of pastors, an old one of mine was apt to say that the mission field isn't a place, it's a state of mind, and there's not a parcel of land on this planet that can't be covered by it. He also would say that you don't have to apply to be an evangelist, you just start doing it.

Maybe I'm reading too much into it. Maybe playing football is no longer compatible with what he believes is his Godly duty. Maybe Wilder made a deal with the devil and he's trying to get out of there before the check comes due . But I work in an industry that lives by the credo If your mama says she loves you, get a second source. So maybe I'm just too cynical for my own good.

(12-26-2018 01:36 PM)Cyniclone Wrote:  Cynical b-hole time!

Is there any possibility that LaRussa either a) didn't think he'd get the starting nod next year or b) Wilder told him that they still wanted Williams or someone else to win the role, and he left when and how he did to better control the narrative of his departure? I have no doubt that he's sincere when he says he wants to be a Christian evangelist and that he wants to get a master's degree in divinity. But unless he has foreknowledge of the timing of the Rapture, would one more year of playing football kept him from pursuing that goal? It could well be a calling and if you think it is, you don't turn it down or delay it, but at the same time, plenty of athletes have advocated for the Lord while in a football uniform.

People that go into this field often do so when others might think its illogical.

I do believe him, but if someone were to tell me it was because he didn't want to be a backup QB, that would not surprise me either. There is no way Wilder is running him off (he's even honoring his scholarship for the spring semester), but Wilder could have told him he was going to have a fight on his hand.

And FWIW, this was decided by Blake before the JUCO QB came aboard.

(12-26-2018 01:59 PM)Cyniclone Wrote:  

(12-26-2018 01:45 PM)ODUalum78 Wrote:  

(12-26-2018 01:36 PM)Cyniclone Wrote:  Cynical b-hole time!

Is there any possibility that LaRussa either a) didn't think he'd get the starting nod next year or b) Wilder told him that they still wanted Williams or someone else to win the role, and he left when and how he did to better control the narrative of his departure? I have no doubt that he's sincere when he says he wants to be a Christian evangelist and that he wants to get a master's degree in divinity. But unless he has foreknowledge of the timing of the Rapture, would one more year of playing football kept him from pursuing that goal? It could well be a calling and if you think it is, you don't turn it down or delay it, but at the same time, plenty of athletes have advocated for the Lord while in a football uniform.

I am reminded of a VCU basketball player, Calvin Duncan, who around 1983 was drafted by the then Jordan led Chicago Bulls. He respectfully turned them down to pursue his calling.
When asked about it, his response was something like "I would rather be on Jesus' team than Jordan's team"

He is the pastor of a church here in Chesterfield county now.

And maybe that's what this is. I certainly am not going to doubt one's sincerely held beliefs, not simply on timing alone. But speaking of pastors, an old one of mine was apt to say that the mission field isn't a place, it's a state of mind, and there's not a parcel of land on this planet that can't be covered by it. He also would say that you don't have to apply to be an evangelist, you just start doing it.

Maybe I'm reading too much into it. Maybe playing football is no longer compatible with what he believes is his Godly duty. Maybe Wilder made a deal with the devil and he's trying to get out of there before the check comes due . But I work in an industry that lives by the credo If your mama says she loves you, get a second source. So maybe I'm just too cynical for my own good.

I posted that as food for thought.
I am otherwise suspicious of the circumstances as well.
BL is a small walk-on who excelled in part because of two almost extraordinary receivers.

Stone Smartt is a legitimate D1 prospect and Hayden Wolff is the first real D1 QB we have recruited since we became FBS.

Look, BW is under the gun; of that there is no question. IMO if he doesn't produce a competitive team next season, on BOTH sides of the ball, he will be done.
My guess is that BL saw the handwriting on the wall and chose to leave on his terms at his peak. Whether it was all his idea, or some suggestive prodding by ODU coaches, we may never know.

What is a real FBS QB recruit?

Bentley had offers, including from Cincy.
Arnold had multiple D-1 Offers (Ohio probably the best)
Williams likely would have had D-1 offers if we weren't so early in on him.

(12-26-2018 02:20 PM)Gilesfan Wrote:  What is a real FBS QB recruit?

Bentley had offers, including from Cincy.
Arnold had multiple D-1 Offers (Ohio probably the best)
Williams likely would have had D-1 offers if we weren't so early in on him.

I will rephrase that
Hayden Wolff is the first D1 QB that has size, speed, and arm that we have recruited since we became FBS.

Bentley had downfield arm only.
As I stated very early, a lot of his HS success, IMHO from studying his HS films, was due to his very fast receivers outrunning coverage and running under "bombs". He was smaller in size, and was very, very slow of foot. (even at Murray he was sacked 24 times in 9 games in 2017)
Arnold has great quickness, good arm (throws well on the run), but is small, too small to be the dual threat at this level that his skill set is best for.
I don't care who offered them, those characteristics and limitations were well known of both when we recruited them.

You say Williams would have been offered, and maybe so.
He has the size, but while he is fast downhill and has a strong arm, he doesn't throw well on the run (over throws) and is awkward when scrambling.
Could those have been mitigated had he not been thrown in too early?
I honestly don't know.

I do know that Hayden Wolff and Stone Smartt do not seem to have those obvious limitations going in.

Life happens quick, BL is already 23 or near 24 now. It's probably time to move on with the next chapter of life. I will sure miss watching BL play ball. His whole life he has been the under dog. First time I saw Blake I was officiating my first middle school football game and he was just a curly hair barely 5 ft tall wanna be qb. Now he will be on a level playing field and following his passion into the ministry. I rank BL tied with David Washington under TH and TD in greatest ODU QBs. I would honestly say Travis Fulgham wouldn't have been the receiver he was if it was not for Blake this season.

(12-26-2018 03:10 PM)AimHigh Wrote:  Life happens quick, BL is already 23 or near 24 now. It's probably time to move on with the next chapter of life. I will sure miss watching BL play ball. His whole life he has been the under dog. First time I saw Blake I was officiating my first middle school football game and he was just a curly hair barely 5 ft tall wanna be qb. Now he will be on a level playing field and following his passion into the ministry. I rank BL tied with David Washington under TH and TD in greatest ODU QBs. I would honestly say Travis Fulgham wouldn't have been the receiver he was if it was not for Blake this season.

Interesting point of view, and not without merit.

Damn, made ESPN top headlines!




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I subscribe to the school of thought that says Wilder likely has 2 years to show something substantial. Had LaRussa won the starting nod in 2019 and even had they won say 6 games, he'd have to start over in 2020, when a new QB can lead to issues that can lead to coaches leaving.

Now Wilder can pick his latest QB of the Future and hope that after a year of seasoning in 2019 (with a whole bunch of JUCO recruits to hopefully shore up the defense) then can get to a bowl in 2020 and save his job.

At ODU's level a QB can cover a lot of ills. He better hope he's hit on one of these guys.

(12-26-2018 12:53 PM)Punk Wrote:  https://www.wavy.com/sports/odu-football...1675333270


I had been waiting for this news to come out, lol

This story has been known for a while by the staff on the team. Also, as noted elsewhere this was decided before our JUCO signing and I would assume made getting another Qb a priority. That said, strangely enough all the folks I know tell the same story and it is as reported by ODU. Blake was ready to move on and he is.