Well I have added a new page to the <a href='http://www.vandelaysports.com' target='_blank'>VanDelaySports.com</a> Web site. The latest section is The Mid-American Conference: "The Cradle of Coaches." I put some research into this but doubt that I was thorough enough to please all of you so this is my chance to 1) promote the new section of the site and 2) ask you all for your feedback or omissions.

So I would appreciate any feedback you all may have.

<a href='http://www.vandelaysports.com' target='_blank'>VanDelaySports.com</a>

I enjoyed the piece on the coaches, but I did want to throw in my "two cents" worth regarding Miami's Cradle of Coach's tradition. While many folks like to "throw" in coaching legends like Woody Hayes, (who coached briefly at Miami), most Miamians consider the true "Cradle" to be those coaches who graduated from Miami and then went onto coaching greatness, either at Miami or other Universities.

So, I consider the "real" Cradle at Miami to include Ara P (not only graduated and coached Miami to with a incredible winning %, but was a fine HB during his career at Miami), Bo S (who also started on the line at Miami before graduating), John Pont (one of Miami's greatest all time running backs), Carm Cozza (played and graduated for Miami and was an assistant coach at Miami before becoming the long-standing Head Coach at Yale), Bill Dietzel, also a star on Miami's teams and although he didn't coach Miami, he led LSU to a national championship and was later the AD at U of So. Carolina, Red Blaik, legendary coach for Army, and Bill Mallory (played for Miami, later coached Miami to an undefeated and top 20 standing before going on take Colorade to the Orange Bowl, NIU to the Cal Bowl, and Indiana to a number of bowls (a great feat in itself!) before retiring.

Anyway, I probably missed a few, and although I think it's fine to mention guys like Woody (Wittenberg graduate I think), to me the true "Cradle" should be graduates of MAC Universities. When they complete the Cradle of Coach's Plaza at Yager stadium, they are putting in some busts of our former Coaches, and I'm guessing that they'll only be the actual MU graduates.

Good part on something that often gets overlooked in this new ear of "MAC Quarterbacks".

I'd point out from a BG perspective that Bo served on Doyt Perry's staff along with Don Nehlen and Larry Smith. Past Toledo coach and current Mizzou coach Gary Pinkel also coached at Bowling Green.

Sally Pont's book "Fields of Honor" really does a nice job showing not only the Miami connection but the Mid Am connection to the golden era of college football.

Nick Saban immediately comes to mind, but I still think of him as a carpetbagger (no offense, Tampa)

Does Saban have MAC ties? Any other pro or college coaches? Even ones of the "Jim Grobe level;" not outstanding but effective.

I added the "MAC Players in the NFL" section to highlight ALL MAC players and not just the Quarterbacks.

Guess I forgot Weeb Ewbank (played for and graduated from Miami and coached NY Jets to an NFL title) and Paul Brown (also played for and graduated from Miami), although neither coached at Miami. If you read the book "Miami-Cradle of Coach's" written in 1983 by Bob Kurz, you'll note that on the cover are the pictures of: Bo, Ara, John Pont, Weeb, Paul Dietzel, Carm Cozza, Earl (Red) Blaik, and Paul Brown. All are Miami graduates. They could easily be the coaches chosen to have their busts displayed at the Cradle of Coach's Plaza once completed at Yager stadium.

We're still waiting to see if Randy Walker (MU '76), Ron Zook (MU '76) and Joe Novak (MU '67) will become legends!

exCincy Kid1 Wrote:Guess I forgot Weeb Ewbank (played for and graduated from Miami and coached NY Jets to an NFL title) and Paul Brown (also played for and graduated from Miami), although neither coached at Miami. If you read the book "Miami-Cradle of Coach's" written in 1983 by Bob Kurz, you'll note that on the cover are the pictures of: Bo, Ara, John Pont, Weeb, Paul Dietzel, Carm Cozza, Earl (Red) Blaik, and Paul Brown. All are Miami graduates. They could easily be the coaches chosen to have their busts displayed at the Cradle of Coach's Plaza once completed at Yager stadium.

We're still waiting to see if Randy Walker (MU '76), Ron Zook (MU '76) and Joe Novak (MU '67) will become legends!

Of course, now that he's retired, you don't have to wait for Bob Pruett who went to a MAC school and coached a MAC school.

Yeah, and Don Nehlen too! :D

P.S. I read a good story about Don....he came down to Oxford as he apparently wanted a shot at playing at Miami, but the Head Coach then (might've been Sid Gillman at the time) supposedly took one look at Don and said that he was too small and too skinny, and sent him packing. Big mistake, as Don became a great QB at BG as all here are probably well aware.