LurkingDog
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(Davidson picked to win the league) I never thought I'd say that 7th was optimistic, but...
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DUBulldog
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+x(Davidson picked to win the league) I never thought I'd say that 7th was optimistic, but... Let's hope the offense has been completely redone. Can't be any worse. Does anybody know who the OC is this season?
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LurkingDog
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It doesn't appear they will have anyone with the title of offensive coordinator. Who will call plays? My guess is Todd Stepsis.
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Dawgfootball558
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Stepsis is overseeing the offense.. who calls plays is a mystery. Totally with you Lurking on the recruiting.. let’s gets some O line guys and see what the O can do? There are some decent skill players but if you have no line it’s a long day/ season
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LurkingDog
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For comparison, Valpo hired a new offensive coordinator who was at Rhode Island a couple years ago. Could it be that he saw Valparaiso (picked 8th by the coaches this year) as a better gig than Drake?
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zman
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+xFor comparison, Valpo hired a new offensive coordinator who was at Rhode Island a couple years ago. Could it be that he saw Valparaiso (picked 8th by the coaches this year) as a better gig than Drake? So Lurking you obviously seem to follow the FB program better than probably anyone on here. Once we went non scholly I followed the scores and such but don't really pay a whole lot of attention. Seems when we first got into it we were kind of the top dogs, maybe behind Dayton I believe. Then San Diego was added and they became the powerhouse. We were always pretty solid though and a top 2-3 team. Seems we have had some pretty solid coaching over the years. Is the current staff not great? Has recruiting kind of just dried up for whatever reason? Combo of both of these? Fill me in please.
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Dawgfootball558
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Lurking you going to give your analysis?
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LurkingDog
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+xLurking you going to give your analysis? There are others on this board who could do a better job of sizing up the Bulldogs. That they have mostly been silent this summer is an ominous sign. Drake will certainly improve if the quarterbacks get some pass protection and avoid injury...if the coaches have an offensive game plan...if the tackling improves...if the team doesn't have to forfeit another game because of a COVID outbreak...if, if, if. From an August point of view, there isn't a game on the schedule where I think Drake will be a solid favorite. And that includes the Missouri S&T game at home.
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LurkingDog
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Speaking of Missouri University of Science and Technology, everyone will get a good look at their new head coach, Andy Ball. He's the son of Randy Ball, the (now retired) longtime I-AA head coach--also briefly a Drake assistant-- who finished his career scouting for the KC Chiefs. Andy was recently promoted from offensive coordinator and O-line coach. As his athletic director says, he "understands the rigorous academic curriculum and how to balance that with a winning football program." Keep an eye on him. Just a hunch.
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Dawgfootball558
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But why the drop off the last number of years…
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LurkingDog
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The buck stops at the head coach's desk.
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DUBulldog
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In the first 18 seasons in the PFL, the lowest Drake ever finished was 5th, and that was with an interim coach.
In the last 2 seasons, they've finished 6th and tied for 8th.
Not sure if the problem is recruiting, coaching, or both.
But, as Lurking Dog says, the buck stops with the Head Coach.
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zman
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+xIn the first 18 seasons in the PFL, the lowest Drake ever finished was 5th, and that was with an interim coach. In the last 2 seasons, they've finished 6th and tied for 8th. Not sure if the problem is recruiting, coaching, or both. But, as Lurking Dog says, the buck stops with the Head Coach. That was kind of my point. Can't believe it's been 18 seasons. Again, I just casually followed the program once we went the non scholly route. Like DUbulldog just posted it seemed like we were always battling Dayton at the beginning, then San Diego and now we're trying to stay out of the basement, which is kind of embarrassing. We've had some pretty good coaches over the years who have gone on to other places which means they have done good things at our level.
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Dawgfootball558
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So what needs to happen to get back to the top tier.. thoughts/ comments/ ideas? Seems like football is a second class citizen at Drake these days..
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dudistance
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+xSo what needs to happen to get back to the top tier.. thoughts/ comments/ ideas? Seems like football is a second class citizen at Drake these days.. I leave it to others to discuss the main football reasons, but one way to fix recruiting would be NIL agreements similar to the one at BYU. All BYU non-scholarship players receive tuition, room, and board from Built Bar. I know Drake cannot initiate it, but if a company steps up to pay it would be a way to get around Title 9 and non-scholarship rules. BYU has been reviewed by the NCAA, but only because the school is also sponsored by Built Bar. So far the NCAA has even punted on saying that is wrong.
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