The biggest unfairness is comparing Matt's stats to those of the Drews: people do not realize that competition in the Valley is w-a-y beyond that in the Mid-Con or Horizon. And it looks to me like the complainers are mainly guys too young to remember when Homer arrived and had three of his first four seasons with 4 and 5 wins. (I was there 🤪) Also, it seems that today's players are together with one another and with the coaching staff—it takes a special head coach to develop that kind of unity in adversity, right? So I hope he stays for a good while.
I went to the Oakland-Green Bay game on New Year's Eve and got a chance to say hi to Kampe. He asked me, "What's up with Valpo?" It was a question tinged with concern rather than scorn or critique.
For my part, I assume there will come a point soon where he will feel like it's time to move on because he's tired of trying to figure out what's going wrong. I refuse to sign up for the FireLottich brigade, but I can tell that there's a systemic problem somewhere. I tend to think Valpo is handicapped in some ways.. All schools in the conference are, but when the inequalities across Division 1 handicaps mid-majors, it means that all teams have a smaller margin for error. The extra stuff that even power conference schools experience don't even out across the board. Even the margin for error does not even out for all teams. I recognize that coaches need to be able to guide their student-athletes through these bumps in the road, I'm just not knowledgeable enough to render strong opinions on when a coach is not doing his job.
Paul, I love this approach to the humanity side. I finally got to know Matt just a little bit at ARCH, but somehow things are not working. It is sad to watch a once proud program unravel before your eyes. I enjoy a text thread with a group of guys each game that you know and they are all season ticket holders. Recently, the tone has changed, not too anger, but a resignation that the wheels will fall off the bus at some point every game. Sadly, the change that must come along, may affect more than just one man and one family. Change can be hard, but it can also benefit both parties. One of your best articles yet, look forward to Friday.
Great article Paul! It's hard to be positive right now!! It's hard to see the ARC 20% full. Lots of challenges the last 3 years. Losing JFL, Donovan, and countless injuries and other transfers. But those are just excuses. If we lose at Evansville on Saturday, that may be the final straw for me!!
The biggest unfairness is comparing Matt's stats to those of the Drews: people do not realize that competition in the Valley is w-a-y beyond that in the Mid-Con or Horizon. And it looks to me like the complainers are mainly guys too young to remember when Homer arrived and had three of his first four seasons with 4 and 5 wins. (I was there 🤪) Also, it seems that today's players are together with one another and with the coaching staff—it takes a special head coach to develop that kind of unity in adversity, right? So I hope he stays for a good while.
I went to the Oakland-Green Bay game on New Year's Eve and got a chance to say hi to Kampe. He asked me, "What's up with Valpo?" It was a question tinged with concern rather than scorn or critique.
For my part, I assume there will come a point soon where he will feel like it's time to move on because he's tired of trying to figure out what's going wrong. I refuse to sign up for the FireLottich brigade, but I can tell that there's a systemic problem somewhere. I tend to think Valpo is handicapped in some ways.. All schools in the conference are, but when the inequalities across Division 1 handicaps mid-majors, it means that all teams have a smaller margin for error. The extra stuff that even power conference schools experience don't even out across the board. Even the margin for error does not even out for all teams. I recognize that coaches need to be able to guide their student-athletes through these bumps in the road, I'm just not knowledgeable enough to render strong opinions on when a coach is not doing his job.
Paul, I really appreciate this article and the perspective. It hit me in a way that I didn't expect. I look forward to part 2.
Paul, I love this approach to the humanity side. I finally got to know Matt just a little bit at ARCH, but somehow things are not working. It is sad to watch a once proud program unravel before your eyes. I enjoy a text thread with a group of guys each game that you know and they are all season ticket holders. Recently, the tone has changed, not too anger, but a resignation that the wheels will fall off the bus at some point every game. Sadly, the change that must come along, may affect more than just one man and one family. Change can be hard, but it can also benefit both parties. One of your best articles yet, look forward to Friday.
Great article Paul! It's hard to be positive right now!! It's hard to see the ARC 20% full. Lots of challenges the last 3 years. Losing JFL, Donovan, and countless injuries and other transfers. But those are just excuses. If we lose at Evansville on Saturday, that may be the final straw for me!!
Thank you for your insight, Paul, and your perspective. Looking fwd to Part 2.