There’s a serious hate b*ner in this thread for Cornfield. Like did he kill your dog and first born?
Rojo explained it on the podcast the other day in general terms — coaching-related threads on this message board are some of the worst because you have a number of participants with malign agendas.
The problem with the Sahlmans @ NAU isn't the coaching. It's their weight. If you've seen their dad, you'd know both kids were destined to eventually have a football player type build. They'll become more like Nick Bare than Nico Young in their build as they continue to age. Nothing they can do about it. Genetics is cruel...give you natural ability to run but also take it away by growing mass.
What are you talking about? NAU came into the season ranked 14th and took 4th at Nuttycombe above many higher ranked teams (BYU, Wisconsin, Notre Dame, Butler). They’re not a podium contender, like in years past, but you can’t say they ran terrible today.
The women ran like Sh!t
I posted in the NAU rebuild thread that Addie Engel & Karri Baloga did not run. If Engel is not injured and is running well she’s a good bet to be a top 10 finisher. Baloga also would have done well. She’s not a top 10 finisher but probably lowers the team score significantly if she runs well. Anna Fenske was way back and that seemed atypical. I don't believe that they're podium contenders but they have the potential to do significantly better than they did at Nuttycombe.
Yes, it isn't a top tier academic school. A lot of students have things in common though. Rejection letters from ASU and the U of A.
It's a much better school than the D2-D3 places you bums ran
Are you referring to the quality of the running at D2 or D3 schools or the quality of the academics?
I’m not going to comment about the quality of the academics at NAU because I would only be repeating the common trope here that NAU academics are horrible. I honestly don’t know so I can’t say one way or the other. What I do know is that as a whole, the best academic schools are D3 schools. I know all about the Ivies, UVa, Notre Dame, Duke, the heavy hitters in the Big 10, etc. I mean as a whole and on average. There are probably a few that aren’t great but on the whole most D3 schools are academically solid.
D2, on the other hand, is a different story. There are still some decent D2 schools for academics but on the whole they’re probably not the best. They’re more analogous to NAIA schools.
In the end someone can get a decent education at just about any school. A lot has to do with the student and if they’re willing to apply themselves.
are you saying Mike Smith destroyed this team? As an earlier poster correctly stated this team was his until very recently so I guess we can agree the Cornfield has to rebuild the team because Smith let it go downhill. You are extremely foolish if you think that a coach (especially one that’s been there with him for so long) can totally rebuild or destroy a program this quickly. You are essentially bringing the athletes that smith either developed or didn’t back this year plus they’ve lost some key pieces. In 3-4 years you will know better although the ncaa has changed.
Except Cornfield was basically the head coach this past year (especially when it comes to recruiting and transfer portal). And Cornfield, as with all assistant coaches, had a big role in recruiting in previous years.
Cornfield KNEW that Smith was preparing him to take over in the very near future (he turned down jobs knowing he'd take over NAU), but Cornfield FAILED to work hard and ensure that the team he took over was prepared to do well.
This shows a lack of work ethic and a lack of knowledge from Cornfield. NAU is in deep trouble with this guy.
When great coaches step away, the aftermath often tells you everything about the strength of a program. In NAU’s case, when Mike took over, it was a rare example of continuity done right, he arrived early, was meant for the role, and was ready to lead. The current situation couldn’t be more different. Cornfield wasn’t brought in as a successor, he inherited the position by default. He’s neither innovative nor elite, and unless things change dramatically, this team’s dominance will fade fast, remembered only for what it once was.
The problem with the Sahlmans @ NAU isn't the coaching. It's their weight. If you've seen their dad, you'd know both kids were destined to eventually have a football player type build. They'll become more like Nick Bare than Nico Young in their build as they continue to age. Nothing they can do about it. Genetics is cruel...give you natural ability to run but also take it away by growing mass.
I remember in an interview it was mentioned that Aaron S played football before doing XC
Cornfield knows the system inside and out, and I'm sure Mike Smith is available to assist in the transition, so no need to panic with the coaching change. Don't forget, NAU had an amazing run of talent, and that doesn't just happen over and over again. Go ask Ed Eyestone, he's been at BYU for 25+ years and he'll be the first tell you it ain't easy and that they were not always good. It comes in waves of luck and the chemistry built within certain teams.
I think the real question for NAU's near future is not whether Cornfield can coach. He has taken over a great system and great team culture. The question is going to be whether he can recruit talent like Mike Smith did.
I think the real question for NAU's near future is not whether Cornfield can coach. He has taken over a great system and great team culture. The question is going to be whether he can recruit talent like Mike Smith did.
He just doesn’t have the personality it takes to be a great coach. Coaching isn’t just about writing workouts, there’s an it factor that separates the best, and Cornfield completely lacks that it factor. In sorry for being honest, it’s just the truth