I hate getting into pissing matches. Did I claim to be a "big time div 1 coach"? I am far from that but while we are throwing out credentials, I too have a few all-americans on my resume and a couple competed at the trials this summer. It took me a lot longer than 4 years to make the jump to Div 1 and I consider myself lucky I did make enough connections to eventually make it happen. It is not easy unless you start off at that level. To be honest, I don't care what is happening at Div 3 anymore, but I do care about what is happening to the sport of track & field across the board, particularly the lack of respect from AD's for our coaches. This was just another example of what is happening a lot lately. If you have been paying attention to alot of the hirings and firings around the country the past few years, there have been more and more questionable hirings. I think it is safe to say that at least 90% of college coaches are not prepared to be head coaches, particularly those with just 4 years of experience total. I was not bashing Ryan's coaching. I know nothing about his coaching. From what I can tell, they aren't that strong of a program but of course, he may be working with very little and making miracles down there. 2:10 guys become 2:01 guys. He may be an excellent event coach. However, I get tired of people defending coaches by saying "he is a great guy and is really passionate about and dedicated to the sport." That's great, but that doesn't qualify you to be a head coach or that would mean that 90% are qualified. Heck, those should be qualities of all coaches, not just coaches who are qualified to be head coaches. "He knows his stuff"? What stuff does he know? Does he know his couple of events well or does he also know how to fundraise, deal with administrators and alumni, schedule meets, make travel arrangments, manage budgets, coordinate recruiting, manage home track meets, etc.? Knowing what I know it takes to be a head coach and knowing that there is no way he has obtained that knowledge or experience in 4 years at Centre College, I am saying that he was not a good choice as the next head coach at ONU. Like I said, he may be a great coach for all I know, but that doesn't make you ready to take over what I remember to be a top Div 3 program in the midwest, or at least it should not be enough. How many football programs have head coaches 4 years removed from their college playing days? ONU used to host major indoor meets including the NCAA's, which I believe they did again this year. Centre College doesn't have an indoor track and they didn't even host an outdoor meet this year according to their schedule. Is he ready to host major track meets? This was not meant to be a personal attack on him or his coaching. This was an attack on ONU possibly not making a very good decision. It was an attack on all of these bonehead AD's who don't appear to be making decisions in the best interest of their track program. Again, would they hire a head football coach with so little experience just because he is dedicated and knows the sport? I hope not. I may be way off base and it would not be the first time. I hope that Ryan does well. I hope that any coach who catches a break like this takes advantage and learns fast. But despite what some may think, I do know a lot and I will continue to question what AD's appear to be doing to our sport. Since the position was apparently open for quite some time and it took a long time for them to make a decision, that usually means they did not get who they were looking for. They went to the bottom of the barrel so to speak. Why did the other 3 prior mentioned coaches from the Ohio schools supposedly turn down the position? Not paying much? Not a good program anymore? It's Ada, Oh? I would think it would be a better opportunity than Heidelberg if that coach truly turned it down.
I have been around long enough to make comments like this. I know a lot of programs and I know a lot of coaches. You are right, I have not followed the OAC or other Div 3 schools that closely in recent years because I have been at the Div 1 level for the past 12 but the needs of a head coach are not that different if the program is functioning and performing well. Am I jealous of Ryan...hell no. I love where I coach and I am not looking to change. And I am not a disgruntled coach who did not get an interview. I am a concerned coach. I am concerned about the future of our profession. Our experienced, more qualified coaches are not respected like they used to be. When it becomes this easy to get a head coaching job, that is a bad sign to me. Knowing your "stuff" is only part of it. Having experience is pretty important. Maybe not head coaching experience, but at least a little more than 4 years of coaching period.
Will the distance guy stay since he was possibly looked over and the job was given to someone who probably was no more qualified or experienced? Didn't he coach a stud middle distance runner this year to all-american in 2 events? That's more than any coach from Centre College, let alone Ryan.
I wish Ryan the best and I hope ONU thrives under his leadership. Ryan has been given a great opportunity and I hope it works out well for all involved.
Wow, sorry this was such a long ramble.