[sporter]

Found this quote pretty interesting:

If Liberty offered a scholarship to a high school prospect who also received one from one of Virginia's traditionally successful CAA programs, "I wouldn't get him," Rocco said.

That's not something that we didn't know or isn't true. It's just interesting to see him publicly admit that. It goes to show he may have thought he couldn't get any better than what we've been.

In my opinion, it also shows in retrospect that he may not have been the right person for the job. You either figure out a way to compete in your area via factilities, coach relationship, school, etc, or you go to a different geography as Sly and others have supported. The one thing that cannot happen is to accept that you are going to be beat by your peers. You accept losing to Virginia, Tech, etc. but not to our peer group, regardless of the pedigree.

[skywalker5291]

Coffeehouse guy just joked on Rocco leaving for Richmond. Students loved it.

[Cider Jim]

That's what happens when you start with an awful program and try to build. You have to find underrated kids, and promise 4 years of starting to other kids. It's no secret, but programs are built from the scrap heap all the time.

Add in a plane crash and the beautiful city of Huntington, WV and you have the plot line for the 1970-era setting of the We Are Marshall movie.

[FlamingChick]

Found this quote pretty interesting:

If Liberty offered a scholarship to a high school prospect who also received one from one of Virginia's traditionally successful CAA programs, "I wouldn't get him," Rocco said.

That's not something that we didn't know or isn't true. It's just interesting to see him publicly admit that. It goes to show he may have thought he couldn't get any better than what we've been.

Well, he got Mike Brown...

[sigmo7]

Nick had one from the tribe.

[Jkill617]

Nick had one from the tribe.

Take that, Rocco! I'm happy Nick choose Liberty. Kid's a stud.

[Cider Jim]

Well, he got Mike Brown...

Did a CAA team offer? I thought his only other offer was from somewhere out west, like Wyoming.

[Helmickcd]

Good observation, r I. I've never been a fan of Rocco's recruiting philosophy and I've been pretty vocal about it for years. The traditional regional approach that he employed was limiting us in my humble opinion. While we were making incremental progress, we were beginning to max out with the exception of Charlie's work in Florida. We need to recruit nationally to be successful as we make the next step to FBS. Hopefully we find a coach who sees the potential that apparently our prior staff didn't.

I'm just interested... This potential you are talking about... Do you mean grabbing a bunch of really talented athletes that are looking for a Christian school to attend? Because if that is what you mean I think it is a great idea. With a dynamic recruiting method I think LU can eventually get the young Christian athletes that are having to "struggle with their faith" at state schools. I think this type of recruiting is not a hindrance to LU but a great tool!

[Hold My Own]

Always enjoyed listening to all the excuses over the years from all of those that came across tough times. Its the difference between viewing your current coaching situation (that you CHOSE to accept) as a opportunity or as a hindrance


I do think him being at Richmond hurts us A LOT more than if he would have gone to UVa as a HC or somewhere else.

[rueful]

Always enjoyed listening to all the excuses over the years from all of those that came across tough times. Its the difference between viewing your current coaching situation (that you CHOSE to accept) as a opportunity or as a hindrance


I do think him being at Richmond hurts us A LOT more than if he would have gone to UVa as a HC or somewhere else.

Yeah but after his inability to get it done with his best team this year, I think richmond was the best offer he was going to get

[Hold My Own]

I just mean recruiting wise...he may be talking this great game of "Now I can get the smart kids" but we all know where he's found his niche...and we'll be going after the same type player.

[Schfourteenteen]

We're going after more Asa Chapman's? Do we get to keep the new era of Christian commitment or does he take that with him?

[Cider Jim]

he may be talking this great game of "Now I can get the smart kids".

I REALLY wish Richmond had a Quiz Bowl team.

[Purple Haize]

We're going after more Asa Chapman's? Do we get to keep the new era of Christian commitment or does he take that with him?

No. They are going with A New Era of Academic Commitment. Apparently HMO trademarked the other!

[R i]

If we recruit nationally , Rocco can have the injured Virginia H.S. kid that goes to Military Prep School. Sorry B.V. , I am just making the case that recruiting against Rocco is unlikely. Landing players better than Vinson will be unlikely as well, but our chances increase if we ditch the regional scheme.

I also hope our new coach uses Rocco's inability to make the playoffs here at Liberty against him. "If you go to Richmond and play for coach Rocco, he will probably be gone before you graduate. Do you really want to play for two head coaches and have to prove yourself twice? ". I know I would say it, maybe our new coach is better than that.

[Cider Jim]

The latest Champion article (publ. Dec. 6). Pretty ironic subtitle...

Reloading for a new football year
By Andrew Woolfolk
Published: December 6th, 2011
As a senior class leaves, Rocco focuses on future
As the final seconds disappeared off the clock in Liberty University’s conference championship matchup against Stony Brook, the Flames saw their fifth consecutive Big South Championship, the golden ticket to the post season, disappear with them in their 31-41 defeat. To head coach Danny Rocco, the loss has become a stepping stone to the future, not a hindering boulder, in the grand scheme of the Flames’ football program. Already, the team’s new slogan “Earn the right to win” has been posted throughout the football complex.

“The first thing you always have do is put the season in perspective. Though we didn’t accomplish our specific goal of winning the conference championship, we still had a successful season,” Rocco said.

http://www.libertychampion.com/2011/12/ ... ball-year/

[FlamingChick]

Well, he got Mike Brown...

Did a CAA team offer? I thought his only other offer was from somewhere out west, like Wyoming.

He had a few offers. Wyoming was the only FBS to formally offer. Ironically, Richmond was the CAA offer that came in before he verbally committed to Liberty. After he committed, he had a couple more offers come in, but he stuck to his word and came to LU.

[jcmanson]

Is it just me or does anyone else feel like Rocco "got out of our way"? I hate to even say that. Can I? I don't mean it in a disparaging way by ANY means. We could not have hired Turner Gill without all Rocco did for us, but today (and yesterday) is such a good day for Liberty University.

[phoenix]

Is it just me or does anyone else feel like Rocco "got out of our way"? I hate to even say that. Can I? I don't mean it in a disparaging way by ANY means. We could not have hired Turner Gill without all Rocco did for us, but today (and yesterday) is such a good day for Liberty University.

It really feels like this was in the works before DR announced he was leaving. Things are just falling into place too quickly.

I made a joke about Rocco being Houted, but this is really starting to remind me of when Hout left and we got Coach Sam ....

[Sly Fox]

Any similarities to the Hout situation are strictly coincidental. This hiring was made completely in reaction to Coach Rocco leaving.

[SumItUp]

Any similarities to the Hout situation are strictly coincidental. This hiring was made completely in reaction to Coach Rocco leaving.

Agreed, this was a result of Rocco's choice.

[grm]

Well, it is great to see all of the positive energy. It sounds like Gill is a great guy, with one of the few concerns being his won-lost record. We'll assume those few naysayers from Kansas were just guys with a problem somewhere, and not people waving legitimate "red flags." (There were plenty of red flags on rmk, but people had glasses on & thought they were checkered flags)

Some of you on the Board have said that it will take years to get the Men's B Ball program back to
where the vision is, so we certainly want & need the football program to stay up high right now.
Sure, the "big one" has not been won, but football would have to be considered very successful at this point (ignoring that drug bust issue), and a drop off now would be a sad thing.

We're figuring this to be a "home run" & we certainly hope so. Gill sounds like a great guy, a wonderful Christian, and we know he has been around & been a part of the highest levels of success possible in College football.

Go Gill.

[Cider Jim]

Has anyone else watched this?

http://www.richmondspiders.com/SportSel ... SID=629561

Interesting musical score. And, Sly, notice the ring he's wearing.

[Hold My Own]

I will never understand how that is deemed acceptable. Husbands out there....try wearing your ex girlfriends class ring (that you still have and you know you do) around your neckless like you're back in high school...see what she says!

[Cider Jim]

And he chose his TEXAS ring (57 sec mark) over all 4 of his Big South Champion rings.