Look at what Willie Fritz has done at GA Southern

[Firstdowndash]

In 2012, Fritz was one of the finalists along with Patterson and Kugler for the UTEP gig. UTEP went with Kugler as we all know, and Fritz remained at SHSU for 1 more year (9-5) then was hired away by Georgia Southern. He went 9-3 overall and 8-0 in the Sun Belt, winning the conference in his 1st season as HC and winning the conference in the program's 1st season as an FBS school! This season he is 4-1 and 2-0 in conference. Look up his recruiting classes--3 * and high 2* players. Look at Kuglers--2* and unranked players.

Here is what KAP had to say about Fritz when the coaching search was underway in 2012:

Willie Fritz – Head Coach Sam Houston State
Pros: Fritz has won an FCS championship and made Sam Houston State’s football program relevant in a short amount of time. He was also successful at Central Missouri.
Cons: Can he do it at a Division 1 program that has no winning tradition? Like Patterson, Fritz is a defensive specialist. He’s a guy that’s won in college football, but Willie Fritz will not put butts in the Sun Bowl unless his magic touch will transform UTEP into a power.


Butts in the Sun Bowl? How many butts do we have now with Kugler--None! Georgia Southern plays NMSU this weekend which will tell a lot about how far along that program is, relative to ours. Keep in mind this is Fritz' 2nd season not TURD like Kuglers.

 

[SpelunkerII]

In 2012, Fritz was one of the finalists along with Patterson and Kugler for the UTEP gig. UTEP went with Kugler as we all know, and Fritz remained at SHSU for 1 more year (9-5) then was hired away by Georgia Southern. He went 9-3 overall and 8-0 in the Sun Belt, winning the conference in his 1st season as HC and winning the conference in the program's 1st season as an FBS school! This season he is 4-1 and 2-0 in conference. Look up his recruiting classes--3 * and high 2* players. Look at Kuglers--2* and unranked players.

Here is what KAP had to say about Fritz when the coaching search was underway in 2012:

Willie Fritz – Head Coach Sam Houston State
Pros: Fritz has won an FCS championship and made Sam Houston State’s football program relevant in a short amount of time. He was also successful at Central Missouri.
Cons: Can he do it at a Division 1 program that has no winning tradition? Like Patterson, Fritz is a defensive specialist. He’s a guy that’s won in college football, but Willie Fritz will not put butts in the Sun Bowl unless his magic touch will transform UTEP into a power.


Butts in the Sun Bowl? How many butts do we have now with Kugler--None! Georgia Southern plays NMSU this weekend which will tell a lot about how far along that program is, relative to ours. Keep in mind this is Fritz' 2nd season not TURD like Kuglers.

Perhaps the reason that Stokers Defenses were so good at Sam was Willie Fritz

 

[develman]

Sam Houston St. would whip our ass with or without Willie Fritz . They have more talent than us.

 

[Rot]

Winning at UTEP will get butts in the Sun Bowl. Fritz would have been a great fit at UTEP, but we went in a different direction. If he can win at Ga Southern, he would have done the same at UTEP. The guy recruits well in Texas and is a proven head coach.

 

[PositivelyPete]

I hope UTEP doesn't hire Coach Pearce away from Sul Ross.

 

[utep2step]

I hope UTEP doesn't hire Coach Pearce away from Sul Ross.

Now that you mention that chucklenutz, I wouldn't mind getting Martin from NMSU. He sounds like a good man in a very impossible place to recruit and win. State legislature and the city of Los Crotches citizenry don't support (even when Tony Samuel had a .500 season and got gags bowl eligible, but none came knocking)

 

[Minerforlife]

Willie fritz would have been our coach. He was the main target. However, during the search Sam Houston State was in the midst of a playoff run and and advanved to championship game. Fritz wouldnt interview for the job until after the championship game which was January 8 2013. Stull wanted coach in place before that so he moved on.

I hope your joking about Martin 2step. He's been the head coach at kent state and NMSU. He's never had a winning season.

 

[Firstdowndash]

Willie fritz would have been our coach. He was the main target. However, during the search Sam Houston State was in the midst of a playoff run and and advanved to championship game. Fritz wouldnt interview for the job until after the championship game which was January 8 2013. Stull wanted coach in place before that so he moved on.

I hope your joking about Martin 2step. He's been the head coach at kent state and NMSU. He's never had a winning season.

So we couldn't wait a couple of weeks to get the guy we wanted? Our ego would have been damaged? What a huge mistake.

I think Stull will give Kugler another year before he cans him, and at that point it will be too late for Fritz--he will prob be looking for a better gig given his success.

 

[El Paso Chihuahuas]

So we couldn't wait a couple of weeks to get the guy we wanted? Our ego would have been damaged? What a huge mistake.

This is my take on it- Stull already made up his mind on Kugler when Kugler decided he wanted to leave Pittsburgh and the other interviews were all a formality.

 

[LaserCoog]

Willie fritz would have been our coach. He was the main target. However, during the search Sam Houston State was in the midst of a playoff run and and advanved to championship game. Fritz wouldnt interview for the job until after the championship game which was January 8 2013. Stull wanted coach in place before that so he moved on..

Well, Stull was willing to wait until mid-January '13 for Kugler to report, so that theory just doesn't wash. Remember, Kugler was also in the middle of an NFL season and ultimately reported mid-January, just a few weeks before national HS signing date. Stull flew to Pittsburgh, his "Committee of One" picked Kugler and sold sold him to UTEP boosters as "one of our own" - a strategy that typically works out about like this experiment.

Yes, Fritz was pursuing a national championship at Sam and wouldn't let let his own personal interests be a distraction to his team. Imagine that? Formal and informal contacts occur all the time between parties and their representatives as a predicate for in-person interviews, so the process could have quickly moved forward after the NC game if Stull had had even a smidgen of interest in Fritz.

God knows why, but Andre Patterson really wanted the UTEP job and he could have been had on the cheap. Patterson was arguably the best/most qualified defensive coordinator ever at UTEP. Don't believe it? Compare his resume to Kugler's - college HC, NFL Defensive Coordinator and 10 years coaching experience in the league. Want a model? TCU's Gary Patterson (no relation, obviously) is a defensive guru, still calls defensive signals from the sideline. BTW, anybody notice what the Vikings defense is doing this year?

Willie Fritz also could have been had on the cheap, relatively speaking. He was extremely successful because, first, he is an outstanding coach, and second, because he knew Texas, Texas HS football, and Texas HS coaches. Remember, at Sam, Fritz didn't exactly get a steady stream of 3-4 star recruits, so he had to be a good judge of talent, he had to DEVELOP that talent, and blend in an occasional transfer. Kugler has no such roots, connections, or networks so he finishes dfl in C-USA recruiting. Coincidence? Bottom line, after three years, compare results.

Make no mistake, Stull got exactly what he wanted, now he's got his OWN dumpster fire. Yeah, hindsight is golden, but anybody could have seen this train wreck coming...

 

[Minerforlife]

Well, Stull was willing to wait until mid-January '13 for Kugler to report, so that theory just doesn't wash. Remember, Kugler was also in the middle of an NFL season and ultimately reported mid-January, just a few weeks before national HS signing date. Stull flew to Pittsburgh, his "Committee of One" picked Kugler and sold sold him to UTEP boosters as "one of our own" - a strategy that typically works out about like this experiment.

Yes, Fritz was pursuing a national championship at Sam and wouldn't let let his own personal interests be a distraction to his team. Imagine that? Formal and informal contacts occur all the time between parties and their representatives as a predicate for in-person interviews, so the process could have quickly moved forward after the NC game if Stull had had even a smidgen of interest in Fritz.

God knows why, but Andre Patterson really wanted the UTEP job and he could have been had on the cheap. Patterson was arguably the best/most qualified defensive coordinator ever at UTEP. Don't believe it? Compare his resume to Kugler's - college HC, NFL Defensive Coordinator and 10 years coaching experience in the league. Want a model? TCU's Gary Patterson (no relation, obviously) is a defensive guru, still calls defensive signals from the sideline. BTW, anybody notice what the Vikings defense is doing this year?

Willie Fritz also could have been had on the cheap, relatively speaking. He was extremely successful because, first, he is an outstanding coach, and second, because he knew Texas, Texas HS football, and Texas HS coaches. Remember, at Sam, Fritz didn't exactly get a steady stream of 3-4 star recruits, so he had to be a good judge of talent, he had to DEVELOP that talent, and blend in an occasional transfer. Kugler has no such roots, connections, or networks so he finishes dfl in C-USA recruiting. Coincidence? Bottom line, after three years, compare results.

Make no mistake, Stull got exactly what he wanted, now he's got his OWN dumpster fire. Yeah, hindsight is golden, but anybody could have seen this train wreck coming...

I believe Kugler was hired on December 12. Fritz wouldnt accept or interview for job before the national championship game in January.

 

[LaserCoog]

Perhaps the reason that Stokers Defenses were so good at Sam was Willie Fritz

Fritz is a defensive coach. Stoker inherited Fritz's defense and Fritz's players when he was hired at Sam. Ask around, Stoker was successful at SHSU ONLY because he was dealt a blackjack hand - he had superior talent to 99% of the FCS programs on his schedule - and he had Fritz looking over his shoulder.

All you really need to know about Stoker is that Fritz, after 2 NC games, did not take him to with him to Georgia Southern and Stoker didn't even get a whiff of an interview for HC at Sam after Fritz left. Facts.

 

[Minerforlife]

Fritz is a defensive coach. Stoker inherited Fritz's defense and Fritz's players when he was hired at Sam. Ask around, Stoker was successful at SHSU ONLY because he was dealt a blackjack hand - he had superior talent to 99% of the FCS programs on his schedule - and he had Fritz looking over his shoulder.

All you really need to know about Stoker is that Fritz, after 2 NC games, did not take him to with him to Georgia Southern and Stoker didn't even get a whiff of an interview for HC at Sam after Fritz left. Facts.

Stoker was a pretty good head coach at the fcs level. He won a southland conference championship and made the playoffs twice as the head coach at Northwestern State.

 

[LaserCoog]

I believe Kugler was hired on December 12. Fritz wouldnt accept or interview for job before the national championship game in January.

The fact and the point of my post was that Kugler was not on the job at UTEP until mid-January, timing was not a difference maker. Fritz could have been at UTEP hours after the completion of the NC game. Stull got what he wanted.

 

[LaserCoog]

Stoker was a pretty good head coach at the fcs level. He won a southland conference championship and made the playoffs twice as the head coach at Northwestern State.

Scott Stoker played for and graduated from Northwestern State. He was hired as HC at Northwestern and later fired by his alma mater - with a winning record! That tell you anything? The next HC job he'll get will be in Fort Stockton.

 

[Epsilon00]

Now that you mention that chucklenutz, I wouldn't mind getting Martin from NMSU. He sounds like a good man in a very impossible place to recruit and win. State legislature and the city of Los Crotches citizenry don't support (even when Tony Samuel had a .500 season and got gags bowl eligible, but none came knocking)

Your bitching about Kugler and then you wouldn't mind hiring a coach who currently has the longest losing streak in the NCAA?

 

[MinerInWisconsin]

Fritz is a defensive coach. Stoker inherited Fritz's defense and Fritz's players when he was hired at Sam. Ask around, Stoker was successful at SHSU ONLY because he was dealt a blackjack hand - he had superior talent to 99% of the FCS programs on his schedule - and he had Fritz looking over his shoulder.

All you really need to know about Stoker is that Fritz, after 2 NC games, did not take him to with him to Georgia Southern and Stoker didn't even get a whiff of an interview for HC at Sam after Fritz left. Facts.

Actually Fritz, a coach I wanted UTEP to hire, did not leave SHSU for GSU until after the 2013 season. Stoker came to UTEP in the summer of 2013, before the season. So your statement that Fritz did not take Stoker with him to GSU is wrong since Stoker was already at UTEP. Stoker was named FCS DC of the year for the 2011 season at SHSU by one publication and his defense was highly rated in 2012. Both 2011 and 2012 SHSU made it to the FCS championship game. Not too shabby. Stoker did not inherit a good defense when he arrived at SHSU as you assert but he was instrumental in turning it around.

It is true that when Stoker was fired from NW St, part of the reason was that he did not get along well with boosters and media but he did have an overall winning record and took his team to the FCS playoffs twice.

 

[LaserCoog]

Actually Fritz, a coach I wanted UTEP to hire, did not leave SHSU for GSU until after the 2013 season. Stoker came to UTEP in the summer of 2013, before the season. So your statement that Fritz did not take Stoker with him to GSU is wrong since Stoker was already at UTEP. Stoker was named FCS DC of the year for the 2011 season at SHSU by one publication and his defense was highly rated in 2012. Both 2011 and 2012 SHSU made it to the FCS championship game. Not too shabby. Stoker did not inherit a good defense when he arrived at SHSU as you assert but he was instrumental in turning it around.

It is true that when Stoker was fired from NW St, part of the reason was that he did not get along well with boosters and media but he did have an overall winning record and took his team to the FCS playoffs twice.

@Wisconsin, trying to figure out if you're a big Scott Stoker fan or if you're just trying to play "gotcha" with me - or both. Either way...

Actually Fritz, a coach I wanted UTEP to hire, did not leave SHSU for GSU until after the 2013 season. Stoker came to UTEP in the summer of 2013, before the season. So your statement that Fritz did not take Stoker with him to GSU is wrong since Stoker was already at UTEP.

Really? @Wisconsin, do you really think that I do not know the chronology of events? My post said Fritz did not take Stoker to Georgia Southern - a fact that we probably can agree on. So how is my comment wrong? Coordinators leave all the time for better jobs - ask Kugler. If Fritz had wanted Stoker, he'd be in Georgia right now. He didn't and he's not.

Stoker was named FCS DC of the year for the 2011 season at SHSU by one publication and his defense was highly rated in 2012. Both 2011 and 2012 SHSU made it to the FCS championship game. Not too shabby. Stoker did not inherit a good defense when he arrived at SHSU as you assert but he was instrumental in turning it around.

I'm fully aware of Stokers accolades while he was at SHSU. I'll not argue opinions, but I stand by my statement - Sam was stacked when he arrived and they had superior talent to their opponents. Ask around. Stoker is in his third year at UTEP, plenty of time to see (or start seeing) some evidence of recruiting, coaching, and development skills. I'll let you and other UTEP fans fill in that report card.

Bottom line, again, if Stoker was "all that", why didn't Fritz take him to GSU? And if you think he was so highly regarded when he left for UTEP, why did he not even get an interview for the Sam job the following year job when Fritz left?

My final comment...

 

[Minerforlife]

@Wisconsin, trying to figure out if you're a big Scott Stoker fan or if you're just trying to play "gotcha" with me - or both. Either way...

Actually Fritz, a coach I wanted UTEP to hire, did not leave SHSU for GSU until after the 2013 season. Stoker came to UTEP in the summer of 2013, before the season. So your statement that Fritz did not take Stoker with him to GSU is wrong since Stoker was already at UTEP.

Really? @Wisconsin, do you really think that I do not know the chronology of events? My post said Fritz did not take Stoker to Georgia Southern - a fact that we probably can agree on. So how is my comment wrong? Coordinators leave all the time for better jobs - ask Kugler. If Fritz had wanted Stoker, he'd be in Georgia right now. He didn't and he's not.

Stoker was named FCS DC of the year for the 2011 season at SHSU by one publication and his defense was highly rated in 2012. Both 2011 and 2012 SHSU made it to the FCS championship game. Not too shabby. Stoker did not inherit a good defense when he arrived at SHSU as you assert but he was instrumental in turning it around.

I'm fully aware of Stokers accolades while he was at SHSU. I'll not argue opinions, but I stand by my statement - Sam was stacked when he arrived and they had superior talent to their opponents. Ask around. Stoker is in his third year at UTEP, plenty of time to see (or start seeing) some evidence of recruiting, coaching, and development skills. I'll let you and other UTEP fans fill in that report card.

Bottom line, again, if Stoker was "all that", why didn't Fritz take him to GSU? And if you think he was so highly regarded when he left for UTEP, why did he not even get an interview for the Sam job the following year job when Fritz left?

My final comment...

Stoker didnt interview for the SHSU job. He did however interview for the SFA job that was open just before the SHSU job. From reports Stoker was a finalist. I think SHSU would have interviewed Stoker if he hadnt interviewed at SFA. There is no way Sam would show interest in someone that was passed over by their arch rival.

 

[MinerInWisconsin]

@Wisconsin, trying to figure out if you're a big Scott Stoker fan or if you're just trying to play "gotcha" with me - or both. Either way...

Actually Fritz, a coach I wanted UTEP to hire, did not leave SHSU for GSU until after the 2013 season. Stoker came to UTEP in the summer of 2013, before the season. So your statement that Fritz did not take Stoker with him to GSU is wrong since Stoker was already at UTEP.

Really? @Wisconsin, do you really think that I do not know the chronology of events? My post said Fritz did not take Stoker to Georgia Southern - a fact that we probably can agree on. So how is my comment wrong? Coordinators leave all the time for better jobs - ask Kugler. If Fritz had wanted Stoker, he'd be in Georgia right now. He didn't and he's not.

Stoker was named FCS DC of the year for the 2011 season at SHSU by one publication and his defense was highly rated in 2012. Both 2011 and 2012 SHSU made it to the FCS championship game. Not too shabby. Stoker did not inherit a good defense when he arrived at SHSU as you assert but he was instrumental in turning it around.

I'm fully aware of Stokers accolades while he was at SHSU. I'll not argue opinions, but I stand by my statement - Sam was stacked when he arrived and they had superior talent to their opponents. Ask around. Stoker is in his third year at UTEP, plenty of time to see (or start seeing) some evidence of recruiting, coaching, and development skills. I'll let you and other UTEP fans fill in that report card.

Bottom line, again, if Stoker was "all that", why didn't Fritz take him to GSU? And if you think he was so highly regarded when he left for UTEP, why did he not even get an interview for the Sam job the following year job when Fritz left?

My final comment...

I'm not a big Stoker or even a big Kugler fan. I'm a big UTEP fan. But you present certain info as if it's a fact when it's not so I'm pointing that out. You're a Houston fan so I'm not sure why you feel the need to pile on with incorrect info. I would love to see the current football staff succeed at UTEP not because of who they are but because of where they are. If UTEP has to start over with new coaches after this season then we get to go thru the years it takes that staff to recruit their players. I want success now and like all UTEP fans I'm frustrated as hell that we are having a year like this in the staff's 3rd season. Injuries are mounting up but that does not explain a game like the FIU or UTSA games. If UTEP doesn't look much improved from their current performance by the end of this season then let's go ahead and start over but only if the UTEP administration puts together a package that attracts the best coaches we can get. I'm not convinced they would do that.

 

[LaserCoog]

But you present certain info as if it's a fact when it's not so I'm pointing that out. You're a Houston fan so I'm not sure why you feel the need to pile on with incorrect info.

One last chance, @Wisconsin. Name one thing - ONE - that was "incorrect info"?

And you're pretty sure that I'm a "Houston fan", huh? Guess again...

 

[MinerInWisconsin]

One last chance, @Wisconsin. Name one thing - ONE - that was "incorrect info"?

And you're pretty sure that I'm a "Houston fan", huh? Guess again...

I have one last chance? Are you serious? Who the hell are you to give anyone one last chance? You are delusional.

I already told you where you posted incorrect info. You said Fritz did not take Stoker with him. Stoker worked for Kugler when Fritz moved on to GSU so Fritz would have had to hire him away from UTEP. Stoker makes $194k at UTEP while the defensive coordinator at GSU makes $120k. I don't think Fritz could get Stoker to take a $74k pay cut, do you? Stoker wasn't Fritz's to take.

 

[Firstdowndash]

Washington St. Cougars

 

[MinerInWisconsin]

Washington St. Cougars

Ok, that makes sense. He is still upset that Price was replaced by Kugler. Thing is, I liked Price a lot and I wish his last team had a good QB. Would have made a big difference. The defense was not bad that last year and the Miners played 3 heavyweights. Played 2 of them pretty well. Price's offense was a whole lot more entertaining, that's for sure.

 

[LaserCoog]

I already told you where you posted incorrect info. You said Fritz did not take Stoker with him. Stoker worked for Kugler when Fritz moved on to GSU so Fritz would have had to hire him away from UTEP. Stoker makes $194k at UTEP while the defensive coordinator at GSU makes $120k. I don't think Fritz could get Stoker to take a $74k pay cut, do you? Stoker wasn't Fritz's to take.

Sorry for the delayed response. For several reasons, I am extremely skeptical of your numbers. Post supporting links and I will tip my hat.

 

[Minerforlife]

http://www.underdogdynasty.com/2015...alaries-of-g5-coaches-assistants-and-athletic

 

[LaserCoog]

http://www.underdogdynasty.com/2015...alaries-of-g5-coaches-assistants-and-athletic

Okay, thanks for the info, hats off. Still, the GSU DC at 120K? Wow, let's talk value. If accurate, maybe Kugler could lure him to UTEP...

 

[LaserCoog]

Ok, that makes sense. He is still upset that Price was replaced by Kugler. Thing is, I liked Price a lot and I wish his last team had a good QB. Would have made a big difference. The defense was not bad that last year and the Miners played 3 heavyweights. Played 2 of them pretty well. Price's offense was a whole lot more entertaining, that's for sure.

Wrong again on that Washington State thing. And anybody who follows my posts knows I have been crystal clear and consistent from jump start in my opinion that Price stayed two seasons too long and Kugler was a bad hire. There is a common denominator in both of those actions.

And a little research confirms your point that Patterson's '13 UTEP defense was more than "not bad". In fact, UTEP finished 4/12 in C-USA that year in points allowed, including games against Oklahoma, Ole Miss, and Wisconsin (games in which they were MORE than competitive), while finishing 12/12 in the conference in points scored. Price's biggest downfall, IMO, was his inability to recruit a legit QB after TV.