From Joes to Pros - A NCAA 10 Coach/CAP dynasty by RevTneff

[RevTNeff]

Bryant. Bowden. Paterno. Names like these need no introduction in the college football world, because in many senses, they ARE college football. And while these three have many things in common, the roads they took to greatness are all different. But, one thing that holds true for all three? They had to start somewhere. Starting this season (2009) we will be following five of the Bowl Subdivision's new head men, tracking their success and shortcomings. And who knows? Maybe, just maybe, one of these men will become one of those names synonymous with the game.

Let's meet the coaches.

Darius Butler - Arkansas State University Red Wolves

Background: The dean of high school football in the L.A. area, Butler has had 15 winning seasons in as many years. Also a recent inductee to the California High School Hall of Fame for his work. He is known to be an agressive play-caller, but if nothing else, he is a proven winner.

Why he succeeds: As stated above, Butler is a winner, simple as that. He won't have problems getting his players ready to go, and playing in the Sun Belt is working in his favor.

Why he fails: An aggressive play-caller, Butler may be too focused on going for the kill shot rather than playing for sure points. It shouldn't hurt too bad right now (again, ASU is a Sun-Belt team) but as he moves to more lucrative jobs, it may come back to bite him.

Peter Blake - Marshall University Thundering Herd

Background: By far the youngest head man we will be following. A former quarterback, Blake is a player's coach in every sense of the word. Many are already comparing Blake to Turner Gill, putting quite a bit of pressure on Blake to produce some wins early. Judging by his experience coaching at the High school level, Blake looks up to the challenge.

Why he succeeds: Football is experiencing a youth movement, and Blake will do well to inject that youth into his players. They truly won't be at an elite level in the forseeable future, but with a great year or two, Blake might not need Marshall to ever be great.

Why he fails: Conference USA still isn't the SEC, but it's generally a tougher top-to-bottom conference than the Sun Belt. With teams like Tulsa, ECU, and Houston, Blake may be hard pressed to compete early.

Justin Bolt - North Texas Mean Green

Background: Another young gun, Bolt has just 5 seasons as a head man under his belt. When you hear those seasons are at a High School, you may wonder what North Texas was thinking. But in those years, Bolt claimed five state titles in the state of Texas, including a National Title year just 2 seasons ago. He may not have experience just yet, but his success makes him a confident man.

Why he succeeds: No one has told him he shouldn't have such success in his career just yet, and he wouldn't listen anyways. He is a great gameday coach, and in the Sun Belt, Bolt may make a run at an undefeated conference slate.

Why he fails: In two words, overconfidence and experience. While his lack of experience could help, there may come a time where it hurts the Mean Green in '09. Also, with 5 state titles in 5 years, Bolt has never really experinced losing. (His record is 74-1) This isn't high school football, and North Texas isn't likely to win a state title any time soon.

*John Randolph - Rutgers University Scarlet Knights


Background: One of the most experienced newcomers this year. Randolph was a former starter at QB for Louisiana State, making the NFL as well - in the role of a career backup. After leaving the pros, Randolph held various positions, the most important being Texas Tech's offensive coordinator spot. He brought the Tech offense to life before leading at a D-2 school. Finally, he gets a big break with Rutgers, hoping to recreate his now fabled Tech O.

Why he succeeds: He's been here before, so knows what needs done. His team isn't great, but he'll be able to get greatness from them. Even though his offense is the norm now in college football, that doesn't mean that all the teams know how to stop it yet.

Why he fails: The Big East is one of the more underrated football conferences. Sure, The Big East isn't sending someone to the National Title game every year, but that is more due to the conference knocking each other out every week. Besides WVU, there truly isn't a dominant team, but Rutgers could get more than a few losses. If that happens, Randolph is on the hot seat in a hurry.

*Jim Carswell - Tennessee Volunteers


Background: Sixth place in all time D-3 victories. Carswell is a complete coach with 3 National Titles to his credit. (All at the D-3 level) After nearly 20 years, Carswell left college for high school, but now it appears he has performed Highway robbery, landing the Tennessee job. While the Vols aren't exactly going to compete for the SEC this year, they aren't expected to do poorly either.

Why he succeeds: With 19 years experience in the NCAA, Carswell is the elder statesman of the group. He has seen just about everything, and he can gameplan around it. A consumate professional, he never ascended to D-1 before now because he is a family man as well. Now that his sons are entering college, he feels the time is right.

Why he fails: Of all the conferences you land your first gig with, the SEC is probably among the most difficult. How does Carswell expect to hang with 'Bama, the Gators, or even LSU?

Next update: We meet the players - also, if there is a * by the name, it will be explained shortly.

[RevTNeff]

A constant through the history of the game is this: You aren't going far without a good coach. But that is only half true. Even Bear Bryant couldn't win a national title with a bunch of 1 star recruits on the field. So in combination of following the new coaches, we will be following a handful of new recruits as they try to bring their school glory.

Let's have a look.

Nate Washington - 156th overall recruit, 11th best Free Safety

The Good: The best ball hawk in the class, Nate has exceptional hands for a defensive player. With a little training up, could easily play wideout. On top of the hands, Nate's an incredible tackling maching, leading his team in tackles for the last 2 seasons. Great acceleration, so not many are going to get by him.

The Bad: Injuries have slowed down an otherwise tremendous career for Washington. Stamina also an issue due to his don't stop mentality. The stamina should come with time. Keeping him on the field will be the issue.

Preseason top 5 schools: PSU, Florida, LSU, Tennessee, Michigan

John Weller - 68th Overall Recruit, 11th HB

The Good: Blazing fast speed. Opposing defenders look like slow-motion compared to him. Add to that Sanders-esque elusiveness, and it would be a mistake to let Weller go under the Radar. John truly could be the next coming of LaDanian Tomlinson.

The Bad: Terrible Pass Protector, needs work in the blocking department. Also not the best in catching balls out of the backfield. Most speed backs have that ability - and that's why Weller isn't quite so high as he should be.

Preseason Top 5: Ohio State, Michigan, Florida State, Wisconsin, PSU

Titarius Rolle - 67th Overall Recruit, 5th WR

The Good: Great size for a wideout, with speed to match. Could be a burner like Randy Moss' early career. Reliable hands, won't drop many balls. Very easily, Rolle will out jump the defense for a high ball. In short, Titarius Rolle is many quarterback's dream.

The Bad: Again, stamina is a downfall for one of our recruits, but that comes with time. The more pressing issue is Rolle's ball security, or rather lack of. While he can catch anything, he has had a history of trouble holding onto it while going for extra yards.

Preseason Top 5: Cal, USC, Michigan, Nebraska, Tennessee

John Randolph II - 18th Best Recruit, 4th QB

The Good: Dual threat quarterback in the Mike Vick mold. He won't throw a cannon, but he is a deadly accurate quarterback. John won't think run first, but if given an opening, he's a threat to house it. John will make it hard for any team to try to stop him from both passing and running.

The Bad: Randolph led his high school team in Broken tackles. That's all well and good in high school, but not many quarterbacks are going to run over people at the next level. Also needs to work on overall awareness to bring his game to the next level.

Preseason Top 5: Texas, LSU, Florida State, Oklahoma, USC

Brandon Carswell - Top Recruit, # 1 QB

The Good: Top overall recruit and son of coach Jim Carswell. In his high school career, he's been one of the greatest quarterbacks in Texas high school football, which is saying something. Has the size, arm strength, and accuracy to do well in college. Also, like Randolph, has unheard of speed for a quarterback.

The Bad: The biggest question for Brandon is his awareness. After his dad changed the playbook in his sopomore year, he seemed uncomfortable with it until late in his Junior season. With a big change coming for him, will he be able to realize his potential?

Preseason top 5: Texas, Oklahoma, Michigan, Texas A&M, LSU

Up Next, we will check in on our coaches and athletes in four weeks.

[PennStatePeter]

Cool, I am following.