Guest DT Posted September 15, 2019 Share Posted September 15, 2019 (edited) Munster football, the pride and glory of countless Munster Mustang former players who have worn the red and white over the past 50 years , is DOA. The Stangs hit rock bottom Friday night, getting blasted by Hammond Morton 69-7. This Munster football team is simply uncompetitive. The Mustangs are 0-4 and outscored 162-14 on the season. Jason Grunewald, who took over for Hall of Famer Leroy Marsh, is 2-12 in his second season at the helm. Munster football, while never in the picture on the statewide season, is a blueblood in Northwest Indiana, considered one of the top programs along with Merrillville, Hobart, Griffith and Lowell over the years. Munster combined the best of toughness, booksmarts, execution and skill and was always competitive, even while competing generally against much larger schools. Munster played in arguably the biggest regular season game in NWI history when the Mustangs hosted defending state champ Merrillville in 1977. 10000 fans jammed the stadium and thousands more watched from outside the gates as the two region titans went toe to toe , with Merrillville pulling away late for the win. It wasn't long ago that the Munster football coaching job was still considered a prime target. Those days appear to be over. Munster is to NWI as Carmel is to Indy. What happened to Munster football. Can it be saved? As a Highland guy, we hated Munster, but we respected Munster. Tough as nails, extreme competitiveness, and a haughty hubris that comes with wealth and privilege I hope they get it figured out, but Im not sure it can be fixed. Munster is a bastion of higher education, and athletics have been marginalized, and football seems to have been abandoned. Its a real shame to see what has happened to this once proud program. Edited September 15, 2019 by DT Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DumfriesYMCA Posted September 15, 2019 Share Posted September 15, 2019 @DT I’m not much of a guy when it comes to knowing anything about Northern Indiana football....but I think I highlighted the issue. The best coaches always bring out the best in their players. Idk anything about the new coach or schemes or the numbers they have but at least on paper/your post...just think you answered your own concern here. Replacing a great coach is always a tall task 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest DT Posted September 15, 2019 Share Posted September 15, 2019 1 minute ago, DumfriesYMCA said: @DT I’m not much of a guy when it comes to knowing anything about Northern Indiana football....but I think I highlighted the issue. The best coaches always bring out the best in their players. Idk anything about the new coach or schemes or the numbers they have but at least on paper/your post...just think you answered your own concern here. Replacing a great coach is always a tall task It goes way beyond that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DumfriesYMCA Posted September 15, 2019 Share Posted September 15, 2019 2 minutes ago, DT said: It goes way beyond that Maybe you’re right. I really wouldn’t know. It just kinda caught my attention that you spoke to the type of team they were and how they lost their great coach. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest DT Posted September 15, 2019 Share Posted September 15, 2019 (edited) The program has been on a steady decline for several years. The current level of decline is much steeper. Never thought it would get this bad. They've always had talent and good numbers. Now they appear to have neither. Goods are choosing to do other things now. More studies. Less contact sports. More travel. Munster is probably more impacted by this than most schools due to their ultra high economic profile. Edited September 15, 2019 by DT Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Staxawax Posted September 15, 2019 Share Posted September 15, 2019 1 hour ago, DumfriesYMCA said: @DT I’m not much of a guy when it comes to knowing anything about Northern Indiana football....but I think I highlighted the issue. The best coaches always bring out the best in their players. Idk anything about the new coach or schemes or the numbers they have but at least on paper/your post...just think you answered your own concern here. Replacing a great coach is always a tall task Looks to me like DT copied this article verbatim. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coach Nowlin Posted September 15, 2019 Share Posted September 15, 2019 Munster did not have a JV team last year: Legit, no JV team Wouldn't that put them on the contraction watch ? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveMosbey Posted September 15, 2019 Share Posted September 15, 2019 5 minutes ago, Coach Nowlin said: Munster did not have a JV team last year: Legit, no JV team Wouldn't that put them on the contraction watch ? Off topic but 3A Pike Central has no JV team this season. Varsity roster lists 24 players 8 Freshman, 6 Sophomores, 5 Juniors and 5 Seniors. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hhpatriot04 Posted September 15, 2019 Share Posted September 15, 2019 DT won't stop until football is a HS club sport across the country. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobref Posted September 15, 2019 Share Posted September 15, 2019 1 hour ago, hhpatriot04 said: DT won't stop until football is a HS club sport across the country. In this case, you’re killing the messenger. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobref Posted September 15, 2019 Share Posted September 15, 2019 2 hours ago, Coach Nowlin said: Munster did not have a JV team last year: Legit, no JV team Wouldn't that put them on the contraction watch ? In a school with their tradition, and an enrollment of over 1,500, they couldn’t field a JV team. And I say that as a proud alumnus of Munster Football. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boilernation Posted September 15, 2019 Share Posted September 15, 2019 And to think Ben Geffert left the HC job at his alma mater to join this sinking ship. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheStatGuy Posted September 15, 2019 Share Posted September 15, 2019 1 hour ago, Boilernation said: And to think Ben Geffert left the HC job at his alma mater to join this sinking ship. Seems like his Alma Mater isn't doing hot either Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest DT Posted September 15, 2019 Share Posted September 15, 2019 1 hour ago, Boilernation said: And to think Ben Geffert left the HC job at his alma mater to join this sinking ship. Things arent so great in GTown either? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hhpatriot04 Posted September 15, 2019 Share Posted September 15, 2019 3 hours ago, Bobref said: In this case, you’re killing the messenger. I understand the parameters. DT should offer solutions not messages, depending on his motives. If the goal is to preserve HS football, there are options like co-oping or not playing 11s. However, to label DT as merely a messenger is naive and above you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boilernation Posted September 15, 2019 Share Posted September 15, 2019 30 minutes ago, DT said: Things arent so great in GTown either? Nope. Seems better when they had Geffert though. Outside of Highland, the 45th street corridor through west Lake Co. is a disaster. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobref Posted September 15, 2019 Share Posted September 15, 2019 16 minutes ago, hhpatriot04 said: I understand the parameters. DT should offer solutions not messages, depending on his motives. If the goal is to preserve HS football, there are options like co-oping or not playing 11s. However, to label DT as merely a messenger is naive and above you. He’s just reciting facts on this issue. Not like his contraction mantra. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hhpatriot04 Posted September 15, 2019 Share Posted September 15, 2019 53 minutes ago, Bobref said: He’s just reciting facts on this issue. Not like his contraction mantra. It's insinuated and as a person of the law you should see he's introducing evidence to bolster his contraction argument. Would you not object on irrelevance? I can counter with programs like Gibson Southern which could have been contracted 10 years ago but rebounded. Until DT provides some comprehensive data, he's simply picking and choosing when it meets his goal... Whatever that is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest DT Posted September 16, 2019 Share Posted September 16, 2019 1 hour ago, hhpatriot04 said: It's insinuated and as a person of the law you should see he's introducing evidence to bolster his contraction argument. Would you not object on irrelevance? I can counter with programs like Gibson Southern which could have been contracted 10 years ago but rebounded. Until DT provides some comprehensive data, he's simply picking and choosing when it meets his goal... Whatever that is. The primary goal of the contraction initiative is to improve overall competitive balance by eliminating the extreme bottom feeders who neither have the will nor the resources to compete at a sufficient level. As numbers continue to decline, more programs will contract after completing a thorough cost-benefit analysis to determine competitive viability. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hhpatriot04 Posted September 16, 2019 Share Posted September 16, 2019 8 hours ago, DT said: The primary goal of the contraction initiative is to improve overall competitive balance by eliminating the extreme bottom feeders who neither have the will nor the resources to compete at a sufficient level. As numbers continue to decline, more programs will contract after completing a thorough cost-benefit analysis to determine competitive viability. Can you quantify "sufficient level" and "cost" and "benefit?" These seem like arbitrary terms. Should there be statewide criteria or at the school corporation or at the athletics' department level? If bounds are not set, then people with alterior motives can end football programs for "little Bobby not starting at QB" ... I've seen a Hall of Fame basketball coach fired for as much. It's a bit of a transitive argument, but I'm sure it could happen with contracting as well given the right circumstances. Co-oping, similiar to Illinois, makes much sense. Although, I'm not sure if that falls into your contraction mission. Schools like Barr-Reeve and Loogootee have a different times been perennial powers in basketball, but never had football programs (Northeast Dubois, Orleans as well). Surely there are some Amish farm boys in those school districts who would find playing time at surrounding schools. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest DT Posted September 16, 2019 Share Posted September 16, 2019 1 hour ago, hhpatriot04 said: Can you quantify "sufficient level" and "cost" and "benefit?" These seem like arbitrary terms. Should there be statewide criteria or at the school corporation or at the athletics' department level? If bounds are not set, then people with alterior motives can end football programs for "little Bobby not starting at QB" ... I've seen a Hall of Fame basketball coach fired for as much. It's a bit of a transitive argument, but I'm sure it could happen with contracting as well given the right circumstances. Co-oping, similiar to Illinois, makes much sense. Although, I'm not sure if that falls into your contraction mission. Schools like Barr-Reeve and Loogootee have a different times been perennial powers in basketball, but never had football programs (Northeast Dubois, Orleans as well). Surely there are some Amish farm boys in those school districts who would find playing time at surrounding schools. i am strongly in favor of the IHSAA implementing Minimum Participation Standards (MPS) by class, which is primarily a mechanism to insure player safety and a reasonable level of competitive capability Teams must practice. daily in order to compete at even a minimal level on Friday night's. Daily practice requires bodies. The IHSAA must also attempt to minimize the need for full time 2 way players My MPS proposal requires the following roster minimums by class : 1A - 22 2A - 26 3A - 30 4A - 35 5A - 40 6A - 45 Schools who cannot meet these roster minimums must cancel their season and perform an internal cost - benefit analysis to determine if football is a viable extra curricular activity for their particular school. The IHSAA would determine if reinstatement is appropriate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muda69 Posted September 16, 2019 Share Posted September 16, 2019 1 hour ago, hhpatriot04 said: Can you quantify "sufficient level" and "cost" and "benefit?" These seem like arbitrary terms. Should there be statewide criteria or at the school corporation or at the athletics' department level? If bounds are not set, then people with alterior motives can end football programs for "little Bobby not starting at QB" ... I've seen a Hall of Fame basketball coach fired for as much. It's a bit of a transitive argument, but I'm sure it could happen with contracting as well given the right circumstances. Co-oping, similiar to Illinois, makes much sense. Although, I'm not sure if that falls into your contraction mission. Schools like Barr-Reeve and Loogootee have a different times been perennial powers in basketball, but never had football programs (Northeast Dubois, Orleans as well). Surely there are some Amish farm boys in those school districts who would find playing time at surrounding schools. I'm sure Carroll (Flora), Frankfort, Clinton Central, Clinton Prairie, etc. would love to have the OMG! football athletes roaming the halls at Rossville, just looking for someone to tackle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.