OT: D1

[IUP24]

Unfortunately my fears for Pitt volleyball playing Louisville a third time were realized and another great season ends in the national semifinals. It stinks that the Final Four just happened to be in Louisville this year. It reminds me of 1993 when IUP’s best chance at a national title coincided with North Alabama also making the championship game that was played on their home field.

But regardless of the venue, Louisville was fantastic. They didn’t blink when the 2nd and 3rd sets were up for grabs and had Pitt totally demoralized in the 4th set.

And Penn State makes an incredible rally from 2 sets down to topple Nebraska. Should be a great final that I’ll probably be in no mood to watch.

They ran out of gas. You can honestly argue they should have lost to Oregon in the sweet 16. It’s unfortunate. They were clearly the best team in the country all season, having swept nearly everybody in pretty dominant fashion. But in tournament settings like that, the best team rarely ever wins the last game

The harsh reality is that, although Louisville is really, really good, they choked that game away.

Up 8-2 in set 2. All you need to do is bleed the set out at that point. Prevent long runs from your opponent. They failed to deliver the kill there.

Up 23-19 in set 3 and had 4 set points. They couldn’t finish the job.

I‘m honestly not sure they’ll ever have a better opportunity to win the national championship than they did right there. They had a game against a team they had finally gotten over beating, and were in control of that game. They then would have been going up against a team they blew the doors off of earlier in the year (and have beaten 4 or 5 straight times). They had the best player in the country in Olivia Babcock. The planets aligned for them and they fumbled it away.

The most incorrect and overused phrase in sports is “they’ll be back.” Zero guarantees of that. With the rumors about Dan Fischer supposedly being the top candidate for the USA Volleyball job, it’s hard to predict where they go from here.

[Chuck Norris]

Unfortunately my fears for Pitt volleyball playing Louisville a third time were realized and another great season ends in the national semifinals. It stinks that the Final Four just happened to be in Louisville this year. It reminds me of 1993 when IUP’s best chance at a national title coincided with North Alabama also making the championship game that was played on their home field.

But regardless of the venue, Louisville was fantastic. They didn’t blink when the 2nd and 3rd sets were up for grabs and had Pitt totally demoralized in the 4th set.

And Penn State makes an incredible rally from 2 sets down to topple Nebraska. Should be a great final that I’ll probably be in no mood to watch.

[IUPNation]

The Centre County Community College advances to the Volleyball finals. They took down Nebraskastan.

The Oakland Remedial Academy For The Coloring Book Arts lost to Louie-ville.

[EyeoftheHawk]

I think any window for Lutz to make a big move was several years ago. He has a son on the team. Not saying he's a lifer or that he has some deep down emotional connection to SRU but the rumors exist for a reason that he's either pursued or listened to opportunities. I'm just not sure what openings are available for him right now that doesn't take him from his kids. I don't see him taking a G5 assistant role.

After the job he did against Ferris, if I was a D1 program I’d be interested. He found some things against them to exploit that nobody else apparently could, and did it on a big stage. If not for a couple bad pics in the second half he would have been coaching again on Saturday. The resume is strong and he has to be looking at what Cignetti pulled off and be thinking, “Why not me?”

Coaching jobs are tough on families for sure, but sometimes you have to take a leap of faith if an opportunity presents itself. He has a good job where he is but I think there’s more out there for him should he choose to explore.

[Fightingscot82]

Not for nothing, but I see to recall that he announced in November that he joined the Pro-Star Sports Agency. Not to stir up any $hit, but if a PSAC coach were content with staying in that position until retirement, why would one contract with an agency to represent them?

I think any window for Lutz to make a big move was several years ago. He has a son on the team. Not saying he's a lifer or that he has some deep down emotional connection to SRU but the rumors exist for a reason that he's either pursued or listened to opportunities. I'm just not sure what openings are available for him right now that doesn't take him from his kids. I don't see him taking a G5 assistant role.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Not for nothing, but I see to recall that he announced in November that he joined the Pro-Star Sports Agency. Not to stir up any $hit, but if a PSAC coach were content with staying in that position until retirement, why would one contract with an agency to represent them?

If he's not looking to move, I suppose it would be for the agency to help him land marketing deals, etc. Granted, not much of that exists in D2 as there's really no 'market' for the coaches regarding endorsements, etc.

I guess he could hire an agent to work out his next contract -- although at this level the 'raise' the agent would get you would likely just then be paid to the agent in his fees/commission.

[RockPride]

He's been there for 27+ years at this point. I'd be surprised if he left. Clements/Mulrooney I think are attainable, maybe Jimmy T as well if he keeps the upward momentum at ESU.

Not for nothing, but I see to recall that he announced in November that he joined the Pro-Star Sports Agency. Not to stir up any $hit, but if a PSAC coach were content with staying in that position until retirement, why would one contract with an agency to represent them?

[ctrabs74]

Former Slippery Rock OC Phil Longo is the new head coach at Sam Houston State.

The same OC who was practically run out of Wisconsin? He was the OC at Sam Houston from 2014 to 2016, so at least he knows his way around Huntsville.

[Ram040506]

I've always thought Jimmy T was an ESU lifer. No?

I don't know Jimmy, I just think any guy in his late 30's or early 40's isn't a lifer anywhere. Got a long career ahead of him.

He knows he's got a job at ESU for life if they kept Douds as long as they did. He's probably a local legend up that way.

[SRU 88]

Former Slippery Rock OC Phil Longo is the new head coach at Sam Houston State.

I think that was his first stop (as OC) after leaving THE ROCK. Either a year or two after ROCK TE/Recruiting coordinator Zack Patterson went to Sam Houston as well.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Replying to multiple messages here but end of the day money talks.

Our schools don't pay much of it, either.

Will certain ones be looking? Hard to say. Would they listen? They all would.

[iupgroundhog]

He's been there for 27+ years at this point. I'd be surprised if he left. Clements/Mulrooney I think are attainable, maybe Jimmy T as well if he keeps the upward momentum at ESU.

I've always thought Jimmy T was an ESU lifer. No?

[Ram040506]

I wonder if Mini Me will get any interest after last weekend?

He's been there for 27+ years at this point. I'd be surprised if he left. Clements/Mulrooney I think are attainable, maybe Jimmy T as well if he keeps the upward momentum at ESU.

[IUPNation]

Former Slippery Rock OC Phil Longo is the new head coach at Sam Houston State.

I wonder if Mini Me will get any interest after last weekend?

[Fightingscot82]

Former Slippery Rock OC Phil Longo is the new head coach at Sam Houston State.