The Portal, 2025 Style

[Fightingscot82]

Mulrooney had an a very strong high school class verbally committed. Unlike most of our programs, he was getting a big jump on high school recruiting.

What many don't realize is some of our perceived top programs rarely extend high school offers prior to January. They'll have kids up to games all Fall, but most wait until January to actually extend any real invitations.

IUP, for instance, is rather infamous in recruiting circles for coming in at the last second (with more money) and stealing players.

Anyway, Mulrooney had several very strong PA high school players with verbals. Most schools will still recruit kids who have given a verbal, but now the blood is really in the water.

Well, now Joe doesn't quite put on the same show to wow recruits like he used to a few years ago

[iupgroundhog]

For me, what I wouldn't like if I were a Lock Haven fan/supporter is that now you're primed to have an interim AD and an interim football coach during what is still a transitional time for Lock Haven & the Commonwealth setup. That doesn't sound like stability.

I understand that thinking - however, I think the Interim AD is probably one of the most stable administrators around. If there is anyone who can handle the current tumult, he can.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Well, now Joe doesn't quite put on the same show to wow recruits like he used to a few years ago

Joe hasn't scouted a high school game in person in I'd guess at least 15 years.

I was talking about Tort's method of offering players.

[Fightingscot82]

Joe hasn't scouted a high school game in person in I'd guess at least 15 years.

I was talking about Tort's method of offering players.

I was talking about Tort bringing recruits in when he can take them to a basketball game where he can show IUP has an arena like few others they're considering and can watch IUP embarrass the other schools probably recruiting them.

[RocknTheSnackBar]

Justin Cook from ESU to THE U of Pittsburgh

[jrshooter]

Shepherd is a better program than where Powell is going.

Seriously, FCS programs are generally "better" than D-II programs. Hate to lay that on you, but anyway ...

[Fightingscot82]

Seriously, FCS programs are generally "better" than D-II programs. Hate to lay that on you, but anyway ...

Nah I'm with him on this. Charleston Southern is like the Seton Hill of FCS

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Seriously, FCS programs are generally "better" than D-II programs. Hate to lay that on you, but anyway ...

Robert Morris is FCS. Keep that in mind. Bobby Mo lost to Edinboro this year.

Lots of really bad FCS programs. Many would lose to D2 teams.

In fairness, a lot of top D3 teams would smoke a lot of D2 teams.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Justin Cook from ESU to THE U of Pittsburgh

The Duz raiding the PSAC. That's two heading to Oakland.

[RockPride]

Robert Morris is FCS. Keep that in mind. Bobby Mo lost to Edinboro this year.

Lots of really bad FCS programs. Many would lose to D2 teams.

In fairness, a lot of top D3 teams would smoke a lot of D2 teams.

I've had the opportunity to work in athletics at the D1, D2, and D3 levels throughout my career. The talent gap is greater between D3 and D2 than between D2 and D1. Although about 3-4 NCAA DIII teams would compete at the D2 level, I'd doubt that over the course of the season, the D3 juggernauts would enjoy sustained success playing a D2 schedule—just my opinion.

[Fightingscot82]

I've had the opportunity to work in athletics at the D1, D2, and D3 levels throughout my career. The talent gap is greater between D3 and D2 than between D2 and D1. Although about 3-4 NCAA DIII teams would compete at the D2 level, I'd doubt that over the course of the season, the D3 juggernauts would enjoy sustained success playing a D2 schedule—just my opinion.

I kind of agree with you. I estimate that there's about a roughly 25-50% overlap in strength from abutting divisions. This is why NDSU can run roughshod through FBS or middling SR1 teams can beat NEC teams. I bet Susquehanna and Cortland could finish top half in either PSAC division because they can recruit a good player into a successful program.

[PSAC77]

Has anyone heard of Lock Haven naming an interim hc? In looking at Mulrooneys coaching record, he only has 1 winning season in 9 years as a HC. I feel bad for the coaching staff he left behind. Those guys stayed with him for 3 years making no money. they thought they were along for the ride with him to FCS. Will be interesting to see how he does at Brown. You actually have to develop players over 4 years instead of bringing in portal guys.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Has anyone heard of Lock Haven naming an interim hc? In looking at Mulrooneys coaching record, he only has 1 winning season in 9 years as a HC. I feel bad for the coaching staff he left behind. Those guys stayed with him for 3 years making no money. they thought they were along for the ride with him to FCS. Will be interesting to see how he does at Brown. You actually have to develop players over 4 years instead of bringing in portal guys.

Coaches know how the business works when they sign up. It's a risk. Some of them may get retained by the eventual new HC (if they want to stay in the game). Mulrooney's record at Lock Haven is pretty deceiving. I think his overall body of work needs looked at more than his record. That program was a dumpster fire for the past 40 years. Yes, he was still losing big games this year but they were real close several times. His teams put some major fear in to opponents and nearly pulled some major upsets. That's not an easy sell at Lock Haven and he was getting some high quality players in there.

With very few exceptions being a D2 assistant is a rough way to make a living. IUP Football has some long, long-term assistants making close to $100k a year but they are like unicorns in this league. I think they actually make more than some sitting HCs.

The goal for most assistants (and even some HCs) in D2 ... is to get the hell out of D2 as fast as possible. Build the resume and keep climbing.

As for recruiting, you have to do both. It's real hard to live off of just high school players. They can transfer anytime they want with basically no penalty. The issue in this league is the bottom teams are now just feeder teams for the wealthy. Develop at Millersville, get some film ... and get the heck out of there asap.

[Ram040506]

Coaches know how the business works when they sign up. It's a risk. Some of them may get retained by the eventual new HC (if they want to stay in the game). Mulrooney's record at Lock Haven is pretty deceiving. I think his overall body of work needs looked at more than his record. That program was a dumpster fire for the past 40 years. Yes, he was still losing big games this year but they were real close several times. His teams put some major fear in to opponents and nearly pulled some major upsets. That's not an easy sell at Lock Haven and he was getting some high quality players in there.

With very few exceptions being a D2 assistant is a rough way to make a living. IUP Football has some long, long-term assistants making close to $100k a year but they are like unicorns in this league. I think they actually make more than some sitting HCs.

The goal for most assistants (and even some HCs) in D2 ... is to get the hell out of D2 as fast as possible. Build the resume and keep climbing.

As for recruiting, you have to do both. It's real hard to live off of just high school players. They can transfer anytime they want with basically no penalty. The issue in this league is the bottom teams are now just feeder teams for the wealthy. Develop at Millersville, get some film ... and get the heck out of there asap.

IUP seems to have a JV operation going at Millersville for the defense the last few years lol

[Boro33]

Nah I'm with him on this. Charleston Southern is like the Seton Hill of FCS

Not in agreement with that one. They open with Vanderbilt and Coastal Carolina in 2025. They open at Clemson in 2026. They were playing even at Florida State this year before losing in second half. Looking at their scores from this year, they lost 5 games by 5 or less. They may not play for an FCS championship next year but, there is no way D2 programs can compete against those schools. Could Ferris, Grand Valley and a couple more possibly upset Charleston? Absolutely, Bur there is no comparison between the Robert Morris type and schools from the Big South/Ohio Valley Conference.