Shepherd Head Coach Ernie McCook

[RocknTheSnackBar]

McCook deserves credit for holding the team together after being 0-4. Now he may have done nothing more than say "boys the hard part of the season is over". If he gets slack for a tough schedule he should get reduced credit for closing strong against a very inconsistent division.

Clements deserves it, in spite of his chldish "K-Who?" tweets suggesting lack of respect. The Scots' Scott seems an easy choice in the West

[IUPbigINDIANS]

McCook deserves credit for holding the team together after being 0-4. Now he may have done nothing more than say "boys the hard part of the season is over". If he gets slack for a tough schedule he should get reduced credit for closing strong against a very inconsistent division.

Clements deserves it, in spite of his chldish "K-Who?" tweets suggesting lack of respect. The Scots' Scott seems an easy choice in the West

Luckily the 19-20 people reading the Tweets know the Bears are good.

[Ramhead]

Question: I know that Bagent's brother started a game (or maybe more, I am not sure). How did he do or look?

Did he start the seven games that they won?

Just asking.

To answer your question Ezra Bagent did not start any games and had very limited play time. I don't know if this is because of his red shirt status. I really don't understand what red shirt means anymore.

[IUPFan69]

In the words of the great Jeffrey Lebowski... That's just your opinion man. And yes I think East Stroudsburg is a fine victory on the season. Finally, you've clearly never met McCook, he's furthest from any of that type of description. As much as you don't care how we Shepherd Fans feel about the situation, we certainly don't give a hoot about your opinion.

All I know is this: McCook was the head coach who let a massive, multi-year cheating scandal unfold right under his nose in his own program. He either knew exactly what was going on and swept it under the rug—or, worse, he was the one steering the whole damn thing. I don’t have the definitive answer on that.

Quick question for you: Was ESU’s QB hurt when Shepherd played them, or did Shep straight-up beat them with their starting QB on the field?

[Ramhead]

Definitely Clements should be COY. Why is he still in D2? As far as coach McCook I think the team needs his stability at this time and if we can hold on to our core players next year it may be a turn around year. CM has coached hard and I heard he broke his hand on a podium in a team meeting when some players were goofing off. I see Coach Cater in the stands at every game and would like to pick his brain on his perspective. As far as the cheating, I have yet to hear an apology to the fans and doners and a plan on how this will never happen again. As a fan and a donor this season has been a challenging but in weird way satisfying. Gives me hope for the future.

[IUPFan69]

so who would it be then and why dude?

I think it’s down to Tort or Scott. IUP just clinched the PSAC West and is heading east this weekend to play for the PSAC Championship, while the Boro isn’t even playing for a damn thing.

Now, let’s talk Scott, Were his guys even close to upsetting the Hawks on the field this year? Hell no—the answer’s a resounding negative. The Boro was never in that game, IUP dominated every single facet.

The final nail? Scott dropped two crossover games (Kutztown and Bloomsburg) and then lost another non-conference game with Fairmont State.

When’s the last time a coach won coach of the Year without even sniffing the playoffs?

[Ramhead]

All I know is this: McCook was the head coach who let a massive, multi-year cheating scandal unfold right under his nose in his own program. He either knew exactly what was going on and swept it under the rug—or, worse, he was the one steering the whole damn thing. I don’t have the definitive answer on that.

Quick question for you: Was ESU’s QB hurt when Shepherd played them, or did Shep straight-up beat them with their starting QB on the field?

ESU QB was injured in the second half. The back up actually played much better and almost won the game.

[IUPFan69]

ESU QB was injured in the second half. The back up actually played much better and almost won the game.

Makes sense. So, are we just gonna pretend the first part never happened like it vanished into thin air or did you deliberately look the other way and act like it was never even said?

[TheBigCat2192]

When’s the last time a coach won coach of the Year without even sniffing the playoffs?

Schaetzle at Mercyhurst was the West COTY four years ago with a 4-7 record. It took me less than five minutes to find this on the PSAC website.

[EastStroud13]

Quick question for you: Was ESU’s QB hurt when Shepherd played them, or did Shep straight-up beat them with their starting QB on the field?

Did you watch that game? We did nothing with McTaggart in that game. All 23 points were scored with the backup, Susi. Shepherd very clearly were the better team in that game, the Warriors laid an egg until the very last quarter.

[WarriorVoice]

Did you watch that game? We did nothing with McTaggart in that game. All 23 points were scored with the backup, Susi. Shepherd very clearly were the better team in that game, the Warriors laid an egg until the very last quarter.

Actually, McTaggart has been banged up most of the season, and hasn't had that quick first step when running the ball. Hopefully he'll see some playing time on Saturday, as it's his last at ESU. He's quietly put together a career that will end with him as the most accurate passer in school history. He's in the top 10 in many other passing and scoring record lists.

[Ram040506]

Makes sense. So, are we just gonna pretend the first part never happened like it vanished into thin air or did you deliberately look the other way and act like it was never even said?

I'm not following your question. You insinuating that because McTaggart got hurt that Shepherd won the game? Check the box score.

https://shepherdrams.com/sports/foot.../boxscore/8242

As for the "scandal...", yes it's embarrassing. Alumni aren't happy about it and it's been annoying (for lack of a better word) that McCook or anyone else hasn't really addressed what happened other than placing blame solely on someone in compliance that isn't there any longer. It's a cop out admittedly. I'm not resolving McCook of any knowledge or wrongdoing, but I do know the guy as he did recruit me 20 some years ago personally and I played for him. I don't remember him as that type of person, and I'd be surprised if he completely turned a blind eye to it as well. For me, I think the person that who has gotten off WAY too light in this whole matter is Chauncey Winbush who was our VP of athletics (glorified AD) at the time. He parlayed his run of success and lack of holding compliance the last few seasons into a new gig just as things were coming to light, and is now at Miami of Ohio as the deputy AD. He deserves a lot of criticism for this happening under his leadership and from what I can tell nobody even mentions him. It was almost as if he saw it coming and got the hell out.

[CUlater]

I think it’s down to Tort or Scott. IUP just clinched the PSAC West and is heading east this weekend to play for the PSAC Championship, while the Boro isn’t even playing for a damn thing.

Now, let’s talk Scott, Were his guys even close to upsetting the Hawks on the field this year? Hell no—the answer’s a resounding negative. The Boro was never in that game, IUP dominated every single facet.

The final nail? Scott dropped two crossover games (Kutztown and Bloomsburg) and then lost another non-conference game with Fairmont State.

When’s the last time a coach won coach of the Year without even sniffing the playoffs?

Thanks for the peak behind the curtain there...here's what I would say

1. take the goggles off, it's about more than just what they did against your team - we get it, you like IUP
2. Scott is a first year (and first time) head coach who's only been on campus for 6 months and completely re-built a staff
3. he inherited a team that hasn't been competitive in 7 years. in recent memory they've been 3-8 the last two years, a non-factor
4. they finished with the same divisional record as IUP and shared a piece of the west crown - their only loss to IUP so i get the head to head thing
5. however, just last week they made the team that gave IUP their only divisional loss look like a JV squad
6. They certainly have had some interesting losses but these things are more about the overall body of work - they have some really good wins to match those loses and they seemed to improve as the year went along
7. This is where I probably agree with you, Boro isn't super talented team. I'd even stretch to say they aren't a very good team which makes what they've accomplished even more impressive for Scott.

I'd agree that it's between Scott and Tort but your assessment of Boro is incredibly short sided. It's ok to give some credit in other areas where its due. I think most would look at what Scott had to overcome this year VS where Tort was at and think that one is clearly more impressive than the other. That's not to say Tort didn't do a good job, he got his team over the hump this year. No denying that.