NSIC Coaching Carousel

[SW_Mustang]

D-2 part in Oakland CA is correct. The conference I provided was wrong.

Oakland (CA) is not D2.

They advertised themselves as being D2 when they announced the program a few years ago, but they are not affiliated with any conference or association. They since back tracked and said they play a schedule similar to D2.

It's basically a scam school running a program to entice JUCO kids to spend some tuition dollars. I'm surprised they've lasted this long.

I did a whole deep dive into the thing when the GNAC board was around and I had nothing better to do during lockdowns. I'll just say I feel for the athletes who partake in it.

[FB Player Coach & Fan]

Oakland (CA) is not D2.

They advertised themselves as being D2 when they announced the program a few years ago, but they are not affiliated with any conference or association. They since back tracked and said they play a schedule similar to D2.

It's basically a scam school running a program to entice JUCO kids to spend some tuition dollars. I'm surprised they've lasted this long.

I did a whole deep dive into the thing when the GNAC board was around and I had nothing better to do during lockdowns. I'll just say I feel for the athletes who partake in it.

From Football scoop 2020 labeling them a NCAA D2. (below)

There are 66 JCs in CA playing football.
.Lincoln (Oakland CA) University played a hodgepodge schedule ( independent guessing) in 23—western Oregon, Adams State, College of Idaho,Texas Southern, Kennesaw State, college of Idaho. 23 schedule looks tilted with FCS schools. Everything has them listed as D2-but looking at their schedule & 4 of their programs joining the SWC— I suspect eventually they will move to FCS?

FBS coaching veteran lands defensive coordinator role at Division 2 startup

• DOUG SAMUELS
• NOV 4, 2020

Lincoln University, a startup Division II program set to begin in the fall of 2021, has made a key hire at defensive coordinator by bringing in a FBS coaching veteran.

Sources tell FootballScoop that Al Simmons has joined the program as defensive coordinator. Simmons brings 33 years of coaching experience at the college and NFL level with him to the new Oakland based program.

Prior to joining the Lincoln staff, Simmons coached the defensive backs at UNLV in 2018-19. He also recently coached the corners at New Mexico and served as the co-defensive coordinator and secondary coach at Colorado State as well.

DOUG SAMUELS
Read More



In addition to other coaching stops at Cal (two stints about a decade apart), Arizona State, and Oregon State, Simmons also spent some time in the NFL in a variety of roles with organizations including with the 49ers, Raiders, Cardinals, Chargers and Cowboys.

Simmons will work alongside head coach / athletic director Desmond Gumbs in starting the Lincoln football program from scratch.





CLOSE

[SW_Mustang]

From Football scoop 2020 labeling them a NCAA D2. (below)

They are incorrect - I remember reading that article when it was released. It's interesting how misinformation like that can stick around for so long.

Oakland branded themselves as D2 initially, then walked it back to "we play a D2-like schedule" - which really just means they play anyone with an open date and a cleared check. They either made the claim of being D2 due to incompetence, or to sell their product to JUCO kids who didn't know any better. The basic requirement to be an NCAA Division II school is to be in the NCAA, which Lincoln is not. They are essentially the Bishop-Sycamore of college football.

This is a list of every NCAA DII football program:

D2 Football Teams

[alwaysabeaver]

The only thing current on their athletics website is the page asking you to pay your deposit!
https://athletics.lincolnuca.edu/deposit/
What a tremendous find! I can't wait for the "BSU" style documentary!

[Stanger86]

The only thing current on their athletics website is the page asking you to pay your deposit!
https://athletics.lincolnuca.edu/deposit/
What a tremendous find! I can't wait for the "BSU" style documentary!

I found a press release stating...

Lincoln University Athletics is, and continues to operate as, an Independent school that has the ability to play other University sports at all levels

[SW_Mustang]

I found a press release stating...

Lincoln University Athletics is, and continues to operate as, an Independent school that has the ability to play other University sports at all levels

Before the first season, the coaches were tweeting that they were a D2 program - that's why they keep getting brought up as such.

Their coaching staff was interesting back then - kind of a haven for guys who got fired from other jobs (some under strange circumstances). Their carousel started before the first game, replacing a couple positions multiple times over as guys found jobs with real schools.

The school is a scam. Alarmingly, they've fallen into the good graces of many on this board simply because of that misinfo about their classification.

[FB Player Coach & Fan]

If you have coached long enough—there are 2 types of coaches; those that have been fired and those that will be fired.

I really don’t care— there is information put out by whomever that they are a D2. But, sounds like they are playing both D2, NAIA and FCS football schedule. Have no idea what that tells you. Whatever they decide to say they are—-so be it. Doubt it impacts the NSIC in any way shape or form. I made the mistake on the conference affiliation- not the GLVC.

[SW_Mustang]

If you have coached long enough—there are 2 types of coaches; those that have been fired and those that will be fired.

I really don’t care— there is information put out by whomever that they are a D2. But, sounds like they are playing both D2, NAIA and FCS football schedule. Have no idea what that tells you. Whatever they decide to say they are—-so be it. Doubt it impacts the NSIC in any way shape or form. I made the mistake on the conference affiliation- not the GLVC.

What I meant was - some were let go under mysterious or questionable circumstances. It was years ago at this point - I don't remember who or for what, and it doesn't matter at this point.

I don't know much about coaching, but I do know about working in higher education to a degree - if Lincoln was my only option to do so, I'd strongly consider switching careers. Can't imagine football is any different. Then again, they hired Gary Payton, so who knows.

Lincoln isn't anything. They are a completely independent team that plays an independent schedule against whoever is willing to schedule them. It would only affect the NSIC if a team scheduled them for an OOC game - which I hope nobody in the conference is dumb enough to do.

My comment about them falling into good graces with board members wasn't directed at you - I've been discussing this topic for years across the forum.

[Predatory Primates]

I believe that is the other Lincoln, in Missouri.

Lincoln in Oakland is…a football team.

Correct. The glvc (former miaa)Lincoln is in MO.

[SW_Mustang]

Heard a rumor that Ryan Grubb could potentially leave Alabama to take an OC job with the Seattle Seahawks.

[Matt Witwicki]

Heard a rumor that Ryan Grubb could potentially leave Alabama to take an OC job with the Seattle Seahawks.

Yes..this matches up with other FBS coaches that are taking OC/DC spots lately....a trend that seems to be happening right at this moment as FBS coaches are getting worn out with all the NIL and portal drama that seems never-ending for top 50 programs. Instead, they can head to the NFL and leave all that drama behind them. I think this will continue to be a thing until the FBS level gets more..stable.

[Purple Mav Man]

Yes..this matches up with other FBS coaches that are taking OC/DC spots lately....a trend that seems to be happening right at this moment as FBS coaches are getting worn out with all the NIL and portal drama that seems never-ending for top 50 programs. Instead, they can head to the NFL and leave all that drama behind them. I think this will continue to be a thing until the FBS level gets more..stable.

There will be a lot of coaching changes. Big reason why Saban left. Coaches get real sick of recruiting their own team, as well as new players. And if you don’t have the dollars, you don’t get the players.

[UMary1]

Given the history that Isaac Fruechte has on his resume....former Gophers player and then a stint in the NFL, I felt like that would open some doors for him..and that's occured here with him heading up to UND. He had a strong offense with Northern (they got some dudes during COVID times), but then his offenses at Winona in 2022 and 2023 averaged mid 20's per game. In 2022, their D was the strength of the team when Winona made the postseason.

I will be interested to see who lands at Winona State for his OC spot. Considering WSU is fully funded (or close)..has a winning tradition and a great location (can recruit WI-IL-IA-MN within a few hours)..they should get a decent candidate. A few names that came to mind for me right away were former star QB Jack Nelson (who recently took the Quincy OC job), Charlie Cosgrove (Gustavus longtime OC)..seeing as Bergy the HC of WSU is tightly connected there as he was a star defender there and then coached in St. Peter as well. Other thoughts could be current assistants in the NSIC currently..but I wouldn't be shocked to see if Bergy looks at SDSU or a previous stop and their mid-level staff that would seek out the experience of being a DC at a good location in D2.

This is oddly taking a lot longer than I had imagined, anyone fill the OC spot yet?

[Matt Witwicki]

This is oddly taking a lot longer than I had imagined, anyone fill the OC spot yet?

Well....the OL Coach left also for UND. So I think the hiring process might've gotten a little more complicated than originally thought..in the event an OC wanted to bring their own OL coach or whatever. I'm guessing they announce someone in the coming days....I think this was back-burnered with NLI being more the immediate concern.

[zimmy21]

There will be a lot of coaching changes. Big reason why Saban left. Coaches get real sick of recruiting their own team, as well as new players. And if you don’t have the dollars, you don’t get the players.

It's affecting all college sports.It's the reason Coach K retired. Duke however has set themselves up very well in the NIL, but he was ready to walk away.