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Topic: James Ward and effect on 2015?

Topic: James Ward and effect on 2015?

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AkronPride
General User

Member Since: 6/29/2015
Post Count: 2

Status: Offline

James Ward and effect on 2015?

Posted: 6/29/2015 5:25:03 PM

Just found out that James Ward is resigning due to personal reasons. Does anybody know anything about this? He was an old family friend and I've always rooted for him to go as far as possible through the program and into the MAC.

C Money
General User

Member Since: 8/28/2010
Post Count: 3,420

Status: Offline

RE: James Ward and effect on 2015?

Posted: 6/29/2015 5:48:01 PM

Well that sucks, on multiple levels. Although it has to be something significant, especially given the timing, I hope it isn't a health issue. There has been too much of that lately in the Bobcat family.

Deciduous Forest Cat
General User

Member Since: 12/20/2004
Location: Ohio
Post Count: 4,304

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RE: James Ward and effect on 2015?

Posted: 6/29/2015 5:54:12 PM

Not sure what might be up with James Ward, but I don't lend any credibility to that site saying Frank is on the hotseat. If the premise of your entire Web site is to determine which coaches are on the hot seat, then it's hardly going to make for good print unless you exaggerate the temperature at every turn.

The Optimist
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Member Since: 3/16/2007
Location: CLE
Post Count: 5,552

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RE: James Ward and effect on 2015?

Posted: 6/29/2015 6:06:10 PM

Personal reasons could mean just about anything. Hopefully all is alright with Coach Ward.

I agree with those above who don't put much stock into the site's statements about Solich.

I've seen crazier things happen.

AkronPride
General User

Member Since: 6/29/2015
Post Count: 2

Status: Offline

RE: James Ward and effect on 2015?

Posted: 6/29/2015 6:20:22 PM

I'm not the biggest follower of the Bobcats but it does seem like Solich has done a decent job thus far and they seem to be meeting expectations. Just wondering if there's something going on behind the scenes...

L.C.
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Member Since: 8/31/2005
Location: United States
Post Count: 10,064

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RE: James Ward and effect on 2015?

Posted: 6/29/2015 6:35:16 PM

There are a few fans that would like to see Solich retire, but I would say that the majority of fans are content to let him go until the end of his contract, which I believe runs through 2017, and he has good support from the administration. Since he just went through a rebuilding process triggered by massive injuries during 2012, and since they just had their three best recruiting classes yet in 2013-2015, Ohio is looking at several good years ahead.

Solich has an excellent staff, and it has been very stable for a MAC level program. I'm sorry to hear Coach Ward is resigning, and I hope the personal reasons are not too serious. He has done an excellent job for Ohio.

Considering nothing has been announced, yet, I think this whole thread may be questionable in terms of violating bobcatattack.com's rules.

Last Edited: 6/29/2015 6:44:34 PM by L.C.

�We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.� ― Epictetus

Bcat2
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Member Since: 7/6/2010
Post Count: 4,295

Status: Offline

RE: James Ward and effect on 2015?

Posted: 6/29/2015 6:52:38 PM

AkronPride wrote:

In Phil Steele's 2015 Football Guide he rates the Ohio coaching as the best in the MAC. Full disclosure, he rates Ohio, Akron and Ball State all with a #1 rating.

Last Edited: 6/29/2015 6:53:13 PM by Bcat2

"Do not pray for easy lives. Pray to be stronger men." JFK

UpSan Bobcat
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Member Since: 8/30/2005
Location: Upper Sandusky, OH
Post Count: 3,789

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RE: James Ward and effect on 2015?

Posted: 6/29/2015 6:57:35 PM

The Messenger has a story on it, says he resigned last week.

The Optimist
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Member Since: 3/16/2007
Location: CLE
Post Count: 5,552

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RE: James Ward and effect on 2015?

Posted: 6/29/2015 7:03:56 PM

http://www.athensmessenger.com/sports/ohiouniversity/bobc...

�We appreciate all that James (Ward) has done for our program and wish him the best in his future endeavors,� Solich�s statement read.

I've seen crazier things happen.

L.C.
General User

Member Since: 8/31/2005
Location: United States
Post Count: 10,064

Status: Offline

RE: James Ward and effect on 2015?

Posted: 6/29/2015 7:27:39 PM

UpSan Bobcat wrote:

The Messenger has a story on it, says he resigned last week.

OK, thanks.

�We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.� ― Epictetus

Speaker of Truth
General User

Member Since: 1/26/2011
Post Count: 441

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RE: James Ward and effect on 2015?

Posted: 6/29/2015 11:50:39 PM

Seems like a rift between him and the staff, or a scandal. I'm sure Bobcatblitz will have the low down since he usually does with stuff like this.

This could be tough on recruiting. Having talked to coaches and former coaches at a few schools, they have all stressed the importance of having young African American coaches on staff that can relate to many of the top prospects. This on a personal level and also with their parent/parents. Young guns also have the grind it out drive.

Monroe Slavin
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Location: Oxnard, CA
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RE: James Ward and effect on 2015?

Posted: 6/30/2015 2:00:39 AM

I've no idea why Ward left.

I do find it disturbing that, in light of recent on-the-field results (by which I mean about the last 2.5 years--an eternity) there's a rather grand consensus that Solich and staff are great coaches. Sports fans, there's a dis-connect.

Maybe this staff's knowledge is terrific, maybe it's teaching/motivating ability is superb, and/or maybe it's terrific at recruiting. But it's proving itself not to be top notch at all of these.

There's a hole somewhere. You can't call "excellent" in the face of the results. You just can't.

Look at it this way. If our guys are excellent, what would you call the staffs at such as NIU and BG?

Where's the band?!
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Bcat2
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Member Since: 7/6/2010
Post Count: 4,295

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RE: James Ward and effect on 2015?

Posted: 6/30/2015 7:46:45 AM

Monroe Slavin wrote:

I've no idea why Ward left.

Look at it this way. If our guys are excellent, what would you call the staffs at such as NIU and BG?

Well, Phil Steele, who spends a lot of time on such things has Ohio, Ball State and Akron together as the best staffs in the MAC. NIU, he rates 4th best and BG he rates the 8th best staff. You asked.

"Do not pray for easy lives. Pray to be stronger men." JFK

Bcat2
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Member Since: 7/6/2010
Post Count: 4,295

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RE: James Ward and effect on 2015?

Posted: 6/30/2015 7:56:53 AM

Something tells me we might never know the why. If they choose to keep it in the family, I am ready to move on. Let us welcome the new guy. I am confident Ohio has the ability to replace Mr. Ward. Best wishes to him.

"Do not pray for easy lives. Pray to be stronger men." JFK

71 BOBCAT
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Member Since: 12/20/2004
Post Count: 1,854

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RE: James Ward and effect on 2015?

Posted: 6/30/2015 8:27:02 AM

I'm quite sure that we will find out what the real story is.
Based on Frank's record with hiring coaches I would think that this was a JW decision not Frank's.

GO BOBCATS

rpbobcat
General User

Member Since: 4/28/2006
Location: Rochelle Park, NJ
Post Count: 3,503

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RE: James Ward and effect on 2015?

Posted: 6/30/2015 8:49:01 AM

For those of us,like me,who do not know,who is JW ?

BillyTheCat
General User

Member Since: 10/6/2012
Post Count: 9,454

Status: Offline

RE: James Ward and effect on 2015?

Posted: 6/30/2015 9:28:38 AM

rpbobcat wrote:

For those of us,like me,who do not know,who is JW ?

Coach Ward

cc-cat
General User

Member Since: 4/5/2006
Location: matthews, NC
Post Count: 3,820

Status: Offline

RE: James Ward and effect on 2015?

Posted: 6/30/2015 9:42:56 AM

Shame. But we don't know why - so it is hard to really evaluate the reason.

That said, many cite the recruiting coordinator and head coach when it comes to evaluating recruiting. The reality is the position coaches are most often the catalyst for signing. We have just come off of a very (most?) successful DB recruiting class. Hope the new DB players stay engaged given this change.

Last Edited: 6/30/2015 9:45:07 AM by cc-cat

Monroe Slavin
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Member Since: 12/20/2004
Location: Oxnard, CA
Post Count: 9,121

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RE: James Ward and effect on 2015?

Posted: 6/30/2015 9:56:11 AM

Bcat2 wrote:

Monroe Slavin wrote:

I've no idea why Ward left.

Look at it this way. If our guys are excellent, what would you call the staffs at such as NIU and BG?

Well, Phil Steele, who spends a lot of time on such things has Ohio, Ball State and Akron together as the best staffs in the MAC. NIU, he rates 4th best and BG he rates the 8th best staff. You asked.

I know that you wouldn't question this staff if your life depended on it.

But did you ever think that performance on the field might be a better yardstick than someone's opinion.

You are over the edge. Credibility? Not a trace.

Bcat2
General User

Member Since: 7/6/2010
Post Count: 4,295

Status: Offline

RE: James Ward and effect on 2015?

Posted: 6/30/2015 10:07:25 AM

Monroe Slavin wrote:

Bcat2 wrote:

Monroe Slavin wrote:

I've no idea why Ward left.

Look at it this way. If our guys are excellent, what would you call the staffs at such as NIU and BG?

Well, Phil Steele, who spends a lot of time on such things has Ohio, Ball State and Akron together as the best staffs in the MAC. NIU, he rates 4th best and BG he rates the 8th best staff. You asked.

Monroe, respectfully, it was Phil Steele's evaluation I provided. How am I over the edge? How is my credibility even in this discussion. Did you mean Phil is over the edge and without credibility?

"Do not pray for easy lives. Pray to be stronger men." JFK

rpbobcat
General User

Member Since: 4/28/2006
Location: Rochelle Park, NJ
Post Count: 3,503

Status: Offline

RE: James Ward and effect on 2015?

Posted: 6/30/2015 10:08:11 AM

BillyTheCat wrote:

rpbobcat wrote:

For those of us,like me,who do not know,who is JW ?

Coach Ward

Sorry (face red),should have been able to figure that out.

GoCats105
General User

Member Since: 1/31/2006
Location: Seattle, WA
Post Count: 6,912

Status: Offline

RE: James Ward and effect on 2015?

Posted: 6/30/2015 10:22:57 AM

cc-cat wrote:

This is exactly what I was thinking.

Ted Thompson
Administrator

Member Since: 11/11/2004
Location: MAC Play
Post Count: 7,395

Status: Offline

RE: James Ward and effect on 2015?

Posted: 6/30/2015 2:53:48 PM

I think the coach that has the geography has the better recruiting relationship rather than the position coach. I'll see if I can find which geography Ward had.

EDIT: Looks like he had Northern Virginia, Maryland, DC, Arizona and Nevada, So that shouldn't impact any of the 2016 verbals.

Last Edited: 6/30/2015 3:14:01 PM by Ted Thompson

Follow Ohio Football recruiting on the BobcatAttack.com football recruiting database.

L.C.
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Member Since: 8/31/2005
Location: United States
Post Count: 10,064

Status: Offline

RE: James Ward and effect on 2015?

Posted: 7/1/2015 12:09:56 AM

It's worth pointing out that Ohio had a tradition of fine CB play that preceded Ward. Byrum, Wright, Parson, Posey and Turner all had some NFL time before Ward arrived. Ward was a good coach, but I think Ohio will find a way to be fine.

�We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.� ― Epictetus

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