Lottich: Keep Or Can

by **VUGrad1314** » February 29th, 2020, 5:37 pm

This debate has raged on our board for years and it's really hard to reach a definitive conclusion... I can honestly say that I have been on both sides of this debate at varying times... Right now I am leaning towards advocating for him to get an extension but it's really hard for me to feel comfortable about it. I just want to know what my fellow MVC fans think. Maybe it would be easier after seeing what unbiased fans who only want what's best for Valpo (because that's what's best for the MVC as it is for any member to prosper) think about him.

Pros:

Pretty good late season stretch (4-2 in final 6 games)

Steady improvement in performance at home this year

Overall record and position in the conference has improved in the MVC every year

.500 record is faster than Loyola did it

Has faced A TON of adversity in his tenure

Debatably only just got his first MVC caliber roster this year

Has a strong core of freshmen and sophomores (JFL Clay Krikke)

Has a promising recruiting class coming in

Players seem to like him and fight for him

Player retention issues MIGHT be fixed and roster MAY be stabilizing

Cons

X's and O's seem to be improving but not nearly fast enough

The holes... Dear God the holes... We are guaranteed to have a bad half in pretty much every game

Three straight Thursday finishes Difficult\ exciting league or not this sucks and does not breed excitement

Team is terribly inconsistent

.500 record came in a league WITHOUT Wichita State We would NOT have finished above .500 if they were in conference

Offensive system is difficult to discern whether it is successful or not Usually the team does its best when we're in catch up mode and everything goes out the window

JFL totally saves his team from being pretty terrible in terms of wins and losses The turnovers and points he generates are frequently the only reason we make these comebacks we've become so famous for

Struggle to beat the top teams in conference even at home

Often look TERRIBLE on the road (I know it's hard to win on the road in this league but sheesh)

Player retention is (obviously) a concern Hopefully it's fixed but we don't know that now

I think that about covers it. If you see any issues I didn't cover positive or negative feel free to point them out. But seriously guys. Help me figure it out: Keep or Can Matt Lottich and why?

**Sponsor**

by **jackwagon** » February 29th, 2020, 6:24 pm

Keep for another year if all of the players return. You aren't losing much and you have the alpha you need and athletes around him. I compare it to Lansing. You have a 1st team guy and young core pieces. Why not roll the dice for a year? Next year in the valley is going to be a war!

by **SalukiWorld** » February 29th, 2020, 6:38 pm

If you can get Drew back, you should do it. If not, keep him

by **MissouriValleyUnite** » February 29th, 2020, 8:39 pm

SalukiWorld wrote:If you can get Drew back, you should do it. If not, keep him

This is where relationships come into play. AD works the underground lines to gauge Bryce’s interest and closes the door on someone beating you to the punch.

If Bryce doesn’t reciprocate, keep Lottich. Don’t extend. MSU extended Lusk after a 9-9 season 15 months removed from an 0-10 non-con.

Bears finished 8-10/5-13/7-11/7-11 next 4 years.

by **AcesAces** » February 29th, 2020, 8:49 pm

Keep him. The Coach brought in the best player on the team, Freeman-Liberty from Chicago, a player who is going to be all MVC next year. Why would you think about removing the coach when there is so much upside?

UE is on its 4th coach in 3 years (Simmons had to go) and our record has gotten worse each year. Replacing a coach at this level is not that easy. The grass is not always greener.

by **VUGrad1314** » February 29th, 2020, 8:57 pm

AcesAces wrote:Keep him. The Coach brought in the best player on the team, Freeman-Liberty from Chicago, a player who is going to be all MVC next year. Why would you think about removing the coach when there is so much upside?

UE is on its 4th coach in 3 years (Simmons had to go) and our record has gotten worse each year. Replacing a coach at this level is not that easy. The grass is not always greener.

This is where I often end up finding myself when I think about this debate but

MissouriValleyUnite wrote:
SalukiWorld wrote:If you can get Drew back, you should do it. If not, keep him

This is where relationships come into play. AD works the underground lines to gauge Bryce’s interest and closes the door on someone beating you to the punch.

If Bryce doesn’t reciprocate, keep Lottich. Don’t extend. MSU extended Lusk after a 9-9 season 15 months removed from an 0-10 non-con.

Bears finished 8-10/5-13/7-11/7-11 next 4 years.

The Lusk Missouri State example provides some good food for thought as well...

by **Milanmiracle** » March 1st, 2020, 11:37 am

I’d say keep Lottich, for a couple of reasons.

One, stability. Valpo would be a little lacking in that category. There’s a search for a new university president, the law school closed, the men’s soccer and men’s tennis programs have been eliminated, and the flagship program wants to fire it’s head coach? Yikes.

Two, he’s recruiting reasonably well given the lack of facilities/university support. The incoming class looks good and the young guys have shown well for their age.

Three, who would you replace him with? Unless it’s Bryce returning, which seems incredibly and highly unlikely due to the exit, who’s your choice? I’m a huge Greg Tonagel fan, but despite both Homer and Bryce recommending him, he didn’t get an interview. If you can get GT, or Bryce, make the move.

*Greg Tonagel info - Currently 28-4, having played 18 teams ranked or receiving votes in NAIA DII
Bio: http://www.iwuwildcats.com/roster/54/6/6826

by **Saluki 4 Life** » March 2nd, 2020, 8:06 am

AcesAces wrote:Keep him. The Coach brought in the best player on the team, Freeman-Liberty from Chicago, a player who is going to be all MVC next year. Why would you think about removing the coach when there is so much upside?

UE is on its 4th coach in 3 years (Simmons had to go) and our record has gotten worse each year. Replacing a coach at this level is not that easy. The grass is not always greener.

Do we actually believe JFL is going to stay? The only reason he is there right now is because he could not get into Northwestern. I am sure some of their top players will leave again. Until they prove otherwise, that is just what they do every offseason.

by **VUGrad1314** » March 2nd, 2020, 9:26 am

Saluki 4 Life wrote:
AcesAces wrote:Keep him. The Coach brought in the best player on the team, Freeman-Liberty from Chicago, a player who is going to be all MVC next year. Why would you think about removing the coach when there is so much upside?

UE is on its 4th coach in 3 years (Simmons had to go) and our record has gotten worse each year. Replacing a coach at this level is not that easy. The grass is not always greener.

Do we actually believe JFL is going to stay? The only reason he is there right now is because he could not get into Northwestern. I am sure some of their top players will leave again. Until they prove otherwise, that is just what they do every offseason.

We're not sure ourselves if he would stay because he did explore his options last offseason and whether we have improved enough to keep him happy is certainly a matter of debate but the overwhelming majority of your post is so false that you should be ashamed. We didn't have a mass exodus after our first year in the MVC. We had a tough (and needed) rebuild. Also, Northwestern SUCKS this year and has sucked for the overwhelming majority of its history to the degree that their coach will probably be fired this year. Is it so inconceivable that he took one look at the roster and the program and thought "No thanks it's no better than my current situation because I want to win?" Your personal shot at Javon saying he didn't transfer because he "couldn't get into Northwestern" is noted and not appreciated. That is the most shameful part of your post. If that had been the case he would have transferred and any academic issues would have been very public because I remember Morthwestern had to refuse a recruit that same offseason for academic reasons.

by **tribecalledquest** » March 2nd, 2020, 9:55 am

AcesAces wrote:Keep him. The Coach brought in the best player on the team, Freeman-Liberty from Chicago, a player who is going to be all MVC next year. Why would you think about removing the coach when there is so much upside?

UE is on its 4th coach in 3 years (Simmons had to go) and our record has gotten worse each year. Replacing a coach at this level is not that easy. The grass is not always greener.

100%.

Fire Lottich - goodbye Freeman Liberty. Good luck finding another guy as good as him right away.