QB U

[clawman1]

Eastern has become known as QB-U of the FCS so they in turn attract the best receivers. Kind of like the kids that want to play for the dip shit in Pullman. He throws it around a lot so attracts QB's and receivers like to play with a QB that can throw catchable balls. And everyone wants to play on winning teams that is why the Eagles continue to out recruit other BS teams.

 

[dudeitsaid]

Eastern has become known as QB-U of the FCS so they in turn attract the best receivers. Kind of like the kids that want to play for the dip shit in Pullman. He throws it around a lot so attracts QB's and receivers like to play with a QB that can throw catchable balls. And everyone wants to play on winning teams that is why the Eagles continue to out recruit other BS teams.

But I thought Cal Poly got the best receivers in the Big Sky...

In all seriousness, our model seems to be becoming more popular in our conference, and there are a few schools where receivers can make a name for themselves, especially ISU, MSU, and UM. I wonder what ISU will be like next year with Arias graduating.

 

[MLEagle]

First and foremost EWU has had a run of top coaches for the last 30 years. There has been tremendous consistency with only 4 head coaches in that time and Baldwin is the best we've ever had.

Secondly, we are in a great state for recruiting FCS talent with little competition. Washington has almost 7 million people and only 2 FBS programs, 1 FCS program and 1 D II program to compete for all that talent. Compare that to a state like Utah with 4.5 million people and 3 FBS, 2 FCS and I'm not sure how many D II programs.

These two factors are what allow us to get top talent to play for EWU.

 

[EWU98]

I would also add Idaho with that statement as no one wants to stay there especially go play for the vandals. Boise is our. Only competition and now that Petersonso gonena we can really move in there.

 

[EWURanger]

First and foremost EWU has had a run of top coaches for the last 30 years. There has been tremendous consistency with only 4 head coaches in that time and Baldwin is the best we've ever had.

Secondly, we are in a great state for recruiting FCS talent with little competition. Washington has almost 7 million people and only 2 FBS programs, 1 FCS program and 1 D II program to compete for all that talent. Compare that to a state like Utah with 4.5 million people and 3 FBS, 2 FCS and I'm not sure how many D II programs.

These two factors are what allow us to get top talent to play for EWU.

Very valid points. This isn't necessarily specific to the QB piece, but more along the lines of why the entire program has been successful for quite a few years.

1. Washington State - I honestly feel like this is the best overall advantage that EWU holds over most Big Sky schools. Washington is a very under-rated HS football state which produces a bunch of Big Sky caliber football players every year - and as was mentioned before, there are only 2 FBS schools and a DII school to compete with. Sure, we lose some of those kids to schools like Montana, PSU, or some of the lower-level FBS programs, but I still think we get the best kids from the state that fit our program. The real benefit in this is that EWU can operate on a smaller budget than UM, MSU, etc. but still maintain at least the same levels of talent, if not better. That is to say, we can keep 75% or so of our scholarship money in-state, which keeps the overall costs down by quite a bit. UM and MSU have bigger football budgets, sure, but they spend quite a bit more of their scholarship money on out of state players, which drives their costs way up.

2. Coaching - As you mentioned, we'd have tremendous consistency during for quite a while - and more or less, most of them have been in some way, shape, or form off-chutes of the Erickson coaching tree. Baldwin has obviously been the best of the bunch as far as results go, but the wheel was in motion long before him. We've always had great coaches that have made the most of what they've had to work with.

3. Tradition - Guys want to go where they are going to win. Enough said about that.

Things that hold us back - Facilities. That's about it. Yes, we need to generate more revenue for the program, but we cannot hold any more fans than the seats we can sell. Stabilizing attendance averages at over 10,000 is great, but it's not enough.

As far as QB's - I think it boils down to two things - Recognizing HS players that have the potential to be great in the EWU offense, and then developing those players to be the best they can be. Both of those have purely to do with Coaching. Beau knows QB's.

 

[eaglesfootball]

as much as it is overplayed I think the distinctive turf and all the different uniform combos are things that make kids want to play at EWU. HS kids love that stuff. Biggest thing is probably great coaching though.

 

[EWU Grad 82]

I think coach Baldwin and his staff have raised the art of recruiting of in-state talent to a science. Their ability to locate and recruit in-state players has hampered both UM and MSU in their searches for regional talent. This is a big part of the reason why Eastern has dominated the Montana schools the past few seasons.

I think Eastern's winning records and their high-profile games with UW, WSU and OSU have helped their efforts to attract players such as Kendrick Bourne, Zach Wimberly, Cooper Kupp, Nic Sblendorio, Jordan West, Frank Cange, Jake Hoffman,Victor Gamboa, and Jordan Tonani. In the past talented athletes such as these young men may well have gone on to become a Griz or a Cat.

It will be fun to see what future talent Baldwin and crew have in the pipeline.

 

[LDopaPDX]

First and foremost EWU has had a run of top coaches for the last 30 years. There has been tremendous consistency with only 4 head coaches in that time and Baldwin is the best we've ever had.

Secondly, we are in a great state for recruiting FCS talent with little competition. Washington has almost 7 million people and only 2 FBS programs, 1 FCS program and 1 D II program to compete for all that talent. Compare that to a state like Utah with 4.5 million people and 3 FBS, 2 FCS and I'm not sure how many D II programs.

These two factors are what allow us to get top talent to play for EWU.

Very valid points. This isn't necessarily specific to the QB piece, but more along the lines of why the entire program has been successful for quite a few years.

1. Washington State - I honestly feel like this is the best overall advantage that EWU holds over most Big Sky schools. Washington is a very under-rated HS football state which produces a bunch of Big Sky caliber football players every year - and as was mentioned before, there are only 2 FBS schools and a DII school to compete with. Sure, we lose some of those kids to schools like Montana, PSU, or some of the lower-level FBS programs, but I still think we get the best kids from the state that fit our program. The real benefit in this is that EWU can operate on a smaller budget than UM, MSU, etc. but still maintain at least the same levels of talent, if not better. That is to say, we can keep 75% or so of our scholarship money in-state, which keeps the overall costs down by quite a bit. UM and MSU have bigger football budgets, sure, but they spend quite a bit more of their scholarship money on out of state players, which drives their costs way up.

2. Coaching - As you mentioned, we'd have tremendous consistency during for quite a while - and more or less, most of them have been in some way, shape, or form off-chutes of the Erickson coaching tree. Baldwin has obviously been the best of the bunch as far as results go, but the wheel was in motion long before him. We've always had great coaches that have made the most of what they've had to work with.

3. Tradition - Guys want to go where they are going to win. Enough said about that.

Things that hold us back - Facilities. That's about it. Yes, we need to generate more revenue for the program, but we cannot hold any more fans than the seats we can sell. Stabilizing attendance averages at over 10,000 is great, but it's not enough.

As far as QB's - I think it boils down to two things - Recognizing HS players that have the potential to be great in the EWU offense, and then developing those players to be the best they can be. Both of those have purely to do with Coaching. Beau knows QB's.

I agree with all, but not sure where Erickson fits in. Kramer and Wulff were both assistants under Dick Zornes, and Baldwin was hooked up by Zamberlin (who also worked under Zornes).

And as everyone will agree, it's that facilities piece that holds us back. In fact, I'd argue the facilities on the whole are fine, the problem is specific to the stadium.

 

[clawman1]

I think coach Baldwin and his staff have raised the art of recruiting of in-state talent to a science. Their ability to locate and recruit in-state players has hampered both UM and MSU in their searches for regional talent. This is a big part of the reason why Eastern has dominated the Montana schools the past few seasons.

I think Eastern's winning records and their high-profile games with UW, WSU and OSU have helped their efforts to attract players such as Kendrick Bourne, Zach Wimberly, Cooper Kupp, Nic Sblendorio, Jordan West, Frank Cange, Jake Hoffman,Victor Gamboa, and Jordan Tonani. In the past talented athletes such as these young men may well have gone on to become a Griz or a Cat.

It will be fun to see what future talent Baldwin and crew have in the pipeline.

Bohls and Kramer have been sniffing around Washington lately too. What does Baldwin and staff do best, talking a recruit into coming to Eastern or developing the under rated kid (Cooper) into a star.

 

[EWURanger]

First and foremost EWU has had a run of top coaches for the last 30 years. There has been tremendous consistency with only 4 head coaches in that time and Baldwin is the best we've ever had.

Secondly, we are in a great state for recruiting FCS talent with little competition. Washington has almost 7 million people and only 2 FBS programs, 1 FCS program and 1 D II program to compete for all that talent. Compare that to a state like Utah with 4.5 million people and 3 FBS, 2 FCS and I'm not sure how many D II programs.

These two factors are what allow us to get top talent to play for EWU.

Very valid points. This isn't necessarily specific to the QB piece, but more along the lines of why the entire program has been successful for quite a few years.

1. Washington State - I honestly feel like this is the best overall advantage that EWU holds over most Big Sky schools. Washington is a very under-rated HS football state which produces a bunch of Big Sky caliber football players every year - and as was mentioned before, there are only 2 FBS schools and a DII school to compete with. Sure, we lose some of those kids to schools like Montana, PSU, or some of the lower-level FBS programs, but I still think we get the best kids from the state that fit our program. The real benefit in this is that EWU can operate on a smaller budget than UM, MSU, etc. but still maintain at least the same levels of talent, if not better. That is to say, we can keep 75% or so of our scholarship money in-state, which keeps the overall costs down by quite a bit. UM and MSU have bigger football budgets, sure, but they spend quite a bit more of their scholarship money on out of state players, which drives their costs way up.

2. Coaching - As you mentioned, we'd have tremendous consistency during for quite a while - and more or less, most of them have been in some way, shape, or form off-chutes of the Erickson coaching tree. Baldwin has obviously been the best of the bunch as far as results go, but the wheel was in motion long before him. We've always had great coaches that have made the most of what they've had to work with.

3. Tradition - Guys want to go where they are going to win. Enough said about that.

Things that hold us back - Facilities. That's about it. Yes, we need to generate more revenue for the program, but we cannot hold any more fans than the seats we can sell. Stabilizing attendance averages at over 10,000 is great, but it's not enough.

As far as QB's - I think it boils down to two things - Recognizing HS players that have the potential to be great in the EWU offense, and then developing those players to be the best they can be. Both of those have purely to do with Coaching. Beau knows QB's.

I agree with all, but not sure where Erickson fits in. Kramer and Wulff were both assistants under Dick Zornes, and Baldwin was hooked up by Zamberlin (who also worked under Zornes).

And as everyone will agree, it's that facilities piece that holds us back. In fact, I'd argue the facilities on the whole are fine, the problem is specific to the stadium.

Total brain fart there. I meant Zornes.

That said, Baldwin's offense is based on Erickson's original 1-Back offense.