For a discussion on how to truly maximize non conference scheduling, see Rails' thread about the topic...

Posted by dacj501 on 6/8/2012 4:31:00 PM (view original):
For a discussion on how to truly maximize non conference scheduling, see Rails' thread about the topic...

+1 his rules on non conference scheduling are actually self defeating

I've posted conference rules before, for the benefit of any new coaches:

1) Restrict your recruiting to North and South Dakota
2) Submit your gameplan for review prior to each game.

I know they seem harsh but new coaches appreciate this simplified approach to the game.

Posted by dacj501 on 6/8/2012 2:59:00 PM (view original):

Posted by mjp8 on 6/8/2012 2:58:00 PM (view original):
oh no don't get me wrong, I think what he said was wrong. My post wasn't about trying to cover my *** it was more to say, I think this is how battling conference mates should work and there shouldn't be a hard rule.

I guess I'm just trying to say what he wrote doesn't speak for the conference and there has never been a hard rule like that laid out. Though we have had 2 coaches battle and hate each other over it followed by people saying things like "that's why I don't battle conference mates" but that is far from establishing a rule or colluding on players

I'm mostly feeling you mjp, but I'd go one further and say that the only rule in recruiting is every man for himself. Anything else that restricts recruiting options against some schools but not others is, well, not good...

I rarely "poach" (for lack of a better term) opponents, so I'd never even think about doing so to conference mates.  But that's just me. 

well ... I don't have any problem with someone posting that "in this conference we don't normally battle each other".

But, I have never seen a conference where there are no battles if two (or more) teams all end up on the same guy at about the same time .. so I guess what it really means is that in this conference we don't usually jump on conference mates guys late.

That is usually how I recruit anyway ... the only time I might do it differently is if I was away for the first 36 or so hours of recruiting, etc.

I don't think it is collusion to adhere to some basic guidelines like these ... where it would become collusion would be if a subset of coaches come up with a separate agreement about specific areas, etc.  (ie, Jim ... if you never come into Kentucky, I will never recruit in Tennessee, etc.)

Besides, if a C- team has a stud 5 star recruit and the A+ team wants/needs him then they are not REALLY going to adhere by that silly conference agreement anyway

I'm in one the most competitive D3 conferences in all of HD and there are many heavily contested recruiting battles every season and I think it only makes it more fun.  Some of my biggest rivals are my conference mates and I wouldn't think twice about taking a recruit from one of them, I know it's been done to me, and if my conf mate has the means to take a recruit from me, good for them.  They may be my conference mates, but they are also my biggest competition.  

Posted by tkimble on 6/9/2012 12:04:00 PM (view original):
I'm in one the most competitive D3 conferences in all of HD and there are many heavily contested recruiting battles every season and I think it only makes it more fun.  Some of my biggest rivals are my conference mates and I wouldn't think twice about taking a recruit from one of them, I know it's been done to me, and if my conf mate has the means to take a recruit from me, good for them.  They may be my conference mates, but they are also my biggest competition.  

+1000

This really kinda makes me want to join that conference and get into a bunch of intra-conference recruiting battles.

took a peek at their CC to see how things are shaking out. The coach that posted the "rules" is now poaching one of the conference mates. While I'm glad he got the message, the irony is rather delicious...

Posted by dacj501 on 6/11/2012 3:20:00 PM (view original):
took a peek at their CC to see how things are shaking out. The coach that posted the "rules" is now poaching one of the conference mates. While I'm glad he got the message, the irony is rather delicious...

haha Dac it was pretty funny, I was waiting for an outsider to notice it.  I don't know that I would call it poaching since I normally consider that jumping on a player player at the last minute after a coach got comfortable and was expecting to sign him, but it was quite ironic to jump into a battle with a conference mate.