Rocky: 0:36

Welcome to the Mohawk Valley Sports Watch. Thanks for making us part of your Sunday morning here with the coach, Rocky Krigliano. And it's good to be back here on the Mohawk Valley Sports Watch. Good lineup for you this morning here in just a little bit. We'll have friend of the show coach John Snyder, the Notre Dame girls head basketball coach. We'll talk to him in just a few minutes. And then at the bottom of the hour, we'll talk to first year head football coach at Colgate. Just won yesterday. Finished off a good season for Coach Fitz in his first year there at the helm of the Red Raiders. So we'll talk to Coach at about 9.30. And then we might have Peggs. We might have the stat man. We might have the whole crew on here this morning. Not 100% sure, but the show must go on. It's good to be back. I just want to run through a few scores from yesterday. Want to give a shout out to Coach Foz and the Utica Pioneers for finishing out a great season. They fell just a little bit short yesterday in their bowl game to Rowan. They made a comeback. They made a game of it late, but uh they fell 26-20. Uh that was the ECAC bowl game that they hosted yesterday at Gaetano Stadium. So congrats to Coach and the team on a fantastic season. And I'll let you know when next week we'll wrap up the final show with Coach on Inside Utica University Podcast. Across section three, uh football, uh Tayoga beat Lowville 28-14. So Lowville season comes to an end in Class D. Hats off to them, though, 11-1, um, a fantastic season. They beat Dodgeville in the Section 3 finals, but their season comes to an end in the regionals. Moving on in the Class A regional game, Union Endicott 46, Whitesboro 22. Whitesboro season comes to an end as well. They finished 10-2, so congrats to Coach Smith and the Whitesboro boys on another 10-win season and another Section 3 title. And then on Saturday, there was a slate of games, Chenango Forks. Well, I got to tip my hat to Chenango Forks because my company, we do the busting for them. Um, they've always been good to me and my and my Bernie team. Uh, they beat General Brown in the Class C game, 47-24. The eight-man um state uh semifinal game, Morrisville eating a section three, beat Taconic Hills 56-21. Christian Brothers uh CBA beat Elmira Southside. I think that score was 42-7. So if you're watching, I didn't see the final, but I believe it was 42-7 in favor of the brothers last night against Elmira. So they will move on again. A quest for another state championship. And then a friend of the show, Coach Kramer and the Spartans. They rallied late. They were down 20 points. They rallied late to take the lead under two minutes to go. And Owigo, Free Academy, kicked a game winning field goal to beat the Spartans 36-34. What a show put on by Peyton Way and Johnny Fatulo last night for New Hartford. The New Hartford season comes to an end after an 11-win season. And I think Coach over the last three years is like 30-3. So a fantastic run with that group of kids and uh section three title. I know they're probably not happy and disappointed this morning when they wake up, but hats off, a fantastic season for the Spartans of New Hartford. And then Colgate, as I said, at the bottom of the 9 o'clock hour, we'll talk to Kurt Fitzpatrick and his first year at the home. They beat Buck Down on senior day yesterday at home 38-19. So they finish off the year at 5-7. It's a team that last year only won one game in his first year at the home. They were competitive in a lot of games. There were some games that they had a good chance late in. They gave up some leads late, but to come back after a season like last year and win five games with this group. Colgate is in good hands with Coach Fitz. Um, there's no doubt about it. I think Colgate's a fantastic fit for him and his coaching staff. I want to give a shout out to Coach Cahill, the new harf or the New York Mills native, uh, and his Lehigh team last night. They they beat Lafayette in the rivalry game, who I think game day. Um, and they they mentioned it on um ESPN yesterday, that it was an option to go for game day. They did pick the game. Lehigh Lafayette is one of the oldest rivalries in the country at the Division I level. And uh Coach Cahill and the guys won, so they punched their ticket. They finish 11-0, and we'll get to the FCF playoffs. So congratulations to Coach Cahill. He's another coach that uh has been on this show numerous times. And I'm sure we'll have him on again here throughout the playoffs. Um there's another former uh coach that I played for, Coach Rich Naggy's the defensive coordinator there, so I want to give Coach a shout out. And then former Colgate head coach, Coach Hunt, he's the offensive coordinator there, so I want to give Coach Coach a shout out uh as well. So those are some of the scores, and I see we got Coach Snyder on, so why don't we bring Coach on? He's a little early, but it's always good to be early when you're a coach. So let's uh let's pull him on here this morning with me. Coach, how are you, my friend? I'm doing well. Good morning. Good morning to you. It's uh when I whenever I see your face, I'm like, it's gotta be girls' basketball season because you're always the first coach I have on. So it's always good to catch up, coach.

Coach John Snyder: 5:44

Yeah, it's an exciting time for sure. Great, great to be here. Thanks.

Rocky: 5:48

It's hard to believe it's already here, though. I feel like I get into the football season, and before I know it, I'm like, well, the high school season just ended. College, we have one more week of the regular season, and then we get to wait for the playoffs and all that. But then when we get late in the year and in football, that means the start of hoop season. So we go from one to the other.

Coach John Snyder: 6:04

So always time flies faster and faster, it feels like every year.

Rocky: 6:08

It sure does. So, coach, let's talk first. Um, I feel like I've been saying this to you for since I've been I've been talking with you on the show, but uh, you know, it's it's it's so different when you're the you're the team that everybody wants to beat, and you know um coming off the section three titles that every team you guys play, non-conference, which we'll get into your schedule in a little bit, you're gonna get their best shot no matter what.

Coach John Snyder: 6:32

Yeah, you have to be prepared, you know, you have to be focused, uh, you have to embrace that challenge. And we've done a pretty good job of it uh the last couple years. So uh, you know, it's it's exciting, it's great, and you know, we look forward to the challenge.

Rocky: 6:47

Yeah, and coach, I know I've asked you this, and you guys always play a non-conference, a tough non-conference schedule. Uh, then you get into the Tri-Valley League, which we'll get into in a little bit too. But, you know, when I looked at the schedule last year, and I know I had talked to you about the schedule last year, you know, Aquinas was there who's one of the best programs. Shaker was there, you guys played Greenwich, and then it seemed like every every game after you played those games, you guys went on a huge, huge run. I think after the Aquinas loss, coach, I think you guys won like eight or nine straight heading into um sectionals. But talk to us about that non-conference schedule, how much that helps you guys throughout the year.

Coach John Snyder: 7:23

Yeah, it's something we really focus on and and try to challenge ourselves. You know, we we believe we have a good group. We hope that we can continue to perform at a high level. We have big goals and to prepare ourselves for those things. We we try to seek out any challenge that we can get. So um, you know, our league is a wonderful league, but we also try to challenge ourselves uh outside the league and play bigger schools and schools from different areas uh as much as we can, you know, just to see different styles, uh, you know, different levels of physicality, um, and just get us prepared.

Rocky: 7:56

And coach, I think uh too, looking back to is it, you know, state championship, been to a final four, you've won back-to-back section, section three titles. Do you or the girls feel any added pressure, you know, year in and year out with, you know, you got you got some girls back who will get into the roster in a little bit, but do you guys feel any extra pressure being that you you've been to the final four, state championship, section three titles? Any extra stress weigh on your guy's shoulders?

Coach John Snyder: 8:22

You know, I don't know if it's it's stress. You know, there's certainly a nervous anxiety, I think, that's natural. Like we talk about embracing, like if you don't feel some nerves or I guess some stress, however you want to say it, you know, you probably don't care enough, you know. So um we've been fortunate to deal well with with those situations. You know, again, you try to put in the work, you try to to go through the the everyday details that prepare you for those moments. And, you know, last year we got bitten, you know, it shows you how lucky we were to some extent on our state championship run. You have to be really good and you have to have some things break your way. Um, but you just try to be as prepared as you can be for those those tough moments.

Rocky: 9:00

And coach, this year um, you know, you'll return both the trinkises, and then you got some young young girls that uh, you know, play some key roles for you as well. Talk to us about this roster, and some of the girls will be we'll be hearing their names throughout the season.

Coach John Snyder: 9:14

Sure. I mean, everything starts with the Trinkis girls. Uh, you know, everybody knows their names. Um, you don't really need to talk about them too much. They're special kids and great players. Um, you know, we had two young girls uh come up and play for us a lot last year, but we do have five seniors, you know, besides Aaron and Ella. Uh we have Emma Johnson, who's played a lot of minutes for us even in the state championship game a few years ago. Tessa R. Curie, Jenna Heron. So led by the seniors for sure. You know, it'll be a tough run. Uh, you know, the final run here will be emotional, I'm sure, um, to with that group who was a big part of our state championship. But then, you know, last year, a lot of people, you talk about pressure and things. We had that target on our back from the state championship, but we started two freshmen last year, um, you know, and it was a transition year moving up to class A, and you know, still were able to get that sectional title. So that was a really big thing for us. I think we dealt with that stress and pressure with some new faces and people in new roles. And, you know, this year it's everybody's back. Everybody who played minutes for us last year is back. So um hopefully we can keep that focus, you know, keep you know, our mindset right uh because as you say, everyone gets better, you know, and and the challenge for us only grows because the target gets bigger.

Rocky: 10:26

So and coach, how does this year's team compare to? I know every every coach would say every every team is different. As you just said, a lot of this team is back from a year ago that played some minutes for you, which is which is awesome. But how does the team makeup this year differentiate from your team last year?

Coach John Snyder: 10:42

Okay, I think those two younger girls, Lily Johnson, our point guard, and uh Jules Otis, uh, who plays a lot of minutes for us to like guard forward, you know, their growth is big, you know, as talented and good as they were as freshmen, and they've got a lot of experience, they were freshmen, and you know, some of those things showed up at different times, but they have a lot of confidence. I think that confidence is growing, uh, you know, and they experience strength just as you get a little bit older. Uh, you know, so we're looking for big things for them. And you know, again, Ella, Ella is unique. She just committed to St. Bonaventure's uh St. Bonaventure. Uh, so she's a division one athlete, she's a special player. You know what you're gonna get from her. It's it's kind of everybody around her. And I I think, again, people will target Ella. And I think we did a pretty good job last year of showing that we're a lot more than her. Uh, obviously, we wouldn't want to play without her, but uh, but but we have a lot of great players around her too, and and how all those kids step up and and continue to improve will be huge for us.

Rocky: 11:39

And coach, you mentioned the TVL League, and uh the TVL league's always good top to bottom. But talk to us about this year's TVL League. Who are some teams, you know, on the up and coming? And and um is there any any any teams in there that should push you guys?

Coach John Snyder: 11:53

Yeah, I mean, there's a lot of great teams in our half of the Tri Valley, you know, Rome, where you you certainly are connected to, has some great young young ladies uh that are continuing to improve, they're getting older. Um, you know, I think they're incredibly talented. It'll be a big challenge. You know, New Hartford is in class A with us. They're they're probably one of the favorites in class A. Um, you know, in our in our own league, right there across from us. I expect them to be a very good seed. They gave us, you know, a great game last year uh when we played them. So um a lot of challenges out there. Whitesboro's had got some great players coming back on our half of the league. And uh, you know, again, every everybody in the league's good. It's it's historically good programs. And uh, you know, again, nobody knew who Ella was until she came on the scene. You know, there's there's always young up and coming players, and you know, everybody kind of thinks you have everybody back, so it's just gonna be a you know you know a walkthrough again, and it's far from the case. And you know, I know what's out there, and I know you know kids that are really working at it and make that jump uh as they move up through the grades, you know. So I expect a lot of tough challenges for us.

Rocky: 12:59

And coach, what's this team got to do maybe different than last year's team to to not only win another Section Three title and make a deep run into the state playoff?

Coach John Snyder: 13:08

Yeah, I mean, I think the big difference from our state championship team, you know, partially was that age, you know, we lost four seniors off that team compared to last year. And I think, you know, being a little bit younger, uh again, that physicality is different. Uh, you know, have somebody that's an enforcer out there for you a little bit, you know, you know, you need that sometimes. Um, so improving that, you know, our our defensive mentality, just being a little tougher, uh dealing with teams that try to beat us up a little bit, a little bit better. Again, that's where we go out and try and play some of those bigger schools who who have some bigger, stronger, faster athletes uh to challenge us and get used to that pressure. Um, you know, those are the things we need to continue to work on and get better at.

Rocky: 13:50

And coach, I know we we've talked about the Trinkis Girls quite a bit, and we've talked about them for the last so many years and a big part of your program. But let's just talk a little bit about Ella. I know Ella did, as you mentioned, sign to play at St. Bonaventures, and the whole Trinkis Girls have been fantastic for uh for the program. But can you just talk a little bit about how special of a player she is and just the type of person that she is?

Coach John Snyder: 14:12

Yeah, I mean, that's the thing that it starts with is the person that she is, you know. That's uh and it leads into the player that she is, just a hardworking, you know, wonderful kid, unselfish, um, you know, so talented. The thing I talk about with Ella is people don't realize how good she is, is that you know, if she has a bad shooting night, she's probably gonna go get you 25 points just because she chases every ball. She gets every I mean, her rebounding stats are unbelievable. Uh, you know, the effort that she puts in on every single play is what differentiates her. I mean, and then you know, she's a really good shooter too, and she gets a lot of attention, so she doesn't get as many open looks, you know, last year, especially. Um, but you know, she starts hitting three pointers, and and man, it's a tough night for the opponent. So it's nice to it's nice to have her on your side.

Rocky: 14:57

So and coach, are you guys tipping it off at the start here? Is it the zebra classic you are playing in next week?

Coach John Snyder: 15:03

Yeah, we're really quick here. So uh we got a big challenge with Liverpool coming up, um, you know, end of next week. Uh so they're you know, obviously a perennial power. They're two-time uh, you know, in the state championship game in triple A. Uh, so big school, great program, great coach, great athletes. Uh, so that's a big challenge for us right off the bait, right off the bat, and we'll, you know, be a good measuring stick for us.

Rocky: 15:26

Well, I look forward to uh getting a chance to see it during the season. And uh I know we'll have you on again throughout the season, but I always appreciate it. And one thing, coach, that's been really cool is you know, the community's been behind you guys for a long time. And to see the community support, talk to us what that means to you and your program.

Coach John Snyder: 15:45

It's a huge thing. I mean, Notre Dame is a really a close-knit family type place. You know, I went to school there, my kids went to school there. A lot of connections, you know, just throughout the area and even beyond people that have left that still touch base and reach back out to us. You know, we're taking a trip to Florida as kind of a thank you to my five seniors this year. So we're gonna play some games down there against some very big schools that are good. We're playing Marion from Illinois in uh the first round of that tournament. And uh, you know, people that have supported us in our runs, the fan support, you know, even when we're down when things aren't great, uh, you know, and when you have a tough loss, but just so many people there supporting us. It's a wonderful community and and great for our girls. And you know, our girls try to give we try to give back to the community as well. So it's you know just a great interaction.

Rocky: 16:30

Well, I got you making a deep run. I think we're all looking forward to uh the season. And uh again, coach, I hopefully I'll get a chance to see you at one of the games this year, and uh we'll definitely do it again. But I appreciate you always coming on with me to talk some hoops.

Coach John Snyder: 16:42

Yeah, I'd love to do it. Thank you so much.

Rocky: 16:45

Thanks, Coach.

Coach John Snyder: 16:46

Take care. Bye-bye.

Rocky: 16:48

So that was Coach John Snyder, the head coach at uh Notre Dame, who's uh who's been coming out with us now for I think probably the last two or three years, and he's been always so gracious to come out with me. I love talking to him. I love talking to him throughout the season, and I know we'll do it again uh soon. He's got a special group. Um I think they can make another deep run and chase a not only a Section 3 title, but I think they can chase a state championship as well. So thanks to Coach for uh for tuning on here uh with me this morning. So up next at about 9.30, we'll have Coach Fitzpatrick on. Really excited to talk to Coach Fitz. I the last time I talked to Coach Fitz uh is when he was at Cortland. He was also at uh SUNY Morrisville. He's a Utica uh Utica guy that was on Coach Faz's staff uh as well. So we will talk to him at about 9.30. So uh more to come here from um the Mohawk Valley Sports Watch. I do also want to run through, I don't know um last night a lot of people were on me. I'm gonna run through some of the uh the scores here um across uh college football. And I was really happy to see last night. I was watching the Penn State game, and I root for Penn State during the year, except when they play Michigan. Um the head coach, the interim head coach is Terry Smith, who uh was a wide receiver at Penn State. Um his dad played at Penn State. Um he was on the staff with Coach Franklin. Um the game before, I think it was they beat Michigan State, they carried him off the field, and then last night, man, was like out of a movie, if you didn't see it. If you didn't see it, I think I posted on my Facebook page just a clip of Coach walking off into the tunnel. The entire stadium was yelling, Terry, Terry. The players love him. Um some of the the old players, Michael Robinson, who I think was doing a game for NBC last night um at halftime, said the alumni um are pushing for Terry Smith. And I don't know what Penn State's gonna do. I think that's the crazy thing with these coaches, is a lot of the guys, um the big name coaches, and I think Lane Kiffin's still gonna stay, but there's rumors out there that LSU's gonna offer him um ninety thousand dollars, uh which would be absolutely crazy. Um, but that's what I that's what I'm hearing. But I think a lot of those coaches um right now are deciding to stay. Um, and I think that that says something because they're getting bigger deals. But I think if you're Penn State right now, and it to me, at least it shows or seems like I don't know if Pat Kraft had a plan for who the next coach was going to be unless he's gotten shot down. Because all these coaches, Matt Rule staying at Nebraska, um Lane Kiffin's not coming to Penn State, um, but a lot of these guys' names, I keep hearing Bob Chesney, who I said on the podcast um last week with Steve Cully, is I said, I think Bob Chesney would be a fantastic fit. But after watching the last couple weeks, Terry Smith's gotten Penn State to play really good football, they're motivated, they're inspired. But is Penn State gonna look for a big name guy? Um, or you're gonna look for a Penn State guy? You know, I think that's always the question I would ask myself is, you know, do you want the guy that that bleeds blue and white uh through and through and is a true Penn State guy? And a lot of those uh recruits would probably stay. The only thing I would probably have to go back and question is I probably would have to say if they give it to Terry Smith, and I don't know if they will, I think it's a good story if they do, does he keep all the coaches to where basically it's Franklin's coaches, Franklin's recruits, uh-huh, just a new head coach, which sometimes gives a team a f a fresh look, or does Terry Smith make any changes? Because I think offensively they looked better. Um I think Penn State's went back to let's run the football, let's not get too fancy. Um, and those Nate Singleton and Katron Allen last night in the last two, three weeks of the season have been fantastic for Penn State. And I think defensively, that's the defense I think that all of us, including myself, who picked Penn State to start the season as my pick to win the national championship, because I thought they were built like Ohio State. Thought they were built like the Buckeyes last year that brought everybody back. I thought they were built like the Michigan team two years ago that won a national championship with the seniors and the fifth-year seniors that were back. So I had picked Penn State. I don't know what happened. I don't know what happened. It spiraled downhill, and then Terry Smith comes on board as the interim and gets his team playing well. They got a chance next week. If they can win next week, they have a chance to um go to a bowl game. And I would guarantee you that K Trine Allen, Nate Singleton, and all those players don't opt out if they go to a bowl game. And I think that'll tell you something about the type of person and coach that Terry Smith is. Some of the scores from last night, Ohio State will take that 11-0 record in T game next Saturday at high noon. Fox will have it. Um my jersey comes out. We're on a four-game win streak against Ohio State. Um, nobody's gonna give Michigan a chance, probably including myself. Um, but nobody gave him a chance last year as a 20-something point dog. Uh, went on the road in Columbus and beat Ohio State. Um, my wife and I will be on different couches next week. We won't talk to each other next week for probably the day. Um, but again, she's got bragging rights because not only did Ohio State win the national championship last year, I had bragging rights to say Michigan's beat them four years in a row. And I'll say this if Michigan wins, I don't think Ohio State plays for the Big Ten title game, so they can spoil that. If Ohio State beats Michigan, Michigan, I don't think, will get into the college football playoffs. I think if Michigan wins, they get into the playoff and they spoil Ohio State's, I wouldn't say their season, but their chances to play for another Big Ten title. If Ohio State wins, they'll play Indiana in the Big Ten title game. So they've looked apart. I don't think they've been challenged all year because of the schedule, but they're still doing what they're doing. They're beating everybody on their schedule, and they are doing it at a high level. So Ohio State 42-9 over Rutgers yesterday. That game was close at halftime, 14-3. Um AM 48-0 over Samford. Georgia beat Charlotte 35-3. Oregon in a good game at home against Lincoln Riley's USC team, who I think USC was a lot better this year. I think USC is going to end up with nine wins better than a year ago, but is 9-3 good enough for USC? Is Lincoln Riley a candidate for any of these big jobs? I think they are starting to fit the part. They're running the ball a lot more. Um, but Oregon looked good yesterday at home. Oregon will finish the season off next week with a chance to go 11-1, and they'll be in the college football playoff. So moving on down the line, Oklahoma's 17-6 over Missouri. John Mateer back. I think he's getting better, but that defense for Oklahoma is really good. Um and hats off to Brent Venables because if he wins next week, he's in the college football playoff. And Venables was a guy whose name was on the hot seat at Oklahoma. And here he's got Oklahoma, I think, a game away from being in the college football playoff. Notre Dame, I know the Syracuse fans don't like me. Preseason, I picked Syracuse to go 4-8. Now I'm even thinking, I don't know if they can beat Boston College. I don't think Syracuse can beat anybody at this point. I don't even know if Syracuse can beat CBA at this point. 70-7 was the score yesterday at Notre Dame. I think it was like 21-0 before the offense of Notre Dame even stepped on the field. That game was 49-0 at halftime. 49-0. I think that's the worst loss in Syracuse history. Giving up 70 points. I know it's a really good Notre Dame team. A really good team. I'm not taking anything away from Marcus Freeman because I think Notre Dame's gonna, if they win out, um I think it's got a good chance to get to the playoff. But Syracuse, man, they have hit rock bottom. There's no doubt about it. And I know a lot of people are going to talk about the Angeli thing, and I I don't disagree with any Syracuse fan or Alum at all. Angeli went down, this team completely collapsed. But I said this for the last couple weeks. The biggest thing that I'm disappointed in with Syracuse is I don't think the rock I don't think the players got any better. You know, I I don't want to use the Bill Belichick comparison because North Carolina got beat to Duke yesterday, but I'm going to here for a minute because I think if I look at like North Carolina, they were really bad to start the year. They've been in games to end the year. I think they've gotten better in a lot of areas at North Carolina, and I'm just using North Carolina as an example. And I look at Syracuse and I say, where'd they get any better? The quarterback position, how Fran Brown's handled, it's been a complete joke. Complete joke, complete disaster how he's handled it, um, which tells me they were 100% all in at Angeli. And I know he said he's going to come back. But what's that do for the recruits? Because Fran Brown can recruit, there's no doubt about it. I said last year, and I when I was talking to Scott Patoniak um a few weeks ago on the show, I said, you know, last year's schedule for Syracuse was a rather easy one, and then this year it's been a tougher schedule. But it's like Fran can recruit that we all know. We're not we're not getting around that. He's got good recruiters on that staff. I'm not impressed with the in-game management. I'm not impressed so far as that as a head coach. I'm just gonna say, I'm gonna throw it out there. Has nothing to do with losing yesterday, has nothing to do with their record. For me, it has everything to do with there's been no player development this year at Syracuse. And one coach that knows about that, they played Syracuse. Coach Fitz is going to join me here in just a few moments. So um we'll move on here with scores. Alabama beat Eastern Illinois 56-0. BYU 26-14 over Cincinnati. I believe if BYU wins next week, they are in the Big 12 title game. Um, and hats off to BYU. Utah comes from behind. They scored late to beat Kansas State, 5147. Miami 34-17 over Virginia Tech. Vandy, 45-17 win over Kentucky. Pittsburgh in a big win. I did not see Pittsburgh beating Georgia Tech. They dominated this game from the start. They were up 21-0 to start the game. They never looked back. And tip your hat to Patton Arduozzi, who got a lot of heat for saying, well, Notre Dame can beat us 100 to nothing. All we need to do is win those next two games, which are ACC games, and there's a really good shot. Pittsburgh plays for the ACC championship. Moving on, Texas, 52-37 over Arkansas, Archman threw for 389 and four scores. He's gotten better throughout the year. I still don't think, even if Texas beats AM next week with three losses, I still think Texas is on the outside looking in. Some people think they got a shot to get in. I don't see it. Um, I don't I think there's four teams ahead of them in the SEC that'll get in. Uh, but a 9-3 season for Texas, eh, Sark, Sark got a little jumpy when uh Desmond Howard came out and said, don't be surprised if the university parts ways mutually with Steve Sarkeesian at the end of the year. I think it'd be a mistake, but we'll see. Michigan, I think it's the best Michigan's looked all year. They ran the ball well. Uh Bryce Underwood threw the ball well. He threw for 215 and two scores. They ran the ball well. They need to play defense next week because that is going to be the game. And they get them in Ann Arbor. They beat Maryland 45-20. Tennessee beats Florida 31-11. Wisconsin and um Luke Fickle. They beat the old squad down, or Brett Bielama's old squad 27 to 10. And this is a game too. I feel like the coaches where they got support. Like the Wisconsin AD came out and said, We're we're back in Luke Fickle. And I think it's a good move because I think too many of these schools, they get rid of coaches, you recycle coaches, you got to rebuild these teams with the portal. But one of the things I always find fascinating about college football is when an AD fires a coach, like the next day you hear, we're going to invest more in the program. We're going to put more money into it. Well, why the hell didn't you do that when the prior coach was there? Right? Like, why didn't you invest all this money when the prior coach why are you firing a coach to now say you need to invest more money? I never, never understood that at all, but I'm a big Luke Fickle guy. I think he's, I think the kids have played hard for him, and I'm happy to see that uh Coach Fickle's going to get another year. They had a big win over at Illinois' team that was uh picked high in the Big Ten, who right now looks like they're going to finish at 8-4. TCU beat Houston. Many think Sonny Dykes is on his way out at TCU. I think that would be another bad move because I think Sonny Dykes has done a really good job at TCU. Tulane, 37 13. John Summerl seems to be the guy that I keep hearing for the LSU or Florida job. Uh we'll see how that plays out. They beat Temple, and then Coach Prime's team moves to one and seven in the Big 12 as They fall to Arizona State 4217. So without further ado, I don't want to keep Coach Fitz on hanging too long here, so I'm going to bring him in on here with me now. Coach, how are you, my friends?

Coach Curt Fitzpatrick: 30:13

Hi, hi Rocky. How are you?

Rocky: 30:15

Doing good, my man. Been a long time since I uh got a chance to catch up to you. So I'm looking forward to this.

Coach Curt Fitzpatrick: 30:20

I appreciate you having me on. It's uh it's been a while. Maybe maybe after the national championship at Cortland, we talked, I think. Yes. Uh yeah, I remember that.

Rocky: 30:29

I was in uh I was in a hotel room watching that game late, and my wife says, We're watching the Cortland game. I said, Yeah, we're gonna watch the Cortland game. They're playing for a national championship. I appreciate that. Yeah. No, no problem at all. So, coach, listen, congratulations. Um, you know, a huge bounce back year from where the the program was a year ago. You know, you come in in year one, uh, five five wins on the season. I know it's not where you want to be, but this program, man, under one year with you, is heading in the right direction.

Coach Curt Fitzpatrick: 30:57

Well, thank you. I appreciate you saying that. I think uh obviously, you know, we want to win every game we play. So, you know, to to uh yeah, I I I wish we could have done more, but I'm I'm proud of the progress of the team. You know, I I talk to our team all all the time about being input focused, inputs not outputs, and that's that's kind of the theme of our or the mantra of our team and and how I coach. And I feel like we got we got better and made progress as the season went on. And um, you know, I'm so excited for the future. Uh the way we finished yesterday against Bucknell. I think we had some some injuries uh this season that you know took us a while to regroup. You know, uh we had some some really talented guys go down, which happens in football, and you know, not making excuses for that. And you know, I'm proud of the way we kind of regrouped and and found our found our identity midway through the year and you know, found found a way to string together uh some some good wins and uh over some conference teams, tough conference teams. You know, anytime you beat beat a team like Holy Cross on the road, you know, those are it's it's hard to do in this league. The Patriot League is a is a great, great football league, and you know, proud of the progress we made and excited, excited to build on uh build on this season and head into the future.

Rocky: 32:12

Coach, when you got hired at at Colgate, I said, man, what a great fit for you know for you uh with with your ties this way. But when you look back at it now, what what attracted you to most of this Colgate job?

Coach Curt Fitzpatrick: 32:25

Well, I I think you know when when I was uh a young assistant coach for for for Coach Fagiano there at Utica College or Utica University now, Utica College at the time, um we would we would come up to Colgate uh and growing up in I grew up in Fulton, you know, growing up in central New York, you you know, you always knew about Colgate. Um I wasn't smart enough to go to go here as a as a student as a student. Um but uh you know you hear about Colgate and there's just just the tough, the tough, gritty football teams. You know, I remember being I was in college uh watching, I watched the 2003 national championship game. I remember where I was. Um you know, we were home for for uh you know Christmas break. I remember watching that game and thinking, wow, this is a team in you know, this is the team in central New York playing for a national championship at the at the one double A level at that time. And um it was you know, uh and so when when the job came open and there was mutual interest, just the history and tradition of Colgate. Um the Patriot League, I think is is is is you know a sweet spot for me in in college football, and that you can recruit you know division one caliber athletes, talented athletes, but the education still matters, you know. Our in the Patriot League, where you get your degree from still matters a lot and factors in into those decisions. I think so. The blend of student athlete, like this, there's still a purity. Uh there's still a purity in the Patriot League, in the Ivy League. Like, you know, it's it's a it's a blend of student athletes, not all, you know, our guys love football, but they also you know want to be doctors and lawyers and work on Wall Street and and understand the value of being at Colgate for those reasons. And to me, that's that that's you know, that's uh there's still a purity to it. And and uh and so that that that's why this job was so attractive to me. Also, I'm a central New Yorker, so staying staying close to home. Uh family is extremely important to me. I've been fortunate my whole career to be in central New York. Um, and uh that's really not by design, but just kind of how it happened. And you know, I feel like this is a great fit for my family and I.

Rocky: 34:29

Well, you mentioned that 2003 team, so I played against that team. Uh, I'm a Fordham grad, unfortunately. Don't hold it against me. I talk a lot of Colgate football and Patriot League, so go easy on me. But uh I played against that team. I graduated in 2002 from Fordham, and that was a really good Colgate team that played for a national championship. And I think when I look back at you know the the Patriot League, and I say this all the time, and and obviously I cover a lot of the Patriot League, but I always say that the Patriot League is really good football top to bottom. And I even think now you add Richmond in the mix, um, you add the coaches that are in this Patriot League. And I think even this year, when I look at it, you know, Lafayette losing yesterday to Lehigh, the Patriot League this year has a chance to get two teams in. I don't know if they will, but they have a really good chance to get two teams in.

Coach Curt Fitzpatrick: 35:15

Yeah, I mean, I uh we we played Lafayette and Lehigh back-to-back weeks. I think those two teams are very evenly, very evenly matched. Um Lafayette, they're two of their losses are to FBS teams. They lost to Bowling Green, they lost to Oregon State, and they they were leading Oregon State at halftime a couple weeks ago. Um, that was the week before, two weeks before we played them, a week before we played them. I mean, they're an impressive team. The league talked any given week. Um, though, you know, it's uh it's a great league. I think with Richmond coming in next year, Villanova and William and Mary come into the league. You know, uh the Patriot League is gonna be one of the preeminent leagues in in FCS, if you know, on the East Coast, maybe the pre-eminent league on the East Coast and multiple bid league. Um it's great football, like you said. I think bringing all those storied programs into our conference raises our recruiting profile. Uh, I think you know this is gonna be a league where where it that the that's attractive to highly competitive football players who want to get a great education and who value that. And uh, you know, I think you're gonna see Patriot League football continue to get better and better and better and more competitive nationally uh as the years go on.

Rocky: 36:28

And coach, I've always talked about the Colgate non-conference schedule, saying Colgate always plays just about anybody, not scared to play anybody, and whether it's the FCS or the FBS, but you know, you guys played Mammoth that is gonna be a playoff team. Villanova's probably gonna be a playoff team um this year. Lafayette, you know, like I said, could be a playoff team. But talk to us a little bit about that non-conference schedule. I know you went up to Syracuse and played, uh, which was which was pretty cool, but talk to us about that non-conference schedule.

Coach Curt Fitzpatrick: 36:57

Yeah, that's one one thing when I when I was interviewing for the job, um talking about scheduling with our athletic director, our administration, our alumni. Uh playing a tough non-conference schedule is something that's very important to to uh to it's something that Colgate's always done. When you look at look at the history of Colgate, you know, we're we're playing the playing the best people that that we can. Uh I think that's kind of the ethos of Colgate football, the underdog, the chip on their shoulder, the we'll play anybody, anywhere, anytime. Um, I love that mentality. Uh, I think that that that kind of carried through through our season here as we as we you know rebuild, rebuild our program. But um, yeah, the the schedule, I think uh Jordan Doroshenko, our sid can correct me if I'm if I'm wrong here, but I believe this is the uh the most ranked teams Colgate's ever played in the season. Um and so you know we're uh I think that that helped build our team. We played a played a tough schedule. We're gonna now we're gonna play a tough schedule every year because all a lot of these teams are in in league now with Villanova and William and Mary and Richmond. And you know, playing Syracuse this year. You know, we were playing Syracuse when Angeli, when Steve Angeli was healthy and they were humming and he was the leading passer in the country. And you know, that's um yeah, I I wouldn't have had it any other way. I think. I think you know, playing lesser opponents, maybe we could have got as many wins and losses, but I don't think we more maybe we could have gotten more wins, but I don't think we would be as good a team as we are right now because of the challenges and the tests that we had. And so I think that'll the the tough schedule will will pay off in the future. If you're a competitor, uh schedule like Colgate plays uh is exactly what you want.

Rocky: 38:33

Coach, you've you've you've won everywhere you've been. And when you got this job, I said there's no doubt in my mind that Coach Fitz is going to rebuild this program and and win here, which is is is awesome. What goes into that for you? You know, knowing that you have to come in and rebuild a program. Again, you've talked about a lot of history. They've played for a national championship, they've had a lot of good years. But when I go back and I look at Colgate, maybe over the last five or six years, I think they've only won maybe 20 games in that time frame. What goes into it from a mindset for you to rebuilding this program and getting it back on track?

Coach Curt Fitzpatrick: 39:07

Um, I think you know, one thing that was important to me was I I didn't want to make any assumptions about how things were. And and uh, you know, I just believe in in building a team, you know, a positive team culture that's built around belief, optimism, um, you know, mental, a mental toughness to the to the way that we play. Uh you know, there's really no secret to winning. It's it's it's uh you gotta put it, you gotta put in the work and uh and and build it, build it one at a time. You know, we we had uh you know, I inherited, we we inherited um some really good student athletes, outstanding young men um who were here. And so those guys were uh I tried tried to blend. Obviously, we're gonna do some things uh in a new way with it with a new coach and a new staff, and you know, but also there were so many great uh traditions and history here that I wanted to honor. And I felt like you know, we can blend those do those two things. And you know, winning winning is a lot as I told our team this year when we were starting to win some games and we beat beat Fordham, uh, we beat Cornell and you know winning is winning is a result of something. You know, it's it's not the winning you should focus on, it's the something. It's the it's the the process of your preparation, your and and and and how you practice and you know building those habits and all those those habits lead to lead to winning. And so I think we made huge strides in that, you know, and that that's really I think this the secret to to winning games is uh just just being you know daily, you know, building the habits that are that are elite, building the habits that that champions have. And you you have to have those habits before you become a champion. And and so we've laid really strong foundation in that way. And you know, I feel um I feel like I I uh as a head coach, been there, uh coach championship teams, and I you know, some of those traits I'm starting to see pop up in in our players and the way we prepared late, late in the season, um how we deal with diversity, like all those things, you know, we we've we've gotten a lot better at and we'll continue to build on the offseason and you know just keep trying to raise it, raise it, raise the bar one more notch uh every day. And yeah, I'm getting chills just thinking about winter conditioning. I can't wait to get get it get in you know January, February, and just start start grinding with the with the players. You know, last year I was still living in I was living in um in the Cortland in Tully, just north of Cortland and driving to to Hamilton every day. And it seemed like it snowed every day last January. Trying to get to those 6 a.m. those 6 a.m. runs and I couldn't get there every day because I have young kids and you know, I just feel like I didn't know the team well. And now I can't wait for this this winter conditioning because you know we I feel like we can really make the most out of uh out of the opportunity and and and really build really build our team and build on build on this past season.

Rocky: 41:57

Coach, you had a special wide receiver who I unfortunately the injury uh got the best of him late in the season for you, but one of the best receivers in the country and one that we've all followed here across the country. But talk to us about how special of a player Trey Van uh Saunders is for you guys.

Coach Curt Fitzpatrick: 42:12

Yeah, Trey, what what a heartbreaking injury. Um, you know, you he is such a great player. I mean, he he could have played at any in any school in the country, uh FBF, FBS, FCS. Um terrific young man. So as a as a person, you know, outstanding student, you know, takes he's an econ major here, which is one of the hard hardest majors at Colgate, 3.7 GPA, just like off the field leader, two-time captain, and then on the field through he got injured in the second play of our sixth game. So he basically played five games and and had 50 catches for 700 yards and six touchdowns. And like, you know, he's just on he's an unguardable player, um, and was a such a great leader for our team and uh gave a lot of the gave a lot of his teammates confidence when he was out there because you know to his teammates, Trey was invincible. Um, and then when he went when he went down, uh it was one of those one of those injuries that when it happened, everyone in the stadium knew that the season was over for him. And um, you know, that that that took us so that that's you know what I referenced a few minutes ago about finding our new identity. You know, that you know, I'm proud of the with the way our team and really led by Trey. You know, he was, you know, by the end of that game, he was back on the sideline on crutches and encouraging his teammates. He was on the headset the rest of the season, you know, when when uh after he had he had surgery to to get fixed up. And um he was we put him on a headset. He was coaching the receivers during during games and traveling with the team. And you know, he just he means a lot, means a lot to our team. He's gonna be an outstanding player. You know, we've had you know contact with you know pretty much our uh every NFL team about Trey. They've been been in watching him practice, watching the film, and he's gonna have a chance to play at the next level. He deserves it. He's got all the intangibles that you want uh to be to make any organization better, and he's got the physical skills and he'll he'll make a full recovery and hopefully be running full speed again by by a pro day in uh little early spring.

Rocky: 44:12

So, Coach, I gotta be honest with you. I've been doing this Utica's podcast with Coach Faz week in and week out, and uh we got Wolf Hinnem and I will finish up next week. And at the end of it, I do this pick segment where I always I I'll I'll try to pick the top national games, and then I always sneak in Colgate, and then I always sneak in Syracuse. And I gotta tell you, I'm gonna be honest with you, there's a couple games, the Lafayette game I didn't pick you guys. Fordham, I didn't pick you guys, but I root for every other game except Fordham. He went with us hard. He goes, I gotta go with Coach Fitz. So like every week, you know, the games where him and I would differentiate, I had to pick up a game on him because he was he was riding with you. But I know you guys have all the coaching connections across the country. And you know, have you done any score watching to still be able to follow like Utica? And then you even Cortland, you know, where you just came from, they're back into the playoffs again. But um, do you get did you get a chance to to score watch and follow any of those guys still?

Coach Curt Fitzpatrick: 45:04

Yeah, we do. Yeah, I I follow, you know, follow everything. Uh it's hard to harder to keep track of than than than I used to, but um, yeah, we we have a bunch of guys on staff. Joe Giorbino is our is our offensive uh pass game coordinator, wide receivers coach, who uh is a Utica, Utica grad. Um Zach Boys, who played quarterback for us at Cortland and was the MVP of the Stag Bowl. He's a quality control coach working with me and the quarterbacks here at Colgate. So we're we're very tied in to the uh to the D3 landscape. We do we do like a fun, uh fun pick 'em, um, pick'em segment amongst our staff every uh every game before the pregame breakfast, just picking games from around the country and you know, just a fun, a fun thing to you know see. Uh, you know, coaches are competitors. So we we want to see who's gonna who's gonna predict predict who wins and loses and always do some D3 games. We have a couple guys on staff who are D2, D2 guys from the Midwest. And so we pick a pick a couple of D2 games, then some some FC FCS games and FPS games. So yeah, we keep we keep track and Utica uh you know had a great year. What a what a great you know the what a great passing attack they have uh they have this year. Yeah. So that was fun, fun to keep track of. And um, and uh I believe they won yesterday, did they not in their in their bowl game?

Rocky: 46:21

They fell short. They came back, they played uh Rowan. Uh it was 26 uh 26-20, I think was the final score. But uh they had a great year. Now I think they won.

Coach Curt Fitzpatrick: 46:31

I'm sure they tried to throw it around the around the field a lot in that game, though. That's which is which I which that has a special special spot in my heart being a former quarterback.

Rocky: 46:41

Well, coach, I know you you keep in touch with a lot of even you got some of some of your friends coaching locally in in high school. And I know Coach Kramer is a a friend of yours. He had a great year, and um Coach Smith at Whitesbrough had a good year, and I know you're friends with Coach DeCole, and it's nice to see the coaching connections with all you all you local guys, and I know you guys all stay in touch.

Coach Curt Fitzpatrick: 47:00

Yeah, yeah, we do. It's uh you know, it's you meet so many people over the years. Football is a special game like that, it brings brings people together. Um yeah, we're uh and you know, Peyton Way from from New Harford is uh you know, we're he's a great, great, great player, a couple guys from uh from that Whitesboro team who you know who I would love to see in uh seeing seeing Colgate Maroon. Um but yeah, uh and Coach Dracola. I mean, he he uh he's been a friend for for a long, long time. And you know, he was a groomsman in my wedding, and I was a groomsman at his wedding. Um and so some some great uh just great great guys, great coaches, and you know, they they do a great job. Lifting football in central New York, section three, you know, that's that's uh uh great to see those guys, you know, New Hartford and Whitesboro winning sectional titles. It's a shame they don't play anymore. I think they should schedule an on-I agree.

Rocky: 47:53

I agree.

Coach Curt Fitzpatrick: 47:54

That would be great for the area.

Rocky: 47:55

Bring the rivalries back, right?

Coach Curt Fitzpatrick: 47:58

No doubt, no doubt.

Rocky: 47:59

Well, coach, listen, we'll have to do it again. I don't know, I know you're always busy, but uh I I always do a uh kind of a coach's uh college football uh show. And uh if if we have it, I'll uh I'll reach out to if you have time. Love to have you come on and talk some college football uh with us. But uh proud of you, and uh Colgate's been so good to me over the years, and Jordan and everybody there have always been great to me. And uh I look forward to you and I talking some Colgate football and more throughout the season. So I look forward to that as well.

Coach Curt Fitzpatrick: 48:27

Anything you need, let me know. And I appreciate what you do to cover football in the area, high school and college, and appreciate your coverage of Colgate.

Rocky: 48:35

Thanks, Coach. I appreciate it. We'll do it again, Sue. Happy holidays.

Coach Curt Fitzpatrick: 48:38

Thank you, happy Thanksgiving. Take care.

Rocky: 48:40

So that was Coach Kurt Fitzpatrick, and uh I I said it before the season started when he got the job. I said he is going to turn this program around in a heartbeat. And I know as he said, you know, five wins, you want to win every game that you play, but they were in a lot of games. They had a lead late in some of these games. Um so for him and that staff to come in and do what he did in in year one um was fantastic. So thanks to uh Coach Fitz for uh for jumping on with me here this morning on Sportswatch. Um I'll let you everybody know when the final episode of the Utica University Football Podcast will be. Um I think Coach and I are planning on doing it next week, but I have to see because I'm down in my basement, is where my studio is, and we're getting our kitchen remodeled. So right above me, the ceiling, I think they have to take some of the ceiling off, which means I gotta move some of my stuff. So I might be without equipment for a few days, but I'll see when it is and I'll I'll make sure that uh that I make it happen. I'll let everybody know. We'll finish out the year with Coach Foz. But um I want to make sure I thank Coach Schneider for coming on with me this morning. He's always been great to me as well. Um, thank Coach Fitz for coming on. And uh I did reach out and I was gonna tell Coach Fitz this, but Coach Langle, the basketball coach, is gonna be coming on with me as well. Uh so we'll be talking some college college hoops with Coach Matt Langle next week, right here on the show. We'll get more high school sports, more high school basketball with the boys, girls. We'll see if we can get Coach Medisis on to talk RFA basketball, who they all get set to start here over the next week or two. So we'll talk more um throughout the next couple weeks. So hopefully you enjoyed the show. I appreciate everybody following me across all social media channels. Thanks for making the rock pile what it is today, and thanks for following the Mohawk Valley Sports Watch. Have a good weekend, everybody.