Original_RMC, SFU how did they do it?

[GoRMU]

Original_RMC

St Francis used to be the weakest team in the Conference. Being a small school located in a very small town in central Pennsylvania, it was hard to imagine their program crawling out of the cellar.
Much to my surprise, SFU has been one of the best teams in the Conference the past few years, while our Colonials have struggled. SFU is certainly having the most impressive non-conference success this season.

How did they turn things around so impressively. Are there any lessons for the RMU program to learn from SFU?

 

[Original_RMC]

It’s a few things that SFU is doing well and that RMU is playing catch-up on.

1. Pipeline for Recruiting – SFU has established recruiting pipelines in Central/East PA,. MD and N.J. Sure they grab a few players from other states like FLA but they stick to their strategy. 39 players from PA, 21 from MD , 16 from NJ and 10 from Ohio. RMU is doing that with the WPIAL and OH. I think RMU needs to continue with M.D. and would like to see a refocus back on N.Y. or N.J.
2. Retaining Players – SFU keeps their players and build up depth. 20 Sr/Gr. on the roster for SFU this season plus 21 Juniors. So SFU is building depth and experience. SFU has one R-Fr on their 2-deep as starting on offense and only 2 So starting on D. They rest are Jr/Sr. Now some Jr or even Sr could be making their 1st starts this season but those players have been in the program for years. RMU struggles retaining scholarship players each year and building depth.
3. True #1s on Offense – when SFU has the ball you know that Jordan-Toney is going to get a majority of the carries; averaging 18 attempts rushing per game. When the ball is in the air, its going Karmon Lewis. Lewis is almost getting 7 catches a game and probably at least 10 targets per game if not more.

RMU is a few years away from getting to the level of SFU with depth and non-conference wins. Heck, even a backup QB for Wagner beat a good Lehigh team. This team with this roster has a chance to be good within the NEC this year. Maybe top 3.

RMU is not that far off but the biggest thing is having to replace talent each year. You can’t cycle through recruiting classes and play 18-19 year old kids each season and expect to challenge for the NEC each year.

 

[GoRMU]

Thanks Original_RMC, I knew you would provide a good analysis.

On the issue of retaining players, one thing we always hear is that there is "nothing to do" at RMU. The RMU campus and the drivable area may be lacking in some regards, but certainly no more so than SFU's campus and location. Clearly, SFU is doing something right to retain players. Maybe the new rec center will help RMU.

 

[LetsGoRoMo]

Scott Benzel. Huge part of turn around.

 

[ColonialInsider]

As Original_RMC said, St. Francis reaping the benefits of a veteran team. It's also recognized where it can grab quality players and keep them. At one point, St. Francis was pulling in a handful of Samoan/Hawaiian players. They established a reputation with that community and were able to sell the university and football experience with them.

Robert Morris' struggles are largely due to retention issues, not any problems with campus excitement or things to do. And I think a lot of that goes back to Banaszak's hire as offensive coordinator when he took over.

Darrin Hicks upset the apple cart too much. RMU did not have the personnel to move to his system, but they forced it through anyway. That led to players in improper roles, dissatisfaction with playing time, and just some bad player management by the coaching staff (see the entire quarterback fiasco as an example). Hicks deservedly took a lot of the blame, but Banaszak and others deserve heat, too.

Those two years set RMU back. Last year was another transition period. Some stability has arrived now and I think that RMU can get back to developing players for four-to-five years.

 

[Original_RMC]

To me, this is another reason. This reminds of the early RMC teams. Very loose and having fun.