OCF Ask The Coach...Wittenberg's Joe Fincham
Monday, June 29th 2009 @ 2:16 PM
Ask The Coach…
Name: Joe Fincham
College: Wittenberg University
1) Who were your three biggest influences in your career?
My HS Coach (Williamstown WV-2008 State Champs!) Dennis Blatt- played @ Sryacuse in the '70's. Taught me that hard work and dedication is the road to success.
Next two would be position coaches I had while playing d-line @ Ohio. Bob Kappes- Showed me how to treat people fairly and consistently. Max Lowe(who i played for my last 2 years and then moved with him to be his GA on the o-line for 2 yrs) taught me X's and O's and the fundamentals of the o-line game. Coach Lowe probably influenced me the most in my coaching beliefs and style.
2) What advice would you give to young coaches?
Work hard at the job you have, as opposed to working hard to get your next job. Would also recommend being patient. As athletes we grow up on 4 year cycles(frosh-senior). As coaches we work on a much longer time line.
3) What has been your favorite memory from your coaching career?
Winning on the road as an under dog. Nothing is better than watching your team celebrate as the opposing team and their fans leave the stadium quietly.
4) If you had to coach another sport, what would it be?
I was an assistant track and field coach my first 6 yrs as an assistant here at WU. I very much appreciate the self discipline and drive it takes to be successful in individual sports. Win or lose, it is all on you!
5) Who do you think will be the surprise team in the NCAC in 2009?
Hopefully Wittenberg! We were preseason favorites last year ended up having a miserable season. We were unable to rise above the adversity of the injury bug and were simply too immature to handle being the preseason pick. Unfortunately, some of us found out there are no trophies for media day champs.
6) What is your offensive philosophy?
Keep a run/pass balance that fits your personality. Be multiple in personnel and motions, but keep your play list simple. This allows your team to play fast and physical and have fewer self inflicted wounds.
7) What are some of the trends you see in college football?
The year round physical development of players. It is amazing how big and fast young people are today. Weight room, speed training and nutrition are vital for success in today's game. The downside of this is fewer 2 and 3 sport athletes in high school.
8) If there was a part of the game of football you could change, what would it be?
I wouldn't change a thing. We have the most comprehensive team game in sports. To be successful you must have all types of athletes (big lineman/fast skills players/specialists) working in unison for a collective goal. Doesn't get better than that!
9) Should NCAA I-A have a playoff system?
As a fan I would love to see a play-off format, but would also hate to lose the Bowl game format we have today. No doubt, a tough decision has to be made by people much smarter than myself.
10) Who are some of your favorite players you have coached?
Kenny Pope - DB from Cinci-payed for us in the mid 90's-4 years 1st team all league.
Casey Donaldson - RB from here in Springfield-WU all time leading rusher and 3x offensive player of year in NCAC.
11) One word to describe yourself?
Consistent.
12) What is something very few people know about you?
I'm a private person. Think I'll keep those things to myself.
13) What was the last book you read?
Da Vinci Code. 3 young kids(ages 6/5/2) have ended my summer reading time.
14) If you could invite anyone, dead or alive, to dinner, who would it be? And why?
Easy one. My grandfather, "Red" Mackey, is without question my hero. Played small college football and basketball at WV Wesleyan College in the 1930's. He served his country during WWII. Married his college sweetheart and they stayed together for over 30 yrs. He was a "man's man" and someone I can only hope to be like. He passed over ten years ago. I miss him terribly even today.
15) What do you do in your spare time? Hobbies?
Head football coach and father of three......free time is during the month of July and it is spent waterside as much as possble.
Favorites
Favorite Food: Chili dogs with mustard and cole slaw
Favorite Place to Eat: Mom's for the holidays
Favorite TV Show: Pardon the Interuption
Favorite Holiday: July 4th - Hot sun, water fun, good food and fireworks!
Favorite Movie: Bull Durham
Favorite Song: John Denver "Country Roads" (What'd you expect from a hillbilly out of WV?)
Favorite Quote: Bob Knight on discipline - "Do what has to be done, when it has to be done, the best it can be done and do it that way all the time."
This or That
Morning or Night: Morning, early to bed, early to rise...
Grass or Turf: As a player I liked grass. As a coach I like turf. Would rather the elements not becoming the deciding factor.
Steak or Fish: Steak all the way.
Run or Pass: Run it! Football is meant to be a physical game.
Text or Call: Hate to be impersonable but texting is soooo much faster.
Email or Mail: Same as above.
Golf or Fish - Golf. My game stinks, but at least I'm not falling asleep.
Day Game or Night Game: Love the atmosphere of night games, but you have limited time to spend with family and friends post game. I'd rather get up and play. If you win you have the whole day to enjoy it before going back to the office the next morning.
Wittenberg Announces 2009 Recruits
Friday, June 12th 2009 @ 5:42 PM
Springfield, Ohio – Wittenberg University Football Head Coach Joe Fincham has announced the Tigers’ recruiting Class of 2013.
Player Hometown/High School Pos. Ht. Wt.
Raphael Allen Yellow Springs, Ohio/Yellow Springs DB 6-1 185
Jeremy Althouse Columbus, Ohio/Whetstone OL 6-2 235
Scott Anderson Kettering, Ohio/Alter DL 6-1 215
Billy Anglin Kettering, Ohio/Fairmont K 5-10 170
Justin Bartlett Washington, Pa./McGuffey DL 6-3 240
Josh Bogan Cincinnati, Ohio/Wyoming RB 5-7 170
Thomas Bolton Ramstein, Germany QB 6-0 215
Mike Box Greenwood Village, Colo./Hyde School (Maine) WR/DB 6-3 190
Deon Brooks Cincinnati, Ohio/Western Hills DL 6-0 215
Patrick Bruggeman Dayton, Ohio/Chaminade Julienne DB 5-11 185
Matt Brutscher Louisville, Ky./St. Xavier QB 6-1 185
Tyler Busenburg Howard, Ohio/East Knox DL 6-0 215
Eric Carr Hebron, Ohio/Lakewood RB 5-9 170
Drew Clemons South Charleston, Ohio/Southeastern LB 6-0 215
Josh Colbert Urbana, Ohio/Urbana DB/WR 6-0 195
Cory Cosby Canal Winchester, Ohio/Pickerington Central DL 5-10 240
Christopher Dilger Lancaster, Ohio/Lancaster WR/K 5-11 165
Garrett Edwards Cincinnati, Ohio/Reading QB 6-1 200
Jamal Everett Kettering, Ohio/Fairmont WR 5-10 180
Garth Gilbert Medway, Ohio/Tecumseh WR 6-1 170
Ernie Heyder Marysville, Ohio/Marysville OL 6-6 285
Reed Kelley Williamsville, N.Y./South OL 6-4 260
Jon King West Milton, Ohio/Milton Union LB 5-10 210
Nicholas Lowe Westlake, Ohio/Westlake WR 6-0 180
Thomas Marchese Dublin, Ohio/Coffman K 6-0 165
Nick May Bellefontaine, Ohio/Bellefontaine DB 5-10 170
Kevin McCaffrey North Olmsted, Ohio/North Olmsted OL 6-1 260
Ian McNeil Bridgeville, Pa./Chartiers Valley OL 6-6 260
Taylor McNeil Perrysburg, Ohio/Toledo St. John’s Jesuit WR 6-3 190
Jimmy Muncy South Charleston, Ohio/Southeastern OL 6-3 225
Gabe Neff Dublin, Ohio/Coffman WR 5-7 160
Michael Ogburn Columbus, Mich./Carman-Ainsworth DB 6-1 170
Caleb O’Hara Sheffield Village, Ohio/Lutheran West DL 6-2 190
A.J. Owen Dayton, Ohio/Vandalia Butler OL 6-3 260
Terry Perkins Piqua, Ohio/Piqua K/P 5-9 210
Jeremy Perry New Carlisle, Ohio/Tecumseh OL 6-2 245
Josh Radabaugh Williamstown, W.Va./Williamstown LB 6-2 225
Jerell Ragland Springfield, Ohio/Springfield OL/DL 6-0 240
Johnathon Reynolds Elyria, Ohio/Elyria DL 6-2 215
Drew Ring Spencerville, Ohio/Spencerville WR 6-4 190
Donovan Schwalbach Amelia, Ohio/Batavia RB 6-0 185
Andrew Senior Huntington, W.Va./Huntington OL 6-3 265
Cole Sesslar South Charleston, Ohio/Southeastern WR 6-0 150
Ethan Sharpin Springfield, Ohio/Kenton Ridge QB 6-0 170
Roland Sommer Cincinnati, Ohio/Indian Hill OL 6-1 220
Chris Stone Lebanon, Ohio/Springboro DB 5-11 180
Patrick Tomko North Olmsted, Ohio/North Olmsted RB 5-8 175
Philip Tomko North Olmsted, Ohio/North Olmsted DB 5-9 155
Ben Waken North Olmsted, Ohio/North Olmsted DL 5-11 230
Connor Warye Cincinnati, Ohio/Kings RB 5-11 200
Raymond Watters Columbus, Ohio/Mifflin OL 6-1 245
Jarrett White Carlisle, Maine/Bridgton Academy DB 5-9 180
Sean Williams Plainfield, Ind./Plainfield K 6-0 150
Matt Wirth Spencerville, Ohio/Spencerville K 6-1 230
Logan Woloch Covington, Ohio/Covington DB 5-11 170
Tyterieon Wright Youngstown, Ohio/Liberty WR 6-0 185
Taylor Young West Hartford, Conn./St. James DL 5-11 250
Wittenberg is coming off a 2009 season in which the Tigers posted records of 6-4 overall and 4-3 in the North Coast Athletic Conference, good for a three-way tie for third place. It was just the third time since Wittenberg, the program with the most wins in NCAA Division III history, joined the league in 1989 that the Tigers have lost three conference games in a season, and the first time since 1991.
Fincham has built on the long, proud Wittenberg football tradition, becoming just the second coach in program history to amass more than 100 career wins since becoming head coach prior to the 1996 season. Fincham has led the Tigers to a 114-28 overall record, including a NCAC-best 78-14 record during that time. His teams captured NCAC titles in 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001 and 2006, and Wittenberg has reached the NCAA Division III Tournament six times. Fincham has also earned several coaching honors as he was selected NCAC Coach of the Year in 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001 and 2006, and American Football Coaches Association/Kodak District IV Coach of the Year in 1998.
Wittenberg University is a nationally recognized college for the liberal arts and sciences, affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Wittenberg is distinguished by its strong interdisciplinary programs such as East Asian Studies and Russian Area Studies. Although Wittenberg’s traditional strengths have been in the liberal arts, recently the sciences, management and education have also developed into popular majors for students. Eight thriving pre-professional programs contribute to the educational experience of Wittenberg students, 70 percent of whom eventually pursue graduate studies.
News Release By: Ryan Maurer, Wittenberg SID