X's and O's: The Paxton Patrick Letters [BBCF]

[jdx66]

To: JPatrick_1953 [AT] aol.com
From: PPatrick [AT] MTST.edu
Subject: Checking in...

Hey Dad,

I know it's been awhile since I e-mailed you. Been busy and all, you know? I can't believe I took this job. Montana's beautiful, but I wish it were a little closer to civilization. How am I supposed to convince high school kids to come out here? The University barely has working internet.

Don't tell anyone I said that.

I've just started meeting the kids. Seem nice, but I don't really know what kind of product I'll be putting on the field yet. You know I'll stay true to my model, though - run the ball and stop the run. Just talking about it gets me excited.

Well, I've got to get down to the field. Some of my guys are doing independent workouts. Need to know what I got myself into. Talk to you soon, pops.

- Pax


PS: Here's the local newspaper's blurb about my hiring, in case you're interested.

[jdx66]

Montana State football hands reigns to Div III champion
Bobcats, Patrick both making big transitions

Bozeman, MT--The Montana State football program is making the transition from the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (formerly Division 1-AA) to the Football Bowl Subdivision this year. The Bobcats are joining the WAC along side in-state rival Montana University, but these aren't the only big changes happening on campus.

The athletic department announced Thursday the hiring of head coach Paxton Patrick. Patrick, 28, is a former Ohio University linebacker and linebackers coach. In 2009, he became the head coach of Division III Capital University. Patrick lead the Crusaders to back-to-back national championships in 2010 and 2011. Coach Patrick thinks he can translate success at the Division III level to the big stage.

"Football is football," Patrick said. "You train hard. You play hard. You punch your opponents in the mouth, and you shake their hands after the game."

Patrick takes the reins of a program in a rebuilding process. The Bobcats lost key starters on the both sides of the ball from a season ago. Factor in the move to FCS football, and this season figures to be a long one.

Everyone seems to agree with that point. Both the pundits and conference head coaches are choosing Montana State to finish last in the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) in their first season. Coach Patrick couldn't be happier with their assessments.

"I like where everyone thinks we'll be this year," he said. "Flying under everyone's radar is a good thing."

With a coach like Paxton Patrick at the helm, this football season is assured to be an entertaining one--win, lose, or draw.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
2012-2013 Season Review

[jdx66]

To: JPatrick_1953 [AT] aol.com
From: PPatrick [AT] MTST.edu
Subject: Wow

Hey Dad,

Wow, what a couple of days I had. My team is going to be bad. TERRIBLE.

Our offensive line is atrocious, and the D-line isn't much better. We have a couple capable linebackers and corners, but there's no depth at any position. Luckily, there's not going to be a quarterback competition. We have a junior QB, Roger Sweeney, that's got the position in hand. But there's nothing at RB. NOTHING.

My best running back is a full back. That's not good.

Why didn't I just move Capital up a couple of notches? We'd be just as good (probably better!) and I wouldn't be in Montana.

Don't tell anyone I'm saying these things. I've got to keep hopes up around here. People have ridiculous expectations. Just got done talking to my AD. He expects this team to be in the top half of the conference. I guess no one told him about the move up to FBS. Jesus, what have I got myself into...

- Pax


PS: Seriously, don't even show Mom what I'm saying about my team. I know how she worries.

[Purplepower_NC]

I will be following this....gonna be hard with that team.

[jdx66]

To: JPatrick_1953 [AT] aol.com
From: PPatrick [AT] MTST.edu
Subject: Sorry

Hey,

Sorry about that last email. My team isn't that bad. Now that camp's started and I've installed my schemes, we might turn out... OK. We're running a smash mouth offense. I moved my bruising FB to the RB position. Our offense is going to ride him the whole season.

Put in a standard 4-3 on defense. This side of the ball has been a pleasant surprise in camp. We may not score a lot of points, but it doesn't look like our opponents will either. It'll give us a fighting chance in most games, at least.

I tried to talk our AD down on his expectations. Now he wants us to finish top 5 in the WAC and play a "competitive game" against Montana. I'm not sure what that means exactly, but it's a little better than what I told you in the last email. Well, it's back to camp for two-a-days...

- Pax


PS: Attached our schedule. Take a look.

[jdx66]

Montana State Bobcats 2012 Schedule
WEEK	OPPONENT	RESULT
1	at Wisconsin
2	vs Akron
3	vs Florida International
4	at San Jose State
5	at Florida Atlantic
6	vs South Alabama
7	at Texas State
8	BYE
9	vs UT-San Antonio
10	vs Idaho
11	at New Mexico State
12	vs Louisiana Tech
13	BYE
14	vs Montana

[jdx66]

Quote: Originally Posted by Purplepower_NC

I will be following this....gonna be hard with that team.

Thanks. After reading your dynasty, I decided to buy BBCF. I spent all of last week playing around with it before I knew what I wanted to do with this dynasty.

[jdx66]

To: JPatrick_1953 [AT] aol.com
From: PPatrick [AT] MTST.edu
Subject: Checkup

Hey Dad,

Just checking in. Classes started on Monday, and the guys are really looking forward to the game on Saturday. I wish I could say the same.

Wisconsin is BEASTLY. Their lineman on both sides of the ball are bigger than ours, and their WRs are bigger than our linebackers. Vegas has UW as a 9 point favorite. I'd take the Badgers to cover the spread, so feel free. It won't hurt my feelings. Just don't tell anyone about this insider information.

I don't know if I'll check in again before the game. The school has me teaching a PE class. Gotta go teach that right now, actually. Wish us luck!

- Pax