Friday, December 13, 2024

Don Dobes Gets His Due

A well-deserved honor! 

Dartmouth has a release about Dobes' recognition HERE.

From the AFCS assistant coach of the year announcement (LINK):

The Assistant Coach of the Year award was first presented in 1997 and was created to honor assistant coaches who excel in community service, commitment to the student-athlete, on-field coaching success and AFCA professional organization involvement.

The 2024 honorees are as follows:

FBS–Sean Saturnio, Special Teams Coordinator, Army West Point

FCS–Don Dobes, Defensive Coordinator, Linebackers, Dartmouth College

Division II–Roy Thompson, Jr., Defensive Coordinator, Ouachita Baptist University

Division III–Cody Baethke, Associate Head Coach, Defensive Coordinator, Defensive Backs, Coe College

NAIA–Michael Jones, Assistant Head Coach, Offensive Coordinator, Quarterbacks Coach, Florida Memorial University 

And . . .

Football Championship Subdivision

Don Dobes, Dartmouth: Dobes has been a college coach for 45 years with the last 15 at Dartmouth … He has been a part of five Ivy League titles at Dartmouth and 11 total including his time at Princeton and Penn … Dobes is an active member of the AFCA and has served on both the AFCA Assistant Coaches Committee and AFCA Registration Committee … Dobes works with the Andy Talley Foundation, who helps find life-saving donors for patients in need of blood stem cell or bone marrow transplants, Derek’s Dreams, which raises awareness and funds for a treatment or cure for Ataxia Telangiectasia (A-T), and Lauren’s First and Goal, which supports pediatric brain tumor research and cancer services … In 2023, under Dobes, Dartmouth finished 14th nationally in scoring defense, 12th in total defense, 10th in fourth down conversions, and 4th in first down defense … In 2024, Dobes’ defense allowed fewer than 20 points in five of 10 games and ranked 7th nationally in rushing defense. 

To learn a little more about Don Dobes, read the story I wrote in 2018 about seven days in the life of a true football-lifer. In honor of Dobes' recognition, I've posted the entire story on BGA Overtime HERE, and I think it will give you a new appreciation of both the man and the coaching lifestyle. Even I learned some things re-reading a story I wrote with huge help from Dobes. By all means, check it out.

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From a press release out of West Point (LINK):

Army West Point Head Football Coach Jeff Monken has been selected as the inaugural recipient of the Buddy Teevens Award, which was created to honor those coaches who've been innovators in growing and improving the game of college football. Named after the legendary Dartmouth College coach, the award recognizes outstanding achievement on the field, as well exceptional leadership that leaves a lasting impact on players, other coaches, and the sport at-large.

The Teevens Award was established this year by the Manning Family to honor their long-time friendship with Coach Teevens.

"Universally loved and admired, Buddy connected with everyone who crossed his path," said Archie Manning. "He mentored thousands of players and assistant coaches during his 44 years on the sidelines, and his passion for the game led him to become an innovator and pioneer in making the game safer for future generations as well as hiring women in coaching positions. Buddy was a great coach but more than that he was just a great guy who wanted to make the game better for all."

"Coach Jeff Monken is a deserving winner of the Buddy Teevens Award. One of the main themes that Buddy lived by was 'adjust and improvise.' Coach Monken has done that at Army while leading the program to an incredible championship season," said Peyton Manning. "His results on the field are worth celebrating, but I know Buddy would be just as proud of the leader and the person he is off the field." 

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The Dallas Morning News has a story headlined,  Some overlooked Heisman finalist Ashton Jeanty. This Ivy League school didn't. From the tease to the story (LINK):

Frisco Lone Star's Ashton Jeanty was under-recruited in high school before he signed with Boise State, but Dartmouth was the first college to offer the eventual superstar running back.

And . . .

"I thought he was a good fit," Dartmouth offensive coordinator Kevin Daft told The Dallas Morning News on Wednesday, "but he was destined for bigger offers and bigger places."

And . . .

"Honestly, I was like, I don't know if we're going to end up with this guy," Daft said "because I think he's really good and I think he's going to get a lot more offers."

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UMass has the official announcement of Joe Castellitto joining the Minutemen staff as special teams coordinator HERE.

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EXTRA POINT
In the back yard of the house we lived in when I was in elementary school there was a bush with a pleasant and very distinct fragrance. I couldn't begin to tell you what kind of shrub it was, but occasionally I'll be somewhere when the same smell comes wafting over me and I can close my eyes and I'm in third grade again.

A few weeks ago Mrs. BGA asked if I needed anything from the grocery store. On a whim, I said "a couple of bars of Ivory soap."

Not long after unwrapping the pure white bar (smaller than I remember) a different but familiar smell from my childhood brought me back to third grade yet again.
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