Rich Ellerson is Welcomed To West Point

Today was the "Welcome" press conference for new head coach Rich Ellerson. You can listen below...

Army Has a New Head Football Coach

Army announced today that former head coach of Cal Poly Rich Ellerson is going to be Army's 36th head football coach. The press release can be found here. More news as we get it.

Update: There will be a teleconference on December 30th with Ellerson and AD Kevin Anderson. The CMSB will bring you audio of the teleconference once it has completed.

Press Teleconference with Army AD Kevin Anderson

Well, this was about as juicy as it gets when it comes to coaching changes at D-1. A big loss against a hated rival, a meeting between head coach and AD that results in head coach getting fired, and an AD who stresses he wants to win now. Just another day in Army football. Listen below.

Army Football Makes a Change

ARMY ANNOUNCES FOOTBALL COACHING CHANGE
National Search for New Coach to Begin Immediately

WEST POINT, N.Y. – Army Director of Athletics Kevin Anderson announced Friday that Stan Brock will not return as West Point’s head football coach.

“I’d like to thank Stan for his hard work and dedication to the Army football program the past five years and wish him and his family well in the future,” Anderson said. “Stan and his family have been valued members of our athletic program and have made a significant impact in the West Point community.”

Brock was notified of the decision on Friday, six days after Army completed its season with a 34-0 loss to Navy. In two years at the Black Knights’ helm, Brock compiled a 6-18 coaching record (.250).

“I support the Athletic Director’s decision,” said Lt. Gen. Buster Hagenbeck, West Point Superintendent. “This was not a hasty or emotional decision, and Stan has been a great member of our community, but winning is particularly important to the military academy and to an Army at war. There is no substitute for victory.”

Anderson stated that a national search for Brock’s replacement will begin immediately.

“We have a search committee and will seek the advice and counsel of Academy leadership during the search process,” Anderson added. “We will not have a timetable to hire a new coach. It is more important to find the right person to lead this football program, however time is of the essence and we will move as quickly as possible. "

“Winning is very important to everyone associated with the Army football program. We will find an individual that provides our cadet-athletes with the best opportunity for success both on and off the football field. Our stated goal is to deliver a winning product that wins the Commander in Chief’s Trophy and earns postseason bowl bids, a program of which graduates, soldiers and fans around the world can be proud.”

That was the official press release we received from Army.

The CMSB will be at this afternoon's media teleconference with AD Kevin Anderson and hopes to provide you with audio upon it's conclusion.

Army/Navy 2008

Navy beat Army 34-0 to win their 6th straight Commander-in-Chief trophy today, and their 7th in a row over Army. Colin Mooney, Army senior FB, did set the all-time Army rushing record on the game's final play, passing Mike Mayweather for the top spot. It was the lone bright side in a very dark day for the Black Knights.

Army/Navy Coverage-The Tuesday Stan Brock Press Conference

The weekly Stan Brock press conference is now ready to listen to (below). Army vs. Navy Saturday at Noon eastern kicks off the Central Maine Sports Blog's marathon live blog on Saturday. (11:45 am est until after the final snap of Cincinnati/Hawaii, which starts at 11:30 pm est)

This Week on The Central Maine Sports Blog

Things are going to be a bit more national this week, as I am planning on some coverage of the Army/Navy game (I am also planning on a live blog next Saturday that will start with Army/Navy and end with Hawaii/Cincy. No I have no life. Thanks for asking though.)

We will have the Army teleconference with head coach Stan Brock tomorrow afternoon. We are working on getting a former player from both Army and Navy to talk about the rivalry and what it means to each side.

There will be some more things coming this week as well and as always we will have your local sports links and Big East coverage.

Friday Morning Quick Hitters

UMaine Women's Basketball dropped a hard fought game to Central Connecticut State 65 - 57. Kristin Baker led the Black Bears with 11 points and 10 rebounds in the loss. The Black Bears are 0 - 2 early in the season.




The Boston Celtics slammed the Detroit Pistons, as the Pistons are still looking for offense's comfort level with Allen Iverson. The Celtics won 98 - 80.

Here are the Match-ups for Tonight and this weekend to keep an eye on.

Friday November 21

The MAINEiacs face the Shawinigan Cataractes at Shawinigan. (Tonight at 7:30 pm, can be heard on 1470 AM out of Auburn)




The Pirates are facing rival Providence Bruins at the Dunkin Donuts Center in Providence. (7:00 pm on AM 1400, 1490 out of Portland, 1240 AM IN L-A, 780 AM in Rumford, and 1450 AM in South Paris)

The Maine Men's Hockey Team gets ready for the first game of a 2 game series against the Merrimack Warriors at the Alfond. (7 pm Friday and Saturday nights, listen online at www.goblackbears.com)




The Celtics face the Minnesota Timberwolves in Minnesota. (TV-CSNNE , Radio 96.3 FM WJAB 8:00 pm)




The Bruins take on the Florida Panthers at The Garden (7:00 pm NESN HD)

Saturday November 22

MPAA Football Championships
Fitzpatrick Stadium, Portland Maine

Class A - Bonny Eagle Scots vs Skowhegan Indians (6 PM)

Class B - Morse Ship Builders vs Mountain Valley Falcons (11 AM)

Class C - Winthrop Ramblers vs John Bapst Memorial Crusaders (2:30 PM)

The Portland Pirates take on the Hartford Wolfpack at the Cumberland County Civic Center. (7:00 pm on AM 1400, 1490 out of Portland, 1240 AM IN L-A, 780 AM in Rumford, and 1450 AM in South Paris, Tix available at www.portlandpirates.com)



The MAINEiacs take on the Gatineau Olympiques in Gatineau, Quebec (Tonight at 7:30 pm, can be heard on 1470 AM out of Auburn)




The Black Bears Football team takes on rival UNH Widcats for CAA North Division supremacy at Morse Field at Noon. Don't forget the Central Maine Sports Blog will be Blogging LIVE from Morse Field.


The Men's Hockey Team take on Merrimack in the 2nd in 2 nights at the Alfond. (7 pm, listen online at www.goblackbears.com

The Men's Basketball team takes on Providence at Providence Saturday afternoon. (listen online at www.goblackbears.com)


Army football travels to Rutgers. Game is at 12:05 est on SNY





The Bruins go to Montreal for an Original Six match-up with the Canadiens. (7:00 pm NESN HD)

Army Linebacker Frank Scappaticci

We interviewed Army Linebacker Frank Scappaticci this week.

Army Football Coverage This Week

So far this week I have posted the weekly press conferences of Army coach Stan Brock and Texas A+M coach Mike Sherman, both of which are at the top this page and available in the red Talkshoe player. Army and Texas A+M play Saturday at 12:30 pm est, and the game is on Versus. I am working on getting an Army player on this week, I will keep you posted.