Friday Stuff

I'm feeling worn out this morning and am betting I'm not the only ZAG fan to feel this way.  

Twas a grueling, frustrating time watching the ZAGS play San Diego last night, even to the point where I wanted to turn off the TV.

Instead, I DID walk over and grab my Irish rosary, holding on to it and mouthing some "Hail Mary's" through the entire second half.

At first, it seemed like even that effort wasn't gonna get the balls to go into the baskets for the ZAGS.  Eventually, however, because prayers might move oh so slow, just like our computers sometimes.  

Well, the message finally must have reached the head office, and, happily, the tide turned during the last four minutes of the game, albeit erratically so.

A win is a win, no matter how ugly, and I'm guessing last night's win probably added a few white hairs to Mark Few's head and, in some cases, maybe a few were pulled out on others' heads.

So, this morning we can look back on last night, take a deep breath, revel in the fact that the No. 6 ZAGS maintained their road winning streak and, more importantly, improved their record to 26-4, and notched at least another share of the WCC championship for this year. 

And, then there's tomorrow night.  

I'll be clutching that rosary from start to finish with the BYU game.  I told Bill this morning that "redemption" should be the word for tomorrow.  

Last year the Cougars ruined the ZAGS' perfect record and their senior night.  Well, the Cougars don't have a perfect record this year, but they do have senior night tomorrow, and we're hoping the ZAGS return the favor at the Marriott Center in Provo. 

Whatever the case, this young team in its "rebuilding" year has managed once more to remind us and the nation that the ZAGS are for real. And, as usual, they have once more helped us through the winter.

Speaking of which, the experts say more snow is coming and that the temps are supposed to warm up a bit.  This morning we had zero degrees here at the Lovestead.

Finally, if you have not signed a petition aimed at having an Initiative for Medicaid Expansion in Idaho added to this year's general election ballot, you'll have an opportunity to do so tomorrow. 

Volunteers will out and about with petitions, or you can go to Evans Bros. coffee to sign.  Thanks. 

And, with that, I'll just shut up and say "Happy Friday."  Be sure to read the press release below.  We're very excited to learn this news about Swiss Miss's aka Laura's dad. 

In the "Swiss Miss Could Become a Kiwi" department, here's some news about her dad Fritz.  


New Zealand Football announce Fritz Schmid as the new All Whites Head Coach. 

[Note:  New Zealand's rugby team is known as the "All Blacks."  Team names refer to their jersey colors.]

The 58-year-old Swiss, who earned his UEFA Pro-Licence in 1998, becomes the 17th coach of the New Zealand men’s national team on a four-year contract. Schmid has been tasked with the goal of qualifying for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

Schmid comes to New Zealand with the experience of coaching at the highest level for both club and country. New Zealand Football Technical Director Andreas Heraf believes he will add huge value to the All Whites as they look to qualify for their third FIFA World Cup.

“We are pleased to confirm Fritz as our new Head Coach for the All Whites,” Heraf says.

“Fritz has a proven track record at the highest level of coaching in Europe and we believe he will take our national team to a new level. He has the experience and the vision to help the All Whites achieve the goal of winning on the world stage at pinnacle events.”

Schmid boasts a CV of significant coaching experience. He was the Assistant Coach for the Austrian National Team (2011 – 13) and Assistant Coach for FC Basel in the Swiss Super League (2002 – 09) when they achieved incredible success byt winning the Swiss Championship four times, the Swiss Cup four times and qualifying for the UEFA Champions League twice.

Before his success with FC Basel, he was the Head Coach at SC Kriens in the Challenge League (2000 – 02), Assistant Coach of FC Zurich in the Super League when they claimed the Swiss Cup in 2000 and in the late 1990s he was an Assistant Coach at Tottenham Hotspur in the English Premier League.

Alongside his long list of coaching qualifications, Schmid has vast experience as a Technical Director, he has completed a Masters in Sport Management and is a qualified journalist.

Schmid, who leaves his role as the Technical Director for the Malaysian Football Association to come to New Zealand, is looking forward to working with the national team.

“It is a great honour to be named as the 17th Head Coach of the All Whites,” Schmid says.

“I am excited to be here in New Zealand and build on what the team has achieved in the last four years. The All Whites are an exciting team and have huge potential. Our ultimate goal over the next four years is to qualify for the FIFA World Cup in 2022 and I am confident we can achieve this.”

Schmid will begin work in March once his visa application has been completed. The All Whites are preparing for the upcoming international friendly against Canada in Spain on 24 March.

The All Whites, who will arrive in Spain on 19 March and leave on 25 March, will have a training camp in Murcia with the main objective of beginning the new era under their new coach.

Schmid will work with Des Buckingham (New Zealand U-20 Head Coach) and Jose Figueira (New Zealand U-17 Head Coach) as his All Whites Assistant Coaches.

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Congratulations and good luck to Fritz on this new assignment in one of our favorite countries.  Some of us might just have to come and visit.