Georgia Southern puts out FBS campaign video

[WataugaMan]

http://www.xtimeline.com/__UserPic_Larg ... 064918.JPG

Mountaineers Battle Brits at Kings Mountain, see above.

[Kgfish]

Does anyone else other than me think GSU's President looks a little like Foster Brooks?

It's a nice video but I agree with others saying it is targeted primarily towards the Eagle faithful. In my opinion it does not accomplish what the Athletic Strategic Plan released by ASU a few months ago. Which is a detailed step by step plan of how ASU will build a solid FBS program. Those wanting to see more ASU be more aggressive need to realize these decisions are made behind closed doors, not in the public arena. Neither UNCC, ODU, Texas State or UTSA released a video. Be assured ASU is in the SB if that is what we want. There is some resistance to GSU among the SB schools and GSU has to sell themselves to the membership. Benson has been charged with expanding the SB athletically, but been told to do so with solid academic schools. The SB Presidents want to enhance the academic reputation of the conference more than the athletics. You will not see this mentioned publicly, but for that reason JMU remains a part of the SB discussion. You guys need to chill out and let this thing work its self out. For the most part I have given up on CUSA, but not the BE.

[GlassOnion]

GSU released an "Athletics Strategic Plan" about a week or two after we did.

http://gseagles.com/headlines/12910-geo ... -athletics

I understand the App silence. I would like some updates and info. But I'd also like it to be well thought out. I feel like we could be building up momentum for the move if we had the correct approach. We should be entering FBS with a roar, but it appears we're going to squeeze quietly in the backdoor instead.

[Maddog1956]

It's very obvious to me why we don't have official updates, statements etc from our Administration. They don't want it to look like they failed.

I find only highly successful and driven people like to make their goals public before hand. Everyone else like to write how they met all their "internal" goals at the end of the year.

Surely you aren't implying that Ken Peacock and Charlie Cobb are successful / driven people. If you believe that, then you obviously don't know either of them. Their goals were made public long ago. The problem here is that the fans want the entire road map, and I don't blame anyone for NOT publishing that. In fact, attempting to execute this type of negotiation in full public sight would be extremely counter productive and even damaging to the negotiations.

Could be you're right, but let's look at another case.

ECU wanted to go to the BE (mainly because of AQ) when the BE stated they were going to pick of teams they sent a letter that had already been prepared the same day and fully announced in the 'press" they were going after it. They didn't get it at first so there wasn't any "behind closed doors" stuff going on. But they made what they wanted known to the fans and the rest of the world. It was also a very bold and "let's put it on the line" move. Later when the BE decided to add more teams ECU was the first one picked.

Coincidence? Maybe, maybe not...but IMHO a bold, risky move by a "go getter".

Now compare that to our "desire" to be in CUSA. Chirp, chirp, chirp, chirp!

Meanwhile UNCC dances into CUSA even without a football team. What did we hear from the Admin...chirp, chirp, chirp. Then a letter posted on the web site, saying "oops, we didn't get an invite to the CUSA (that no one even knew we were going after), because of Media Markets and all this stuff we didn't have control of. (I'm not saying that MM wasn't the real reason, but no "manning" up at all)

And on top of that CC tries to burn the SBC bridge behind him. (If he didn't make the dumbest statement I've ever heard a professional make, I don't know what is)

Now let's move to the current. If there is any future for us, at this time, it's with the SB. GSU sees it the same way and does what ... makes a video, inform fans, in affect telling the world (sound familiar) they want to move up to the SB.

What do we hear from our Admin...Chirp, Chirp, Chirp.

Now I don't want to burst anyone bubble, but if there was anything going on "behind closed doors" we'd be in CUSA today. So my (I'm sure unwanted) advice to the Admin...crawl like a little baby on your hands and knees to the SB presidents, offer them anything they want (including your first born) and make sure we get a FBS conference. But instead what do we hear.....

Chirp, chirp, chirp

After the coach moore fiasco I have lost all confidence in CC. Telling a coach this is last year isn't a complicated problem, yes it can be hard to do, but there should be no misunderstanding.

Given that Moore didn't have any "final season" send off or any recondition from the School his last year, tells me that it was only known the the school. (Think of the support/news it would have created)

Instead this is what we heard about Coach Moore's retirement last year, chirp, chirp, chirp.

Then when we do hear something what is it, statements like, it's was a misunderstanding, we thought he knew, maybe we wasn't clear,etc. I don't know about other people but every time I was let go I knew it. When they said "this will be your last week, I knew what week it was".


If my professional life this is the pattern of someone that doesn't see past 5 o'clock in the afternoon and is just trying to cover up the best they can. Don't we anything out the door or in the press. Another sign, good coaches leaving to lateral positions. (i.e Peterson).

I don't know much about Peacock, but I love how he seems to love the team. I'm proud to call him "Our Chancellor. I would hope that he doesn't have to get that much into the details because that's what we pay a DA for. I don't know CC either and I may have things all wrong, but I just call them as "I" see them. I see what other schools do and what seems to work and I see what we've done at APP that seems to be a mess so far.

My bottom line... if we get in the SB or anywhere it will be due "mostly" to the success of our sports teams and not any great negotiation skills. Again if "out of the public view" were so important we would be in CUSA.

[Gonzo]

It's very obvious to me why we don't have official updates, statements etc from our Administration. They don't want it to look like they failed.

I find only highly successful and driven people like to make their goals public before hand. Everyone else like to write how they met all their "internal" goals at the end of the year.

Surely you aren't implying that Ken Peacock and Charlie Cobb are successful / driven people. If you believe that, then you obviously don't know either of them. Their goals were made public long ago. The problem here is that the fans want the entire road map, and I don't blame anyone for NOT publishing that. In fact, attempting to execute this type of negotiation in full public sight would be extremely counter productive and even damaging to the negotiations.

Could be you're right, but let's look at another case.

ECU wanted to go to the BE (mainly because of AQ) when the BE stated they were going to pick of teams they sent a letter that had already been prepared the same day and fully announced in the 'press" they were going after it. They didn't get it at first so there wasn't any "behind closed doors" stuff going on. But they made what they wanted known to the fans and the rest of the world. It was also a very bold and "let's put it on the line" move. Later when the BE decided to add more teams ECU was the first one picked.

Coincidence? Maybe, maybe not...but IMHO a bold, risky move by a "go getter".

Now compare that to our "desire" to be in CUSA. Chirp, chirp, chirp, chirp!

Meanwhile UNCC dances into CUSA even without a football team. What did we hear from the Admin...chirp, chirp, chirp. Then a letter posted on the web site, saying "oops, we didn't get an invite to the CUSA (that no one even knew we were going after), because of Media Markets and all this stuff we didn't have control of. (I'm not saying that MM wasn't the real reason, but no "manning" up at all)

And on top of that CC tries to burn the SBC bridge behind him. (If he didn't make the dumbest statement I've ever heard a professional make, I don't know what is)

Now let's move to the current. If there is any future for us, at this time, it's with the SB. GSU sees it the same way and does what ... makes a video, inform fans, in affect telling the world (sound familiar) they want to move up to the SB.

What do we hear from our Admin...Chirp, Chirp, Chirp.

Now I don't want to burst anyone bubble, but if there was anything going on "behind closed doors" we'd be in CUSA today. So my (I'm sure unwanted) advice to the Admin...crawl like a little baby on your hands and knees to the SB presidents, offer them anything they want (including your first born) and make sure we get a FBS conference. But instead what do we hear.....

Chirp, chirp, chirp

After the coach moore fiasco I have lost all confidence in CC. Telling a coach this is last year isn't a complicated problem, yes it can be hard to do, but there should be no misunderstanding.

Given that Moore didn't have any "final season" send off or any recondition from the School his last year, tells me that it was only known the the school. (Think of the support/news it would have created)

Instead this is what we heard about Coach Moore's retirement last year, chirp, chirp, chirp.

Then when we do hear something what is it, statements like, it's was a misunderstanding, we thought he knew, maybe we wasn't clear,etc. I don't know about other people but every time I was let go I knew it. When they said "this will be your last week, I knew what week it was".


If my professional life this is the pattern of someone that doesn't see past 5 o'clock in the afternoon and is just trying to cover up the best they can. Don't we anything out the door or in the press. Another sign, good coaches leaving to lateral positions. (i.e Peterson).

I don't know much about Peacock, but I love how he seems to love the team. I'm proud to call him "Our Chancellor. I would hope that he doesn't have to get that much into the details because that's what we pay a DA for. I don't know CC either and I may have things all wrong, but I just call them as "I" see them. I see what other schools do and what seems to work and I see what we've done at APP that seems to be a mess so far.

My bottom line... if we get in the SB or anywhere it will be due "mostly" to the success of our sports teams and not any great negotiation skills. Again if "out of the public view" were so important we would be in CUSA.

TL:DR

[Saint3333]

Out or in the publics face didn't matter then, "markets" did. Going public this time will not matter either. Doing something we didn't do last time will though, let the Sun Belt decision makers know we are interested and show them what we bring.

As for Moore's retirement lap, not going public before the season was his idea.

[bcoach]

I liked the video but I agree that the yellow school buses and the "get on the bus" line cheapened the effect for me. Still they did put a statement out there................

I also agree with 66 that it's time to get a real Yosef in period dress on the field and put the comic rag doll of a Yosef in the stands to humor the kids.

I really don't know what people want AppState to do that has not already been done. We have made it crystal clear in no uncertain terms that the university wants to go FBS. Look no further than the ASU athletic plan that we released about a month ago.

As for the video, I really don't understand the point except to make an arguement to people that probably will not change thier mind in the first place... specifically those at GaGa Sou that want to stay in FCS. At the end of the day, those folks will go with the flow when the conference invites are handed out.

Just my opinion, but I think the video is targeted at the Georgia Southern fanbase....not at the SunBelt. It's a rallying point to get the fans excited about the future and help them understand the reasons for the move that go beyond athletic competition.

That is exactly what it is. They are trying to rally more support in their own ranks because they have had considerable opposition. Not a bad job.

[Maddog1956]

As for Moore's retirement lap, not going public before the season was his idea.

That's fits his character, but when he said "... he talked to Cobb that December about how to improve the situation with the football program, but added that he never felt there was an agreement in place about 2012 being his final season as coach" it changed my mind. 2012-12-05 22:50:43 WatDem

There is a lot of stuff out there about it and I really didn't want to rehash it, but if a simple thing like telling a coach when his last year is so confusing.... it leads me to think that there is something to be desired in negotiation skills.

But I really don't care to go on about should if this or that should be public, but there are examples out there, and I wouldn't give too much credit to the fact that all this stuff we haven't seen is really going on "behind closed doors". Usually when I open closed doors there is a lot of ...chirping going on. If we get in the SB it's because we're one of the best FCS teams/schools out there that wants to move up.

[bcoach]

It's very obvious to me why we don't have official updates, statements etc from our Administration. They don't want it to look like they failed.

I find only highly successful and driven people like to make their goals public before hand. Everyone else like to write how they met all their "internal" goals at the end of the year.

Surely you aren't implying that Ken Peacock and Charlie Cobb are successful / driven people. If you believe that, then you obviously don't know either of them. Their goals were made public long ago. The problem here is that the fans want the entire road map, and I don't blame anyone for NOT publishing that. In fact, attempting to execute this type of negotiation in full public sight would be extremely counter productive and even damaging to the negotiations.

Could be you're right, but let's look at another case.

ECU wanted to go to the BE (mainly because of AQ) when the BE stated they were going to pick of teams they sent a letter that had already been prepared the same day and fully announced in the 'press" they were going after it. They didn't get it at first so there wasn't any "behind closed doors" stuff going on. But they made what they wanted known to the fans and the rest of the world. It was also a very bold and "let's put it on the line" move. Later when the BE decided to add more teams ECU was the first one picked.

Coincidence? Maybe, maybe not...but IMHO a bold, risky move by a "go getter".

Now compare that to our "desire" to be in CUSA. Chirp, chirp, chirp, chirp!

Meanwhile UNCC dances into CUSA even without a football team. What did we hear from the Admin...chirp, chirp, chirp. Then a letter posted on the web site, saying "oops, we didn't get an invite to the CUSA (that no one even knew we were going after), because of Media Markets and all this stuff we didn't have control of. (I'm not saying that MM wasn't the real reason, but no "manning" up at all)

And on top of that CC tries to burn the SBC bridge behind him. (If he didn't make the dumbest statement I've ever heard a professional make, I don't know what is)

Now let's move to the current. If there is any future for us, at this time, it's with the SB. GSU sees it the same way and does what ... makes a video, inform fans, in affect telling the world (sound familiar) they want to move up to the SB.

What do we hear from our Admin...Chirp, Chirp, Chirp.

Now I don't want to burst anyone bubble, but if there was anything going on "behind closed doors" we'd be in CUSA today. So my (I'm sure unwanted) advice to the Admin...crawl like a little baby on your hands and knees to the SB presidents, offer them anything they want (including your first born) and make sure we get a FBS conference. But instead what do we hear.....

Chirp, chirp, chirp

After the coach moore fiasco I have lost all confidence in CC. Telling a coach this is last year isn't a complicated problem, yes it can be hard to do, but there should be no misunderstanding.

Given that Moore didn't have any "final season" send off or any recondition from the School his last year, tells me that it was only known the the school. (Think of the support/news it would have created)

Instead this is what we heard about Coach Moore's retirement last year, chirp, chirp, chirp.

Then when we do hear something what is it, statements like, it's was a misunderstanding, we thought he knew, maybe we wasn't clear,etc. I don't know about other people but every time I was let go I knew it. When they said "this will be your last week, I knew what week it was".


If my professional life this is the pattern of someone that doesn't see past 5 o'clock in the afternoon and is just trying to cover up the best they can. Don't we anything out the door or in the press. Another sign, good coaches leaving to lateral positions. (i.e Peterson).

I don't know much about Peacock, but I love how he seems to love the team. I'm proud to call him "Our Chancellor. I would hope that he doesn't have to get that much into the details because that's what we pay a DA for. I don't know CC either and I may have things all wrong, but I just call them as "I" see them. I see what other schools do and what seems to work and I see what we've done at APP that seems to be a mess so far.

My bottom line... if we get in the SB or anywhere it will be due "mostly" to the success of our sports teams and not any great negotiation skills. Again if "out of the public view" were so important we would be in CUSA.

Word for word you hit the nail on the head.

[Saint3333]

I think you mean communication skills not negoiation skills.

Terry Holland was a heck of an AD but he couldn't get ECU in the BE until they were the best option.

Conference aren't interested in AD's negoiation skills they are going to pick the best overall program based upon a set criteria. Last year a large part of that criteria was "market".

[Maddog1956]

I think you mean communication skills not negoiation skills.

Terry Holland was a heck of an AD but he couldn't get ECU in the BE until they were the best option.

Conference aren't interested in AD's negoiation skills they are going to pick the best overall program based upon a set criteria. Last year a large part of that criteria was "market".

I think you mean negotiation not negoiation!

Also a lack of one would cast doubt on the other, IMHO.

I do agree with your later comment, however and I think it proves my point to some degree. If negotiations skills and hard work doesn't matter, at least you should let fans know what's going on. Because in the end it doesn't hurt or help your chances one bit. It does however make a difference to the fans. I know a lot of ECU fans and they knew where they were at through the whole process. They knew their AD had gave 110% and it was only a minor disappointment. Then when they got accepted that knew their AD hadn't stopped working.

Conference should do what's best (like 12 teams and a playoff) and pick teams on set criteria (media LTC?) and I hope the SB does.

[hapapp]

we didn't get an invite to the CUSA (that no one even knew we were going after),

Not sure where you were but I clearly remember all the talk about a CUSA invite or at least the prospect that one was coming. I don't remember ODU publicly pursuing a CUSA invite but they got it. Our not being in the SBC right now has nothing to do with our inability to negotiate.

[Saint3333]

I disagree with communicating to the fans. That can hurt in negotiations, it is called showing your hand in poker.

As usual hap nailed it.

[Eagle22]

Both the GSU and ASU fanbases are in a similar status (waiting for a move to the SunBelt), but we've gotten to this point by somewhat different processes. Timing is everything. For years, GSU fans wanted our previous president and athletic director to show 1/100th of the conviction about improving the program that is evident in this short video. Our fanbase is literally starved for some of this optimism and push for improvement. That said, we have our share of folks who are perfectly content with the status quo. Most of them have been supporters since day one (1982) and a lot of them are locals who don't want much to change. The past administration had marginalized some. Others fell back into rooting for the Dawgs once Erk retired.

Our new president was selected by the Board of Regents to not only lead the University, but preside over an attempt in the region to kickstart the economic engine that is on a slow idle, but is positioned to turn out some serious horsepower. The growth around the port of Savannah and the impact of GSU on the region is projected to be pretty spectacular in the next two decades, and our president and new AD understand what can happen. That is a big factor in the projections which show GSU to be near 25,000 students within the next 10 years. Sure, there are no guarantees ... but at least they aren't afraid to try like our previous "leaders" were.

I am the Secretary of the GSU Alumni Association Board, and have heard first hand at meetings and presentations the scale and scope of the changes that are underway ... and what it means. Not just athletics. The folks in charge here now are not content with what we had, they are forging ahead. The parallels between GSU's Keel and Kleinlein, to Peacock and Cobb are very similar. No one individual at any school is immune from missteps, but sometimes you have to play your cards close to the vest and other times you must lay them out for all to see. GSU has crossed that bridge .... perhaps a year later than ASU's leaders did ... but ultimately I feel confident that we're both going to end up in the same place. How you get there once your there, doesn't matter. There are no one-size-fits-all approaches when you're talking about the unpredictability that is collegiate athletics realignment.

[Eagle22]

I disagree with communicating to the fans. That can hurt in negotiations, it is called showing your hand in poker.

As usual hap nailed it.

Unless you are past the point of negotiations. I think the term is "foreshadowing"

[Saint3333]

I hope you're right. Thanks for stopping by always enjoy your insight.

[Kgfish]

GSU released an "Athletics Strategic Plan" about a week or two after we did.

http://gseagles.com/headlines/12910-geo ... -athletics

I understand the App silence. I would like some updates and info. But I'd also like it to be well thought out. I feel like we could be building up momentum for the move if we had the correct approach. We should be entering FBS with a roar, but it appears we're going to squeeze quietly in the backdoor instead.

GSU's 'plan' condenses down to about 3 written pages and is short on specifics. App's plan is about 17 pages of highly detailed information.

[AppinATL]

http://www.xtimeline.com/__UserPic_Larg ... 064918.JPG

Mountaineers Battle Brits at Kings Mountain, see above.

Damn, that's got me fired up about GA Southern and I hate their butts! I especially love their AD's answer to the "Big Fish in a Small Pond" mentality: "that pond may be drying up and the big fish are the first to die."

Tell you what, we as a university had better take this seriously, or they might just leave us behind. I don't mean in fcs, but as a relevant university as a whole. They sound serious about becoming a significant national research institution and I have to hand it to them for setting the bar high and going after it. Also about being high profile about it.

I think we play things way too close to the vest.This is the one area I think we can take a lesson from those guys.

[Eagle22]

GSU released an "Athletics Strategic Plan" about a week or two after we did.

http://gseagles.com/headlines/12910-geo ... -athletics

I understand the App silence. I would like some updates and info. But I'd also like it to be well thought out. I feel like we could be building up momentum for the move if we had the correct approach. We should be entering FBS with a roar, but it appears we're going to squeeze quietly in the backdoor instead.

GSU's 'plan' condenses down to about 3 written pages and is short on specifics. App's plan is about 17 pages of highly detailed information.

You're exactly right about the plan being condensed into 3 pages. We've had our study done a while, but it was done w/ the previous leadership (different president, different AD). While the objectives hadn't changed, the entire tone and desire to accomplish 'the plan' certainly has.

Kleinlein came in and basically had to wake up and get the attention of an entire department that either had been sleepwalking the last fifteen years (at worst) or were at a minimum, not overly concerned with striving for more. I am not referring to the coaching realms, but the administrative side. He also had to come in and turn the tide with the alumni base, many of whom had been lulled to sleep, marginalized or simply ignored for quite some time. I thought it was a good idea to target certain portions that are on the more immediate horizon, and absolutely smart on his part to not regurgitate the entire document. Plus, having been on the receiving side of this information for 30+ years from the University, it was like a time warp back to the early 80's when we had solid leadership in place that actually engaged with the fans.

There are plenty of specifics to be had, but that 3 page presentation was a refined part of the entire plan, and is geared more toward the near term goals and doesn't drill down into every single nook and cranny. Most folks aren't going to recall 100 pages of a master plan with exact intracacies. Heck, I don't even remember how long ours was

[Maddog1956]

Damn, that's got me fired up about GA Southern and I hate their butts! I especially love their AD's answer to the "Big Fish in a Small Pond" mentality: "that pond may be drying up and the big fish are the first to die."

Tell you what, we as a university had better take this seriously, or they might just leave us behind. I don't mean in fcs, but as a relevant university as a whole. They sound serious about becoming a significant national research institution and I have to hand it to them for setting the bar high and going after it. Also about being high profile about it.

I think we play things way too close to the vest.This is the one area I think we can take a lesson from those guys.

I agree totally, the best way to excel in anything is to set goal and make them know to everyone. Then keep everyone notified of your progress. They have certainly do that anyway.

GSU may have started late, but people don't really remember the first shot of a game they remember the last shot.