Who stays, who goes?

[AppSt94]

Anyway you look at it, our defense will not perform to the same level as last few years. All defensive coaches will have to learn what our players can and cannot do and then adjust our play calling to fit.

I think that someone uttered this same sentiment last year. That worked out OK.

[Appstate88]

Anyway you look at it, our defense will not perform to the same level as last few years. All defensive coaches will have to learn what our players can and cannot do and then adjust our play calling to fit.

I think that someone uttered this same sentiment last year. That worked out OK.

I hope it does work out. This time around we won’t have DJ and Gas. All we have is the head ball coach. I continue to #trusttheballcap.

[The Rock]

Anyway you look at it, our defense will not perform to the same level as last few years. All defensive coaches will have to learn what our players can and cannot do and then adjust our play calling to fit.

I think that someone uttered this same sentiment last year. That worked out OK.

True, but if the rumblings are true, that was due in part, at least, to the staff continuity of the previous year in gasparato.

[DoesntEvenGoHere]

No defensive staff returning from last year. Jones coming back is a bigger deal to me now than before. Would be sweet if we could also get Ivey back.

I don't think Ivey comes back but I think you've hit the nail on the head. Despite what you think about Jones ability to the DC, I think he at the very least adds continuity to our defense. I don't see him changing it up too much. Same scheme, same aggressiveness. Now it's just about getting the right guys to be the position coaches.

[ukappfan]

From what folks have said Clark should have plenty of quality candidates to Take this defense to another level.

[Appstate88]

From what folks have said Clark should have plenty of quality candidates to Take this defense to another level.

Ready to see him make some selections.

[AppSt94]

Anyway you look at it, our defense will not perform to the same level as last few years. All defensive coaches will have to learn what our players can and cannot do and then adjust our play calling to fit.

I think that someone uttered this same sentiment last year. That worked out OK.

I hope it does work out. This time around we won’t have DJ and Gas. All we have is the head ball coach. I continue to #trusttheballcap.

Agree, but with all due respect to those two guys, I feel pretty good with Jones and Rowe. Jones is one of the best run fit guys around and Rowe is a young, but accomplished secondary coach. Looking forward to seeing who fills out the staff.

[Rekdiver]

Not like each position coach won’t have plenty of film to review on returning players....

[EastHallApp]

Anyway you look at it, our defense will not perform to the same level as last few years. All defensive coaches will have to learn what our players can and cannot do and then adjust our play calling to fit.

I think that someone uttered this same sentiment last year. That worked out OK.

Whoever said that last year was correct. In 2018 we were top seven nationally in scoring defense, total defense and yards per play. This year we were in the 22-25 range in all those categories.

[AppSt94]

Anyway you look at it, our defense will not perform to the same level as last few years. All defensive coaches will have to learn what our players can and cannot do and then adjust our play calling to fit.

I think that someone uttered this same sentiment last year. That worked out OK.

Whoever said that last year was correct. In 2018 we were top seven nationally in scoring defense, total defense and yards per play. This year we were in the 22-25 range in all those categories.

Fair point. Nothing wrong with a 13-1 team and a top 25 defense though.

[Rekdiver]

And our schedule was harder this year?

[AppSt94]

We are replacing five studs on defense as well.

[shortfatoldapp]

Seems like it’s taking a long time to fill out this staff!?!

[AppSt94]

Seems like it’s taking a long time to fill out this staff!?!

There’s no need to be in a hurry. We have our class, we have a HC, RC, SC and probably a DC. It is an ideal situation.

[EastHallApp]

And our schedule was harder this year?

Perhaps. The rankings I can find show our SoS about the same over the past couple years.

We are replacing five studs on defense as well.

Such is the nature of college football.

In 2018 we replaced all-conference Howard, Boggs, Stringer, Sims and Fuller, plus starter Townes (and our DC), and still had a top 10 defense.

In 2019 we replaced all-conference Stout, Duck, Flory and Hayes plus key reserves Exford and Godwin (and our DC), and as noted, dropped off somewhat but still were top 25.

Next year, of course, we must replace all-conference Davis-Gaither, Fehr, Thomas, Scott and Franklin (and, yep, our DC). We do return all our DEs (plus Chris Willis) and all our corners, so that should help.

[CharleyHustle]

Our Ted Roof led defense simply wasn't as good last year as the year before. The D got the job done because we had a returning group of excellent players. They were frequently out of position, especially in prevent defenses. As was pointed out earlier, statistics proved we were not as good last year as the year before. Coach Clark was in the middle of it all and he knows exactly what needs to be done. App Football is now known nation wide. Many good football coaches are available to hire to add their expertise to Mountaineer football. Coach Clark knows football, he knows good coaches and excellent coaching. He is very skilled in the Mountaineer way of producing winning teams. Our program is in great hands. Give the man time to do his job and he will do it exceedingly well!

[boonegoons89]

Our Ted Roof led defense simply wasn't as good last year as the year before. The D got the job done because we had a returning group of excellent players. They were frequently out of position, especially in prevent defenses. As was pointed out earlier, statistics proved we were not as good last year as the year before. Coach Clark was in the middle of it all and he knows exactly what needs to be done. App Football is now known nation wide. Many good football coaches are available to hire to add their expertise to Mountaineer football. Coach Clark knows football, he knows good coaches and excellent coaching. He is very skilled in the Mountaineer way of producing winning teams. Our program is in great hands. Give the man time to do his job and he will do it exceedingly well!

Our 13-1 record begs to differ in regards to your Ted Roof defense comment.

[CharleyHustle]

Top 10 compared to top 25 defensive statistics against a decidedly weaker schedule. Roof is thankfully gone!!

[NavyApp]

Top 10 compared to top 25 defensive statistics against a decidedly weaker schedule. Roof is thankfully gone!!

Not sure why you would say "decidedly weaker", SOS in 2018 was 110, SOS in 2019 was 99. So in fact we faced a stronger schedule this year. I'm not trying to argue your personal preference for DC but let's not just say things that are not substantiated by facts.

[DoesntEvenGoHere]

...What were our statistics when you don't include the first 3 games? We going to ignore the fact that Brown took over a loaded defense that he knew inside and out compared to a new DC coming in & installing his own coverages within the scheme? Clearly took Roof 3 games to work out some kinks & figure it out.

Hate on the man all you want. He did a damn good job all things considered & we would be lucky for Jones to have the same success.