What is going on?

[appgrad]

Question, why do some people constantly suggest bringing back App State people?

Justin Stepp BECAME a Mountaineer over time with his contributions to the team. But he was a Furman/Clemson guy.

We need a high energy, youthful guy with recruiting moxie to come in and do what Stepp did for three years: relate to these young kids and get them excited about the future and playing WR for App State.

Let's not limit ourselves to just hiring former App State stars. Let's instead take the best person for the job and turn them into a Mountaineer!

I do agree with this...and I will say, while Batichon was awesome, based on his LinkedIn profile, he's doing wonderful things with his degree. You don't enter into the Special Education field if you don't have a passion for it. Hard to imagine he would leave that behind to just be a coach.

Could be wrong.

But - yeah - I've always said that you need to get the best guy, regardless of where he went to school. So many colleges over-prioritize that in their hires. See: "Michigan Man"

Depending on the next 3-4 years, I am hoping we may have actually made the alumnus hire work...but it's a rare thing.

[WVAPPeer]

Question, why do some people constantly suggest bringing back App State people?

Justin Stepp BECAME a Mountaineer over time with his contributions to the team. But he was a Furman/Clemson guy.

We need a high energy, youthful guy with recruiting moxie to come in and do what Stepp did for three years: relate to these young kids and get them excited about the future and playing WR for App State.

Let's not limit ourselves to just hiring former App State stars. Let's instead take the best person for the job and turn them into a Mountaineer!

Can't speak for others but personally I don't know any assistants at other programs and we all know former Mountaineers - however I am not nominating anyone ---

[BeauFoster]

Yeah an FBS recruiter who can fill in Stepps shoes should get more than 50k.

In an ideal world, we would have the money to pay all our assistant coaches 6 figures, tear down 80% of KBS and replace/expand it, and put a scoreboard into the Holmes Center. However, this isn't a perfect world and these things that you seem to advocate so often cost money - a lot of it.

You use the word "should" in several of your posts. "Should" doesn't get things done. I'd advise you to take a look at the financials of the Appalachian State Athletic Department and figure out where your going to cut to get all these things that we "should" have.

[EastHallApp]

Question, why do some people constantly suggest bringing back App State people?

Justin Stepp BECAME a Mountaineer over time with his contributions to the team. But he was a Furman/Clemson guy.

We need a high energy, youthful guy with recruiting moxie to come in and do what Stepp did for three years: relate to these young kids and get them excited about the future and playing WR for App State.

Let's not limit ourselves to just hiring former App State stars. Let's instead take the best person for the job and turn them into a Mountaineer!

Probably just familiarity. How many of us are really familiar enough with other G5 position coaches - let alone grad assistants - to make credible suggestions otherwise?

I do think that, all other things being equal, hiring an alum is a plus. Having someone who has experienced going through the program can potentially help them as a salesman with recruits, plus you would think it might add a *little* more loyalty in terms of what it would take to pull them away. So I don't really understand why some people seem to be opposed to hiring an alum.

With that said, I agree, you use your contacts to find the best person for the job.

[EastHallApp]

Yeah an FBS recruiter who can fill in Stepps shoes should get more than 50k.

In an ideal world, we would have the money to pay all our assistant coaches 6 figures, tear down 80% of KBS and replace/expand it, and put a scoreboard into the Holmes Center. However, this isn't a perfect world and these things that you seem to advocate so often cost money - a lot of it.

You use the word "should" in several of your posts. "Should" doesn't get things done. I'd advise you to take a look at the financials of the Appalachian State Athletic Department and figure out where your going to cut to get all these things that we "should" have.

Satterfield just got a pay raise to bring him in line (or at least closer) with his Sun Belt peers. I would hope/assume the same would be done for the rest of the staff.

That $50K figure was (more or less) the going rate for an FCS position coach. It is not the market rate for an FBS position coach. Surely higher coach salaries were one of the easiest factors to anticipate when determining whether to make the jump.

[BeauFoster]

Satterfield just got a pay raise to bring him in line (or at least closer) with his Sun Belt peers. I would hope/assume the same would be done for the rest of the staff.

That $50K figure was (more or less) the going rate for an FCS position coach. It is not the market rate for an FBS position coach. Surely higher coach salaries were one of the easiest factors to anticipate when determining whether to make the jump.

I agree it is not the market rate, but none of our coaches really make the market rate. We will have to pay more as we fill vacancies, but that's going to be market-driven, not by what the MMB thinks we should pay.

My post was more in response to crossza, who seems to want to spend vast amounts of money that we don't have. His first two threads (that I remember) dealt with adding a video scoreboard to Holmes and renovating the stadium. Those are two things that I think the vast majority of this board would like to see done in due time, but the phrasing of the posts - "we're FBS, we should have this" chaffed my wheat. It's that type of attitude that sank the country in 2007-2009.

[bcoach]

Satterfield just got a pay raise to bring him in line (or at least closer) with his Sun Belt peers. I would hope/assume the same would be done for the rest of the staff.

That $50K figure was (more or less) the going rate for an FCS position coach. It is not the market rate for an FBS position coach. Surely higher coach salaries were one of the easiest factors to anticipate when determining whether to make the jump.

I agree it is not the market rate, but none of our coaches really make the market rate. We will have to pay more as we fill vacancies, but that's going to be market-driven, not by what the MMB thinks we should pay.

My post was more in response to crossza, who seems to want to spend vast amounts of money that we don't have. His first two threads (that I remember) dealt with adding a video scoreboard to Holmes and renovating the stadium. Those are two things that I think the vast majority of this board would like to see done in due time, but the phrasing of the posts - "we're FBS, we should have this" chaffed my wheat. It's that type of attitude that sank the country in 2007-2009.

You could not be more correct. We need a plan. Our contributions by percentage of alum and fans are pitiful.

[appstate2007]

So I have a what is going on question! The SBC bowl tie in's have already been picked per ESPN. ULL to New Orleans bowl, Ark St. to Go Daddy Bowl, and USA to Raycom camellia bowl. Question is USA finished 6-6 and Texas St finished 7-5 (both finished 5-3 in Conference). But this feels like a attendance pic. I think Texas St was left out due to the location of the Bowl. This is a big issue because with the SBC only having 4 tie ins next year and all of them being in the south east that puts all the western schools in danger of not getting a invite just do to location. What is to say that if next year App gets into a tie with USA or Ark. St or ULL and they don't get picked just because ULL or USA are closer to location of bowl!

[BeauFoster]

So I have a what is going on question! The SBC bowl tie in's have already been picked per ESPN. ULL to New Orleans bowl, Ark St. to Go Daddy Bowl, and USA to Raycom camellia bowl. Question is USA finished 6-6 and Texas St finished 7-5 (both finished 5-3 in Conference). But this feels like a attendance pic. I think Texas St was left out due to the location of the Bowl. This is a big issue because with the SBC only having 4 tie ins next year and all of them being in the south east that puts all the western schools in danger of not getting a invite just do to location. What is to say that if next year App gets into a tie with USA or Ark. St or ULL and they don't get picked just because ULL or USA are closer to location of bowl!

That's a good question, and I think we all anticipate the answer - App would probably be left on the bench. The best way to avoid the problem is to go 11-1, put a real scare into Clemson, and be the top ranked conference champion in the playoff poll. Then we don't have to worry about those 4 bowls!

[EastHallApp]

Satterfield just got a pay raise to bring him in line (or at least closer) with his Sun Belt peers. I would hope/assume the same would be done for the rest of the staff.

That $50K figure was (more or less) the going rate for an FCS position coach. It is not the market rate for an FBS position coach. Surely higher coach salaries were one of the easiest factors to anticipate when determining whether to make the jump.

I agree it is not the market rate, but none of our coaches really make the market rate. We will have to pay more as we fill vacancies, but that's going to be market-driven, not by what the MMB thinks we should pay.

My post was more in response to crossza, who seems to want to spend vast amounts of money that we don't have. His first two threads (that I remember) dealt with adding a video scoreboard to Holmes and renovating the stadium. Those are two things that I think the vast majority of this board would like to see done in due time, but the phrasing of the posts - "we're FBS, we should have this" chaffed my wheat. It's that type of attitude that sank the country in 2007-2009.

I am with you on facility enhancements. Things like a new scoreboard or stadium renovations are electives. But paying coaches competitive salaries is standard cost of operating. I don't have any idea what our AD budget looks like, but if there isn't room to pay the coaches then I'd say that's a problem.

And we can't just wait to do so until we have vacancies, we need to pay the current coaches in line with their peers. Otherwise we'll have a whole bunch of those vacancies to fill very quickly as other schools offer to double and triple their salaries.

[EastHallApp]

So I have a what is going on question! The SBC bowl tie in's have already been picked per ESPN. ULL to New Orleans bowl, Ark St. to Go Daddy Bowl, and USA to Raycom camellia bowl. Question is USA finished 6-6 and Texas St finished 7-5 (both finished 5-3 in Conference). But this feels like a attendance pic. I think Texas St was left out due to the location of the Bowl. This is a big issue because with the SBC only having 4 tie ins next year and all of them being in the south east that puts all the western schools in danger of not getting a invite just do to location. What is to say that if next year App gets into a tie with USA or Ark. St or ULL and they don't get picked just because ULL or USA are closer to location of bowl!

This has been discussed somewhat on other threads. You can be sure those are based on attendance, and I do think it's a concern for App. And you can bet New Orleans would have still picked ULL even if Ga. Southern had been eligible, despite their conference championship.

The one good thing for us is that I think Orlando would find us to be a very appealing draw. Only school that might be better for them would be Southern.

[GreatAppSt]

Stepp wouldn't have left App State for a few extra bucks. Chad Morris was Stepp's mentor when he was a GA at Clemson. When Morris got the SMU job it was a matter of time.

Not to nitpick, because overall I agree with your thoughts, but Stepp will probably double his salary at least with this move, and that's assuming his listed salary is out of date due to the FBS pay bumps. It's not going to be "a few extra bucks." That kind of raise would be a big incentive for most people.

It's also Dallas, Boone is best in my book but Dallas ain't chopped liver.

[appgrad]

Stepp wouldn't have left App State for a few extra bucks. Chad Morris was Stepp's mentor when he was a GA at Clemson. When Morris got the SMU job it was a matter of time.

Not to nitpick, because overall I agree with your thoughts, but Stepp will probably double his salary at least with this move, and that's assuming his listed salary is out of date due to the FBS pay bumps. It's not going to be "a few extra bucks." That kind of raise would be a big incentive for most people.

It's also Dallas, Boone is best in my book but Dallas ain't chopped liver.

It's more sliced brisket.

I would guess, too, that the housing market in Dallas is slightly more friendly than Boone. Not a ton of new construction up the mountain, and most of what is new is for rich retirees. No state income tax in Texas either, IIRC.

[BeauFoster]

I am with you on facility enhancements. Things like a new scoreboard or stadium renovations are electives. But paying coaches competitive salaries is standard cost of operating. I don't have any idea what our AD budget looks like, but if there isn't room to pay the coaches then I'd say that's a problem.

And we can't just wait to do so until we have vacancies, we need to pay the current coaches in line with their peers. Otherwise we'll have a whole bunch of those vacancies to fill very quickly as other schools offer to double and triple their salaries.

So I did a fair amount of googling and found the following for WR coaches in the Sun Belt. There's no telling how accurate these numbers are, since they are on the internet, but I'd say they are reasonable. Apologies for this being unreadable, I can't get any formatting to stick. Bottom line, $65-75k would likely be in line for conference mates, but may be higher than we're willing to pay someone directly out of college (if we go that route).

Coach School Position Salary Source
Luke Paschall Ark St WR/ST $75,000 Howl Yes
Matt Barrett Ga So WR n/a
Tim Lappano Ga State WR n/a
Jorge Munoz ULL WR $100,000 24/7
Mario Price ULM In WR $43,500 USA Today
Jason Nichols ULM Out WR $73,000 24/7
Tim Bowens USA WR n/a
Jason Johnson Tx State WR $56,800 24/7
Cornelius Williams Troy WR n/a

[WVAPPeer]

So I have a what is going on question! The SBC bowl tie in's have already been picked per ESPN. ULL to New Orleans bowl, Ark St. to Go Daddy Bowl, and USA to Raycom camellia bowl. Question is USA finished 6-6 and Texas St finished 7-5 (both finished 5-3 in Conference). But this feels like a attendance pic. I think Texas St was left out due to the location of the Bowl. This is a big issue because with the SBC only having 4 tie ins next year and all of them being in the south east that puts all the western schools in danger of not getting a invite just do to location. What is to say that if next year App gets into a tie with USA or Ark. St or ULL and they don't get picked just because ULL or USA are closer to location of bowl!

That's a good question, and I think we all anticipate the answer - App would probably be left on the bench. The best way to avoid the problem is to go 11-1, put a real scare into Clemson, and be the top ranked conference champion in the playoff poll. Then we don't have to worry about those 4 bowls!

I believe USA beat TX ST but whether that has any bearing I have no idea

[EastHallApp]

Stepp wouldn't have left App State for a few extra bucks. Chad Morris was Stepp's mentor when he was a GA at Clemson. When Morris got the SMU job it was a matter of time.

Not to nitpick, because overall I agree with your thoughts, but Stepp will probably double his salary at least with this move, and that's assuming his listed salary is out of date due to the FBS pay bumps. It's not going to be "a few extra bucks." That kind of raise would be a big incentive for most people.

It's also Dallas, Boone is best in my book but Dallas ain't chopped liver.

It's more sliced brisket.

I would guess, too, that the housing market in Dallas is slightly more friendly than Boone. Not a ton of new construction up the mountain, and most of what is new is for rich retirees. No state income tax in Texas either, IIRC.

The state income tax part is correct and I'm sure is appealing, though I believe they make up for it with sales taxes or something else like that.

Housing market probably not a big factor for a 30-year-old position coach - doubt he'll be looking to put down very deep roots.

On the other hand, there are other "markets" for a young single guy that might be appealing in the big city.

[APPARJ]

Lance Taylor is a RB coach at Stanford.

Lonnie Galloway is a WR coach at WVU.

Stepp is a WR coach at SMU.

Satt is going to get hundreds of offensive GA resumes in his inbox from big time schools. App State is a football school on the upswing with a history of sending their coaches to bigger roles.

We'll not only have plenty of interest and I'm confident Satt will hire a great replacement.

My ONLY concern will be whether or not the replacement will be as great at recruiting as Stepp was for App. Afterall, Stepp is THE REASON we have Taylor Lamb and Shaedon Meadors.

[JTApps1]

So I have a what is going on question! The SBC bowl tie in's have already been picked per ESPN. ULL to New Orleans bowl, Ark St. to Go Daddy Bowl, and USA to Raycom camellia bowl. Question is USA finished 6-6 and Texas St finished 7-5 (both finished 5-3 in Conference). But this feels like a attendance pic. I think Texas St was left out due to the location of the Bowl. This is a big issue because with the SBC only having 4 tie ins next year and all of them being in the south east that puts all the western schools in danger of not getting a invite just do to location. What is to say that if next year App gets into a tie with USA or Ark. St or ULL and they don't get picked just because ULL or USA are closer to location of bowl!

That is one big reason why I'm not going to be too upset if ULL does end up going to CUSA. That would open up the New Orleans Bowl to the rest of the conference once again. I do believe the Camilla Bowl is designated for the #3 Sun Belt team, but with us and GS not being eligible USA and Texas State were tied for that spot. I'm not 100% sure that is the case, but it is what I read on the Sun Belt board last week.

[NewApp]

Stepp wouldn't have left App State for a few extra bucks. Chad Morris was Stepp's mentor when he was a GA at Clemson. When Morris got the SMU job it was a matter of time.

Not to nitpick, because overall I agree with your thoughts, but Stepp will probably double his salary at least with this move, and that's assuming his listed salary is out of date due to the FBS pay bumps. It's not going to be "a few extra bucks." That kind of raise would be a big incentive for most people.

It's also Dallas, Boone is best in my book but Dallas ain't chopped liver.

It's more sliced brisket.

I would guess, too, that the housing market in Dallas is slightly more friendly than Boone. Not a ton of new construction up the mountain, and most of what is new is for rich retirees. No state income tax in Texas either, IIRC.

The state income tax part is correct and I'm sure is appealing, though I believe they make up for it with sales taxes or something else like that.

Housing market probably not a big factor for a 30-year-old position coach - doubt he'll be looking to put down very deep roots.

On the other hand, there are other "markets" for a young single guy that might be appealing in the big city.

You are probably right about the state income tax in most cases, but if I'm not mistaken, Tennessee has no income tax and their sales tax is not much higher than ours especially considering a lot our counties have an additional percentage added on.

[NewApp]

I wish him well. He's a great person and coach.

This however is very concerning:

Seriously you don't have better to do in your life than stalk a teenager's Twitter feed? Get some help dude.

Have to lol.