"What else is there to do at App State?"

[ericsaid]

I think we saw exactly why DG went outside the program for a Head Coach. Drink specifically stated that his job description was to "elevate the program" and that this type of win is a stepping stone in that direction. I also believe this ties into what DG's vision for App State football is: be the East Coast version, or better, of Boise State. So you hire a guy who spent quite a bit of time at Boise State, and then helped to elevate a consistently mediocre NC State program as a coordinator.

Against Charlotte, there was a lot of single high safety or zero-blitzing where corners were left to fend for themselves, resulting in big plays. So what was Roof's correction? Play two deep safety, cover 2, 3, and 4, mix up pressures from the front 7 and let the back 4-7 (depending on pressure), flow to the football to prevent big plays. It wasn't the best defensive performance but that was mostly the result of the heat and not necessarily scheme later in the game.

I know it's one win but Drinkwitz and the staff showed great personnel management, good clock management, and an overall ability to keep guys focused. They also showed the ability to adjust their game plan to the team they were facing and an ability to learn. They also showed that this App State team has the ability to continue what was seen with Satterfield and make it different, while appearing to improve it. This is the type of game that a new coaching staff gets 110% buy in from every player on the roster. With the way the Charlotte game went, if App's defensive scheme proved poor again, it could've been a fracturing point for that unit with as much success as they had under the previous coach.

Now, in conclusion, beat Coastal and keep building those mountains Drinkwitz and Co. Show what can be accomplished at App State beyond what was already done.

#1-0inWeek5

[EastHallApp]

Great win Saturday, but the Boise comparison is curious. Boise State built their program through two decades of internal promotion/family hires. Dan Hawkins was OC under Dirk Koetter. Chris Petersen was OC under Hawkins. Bryan Harsin played QB there and was an assistant there for nearly a decade. That's how they've kept program continuity, plus it's probably helped keep HCs around a little longer than you'd expect for a program as successful as theirs.

[Rick83]

I was especially impressed with the fact that that opening 75 yard kick-off return and easy TD by UNC in the opening, what 17 seconds, didn't faze the team one bit. They just went out there and took care of business. I'm a little disappointed that we still have negativity being thrown around on this board when we're 3-0 and just beat not just our first P5 since 2007, but beat the flagship university in the state.
From what I could see, the offense played well enough to win (and I'm not taking anything away from them, they were awesome) but the defense is what won the game. Taylor, Fehr, Davis-Gaither played lights out...major respect earned.

[bigdaddyg]

I think that the defense kept us from having to be in a shootout and needing to score virtually every possession. Amazing that we could rush 3 against a huge line and still get pressure. The smaller fast ends can eat up those 6'8" 320 lb slow ass tackles.

[Yosef84]

I believe Coach Drink was a great hire and I think he will continue the growth of App State football. That said, I don't think this win indicates that we have "elevated" the program just yet. We had a great opportunity to play a UNC team that was vulnerable and we got it done (despite their positive "trend"). That said, I don't think we're quite at the level of last year's team just yet. I think our D is improving and we might be there by the end of the year. We will see how things play out. I don't think he has really turned loose of the offense yet, which is promising!

Elevating the program will be a long term process including recruiting, coaching hires, scheduling and on field performances. I hope we can keep Drink for a while because I do think he can get it done.

[appstatealum]

What I like is that Drink got that monkey off our back. I was standing with a very “tenured” and connected alumni at the game, and we both said “now it’s time to see if Drink can do what Satterfield struggled with, closing a game that we should win”. Drink passed the test,

[ericsaid]

Great win Saturday, but the Boise comparison is curious. Boise State built their program through two decades of internal promotion/family hires. Dan Hawkins was OC under Dirk Koetter. Chris Petersen was OC under Hawkins. Bryan Harsin played QB there and was an assistant there for nearly a decade. That's how they've kept program continuity, plus it's probably helped keep HCs around a little longer than you'd expect for a program as successful as theirs.

I'm not comparing App State to Boise State in terms of how the program is built. It's a matter of perception and results. Getting to that level of perception is what Drinkwitz was brought in to do. Prove what Satterfield stated in his introductory Press Conference for Louisville was wrong.

The Boise State perception is shown by the fact that they beat a middling Florida State team and became ranked. They are now up to 15th while beating Florida State, Portland State, Marshall, and Air Force. While that schedule isn't easy, by any means, having watching them I don't think that they are that much better than App State and are certainly not a Top 15 team in the country. But it's a matter of perception. Perception is reality. If App can change the perception, they can change the reality.

The reality is that if Boise State was 3-0 right now with App's schedule, winning in the same manner, they would be ranked.

[ericsaid]

I believe Coach Drink was a great hire and I think he will continue the growth of App State football. That said, I don't think this win indicates that we have "elevated" the program just yet. We had a great opportunity to play a UNC team that was vulnerable and we got it done (despite their positive "trend"). That said, I don't think we're quite at the level of last year's team just yet. I think our D is improving and we might be there by the end of the year. We will see how things play out. I don't think he has really turned loose of the offense yet, which is promising!

Elevating the program will be a long term process including recruiting, coaching hires, scheduling and on field performances. I hope we can keep Drink for a while because I do think he can get it done.

But you can't elevate the program without winning these types of games. Thus, this win is a part of that elevation. I never stated it was a one and done deal where a win like this justifies the term "elevated". Only that in this process of transitioning to FBS, winning this game was necessary given the close calls in the past. In a way, and facilities projects prove this, the transition is still happening. This was another stepping stone in achieving the validation that the program needs at the FBS level. Despite the bowl wins and OT games against Top 10 opponents, App State is still shrugged off in many circles.

Elevation occurs in levels and winning here helped. Beating Coastal, convincingly (keep Roof in the box please), would help even further considering they also beat Kansas, who is better than people gave credit for. Go 1-0 each week, see where you end the season.

Winning the inaugural Sun Belt Championship Game was Satterfields parting gift in placing a stone down on that path to 3,333 feet. Starting this season 3-0 with a defeat of two in-state programs, games in which App led by 22 and 17, is another stone. Now you go out and continue to build by playing what appears to be an elevated Sun Belt conference schedule.

You're right, it's not any one thing that elevates a program. But there are certain things that must be done in order to get there. This was one of them.