Coach Clark Post Game--Marshall

[The Rock]

First off, we don’t see practice every day like, say the head coach does. Clark is a smart guy and knows how to motivate players. My guess is, he knows Virgil is talented and has unlimited potential, but has an issue with the effort. in 2 weeks, he makes a play then disappears. At Charlotte our running game was the focus requiring WRs to block. It seemed like Virgil wasn’t getting after it that much. If you watch the replay in Zac’s pick in the Marshall game, it looks like Virgil breaks off the route or gets lazy on the break. If getting called out by your HC doesn’t motivate you to give 100%, do you deserve to be playing? I don’t understand the rash of turnovers lately, but everyone saying we have played sloppy In Clark’s tenure going back to the bowl game... do we think that a week after Drink leaves Clark has a meeting and says forget everything you learned this year and go wild? Throw interceptions, fumble balls, hit late?? That was such a weird game from a staff prospective, Riley calling his first game, Clark first game as head coach, some staff leaving already, on a week or 2 notice.
Any criticism or critique of this yearS performance and forward is absolutely on Clark, and I wonder how fundamentals have slipped as much as the first 2 weeks have indicated, but judging Clark by the bowl game doesn’t seem legit.
I think it will take him time, he is a loyal and passionate dude, but he isn’t the polished media machine and buzz word generator that Drinkwitz was, and he isn’t the offensive pioneer that Satt was. Satt had a tough learning curve as a HC as well. It takes time to get used to managing all the in game duties and clock management is a point that needs to be improved upon.
Peterson is a concern for me as he was when he was hired. The red zone stalls are unacceptable, but at the same time, execution has been poor. We moved the ball well against Charlotte but had 2 fumbles and a blocked FG, and at Marshall we had a red zone int, missed FG and fumble that should have led to some type of points. Not to mention Harrington misses a TD by a 1/4” . With our speed, not sure why we aren’t seeing more of the occasional sweeps, mis-directions. There was twice we threw a screen to Malik and thought we were going to let him throw it down field, but didn’t.

[NattyBumppo'sRevenge]

Probably been mentioned, but we’ve missed out on 10 points two games in a row from fumbling on the goal line and shitty kicking.

[JTApps1]

I thought the team was undisciplined going back to the NOLA Bowl.

I concur with the points made about Clark maybe being too much of a player's coach.

The last time that App players had a large influence in hiring a coach, we ended up with Capel....just sayin. Although, it was a different sport with a much different culture and trajectory, so not apples to apples I know.

I just want to point out that while Cobb said the players wanted Capel they actually wanted Matt McMahon. Cobb used the players as a scape goat because he gave into a few boosters that wanted a Carolina boy running the show.

[Deano]

The last few years watching Virgil has been a conundrum for me. He has tons of talent and speed, so why isn't he dominating in the pass game, what makes Sutton and Henni better overall receivers? I think Sutton and Hennigan are better route runners for one and they know how to use their bodies to fight for the ball or get a pass interference called on the defense. Now don't get me wrong Virgil made an incredible catch for a TD Saturday but the rest of the time he was just covered and not open, or not able to fight through the defender and maybe this is what frustrates the coach, he sees that as a lack of full effort, what do I know. Also, the announcers keep talking about his elite speed, but to me he doesn't look fast. With Evans last year, he looked fast, he just had an extra gear when he needed it. I love Virgil but he just makes me scratch my head sometimes. Again not trying to tear him down just trying to understand what makes Sutton and Henni so much better.

[appbanker]

Ultimately it does fall on Clark as the head coach, but we have to remember that not only is it a learning curve for him, this the the 3rd new staff in 3 years. The coaches are having to learn how to work together, the players are having to learn how to work with the new coaches and then throw in Covid. Like last year I think it will take a few games to work out the kinks and gel as a team. I have confidence the ship will be righted.

[Stonewall]

I thought the team was undisciplined going back to the NOLA Bowl.

I concur with the points made about Clark maybe being too much of a player's coach.

The last time that App players had a large influence in hiring a coach, we ended up with Capel....just sayin. Although, it was a different sport with a much different culture and trajectory, so not apples to apples I know.

I just want to point out that while Cobb said the players wanted Capel they actually wanted Matt McMahon. Cobb used the players as a scape goat because he gave into a few boosters that wanted a Carolina boy running the show.

Correct.

[BambooRdApp]

I hope we win out. AND I hope most, if not all, of the players take this "free" year to come back and we get to see them next year. A coaching transition takes time. I hope Coach Clark does well and is here for a long time.

[ArmantiWaterSafety]

As far as this press conference goes, I'll cut Coach Clark some slack. Not many of us have a job where we have to give a speech immediately after a highly emotional event. I could feel the "calm" frustration lingering in every word he said. He'll learn as he goes on to get better about taking the emotion out of it as much as possible to avoid saying some things he may later regret. He has these players backs, they have his. We lost ONE game to a very good Marshall team.

Looking back on this we had a ridiculous amount of lost points. The long bomb that was off the fingertips that honestly looked catchable with two, the Harrington knee that was a 1/4" on the ground that got the TD run called back, the now infamous TE fumble, the assumed 3 points that would have happened had we not thrown an INT before half, and of course the other 3 points by way of missed field goal in the 4th.

The sky isn't falling, we just have to execute. I'm just as concerned about the execution as anybody, but the points are there.

[MtnMan09]

As far as this press conference goes, I'll cut Coach Clark some slack. Not many of us have a job where we have to give a speech immediately after a highly emotional event. I could feel the "calm" frustration lingering in every word he said. He'll learn as he goes on to get better about taking the emotion out of it as much as possible to avoid saying some things he may later regret. He has these players backs, they have his. We lost ONE game to a very good Marshall team.

Looking back on this we had a ridiculous amount of lost points. The long bomb that was off the fingertips that honestly looked catchable with two, the Harrington knee that was a 1/4" on the ground that got the TD run called back, the now infamous TE fumble, the assumed 3 points that would have happened had we not thrown an INT before half, and of course the other 3 points by way of missed field goal in the 4th.

The sky isn't falling, we just have to execute. I'm just as concerned about the execution as anybody, but the points are there.

We weren't watching the same game then. We looked flat, slow, unmotivated. Our lines got absolutely bullied on both sides. We had only our second game every since 2014 where we couldnt notch 100 yds rushing. This is on top of looking incredibly sloppy, slow, and unmotivated vs. Charlotte. These are not the hall marks of recent App teams. And remember most people are (in my mind understandably) outraged because we were sold a false bill of goods that this was supposed to be the "best app team ever." There was no need to push that narrative if we didnt have the personnel or the schemes to live up to that. Thats why people are upset.

[ah59396]

Probably been mentioned, but we’ve missed out on 10 points two games in a row from fumbling on the goal line and shitty kicking.

I have zero faith in our kicking game

[yosef69]

Probably been mentioned, but we’ve missed out on 10 points two games in a row from fumbling on the goal line and shitty kicking.

I have zero faith in our kicking game

Does our KO specialist know how to kick field goals? Seems like our kicker should ride the bench this weekend. Same with our TE.

[WASU 93]

Probably been mentioned, but we’ve missed out on 10 points two games in a row from fumbling on the goal line and shitty kicking.

I have zero faith in our kicking game

Does our KO specialist know how to kick field goals? Seems like our kicker should ride the bench this weekend. Same with our TE.

I don't understand the backlash against Evans. Was it bonehead not to cover the ball? Yes. But, he was hustling, and trying to make a play.
Peoples, as a running back made the same play against Charlotte, deep in our half of the field and fortunately the defense bailed him out.
ZT fumbled on the next drive (and was bailed out by an athletic play by Peoples). We had a penalty before the TD pass to Virgil on first and Goal. We had another penalty on a 3rd and 1, that turned into a 3rd and 6 and a punt. Should we bench all of these players?
Are we really that type of fanbase that thinks we should bench a player for trying to carry a player on his back into the end zone? There's a difference between a hustle mistake and a blatant, lack of effort error. I hope Evans starts and has a great game next week against Campbell and plays just as hard in doing so!

[MAD Doctor]

My problem with Evans was that the play call was perfect and he was handed what should have been at the very least a first and goal, momentum changer. He had very few things to remember- catch a wide open, perfectly thrown pass, protect the ball, and forward the ball as far as you can. I'd guess over 90% of high school TEs make at least a first down on that play. I'm sure he feels badly, as does our kicker, but more "teachable moments" like this will cost us a chance at a conference championship.

[ArmantiWaterSafety]

We weren't watching the same game then. We looked flat, slow, unmotivated. Our lines got absolutely bullied on both sides. We had only our second game every since 2014 where we couldnt notch 100 yds rushing. This is on top of looking incredibly sloppy, slow, and unmotivated vs. Charlotte. These are not the hall marks of recent App teams. And remember most people are (in my mind understandably) outraged because we were sold a false bill of goods that this was supposed to be the "best app team ever." There was no need to push that narrative if we didnt have the personnel or the schemes to live up to that. Thats why people are upset.

100% agreed. I'm just saying we had an opportunity to win even with the extremely poor play.

I remember reading a couple of weeks ago on this forum about someone saying that being an App fan is easy because they've only been disappointed a handful of times in their 40 year fandom of App, even during losses, but disappointment seems to be the overall theme of this past weekend. Our lines made it look like we were playing against Alabama.

[robherron]

Has there been any update or further clarity on the Williams "street clothes" comment?

[BeauFoster]

How many of y’all remember Wofford in 2007? Really similar to this past weekend...

[TheMoody1]

How many of y’all remember Wofford in 2007? Really similar to this past weekend...

I was there in the sweltering heat. We probably win that game if Dexter didn't muff that punt.

[Stonewall]

Evans dropped a third down conversion pass earlier also but I'm confident he "gave his all".Would Pearson have done better ? No one knows.

[ah59396]

Probably been mentioned, but we’ve missed out on 10 points two games in a row from fumbling on the goal line and shitty kicking.

I have zero faith in our kicking game

Does our KO specialist know how to kick field goals? Seems like our kicker should ride the bench this weekend. Same with our TE.

I don't understand the backlash against Evans. Was it bonehead not to cover the ball? Yes. But, he was hustling, and trying to make a play.
Peoples, as a running back made the same play against Charlotte, deep in our half of the field and fortunately the defense bailed him out.
ZT fumbled on the next drive (and was bailed out by an athletic play by Peoples). We had a penalty before the TD pass to Virgil on first and Goal. We had another penalty on a 3rd and 1, that turned into a 3rd and 6 and a punt. Should we bench all of these players?
Are we really that type of fanbase that thinks we should bench a player for trying to carry a player on his back into the end zone? There's a difference between a hustle mistake and a blatant, lack of effort error. I hope Evans starts and has a great game next week against Campbell and plays just as hard in doing so!

I don’t see a lot of backlash. It was a bad mistake and I think anyone watching that moment saw it coming. But shit happens.

If you’re referring to the social media backlash I think it’s obvious why he’s getting put through the ringer.

I like players with swagger, heck I’m a huge Cam Newton fan. However if you’re gonna post middle finger photos online and wear a bunch of extra arm bands and face black, you’re gonna be a target. Just like with Newton, anytime he takes a big hit, the defense makes SURE to rub it in his face.

So if you talk/look a big game, you best back it up. And definitely don’t get peanut punched from behind on CBS and then be shown crying on the sidelines. I hope the dude rebounds and balls out but it is what it is.

[MtnMan09]

We weren't watching the same game then. We looked flat, slow, unmotivated. Our lines got absolutely bullied on both sides. We had only our second game every since 2014 where we couldnt notch 100 yds rushing. This is on top of looking incredibly sloppy, slow, and unmotivated vs. Charlotte. These are not the hall marks of recent App teams. And remember most people are (in my mind understandably) outraged because we were sold a false bill of goods that this was supposed to be the "best app team ever." There was no need to push that narrative if we didnt have the personnel or the schemes to live up to that. Thats why people are upset.

100% agreed. I'm just saying we had an opportunity to win even with the extremely poor play.

I remember reading a couple of weeks ago on this forum about someone saying that being an App fan is easy because they've only been disappointed a handful of times in their 40 year fandom of App, even during losses, but disappointment seems to be the overall theme of this past weekend. Our lines made it look like we were playing against Alabama.

And Im not so much worried about a handful of "shoulda scored" plays. I'm worried about how the team looks, sloppiness, penalties indicating a lack of discipline, weird comments made by the Coach in a presser etc. The margin for error on coaching hires is absolutely zero for G5 programs to be elite with sustained success. The Northern Ill and Western Michigans get there 15 seconds but the boises, the cincys, etc. get it right every hire. The flip side of that coin is to wander in obscurity for awhile, and may never make it back, just as Sothern and Marshall. They wiffed on one hire and look what it did to set back their programs. Thats whats got people worried.