Realistic Goals/Accomplishments/Aspirations

[WVAPPeer]

I haven't even tried to get through all these threads regarding the TX State game. Some of the ones I have seen are all over the map so I have opened this thread to try to give a space for you guys to list what you think are realistic goals, accomplishments, aspirations ---

I will give my thoughts first - I personally believe the talk about firing Coach is absurd and I would not support that whatsoever --- The first half of the TX ST game was probably the worst half of football I have seen APP play since I started closely following the Mountaineers in 1998. --- I think we all have to admit that college football has changed and is not going back to where it was - I read where JMU had something like 22-25 transfers - a quick glance at the TX St roster shows 38 transfers from FBS schools --- Parity is FBS is closer than ever

I will list some goals, etc., we have reached recently and/or what I hope to see in the near future
1. APP and Boone hosting College Game Day
2. Beating a Top 5 team on their home field
3. Winning our division more seasons than not
4. Winning our SBC Championship game at least twice every 5 years
5. Playing in a Big Time Bowl Game
6. Playing in a Mid-level Bowl Game
7. Top 25 ranking
8. Someday an undefeated season

Your realistic goals please -

[wb247]

Bowling every season. Winning in 7 of 10 seasons.

Participate in expanded CFP.

[Black Saturday]

Last night was similar to the trip to the ass whipping at ULL last season, Billy exposed the game plan of how to beat APP. The WKU bowl game was a compounding of this exposure of our tendencies and non-adjustments. The blueprint to beat APP - Troy, JMU and Texas State were paying attention. Realistically and firstly, I'd like to get our team that disappeared back that played UNC and A&M and the first half against JMU, especially the offense, I'm not sure if there is a hope for our defense. That team would have won our last 2 and likely run the remaining table, no press questions and no venting would be needed. I'd like for someone to get a hold of our staff, and our staff to get control of the team again and everything else will fall into place leading to a bowl game. However, it may take another miracle to play for a conference championship this season.

[mountaineerman]

I’m going to say a swarming lockdown defense. I remember when Woody was there it was a constant flying to the ball mentality. Woody wasn’t perfect but I saw more in game adjustments from him to know ours is not good right now.

[appdaze]

1. Being a revolving door of coaches every 3-6 years.

2. Recruiting will go in waves as coaches come and go.

3. Winning will come and go with the coaches.

4. The culture of JM and SS will be gone if it isn't already and probably won't be coming back.

5. Our fans will be irrational.

6. Our fans will continue to have a bloated sense of who we are outside western NC.

7. Our fans will continue to expect the moon while not donating a dime.

8. As the belt gets stronger, we have a high chance of finding out what it feels like to be NC State in the ACC.

9. We have a lot of 8-4 and 7-5 ahead of us.
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10. We need to create an identity beyond the "giant killer" media mess. Be a destination for NFL prospects even on years we are 7-5, knowing they are getting top-level preparation for the NFL.

11. We need to build a culture that goes beyond who our coach is. Players will behave in certain ways or do certain things not because of who the coach is but because they are representing Appalachian State.

12. We need to recruit culture pieces who will stay with the program long term. We need people with JM's level of presence to be a constant on the culture side. Could be former coaches or players. Be at events. Be at meals. Be around the team lot. Be around the parents.

13. We need to get a bowl game in 9 out of 10 years. We need to win 7 of those 9. This is the only way to stay relevant long-term. Beating one "big" team once every few years isn't going to do it.

14. We are chasing the dragon hard at this point. We got that big dose a couple of times now, and it hurts when we don't get another. We will eat each other alive to get another.

15. Lastly, we have to have ourselves in a good position to consistently win by 2030 so when the college football world finally collapses as the SEC, ACC, and a few others break away to form their own league, we ...might... possibly get an invite by being at the right place at the right time.

It's all about the money now. It is no longer an amateur sport. These young adults, and yes, they are young adults, don't call them kids, are in positions to get paid now for their image, and many are. Players are already negotiating NIL before they sign with schools. All players should now be held to the scrutiny and expectations of employees.

[bigdaddyg]

Realistic (key word) is to maintain good coaches and great recruiters in order to continue to bring in not only quality football players but quality young men who will avoid trouble and will represent our university and our true culture. Expectation is to be undefeated every year but the realistic one is to compete like hell in every game and not lay down and look embarrassing. If the first ones are met that should lead to at least 8 wins and a bowl game every year.

When we were beating up on a weaker Sunbelt remember all of the experts who clamored for us to move to the AAC? Look at Houston and ECU. The current Belt is arguably as strong as the current AAC but there is no Idaho or New Mexico State anymore and there is a free agent portal that levels the playing field.

A huge expectation is that we use that portal wisely without ruining the program.

[WVAPPeer]

Let me just say this about this season and I am not saying it is realistic - only possible
At this point we need JMU to beat all East opponents and we need to beat our opponents - therefore, the JMU loss doesn't hurt us as they are ineligible to win the division or conference and we will have the head to head over all the others. There are a couple of others scenarios to get us to the championship game as well - Until we are eliminated from the division championship I will have hope. Over the years we have had to have help from others to win the conference so this nothing totally new ---

[AppinVA]

I’ve given myself the 24 hours to stew reflect, and gain some perspective, and I’m not sure if this is the place to put this, but it does fit in with expectations in both the short and long term.

I believe that a common thread among Appalachian graduates is a leadership style that includes putting qualified people in a position to succeed and letting them do the job they were entrusted to do. I follow this path, and it is a strong synonym for a “player-led program.”

The football program reflects the overall Appalachian culture of where we learned to become leaders, be it of businesses, schools, or sports teams. It works for the most part, but I’ve learned that there is an accountability to the overall vision that a leader must hold his inner circle to (who will then set expectations down the line), while at the same time allowing them to do their job. It’s a balance. If one allows his “player or worker-led program to go unchecked, it can veer off the path. It’s not due to laziness, but an unchecked faith the leader has with his inner circle. “I know them. It will get done,” says the coach or boss. Leaders need to teach their vision of leadership to those they entrust, and make sure the inner circle correctly teaches those will eventually take their place (player-led program). As those leaders change, I have to wonder if this has been done fully, or if a disconnect has developed.

The good news is that we have some time to work on this with the open days, and those player-leaders want them and the program to be successful.

But they may need additional guidance.

[AppSt12]

There is a large disparity in goals (in my opinion) based on the 'generation' of our fan base. I am in my mid 30's...many of us feel we can be the biggest team in the country amoung the G5. Many of us have felt that way for for a long time and we know how fragile that is. Since we moved up to FBS weve been 11-2, 10-3, 9-4, 11-2, 13-1, 9-3 and 10-4. The first couple years were with FCS recruits...and i dont believe we have gotton recruits that are much better than in FCS (name our best all time player at any position...most are from pre FBS years)...though our depth is obviously better due to more scholarships. (I bring this up tp say...we are a winning program. If we could win 10 games consistently with FCS recruits...there is no reason we shouldnt be doing that now)

Many of us feel that some of the 'old dogs' are content no matter what happens. I mean there is no level of terrible that some of you wont fight to the bitter end in defense of players and coaches...this week being the best example i can think of. Though i can imagine if you were an app fan in the 70s and 80s (before i was born), you probably look at where we are now with so much joy and disbelief that you would view my generation off app fans as greedy...and thats probably a little fair.

The truth probably lies somewhere in the middle of this divide...but i cant help but have huge aspirations for our program. If you are a competitor and you believe in this team and this program...i just cant see how you can say "weve got to be more realistic...7-5 is great". My old ball coach would say "thats a losers mentality".

We all have the right to our opinion....but for those fans who have big dreams for our team...sometimes its going to be nasty. We live in a state with 2 elite basketball programs...they are literally in the highest rung of the sport. Both are top 5 all time programs. And they are ruthless...they have 0 tolerance for anything but excellence. If you dont maintain the standard...your ass is gone.

I understand we are not at that level. But we hVe conquered every level weve ever been at and i dont want to stop now. We need to be ruthless. Supportive...yet ruthless in our desire to win.

Some of you are more experienced in life than me, youre a better football mind the list can go on. But there are some of us who will not be content with where we are now...and our program needs more of that than it does people constantly defending mediocrity and failure. If you are happy with where our team is then why comment? You are living your dream. Its those of us who aspire higher, who put dispoportionately high proportions of our time and income into this program who need to do all we can to elevate the standard of our team. And that starts with accountability.

[WASU 93]

Last night was similar to the trip to the ass whipping at ULL last season, Billy exposed the game plan of how to beat APP. The WKU bowl game was a compounding of this exposure of our tendencies and non-adjustments. The blueprint to beat APP - Troy, JMU and Texas State were paying attention. Realistically and firstly, I'd like to get our team that disappeared back that played UNC and A&M and the first half against JMU, especially the offense, I'm not sure if there is a hope for our defense. That team would have won our last 2 and likely run the remaining table, no press questions and no venting would be needed. I'd like for someone to get a hold of our staff, and our staff to get control of the team again and everything else will fall into place leading to a bowl game. However, it may take another miracle to play for a conference championship this season.

This is a tangent from the original post, the Western Kentucky game was an outlier, as was Troy:
ULL (regular season)--we rushed for 78 yards (which led to us being 0 for 11 on third down conversions) and we had 4 turnovers to their 1
JMU--our backs rushed for 75 yards (Chase Brice -22/sack yardage not included, we were 4-12 on third down (but 2 of 8 + two turnovers after going up 28-3 with a near pick 6 that led to the go ahead TD for JMU.
TXST--We rushed for 41 yards, had 2 first downs in the first half and were 6-15 on third downs. Our longest run of the day was 9 yards. Add in a red zone Pick 6 when we were moving the ball to open the second half.

Against Troy, we rushed for 151 yards, were 7-15 on 3rd Down and didn't commit a turnover (other than the turnover on downs prior to the Hail Mary). We out gained them by over 100 yards
WKU we ran for 251 yards, matched them on First Downs and Yardage (639 them, 608 us) but, had 4 costly turnovers.

So far this year, Nate Noel only has 25 carries. Peoples has 57 carries. (I don't think anyone went into this season thinking that our top two backs would be averaging 12 carries a game combined)
Christian Wells only has three catches in three games played. Kaedin Robinson only has a single catch in the last two games.

We scored 40 points in a single quarter against UNC and 28 against JMU. In conference, we immediately followed the big 2nd Quarter with a scoreless second half and a scoreless first half against TXST, if not for a final minute drive that yielded a FG.

I think a realistic expectation is to get our offense healthy and playing up to their capabilities. It is crucial to get our running game back to getting at least 150 yards rushing per game. That will help our defense. If we do that, it's realistic that we close the season at 5-1. If we don't, there's a few more Texas State games on the schedule.

[Appmountaineers19]

One of my reasonable expectations is for Admissions to make Academic standards for transfers little bit more fair (allow more credits to transfer)

[Black Saturday]

Yes. there is a blueprint for successfully stopping our run game if we don't make an effort to stay ahead of an opposing defense with creative play calling - which we have examples of this season. Yes, there is a blueprint to pass successfully if your team happens to have a QB who can throw.

It's obvious to me that we stick to our tendencies results be damned. I think we try to breakdown a brick wall running into an extra couple of defenders on our stretch plays. Where's the idea of some counter plays and misdirection, or doing something different to keep a defense honest? The times we've made an effort that this season have been successful.

[BambooRdApp]

Let's go 1-0 each week for rest of 2022.

[MrCraig]

Bowling every season. Winning in 7 of 10 seasons.

Participate in expanded CFP.

I agree with these expectations. One I would add- participating in the conference championship game at least 2-3 times every 5 years and winning it 1-2 of those times. While the Sun Belt is getting a lot better, we should still be contending for conference championships.

[Appstate88]

I aspire for App St. to be a better football program every year. Be a winner. Play for a conference championship or win the bowl game each year is one way you make a good program better. “Winners Win”.

Team goals are set well before the season starts. The team goal each year must be to earn a ring (thru Conference championship or a Bowl win). These goals leave a legacy for that team, ring, trophy and or banner that can never be taken from the team. The steps toward either major goal is to go 1-0 each week.

At the end of the year, If a team doesn’t play for a championship some building momentum for the next year is lost. If you lose the bowl game more momentum is lost. If you don’t get a bowl invite, all momentum is lost. The time and effort for the goal was wasted.

Let’s go 1-0. Go Apps! “Winners Win!”.

[WataugaMan]

Coach, you have mentioned the need for better play during the middle eight. Going back to our last two conference games, 2nd half JMU and 1st half Texas State it appears poor play during the middle 8 continues to be an issue and has resulted in 2 conference losses. What steps are you taking to fix this issue? Thank you

[WataugaMan]

My post above may have been posted in the wrong thread. Nevertheless, this would be my question to SC.

[sixtoes9134]

Beat Ga State. We drop that one and I fear it mentally cripples us. Rest assured, Elliott smells blood.

[Saint3333]

Since we've been FBS we haven't lost to Texas St., GA St., or ODU and never missed bowl season. Let's keep the last three streaks going.

[ASUTodd]

Goals..... Stop losing games we should win. Let's start there.