Mjohn1988 wrote: ↑

Sun Nov 30, 2025 8:18 am

I am as disappointed as anyone but I have fond a few things to hang onto for 26. No I didn’t see the players or the coaching we will need to compete for Sunbelt championship. But I’m hanging onto three things for 2026. I did see individual players improve over the season. Just naming a few, Mbake, Phares and Kohl, yes I thought our final game was Kohl’s best. Phares is my most improved for the year. The team didn’t quite after the JMU loss. I have to admit that I thought they would pack it in. And lastly DJ Smith. No one can dispute that DJ Smith knows App culture and he knows what it takes to win. DJ left what had to have been a pretty good job to come back to App with Loggains. Am I saying DJ thought Loggains was the next Sabin, no. But one of Apps best thought enough of Loggains to become part of his team. See you guys in 2026.

Seattleapp wrote: ↑

Sun Nov 30, 2025 8:31 am

Mjohn1988 wrote: ↑

Sun Nov 30, 2025 8:18 am

I am as disappointed as anyone but I have fond a few things to hang onto for 26. No I didn’t see the players or the coaching we will need to compete for Sunbelt championship. But I’m hanging onto three things for 2026. I did see individual players improve over the season. Just naming a few, Mbake, Phares and Kohl, yes I thought our final game was Kohl’s best. Phares is my most improved for the year. The team didn’t quite after the JMU loss. I have to admit that I thought they would pack it in. And lastly DJ Smith. No one can dispute that DJ Smith knows App culture and he knows what it takes to win. DJ left what had to have been a pretty good job to come back to App with Loggains. Am I saying DJ thought Loggains was the next Sabin, no. But one of Apps best thought enough of Loggains to become part of his team. See you guys in 2026.

I respect the optimism but the defense allowed Ark State to march down the field in under a minute for the game winning score. And if Smith is repping App culture then he needs to start speaking up during the coaches meetings

Mjohn1988 wrote: ↑

Sun Nov 30, 2025 8:39 am

Seattleapp wrote: ↑

Sun Nov 30, 2025 8:31 am

Mjohn1988 wrote: ↑

Sun Nov 30, 2025 8:18 am

I am as disappointed as anyone but I have fond a few things to hang onto for 26. No I didn’t see the players or the coaching we will need to compete for Sunbelt championship. But I’m hanging onto three things for 2026. I did see individual players improve over the season. Just naming a few, Mbake, Phares and Kohl, yes I thought our final game was Kohl’s best. Phares is my most improved for the year. The team didn’t quite after the JMU loss. I have to admit that I thought they would pack it in. And lastly DJ Smith. No one can dispute that DJ Smith knows App culture and he knows what it takes to win. DJ left what had to have been a pretty good job to come back to App with Loggains. Am I saying DJ thought Loggains was the next Sabin, no. But one of Apps best thought enough of Loggains to become part of his team. See you guys in 2026.

I respect the optimism but the defense allowed Ark State to march down the field in under a minute for the game winning score. And if Smith is repping App culture then he needs to start speaking up during the coaches meetings

Asking the question, do we know he’s not speaking up during coaches meetings?

Seattleapp wrote: ↑

Sun Nov 30, 2025 8:41 am

Mjohn1988 wrote: ↑

Sun Nov 30, 2025 8:39 am

Seattleapp wrote: ↑

Sun Nov 30, 2025 8:31 am

Mjohn1988 wrote: ↑

Sun Nov 30, 2025 8:18 am

I am as disappointed as anyone but I have fond a few things to hang onto for 26. No I didn’t see the players or the coaching we will need to compete for Sunbelt championship. But I’m hanging onto three things for 2026. I did see individual players improve over the season. Just naming a few, Mbake, Phares and Kohl, yes I thought our final game was Kohl’s best. Phares is my most improved for the year. The team didn’t quite after the JMU loss. I have to admit that I thought they would pack it in. And lastly DJ Smith. No one can dispute that DJ Smith knows App culture and he knows what it takes to win. DJ left what had to have been a pretty good job to come back to App with Loggains. Am I saying DJ thought Loggains was the next Sabin, no. But one of Apps best thought enough of Loggains to become part of his team. See you guys in 2026.

I respect the optimism but the defense allowed Ark State to march down the field in under a minute for the game winning score. And if Smith is repping App culture then he needs to start speaking up during the coaches meetings

Asking the question, do we know he’s not speaking up during coaches meetings?

My post was a bit tongue in cheek because what I watched all year didn’t look like any App team I’ve seen ever. It looked like a disinterested pro team

Bigdaddyg1 wrote: ↑

Sun Nov 30, 2025 9:22 am

I still think that collecting lower end portal players is absolutely the wrong way to build a G5. If we are paying these guys it’s money down the drain. If we are indeed the equivalent of a double A baseball team and aspire to be a triple A then we need to build through high school recruiting and scour the FCS ranks for hidden gems. We need to build from down to up not the other way. I’ve asked before and maybe there is no definitive answer but what is the success rate for our team as far as portal offers versus acceptance? There are 130+ teams competing for portal guys and obviously the top tier go P4 even if it’s to backup. One huge aspect of college football that never changes is the talent pool. No matter what happens there is always a finite supply of college level talent and a smaller number of division 1 talent. Some act like this changes simply because of a portal and NIL. How many players do we have on this roster who were signed from FCS teams?

Seattleapp wrote: ↑

Sun Nov 30, 2025 8:31 am

Mjohn1988 wrote: ↑

Sun Nov 30, 2025 8:18 am

I am as disappointed as anyone but I have fond a few things to hang onto for 26. No I didn’t see the players or the coaching we will need to compete for Sunbelt championship. But I’m hanging onto three things for 2026. I did see individual players improve over the season. Just naming a few, Mbake, Phares and Kohl, yes I thought our final game was Kohl’s best. Phares is my most improved for the year. The team didn’t quite after the JMU loss. I have to admit that I thought they would pack it in. And lastly DJ Smith. No one can dispute that DJ Smith knows App culture and he knows what it takes to win. DJ left what had to have been a pretty good job to come back to App with Loggains. Am I saying DJ thought Loggains was the next Sabin, no. But one of Apps best thought enough of Loggains to become part of his team. See you guys in 2026.

I respect the optimism but the defense allowed Ark State to march down the field in under a minute for the game winning score. And if Smith is repping App culture then he needs to start speaking up during the coaches meetings

Seattleapp wrote: ↑

Sun Nov 30, 2025 9:28 am

Bigdaddyg1 wrote: ↑

Sun Nov 30, 2025 9:22 am

I still think that collecting lower end portal players is absolutely the wrong way to build a G5. If we are paying these guys it’s money down the drain. If we are indeed the equivalent of a double A baseball team and aspire to be a triple A then we need to build through high school recruiting and scour the FCS ranks for hidden gems. We need to build from down to up not the other way. I’ve asked before and maybe there is no definitive answer but what is the success rate for our team as far as portal offers versus acceptance? There are 130+ teams competing for portal guys and obviously the top tier go P4 even if it’s to backup. One huge aspect of college football that never changes is the talent pool. No matter what happens there is always a finite supply of college level talent and a smaller number of division 1 talent. Some act like this changes simply because of a portal and NIL. How many players do we have on this roster who were signed from FCS teams?

It’s an interesting question. The theme all year has been DLO couldn’t win with this inferior roster. So does he do what you are suggesting and bring in good players from smaller conferences or does he mine P4 castoffs? I think what everyone keeps overlooking is does he have the ability to successfully coach them? That’s that million dollar question. People keep saying all he’s gotta do is crush the portal and it’s smooth sailing next season. Is it?

Bigdaddyg1 wrote: ↑

Sun Nov 30, 2025 9:22 am

I still think that collecting lower end portal players is absolutely the wrong way to build a G5. If we are paying these guys it’s money down the drain. If we are indeed the equivalent of a double A baseball team and aspire to be a triple A then we need to build through high school recruiting and scour the FCS ranks for hidden gems. We need to build from down to up not the other way. I’ve asked before and maybe there is no definitive answer but what is the success rate for our team as far as portal offers versus acceptance? There are 130+ teams competing for portal guys and obviously the top tier go P4 even if it’s to backup. One huge aspect of college football that never changes is the talent pool. No matter what happens there is always a finite supply of college level talent and a smaller number of division 1 talent. Some act like this changes simply because of a portal and NIL. How many players do we have on this roster who were signed from FCS teams?

Bigdaddyg1 wrote: ↑

Sun Nov 30, 2025 9:49 am

I’m in Cumberland County and we have like 10 high schools here. I’ll bet on average we have (maybe) half a dozen kids go P4. Very rare for us to see a guy become a legit stud at that level. Obviously different in Wake or Mecklenburg County. It’s always been a numbers thing and if we are simply filling a roster with P4 guys who are really FCS level, lower G5 or not college level players then the results won’t vary much. No coach can perform miracles with a roster of players who aren’t college football caliber.

appstate24 wrote: ↑

Sun Nov 30, 2025 10:46 am

Agree with the sentiment that this offseason is huge not only for DLO’s future but for App State football all in general.

We have got to get better and deeper up front. Priority number 1.

What current players do we build around? Disappointment aside we do have some guys to build around. Some will much much tougher to hang onto than others. Barnes and Phares are going to be next to impossible to keep, but would be huge for us. IMO Phares is the more valuable.

We need to hang on to Trigg Lewis, he’s going to be a stud. If Kanye comes back healthy that’s a solid duo. Building the offense around an improved OLine along with Lewis, Dozier, Mbake is a good start. Kohl is a solid game manager and did show some improvement, but man a solid dual threat QB would be great.

On defense our DBs have to get better. Ethan Johnson was solid, but the other side was very very weak. Just like on offense, the DLine has to get stronger. Rondo Porter and Dylan Manual are both very solid and a good core to build around. If we can somehow keep Phares that’s certainly a great piece to build the LB’s around.

DLO is back next year, that we know. He’s our coach like it or not. Time to circle the wagons, band together and get the train back on the tracks.

GO APPS!!