More to follow:

App Notice:

http://www.appstatesports.com/ViewArtic ... =210988489

App State Discontinues Jones’ Employment
Courtesy: Appalachian State Sports Information

BOONE, N.C. — Appalachian State University athletics has discontinued the employment of baseball head coach Billy Jones, director of athletics Doug Gillin announced on Tuesday.

“We’re grateful to Coach Jones for his commitment to Appalachian State baseball over the last four years. I wish him and his family nothing but the best going forward,” Gillin said. “We will conduct a national search to identify new leadership for our baseball program.”

Jones was 86-130 in four seasons as Appalachian State’s head coach, including an 18-36 mark in 2016. Assistant to the Chancellor for athletics Jonathan Reeder and senior associate athletics director Troy Heustess will co-chair the national search for a new head coach.

The only surprise is that it happened now.

This was my first season closely following the baseball program since I graduated in 2011. There was no question that BJ was taking the program backwards. I'll never wish any ill on any coach (they are humans and bleed just like us) but I am very glad App State baseball will begin a new chapter. There's no where to go but up.

Time for another "national search."


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It is with two years left but taking that part out the actual timing, especially from the microcosm that is my world, is right on, and there are a few things that I'm sure came up. We know that the end of the season review happened not long ago. They would also need to meet internally as well. And if everyone remembers I talked about the attrition we've seen in the past few years, especially between Fr and So years. And we've only brought in three signees so far as there are only two seniors on the roster. I'm sure they want to try and hopefully keep attrition down but if anyone does leave also have enough time to get new guys in. Plus it's around a month until Baseball summer camps start. Would be nice to know who the next coach will be before those start, in case we need to fill more spots. But again that's just from this little corner of the world.

Wonder if we are on the hook for two years salary.

bcoach wrote:Wonder if we are on the hook for two years salary.

Was just getting ready to say that. I left it out of my last post. I am wondering what the settlement was since the discussion has been about how tight things are. Did we find some extra, just decide to rip the band-aid off and take the pain, or is there something else? Will be interesting to know.

It would be nice if some sort of performance standard could be built into coaching contracts, but I'm not sure that the industry would really allow it.

I would think we would be on the hook for his remaining contract. As far as firing him with a year on his contract, normally, with money as tight as it is, you would think we would wait and not renew his contract, but when you look at the program going forward, few wins, players leaving by their sophomore or junior years, recruiting and game management was suspect at best, there just wasn't anything there for Gilliam to justify keeping him for another year. Like you guys said, I hate to see anyone fired, and honestly, I was hoping somehow he would get this thing turned around, but there comes a point where you realize your just throwing good money at a bad situation, and its time for a change.

I admit to not paying much attention to baseball lately but with the record I can see why. No way to justify keeping this guy around.

It's never a good day when your university has to let a head coach go. I appreciate everything that Coach Jones did and tried to do for Appalachian State and the baseball program. Ultimately I believe that this was the best decision. The program had gotten stagnant at best and had actually taken a significant step backwards. App has always been a tough spot to recruit to for baseball. Here's to plugging in the right guy with healthy relationships with the high school coaches of North Carolina and the surrounding region. #GoApps

Meanwhile, Pollard takes Duke to the NCAA Tourney for the first time in 55 years.
Let's find another one.

I as well as many others know that there will be a short time to find a replacement. However Mr. Gillin and his search committee needs to do their due diligence to find a suitable replacement. There will be several things for the future coach such as the weather in the high country bearing the largest hurdle and attrition being the second, a keen eye for talent and closing the deal to bring the to Appalachian State University. Let us as a fan base support the new coach, whomever that shall be.

Great to see Gillin isn't gun shy when he knows someone isn't cutting the mustard, even if we have to eat a little $ to correct Cobb's mistake. The fact that all the insiders on the MMB and off unanimously expected a lame duck year from Jones is a side effect of Cobb's long tenure here and that frugal style of leadership. I expect to see a genuine national search this time now that Charlie is in Atlanta.

I'm very optimistic about the coming season and excited to speculate and eventually see who we decide to bring to the Mountain.

Of course it is unfortunate and awkward that we had to fire Jones. He's a person with a family. But it's business. I thank him for his hard work and wish him well going forward.

firemoose wrote:

bigCasu wrote:The only surprise is that it happened now.

It is but from the microcosm that is my world there are a few things that I'm sure came up. We know that the end of the season review happened not long ago. They would also need to meet internally as well. And if everyone remembers I talked about the attrition we've seen in the past few years, especially between Fr and So years. And we've only brought in three signees so far as there are only two seniors on the roster. I'm sure they want to try and hopefully keep attrition down but if anyone does leave also have enough time to get new guys in. Plus it's around a month until Baseball summer camps start. Would be nice to know who the next coach will be before those start, in case we need to fill more spots. But again that's just from this little corner of the world.

My context in using the term "now" was more in reference to this year. Obviously, if you are going to make this type of decision, right after the conference tournament, which we didn't play in, was the time to do it.

Main guy from d1baseball.com tweeted out a name to look out for could be Sammy Esposito down at USC. IMO that could end up being a home run hire if it came to fruition. Also, FWIW our AD's name is Doug Gillin.

bigCasu wrote:My context in using the term "now" was more in reference to this year. Obviously, if you are going to make this type of decision, right after the conference tournament, which we didn't play in, was the time to do it.

No problem. I knew what you were referring to. Some others might not have and I shouldn't have quoted you but just made the post. Several have said (as Gonzo pointed out) that word was if it was one year left then it was done but with two, given that money was tight, that it would take something unexpected or a bold move to make a change now. Doubtful that all will come out but eventually the broad strokes will make it out and we'll see which one it was.

Yosef10 wrote:Main guy from d1baseball.com tweeted out a name to look out for could be Sammy Esposito down at USC. IMO that could end up being a home run hire if it came to fruition. Also, FWIW our AD's name is Doug Gillin.

Sammy would be an awesome hire! He is in the mold of Jim Fox. Long time assitant behind some greats and a depth of baseball knowledge. I played ball in Elementary/middle school with him in Raleigh.

Little Trivia - His daddy played with the Chicago White Sox in the 50's and 60's and also was the head coach of NCSU for 20 years, including collecting a National Championship.

About dang time. Next head coach is gonna have to dig his heels in to make up the ground we have lost in the last 4 years. Lafayette is so far ahead of the game, it ain't even funny.