Portal season (Abson, Spillers, etc)

[appgrad95&97]

This is a big deal. We can't do better than Kerns. He literally does everything right. He has those kids out at different events. Next year may be not so great. But good for Gillin for getting this right.

[WASU 93]

Perhaps Kerns encouraged them to test the waters and make the most of better opportunities should they present themselves but that if not, he’d welcome them back. Builds trust and loyalty with ones that do come back and shows he cares about them over his own success.

I think there is another underlying current in basketball. Many (if not all) of the college players play for AAU programs, compete in Tournaments and Showcase Events beyond their high school teams. It is it's own business. They build relationships. They could have influencers who are texting them, talking to them beyond the AAU days. So and so needs a point guard. This team is looking for a Big. (could money also change hands for brokering a player in today's Wild, Wild West???)

There's no real penalty for entering the portal. So, if rumors start flying about a coach, potential opportunities, etc.......

And, you have the helicopter parents who think their athlete can do better.

[AppStFan1]

This is a big deal. We can't do better than Kerns. He literally does everything right. He has those kids out at different events. Next year may be not so great. But good for Gillin for getting this right.

And we had people doubting there would be some announcement. He had to extend him and give him a raise. If he can win the SBC next year we will hopefully get a big buyout when a power program comes calling.

[704App]

This is a big deal. We can't do better than Kerns. He literally does everything right. He has those kids out at different events. Next year may be not so great. But good for Gillin for getting this right.

I don't disagree it's a big deal, but he's had at least two seasons now with a mass exodus. There were mumblings of locker room issues and Dibaji Walker more or less confirmed that with a tweet late last season.

So, I agree, he's a good coach and I'm glad we extended him. But, maybe let's settle down on the he does everything right notion.. clearly there have been some "issues" to end the last two seasons.

[AppStFan1]

This is a big deal. We can't do better than Kerns. He literally does everything right. He has those kids out at different events. Next year may be not so great. But good for Gillin for getting this right.

I don't disagree it's a big deal, but he's had at least two seasons now with a mass exodus. There were mumblings of locker room issues and Dibaji Walker more or less confirmed that with a tweet late last season.

So, I agree, he's a good coach and I'm glad we extended him. But, maybe let's settle down on the he does everything right notion.. clearly there have been some "issues" to end the last two seasons.

That is true but he has already found replacements before and I have no doubt he will again.

[Stonewall]

This is a big deal. We can't do better than Kerns. He literally does everything right. He has those kids out at different events. Next year may be not so great. But good for Gillin for getting this right.

I don't disagree it's a big deal, but he's had at least two seasons now with a mass exodus. There were mumblings of locker room issues and Dibaji Walker more or less confirmed that with a tweet late last season.

So, I agree, he's a good coach and I'm glad we extended him. But, maybe let's settle down on the he does everything right notion.. clearly there have been some "issues" to end the last two seasons.

Walker was half of the “ locker room issues”. Someone else’s parents were the other half. They left and took him with them.

[704App]

This is a big deal. We can't do better than Kerns. He literally does everything right. He has those kids out at different events. Next year may be not so great. But good for Gillin for getting this right.

I don't disagree it's a big deal, but he's had at least two seasons now with a mass exodus. There were mumblings of locker room issues and Dibaji Walker more or less confirmed that with a tweet late last season.

So, I agree, he's a good coach and I'm glad we extended him. But, maybe let's settle down on the he does everything right notion.. clearly there have been some "issues" to end the last two seasons.

Walker was half of the “ locker room issues”. Someone else’s parents were the other half. They left and took him with them.

Fair. I certainly don't know the details but know the optics were not the best.

And then another mass exodus the next year after, again, not performing like a Dustin Kerns App State basketball team in the post season.

Again, I like Kerns. Glad we extended him. But let's not act like he's perfect. If he's like every other successful coach, he'll tell you he's made more mistakes than not.

[Saint3333]

It’s odd that someone who rushes everytime to the defense of one coach that was struggling on the field is reminding us that a coach that just won the conference for the first time in decades isn’t perfect (which everyone has acknowledged).

Kerns is the best basketball coach we’ve had during the 30+ years I’ve been a fan, glad to have him.

[PBR1893-BEER-HAT-GUY]

It’s odd that someone who rushes everytime to the defense of one coach that was struggling on the field is reminding us that a coach that just won the conference for the first time in decades isn’t perfect (which everyone has acknowledged).

Kerns is the best basketball coach we’ve had during the 30+ years I’ve been a fan, glad to have him.

Statistically that’s not true…although the person that has a better record was a charlatan and is now also a Charlottean…and also ruined APP bball on his way out…

[Stonewall]

He’s not done .

[appgrad95&97]

It’s odd that someone who rushes everytime to the defense of one coach that was struggling on the field is reminding us that a coach that just won the conference for the first time in decades isn’t perfect (which everyone has acknowledged).

Kerns is the best basketball coach we’ve had during the 30+ years I’ve been a fan, glad to have him.

Statistically that’s not true…although the person that has a better record was a charlatan and is now also a Charlottean…and also ruined APP bball on his way out…

Buzz didn't win a regular season AND tournament title. Buzz didn't take us to the NIT. I'm with Saint on this one.

[704App]

It’s odd that someone who rushes everytime to the defense of one coach that was struggling on the field is reminding us that a coach that just won the conference for the first time in decades isn’t perfect (which everyone has acknowledged).

Kerns is the best basketball coach we’ve had during the 30+ years I’ve been a fan, glad to have him.

Statistically that’s not true…although the person that has a better record was a charlatan and is now also a Charlottean…and also ruined APP bball on his way out…

Buzz didn't win a regular season AND tournament title. Buzz didn't take us to the NIT. I'm with Saint on this one.

Saint, I only see your response because of the quote, but..

I've never come to the defense of any coach.

I responded to a post that literally said Kerns does everything right. I pointed out that simply may not be the case with 2 years of mass exodus and rumblings of locker room issues. So, no, not everybody has acknowledged he isn't perfect. I responded to a post that said otherwise and you had to butt your way in to the conversion for some reason.

Stonewall, who clearly has knowledge of the situation, explained it to me. I said cool, it did look bad in my opinion though. If it wasn't as bad as it looked to someone with relatively minimal knowledge, then cool, no harm no foul.

I agree, he's the best coach we've had in decades. And love he's still a Mountaineer. Looking forward to shaking his hand next week at the Yosef Club event in Charlotte.

The fact I'm still getting attacked by someone I have blocked just proves their desire to take pot shots for no reason other than to stir the pot and be toxic -- pretty damn childish if you ask me.

[Bootsy]

...here we go again...

[Saint3333]

I attack statements, not individuals. You don’t defend coaches, that’s just not true. I defend coaches all the time, including Clark at times.

Glad we agree that Kerns is the best coach we’ve had.

Looking forward to who he can land.

[Stonewall]

Are we including Bobby Cremins hmmmmm ….

[704App]

Are we including Bobby Cremins hmmmmm ….

In my time in watching App state basketball, I would put it as this...

Cremins
Kerns
Buzz 1st time
Fancher
Buzz 2nd time (just in terms of coaching that team -- not what he did to the program after)
Cantwell/Apke (both the same in my book)
Capel/Fox (same as above)

[Saint3333]

I was negative years hold during Cremins era.

[Stonewall]

Those were the days my friend ….

[hapapp]

Are we including Bobby Cremins hmmmmm ….

In my time in watching App state basketball, I would put it as this...

Cremins
Kerns
Buzz 1st time
Fancher
Buzz 2nd time (just in terms of coaching that team -- not what he did to the program after)
Cantwell/Apke (both the same in my book)
Capel/Fox (same as above)

Apke had a 20 and a 19 win season. Cantwell had one winning season. I would put Apke above Cantwell.

[Stonewall]

Kevin got fired after that season if memory serves. Tom had success fairly early but the last years were painful. Good guys though.