Coach Drink Staff Thread

[BeauFoster]

Here's my current feeling: If it is Roof, and it now appears there's a ton of smoke around that fire, then obviously DG and Drink felt he was the best coach for the job. Very few if any of us will know who else was interviewed, and how those coaches performed in said interviews. Anyone can say "it should be Coach ABC or Coach DEF", but no one and I mean NO ONE knows who or why these decisions were made, outside of the decision makers themselves. There's nothing wrong with questioning the decision - that is our right and privilage. However, to judge this hire even before it is officially made shows an incredible amount of closed-mindedness, based on available evidence. If I were to act that way in any other facet of my life, I should be ridiculed.

If App had hired Brian VanGorder (since his wonderful name was brought up previously - god I wish he was still in Statesboro), then I think every single poor word and thought would be warranted. His resume would deserve it. Roof's resume does not. There are valid issues - his perceived limited experience with the defense we currently run, the fact that he hasn't stayed in one place very long - both of those are legit. But let's calm down with the whole sky is falling. It's repetitive and does no good.

[appgrad]

Honestly, I hate this hire, if it is Roof. Hiring a guy our former DC was hired to to replace doesn't look good, and it reeks of not looking outside the box.

I hope I'm wrong.

He’s had a couple of instances where he was the defensive coordinator for a first time head coach in… And in both cases, it worked out pretty well in the early years – Penn State and Auburn. The issues at Georgia Tech were very much talent related. I think they had maybe two draft picks the entire time he was there (one being Adam Gotsis, a 3-4 NT, FWIW), and that was mostly due to players not wanting to come there and practice against the flexbone every day, And thus limiting their development as pro prospects.

This honestly isn’t too dissimilar to what Satterfield did when he brought Woody along. He brought along a very experienced defensive coordinator to help him get his feet set as a new head coach. Wofford had pretty good defenses, but I never considered them dominant.

All in all, I think it would’ve been risky to go to battle with a bunch of first time coordinators and position coaches. I think it is a smart move to bring in an experienced guy for a few years, develop a DC in waiting from the rest of the staff, and then make that move in year three or four.

[Stonewall]

Honestly, I hate this hire, if it is Roof. Hiring a guy our former DC was hired to to replace doesn't look good, and it reeks of not looking outside the box.

I hope I'm wrong.

He’s had a couple of instances where he was the defensive coordinator for a first time head coach in… And in both cases, it worked out pretty well in the early years – Penn State and Auburn. The issues at Georgia Tech were very much talent related. I think they had maybe two draft picks the entire time he was there (one being Adam Gotsis, a 3-4 NT, FWIW), and that was mostly due to players not wanting to come there and practice against the flexbone every day, And thus limiting their development as pro prospects.

This honestly isn’t too dissimilar to what Satterfield did when he brought Woody along. He brought along a very experienced defensive coordinator to help him get his feet set as a new head coach. Wofford had pretty good defenses, but I never considered them dominant.

All in all, I think it would’ve been risky to go to battle with a bunch of first time coordinators and position coaches. I think it is a smart move to bring in an experienced guy for a few years, develop a DC in waiting from the rest of the staff, and then make that move in year three or four.

Wisdom.

[asu7]

I will say this ... This is the most experienced staff (good and bad) we have ever had here probably. I am just not in the experience always wins camp. Well the Special Teams coach is coming from high school if I am not mistaken.

I do think it would be stupid for anyone to leave over this including players and coaches. It would also be stupid to stop donating for any coach hire except a select few of head coaches that were in the rumor mill.

[97APP]

Another concern that I've seen is that Roof has moved around a lot. I don't see that as a major concern. Look at most position coaches or Off/Def coordinators they move around a lot - only staying at most 3-4 years normally. These coaches are mostly looking to move up and gain experiences that will help them as they rise.

Just from our own staff that most here think well of:

Shawn Clark: since 2001 Louisville for 2 years, EKU for 6 yrs, Purdue for 4 years, Kent St for 3 years, now App for 3 years

Greg Gasparato: Since 2010 Richland Northeast (HS) 1 yr, Juniata College 1 yr, Brevard 1 yr., App St (1st time) 2 years, Wofford 3 years, now App St (second time) 1 yr.

Gene Chizik who most would say is/was a good DC:

1986–1987 Seminole HS (FL) (DC/LB)
1988–1989 Clemson (GA/OLB)
1990–1991 Middle Tennessee (DE)
1992–1994 Stephen F. Austin (LB)
1995 Stephen F. Austin (DB)
1996–1997 Stephen F. Austin (DC/DB)
1998 UCF (DC/LB)
1999–2001 UCF (DC/DB)
2002–2004 Auburn (DC/DB)
2005–2006 Texas (co-DC/AHC/LB)
2007–2008 Iowa State (HC)
2009–2012 Auburn (HC)
2015–2016 North Carolina (DC)

We need to step outside of our former line of thinking and realize that coaching is a nomadic life for most. We've just been blessed with coaches that liked working for App and living in Boone.

[HighPointApp]

We are heading east to Raleigh for the weekend to see our oldest son. We are going to the NC State basketball game tonight and will talk with friends to see what they think of our football coaches coming from State. I have always heard good things about them I am pretty sure.

BBQ - Also, will get some of that great Eastern NC BBQ this weekend. As agreed by all on this board Eastern NC BBQ is the best!

Jealous.......Love the Eastern Q

Getting ready to head to mom and dad's house (1:11pm) to eat some BBQ they brought home from Wilson, NC yesterday. Yummy yummy yummy. LOL

Grrrrrrrrrrr

[ukappfan]

People need to GTFOI. It appears he will be our DC. Like it or not, he will be a mountaineer. For the sake of the players support him until he proves otherwise AT App. Drink has made good hires besides this so they must know something is arm chair QBs don’t know. In the words of Aaron Rodgers “R.E.L.A.X”

[asu66]

He has my support until I see a reason not to, but I am disappointed in this hire.

Much more troubling to me is all I'm hearing about unhappy players (and I mean prominent defensive players) ready to leave because of this. I would hope the kids would realize that's not a smart decision, but 18-22 year old kids are not always going to make smart decisions. The X's and the O's may be irrelevant if the Jimmy's and the Joe's aren't there.

They are probably speaking out of loyalty to the old coaches. That’s understandable. But cooler heads will prevail and if they feel that they don’t want to be here anymore, then Godspeed.

I'm hoping for cooler heads.

But I can't help but remember 1988. The '89 team would have been the best in App history at that time, but the attrition because of the coaching change wiped that out.

History doesn't have to repeat itself, but those of us who witnessed that in '89 can't help but be a little leery of it happening again.

We're going to lose some kids when the new semester begins on Monday, Jan. 14 and probably some more after spring practice. Hope it's not like the Sparky Woods to Jerry Moore transition. That involved about 50 total players. Some quit the team/school and went home; some quit the team but stayed in school; some transferred to other institutions. Difficult four months for the new staff.

[Rekdiver]

Maybe this is Roofs Jerry Moore moment.

[NattyBumppo'sRevenge]

For the record, my Madden '02 Panthers team ran the 3-4 most often and we were very successful. However, I also threw in some 4-3, as well as some nickel and dime packages, having DB's blitz from different positions. Overall, I think my defense was always ranked in the top 5 in the NFL. So yes, I know what I'm talking about when it comes to defense.

[Appstate88]

IMO only...

APP STATE is not Mediocre. Roof is mediocre. Something has to give.

Go Apps!

[GoBoone]

For the record, my Madden '02 Panthers team ran the 3-4 most often and we were very successful. However, I also threw in some 4-3, as well as some nickel and dime packages, having DB's blitz from different positions. Overall, I think my defense was always ranked in the top 5 in the NFL. So yes, I know what I'm talking about when it comes to defense.

I bet you wear a visor.

[appgrad]

He has my support until I see a reason not to, but I am disappointed in this hire.

Much more troubling to me is all I'm hearing about unhappy players (and I mean prominent defensive players) ready to leave because of this. I would hope the kids would realize that's not a smart decision, but 18-22 year old kids are not always going to make smart decisions. The X's and the O's may be irrelevant if the Jimmy's and the Joe's aren't there.

They are probably speaking out of loyalty to the old coaches. That’s understandable. But cooler heads will prevail and if they feel that they don’t want to be here anymore, then Godspeed.

I'm hoping for cooler heads.

But I can't help but remember 1988. The '89 team would have been the best in App history at that time, but the attrition because of the coaching change wiped that out.

History doesn't have to repeat itself, but those of us who witnessed that in '89 can't help but be a little leery of it happening again.

We're going to lose some kids when the new semester begins on Monday, Jan. 14 and probably some more after spring practice. Hope it's not like the Sparky Woods to Jerry Moore transition. That involved about 50 total players. Some quit the team/school and went home; some quit the team but stayed in school; some transferred to another institution. Difficult four months for the new staff.

I don’t think it’s going to be extensive unless the kids feel we’ve so vastly changed our philosophies that they no longer fit...or they just don’t jive with the new staff. Keeping Clark, Smith, Watts, etc. will help in stemming that, I think.

[Yosef10]

Again ...

Roof's defense was not why Auburn won the natty. If any of you think that Roof's defense that year won them the Natty ... then wow.

Dude no one said it was the ‘85 Bears. You don’t win a national championship without a pretty good defense. And you certainly don’t keep Chip Kelly’s Oregon team to 19 points when he had a month to game plan.

[AppStFan1]

He has my support until I see a reason not to, but I am disappointed in this hire.

Much more troubling to me is all I'm hearing about unhappy players (and I mean prominent defensive players) ready to leave because of this. I would hope the kids would realize that's not a smart decision, but 18-22 year old kids are not always going to make smart decisions. The X's and the O's may be irrelevant if the Jimmy's and the Joe's aren't there.

They are probably speaking out of loyalty to the old coaches. That’s understandable. But cooler heads will prevail and if they feel that they don’t want to be here anymore, then Godspeed.

I'm hoping for cooler heads.

But I can't help but remember 1988. The '89 team would have been the best in App history at that time, but the attrition because of the coaching change wiped that out.

History doesn't have to repeat itself, but those of us who witnessed that in '89 can't help but be a little leery of it happening again.

We're going to lose some kids when the new semester begins on Monday, Jan. 14 and probably some more after spring practice. Hope it's not like the Sparky Woods to Jerry Moore transition. That involved about 50 total players. Some quit the team/school and went home; some quit the team but stayed in school; some transferred to another institution. Difficult four months for the new staff.

We know Hicks is leaving because he is a good player who was just not getting on the field. It would not shock me if he went to Louisville and played a lot early but outside of maybe 1-3 guys who just decide to go get playing time (which is normal for everyone) there has been no indication of some mass exodus like you proclaim. Which players and how do you know? Give specific names and if your source is the players directly or a coach or their parents.

If you are just guessing and wanting to think things are going to be awful you should keep that attitude off the board in case some of our players or anyone other than us normal fans are reading this. The only players who have any reason to leave are those who have not panned out or they are buried on depth chart and know (like Hicks) that they can play somewhere. There aren't many who fit that criteria.

[appstatealum]

For the record, my Madden '02 Panthers team ran the 3-4 most often and we were very successful. However, I also threw in some 4-3, as well as some nickel and dime packages, having DB's blitz from different positions. Overall, I think my defense was always ranked in the top 5 in the NFL. So yes, I know what I'm talking about when it comes to defense.

I developed Deshaun Foster into an All time great RB and Hall of famer. Multiple Super Bowl winner...

[BeauFoster]

For the record, my Madden '02 Panthers team ran the 3-4 most often and we were very successful. However, I also threw in some 4-3, as well as some nickel and dime packages, having DB's blitz from different positions. Overall, I think my defense was always ranked in the top 5 in the NFL. So yes, I know what I'm talking about when it comes to defense.

I developed Deshaun Foster into an All time great RB and Hall of famer. Multiple Super Bowl winner...

I think it was Madden ‘04 where I ran Stephen Davis to over 3500 yards in one season. I threw the ball less than 10 times a game and just pounded the rock. If people get pissy about the conservative and predictable play calling at App, they would have spontaneously combusted over mine.

[AppSt94]

I went 14-2 in my fantasy league this year so I understand how to put a roster together.

[ericsaid]

Here's my current feeling: If it is Roof, and it now appears there's a ton of smoke around that fire, then obviously DG and Drink felt he was the best coach for the job. Very few if any of us will know who else was interviewed, and how those coaches performed in said interviews. Anyone can say "it should be Coach ABC or Coach DEF", but no one and I mean NO ONE knows who or why these decisions were made, outside of the decision makers themselves. There's nothing wrong with questioning the decision - that is our right and privilage. However, to judge this hire even before it is officially made shows an incredible amount of closed-mindedness, based on available evidence. If I were to act that way in any other facet of my life, I should be ridiculed.

If App had hired Brian VanGorder (since his wonderful name was brought up previously - god I wish he was still in Statesboro), then I think every single poor word and thought would be warranted. His resume would deserve it. Roof's resume does not. There are valid issues - his perceived limited experience with the defense we currently run, the fact that he hasn't stayed in one place very long - both of those are legit. But let's calm down with the whole sky is falling. It's repetitive and does no good.

Roof left Auburn for UCF right as he was about to be fired. Roof left Georgia Tech for NC State right as he was about to be fired. He ran a 3-4 defense for one season, and then left for Auburn.

The sky isn't falling but it doesn't invalidate the concerns of fans and stake holders about the strongest unit on the team going to a guy who historically has run a Tampa 2 defense. Unless he is Co-DC and App maintains the same defensive philosophy as before, I don't see why this hire was made.

Judging the hire based on his work history is not close mindedness. It is completely valid. Perhaps he comes here and stays for 5 seasons with great success. But 30 years of coaching history suggests otherwise.

[ericsaid]

Another concern that I've seen is that Roof has moved around a lot. I don't see that as a major concern. Look at most position coaches or Off/Def coordinators they move around a lot - only staying at most 3-4 years normally. These coaches are mostly looking to move up and gain experiences that will help them as they rise.

Just from our own staff that most here think well of:

Shawn Clark: since 2001 Louisville for 2 years, EKU for 6 yrs, Purdue for 4 years, Kent St for 3 years, now App for 3 years

Greg Gasparato: Since 2010 Richland Northeast (HS) 1 yr, Juniata College 1 yr, Brevard 1 yr., App St (1st time) 2 years, Wofford 3 years, now App St (second time) 1 yr.

Gene Chizik who most would say is/was a good DC:

1986–1987 Seminole HS (FL) (DC/LB)
1988–1989 Clemson (GA/OLB)
1990–1991 Middle Tennessee (DE)
1992–1994 Stephen F. Austin (LB)
1995 Stephen F. Austin (DB)
1996–1997 Stephen F. Austin (DC/DB)
1998 UCF (DC/LB)
1999–2001 UCF (DC/DB)
2002–2004 Auburn (DC/DB)
2005–2006 Texas (co-DC/AHC/LB)
2007–2008 Iowa State (HC)
2009–2012 Auburn (HC)
2015–2016 North Carolina (DC)

We need to step outside of our former line of thinking and realize that coaching is a nomadic life for most. We've just been blessed with coaches that liked working for App and living in Boone.

Concern not listed: Roof has moved along twice prior to being fired, both of which occured recently. In 2011 he left Auburn for UCF when he would've been fired had he stayed. In 2017 he left Georgia Tech for NC State, prior to being fired.

If you see that on the resume of someone you are about to hire, are you going to hire that person?