Doug Gillin

[GreatAppSt]

Laney, was not as bad as any of you are making him out to be. The years since his departure seem to have grown his tale taller. One thing I believe He did have skill at was surrounding himself with good and very capable people. I recall one of his assistant hires who was with him throughout his tenure (she deserves credit for her tireless employ) was Mrs. Helen Waite. Many of you here may had dealings with her at that time and don't even remember. If you had an issue with your season tickets, poor service, etc. etc. you name it Laney was either hard to find, unapproachable or rude to most. I believe he purposely allowed himself to act in a bombastic way avoiding, stalling, stonewalling, ignoring and insulting because He knew she would be there to back him up without doubt. With him at the helm you could always take you concerns even accolades and go to Helen Waite!

[asu66]

"If you had an issue with your season tickets, poor service, etc. etc. you name it Laney was either hard to find, unapproachable or rude to most. I believe he purposely allowed himself to act in a bombastic way avoiding, stalling, stonewalling, ignoring and insulting because He knew she would be there to back him up without doubt."

I have great respect for you, GAS. I must, however, disagree. Forgive my unabashed opinion which follows...

You've outlined eight or ten reasons RM should have been dismissed for cause by Chancellor Borkowski. I could add eight or ten more, but I'll spare you. Sounds like Mrs. Waite earned RM's salary. Sorry I never had the good fortune of meeting her.

As our AD, RM was just the carrier of the keys. He always had about 150 of 'em hanging on his hip! The guy always had his keys, but he had to be forced by the BOT to develop a short-term plan for the Athletic Department. He finally got a five-year plan written, but no one ever saw a long-term plan during his tenure. Few, if any, of his five year goals were met by the time he was reassigned. Sadly, he was unmotivated and lacking in vision. He was Mr. "Appalachian can't do that!"

[GreatAppSt]

He was Mr. "Appalachian can't do that!"

Bingo, hence stalling, stonewalling, avoiding.

[AppinVA]

Unbeknownst to most, November 17, 2004 will go down as the greatest day in Appalachian State Athletics history. If the events of that day didn’t happen, December 16, 2005, September 1, 2007, March 27, 2013 — nor any other important date in App State Athletics history — happens.

[AppStFan1]

Laney was a below average D1 AD, but he's a good person who has does a lot over a long time for Special Olympics N.C. The Hitler comparison is pathetic

Cobb immediately started facilities upgrades when he got to Boone and did hire Satterfield, but he also hired Capel, Billy Jones and Darcie (although that hire was good for a while).

Cobb tried to hire Shawn Elliot who turned him down. After that, Satt was the easy hire to make since he was on staff and had a lot of support from the fan base. He was lucky that Scott turned out so well. Imagine how different the past 5 years would have been if Shawn had been HC!

Because of egos I'm sure Shawn believes he would have done the same thing. Elliott thought he had a shot at the SC job and that is why he stayed. Based on what I have heard, he would have taken our job if he had a crystal ball and he wishes he was back at App now.

[AppStFan1]

Unbeknownst to most, November 17, 2004 will go down as the greatest day in Appalachian State Athletics history. If the events of that day didn’t happen, December 16, 2005, September 1, 2007, March 27, 2013 — nor any other important date in App State Athletics history — happens.

Exactly. This article talks about the MOST IMPORTANT news in App State hitory: https://greensboro.com/sports_community ... e22f5.html

If Laney does not step down then we don't win those titles, we don't beat Michigan, and we don't move up to FBS. He wanted to keep us in the SoCon forever. As someone else said, he was notorious for saying "Appalachian can't do that".

The most important events in the history of App State football (you can argue a few but the top 2 are definitely the 2 biggest):
1. Laney resigns- None below or any of the other good happen if he does not step down
2. Michigan win- Did more than the titles. Made us a national name. Made us one of most famous moments in CFB history
3. Jerry Moore hiring- Built us into a consistent winner
4. Move up to FBS- the start of our climb to where we are now
5. UNC and SC wins in same year- beating the flagship schools of both Carolinas in same year
etc

[AppStFan1]

Laney, was not as bad as any of you are making him out to be. The years since his departure seem to have grown his tale taller. One thing I believe He did have skill at was surrounding himself with good and very capable people. I recall one of his assistant hires who was with him throughout his tenure (she deserves credit for her tireless employ) was Mrs. Helen Waite. Many of you here may had dealings with her at that time and don't even remember. If you had an issue with your season tickets, poor service, etc. etc. you name it Laney was either hard to find, unapproachable or rude to most. I believe he purposely allowed himself to act in a bombastic way avoiding, stalling, stonewalling, ignoring and insulting because He knew she would be there to back him up without doubt. With him at the helm You could always take you concerns and even accolades to Helen Waite!

I distinctly remember celebrations and the phones buzzing the day he stepped down. It felt like we won our independence or something. It was a glorious day. As for some hires he did have a few good people who handled things. Laney did not handle anything but I know our football secretary and Helen were both great at their jobs and got stuff done. It is too bad they were not employees under a great AD like Gillin.

[Appsolutely]

Unbeknownst to most, November 17, 2004 will go down as the greatest day in Appalachian State Athletics history. If the events of that day didn’t happen, December 16, 2005, September 1, 2007, March 27, 2013 — nor any other important date in App State Athletics history — happens.

Exactly. This article talks about the MOST IMPORTANT news in App State hitory: https://greensboro.com/sports_community ... e22f5.html

If Laney does not step down then we don't win those titles, we don't beat Michigan, and we don't move up to FBS. He wanted to keep us in the SoCon forever. As someone else said, he was notorious for saying "Appalachian can't do that".

The most important events in the history of App State football (you can argue a few but the top 2 are definitely the 2 biggest):
1. Laney resigns- None below or any of the other good happen if he does not step down
2. Michigan win- Did more than the titles. Made us a national name. Made us one of most famous moments in CFB history
3. Jerry Moore hiring- Built us into a consistent winner
4. Move up to FBS- the start of our climb to where we are now
5. UNC and SC wins in same year- beating the flagship schools of both Carolinas in same year
etc

The day Peacock was hired was also a huge day for App athletics. Borkowski had, and was, a problem.

[AppStFan1]

Unbeknownst to most, November 17, 2004 will go down as the greatest day in Appalachian State Athletics history. If the events of that day didn’t happen, December 16, 2005, September 1, 2007, March 27, 2013 — nor any other important date in App State Athletics history — happens.

Exactly. This article talks about the MOST IMPORTANT news in App State hitory: https://greensboro.com/sports_community ... e22f5.html

If Laney does not step down then we don't win those titles, we don't beat Michigan, and we don't move up to FBS. He wanted to keep us in the SoCon forever. As someone else said, he was notorious for saying "Appalachian can't do that".

The most important events in the history of App State football (you can argue a few but the top 2 are definitely the 2 biggest):
1. Laney resigns- None below or any of the other good happen if he does not step down
2. Michigan win- Did more than the titles. Made us a national name. Made us one of most famous moments in CFB history
3. Jerry Moore hiring- Built us into a consistent winner
4. Move up to FBS- the start of our climb to where we are now
5. UNC and SC wins in same year- beating the flagship schools of both Carolinas in same year
etc

The day Peacock was hired was also a huge day for App athletics. Borkowski had, and was, a problem.

You could argue he would be in top 3 as well. I was thinking about AD/HC position and our actual wins on the field. Peacock was HUGE in helping us get where we are as well and should be given even more credit than Jerry Moore because Jerry wanted to stay in FCS but Peacock was the one who most had that vision among people in decision-making positions on campus.

[JTApps1]

Laney was a below average D1 AD, but he's a good person who has does a lot over a long time for Special Olympics N.C. The Hitler comparison is pathetic

Cobb immediately started facilities upgrades when he got to Boone and did hire Satterfield, but he also hired Capel, Billy Jones and Darcie (although that hire was good for a while).

Cobb tried to hire Shawn Elliot who turned him down. After that, Satt was the easy hire to make since he was on staff and had a lot of support from the fan base. He was lucky that Scott turned out so well. Imagine how different the past 5 years would have been if Shawn had been HC!

Because of egos I'm sure Shawn believes he would have done the same thing. Elliott thought he had a shot at the SC job and that is why he stayed. Based on what I have heard, he would have taken our job if he had a crystal ball and he wishes he was back at App now.

Shawn said it to my face the he wished he had taken the job.

[APPdiesel]

Despite all Satterfield’s success I have a friend who still wishes Elliott had gotten the job.

[Stonewall]

A lot of truth above .Witness.

[AppStFan1]

Laney was a below average D1 AD, but he's a good person who has does a lot over a long time for Special Olympics N.C. The Hitler comparison is pathetic

Cobb immediately started facilities upgrades when he got to Boone and did hire Satterfield, but he also hired Capel, Billy Jones and Darcie (although that hire was good for a while).

Cobb tried to hire Shawn Elliot who turned him down. After that, Satt was the easy hire to make since he was on staff and had a lot of support from the fan base. He was lucky that Scott turned out so well. Imagine how different the past 5 years would have been if Shawn had been HC!

Because of egos I'm sure Shawn believes he would have done the same thing. Elliott thought he had a shot at the SC job and that is why he stayed. Based on what I have heard, he would have taken our job if he had a crystal ball and he wishes he was back at App now.

Shawn said it to my face the he wished he had taken the job.

It figures. Hindsight is 20/20 but I firmly believe the only reason he turned it down was because he thought he had a real shot at the SC job. There is only one job he really wants more than the App HC job and that is the SC HC job.

[EastHallApp]

I'm afraid to know the answer to this, but for those of you discussing it - does anyone have knowledge from a source on the App side (i.e., not Elliott himself or someone close to him) that Cobb actually offered Elliott the job?

[Boone Goon]

Remember Elliott was the interim HC for USC when Spurrier abruptly resigned mid-season. Unfortunately for Elliott the rest of the season went poorly, including a loss to the Citadel (if my memory is correct). That sealed his fortunes in Columbia. I don't see a scenario where he would ever be offered the USC position. It's more likely he is able to do well enough at Ga State to get an offer at another mid-major and then continue a slow climb to a P5 job. Other option would be he gets fired from GaState and becomes an assistant at App.

[Stonewall]

Doug did extend Fox , and soon thereafter regretted it.No one bats a thousand but I would put he and Garner at the top of the list.

[EastHallApp]

Remember Elliott was the interim HC for USC when Spurrier abruptly resigned mid-season. Unfortunately for Elliott the rest of the season went poorly, including a loss to the Citadel (if my memory is correct). That sealed his fortunes in Columbia. I don't see a scenario where he would ever be offered the USC position. It's more likely he is able to do well enough at Ga State to get an offer at another mid-major and then continue a slow climb to a P5 job. Other option would be he gets fired from GaState and becomes an assistant at App.

I mean let's be honest: There was probably not another FBS AD in the country who would have seriously pursued Elliott for a HC job at the time Cobb hired him at GSU.

That said, his results so far have been... not that bad.

[appfanjj]

Not sure but I believe Elliott was making a ton more money in his role at SC than he would have made as our HC.

[AppStFan1]

Not sure but I believe Elliott was making a ton more money in his role at SC than he would have made as our HC.

I don't remember exactly but I think he was making a $350k base and $500k total salary. He would have made more at App but not by a ton and like it was said before he turned down the App job thinking he was in line to be the SC HC when Spurrier left.

[AppYosef!]

I would like to add my 2 cents and give credit to the late Jim Garner who, as AD at A.S.U., brought Coach Jerry Moore to Boone after Sparky Woods left to take the reigns at South Carolina.

Coach Moore is one of the all-time greats but to be honest our teams were starting to look a little stagnant until he had the sense to change the offense. That led to our 3 straight National Championships and the huge win over Michigan.

Thanks to Jim Garner's hiring of Coach Moore Mountaineer fans now attend every game with the knowledge that our team will win and win BIG. I imagine very few A.S.U. fans were surprised as they left the game in Chapel Hill last year celebrating the win. We went there expecting the win...except we expected to win by a larger margin. That winning attitude is now second nature to Mountaineer fans.
THANKS JIM GARNER!!