Pete Thamel- App State Fires Shawn Clark

[AppSt94]

Compare the Clark from his beginning presser to the Clark we saw in most pressers the last two seasons. He didn't seem like a guy working at his dream job. I know he wanted to succeed, and I wanted him to as well. However, while today probably sucks for him, I bet at least a part of him is pretty pumped about what he can do for Christmas with $500k in his pocket.

I asure you he is not pumped about anything.

I assure you, he is, or will be soon. Maybe not today or tomorrow, but soon. Any one of us would take a firing if it meant we got $500k and got to spend the rest of the holiday season with family instead of working.

You have no clue.

What if Clark gets the job at UNCC and beats Appalachian?

Or Marshall?

[ASUTodd]

Compare the Clark from his beginning presser to the Clark we saw in most pressers the last two seasons. He didn't seem like a guy working at his dream job. I know he wanted to succeed, and I wanted him to as well. However, while today probably sucks for him, I bet at least a part of him is pretty pumped about what he can do for Christmas with $500k in his pocket.

I asure you he is not pumped about anything.

I assure you, he is, or will be soon. Maybe not today or tomorrow, but soon. Any one of us would take a firing if it meant we got $500k and got to spend the rest of the holiday season with family instead of working.

You have no clue.

What if Clark gets the job at UNCC and beats Appalachian?

What if Saban comes out of retirement and coaches Furman to national championship. This is fun, who should we do next?

[Saint3333]

I asure you he is not pumped about anything.

I assure you, he is, or will be soon. Maybe not today or tomorrow, but soon. Any one of us would take a firing if it meant we got $500k and got to spend the rest of the holiday season with family instead of working.

You have no clue.

What if Clark gets the job at UNCC and beats Appalachian?

Or Marshall?

It would feel like two of the last three years.

[scatman77]

Now that the deed is done and all the anti-Shawn Clark folks are tickled pink I have a few comments. First, I hope that we somehow find the $$$ to pay the next HC a 7 figure salary like some of our SB brethren are doing. Second, all YC members need to make sure that they back-track on the threats to withhold contributions and/or season ticket. Third to all the anti-Shawn Clark people who are not YC members and were equally if not more vocal than the YC club donors I say pony up or shut up. Join the YC club and let your pocket book back up your desire to fire him.

To Shawn Clark I say: the overall results were not what we or you wanted but we couldn't ask for a better Mountaineer ambassador. Thank you Coach.

What a ray of sunshine and a breath of fresh air.

And yeah, you tell ‘em! How dare people have an opinion! You can only have an opinion if you pay for one! Is your family just getting by while the totals at the grocery store keep going up? Sucks to suck! You get to stress out at home AND have no opinion on how a SPORTS TEAM that you love and care for progresses. Sit there and be sad and broke! That’s the Mountaineer attitude!

This take is so old and tired.

"You can only have an opinion if you pay for one!"
I never said you couldn't have an opinion, just that if you're hiding behind a keyboard and do not contribute to the cause you have no basis for complaining. It's like complaining about the election outcome while not voting. And to follow my own advice I can complain; I'm retired on a fixed income and still remain a YC member. You'll not ever read it in a message board or social media because that's just not cool. Recruits and parents read these things and based on what I've read over the past season it's a wonder any athlete would want to be here; the vitriol and acrimony directed at the staff is sad.

[scatman77]

Now that the deed is done and all the anti-Shawn Clark folks are tickled pink I have a few comments. First, I hope that we somehow find the $$$ to pay the next HC a 7 figure salary like some of our SB brethren are doing. Second, all YC members need to make sure that they back-track on the threats to withhold contributions and/or season ticket. Third to all the anti-Shawn Clark people who are not YC members and were equally if not more vocal than the YC club donors I say pony up or shut up. Join the YC club and let your pocket book back up your desire to fire him.

To Shawn Clark I say: the overall results were not what we or you wanted but we couldn't ask for a better Mountaineer ambassador. Thank you Coach.

People don't have to give to YC to have opinion. That's about as dumb as saying people aren't fans if they don't xyz.....

No you don't have to give but your opinion is meaningless to me. If someone complains about the outcome of an election but doesn't vote then they have no right to complain. Same thing with the YC. What really disappoints me is the number of Mountaineer fans who on social media openly cheer (loudly with all CAPS) that he's finally fired and out on the street. Forget the fact his family is affected and the team is affected. Show some grace and class like a true Mountaineer. Some of the stuff I read was identical to a lot of stuff on the stink's pages and JMU. Mountaineers should be way above that.

[ASUTodd]

Now that the deed is done and all the anti-Shawn Clark folks are tickled pink I have a few comments. First, I hope that we somehow find the $$$ to pay the next HC a 7 figure salary like some of our SB brethren are doing. Second, all YC members need to make sure that they back-track on the threats to withhold contributions and/or season ticket. Third to all the anti-Shawn Clark people who are not YC members and were equally if not more vocal than the YC club donors I say pony up or shut up. Join the YC club and let your pocket book back up your desire to fire him.

To Shawn Clark I say: the overall results were not what we or you wanted but we couldn't ask for a better Mountaineer ambassador. Thank you Coach.

People don't have to give to YC to have opinion. That's about as dumb as saying people aren't fans if they don't xyz.....

No you don't have to give but your opinion is meaningless to me. If someone complains about the outcome of an election but doesn't vote then they have no right to complain. Same thing with the YC. What really disappoints me is the number of Mountaineer fans who on social media openly cheer (loudly with all CAPS) that he's finally fired and out on the street. Forget the fact his family is affected and the team is affected. Show some grace and class like a true Mountaineer. Some of the stuff I read was identical to a lot of stuff on the stink's pages and JMU. Mountaineers should be way above that.

How's the view up on that high horse?

[APP93]

The SC HC record at App:
- 5 full seasons as HC
- Overall record 40-24 (25-15 SBC)
- 2 SBC championship game appearances
- 3 bowl bids in 5 years (3-1 bowl record)*includes 2019 NOLA bowl win
- 4-0 vs in state peer programs (3 vs ECU, 1 vs Charlotte)
- 2 top 25 wins (1 top 10)
- 1-4 vs P5 schools (3 very memorable losses (@Miami, 2 UNC) and 1 loss would like to forget (Clemson)
- 7-2 vs G5 schools (include bowl games)
- Zero FCS losses

This was Shawn Clark's first tenure as a head coach. 1st year dealt with a 100 year global pandemic and last year a 100 year unimaginable storm that disrupted the entire region.

5 years there were a lot of great memories coupled with several setbacks, but that is sports...Coach should feel good about his accomplishments....see everyone next season!

a lot of schools would be thrilled with that. Including some in North Carolina

You are right, there are a lot of schools that would be thrilled with that but we are not a lot of schools when it comes to football. We are App State and we expect more.

You also have to go back and look at Satterfield’s record and then Drinkwitz to compare. You’ll see the slippage.

I would argue that the conference got much better under SC's tenure...which, if I am not mistaken, many on this board argued in favor of during App's initial entry and subsequent reign. I for one was happy when the conference re-aligned and got much better knowing full well that meant ASU would not be in the SBC championship game every year.

I agree that he did not necessarily set the world on fire (especially lately) but I have argued that his record and how he ran the program did not warrant termination. A staff shakeup for sure, but not termination.

Anyway, what's done is done....I wish him well in the future and look forward to supporting the new coach and staff during this transition.

[BambooRdApp]

App St. Giving Day. New coach needs the funds!!

[Saint3333]

The SC HC record at App:
- 5 full seasons as HC
- Overall record 40-24 (25-15 SBC)
- 2 SBC championship game appearances
- 3 bowl bids in 5 years (3-1 bowl record)*includes 2019 NOLA bowl win
- 4-0 vs in state peer programs (3 vs ECU, 1 vs Charlotte)
- 2 top 25 wins (1 top 10)
- 1-4 vs P5 schools (3 very memorable losses (@Miami, 2 UNC) and 1 loss would like to forget (Clemson)
- 7-2 vs G5 schools (include bowl games)
- Zero FCS losses

This was Shawn Clark's first tenure as a head coach. 1st year dealt with a 100 year global pandemic and last year a 100 year unimaginable storm that disrupted the entire region.

5 years there were a lot of great memories coupled with several setbacks, but that is sports...Coach should feel good about his accomplishments....see everyone next season!

a lot of schools would be thrilled with that. Including some in North Carolina

You are right, there are a lot of schools that would be thrilled with that but we are not a lot of schools when it comes to football. We are App State and we expect more.

You also have to go back and look at Satterfield’s record and then Drinkwitz to compare. You’ll see the slippage.

I would argue that the conference got much better under SC's tenure...which, if I am not mistaken, many on this board argued in favor of during App's initial entry and subsequent reign. I for one was happy when the conference re-aligned and got much better knowing full well that meant ASU would not be in the SBC championship game every year.

I agree that he did not necessarily set the world on fire (especially lately) but I have argued that his record and how he ran the program did not warrant termination. A staff shakeup for sure, but not termination.

Anyway, what's done is done....I wish him well in the future and look forward to supporting the new coach and staff during this transition.

The well wishes are great and warranted. The defense of the results (or lack there of) should cease as we move on to the next era of Mountaineer football.

[AppDub]

I asure you he is not pumped about anything.

I assure you, he is, or will be soon. Maybe not today or tomorrow, but soon. Any one of us would take a firing if it meant we got $500k and got to spend the rest of the holiday season with family instead of working.

You have no clue.

What if Clark gets the job at UNCC and beats Appalachian?

Or Marshall?

Heard some rumblings that there is mutual interest. Again, just rumblings.

[BallantyneApp]

I asure you he is not pumped about anything.

I assure you, he is, or will be soon. Maybe not today or tomorrow, but soon. Any one of us would take a firing if it meant we got $500k and got to spend the rest of the holiday season with family instead of working.

You have no clue.

What if Clark gets the job at UNCC and beats Appalachian?

Or Marshall?

Marshall makes more sense than UNCC. Unless Clark wants his career to truly falter, UNCC should be left for a scumbag like petrino.

[Rekdiver]

charlotte would be crazy to hire Clark except as a position coach

[AppSt94]

I assure you, he is, or will be soon. Maybe not today or tomorrow, but soon. Any one of us would take a firing if it meant we got $500k and got to spend the rest of the holiday season with family instead of working.

You have no clue.

What if Clark gets the job at UNCC and beats Appalachian?

Or Marshall?

Marshall makes more sense than UNCC. Unless Clark wants his career to truly falter, UNCC should be left for a scumbag like petrino.

Speaking of Petrino, is there a good Harley-Davidson dealer in Harrisburg.

[BallantyneApp]

charlotte would be crazy to hire Clark except as a position coach

Yeah they are not typically looking for actual football coaches over there. They want head cheerleaders or bankers that dress poorly.

[APPdiesel]

I vote we have a little red thermometer next to our names to indicate how much we give to YC and therefore qualify how much of an opinion we’re allowed to have.

[MrCraig]

I asure you he is not pumped about anything.

I assure you, he is, or will be soon. Maybe not today or tomorrow, but soon. Any one of us would take a firing if it meant we got $500k and got to spend the rest of the holiday season with family instead of working.

You have no clue.

What if Clark gets the job at UNCC and beats Appalachian?

What if Saban comes out of retirement and coaches Furman to national championship. This is fun, who should we do next?

What if Armageddon happens before next season and none of it even matters!?!?!

[blunderbuss]

Speaking of Petrino, is there a good Harley-Davidson dealer in Harrisburg.

Concord

[MrCraig]

He said in his first presser this was a dream job. Can’t imagine how it feels for it to have ended like this. He’s a good man and wanted to succeed, but didn’t get it done. I take no joy in reading the news personally, but am excited for the next chapter.

That said, next year is likely gonna be rough. Significant roster changes and probably new schemes on both sides of the ball. We will have to have patience.

Beat UNCC

Compare the Clark from his beginning presser to the Clark we saw in most pressers the last two seasons. He didn't seem like a guy working at his dream job. I know he wanted to succeed, and I wanted him to as well. However, while today probably sucks for him, I bet at least a part of him is pretty pumped about what he can do for Christmas with $500k in his pocket.

I asure you he is not pumped about anything.

I assure you, he is, or will be soon. Maybe not today or tomorrow, but soon. Any one of us would take a firing if it meant we got $500k and got to spend the rest of the holiday season with family instead of working.

You have no clue.

I do actually! I have been a high school basketball coach for numerous years and been fired from that position. It's not a great feeling at first, but when you realize how much time you get back, it feels better and better. And I didn't get any kind of buyout. Literally nothing more than a "don't let the door hit you on the way out." Every year, around the beginning of October, I miss the whistle and the squeak of shoes. Then, at Thanksgiving break I see the coaches and players headed to the gym while I'm headed home to be with my family and friends, and I don't miss it anymore.

[Rick83]

Bell . Woods. Cronic. Smith. Lamb.

Is Steve Wilks in play or even a possibility?

[mike87]

Now that the deed is done and all the anti-Shawn Clark folks are tickled pink I have a few comments. First, I hope that we somehow find the $$$ to pay the next HC a 7 figure salary like some of our SB brethren are doing. Second, all YC members need to make sure that they back-track on the threats to withhold contributions and/or season ticket. Third to all the anti-Shawn Clark people who are not YC members and were equally if not more vocal than the YC club donors I say pony up or shut up. Join the YC club and let your pocket book back up your desire to fire him.

To Shawn Clark I say: the overall results were not what we or you wanted but we couldn't ask for a better Mountaineer ambassador. Thank you Coach.

People don't have to give to YC to have opinion. That's about as dumb as saying people aren't fans if they don't xyz.....

No you don't have to give but your opinion is meaningless to me. If someone complains about the outcome of an election but doesn't vote then they have no right to complain. Same thing with the YC. What really disappoints me is the number of Mountaineer fans who on social media openly cheer (loudly with all CAPS) that he's finally fired and out on the street. Forget the fact his family is affected and the team is affected. Show some grace and class like a true Mountaineer. Some of the stuff I read was identical to a lot of stuff on the stink's pages and JMU. Mountaineers should be way above that.

How's the view up on that high horse?

Joining the YC isn't really a high horse. You can get in on donkey pay. I agree with the put up or shut up attitude. More opinion for more money isn't right but dang, pay the minimum admission price and don't just freeload.