DJ Smith DC

[Saint3333]

If someone asked me two weeks ago if we were to sign a co-DC from an SEC school as our DC would I consider that a homerun the answer would have been yes.

Then throw on top of that he played in the NFL and he familiar with the App State program I’d say that seems like one of the most ideal candidates we could hire.

Now let’s give him time to see if the results mirror the potential of this hire.

[Mjohn1988]

I missed the part where DJ was hired as HC?

Did something happen to DLo or are people not understanding the difference in hiring DJ at DC versus hiring Clark as HC.

DJ’s resume of position coach at G5 to position coach at P4 to co-DC at P4 to DC at G5 is perhaps the most typical route to his new role.

I think it's the Clark apologists doing mental gymnastics again.

All I am saying is that DJ has never put together a defensive staff and been fully in charge of the staff, players and game plan. He was the Co- DC in title but Batton ran the show. I am rooting for him and he has my support but to pretend that he is an home run as a DC is still to be determined.

Nobody’s a home run hire until they are a home run hire. And at some point in time pretty much every home run hire turns into a bad hire.

[AppSt94]

I missed the part where DJ was hired as HC?

Did something happen to DLo or are people not understanding the difference in hiring DJ at DC versus hiring Clark as HC.

DJ’s resume of position coach at G5 to position coach at P4 to co-DC at P4 to DC at G5 is perhaps the most typical route to his new role.

I think it's the Clark apologists doing mental gymnastics again.

All I am saying is that DJ has never put together a defensive staff and been fully in charge of the staff, players and game plan. He was the Co- DC in title but Batton ran the show. I am rooting for him and he has my support but to pretend that he is an home run as a DC is still to be determined.

Nobody’s a home run hire until they are a home run hire. And at some point in time pretty much every home run hire turns into a bad hire.

Very true. I hope that he is. Time will tell.

[704App]

Folks hated when Satt hired Ivey because he was nothing but a HS coach. Same people that hated the hire clamored for him to be the head coach when Satt left.

Folks didn't like when we hired Braswell because he was a high school coach with limited experience.

Both of those turned out pretty damn good.

Likewise, folks loved the idea of getting the band back together with hiring Sloan and Ponce. That didn't turn out so well.

Here's a thought -- I know it's not the normal pessimistic approach that belongs here -- let's give ALL coaches the same chance to prove themselves. They're all unproven, regardless of experience elsewhere, at App State and with these peers and support staff.

[Bigdaddyg1]

It’s become more than apparent that several folks here have completely unrealistic expectations for coaches. Some expect miracle workers. Obviously we all want guys who will deliver wins but the excessive over analysis on some of the hires is extreme. The preconceived notions that some will fail is brutal. I agree, let the people who know the process give these guys a chance before the fire- X threads commence.

[AppSt94]

Folks hated when Satt hired Ivey because he was nothing but a HS coach. Same people that hated the hire clamored for him to be the head coach when Satt left.

Folks didn't like when we hired Braswell because he was a high school coach with limited experience.

Both of those turned out pretty damn good.

Likewise, folks loved the idea of getting the band back together with hiring Sloan and Ponce. That didn't turn out so well.

Here's a thought -- I know it's not the normal pessimistic approach that belongs here -- let's give ALL coaches the same chance to prove themselves. They're all unproven, regardless of experience elsewhere, at App State and with these peers and support staff.

Bingo!

[Saint3333]

I'm very confused at posters that complain about the optimism of this hire are now lecturing the optimistic posters on giving a coach a chance.

[ASUFan4863]

I'm very confused at posters that complain about the optimism of this hire are now lecturing the optimistic posters on giving a coach a chance.

Right on Saint. It makes certain people feel good about themselves.

[Bigdaddyg1]

I'm very confused at posters that complain about the optimism of this hire are now lecturing the optimistic posters on giving a coach a chance.

Right on Saint. It makes certain people feel good about themselves.

Has any coach been hired that delivers at least a 75% approval rating on this board?

[AtlAppMan]

At every level of college football, coaching hires are a level of risk. We have less resources that elite P4 schools so it may be even more "unknowns" but even top schools face same issues. UGA went through several before Kirby Smart. Look at Texas A&M who has all the money in the world and they have missed the marks on several coaches who appeared to be homeruns when hired. Texas has been through many, Alabama had been through before Saban. Even Saban had his bumps in road throughout his career before becoming the coach everybody thought was the top of the top.

Fact is some coaches do better in certain circumstances that others so it is also a "fit" between their skills at the right point in their career and our school and other outside factors (conference reorg, conference peer strength, NIL, portal, etc).

The most critical hires in order are HC then immediately next are OC/DC and then assistants. A good HC can look really good if he has great coordinators, see Dabo, and not so good when coordinators are not elite.

[mtnjax]

BGP asked DJ on their pod what defense we’re gonna run and he said 4 man front multiple. Wouldn’t be surprised if he did something similar to what he played in under Wiley

[AppSt94]

The current roster has 11 guys across the front to run a 4-3. 1 Senior, 3 Juniors, 1 Sophomore, and 6 Freshmen, (4 RS and 2 True). We obviously need some more unless there is a plan to use a current LB as a standup end.

[311neers]

The current roster has 11 guys across the front to run a 4-3. 1 Senior, 3 Juniors, 1 Sophomore, and 6 Freshmen, (4 RS and 2 True). We obviously need some more unless there is a plan to use a current LB as a standup end.

A lot of unknowns for sure at DL/OLB and LB. The only names that jump out are Collins and TD. Assuming Gooch and Farrar are the LBS. No clue what the plans are for Sullivan or Arnholt- are they returning?

[NattyBumppo'sRevenge]

BGP asked DJ on their pod what defense we’re gonna run and he said 4 man front multiple. Wouldn’t be surprised if he did something similar to what he played in under Wiley

Gonna need quite a few more DL to run a 4 man front with rotations. Seems like Shawn Collins and the Cincinnati transfer is all we have right now. Few young guys that I didn’t see play last year.

[AppSt94]

The current roster has 11 guys across the front to run a 4-3. 1 Senior, 3 Juniors, 1 Sophomore, and 6 Freshmen, (4 RS and 2 True). We obviously need some more unless there is a plan to use a current LB as a standup end.

A lot of unknowns for sure at DL/OLB and LB. The only names that jump out are Collins and TD. Assuming Gooch and Farrar are the LBS. No clue what the plans are for Sullivan or Arnholt- are they returning?

Collins, Wyatt, Campbell and Hertz saw a good amount of reps. Mebane played some. Then you get into the unknown in Farmer, Ellis, Pitts, Bussey, Cooper and Butler.

I suppose that you can Thomas Davis play stand up end but I don’t know. I still have Sullivan and Arnholt on the roster but they’ve graduated with eligibility but haven’t heard anything.

[T-Dog]

Running a 4 man front with a converted LB as the 4th man would be a disaster IMO.

[AppSt94]

Running a 4 man front with a converted LB as the 4th man would be a disaster IMO.

I don’t disagree. May have to this coming year.

[Appmountaineers19]

Saw an interesting post by KA-V come across my timeline from 20 minutes ago. Does he still have eligiblity?

[biggie]

Saw an interesting post by KA-V come across my timeline from 20 minutes ago. Does he still have eligiblity?

Guess he would with the JUCO rule.

[appstate24]

Saw an interesting post by KA-V come across my timeline from 20 minutes ago. Does he still have eligiblity?

Would be a nice boost to the DL.

GO APPS!!