ETSU Game Thread and discussion

[AppSt94]

It would be odd to have an interim chancellor make an extension decision of an employee already under contract of this nature.

Fair point. He is still under contract for two seasons after this one so there isn’t a need to hurry, unless you want to raise his buyout. But to your point, the interim tag may be an issue.

[AppStFan1]

Great interview with Clark on the BGP today, starts at minute 45. Interesting insights into the monitoring of players that Matt has installed in our S&C program. Coach is perhaps the most optimistic I've heard him preseason.

Based on private convos I have had with some folks who are close to the staff they say Shawn is highly optimistic. They know the new pieces on the line will have to gel but they believe we are SBC title contenders and think we can be a top 25 team for sure. He has a lot of talent and Everts is gone so even though there is a lot of pressure to win the SBC it does not seem like Shawn is showing it.

This is a very important year for Shawn because they never gave him the extension and raise that it was rumored Gillin wanted due to BOT wanting to wait and see on 2024.

I believe that he will get an extension soon as his biggest detractor was shown the door.

I was under the impression that it would happen when this season is over. At this point you might as well wait to see if we have a special season or not.

If he is the right man for the job then I don’t really see a reason to wait. In my opinion, he has already proven this by turning a train wreck of a season into a 9 win campaign through his leadership and vision.

I thought we were in huge trouble and Everts would get her way when we were 3-4 but was frustrated because I knew we had the talent. Shawn did a great job of keeping the team together and turning things around. No doubt about that.

He is currently under contract through the 2026 season. I am not saying I think this would happen here but there are many times an AD has extended a coach just off one good year and then went on to regret it. We also have an interim chancellor and they rarely make those moves.

I am completely fine waiting to let this season play out and if Shawn is confident in what we can do then he should be since it could pay off huge for him in negotiations. He could command more years and money coming off a playoff berth and SBC title than he can now.

[biggie]

[Saint3333]

I'll bring some gummy bears to celebrate with my man Tyson!

[T-Dog]

Wonder if Matr McMahon will be there.

[T-Dog]

I thought we were in huge trouble and Everts would get her way when we were 3-4 but was frustrated because I knew we had the talent. Shawn did a great job of keeping the team together and turning things around. No doubt about that.

To be fair, the team was 3-4 and losing in the 4th quarter to a one-win Southern Miss team. The students were chanting "Fire Clark" and the players and coaches were stunned.

Lose that game and I don't think Clark is the coach now. I know he had major support from donors and Gillin, but I don't think we win out after losing to USM, so the record would be 6-6 at best.

Not saying it would be fair, but at the end of the day coaches get hired and fired off winning games, not the potential to win games.

[JTApps1]

Anyone else get the App Newsletter today with the caption “Unfinished Business” and have a flashback to the 1996 schedule poster with Dexter at a board room table and the same slogan?

Need a better outcome!

I heard that mentioned somewhere else and about got sick. What a disappointment 1996 was after a great 1995 ended too early.

[hapapp]

Wonder if Matr McMahon will be there.

Heard that he was.

[AppStFan1]

Anyone else get the App Newsletter today with the caption “Unfinished Business” and have a flashback to the 1996 schedule poster with Dexter at a board room table and the same slogan?

Need a better outcome!

I heard that mentioned somewhere else and about got sick. What a disappointment 1996 was after a great 1995 ended too early.

Way too early! That season should have gone for 2 more weeks.

[moonshine]

Hopefully we get a “Rufus” chant going.

[moonshine]

Interesting tidbits:

The Bucs have 2 former App OL players and Luke Smith has been named a team Captain.

Several former Watauga Pioneers on the Bucs’ roster.

Former All-SBC (USA/NCSU) C, Joseph Scelfo, is the OC/OL coach. I believe App recruited him but he ended up a Jag. I remember him mauling App’s D in 2014.

[MAD Doctor]

We will not lose, but there are reasons it might not be a huge blowout:

Rust
Rain
Taylor Lamb
(Remember the first 3 quarters against GW)
Conservative playbook

I’ll be fine with a 25+ win with everybody healthy.

[AppStFan1]

We will not lose, but there are reasons it might not be a huge blowout:

Rust
Rain
Taylor Lamb
(Remember the first 3 quarters against GW)
Conservative playbook

I’ll be fine with a 25+ win with everybody healthy.

I would not be shocked if this is not the blowout we hope for. I will be pleasantly surprised if we cover the spread for the reasons you mention. Even if we win by just 20 or so I believe we will do pretty well against Clemson. We seem to be at our best on the road against a power program.

[hapapp]

We will not lose, but there are reasons it might not be a huge blowout:

Rust
Rain
Taylor Lamb
(Remember the first 3 quarters against GW)
Conservative playbook

I’ll be fine with a 25+ win with everybody healthy.

What does Taylor Lamb have to do with it?

[appstate24]

We will not lose, but there are reasons it might not be a huge blowout:

Rust
Rain
Taylor Lamb
(Remember the first 3 quarters against GW)
Conservative playbook

I’ll be fine with a 25+ win with everybody healthy.

What does Taylor Lamb have to do with it?

I was about to ask the same thing.

GO APPS!!

[AppDub]

Given our past opening games, I'd take App not to cover if I were a betting man. We will win for sure though.

[biggie]

[mike87]

Kerns is special. In a good way.

[AtlAppMan]

Kudos to Kerns. That was pretty funny and goofy but you have to appreciate him taking the time to do it and post it. That extra effort means a lot.

[Stonewall]

It would be odd to have an interim chancellor make an extension decision of an employee already under contract of this nature.

Chancellors and ADs don't grant extensions , they recommend them to the BOT.I believe they want unanimous support .Today it is not there.A conference championship changes that .If we fall short they may press forward and take a simple majority . They may not.That is from a Trustee.