#TeamClark

[appvette]

Why is it so hard to say there were very legitimate questions about the job Clark did last year and the first eight games this season AND give him credit for the turn around over the last three games?

Bingo... Seems like everyone has to be on one extreme or the other.

[Stonewall]

We are better than JMU .It took us awhile to get here, but here we are .We played a good game and beat them. But it wasn't some kind of hitting on all cylinders miraculous effort. We missed some plays and we made some .Solid win .

[appvette]

If we can rebuild the interior of the oline, next year could be special. Does Helms still have a year of eligibility? He's a senior, but I would think he still has his extra COVID year.

[DenverOfTheEast]

Why is it so hard to say there were very legitimate questions about the job Clark did last year and the first eight games this season AND give him credit for the turn around over the last three games?

The Chase Brice group in '22 ran out of steam -

The Joey Aguilar group on '23 took a bit to get going -

#TeamClark here to stay 95/97 get use to it.

[APPdiesel]

Why is it so hard to say there were very legitimate questions about the job Clark did last year and the first eight games this season AND give him credit for the turn around over the last three games?

Bingo... Seems like everyone has to be on one extreme or the other.

It’s because we’re incapable of discussing nuance. It has to be “I’m right, you’re wrong, recognize my brilliance or go pound sand loser”.

[hapapp]

I think we all had questions/concerns/doubts. It was reasonable to speculate what could happen at season's end given our start. What I never understood were those who called for his firing before we even reached the halfway point of the season. I had no divine knowledge that things would turn around, but I did keep 2014 in the back of mind as a reminder that the season is long. It also seemed that the team never gave up and neither did the coaches. We were in every game that we lost and and literally a play here or there could have made a huge difference in the outcome. I think last night proved that it truly can be a game of inches.

[appst89]

Why is it so hard to say there were very legitimate questions about the job Clark did last year and the first eight games this season AND give him credit for the turn around over the last three games?

Bingo... Seems like everyone has to be on one extreme or the other.

It’s because we’re incapable of discussing nuance. It has to be “I’m right, you’re wrong, recognize my brilliance or go pound sand loser”.

Yes. See the post previous to yours for a shining example.

[AppAlum1]

Clark is the coach and needs to be the coach next season. Topics like this need to die

Nope

You gonna want to fire a coach any time we don’t play in the CCG? Any coach?

Since Clark arrived we’ve gone from class of the conference to just another team. You can’t look past the facts.

I could not disagree more. Coach Clark has 3 wins over ranked teams. How many Ws did Satterfield have as Apps coach over ranked teams? How many Ws did Drinkwitz have over ranked teams? We will wait for you to go find these facts. You can post them on this thread.

[CoachRob]

Clark is the coach and needs to be the coach next season. Topics like this need to die

Nope

You gonna want to fire a coach any time we don’t play in the CCG? Any coach?

Since Clark arrived we’ve gone from class of the conference to just another team. You can’t look past the facts.

I could not disagree more. Coach Clark has 3 wins over ranked teams. How many Ws did Satterfield have as Apps coach over ranked teams? How many Ws did Drinkwitz have over ranked teams? We will wait for you to go find these facts. You can post them on this thread.

The conference has gotten better overall at a much higher rate than App has taken a step back. Youth combined with lack of needed talent at key positions in original scheme were the greatest contributors to lack of success past couple of years, NOT coaches. Took some bumps to realize that a change in scheme (a scheme that has provided us dominance in the SB BTW) needed to be made. Which is very difficult for any coach that has full faith in their scheme & style of football.

Credit to both players & coaches to continue to work hard through patience to turn this season into a success.

[Bigdaddyg1]

Obviously most of the people here calling for his firing were shining examples of over reacting. I hesitate to ask but do any of you still believe that's the way to go? If so what exactly would be the plan?

[Saint3333]

There are less than half a dozen posters here that would still claim this season has been a “bad” one and they still want a change.

Many were asking for the staff to turn around the season and go 8-4 or 7-5 and win a bowl game.

After ODU that looked really tough and unlikely, in true Mountaineer fashion they fought back against the odds to meet those expectations.

But those that are want to lump the entire fanbase in the there was nothing the team could do to change my mind camp are using revisionist history.

Kudos to the grit of this team and so proud of them for overcoming tough odds after seven games.

[Stonewall]

There are less than half a dozen posters here that would still claim this season has been a “bad” one and they still want a change.

Many were asking for the staff to turn around the season and go 8-4 or 7-5 and win a bowl game.

After ODU that looked really tough and unlikely, in true Mountaineer fashion they fought back against the odds to meet those expectations.

But those that are want to lump the entire fanbase in the there was nothing the team could do to change my mind camp are using revisionist history.

Kudos to the grit of this team and so proud of them for overcoming tough odds after seven games.

Solid.

[DenverOfTheEast]

#TeamClark with a very good win over Gardner Webb (7-4) to start the season, which made the 1-AA playoffs.

Can't take any win for granted. Once upon a time 1-AA Appy beat Big Blue so there you go.

[Yosef84]

Why is it so hard to say there were very legitimate questions about the job Clark did last year and the first eight games this season AND give him credit for the turn around over the last three games?

I don't think that the questions are the point of disagreement. The fact that there were questions is pretty clear. It is the conclusions where most fans disagree. I don't think anybody is saying that mediocrity is ever the goal. Even 8-4, while not a bad season (hoping that's our regular season record after Saturday) is not the goal. Some concluded very firmly that Clark should be fired. It is my opinion that Clark was still in his learning curve which was absolutely an expectation from the beginning. He made good moves in the off-season and seem to be making strides. I get why some disagreed after some VERY disappointing losses. I do appreciate those who remain open enough to acknowledge the progress. The good news is that, with the turn-around, the App family is beginning to reconcile. Let's go enjoy some Eagle Dinner this Saturday!

GO APPS!

[Bigdaddyg1]

I've heard good coaches say that it's really hard to win football games. I really don't think that's an exaggerated statement. There is some misconception among some on here that App football is some G5 equivalent of Georgia. How many teams out there consistently win 9 or more games every season? If you look at this year and the past, say 5-9 years who has averaged 9 wins? I'm sure the list is small. It's all relative. We have seen those lists that get put on games from time to time that has App on the most wins since...

While we had a couple of disappointing losses and at least one pulled it out win an 8-4 (win Saturday) season is still pretty good. We all want undefeated but the reality is that App is right about even with several Belt schools and that's not terrible. Imagine if we were going through a Marshall season- started strong and fell apart.

[Apple@chin1]

Why is it so hard to say there were very legitimate questions about the job Clark did last year and the first eight games this season AND give him credit for the turn around over the last three games?

The Chase Brice group in '22 ran out of steam -

The Joey Aguilar group on '23 took a bit to get going -

#TeamClark here to stay 95/97 get use to it.

This is exactly why I think Matt Greenhaglh was the best hire of the offseason. We weren’t bullying teams last season like we are now, especially towards the end of the year. We ran out of gas, as you said. Look at what our DL did to JMU’s OL. We pushed them around all game & created havoc in their backfield. We had a ton of missed tackles for loss. Had we wrapped up the ball carrier (and caught all the dropped passes on both sides of the ball) we would’ve humiliated them. The score was much closer than the game. It should’ve been closer to what Boston Connor predicted. If we can retain this staff, we should be in good shape for a NY6 or playoff berth. I’m just glad that we don’t hear “fire Clark” or “let us bowl” anymore. Both were in need of bedtime.

[pop5app]

Clark is the coach and needs to be the coach next season. Topics like this need to die

Yeah, all the “”team this” or “team that” is nothing but divisive.

[AppSt94]

Why is it so hard to say there were very legitimate questions about the job Clark did last year and the first eight games this season AND give him credit for the turn around over the last three games?

Bingo... Seems like everyone has to be on one extreme or the other.

It’s because we’re incapable of discussing nuance. It has to be “I’m right, you’re wrong, recognize my brilliance or go pound sand loser”.

^This. The lack of clear information that comes out of the football and athletic offices makes it difficult to formulate an accurate opinion and creates a false sense of understanding. There is a great line from Michael Douglas’ character in American President. “People don’t drink the sand because they are thirsty. They drink the sand because they don’t know the difference.”

[WASU 93]

I've heard good coaches say that it's really hard to win football games. I really don't think that's an exaggerated statement. There is some misconception among some on here that App football is some G5 equivalent of Georgia. How many teams out there consistently win 9 or more games every season? If you look at this year and the past, say 5-9 years who has averaged 9 wins? I'm sure the list is small. It's all relative. We have seen those lists that get put on games from time to time that has App on the most wins since...

While we had a couple of disappointing losses and at least one pulled it out win an 8-4 (win Saturday) season is still pretty good. We all want undefeated but the reality is that App is right about even with several Belt schools and that's not terrible. Imagine if we were going through a Marshall season- started strong and fell apart.

viewtopic.php?f=4&t=25897&p=359205#p359205

[Bigdaddyg1]

I've heard good coaches say that it's really hard to win football games. I really don't think that's an exaggerated statement. There is some misconception among some on here that App football is some G5 equivalent of Georgia. How many teams out there consistently win 9 or more games every season? If you look at this year and the past, say 5-9 years who has averaged 9 wins? I'm sure the list is small. It's all relative. We have seen those lists that get put on games from time to time that has App on the most wins since...

While we had a couple of disappointing losses and at least one pulled it out win an 8-4 (win Saturday) season is still pretty good. We all want undefeated but the reality is that App is right about even with several Belt schools and that's not terrible. Imagine if we were going through a Marshall season- started strong and fell apart.

viewtopic.php?f=4&t=25897&p=359205#p359205

That was a good list and a reasonable criteria. We are looking like another "good" season that could get elevated with up to 3 more possible wins. Not too shabby.