Roster/Staff Updates

[AppSt94]

He was making $60,000 as the Asst Dir. . Our Dir/GM Landon Grier, essentially his boss is making $80,000

[Bigdaddyg1]

I ask this in all seriousness- in the current environment especially at the G5 level is the head coach really the most important job anymore in football? It’s beginning to sound more like you really need a great GM and scouting department over a great coach. Don’t get me wrong I know you need a good X’s and O’s guy but it’s obvious that Portal evaluation and getting cheap but potentially good talent tops recruiting especially if great recruits leave in a year. I also think that after the GM you need young assistant coaches who can motivate players. Obviously all is needed but it seems like chasing average over priced guys from P4’s isn’t the best way to go. In terms of talent I still think we need to go more with the JMU model.

[AppSt94]

I ask this in all seriousness- in the current environment especially at the G5 level is the head coach really the most important job anymore in football? It’s beginning to sound more like you really need a great GM and scouting department over a great coach. Don’t get me wrong I know you need a good X’s and O’s guy but it’s obvious that Portal evaluation and getting cheap but potentially good talent tops recruiting especially if great recruits leave in a year. I also think that after the GM you need young assistant coaches who can motivate players. Obviously all is needed but it seems like chasing average over priced guys from P4’s isn’t the best way to go. In terms of talent I still think we need to go more with the JMU model.

What is the JMU model?

[BallantyneApp]

I ask this in all seriousness- in the current environment especially at the G5 level is the head coach really the most important job anymore in football? It’s beginning to sound more like you really need a great GM and scouting department over a great coach. Don’t get me wrong I know you need a good X’s and O’s guy but it’s obvious that Portal evaluation and getting cheap but potentially good talent tops recruiting especially if great recruits leave in a year. I also think that after the GM you need young assistant coaches who can motivate players. Obviously all is needed but it seems like chasing average over priced guys from P4’s isn’t the best way to go. In terms of talent I still think we need to go more with the JMU model.

What is the JMU model?

Winning and getting in the playoffs. I want to go to that model too

[AppSt94]

I ask this in all seriousness- in the current environment especially at the G5 level is the head coach really the most important job anymore in football? It’s beginning to sound more like you really need a great GM and scouting department over a great coach. Don’t get me wrong I know you need a good X’s and O’s guy but it’s obvious that Portal evaluation and getting cheap but potentially good talent tops recruiting especially if great recruits leave in a year. I also think that after the GM you need young assistant coaches who can motivate players. Obviously all is needed but it seems like chasing average over priced guys from P4’s isn’t the best way to go. In terms of talent I still think we need to go more with the JMU model.

What is the JMU model?

Winning and getting in the playoffs. I want to go to that model too

That’s not a model. That’s the results of a model. What is their model? It seems like they prioritize the trenches.

[bcoach]

He was making $60,000 as the Asst Dir. . Our Dir/GM Landon Grier, essentially his boss is making $80,000

This looks like the answer to the problem.

[AppSt94]

He was making $60,000 as the Asst Dir. . Our Dir/GM Landon Grier, essentially his boss is making $80,000

This looks like the answer to the problem.

I have my own opinion on the current process but I’ll just keep it to myself as to not anger the mob that wants to argue that water isn’t wet.

[t4pizza]

I think JMU finds good, experienced coaches that have been around the game for a long time and seemingly have a really good eye for talent. Those coaches have a network of guys they can call upon to fill roles when needed. It is really hard to argue that the head coach isn't as important as a good GM and x's and o's coordinators when Cig has literally just exploded on the scene and won a title at Indiana. I would say a good/great head coach is still the key to winning football games.

[AppSt94]

I think JMU finds good, experienced coaches that have been around the game for a long time and seemingly have a really good eye for talent. Those coaches have a network of guys they can call upon to fill roles when needed. It is really hard to argue that the head coach isn't as important as a good GM and x's and o's coordinators when Cig has literally just exploded on the scene and won a title at Indiana. I would say a good/great head coach is still the key to winning football games.

I wouldn’t say that Cig exploded on the scene. Dude has proven to be a winner everywhere he has been.

[Bigdaddyg1]

Hasn’t JMU found a good bit of success bringing in solid FCS level talent or am I misremembering something I thought I heard? It’s got to be extremely hard to bring in D1 players who by and large have not played much- hence a portal transfer. I’m by no means minimizing the importance of a head coach but without talent at this level in particular it’s really hard make disjointed pieces gel especially in a few months.

[BambooRdApp]

I think JMU finds good, experienced coaches that have been around the game for a long time and seemingly have a really good eye for talent. Those coaches have a network of guys they can call upon to fill roles when needed. It is really hard to argue that the head coach isn't as important as a good GM and x's and o's coordinators when Cig has literally just exploded on the scene and won a title at Indiana. I would say a good/great head coach is still the key to winning football games.

I wouldn’t say that Cig exploded on the scene. Dude has proven to be a winner everywhere he has been.

With the exception of the current path, it does seem like JMU has primarily went to lower level or equivalent level versus P4 coordinator or ex-coach..Cig, Chesney, Houston, Matthews.
Who knows which way is better. If you have a great AD that truly understands football, those programs seem to magically find good coaches.
With that said, I hope the current coach falls flat on his A$$...

[t4pizza]

I think JMU finds good, experienced coaches that have been around the game for a long time and seemingly have a really good eye for talent. Those coaches have a network of guys they can call upon to fill roles when needed. It is really hard to argue that the head coach isn't as important as a good GM and x's and o's coordinators when Cig has literally just exploded on the scene and won a title at Indiana. I would say a good/great head coach is still the key to winning football games.

I wouldn’t say that Cig exploded on the scene. Dude has proven to be a winner everywhere he has been.

We can agree to disagree, but I would call winning a National Title at Indiana within 2 years of taking the job is exploding on the scene. Indiana was the losingest football program in the history of NCAA football prior to Cig getting there. Sure, he won at small schools, but nobody ever pays attention to who wins at small schools, and I doubt 95% of college football fans even knew who he was when he took the JMU job. So yeah, I would say he exploded on the scene at Indiana.

[AppStFan1]

He was making $60,000 as the Asst Dir. . Our Dir/GM Landon Grier, essentially his boss is making $80,000

You can't retain good people in those roles for that much. The assistant should be making 100k and our director/GM should be getting at least 150k if you want to get good people for those roles. When you consider the work they should be doing and the quality of scouting eye they need that is just not acceptable. I expect we should be having to make a new hire every 2 years or else that means nobody is being poached and thus not very good. We aren't a power program but you would need 400k or more for a GM. Some are making 700k-900k.

[AppStFan1]

I think JMU finds good, experienced coaches that have been around the game for a long time and seemingly have a really good eye for talent. Those coaches have a network of guys they can call upon to fill roles when needed. It is really hard to argue that the head coach isn't as important as a good GM and x's and o's coordinators when Cig has literally just exploded on the scene and won a title at Indiana. I would say a good/great head coach is still the key to winning football games.

I wouldn’t say that Cig exploded on the scene. Dude has proven to be a winner everywhere he has been.

With the exception of the current path, it does seem like JMU has primarily went to lower level or equivalent level versus P4 coordinator or ex-coach..Cig, Chesney, Houston, Matthews.
Who knows which way is better. If you have a great AD that truly understands football, those programs seem to magically find good coaches.
With that said, I hope the current coach falls flat on his A$$...

That JMU AD who hired Cignetti has done a great but is now gone. I am curious to see if the new one keeps it up but they have indeed found the right way to do it. I am not a fan of bringing in P4 coordinators unless they have been a HC at the FCS or below and know how to build a program. Of course a few of them will pan out but getting proven people from FCS is the best way to go for a program like us. It is also mostly in our price range.

[AppSt94]

I think JMU finds good, experienced coaches that have been around the game for a long time and seemingly have a really good eye for talent. Those coaches have a network of guys they can call upon to fill roles when needed. It is really hard to argue that the head coach isn't as important as a good GM and x's and o's coordinators when Cig has literally just exploded on the scene and won a title at Indiana. I would say a good/great head coach is still the key to winning football games.

I wouldn’t say that Cig exploded on the scene. Dude has proven to be a winner everywhere he has been.

We can agree to disagree, but I would call winning a National Title at Indiana within 2 years of taking the job is exploding on the scene. Indiana was the losingest football program in the history of NCAA football prior to Cig getting there. Sure, he won at small schools, but nobody ever pays attention to who wins at small schools, and I doubt 95% of college football fans even knew who he was when he took the JMU job. So yeah, I would say he exploded on the scene at Indiana.

In the words of Cig himself. “Google me.” Point is he has a model and a blueprint that generates success.

[AppSt94]

He was making $60,000 as the Asst Dir. . Our Dir/GM Landon Grier, essentially his boss is making $80,000

You can't retain good people in those roles for that much. The assistant should be making 100k and our director/GM should be getting at least 150k if you want to get good people for those roles. When you consider the work they should be doing and the quality of scouting eye they need that is just not acceptable. I expect we should be having to make a new hire every 2 years or else that means nobody is being poached and thus not very good. We aren't a power program but you would need 400k or more for a GM. Some are making 700k-900k.

He has almost twice the budget as his predecessor so why is the payout for such a critical position so low?

[AppStFan1]

He was making $60,000 as the Asst Dir. . Our Dir/GM Landon Grier, essentially his boss is making $80,000

You can't retain good people in those roles for that much. The assistant should be making 100k and our director/GM should be getting at least 150k if you want to get good people for those roles. When you consider the work they should be doing and the quality of scouting eye they need that is just not acceptable. I expect we should be having to make a new hire every 2 years or else that means nobody is being poached and thus not very good. We aren't a power program but you would need 400k or more for a GM. Some are making 700k-900k.

He has almost twice the budget as his predecessor so why is the payout for such a critical position so low?

Loggains should have given those roles a much bigger raise with double the budget. Sounds like he is looking out for his coaches and not looking out for these roles like he should be. P4 schools are paying former NFL area scouts more than triple what they made in the NFL. My point is that if we are going to get proven evaluators that have experience we need to pay more or else they will go to other places. If we want to be competitive and get people who have real experience then we have to be prepared to pay six figures. Personally, nobody over 30 with any experience is going to be willing to come to App as DPP/GM for 80k or less. It is way too much work for that low pay.

[ASUFan4863]

He was making $60,000 as the Asst Dir. . Our Dir/GM Landon Grier, essentially his boss is making $80,000

You can't retain good people in those roles for that much. The assistant should be making 100k and our director/GM should be getting at least 150k if you want to get good people for those roles. When you consider the work they should be doing and the quality of scouting eye they need that is just not acceptable. I expect we should be having to make a new hire every 2 years or else that means nobody is being poached and thus not very good. We aren't a power program but you would need 400k or more for a GM. Some are making 700k-900k.

He has almost twice the budget as his predecessor so why is the payout for such a critical position so low?

Did the higher pay produce a better performing player personnel department? Those guys legitimately (and I mean 1000% legitimately) didn’t understand why they were not retained by the new staff. Peak self awareness.

[AppStFan1]

He was making $60,000 as the Asst Dir. . Our Dir/GM Landon Grier, essentially his boss is making $80,000

You can't retain good people in those roles for that much. The assistant should be making 100k and our director/GM should be getting at least 150k if you want to get good people for those roles. When you consider the work they should be doing and the quality of scouting eye they need that is just not acceptable. I expect we should be having to make a new hire every 2 years or else that means nobody is being poached and thus not very good. We aren't a power program but you would need 400k or more for a GM. Some are making 700k-900k.

He has almost twice the budget as his predecessor so why is the payout for such a critical position so low?

Did the higher pay produce a better performing player personnel department? Those guys legitimately (and I mean 1000% legitimately) didn’t understand why they were not retained by the new staff. Peak self awareness.

Higher pay is going to make a higher caliber of evaluator available. I actually know of someone who is available and spent around 20 years in the NFL. They would love to take a college GM/Dir job and he is a great evaluator. He would not consider the job for anything less than 150k.

Most people lack self awareness to know their weaknesses. They were not good at all. I heard others online and in person say what I am about to say. When Ware made the comment on 247 that those guys told him there was not any RBs worth offering after we offered 9 and lost them all to P4 programs one year I knew we were in trouble. RBs are a dime a dozen. There is never going to be a year where there is just not enough talent and with the portal now there is a surplus of players that are good enough to play at App that are not going to P4 programs.

I would also say to them that when a new coach comes in you have to know that coach is likely going to want his own people. How could they not know that? The minute Clark got fired they should have known that their time was likely short and needed to start looking around for jobs.

I have not kept up with any of them. Do you know what schools they are working with now?

[ASUFan4863]

He was making $60,000 as the Asst Dir. . Our Dir/GM Landon Grier, essentially his boss is making $80,000

You can't retain good people in those roles for that much. The assistant should be making 100k and our director/GM should be getting at least 150k if you want to get good people for those roles. When you consider the work they should be doing and the quality of scouting eye they need that is just not acceptable. I expect we should be having to make a new hire every 2 years or else that means nobody is being poached and thus not very good. We aren't a power program but you would need 400k or more for a GM. Some are making 700k-900k.

He has almost twice the budget as his predecessor so why is the payout for such a critical position so low?

Did the higher pay produce a better performing player personnel department? Those guys legitimately (and I mean 1000% legitimately) didn’t understand why they were not retained by the new staff. Peak self awareness.

Higher pay is going to make a higher caliber of evaluator available. I actually know of someone who is available and spent around 20 years in the NFL. They would love to take a college GM/Dir job and he is a great evaluator. He would not consider the job for anything less than 150k.

Most people lack self awareness to know their weaknesses. They were not good at all. I heard others online and in person say what I am about to say. When Ware made the comment on 247 that those guys told him there was not any RBs worth offering after we offered 9 and lost them all to P4 programs one year I knew we were in trouble. RBs are a dime a dozen. There is never going to be a year where there is just not enough talent and with the portal now there is a surplus of players that are good enough to play at App that are not going to P4 programs.

I would also say to them that when a new coach comes in you have to know that coach is likely going to want his own people. How could they not know that? The minute Clark got fired they should have known that their time was likely short and needed to start looking around for jobs.

I have not kept up with any of them. Do you know what schools they are working with now?

I have not kept up with them either. It looks like the former GM is no longer working in college football.