First post here. Something is really bothering me. Maybe some of you can help me understand. When Coach Moore left, Satterfield was named HC almost immediately. I don't pretend to know everyihing that happened in Boone those few days after our world fell apart. But, I do know this. I don't understand why a search was not conducted for at least a veteran assistant with an established FBS program. I can't help but believe there are candidates out there that would have been interested in this opportunity considering Appalachian's strong football program. But what did we do? We did something so typical of ASU athletics, we gave it to an unproven assistant already there. I know money is a factor, but folks face it, Appalachian has decided to move to FBS. If App can't make personnel decisions expected from a FBS program, does the school really need to make this move? ASU will not be competitive. We will be a joke. This is very sad because I love Appalachian and to see the strong football tradition that Coach Moore fostered dwnidle is very disheartening. It appears that critical staffing decisions by the AD were made hastily and may haunt the program for years to come. Who knows, it may never fully recover.

Interviewed five candidates - 1 with prior FBS HC experience.

The other finalist was the recruiting coordinator and long time position coach at an SEC school (not South Carolina).

The current head coach spent three years as an OC for FBS programs.

We are four games into his head coaching career. There are a lot of problems with this team that have been occurring for years not months or weeks.

From 2000-2004 App saw a slide in product on the field. From 2009 until today we've seen the same. Satterfield and Co. will get better, although it will be tougher to measure given the move to FBS.

If you thinks these moves were made hastily then you have not been paying attention

Scott Satterfield was the only candidate. Please don't try to pretend otherwise. I know there was a "search" and people were interviewed but you know as well as everyone else on here 1) we could not afford an experienced HC 2) good ole Jerry made sure any attempt to replace him would be difficult due to multi-year contracts given to his assistants. I doubt the OP posted in good faith and is just trying to stir poop but it is an insult to all to pretend a serious search took place.

That may be, but to say hastily was just wrong, this move was over a year in the planning.

App91 wrote:That may be, but to say hastily was just wrong, this move was over a year in the planning.

That is true. He was assistant head coach for the 2012 season.

I guess we wasted those other candidates time then.

To say the search was a farce is an insult to effort Scott put into the interviewing process.

Two others candidates received strong consideration.

My understanding is that SS came back here with the understanding that he would be made HC. I wasn't against that and I think that is the only way to get certain coaches.

I also think that was the major push for getting Coach Moore out sooner than later, which lead to the disaster that followed and the lost of major respected among fans, students and people that follow sports in general.

That poorly handled mess forced a situation that hurt recruiting, detracted from putting a team together and put SS under incredible pressure to win. How much that mess contributed to the team being so unprepared to start the season is hard to tell, but I'd like to give SS the benefit of doubt and say that he had a lot of fires to put out.

There may have been more candidate and maybe they would have hired one, but it was stated that SS was Jerry's replacement when he was hired and I don't really think it came as a surprise to anyone.

It was a farce. Sorry to Scott for the wasted prep time but I assume he knew since he relocated his family he had a dang good shot at the job. As for the others I assume we paid for transportation and they got a nice dinner out of Charlie so nothing lost. I am not saying it was the wrong decision. I like Satt and believe he will be a good coach. I like a lot of what I see with this team. We are going to be fine. Some of us remember the days before Armanti Edwards so although unpleasant this is not without precedent.

Maddog1956 wrote:My understanding is that SS came back here with the understanding that he would be made HC.

Understanding from who? Both Cobb and Satterfield have both said there was no such agreement.

Maddog1956 wrote:My understanding is that SS came back here with the understanding that he would be made HC. I wasn't against that and I think that is the only way to get certain coaches.

I also think that was the major push for getting Coach Moore out sooner than later, which lead to the disaster that followed and the lost of major respected among fans, students and people that follow sports in general.

That poorly handled mess forced a situation that hurt recruiting, detracted from putting a team together and put SS under incredible pressure to win. How much that mess contributed to the team being so unprepared to start the season is hard to tell, but I'd like to give SS the benefit of doubt and say that he had a lot of fires to put out.

There may have been more candidate and maybe they would have hired one, but it was stated that SS was Jerry's replacement when he was hired and I don't really think it came as a surprise to anyone.

The downward trend began long before last December.

Gonna post this on several threads....

Enough of the fire Satterfield....what is Satterfield doing... CRAP...

Yes, we are all upset, I am too!!!

BUT

We will be fine....New coaches....new defense....players, yes players causing internal issues that are really causing issues on and off the field....

WE WILL BE FINE!!! WE WILL BE FINE!! WE WILL BE FINE......It's a learning curve for everyone involved with ASU football and this rough time we are in now will go away and it will be fun again....

Just give Scott and company time...Scott will learn from mistakes, Scott will learn from calling a bad call, Scott will learn from recruiting a bad apple....The team will learn to play together, The team will learn to overcome teammates doing stupid things....Someone (PLAYER) will step up and pull this team together....

WE ARE APP STATE!!!!!!!! GO APPS!!!!!

TheMoody1 wrote:

Maddog1956 wrote:My understanding is that SS came back here with the understanding that he would be made HC.

Understanding from who? Both Cobb and Satterfield have both said there was no such agreement.

As they say "the proof is in the pudding".

He came back as the Jerry's first assistant coach, he got the job and if anyone was surprised I haven't heard them. Would either say there was an agreement, I kind of doubt it. But people are free to believe what and who they want. In the end the outcome is the same.

AppState89 wrote:Gonna post this on several threads....

Enough of the fire Satterfield....what is Satterfield doing... CRAP...

Yes, we are all upset, I am too!!!

BUT

We will be fine....New coaches....new defense....players, yes players causing internal issues that are really causing issues on and off the field....

WE WILL BE FINE!!! WE WILL BE FINE!! WE WILL BE FINE......It's a learning curve for everyone involved with ASU football and this rough time we are in now will go away and it will be fun again....

Just give Scott and company time...Scott will learn from mistakes, Scott will learn from calling a bad call, Scott will learn from recruiting a bad apple....The team will learn to play together, The team will learn to overcome teammates doing stupid things....Someone (PLAYER) will step up and pull this team together....

WE ARE APP STATE!!!!!!!! GO APPS!!!!!

I'll even add to that.

I think we are doing several things better. The first kick was returned from inside the 10 instead of letting in bounce. They didn't have a good kicker at all, but even so we looked much better in our return game.

Our offense actually played pretty good. We had some great runs and great passes and almost scored at will, with just some mistakes.

Our defense could have been better, but I think that instead of getting blown away by the Citadel's triple O like last year, they played them pretty well. Yeah we have to quit giving stuff away on the face mask and passes, we weren't far off and this is against a team that beat the Citadel.

All and all I think we have improved greatly since the season started, and we shouldn't give up on the coaches or players yet.

Sad4App wrote:First post here. Something is really bothering me. Maybe some of you can help me understand. When Coach Moore left, Satterfield was named HC almost immediately. I don't pretend to know everyihing that happened in Boone those few days after our world fell apart. But, I do know this. I don't understand why a search was not conducted for at least a veteran assistant with an established FBS program. I can't help but believe there are candidates out there that would have been interested in this opportunity considering Appalachian's strong football program. But what did we do? We did something so typical of ASU athletics, we gave it to an unproven assistant already there. I know money is a factor, but folks face it, Appalachian has decided to move to FBS. If App can't make personnel decisions expected from a FBS program, does the school really need to make this move? ASU will not be competitive. We will be a joke. This is very sad because I love Appalachian and to see the strong football tradition that Coach Moore fostered dwnidle is very disheartening. It appears that critical staffing decisions by the AD were made hastily and may haunt the program for years to come. Who knows, it may never fully recover.

Don't worry chicken little, the sky is not falling. Don't make a linkage to FBS and what is happening on the field... they have absolutely nothing to do with each other. Too late to question friend, we are moving to FBS ready or not.

This was a very, very rough offseason for our program, and the guys will improve as the season progresses. We could still go 7-4 this year, and considering the start, that would be a huge accomplishment and show some real growth. Satterfield is a proven WINNER, and I have faith that he will prove to everyone who doubts that he is the right choice.

I have faith in Scott Satterfield like I said on another thread.
If you want to believe it was a done deal then no one and no proof will change your mind probably.
We may have interviewed 5 candidates, but bet we had a hundred or more inquiries about the job. Many obvious non candidates.
You cannot appreciate the winning as much unless you occasionally go through hard times.
Fans from other schools have long told us that we had better learn how to lose if we are planning to go to FBS. Well, personally I think we have mastered it, but it's for the players and coaches to determine.