Who will the next head coach be?

[Seattleapp]

The problem is the hire was a joke to begin with. The guy had one year of experience as an assistant. There is no other way to slice it. If we are Lees McRae, then that hire is ok, but we are a Division I basketball program that has enjoyed some success in the past. It is ridiculous we hired him and I will not pretend that becuase we only lost by one to Duquense at home, we should be happy. Who did CofC just beat? Oh yes Nationally ranked Baylor. And who has Davidson already beaten this year? That last name will only carry you so far. Last year was much more telling than this year. We had top to bottom more talent than any other team last year, with the exception of CofC maybe and we ran around like Chickens with our heads cut off. I always reference the University of Virginia and Tony Bennett. Those guys are not the most talented, but they run a deliberate offense and play smothering defense. And guess what? They are in every game they play. We try to run and gun and it looks lke we are bringing a knife to a gun fight. But the more telling stat is the amount of points we surrender. 101 points? Are you kidding me? And no that wasn't to Kentucky. That is God Awful defense and that is coaching.

[bcoach]

I gave a flip answer above because I just found it silly that we have to start something like this when we are going to the playoffs in football. We just had to find a downer. The team is improving so they are doing their part. The fans are not. If I am a coach and I see this kind of support (700 attendance) there is no way I am going to come here. At that kind of support we are lucky to have JC

[Gonzo]

I gave a flip answer above because I just found it silly that we have to start something like this when we are going to the playoffs in football. We just had to find a downer. The team is improving so they are doing their part. The fans are not. If I am a coach and I see this kind of support (700 attendance) there is no way I am going to come here. At that kind of support we are lucky to have JC

I know this is chicken or egg territory, but we would have decent attendance if we were a decent program. The fans came out in force when we were good. You can't expect the place to be packed after the last two home games were lop sided losses to Big South teams.

People need to have X amount of return on their emotional investment before apathy takes over as a natural defense mechanism. Not exactly complex psychology.

[appmaj]

The little crowd did actually get pretty rowdy when we came back at the end. It's amazing how not sucking will energize a group of people. I'm of the opinion that we won't get better attendance until we get a better product. It was not too long ago when we had decent attendance, and what do you know, we had a good team to watch.

As far as the next coach goes, I think it's high time we look outside of the Tar Hole alumni pool. We need/want/deserve better than Jason Capel. With facilities like ours, there is absolutely no excuse for not recruiting better players than the rest of the conference.

If he can win games and generate some interest on campus I don't care what school he comes from.

[bcoach]

I guess it depends on what you call a fan. I believe it is a person who follows their team win or lose. I don't think we have a lot of fans. I think we have people who will go to games when we win.
ND has fans (lots of bad years)
Chicago Cubs have fans (nuff said)
Chicago Bears have fans ( some really horrible years)
We have people who will go to a game if we win as long as it is free and they can walk there.

[asumike83]

I guess it depends on what you call a fan. I believe it is a person who follows their team win or lose. I don't think we have a lot of fans. I think we have people who will go to games when we win.
ND has fans (lots of bad years)
Chicago Cubs have fans (nuff said)
Chicago Bears have fans ( some really horrible years)
We have people who will go to a game if we win as long as it is free and they can walk there.

IMO, it begins and ends with getting the students to turn off the Duke/UNC/NCSU games and show up at the Holmes Center. With nearly all our alumni in Raleigh, Charlotte and the Triad, even the true fans can't realistically make it up the mountain for a game during the week more times than not.

In order to get 18-21 year old kids, many of whom have rooted for an ACC school their whole life, interested in ASU hoops we need a better product on the court as well as a concerted effort to market the team.

[Gonzo]

I guess it depends on what you call a fan. I believe it is a person who follows their team win or lose. I don't think we have a lot of fans. I think we have people who will go to games when we win.
ND has fans (lots of bad years)
Chicago Cubs have fans (nuff said)
Chicago Bears have fans ( some really horrible years)
We have people who will go to a game if we win as long as it is free and they can walk there.

IMO, it begins and ends with getting the students to turn off the Duke/UNC/NCSU games and show up at the Holmes Center. With nearly all our alumni in Raleigh, Charlotte and the Triad, even the true fans can't realistically make it up the mountain for a game during the week more times than not.

In order to get 18-21 year old kids, many of whom have rooted for an ACC school their whole life, interested in ASU hoops we need a better product on the court as well as a concerted effort to market the team.

I disagree. I don't think there is any way we or any other non-ACC in this state will ever permanently shake t-shirt infidelity. It's something we just have to accept. There are kids that are die-hard Tar Hole fans at App, ECU, UNCC even NC State. The Great Evil has a strangle hold on the hearts and minds of the majority of this state's college basketball fans. It is the sad reality of living in NC.

Now, that isn't to say we can't have our own decent basketball following. I believe that once we start winning and bringing bigger name programs to Boone, a good bit of students will come support their school. Even the Tar Hole App fans will forgo watching the baby blue play on TV if App has a chance to upset someone they've heard of in the Holmes Dome.

The culture needs to change. Our football team will pack well over 20k into that stadium every game even if we have a 3 win season. Why? Because it's not just the game itself that people are here for. The Appalachian gameday experience has just as much of a pull as our team winning on the field. Once it becomes a social event with an electric atmosphere with any kind of regularity, we've made it. Step one is to win consistently.

[bcoach]

I guess it depends on what you call a fan. I believe it is a person who follows their team win or lose. I don't think we have a lot of fans. I think we have people who will go to games when we win.
ND has fans (lots of bad years)
Chicago Cubs have fans (nuff said)
Chicago Bears have fans ( some really horrible years)
We have people who will go to a game if we win as long as it is free and they can walk there.

IMO, it begins and ends with getting the students to turn off the Duke/UNC/NCSU games and show up at the Holmes Center. With nearly all our alumni in Raleigh, Charlotte and the Triad, even the true fans can't realistically make it up the mountain for a game during the week more times than not.

In order to get 18-21 year old kids, many of whom have rooted for an ACC school their whole life, interested in ASU hoops we need a better product on the court as well as a concerted effort to market the team.

I disagree. I don't think there is any way we or any other non-ACC in this state will ever permanently shake t-shirt infidelity. It's something we just have to accept. There are kids that are die-hard Tar Hole fans at App, ECU, UNCC even NC State. The Great Evil has a strangle hold on the hearts and minds of the majority of this state's college basketball fans. It is the sad reality of living in NC.

Now, that isn't to say we can't have our own decent basketball following. I believe that once we start winning and bringing bigger name programs to Boone, a good bit of students will come support their school. Even the Tar Hole App fans will forgo watching the baby blue play on TV if App has a chance to upset someone they've heard of in the Holmes Dome.

The culture needs to change. Our football team will pack well over 20k into that stadium every game even if we have a 3 win season. Why? Because it's not just the game itself that people are here for. The Appalachian gameday experience has just as much of a pull as our team winning on the field. Once it becomes a social event with an electric atmosphere with any kind of regularity, we've made it. Step one is to win consistently.

You both have very good points but here is my disagreement. First of all this is their school. They are not clients that should need to be sold. They are part of this organization called ASU. They don't need to be recruited, they are here. Players and coaches need to be recruited. If I am a player or coach and I come to a game and see 700 fans my answer is "not here". The students who will not come to a game till you do something are the same ones who go on an interview and want to know what you are going to do for them rather than the other way around. Due to our location we need to have students at the games. Most of the alum and other fans are hours away. We will never have a large non student following due to that location problem. If we are to have a good program it is on the backs of the students. I guess they just have a decision to make.

As far as 20,000 at football games with 3 win seasons, I have to say that is why I always read you. You really do care. Gonzo, you, me and a lot of others will be there but I think 20,000 is about 10,000 strong.

With all that said I would LOVE to be really, really wrong.

[cbarrier90]

I guess it depends on what you call a fan. I believe it is a person who follows their team win or lose. I don't think we have a lot of fans. I think we have people who will go to games when we win.
ND has fans (lots of bad years)
Chicago Cubs have fans (nuff said)
Chicago Bears have fans ( some really horrible years)
We have people who will go to a game if we win as long as it is free and they can walk there.

IMO, it begins and ends with getting the students to turn off the Duke/UNC/NCSU games and show up at the Holmes Center. With nearly all our alumni in Raleigh, Charlotte and the Triad, even the true fans can't realistically make it up the mountain for a game during the week more times than not.

In order to get 18-21 year old kids, many of whom have rooted for an ACC school their whole life, interested in ASU hoops we need a better product on the court as well as a concerted effort to market the team.

I disagree. I don't think there is any way we or any other non-ACC in this state will ever permanently shake t-shirt infidelity. It's something we just have to accept. There are kids that are die-hard Tar Hole fans at App, ECU, UNCC even NC State. The Great Evil has a strangle hold on the hearts and minds of the majority of this state's college basketball fans. It is the sad reality of living in NC.

Now, that isn't to say we can't have our own decent basketball following. I believe that once we start winning and bringing bigger name programs to Boone, a good bit of students will come support their school. Even the Tar Hole App fans will forgo watching the baby blue play on TV if App has a chance to upset someone they've heard of in the Holmes Dome.

The culture needs to change. Our football team will pack well over 20k into that stadium every game even if we have a 3 win season. Why? Because it's not just the game itself that people are here for. The Appalachian gameday experience has just as much of a pull as our team winning on the field. Once it becomes a social event with an electric atmosphere with any kind of regularity, we've made it. Step one is to win consistently.

You both have very good points but here is my disagreement. First of all this is their school. They are not clients that should need to be sold. They are part of this organization called ASU. They don't need to be recruited, they are here. Players and coaches need to be recruited. If I am a player or coach and I come to a game and see 700 fans my answer is "not here". The students who will not come to a game till you do something are the same ones who go on an interview and want to know what you are going to do for them rather than the other way around. Due to our location we need to have students at the games. Most of the alum and other fans are hours away. We will never have a large non student following due to that location problem. If we are to have a good program it is on the backs of the students. I guess they just have a decision to make.

As far as 20,000 at football games with 3 win seasons, I have to say that is why I always read you. You really do care. Gonzo, you, me and a lot of others will be there but I think 20,000 is about 10,000 strong.

With all that said I would LOVE to be really, really wrong.

Newsflash: No one thinks this way anymore. This is the 21st century where we can pick and choose any options we want for entertainment, and Appalachian basketball is not on the priority list and frankly shouldn't be. It's just not an entertaining atmosphere or a destination, and that falls on everyone in the program, from marketing to the players on the court.

Appalachian football continues to lead the FCS in attendance despite not winning a national title in 5 years, not having the best player ever in 3 years, and losing at home twice this season. How? They built the brand. When you think of Appalachian football, you think of AE, KRich, Richie, DJax, The Rock, Michigan, and championships. That legacy will continue even if ASU leaves the SoCon.

On the flip side, when you think of Appalachian basketball, you think of a punch line and an after thought. When you have an administration that via its actions like hiring 1 year assistants and little to no marketing effort appear to be completely apathetic toward the program, why should fans care?

The world of media, entertainment, and sports has changed. I believe students and alumni here want a good product on the floor. Give them a reason to show up, and they will.

"If you build it, [they] will come."

[1ASU78]

For as much of a homer that I am for our football program. I would rival an other poster with my negativity toward our basketball program. So lets start a dialogue about who you would like to see be the next head coach for our Mountaineers.

Sidney Lowe or Lane Kiffin

[mountaineerman]

lou holtz

[87ASUgrad]

Pat Riley.

[bcoach]

I guess it depends on what you call a fan. I believe it is a person who follows their team win or lose. I don't think we have a lot of fans. I think we have people who will go to games when we win.
ND has fans (lots of bad years)
Chicago Cubs have fans (nuff said)
Chicago Bears have fans ( some really horrible years)
We have people who will go to a game if we win as long as it is free and they can walk there.

IMO, it begins and ends with getting the students to turn off the Duke/UNC/NCSU games and show up at the Holmes Center. With nearly all our alumni in Raleigh, Charlotte and the Triad, even the true fans can't realistically make it up the mountain for a game during the week more times than not.

In order to get 18-21 year old kids, many of whom have rooted for an ACC school their whole life, interested in ASU hoops we need a better product on the court as well as a concerted effort to market the team.

I disagree. I don't think there is any way we or any other non-ACC in this state will ever permanently shake t-shirt infidelity. It's something we just have to accept. There are kids that are die-hard Tar Hole fans at App, ECU, UNCC even NC State. The Great Evil has a strangle hold on the hearts and minds of the majority of this state's college basketball fans. It is the sad reality of living in NC.

Now, that isn't to say we can't have our own decent basketball following. I believe that once we start winning and bringing bigger name programs to Boone, a good bit of students will come support their school. Even the Tar Hole App fans will forgo watching the baby blue play on TV if App has a chance to upset someone they've heard of in the Holmes Dome.

The culture needs to change. Our football team will pack well over 20k into that stadium every game even if we have a 3 win season. Why? Because it's not just the game itself that people are here for. The Appalachian gameday experience has just as much of a pull as our team winning on the field. Once it becomes a social event with an electric atmosphere with any kind of regularity, we've made it. Step one is to win consistently.

You both have very good points but here is my disagreement. First of all this is their school. They are not clients that should need to be sold. They are part of this organization called ASU. They don't need to be recruited, they are here. Players and coaches need to be recruited. If I am a player or coach and I come to a game and see 700 fans my answer is "not here". The students who will not come to a game till you do something are the same ones who go on an interview and want to know what you are going to do for them rather than the other way around. Due to our location we need to have students at the games. Most of the alum and other fans are hours away. We will never have a large non student following due to that location problem. If we are to have a good program it is on the backs of the students. I guess they just have a decision to make.

As far as 20,000 at football games with 3 win seasons, I have to say that is why I always read you. You really do care. Gonzo, you, me and a lot of others will be there but I think 20,000 is about 10,000 strong.

With all that said I would LOVE to be really, really wrong.

Newsflash: No one thinks this way anymore. This is the 21st century where we can pick and choose any options we want for entertainment, and Appalachian basketball is not on the priority list and frankly shouldn't be. It's just not an entertaining atmosphere or a destination, and that falls on everyone in the program, from marketing to the players on the court.

Appalachian football continues to lead the FCS in attendance despite not winning a national title in 5 years, not having the best player ever in 3 years, and losing at home twice this season. How? They built the brand. When you think of Appalachian football, you think of AE, KRich, Richie, DJax, The Rock, Michigan, and championships. That legacy will continue even if ASU leaves the SoCon.

On the flip side, when you think of Appalachian basketball, you think of a punch line and an after thought. When you have an administration that via its actions like hiring 1 year assistants and little to no marketing effort appear to be completely apathetic toward the program, why should fans care?

The world of media, entertainment, and sports has changed. I believe students and alumni here want a good product on the floor. Give them a reason to show up, and they will.

"If you build it, [they] will come."

I rest my case as it was just made for me.

[cbarrier90]

I rest my case as it was just made for me.

Your case was that students should feel "obliged" to support basketball because they're students of this school, and as one of those students, I submit that that isn't the case.

Collegiate athletics is a business and a form of entertainment. If the product fails to entertain, you get less than 800 people showing up to a game. It seems fans and the marketing department alike take for granted that we garner the numbers we do in football and that it should just magically be that way across all sports. Not gonna happen. Earn the fans' entertainment investment.

(General question for all board members:) Have you actually taken in a game at the HCC this season? What was your experience like? Would you do it again? Would you drive from Charlotte, Greensboro, Raleigh to see it?

[AppHokie]

Attendance (and the question of why it is so low) has nothing to do with the coach, promotions or even winning for that matter (see 2007).
Having watched VT go from the A10 to the Big East and now ACC in less than 20 years I can tell that the attendance is all about the opponent and the conference. UMass (#1 w/Marcus Camby) was the only one that could sell out a VT game in the mid 90s. Now VT fills it up for most ACC games even without their own post season attendance.
Winning isnt everything to bring in attendance-- it is who you play. With all of the conference shuffle, it will be interesting if App's home image will change as well.

[cbarrier90]

Attendance (and the question of why it is so low) has nothing to do with the coach, promotions or even winning for that matter (see 2007).
Having watched VT go from the A10 to the Big East and now ACC in less than 20 years I can tell that the attendance is all about the opponent and the conference. UMass (#1 w/Marcus Camby) was the only one that could sell out a VT game in the mid 90s. Now VT fills it up for most ACC games even without their own post season attendance.
Winning isnt everything to bring in attendance-- it is who you play. With all of the conference shuffle, it will be interesting if App's home image will change as well.

While you make valid points, scheduling doesn't explain the success of a program like Utah State or New Mexico, and ASU can only do so much in the scheduling department in the program's current state.

[bcoach]

I rest my case as it was just made for me.

Your case was that students should feel "obliged" to support basketball because they're students of this school, and as one of those students, I submit that that isn't the case.

Collegiate athletics is a business and a form of entertainment. If the product fails to entertain, you get less than 800 people showing up to a game. It seems fans and the marketing department alike take for granted that we garner the numbers we do in football and that it should just magically be that way across all sports. Not gonna happen. Earn the fans' entertainment investment.

(General question for all board members:) Have you actually taken in a game at the HCC this season? What was your experience like? Would you do it again? Would you drive from Charlotte, Greensboro, Raleigh to see it?

I never said obligated. Either you feel you are part of the institution or you don't. You can be part of the solution or a bystander. I will tell you this in answer to one of your questions. I don't care who you play people are not going to be driving up the mountain for a WED night game. Students will make or break the deal. If you feel obligated then you are not a fan. Stay in your room and watch Carolina. I am not trying to make anyone a fan. Do what you want.
In the VT example you have to remember how many fans live within 2hours of Blacksburg.

[Seattleapp]

bcoach- It is nothing to do with football, and why would i try to be a downer? I simple can't understand how anyone is ok with what we are doing on the basketball court. Everytime Iook at the Holmes Center I shake my head. We have a name recognized university, because of football, and a great arena. If we actually invested in the basketball program, i.e. a real head coach. We would have fans turn out. But.....as long as we keep treating our program like a second class citizen, we will get tepid commitment from the students. Success breeds interest my man. When we had Tyson Patterson and those guys, the varsity gym was packed. The point i'm making is Capel has ZERO business being a DI head basketball coach at this stage of his career. And we are the losers because of it.

[bcoach]

bcoach- It is nothing to do with football, and why would i try to be a downer? I simple can't understand how anyone is ok with what we are doing on the basketball court. Everytime Iook at the Holmes Center I shake my head. We have a name recognized university, because of football, and a great arena. If we actually invested in the basketball program, i.e. a real head coach. We would have fans turn out. But.....as long as we keep treating our program like a second class citizen, we will get tepid commitment from the students. Success breeds interest my man. When we had Tyson Patterson and those guys, the varsity gym was packed. The point i'm making is Capel has ZERO business being a DI head basketball coach at this stage of his career. And we are the losers because of it.

I don't mean to hang the downer tag on you. I would just like to finish up a pretty good football season before we start on the fire the coach thing again that we went through with football. It is not a matter of being ok with BB it is just taht we have him for this season so why don't we gat behind the team and show admin that somebody really does care. Empty seats just show that nobody cares so why should they make any changes. I am just a glass half full guy. If we don't like the coach why don't we at least show the players we care. If you are a highschool kid who comes up to take a look and you see 700 people in the seats do you want to play here.

Don't take my comments personal it has nothing to do with you. I am just frustrated with fans all over who are only fans in the good years. I am old school I am there win or lose if that is my team.

[appgrouch]

bcoach- It is nothing to do with football, and why would i try to be a downer? I simple can't understand how anyone is ok with what we are doing on the basketball court. Everytime Iook at the Holmes Center I shake my head. We have a name recognized university, because of football, and a great arena. If we actually invested in the basketball program, i.e. a real head coach. We would have fans turn out. But.....as long as we keep treating our program like a second class citizen, we will get tepid commitment from the students. Success breeds interest my man. When we had Tyson Patterson and those guys, the varsity gym was packed. The point i'm making is Capel has ZERO business being a DI head basketball coach at this stage of his career. And we are the losers because of it.

I don't mean to hang the downer tag on you. I would just like to finish up a pretty good football season before we start on the fire the coach thing again that we went through with football. It is not a matter of being ok with BB it is just taht we have him for this season so why don't we gat behind the team and show admin that somebody really does care. Empty seats just show that nobody cares so why should they make any changes. I am just a glass half full guy. If we don't like the coach why don't we at least show the players we care. If you are a highschool kid who comes up to take a look and you see 700 people in the seats do you want to play here.

Don't take my comments personal it has nothing to do with you. I am just frustrated with fans all over who are only fans in the good years. I am old school I am there win or lose if that is my team.

Who is starting the fire the coach thing. I've been an officer in the club since about 2/3 of the way through his first season.