Thoughts on the season/Team?

[appst89]

App football isn’t a company and we aren’t red because we haven’t won a championship. Only 10, now 9 teams out of 133 each year can win a conference championship. Some of ya’ll think that it’s as easy as showing up and rolling the ball out on the field. Winning championships is a measure of success, but it isn’t the only measure.

Please don't tell me what I think. I am well aware of what goes into winning (and losing).

Then let's just stop keeping score.

Thank you for proving my point.

Well, good for you. Glad you feel better. But my point still stands. I want all of our coaches to be successful and produce well rounded young adults who are a positive influence on society, but they should also all be held accountable for the one thing they are hired to do, and that is win. I would love to have had supervisors throughout my career who didn't hold me accountable for my results.

This is such a myopic statement. They are hired to do more than this. Again. Thank you for proving my point.

And thank you for proving mine. I guess we are even and will just have to disagree.

[Saint3333]

Houston Fancher would still be employed…

[Saint3333]

Conference titles aren't easy to win, but that is the standard at our program. From 1983 through 2023, 40 years, there have been three App State classes that didn't win at least one conference title:

2003
2004
2023

The standard off the field is to graduate players, be a positive influence in the local community, and represent the university in a positive manner. We aren't going to lower those standards nor will the on the field results standard be lowered. Clark would be the first one to correct anyone that says otherwise and I love him for that.

[AppWyo]

Conference titles aren't easy to win, but that is the standard at our program. From 1983 through 2023, 40 years, there have been three App State classes that didn't win at least one conference title:

2003
2004
2023

The standard off the field is to graduate players, be a positive influence in the local community, and represent the university in a positive manner. We aren't going to lower those standards nor will the on the field results standard be lowered. Clark would be the first one to correct anyone that says otherwise and I love him for that.

So it looks like we are just about ready to win another three national championships in a row.

[asumba95]

"I am hoping Clark is up to the task." I hope everyone gets the "doubting Clark" madness out of their system before the season starts. This man bleeds Black and Gold and wants nothing more than to kick a bunch of keisters 12 times this season then add two more with a SB championship ring and a bowl championship ring. The man has done plenty to earn respect and it needs to be given, back him and his staff, stop questioning, and as the locker room sign says, give your all to Appalachian State.

It's called holding people accountable. Something we're still allowed to do in this country, especially those in high profile positions.

[AppSt94]

Conference titles aren't easy to win, but that is the standard at our program. From 1983 through 2023, 40 years, there have been three App State classes that didn't win at least one conference title:

2003
2004
2023

The standard off the field is to graduate players, be a positive influence in the local community, and represent the university in a positive manner. We aren't going to lower those standards nor will the on the field results standard be lowered. Clark would be the first one to correct anyone that says otherwise and I love him for that.

100%. Standards are baselines for evaluation and not expectations. Yes there is empirical evidence that shows that we can win the Sun Belt. What is absent from thought is that everyone that we compete against is after that same level. Few realize how much Napier and Louisiana sold out in 2021 to win the Sun Belt. They went out and hired 40 people to fill analyst positions. That is insane but shows what programs will do to gain an edge, regardless of how temporary. Their reward in the short term was a title. Long term, they lost their coach, impact players and are now back to normal staff count and they are struggling.

Using a golf reference. It’s easier for a 10 handicap to become a 3 than it is GOR a 3 to become a 1.

[Saint3333]

I have confidence in our fans' understanding that our opponents also have the goal to win championship.

[mike87]

"I am hoping Clark is up to the task." I hope everyone gets the "doubting Clark" madness out of their system before the season starts. This man bleeds Black and Gold and wants nothing more than to kick a bunch of keisters 12 times this season then add two more with a SB championship ring and a bowl championship ring. The man has done plenty to earn respect and it needs to be given, back him and his staff, stop questioning, and as the locker room sign says, give your all to Appalachian State.

It's called holding people accountable. Something we're still allowed to do in this country, especially those in high profile positions.

So exactly who, as a sports fan, are you holding accountable and how? Do you possess some ramifications to apply if they don't meet your standards? Not picking on you specifically but the whole "I'm holding them accountable" coming from a sports fan is silly.

And "I won't like you next year" isn't an answer. We've got a great coach. Personally, I just support him knowing that failure hurts him worse than it hurts me.

[Saint3333]

"I am hoping Clark is up to the task." I hope everyone gets the "doubting Clark" madness out of their system before the season starts. This man bleeds Black and Gold and wants nothing more than to kick a bunch of keisters 12 times this season then add two more with a SB championship ring and a bowl championship ring. The man has done plenty to earn respect and it needs to be given, back him and his staff, stop questioning, and as the locker room sign says, give your all to Appalachian State.

It's called holding people accountable. Something we're still allowed to do in this country, especially those in high profile positions.

So exactly who, as a sports fan, are you holding accountable and how? Do you possess some ramifications to apply if they don't meet your standards? Not picking on you specifically but the whole "I'm holding them accountable" coming from a sports fan is silly.

And "I won't like you next year" isn't an answer. We've got a great coach. Personally, I just support him knowing that failure hurts him worse than it hurts me.

Can't speak for others, but for me the accountability is pushing back on those that would seek to lower our standards of what are acceptable outcomes and/or behaviors. It's a slippery slope we see across many aspects of life. It shapes culture, ideology, and societal norms.

Coach Clark is not doing any of those things for the record, he is striving to reach new heights in every facet of the game and as a leader of men. He's a Mountaineer to his core. Good luck to him, the staff, players, and all working together this season.

[appstatemike]

It’s fair for him to still have his job. It’s also fair to say he needs to start winning more. This shouldn’t be so polarizing. We haven’t won a title since he arrived, some people aren’t okay with that. That’s good! We have fans who want to uphold this elite winning tradition. That should not be looked down on or criticized!! It would be worse if everyone was OK with finishing 2nd or 3rd in the Sun Belt every year. I don’t want to live in a world where App fans/alumni are ok with not being the best in our conference. That’s the standard that has been built over the last 20 years, anything less is a dip in the standard. Up to us to help uphold it

[KentHogan]

It’s fair for him to still have his job. It’s also fair to say he needs to start winning more. This shouldn’t be so polarizing. We haven’t won a title since he arrived, some people aren’t okay with that. That’s good! We have fans who want to uphold this elite winning tradition. That should not be looked down on or criticized!! It would be worse if everyone was OK with finishing 2nd or 3rd in the Sun Belt every year. I don’t want to live in a world where App fans/alumni are ok with not being the best in our conference. That’s the standard that has been built over the last 20 years, anything less is a dip in the standard. Up to us to help uphold it

I agree, Clark needs a conference championship.

I also agree that he deserved to keep his job after last season’s turnaround.

Overall, he’s been successful, but he’s failed to reach his and the teams first goal, a Sun Belt title.

Sooner or later, a lack of conference championships will cost him, I’m sure he knows it.

[scatman77]

"I am hoping Clark is up to the task." I hope everyone gets the "doubting Clark" madness out of their system before the season starts. This man bleeds Black and Gold and wants nothing more than to kick a bunch of keisters 12 times this season then add two more with a SB championship ring and a bowl championship ring. The man has done plenty to earn respect and it needs to be given, back him and his staff, stop questioning, and as the locker room sign says, give your all to Appalachian State.

It's called holding people accountable. Something we're still allowed to do in this country, especially those in high profile positions.

Holding people accountable is a good thing. Ripping them a new arse, openly criticizing their efforts, pointing fingers on a public forum is to me, really bad form.

Once my principal gave me a public rip in the hall as students were changing classes. During my planning period I was in her office and told her (told, not requested) that if I deserve a rip it best come from her office behind a closed door and never in front of students again. Same goes for our coaches. If we have an issue with play-calling or strategy then set up a meeting. Don't do it in a public forum where students, recruits, parents, opponents can see discord in the ranks.

[AppSt94]

The whole “holding him accountable” bravado is laughable. None of us have the power to hire, fire, extend his contract. That responsibility belongs to Doug and the Chancellor and believe me when I say this, she tried to exercise that right and it backfired on her miserably.

Sure some of you can influence decisions if you have the cash. But this whole accountability talk from a bunch of message board warriors has the feel of over compensating.

[JTApps1]

Hopefully we win the dang thang this year and put all this back and forth to rest. I do think it is more difficult to win the SBC now than ever before though. In the past there were two or three legit contenders most years, but that number might be as high as six or seven now.

[ASUFan4863]

"I am hoping Clark is up to the task." I hope everyone gets the "doubting Clark" madness out of their system before the season starts. This man bleeds Black and Gold and wants nothing more than to kick a bunch of keisters 12 times this season then add two more with a SB championship ring and a bowl championship ring. The man has done plenty to earn respect and it needs to be given, back him and his staff, stop questioning, and as the locker room sign says, give your all to Appalachian State.

It's called holding people accountable. Something we're still allowed to do in this country, especially those in high profile positions.

Holding people accountable is a good thing. Ripping them a new are, openly criticizing their efforts, pointing fingers on a public forum is to me, really bad form.

Once my principal gave me a public rip in the hall as students were changing classes. During my planning period I was in her office and told her (told, not requested) that if I deserve a rip it best come from her office behind a closed door and never in front of students again. Same goes for our coaches. If we have an issue with play-calling or strategy then set up a meeting. Don't do it in a public forum where students, recruits, parents, opponents can see discord in the ranks.

Are you saying that people should not be critical of someone on a message board because it is a public forum? I don't think anyone here is being disrespectful or ripping Clark a new one for saying this is the year to win a conference championship.

[AppSt94]

Hopefully we win the dang thang this year and put all this back and forth to rest. I do think it is more difficult to win the SBC now than ever before though. In the past there were two or three legit contenders most years, but that number might be as high as six or seven now.

It should silence the crowd until at least this time next year.

[appstatemike]

I haven’t seen any disrespect towards Clark. I haven’t seen anyone rooting against his success. We all want him to succeed. No one has questioned Clark’s effort or enthusiasm. He clearly loves the program and wants to succeed more than anyone. My goodness can no one handle a little criticism nowadays?? We just want to see a little more

[appst89]

The whole “holding him accountable” bravado is laughable. None of us have the power to hire, fire, extend his contract. That responsibility belongs to Doug and the Chancellor and believe me when I say this, she tried to exercise that right and it backfired on her miserably.

Sure some of you can influence decisions if you have the cash. But this whole accountability talk from a bunch of message board warriors has the feel of over compensating.

I don't think anyone on here believes that they can, in any way, hold him, or any other coach, accountable for anything. But we can discuss whether the people who can are doing so, and maybe what those parameters should look like, right?

[Pikapp79]

The whole “holding him accountable” bravado is laughable. None of us have the power to hire, fire, extend his contract. That responsibility belongs to Doug and the Chancellor and believe me when I say this, she tried to exercise that right and it backfired on her miserably.

Sure some of you can influence decisions if you have the cash. But this whole accountability talk from a bunch of message board warriors has the feel of over compensating.

Agree but don’t think for second disgusted season ticket holders don’t matter. The minute ticket sales drop off due to average performance change will come.

[Saint3333]

The funny thing about this hand wringing is Clark's expectations are higher than anyone saying a conference title is the "goal".

People making every post in this thread have as much individual power over the future of the staff as those posters reminding us of that have over stopping the expectation comments, which gives me a chuckle as well. Always entertaining!