Worst I’ve ever seen

[AppStateDieHard]

We did not see November happening last year and it happened. I understand frustration but we should only make a move in-season if we see what we saw against South Alabama the next few weeks. The buyout drops in December and recruiting will take a hit either way.

Again, this argument makes zero sense. Last November aside, we are getting today what we've gotten for the last THREE SEASONS. Last November was the exception — not the rule. What's jarring is that today is even worse than the previous two seasons. At least then we were losing close, one-score games. Now, we're just getting blown out and humiliated.

If anyone here thinks this will magically turn around and we return to double-digit win seasons year-after-year under this current regime, they are deceiving themselves. This staff doesn't deserve the benefit of the doubt anymore. It's sad — and I feel bad for SC, truly — but it's reality.

[AppStFan1]

We did not see November happening last year and it happened. I understand frustration but we should only make a move in-season if we see what we saw against South Alabama the next few weeks. The buyout drops in December and recruiting will take a hit either way.

Again, this argument makes zero sense. Last November aside, we are getting today what we've gotten for the last THREE SEASONS. Last November was the exception — not the rule.

If anyone here thinks this will magically turn around and we return to double-digit win seasons year-after-year under this current regime, they are deceiving themselves. This staff doesn't deserve the benefit of the doubt anymore. It's sad — and I feel bad for SC, truly — but it's reality.

I agree we are seeing a lot of the same but there are a lot of things to take into account when you fire mid-season in general. If we see blowout losses the next 2-3 weeks then I can see Gillin doing it but he won't make any change this early. I am expecting 6-6 and Gillin to move on from Shawn come early December. I hope I and the rest of us are wrong but I can see why some would not even expect us to win 6 games based on what we have seen the first 4 games as well.

[AppStateDieHard]

I agree we are seeing a lot of the same but there are a lot of things to take into account when you fire mid-season in general. If we see blowout losses the next 2-3 weeks then I can see Gillin doing it but he won't make any change this early. I am expecting 6-6 and Gillin to move on from Shawn come early December. I hope I and the rest of us are wrong but I can see why some would not even expect us to win 6 games based on what we have seen the first 4 games as well.

On the other hand, there is tremendous upside to making the change now. I would rather spend several months vetting coaching prospects — thus doing all due diligence to ensure the right guy is picked — than waiting for December and feeling rushed to make a hire.

App State is a very attractive job for up-and-coming head coaches. But if leadership sits on their hands for too long — delaying the inevitable — we might not get to make the decision that is best for us, considering the plethora of other teams that will be looking for new head coaches by season's end.

[App91]

We will NOT make a change until December when the Buyout drops. You can write that in stone

[311neers]

We will NOT make a change until December when the Buyout drops. You can write that in stone

That's fine and dandy but the decision needs to be made today. No more "Let's see how he finishes". Let him know he's out but can finish the season. Start prepping to find a new coach. If we're really worried about saving $250K by waiting 1.5 more months, we've got major major issues and need to go back to FCS.

[appgrad95&97]

One of the most concerning things to me is that the "2024 is our year" chatter came from the program--from Jack Branch. It's very possible that they thought we were much better than things are turning out. The fate of this program might be in the hands of people who looked at this from the inside and were impressed.

[AppStFan1]

I agree we are seeing a lot of the same but there are a lot of things to take into account when you fire mid-season in general. If we see blowout losses the next 2-3 weeks then I can see Gillin doing it but he won't make any change this early. I am expecting 6-6 and Gillin to move on from Shawn come early December. I hope I and the rest of us are wrong but I can see why some would not even expect us to win 6 games based on what we have seen the first 4 games as well.

On the other hand, there is tremendous upside to making the change now. I would rather spend several months vetting coaching prospects — thus doing all due diligence to ensure the right guy is picked — than waiting for December and feeling rushed to make a hire.

App State is a very attractive job for up-and-coming head coaches. But if leadership sits on their hands for too long — delaying the inevitable — we might not get to make the decision that is best for us, considering the plethora of other teams that will be looking for new head coaches by season's end.

They want the buyout to drop. The only way I see a change coming before November is if we get blown out each of the next few games and Gillin still might wait until December.

[GreatAppSt]

Letting go now IMHO would send a positive message to any potential coach candidates that we will not accept mediocrity. Shawn has overstayed because of a longer lead for an Alum but it needs to be over. My perspective is the season will not be worse if Ponce takes over while we shop. The message needs to be sent that the HC job at App State is a produce or move on position period. Doug Gillen should have been up in the booth with his best sales pitch convincing Dan Mullin to come be the next Jerry Moore for App anything but what we have.

Sorry for the rant

[BallantyneApp]

We will NOT make a change until December when the Buyout drops. You can write that in stone

I'd really get this if we saved $500k or $1MM but if its only $250k I think the positives of giving a new coach a few extra months to build a team and staff are worth $250k

[311neers]

We will NOT make a change until December when the Buyout drops. You can write that in stone

I'd really get this if we saved $500k or $1MM but if its only $250k I think the positives of giving a new coach a few extra months to build a team and staff are worth $250k

I don’t know if it’s only $250k. I thought it went from $1M to $750k Dec. 6 but it could be different. Still though, saving $250k-$1M seems like chump change in the new world of CFB.

Can anyone post the buyout details?

[AppStateDieHard]

I don’t know if it’s only $250k. I thought it went from $1M to $750k Dec. 6 but it could be different. Still though, saving $250k-$1M seems like chump change in the new world of CFB.

Can anyone post the buyout details?

It's currently $1 million. Drops to $500k after Dec. 1.

https://appstatesports.com/documents/20 ... f?id=13322

[311neers]

I don’t know if it’s only $250k. I thought it went from $1M to $750k Dec. 6 but it could be different. Still though, saving $250k-$1M seems like chump change in the new world of CFB.

Can anyone post the buyout details?

It's currently $1 million. Drops to $500k after Dec. 1.

https://appstatesports.com/documents/20 ... f?id=13322

Are we positive that's the latest contract? That doesn't look right. Has him getting paid $425k annually?

[BallantyneApp]

I don’t know if it’s only $250k. I thought it went from $1M to $750k Dec. 6 but it could be different. Still though, saving $250k-$1M seems like chump change in the new world of CFB.

Can anyone post the buyout details?

It's currently $1 million. Drops to $500k after Dec. 1.

https://appstatesports.com/documents/20 ... f?id=13322

ok $500k that we could add to grab a better coach/staff might be worth messing around with. I'd only make the change now if we have a done deal with a home run guy.

[BallantyneApp]

I don’t know if it’s only $250k. I thought it went from $1M to $750k Dec. 6 but it could be different. Still though, saving $250k-$1M seems like chump change in the new world of CFB.

Can anyone post the buyout details?

It's currently $1 million. Drops to $500k after Dec. 1.

https://appstatesports.com/documents/20 ... f?id=13322

Are we positive that's the latest contract? That doesn't look right. Has him getting paid $425k annually?

thats base he gets ~23k/month retention and guaranteed media rights at $260k so total comp about ~$960k this year

[AppStateDieHard]

Are we positive that's the latest contract? That doesn't look right. Has him getting paid $425k annually?

He gets a base salary of $425,000/year + a monthly retention bonus of $22,085 (which is $265,000 annually) + personal rights payment of $260,000. A total of $950,000 annually.

[blunderbuss]

Yeah. Hard to say some of us weren't concerned this was coming. This is a new age of CFB and many of us knew we were being left behind with our approach

ECU fan here. We suck... just to go ahead and get that out of the way.

Anyway, how is this relevant when playing other G5's? They've got the exact same challenges. We aren't competing against the P5. I only ask b/c I read the same types of takes on ECU boards and I don't disagree w/ it. At ECU our #1 problem is we still haven't recovered from the cultural rot of the past coach and administration. Right now we have an AD that just "isn't the last guy" and a HC who hates offense and blames players. It's a damn mess but none of it has anything to do w/ NIL or the portal. It's 99% self inflicted.

[AppDawg]

Hot take — perhaps the entire program is experiencing a bit of paralysis by analysis.

https://247sports.com/college/appalachi ... 41189/amp/

The article barely says anything. Does anyone know what would be gained by using GPS trackers on players? Can't you just... SEE where the players are on the field?

Based on an interview I heard from Clark prior to season starting, they are heavily monitoring the number of movements, steps, miles ran, etc and statistically analyzing it all. The stated goal is to Not wanting to put wear and tear on the players. He spoke of monitoring “Effort/exertion” and based on all the data can tell when a player is going 60% vs 90% in practice.

I cannot recall where I heard this, but believe it was the BGP pod back during the ETSU week.

[311neers]

https://x.com/nate0049/status/1837102901409284235?s=42

Pain. We’re getting made fun of left and right.

[fjblair]

We will NOT make a change until December when the Buyout drops. You can write that in stone

Most likely, but if we lose the next 3 games I wouldn't be surprised to see a change.

[yosef69]

If liberty blows us out at KBS I could see it happening.