Our most indispensable coach?

[AppGrad78]

Guys: Apologies for serving up a depressing post during what should be a festive time for App fans, but we're getting troubling and credible word that Shawn Elliott intends to lure some of our coaches to Georgia State. Elliott opted not to retain any of Trent Miles' staff, so he has some choice positions to offer. Plus, Charlie Cobb seems to be in a free-spending mood with regard to salaries. This should be a concern to us all.

It got me to thinking, which of our coaches would we least be willing to lose?

Of course we like all of our coaches (including our strength and conditioning coaches). A case could be made for each of them. But which one of our coaches is the most indispensable?

I believe it's Scot Sloan. His work as our secondary coach speaks for itself. In the last two years we've seen Doug Middleton go to the NFL while Mondo Williams, Clifton Duck and (possibly) Latrell Gibbs all appear headed that way. That alone would make him difficult to replace. But his work as our recruiting coordinator whose primary responsibility is Georgia and the Atlanta area makes him nearly impossible to do without. Imagine if Sloan worked for Elliott instead of Scott Satterfield. Not only would our three Georgia commits quickly become poach targets, but also many of what might be our finest recruiting class ever may reconsider their commitments. More importantly, the recruiting advantage we've enjoyed for years over Georgia Southern and Georgia State would disappear. Think what we would look like this season without our Georgia natives, guys like Marcus Cox, John Law, Barrett Burns, Colby Gossett, Alex Gray, A.J. Howard, Nate Norwood, Dezmin Reed, Tee Sims, Darian Small, Devin Stringer and Jalen Virgil?

It's a troubling scenario.

I for one am hoping Satterfield and Doug Gillin will develop a compensation package that will keep Sloan and his family in Boone for many years. If not, things could go south in Boone very quickly.

[diehardapp18]

I mean, I do get your concern. But I can't imagine players would actually want to flip from Appalachian to Georgia State because of that. Any player in Georgia has probably been recruited by them, and knows that the program is completely irrelevant.

[AppGrad78]

I mean, I do get your concern. But I can't imagine players would actually want to flip from Appalachian to Georgia State because of that. Any player in Georgia has probably been recruited by them, and knows that the program is completely irrelevant.

Athletes sign to places where they see opportunity. That's precisely why Texas State is enjoying such a fine recruiting season. And why Georgia State will, too. We know of at least one of our recruits, one of our best, who almost certainly will flip to wherever Sloan goes. Recruiting is more about relationships and less about location than you might think.

[NattyBumppo'sRevenge]

I don't know that Elliot would support poaching recruits from his alma mater.

[Gonzo]

If true I'm changing my opinion of Elliot.

[/\PP ST/\TE GRAD 09]

Guys: Apologies for serving up a depressing post during what should be a festive time for App fans, but we're getting troubling and credible word that Shawn Elliott intends to lure some of our coaches to Georgia State. Elliott opted not to retain any of Trent Miles' staff, so he has some choice positions to offer. Plus, Charlie Cobb seems to be in a free-spending mood with regard to salaries. This should be a concern to us all.

It got me to thinking, which of our coaches would we least be willing to lose?

Of course we like all of our coaches (including our strength and conditioning coaches). A case could be made for each of them. But which one of our coaches is the most indispensable?

I believe it's Scot Sloan. His work as our secondary coach speaks for itself. In the last two years we've seen Doug Middleton go to the NFL while Mondo Williams, Clifton Duck and (possibly) Latrell Gibbs all appear headed that way. That alone would make him difficult to replace. But his work as our recruiting coordinator whose primary responsibility is Georgia and the Atlanta area makes him nearly impossible to do without. Imagine if Sloan worked for Elliott instead of Scott Satterfield. Not only would our three Georgia commits quickly become poach targets, but also many of what might be our finest recruiting class ever may reconsider their commitments. More importantly, the recruiting advantage we've enjoyed for years over Georgia Southern and Georgia State would disappear. Think what we would look like this season without our Georgia natives, guys like Marcus Cox, John Law, Barrett Burns, Colby Gossett, Alex Gray, A.J. Howard, Nate Norwood, Dezmin Reed, Tee Sims, Darian Small, Devin Stringer and Jalen Virgil?

It's a troubling scenario.

I for one am hoping Satterfield and Doug Gillin will develop a compensation package that will keep Sloan and his family in Boone for many years. If not, things could go south in Boone very quickly.

Then other assistant coaches would demand more pay as well. Sloan is valuable, but not enough to just structure a package for him to stay in Boone. I think DG and even Satterfield know and understand that coaching changes will happen, and are prepared.

Satt could do like Dabo and share some of his bonus money with his assistants.

[The Rock]

If true I'm changing my opinion of Elliot.

Why?
He is a first time head coach and needs to put together a staff that he can trust and has a proven track record. I'm sure he appreciates all App has done for him, but that does not mean hiring from App is off limits. I certainly don't want this to happen, and hope we can retain all our staff, but I don't think we can blame Elliot for trying to put together the best staff possible, or blame any of our coaches that leave for an increase in money, and possibly further their career by getting in with a new head coach.

[bigdaddyg]

Old saying but true- NOBODY is indespensible. Life goes on, Fortune 500 companies go on and most certainly college football teams go on. Nobody wants any coach to leave but the reality is that most good assistant coaches will and should leave- for better opportunities! If any of our guys jump ship to Ga St for a little more money see ya! There is always another guy just as good if not better waiting in the wings. Same goes for a recruit. If some 18 year old kid thinks Ga St is a better fit than App go for it young man. We will be just fine with the coach and the recruit deal.

Go Apps!!

[proasu89]

Someone has to FIRST want to go before they will leave. Shawn ain't forcing anyone against their will to leave Boone for a pay bump (could be small, could be large) to live in or around downtown ATL.
If they leave, wish them luck and reload.

[Saint3333]

For me it's Iron Mike. We've seen what a S&C coach (and lack thereof) can do to a program.

On average we are going to lose an assistant coach or two each year we win nine plus games. Satt has shown the ability to hire quality assistants over the last three years. If we lose two or less this offseason I'll be pleasantly surprised.

[WVAPPeer]

If true I'm changing my opinion of Elliot.

Come on Gonzo, your lack of "decades" is showing here --- If you got your first opportunity to be the "big one" you would want to hire people you either knew and trusted or those recommended by those you already trust - As long as it is done above board and following the proper channels of course ---

[Gonzo]

If true I'm changing my opinion of Elliot.

Why?
He is a first time head coach and needs to put together a staff that he can trust and has a proven track record. I'm sure he appreciates all App has done for him, but that does not mean hiring from App is off limits. I certainly don't want this to happen, and hope we can retain all our staff, but I don't think we can blame Elliot for trying to put together the best staff possible, or blame any of our coaches that leave for an increase in money, and possibly further their career by getting in with a new head coach.

Poaching recruits would be a Willie Fritz move.

I don't know how much money Cobb has to throw around, but I would expect it would have to be a substantial increase to lure anyone from App to Georgia State. Maybe he intends to promote him/them. After all, Georgia State has been among the worst college football programs of all time. He/They'd be leaving a national G5 power. It's a step down in prestige, obviously. Again, it makes sense if you're taking a DB coach and making them DC. Not as much if you hire them in the same capacity for a lousy $30k raise, especially under an untested head coach. I'm optimistic about his success there since he's our boy, but let's not forget his first game as HC of the Gamecocks ended in a humiliating loss to El Cid. Granted, the Ole Ball Coach handed him the grenade and bailed right before it exploded.

[Stonewall]

For me it's Iron Mike. We've seen what a S&C coach (and lack thereof) can do to a program.

On average we are going to lose an assistant coach or two each year we win nine plus games. Satt has shown the ability to hire quality assistants over the last three years. If we lose two or less this offseason I'll be pleasantly surprised.

We have a winner!

[Gonzo]

If true I'm changing my opinion of Elliot.

Come on Gonzo, your lack of "decades" is showing here --- If you got your first opportunity to be the "big one" you would want to hire people you either knew and trusted or those recommended by those you already trust - As long as it is done above board and following the proper channels of course ---

The year 2017 marks a decade of App fandom for me, so you'll have to agree to drop that refrain soon.

[EastHallApp]

Man, that OP sounded like we're talking about a terrorist attack or something. Let me run down to my bunker before I finish this post...

OK, first off, as valuable as Sloan is, I don't think our Georgia recruiting is solely owed to him. Losing him would hurt (and I think it would take a DC offer to do it), but it wouldn't kill us.

As for his coaching, remember, he's the safeties coach. Bryan Brown coaches corners.

Lastly, if Georgia State's head coach is willing to alter his staffing or recruiting decisions to help another school- especially a conference opponent- then Georgia State has the wrong head coach.

[SpeedkingATL]

Certainly would hate to lose any of our great coaches but it will happen from time to time if we are successful. I would think Coach Woody would be a huge loss as he is the rare coach that runs the 3-4 defense and our line and LB recruiting is geared to that. If he left, it is doubtful another 3-4 coach would replace him. Not to mention that his defenses have been among the best in college football the last 2 years. Losing Coach Sloan whom heads up recruiting would also be a blow if it happened. Iron Mike is also a favorite and has made positive changes to the program thru his efforts.

[WVAPPeer]

Wasn't referring to your time as an APP fan Gonzo - just your time on the planet --- Believe it or not, we Old-Farts have seen a thing or two throughout the "decades" --- Hell, I have a hard time remembering when I was in my 20s --- then then

[moonshine]

Below is a link to S&C salaries across the college football landscape. Iron Mike comes in at #78 making $105,000. GaSt comes in at #76 at $106,000 including bonus. GaSt looks to have an assistant package ($1,049,750) that comes in at roughly $26k more than App ($1,023,903).

Unless Cobb bumps that package, I'm not sure our coaches will jump for a small increase in pay. Now if Elliott takes Sloan and makes him a DC where he would see a significant bump in pay, no one could blame Sloan for going.

I recall seeing Woody made $200,000k as a DC at App. Overall, App's program is getting more bang for their buck then just about any program in the country.

http://sports.usatoday.com/ncaa/salarie ... l/strength

[JTApps1]

Nobody is going to GSU for a lateral move so it would take an offer to be a coordinator to get anyone to leave. So Woody and Pounce aren't leaving. Clark and Ivey are very solid being App guys, and they aren't leaving a proven App coach to work for an unproven one at a rival school. Jones has been here so long it wouldn't make much sense for him to leave now.

That leaves Sloan, Brown, Holt, and Sirignano. I doubt Holt leaves as he has such deep ties to NC and just moved back two years ago. He also isn't tight with Shawn. Brown might go, but how deep are his ties to Elliott to even get an offer? Sirignano has ties to Shawn, but he has a very sweet deal at App so it would take a major pay increase. Plus he is likely holding out for a P5. That leaves Sloan who is very critical in our recruiting. Shawn would be smart to come after him, BUT would Sloan want to go to GSU even to be DC? He knows Nate is likely to get big time offers at some point, and he would likely be the top pick to become DC here. Also he knows very well the strikes against GSU so is it worth going there knowing you have at best a 50% chance to win? Only he can answer that. Plus, do they want to work for Charlie Cobb who is inching closer to the hot seat in Atlanta, and who left on not so good terms in Boone? GSU's is barely higher than App, and I'd imagine the cost of living in Atlanta would offset that easily.

Shawn has a VERY tough job ahead of him so going there to be an assistant is a big gamble. GSU has some money, but they have zero football culture, zero fan support, and zero media coverage. They are also surrounded by schools such as App, Troy, and G. Southern that have storied programs, and excel at getting recruits in the Atlanta area. That isn't going to change.

[mountaineerman]

If true I'm changing my opinion of Elliot.

Why?
He is a first time head coach and needs to put together a staff that he can trust and has a proven track record. I'm sure he appreciates all App has done for him, but that does not mean hiring from App is off limits. I certainly don't want this to happen, and hope we can retain all our staff, but I don't think we can blame Elliot for trying to put together the best staff possible, or blame any of our coaches that leave for an increase in money, and possibly further their career by getting in with a new head coach.

No I doesn't make it off limits but it would be a very last resort for me to take from my alma mater .