SS put into unusual position - maybe, maybe not

[RockCampAPP]

Unusual position for SS or at least a difficult one.
1. Returns from FBS level named (Asst. HC & OC). Were promises made then?
2. JM steps down. Expectation SS moves up? Announcement of "Nation wide search" (could be a legal procedure to advertise vacancy and do interviews? SS wins the job.
3. New hire HC other than SS... decision time. New guy wants to bring in some of his guys, a number of positions could change? New guy doesn't really want SS ... for whatever reason SS is gone.
4. SS doesn't like new pick SS is gone.
5. SS feels like he was passed over/slighted SS is looking and soon to be gone.
6. SS loves the new pick (swallows his pride) and will stick for awhile? (Shawn Elliot scenario)

Bottom line SS either has to know he is the man (at least interim for a season) or he has to be viewed as overlooked and likely looking ....
Just my take on things, what do you guys think?

[Gonzo]

With the FBS move and coaching search, I think it's safe to say that Cobb will be earning his paycheck in the next few weeks.

[huskie3]

SS and current staff stay on as we transition to FBS over the next 5 years. I see no reason to change coaching philosophies with the athletes we have recruited to play current offense. Just my two cents.

[MountainMan]

Technically, can't just put SS in place without a "search", but if his being the next head coach was part of the plan all along AND IS STILL THE PLAN, the "search" can be done very quickly and things move on. However, you can bet there was no legally-binding promise to make him the next head coach, so it all depends on what "the powers that be" want at the current time.

[HighPointApp]

I would guess since it's a "job" at a state university there has to be some type of job posting. Dunno. Just a guess.

[JCline0429]

That's the way it used to be anyway and I doubt anything has changed in that realm. With state jobs, a wise employer has someone in mind before they create the vacancy and search anway.

[RockCampAPP]

I would guess since it's a "job" at a state university there has to be some type of job posting. Dunno. Just a guess.

For years job posting requirement plus a minimum of three interviews. Not sure at the college level but would guess recommendation from Cobb to Peacock (at minimum) with Peacock concurring and then maybe a need to send it to the "Trustees"? So I am certain nothing binding was done. However, I would bet implications and conversations were held. So I do feel it will be SS or he will be leaving the program after the new guy is named. Could well be wrong but can't see a reason to stay if he is passed over.

[HighPointApp]

Possibly

[clayton]

If Satterfield doesn't get the job, then he's gone. Most of the staff will be gone as well, because the new head coach will hire his own staff. The exception to that would be if Elliot gets the job. Then, I'd assume more people on the staff would stay, but I'm still not sure about Satterfield.

I'm happy Satterfield and Cobb are pushing the line that they didn't have an agreement, even if they did. But, I do think he should've been in the loop in regards to this "Jerry's last season" plan.

[Kgfish]

If Satterfield doesn't get the job, then he's gone. Most of the staff will be gone as well, because the new head coach will hire his own staff. The exception to that would be if Elliot gets the job. Then, I'd assume more people on the staff would stay, but I'm still not sure about Satterfield.

I'm happy Satterfield and Cobb are pushing the line that they didn't have an agreement, even if they did. But, I do think he should've been in the loop in regards to this "Jerry's last season" plan.

Cobb said "I certainly hope Scott's a long-term part of the football program at Appalachian. He deserves it." That doesn't exactly sound like he is a lock to remain. I agree if he doesn't get the job he more than likely goes, but he needs to think long and hard about giving up a $120K. Scott has reportedly told some people he was on the verge of walking away from coaching at FIU. If that is the case - and only he & Cobb know for sure - will that impact Cobb's decision? Will he want a guy leading the program into FBS who was ready to step away?

[hAPPy4APP]

I think SS has been a good assistant, and he is a "favorite son", which endears him to the fans. However, since Cobb is bent on "a different direction", why would he go with an experient, an unproven commodity in SS ? He has no emotional ties to SS as he would if he were an alum or had been here during SS's early days. Cobb hasn't demonstrated that he is a warm and fuzzy guy.
I don't see him choosing SS unless he is willing to experiement during the last year(s) in the SOCON, and with his being so adamant about going in a different direction, I doubt that.

[appgrad]

You realize Cobb was here with Satterfield for 3 years, right? And that he was a driving force behind getting him back here? That wasn't Jerry's decision...the plan was in place to have SS take over if he performed well. Otherwise, he isn't leaving a FBS job to come back to Boone.

He pretty much hired the entire offensive staff - and that statistically paid dividends for most of the year. Barring being a horrible interview, he's met most of the criteria needed to get the job - solid staff hires, improved offensive production, etc.

And now - according to Rivals - we picked up a player who is a borderline 4-Star recruit while SS is the interim HC.

[Kgfish]

You realize Cobb was here with Satterfield for 3 years, right? And that he was a driving force behind getting him back here? That wasn't Jerry's decision...the plan was in place to have SS take over if he performed well. Otherwise, he isn't leaving a FBS job to come back to Boone.

He pretty much hired the entire offensive staff - and that statistically paid dividends for most of the year. Barring being a horrible interview, he's met most of the criteria needed to get the job - solid staff hires, improved offensive production, etc.

And now - according to Rivals - we picked up a player who is a borderline 4-Star recruit while SS is the interim HC.

ASU did not seek out Satterfield and hire him away from a HC that tried to keep him. The contact was initiated by Scott. He wanted out of South Florida and FIU. His wife is from near by Wilkes Co and was extremely homesick. In all likelyhood that was more of a driving force behind "getting him back here" than Cobb. The whole idea about a plan for him to take over is a myth generated by message board gossip. Cobb has always maintained there was never a deal. To assume any different would be calling him a liar. Do you honestly think Scott being an interim HC had anything to do with that kid committing? Being from Charlotte he knows our program and he also knows we desperately need help in the secondary and he will play from day one. I would warn against reading too much into that.

[moehler]

well, we will never know the real story behind how SS came home. Yes, you are right about SS and his family wanting to come back, he said as much in his first interview a year ago. But, just by observation, I got to believe Cobb was very happy to have him back. I believe that Cobb expressed to SS that this entire football season was a job interview, and that if he preformed up to Cobb's expectations, he would be given serious consideration for the HC.

[appbio91]

You realize Cobb was here with Satterfield for 3 years, right? And that he was a driving force behind getting him back here? That wasn't Jerry's decision...the plan was in place to have SS take over if he performed well. Otherwise, he isn't leaving a FBS job to come back to Boone.

He pretty much hired the entire offensive staff - and that statistically paid dividends for most of the year. Barring being a horrible interview, he's met most of the criteria needed to get the job - solid staff hires, improved offensive production, etc.

And now - according to Rivals - we picked up a player who is a borderline 4-Star recruit while SS is the interim HC.

ASU did not seek out Satterfield and hire him away from a HC that tried to keep him. The contact was initiated by Scott. He wanted out of South Florida and FIU. His wife is from near by Wilkes Co and was extremely homesick. In all likelyhood that was more of a driving force behind "getting him back here" than Cobb. The whole idea about a plan for him to take over is a myth generated by message board gossip. Cobb has always maintained there was never a deal. To assume any different would be calling him a liar. Do you honestly think Scott being an interim HC had anything to do with that kid committing? Being from Charlotte he knows our program and he also knows we desperately need help in the secondary and he will play from day one. I would warn against reading too much into that.

Lots of people on this board think Scott has some sort of magic wand because we won 3 NC's while he was here last time.

[appgrad]

ASU did not seek out Satterfield and hire him away from a HC that tried to keep him. The contact was initiated by Scott. He wanted out of South Florida and FIU. His wife is from near by Wilkes Co and was extremely homesick. In all likelyhood that was more of a driving force behind "getting him back here" than Cobb. The whole idea about a plan for him to take over is a myth generated by message board gossip. Cobb has always maintained there was never a deal. To assume any different would be calling him a liar. Do you honestly think Scott being an interim HC had anything to do with that kid committing? Being from Charlotte he knows our program and he also knows we desperately need help in the secondary and he will play from day one. I would warn against reading too much into that.

You must not look at our roster very much. We have 15 DBs coming back next year - including Ross, Walker, Krah, Middleton, etc. we're pretty solid in the secondary. He might play next year - but it's not a guarantee he's setting foot on campus as a presumed starter. Much harder to close a kid like that with perceived uncertainty in the program - especially one that held several offers from BCS conference programs.

I do agree that there wasn't really a specific plan in place, as you pointed out - Cobb was explicit that this wasn't a HCIW scenario. But - I do think SS was offered the incentive of his work in the program giving him a shot at the job. Otherwise - why give him the increased title of AHC and allow him to basically hire the entirety of our new offensive staff? Again - I don't think SS comes back just to be OC/AHC, and takes a pay cut, because his wife was "homesick". That effects his long-term career prospects in a major way if this doesn't pay off with the HC job. If the offer wasn't right - he's looking for opportunties in other programs near Wilkes - and there are plenty schools that fit that category.

[appbio91]

Maybe he watched the Illinois State game......

[appgrad]

Maybe he watched the Illinois State game......

Fair enough - but people tend to blame the secondary too much for the failures of pass defense. It's as much the LBs, and the lack of a consistent pass rush, as it is them.

That said - a few of the guys who should be major contributors next year didn't play this year due to injury. Very similar to '04 when Touchstone and Woazeah were forced into action as Freshman, and Corey Lynch missed most of the year...pass defense looked much better the next year. That was helped (back to my earlier point) by having a devestating pass rush combo with Murrell and Hunter (who returned from Academic ineligibility).

Covington may start from day one - but I don't think just that promise or offer was what sealed it. We haven't had trouble recruiting talent, it's coaching it up that's hurt us.

[Kgfish]

ASU did not seek out Satterfield and hire him away from a HC that tried to keep him. The contact was initiated by Scott. He wanted out of South Florida and FIU. His wife is from near by Wilkes Co and was extremely homesick. In all likelyhood that was more of a driving force behind "getting him back here" than Cobb. The whole idea about a plan for him to take over is a myth generated by message board gossip. Cobb has always maintained there was never a deal. To assume any different would be calling him a liar. Do you honestly think Scott being an interim HC had anything to do with that kid committing? Being from Charlotte he knows our program and he also knows we desperately need help in the secondary and he will play from day one. I would warn against reading too much into that.

You must not look at our roster very much. We have 15 DBs coming back next year - including Ross, Walker, Krah, Middleton, etc. we're pretty solid in the secondary. He might play next year - but it's not a guarantee he's setting foot on campus as a presumed starter. Much harder to close a kid like that with perceived uncertainty in the program - especially one that held several offers from BCS conference programs.

I do agree that there wasn't really a specific plan in place, as you pointed out - Cobb was explicit that this wasn't a HCIW scenario. But - I do think SS was offered the incentive of his work in the program giving him a shot at the job. Otherwise - why give him the increased title of AHC and allow him to basically hire the entirety of our new offensive staff? Again - I don't think SS comes back just to be OC/AHC, and takes a pay cut, because his wife was "homesick". That effects his long-term career prospects in a major way if this doesn't pay off with the HC job. If the offer wasn't right - he's looking for opportunties in other programs near Wilkes - and there are plenty schools that fit that category.

I know the roster quite well. Blaylock is destined for a back up role and special teams where he excells. Lott is a physical and versatile player destined to take back his spot at SS, Middleton will return to the Star position filled by Ross later in year. Walker'S serious health issues severly limits PT and may end his career. Barnes couldn't get on the field even with Blaylock's poor play. Blackmon inherits spot vacated by McCray. Alex Gray slated to replace Sanders at FS. Joel Ross becomes the nickle back in passing situations. Krah is a good corner prospect & Walton is more likely the back up at SS. Jamil THomas, Chris Shaffer, Drew Davies and Matt McConnel are all walk ons destined for back up and special teams play. The thought of having 3 star players like Blackmon and Covington (almost 4 star) together at corner for 4 years is exciting to say the least.

[blueyummy]

Contrary to what Appgrad says; Scott's wife and her family is not from Wilks County and I doubt they would want to live there or would seek employment near there.