What's the Excuse Now?

[someguy56]

The title may come across as passive aggressive, but I ask this with sincerity. It seems like every time the conversation about Clark being fired get's brought up, those who support him unconditionally always find something to excuse our poor performances.

In the past, I was hesitant to hop on the fire Clark train, I figured a lot of it came from spoiled fans who hadn't been around long enough to watch App go through dark times. I wanted him to succeed as much as everyone else did. I've been to almost every home game over the last 20 years, I grew up here, I graduated from here, and I still make the hour and a half drive for every home game (unfortunately the Clemson game as well). I live App Football, but there are too many of you who hold onto the idea of a coach who's from the program too damn tight.

Being a former player, or a "good guy", doesn't take priority over program success. COVID, Drinkwitz, player inexperience, whatever has been said in the past to excuse Clark's mediocracy, is no longer a factor. Our offensive line is new, that's one aspect of the team, an important one, but it doesn't answer the awful play calling, defensive struggle, lack of effort from the team, and refusal to adapt.

We have talent, we have the passionate fanbase, why are we getting blown out at home. The excuse that South Alabama is that good is bullshit, they aren't that good. So I ask those who are still in support of Clark staying on as HC, what do you see Clark doing that makes you want him to stay as HC for future seasons. Obviously I'm not hoping he fails, I want this dude to fix his shit and get this team back on track, but it's not going to happen. I just can't find any reason to continue to back the idea that he should be our program's HC for years to come.

[yosef69]

Drinkwitz

[Pikapp79]

If he is the coach after this season we have officially thrown in the towel.

[ericsaid]

My opinion is that Gillin should’ve looked at the schedule and opposed this game being played on a Thursday. A Saturday evening away game, followed by a Thursday home game in a conference opener against a team with a new coaching staff.

Meanwhile USA had a Division 2 quality FCS opponent that they inexplicably scheduled on a Thursday giving them a full 7 days, and more than likely longer than that to prep for App. It isn’t an excuse but I will withhold judgment on what the outcome of this game means until after Liberty.

If App comes out and looks like App, it’s a blip. Clemson is really good, unexpectedly. South Alabama may be good but there were a lot of extra factors at play against USA that won’t come into play the rest of the year.

[yosef69]

My opinion is that Gillin should’ve looked at the schedule and opposed this game being played on a Thursday. A Saturday evening away game, followed by a Thursday home game in a conference opener against a team with a new coaching staff.

Meanwhile USA had a Division 2 quality FCS opponent that they inexplicably scheduled on a Thursday giving them a full 7 days, and more than likely longer than that to prep for App. It isn’t an excuse but I will withhold judgment on what the outcome of this game means until after Liberty.

If App comes out and looks like App, it’s a blip. Clemson is really good, unexpectedly. South Alabama may be good but there were a lot of extra factors at play against USA that won’t come into play the rest of the year.

How many “blips” can you have before it’s a pattern?

[Seattleapp]

My opinion is that Gillin should’ve looked at the schedule and opposed this game being played on a Thursday. A Saturday evening away game, followed by a Thursday home game in a conference opener against a team with a new coaching staff.

Meanwhile USA had a Division 2 quality FCS opponent that they inexplicably scheduled on a Thursday giving them a full 7 days, and more than likely longer than that to prep for App. It isn’t an excuse but I will withhold judgment on what the outcome of this game means until after Liberty.

If App comes out and looks like App, it’s a blip. Clemson is really good, unexpectedly. South Alabama may be good but there were a lot of extra factors at play against USA that won’t come into play the rest of the year.

How many “blips” can you have before it’s a pattern?

Dude we get it. You’ve beaten this horse to death. How many more posts are you going to say the same thing?

[yosef69]

My opinion is that Gillin should’ve looked at the schedule and opposed this game being played on a Thursday. A Saturday evening away game, followed by a Thursday home game in a conference opener against a team with a new coaching staff.

Meanwhile USA had a Division 2 quality FCS opponent that they inexplicably scheduled on a Thursday giving them a full 7 days, and more than likely longer than that to prep for App. It isn’t an excuse but I will withhold judgment on what the outcome of this game means until after Liberty.

If App comes out and looks like App, it’s a blip. Clemson is really good, unexpectedly. South Alabama may be good but there were a lot of extra factors at play against USA that won’t come into play the rest of the year.

How many “blips” can you have before it’s a pattern?

Dude we get it. You’ve beaten this horse to death. How many more posts are you going to say the same thing?

As many as I want to, better get used to it.

[Seattleapp]

My opinion is that Gillin should’ve looked at the schedule and opposed this game being played on a Thursday. A Saturday evening away game, followed by a Thursday home game in a conference opener against a team with a new coaching staff.

Meanwhile USA had a Division 2 quality FCS opponent that they inexplicably scheduled on a Thursday giving them a full 7 days, and more than likely longer than that to prep for App. It isn’t an excuse but I will withhold judgment on what the outcome of this game means until after Liberty.

If App comes out and looks like App, it’s a blip. Clemson is really good, unexpectedly. South Alabama may be good but there were a lot of extra factors at play against USA that won’t come into play the rest of the year.

How many “blips” can you have before it’s a pattern?

Dude we get it. You’ve beaten this horse to death. How many more posts are you going to say the same thing?

As many as I want to, better get used to it.

Hahahaha. Well i hope it helps to fill the obvious void in your life. Flame on

[yosef69]

My opinion is that Gillin should’ve looked at the schedule and opposed this game being played on a Thursday. A Saturday evening away game, followed by a Thursday home game in a conference opener against a team with a new coaching staff.

Meanwhile USA had a Division 2 quality FCS opponent that they inexplicably scheduled on a Thursday giving them a full 7 days, and more than likely longer than that to prep for App. It isn’t an excuse but I will withhold judgment on what the outcome of this game means until after Liberty.

If App comes out and looks like App, it’s a blip. Clemson is really good, unexpectedly. South Alabama may be good but there were a lot of extra factors at play against USA that won’t come into play the rest of the year.

How many “blips” can you have before it’s a pattern?

Dude we get it. You’ve beaten this horse to death. How many more posts are you going to say the same thing?

As many as I want to, better get used to it.

Hahahaha. Well i hope it helps to fill the obvious void in your life. Flame on

Thanks for the permission!

[someguy56]

While yes, playing an two days earlier than the other team isn't ideal, and it can pose some issues, it's not an excuse for losing by 34 points. Especially while a home, on national television. We prioritize the culture and traditions of app state, to the point we've given Shawn several chances, but losing like that is not app state.

I do agree, Liberty will be the deciding factor of Shawn Clark. Especially seeing how this game is going against ECU.

[AppStFan1]

My opinion is that Gillin should’ve looked at the schedule and opposed this game being played on a Thursday. A Saturday evening away game, followed by a Thursday home game in a conference opener against a team with a new coaching staff.

Meanwhile USA had a Division 2 quality FCS opponent that they inexplicably scheduled on a Thursday giving them a full 7 days, and more than likely longer than that to prep for App. It isn’t an excuse but I will withhold judgment on what the outcome of this game means until after Liberty.

If App comes out and looks like App, it’s a blip. Clemson is really good, unexpectedly. South Alabama may be good but there were a lot of extra factors at play against USA that won’t come into play the rest of the year.

I get your point on schedule but other teams have these issues and the schedule did not make our players quit or make this go from a likely win to a blowout. I did not hear anyone bringing this up before the season as a legit concern. It is always after the fact.

[Mjohn1988]

My opinion is that Gillin should’ve looked at the schedule and opposed this game being played on a Thursday. A Saturday evening away game, followed by a Thursday home game in a conference opener against a team with a new coaching staff.

Meanwhile USA had a Division 2 quality FCS opponent that they inexplicably scheduled on a Thursday giving them a full 7 days, and more than likely longer than that to prep for App. It isn’t an excuse but I will withhold judgment on what the outcome of this game means until after Liberty.

If App comes out and looks like App, it’s a blip. Clemson is really good, unexpectedly. South Alabama may be good but there were a lot of extra factors at play against USA that won’t come into play the rest of the year.

I get your point on schedule but other teams have these issues and the schedule did not make our players quit or make this go from a likely win to a blowout. I did not hear anyone bringing this up before the season as a legit concern. It is always after the fact.

I’ll keep saying it, this scheduling excuse is complete BS. Said it in another post but here goes again. Our players are not 50 year old men who need 2 weeks to recover from a golf weekend. They are 20, in shape and have trainers and nutritionist to help them recover. If we got beat by one score and showed signs of fatigue in the fourth quarter maybe I could say the short week played a role. But we got physical beat down from the get go. And this wasn’t about USA having some great strategy that fooled us. They just curb stomped us. We could have had 2 months to get ready and they would have still curb stomped us. They have better players.

[ncman071]

i try to hold judgement until the season is complete....he was 9-3, 10-4, 6-6, 9-5....i mean not bad but definitly not up to App standard in terms of conference titles ...thought he made excellent improvement in changing defense last year and winning 6 of 7...but we have had 2 no shows this year...got completely embarrased at home on espn...there's no excuse in that. i think you got to let it play out this year....i mean if we somehow find a way to beat liberty and somehow turn it around and win the East...no you can't fire him

[APP93]

No excuse needed...based on his 4+ seasons he does not deserve to be fired.

[Saint3333]

He’s not going to be fired midseason.

[Pikapp79]

He’s not going to be fired midseason.

Nor should he but if he is back next season hard to anty up for another round of season tickets.

[Seattleapp]

He’s not going to be fired midseason.

Nor should he but if he is back next season hard to anty up for another round of season tickets.

Then don’t.

[BambooRdApp]

Whoever the coach is, I will be a season ticket holder as long as I can afford it.
Cancelling season tickets reaks of fair weather fan-ism

[Yosef84]

I would say the thread title sounds passive aggressive because it IS passive aggressive. The implication is that any comment made are an "excuse". That's the BS that really annoys me. Nobody is happy about the two ridiculous no-shows this year. The overly simplistic conclusions the preclude any rational discussion without labeling it as an "excuse" or the other person as being "ok with mediocrity" are just BS though. Folks are entitled to be unhappy and draw their own conclusion, but attacking anyone who disagrees is just being inflammatory.

I would actually like a rational discussion of the FACTORS (not EXCUSES) that contributed to our problems. We haven't looked sharp on either side of the ball. What needs to happen to turn it around?

Liberty is a good team, but after watching their game against ECU, they are not unbeatable. They commit a lot of penalties and look error prone if we can get any pressure on their QB. If the actual App football team shows up to play, I think we will be fine.

[Pikapp79]

He’s not going to be fired midseason.

Nor should he but if he is back next season hard to anty up for another round of season tickets.

Then don’t.

Distinct possibility. Will decide before it’s time to re-up.