This is not a post I'll enjoy pulling together. The guy we've all been pulling for to turn our men's basketball fortunes around, Coach Jim Fox, is officially in deep doo-doo. Coach Fox is now approximately five games past the mid-point of his five-year contract which will expire on or about April 6, 2019. As of today, he has managed our program to a 27-53 record and a winning percentage of .338. In all-important Sun Belt play, his team holds a 17-42 record and a .289 conference winning percentage headed into tomorrow night's game at league-leading A-State. It would be nice to see a positive trend for Fox to hang his hat on, but the truth is that his team is 1-7 in calendar year 2017 for a winning percentage of .143.

Earlier, I had marked two games on the schedule as must-win contests--the road contest at Coastal Carolina and the home contest with Texas State. In fact, we lost both and they really weren't all that close. To make matters worse, we also lost all of the games between CCU and Tx St. That makes five straight losses when we should be playing the best basketball of the season. Along the way came news that our two prized frosh contributors, Good and Robinson, were suspended indefinitely for pot-smoking and vandalism. Their court date isn't until early March, so they're very likely lost for the season for all practical purposes.

That situation and whispers of attitudes showing on-court and almost complete lack of defensive effort (as mentioned in radio interviews by Fox on more than one occasion) make one wonder if the team has already mailed it in and is merely going through the motions. All signs at the moment point to a rather dismal end to the current season.

On the other hand, the inevitable comparison with Davidson's Bob McKillop must be mentioned. McKillop's first three Wildcat teams were losers. His fourth season produced a break-even 14-14 record; then he produced a 20 win season in the fifth and last year of his contract. That progression obviously won him a new contract--and the rest, as they say, is history.

Perhaps with a new season and a fresh start and with a back-to-the-basket big man (6-9 Hunter Seacat) and everyone back except seldom-used Matt O'Boyle, Coach Fox will get the train rolling. Personally, I wouldn't be surprised to see some attrition among players who simply don't belong in Division I; nor would I be surprised by a shake-up in the coaching staff. The pressure is on and time is running out for Fox to get this thing done.

I, for one, truly hope he can pull it off. His challenge is now tougher than almost anyone expected.

I think some attrition would probably be a good thing. We've taken so many walk-ons and non-productive transfers I can't keep track of who's on scholarship, but I know we're full up to the point of only being able to sign one guy in the current class, at a time that a talent upgrade is pretty clearly and desperately needed.

Hate to say this but Seacat is really not going to help us.

Jim Fox and the Appalachian State basketball program have my unconditional support.

Im not worried until the 5th year.....Fox will get us there.

I truly believe he needs more time especially with him playing so many young guys - however, if the results are the same this time next year then I would say this thread would be more appropriate ---

AppGrad78 wrote:Jim Fox and the Appalachian State basketball program have my unconditional support.

Ditto for me!

AppGrad78 wrote:Jim Fox and the Appalachian State basketball program have my unconditional support.

Mine, too, Charlie.

FYI, the reason for us having to be patient with Fox is announcing a Davidson game right now on ESPN2.

Sadly record-wise his best team thus far was with Capel's recruits.

We will return, absent any defections, 97% of our offense next season. It will be fairer to judge the direction of the program a year from now. The only other Belt program close to that is GS who return 96%. Despite their youth, they are title contenders already. LR will be hit the hardest, losing 80% of their scoring.

NewApp wrote:

AppGrad78 wrote:Jim Fox and the Appalachian State basketball program have my unconditional support.

Mine, too, Charlie.

As far as I am concerned, he gets 5 years to get us to .500!

Have to say... Regardless of subsequent events, firing Houston was DUMB!!!

Agreed on the five-year comment, but gotta disagree with the Houston position. He was the epitome of average. His record was literally .500, over 10 years.

Bad basketball that's all im going to say.

1-9 in last 10. Just terrible in the last 5 minutes. Cant watch anymore of this team this year, we are getting worse each game.
See you guys in the fall for 1 of our only 2 respectable programs. To be somewhat positive, at least they are split up so football is in fall and wrestling in the spring.

Takes time to put out a complete dumpster fire like the one Fox inherited. I also say give him 5 years.

SpeedkingATL wrote:Takes time to put out a complete dumpster fire like the one Fox inherited. I also say give him 5 years.

Coach Fox signed a five-year contract in April, 2014. He's just in his third year. He clearly will be our head coach for a minimum of two more years. If his team makes positive strides toward the upper division of the Sun Belt, I think there's a strong likelihood that his contract will be renewed. It would be a no-brainer.

If.

asu66 wrote:

SpeedkingATL wrote:Takes time to put out a complete dumpster fire like the one Fox inherited. I also say give him 5 years.

Coach Fox signed a five-year contract in April, 2014. He's just in his third year. He clearly will be our head coach for a minimum of two more years. If his team makes positive strides toward the upper division of the Sun Belt, I think there's a strong likelihood that his contract will be renewed. It would be a no-brainer.

Tell that to the guy who started this thread!

Its sad to say, but Coach Fox has an uphill battle. I am sure he wants fans to come watch the team play. However, its hard to watch the product that is currently on the court. The way you fix that is to win! I don't see that happening barring a miracle for at least two more years and maybe beyond. Yes we have a lot of our current roster returning next year, but that doesn't really excite many fans unless they dramatically improve over this year. Maybe some defections would help a struggling program to add new blood. I hope he hasn't lost the team, but rumors of discontent and lack of defensive effort as discussed by Coach Fox following several games doesn't exude a lot of confidence. Hopefully he can right the ship. He is a great guy!