A question for the Appalachia faithful....

**blitzer44** · November 9th, 2007, 08:20 PM

Coach Roger is a nice guy and knows football. Not an easy task following Tom Turner. Overall he's done as good job, two years is not enough to judge a coach on, give him time and he'll have Appy back to where they need to be, if consolidation comes along then it won't really matter.

**MikMo** · November 11th, 2007, 01:16 AM

I always felt sorry for whoever had to step into Coach Turner's shoes at Appy. No matter who you are, you're not going to come in and instantly get respect after following a legend. Success from Turner's program raised the faithful's expectations to beyond the Region D championship every year and whenever it's not met, it seems like a failure. And sure, you'll meet those who say "Well, Coach Turner took Appy to the State Final his first year." Nothing lasts forever and everyone in Blue and Gold had to eventually prepare for the day when he wouldn't be on the sidelines. All I can say is that if you support the Dawgs the way you say you do, show it now, when the program needs it the most. Roger Austin has been an assistant under Turner for many a year and there shouldn't be too many other people that the Appy faithful should entrust to the success of the program. Give him time and things will come around.

As for the Appy-PV consolidation and the bitter feelings some have expressed between the two schools...I think people blow it way out of proportion. You have the best of friends from both schools. My best friend graduated from PV. The first girl I ever fell in love with went to PV. The mother of my children went to PV. I'm sure you see a lot of young men from Appy taking girls from PV to their proms, and vice versa. I don't see one ounce of problem coming from a consolidation of schools, except for some hard-heads that reject change.

**sup-rbeast** · November 11th, 2007, 01:18 AM

You're right on the money mik

**belly32** · November 13th, 2007, 01:13 PM

I think Coach Austin has done a fine job. I counted 23 players on the sideline friday nite. Not too many programs in the state with that many players still practicing for the playoffs. I have to question the commitment of the Appy boys. Where is everyone? There is only 1 junior on the team this year. Where is that school spirit. I'm just not seeing it. The basketball team will be lucky if they have 10 players. What's up APPY?