[CCWMichael]

The way i see it, obviously the first thing to do is win. Fans show up for a winning program. You might not always pack the stadium, but people will show up. Second, we need more commercial presence on radio and TV. When i was living in Lynchburg you really only heard ads on WRVL, WQLU and sometimes on ESPNinVA. We need to be in regular ad rotation on at least 85% of the stations in the area in the LRD area (Lynchburg/Roanoke/Danville). We have the $$$ to get that kind of ad expenditure i would think. Third, get out into the community. Have players visit the schools and volunteer and have assemblies where players and cheerleaders are taking pics with the students and tossing red shirts to the kids and Sparky is entertaining. There are probably other ways but those are what came to my mind

My daughter was doing laps at my table at lunch(not a fight worth having lately) Saturday and one of the cheerleaders got on her level and let my daughter play with the pompoms for a moment. I haven't seen that look of awe on my daughters face since the first time she saw a horse in person. Really just a heartwarming moment where a cheerleader stopped to make my daughters day.

The family friendly environment is underappreciated.

My daughter was doing laps at my table at lunch(not a fight worth having lately) Saturday and one of the cheerleaders got on her level and let my daughter play with the pompoms for a moment. I haven't seen that look of awe on my daughters face since the first time she saw a horse in person. Really just a heartwarming moment where a cheerleader stopped to make my daughters day.

Class, It was a pleasure meeting you and your daughter. She is a lovely lady and a great Liberty fan as I can witness to.
The family atmosphere is why we come down. Beats helicopters at Penn State.
The cheer squad, students, and fans have all welcomed our daughter with great warmth as well. We have had some students come by regular to our tailgate sight just to visit her. A testament to our culture.
OBTW, this week with the predicted rain we will not be tailgating so we may run across you at the pregame meal.
Oh, and how can I forget how Sparky is as well.
This is the stuff that makes the ticket price worth it's weight in gold.

[Yacht Rock]

Impressed with the production quality of LFSN crew - each home game getting better and more polished. Just watch someone else on ESPN 3 and we are light years ahead of most other TV. Would be cool to get the overhead cam system in the stadium.

I second this. I watched a Troy home game the other week, and it was acceptable, but our production feels significantly better.

The overhead cam would be cool, but we are not even producing the yellow first down line yet. And if I'm not mistaken, the down and yards to go wasn't showing on the little TV score box. Regarding the first down line, from a 2014 article it was stated that it costs 20,000 a game to produce it. I doubt that our viewership is large enough to justify it.

The production needs to show more than just the score and clock. It was disappointing to not see information such as the down and yardage information. I’m not sure how much more they need to invest to make it happen, but it would be a good move.

[flamesfilmguy]

Both of you quoted in the same post, in a dark vs light debate thread. I couldn't pass up the opportunity to point out when you both spewed hate that we had zero chance to beat Coastal in 2014, and called for Gill to be fired then. We did beat coastal (which SJ claimed for years was only luck) and we went on to beat JMU in the playoffs that year. Soaking in misery every since.

Which really sucks, because Saturday was a very fun game, and amazing experience with 17K of my closest friends in the beautiful Williams Stadium. Wish you guys would jump on the wagon and enjoy these wins , instead of being LU Eeyores.

I was going to respond and feed the troll but I figured this would suffice.

Some weeks deserve a break from the constant “know or all negativity “

did I hurt or offend you in some way that you keep coming after me? or are you just one of those guys that has to have the last word? I mean I know I've disagreed with a lot that the university as a whole has done recently but I mean, I don't think I've been any more negative than some others on this board. That is in fact the point of a message board. a gathering place for fans who have different views but one common rooting interest. I don't root against Liberty. ask any of the older guys on here. I invested a lot of time and energy into this program and I as much as anyone want to see it succeed. I give credit where it is due, I also don't drink the koolaide so hard that I overlook some glaring problems. "if its christian it ought to be better."

[Class of 20Something]

The way i see it, obviously the first thing to do is win. Fans show up for a winning program. You might not always pack the stadium, but people will show up. Second, we need more commercial presence on radio and TV. When i was living in Lynchburg you really only heard ads on WRVL, WQLU and sometimes on ESPNinVA. We need to be in regular ad rotation on at least 85% of the stations in the area in the LRD area (Lynchburg/Roanoke/Danville). We have the $$$ to get that kind of ad expenditure i would think. Third, get out into the community. Have players visit the schools and volunteer and have assemblies where players and cheerleaders are taking pics with the students and tossing red shirts to the kids and Sparky is entertaining. There are probably other ways but those are what came to my mind

My daughter was doing laps at my table at lunch(not a fight worth having lately) Saturday and one of the cheerleaders got on her level and let my daughter play with the pompoms for a moment. I haven't seen that look of awe on my daughters face since the first time she saw a horse in person. Really just a heartwarming moment where a cheerleader stopped to make my daughters day.

The family friendly environment is underappreciated.

My daughter was doing laps at my table at lunch(not a fight worth having lately) Saturday and one of the cheerleaders got on her level and let my daughter play with the pompoms for a moment. I haven't seen that look of awe on my daughters face since the first time she saw a horse in person. Really just a heartwarming moment where a cheerleader stopped to make my daughters day.

Class, It was a pleasure meeting you and your daughter. She is a lovely lady and a great Liberty fan as I can witness to.
The family atmosphere is why we come down. Beats helicopters at Penn State.
The cheer squad, students, and fans have all welcomed our daughter with great warmth as well. We have had some students come by regular to our tailgate sight just to visit her. A testament to our culture.
OBTW, this week with the predicted rain we will not be tailgating so we may run across you at the pregame meal.
Oh, and how can I forget how Sparky is as well.
This is the stuff that makes the ticket price worth it's weight in gold.

I'm still taking classes(thus the username, I'll graduate eventually) but my wife is an alumna and we will be going to the Alumni Tailgate.

It was a pleasure meeting you. It's always great to put a face with a username and know there are people in the stands as passionate about our team.

[cruzan_flame13]

where the alumni tailgate this Saturday? I don't have twitter/instagram/facebook, so I have no idea what's going on for Homecoming lol.

[rogers3]

Yes and no, he did come off that way but what I saw was a coach that expected his entire organization to play to their potential every week. If a team is clearly more talented, BSU, then ok. If they are equal or less talented then we should win. Out work them, out scheme them. No disrespect intended. That is just the expectation. He did give us some credit but what I found refreshing was he came in with no excuses. "Players effort was good, we just didn't play well and that is on me". He said I failed, coaches failed to prepare then went into a pretty detailed rundown of their struggles demonstrating a good grasp of both his team and what his coaches were trying to accomplish.

Contrast that with Coach Gill's postgame opening statement. Every loss he blames the players. This week he credited the coaches and didn't really mention the players. No blame or responsibility in losses. All the credit in wins. To me the inability to hold ourselves accountable as a staff demonstrates a flaw in his otherwise tremendous character and it holds us back as a team.

I say all that while acknowledging coaching adjustments were made this week that helped so I do see progress. I just would like to see us keep growing and maturing as a staff and as men. Acknowledging failure is not weakness. Recognizing mistakes and struggles also means embracing an opportunity to get better. Confession is good for the soul.

While driving home I listen to every post game show on the radio. Have since Gills been here. That line is slightly inaccurate

I'd say the same thing...I know he has not consistently blamed his players for losses. I just think that there are quite a few people on here who seem to only see things one way. If they are around for another coach, they'll do the same. Even JMU folks gripe about their current coach who has taken them to the finals twice. Rings of fanaticism, if you ask me.

[Yacht Rock]

Personally, I don't care what he says after a game (I don't have time to watch postgame/pregame stuff). I just think he makes bad decisions during the game and doesn't seem to have the ability to lead the team to the next level. Sure, there have been some great wins, but consistency is key. It's like the old saying goes, "Even a broken clock is right twice a day."

If we were a consistent playoff team in FCS over the last several years it would be a different story. Even success during this first year of FBS doesn't tell me much about long term consistency.

If we didn't invest so much into this program, the performance might be acceptable. However, so much money and resources are thrown at the football program, it's not crazy to expect bigger things on a regular basis.

[cruzan_flame13]

Personally, I don't care what he says after a game (I don't have time to watch postgame/pregame stuff). I just think he makes bad decisions during the game and doesn't seem to have the ability to lead the team to the next level. Sure, there have been some great wins, but consistency is key. It's like the old saying goes, "Even a broken clock is right twice a day."

If we were a consistent playoff team in FCS over the last several years it would be a different story. Even success during this first year of FBS doesn't tell me much about long term consistency.

If we didn't invest so much into this program, the performance might be acceptable. However, so much money and resources are thrown at the football program, it's not crazy to expect bigger things on a regular basis.

Couldn't agree more. Nonetheless, everyone ignores this since we're told we had 'winning seasons.' What YR mentioned about resources being used in the football program alone, the last few seasons didn't mean much, especially if Gill to continue in the same path(which he most likely will). It's time to move on; thanks for the roller coaster seasons Gill and staff.

[TH Spangler]

Personally, I don't care what he says after a game (I don't have time to watch postgame/pregame stuff). I just think he makes bad decisions during the game and doesn't seem to have the ability to lead the team to the next level. Sure, there have been some great wins, but consistency is key. It's like the old saying goes, "Even a broken clock is right twice a day."

If we were a consistent playoff team in FCS over the last several years it would be a different story. Even success during this first year of FBS doesn't tell me much about long term consistency.

If we didn't invest so much into this program, the performance might be acceptable. However, so much money and resources are thrown at the football program, it's not crazy to expect bigger things on a regular basis.

Couldn't agree more. Nonetheless, everyone ignores this since we're told we had 'winning seasons.' What YR mentioned about resources being used in the football program alone, the last few seasons didn't mean much, especially if Gill to continue in the same path(which he most likely will). It's time to move on; thanks for the roller coaster seasons Gill and staff.

Transition season with wins over ODU, New Mexico and Troy #30 so far ... and you guys are talking trash, tells us all we need to know

[Yacht Rock]

You need to accept the fact that this discussion is based on the lack on consistency during years of non-transition FCS play, not this years play. We could win a bowl game and at this point, I’d say the same thing. If Gill is the best coach we can attract with the money tossed around, then so be it, but I find it hard to believe we can’t do better.

[Purple Haize]

Personally, I don't care what he says after a game (I don't have time to watch postgame/pregame stuff). I just think he makes bad decisions during the game and doesn't seem to have the ability to lead the team to the next level. Sure, there have been some great wins, but consistency is key. It's like the old saying goes, "Even a broken clock is right twice a day."

If we were a consistent playoff team in FCS over the last several years it would be a different story. Even success during this first year of FBS doesn't tell me much about long term consistency.

If we didn't invest so much into this program, the performance might be acceptable. However, so much money and resources are thrown at the football program, it's not crazy to expect bigger things on a regular basis.

Money and resources neither guarantees nor equates to success
Couldn't agree more. Nonetheless, everyone ignores this since we're told we had 'winning seasons.' What YR mentioned about resources being used in the football program alone, the last few seasons didn't mean much, especially if Gill to continue in the same path(which he most likely will). It's time to move on; thanks for the roller coaster seasons Gill and staff.

[cruzan_flame13]

ODU and New Mexico is not that great and Troy didn’t have their starting qb(that game would’ve been different). I did give some credit where credit is due but it’s not convincing for more years with the current staff. It’s not talking trash, but looking at the long term for the program. We’ve seen the same pattern for years and it’s obvious that the staff will not progress. They had winning season by tying a couple of times in a conference that wasn’t even tough in the FCS. And they’re suppose to exceed that with the same mentality of the staff with minor changes once in awhile? Come on now. We have good players who can do much better with a coach with better football iq and who’s willing to take risks and not questionable plays.

[Purple Haize]

You need to accept the fact that this discussion is based on the lack on consistency during years of non-transition FCS play, not this years play. We could win a bowl game and at this point, I’d say the same thing. If Gill is the best coach we can attract with the money tossed around, then so be it, but I find it hard to believe we can’t do better.

Which is why 99% of the schools out there wouldn’t dream of making the FBS jump like LU did if they’d had similar results

[Purple Haize]

ODU and New Mexico is not that great and Troy didn’t have their starting qb(that game would’ve been different). I did give some credit where credit is due but it’s not convincing for more years with the current staff. It’s not talking trash, but looking at the long term for the program. We’ve seen the same pattern for years and it’s obvious that the staff will not progress. They had winning season by tying a couple of times in a conference that wasn’t even tough in the FCS. And they’re suppose to exceed that with the same mentality of the staff with minor changes once in awhile? Come on now. We have good players who can do much better with a coach with better football iq and who’s willing to take risks and not questionable plays.

Alabama won a NC with their second string QB
Ohio State did it with their 3rd string QB

[cruzan_flame13]

ODU and New Mexico is not that great and Troy didn’t have their starting qb(that game would’ve been different). I did give some credit where credit is due but it’s not convincing for more years with the current staff. It’s not talking trash, but looking at the long term for the program. We’ve seen the same pattern for years and it’s obvious that the staff will not progress. They had winning season by tying a couple of times in a conference that wasn’t even tough in the FCS. And they’re suppose to exceed that with the same mentality of the staff with minor changes once in awhile? Come on now. We have good players who can do much better with a coach with better football iq and who’s willing to take risks and not questionable plays.

Alabama won a NC with their second string QB
Ohio State did it with their 3rd string QB

Who were P5 qbs, and they were second and third string as you mentioned. Not even close in comparison with Troy’s backup lol. If only we had a Urban Meyer type coach without the torturing players physically and mentally part . A Nick Saban type coach would be better actually lol.

[Purple Haize]

ODU and New Mexico is not that great and Troy didn’t have their starting qb(that game would’ve been different). I did give some credit where credit is due but it’s not convincing for more years with the current staff. It’s not talking trash, but looking at the long term for the program. We’ve seen the same pattern for years and it’s obvious that the staff will not progress. They had winning season by tying a couple of times in a conference that wasn’t even tough in the FCS. And they’re suppose to exceed that with the same mentality of the staff with minor changes once in awhile? Come on now. We have good players who can do much better with a coach with better football iq and who’s willing to take risks and not questionable plays.

Alabama won a NC with their second string QB
Ohio State did it with their 3rd string QB

Who were P5 qbs, and they were second and third string as you mentioned. Not even close in comparison with Troy’s backup lol. If only we had a Urban Meyer type coach without the torturing players physically and mentally part . A Nick Saban type coach would be better actually lol.

You have to take the comparable level of competition into the equation. You can’t just dismiss a team because they are playing with a second or third string QB. LU was playing a team better on paper. Replacing their QB shouldn’t have been that big a deal. Look at ODU, their back up QB played much better than the starter against LU and did for several games.

[Jonathan Carone]

Let’s not be so quick to say Troy was terrible. Yes, they didn’t have their starting QB, but we don’t know if the new QB is good or bad yet. He could turn out to be really good which would make Saturday a gigantic win. It’s too early to say anything about Troy one way or the other.

[cruzan_flame13]

Okay, let’s take that into consideration. As I stated before, we have some good players on our team, but that doesn’t mean that our coach is great either. The team won the game, and yes some decisions made were decent than others. I will also add that Troy is a good team and the back up an isn’t horrible. We shall see what Troy does for the rest of the season. I’m just looking at the growth of the program since Gill stepped on LU’s campus. Only one season was actually a real winning season, which was 2014. The other 6-5 seasons were not much accomplishments (based on our conference) and I am not expecting any change whatsoever.

[Jonathan Carone]

You can't say "only one season was actually a real wining season" because that is factually inaccurate. 6-5 is one more win than loss which is the definition of winning season.

Your better argument is that yes, they were winning seasons, but given the teams we were playing and the teams we lost to, simply going 6-5 from 2015-2017 was wildly underperforming.

I've been anti-Gill since 2014. Everyone knows my opinion on it. But if you're going to argue for a change, you need to make sure you're at least staying factual or else you lose any credibility you had.

[cruzan_flame13]

You can't say "only one season was actually a real wining season" because that is factually inaccurate. 6-5 is one more win than loss which is the definition of winning season.

Your better argument is that yes, they were winning seasons, but given the teams we were playing and the teams we lost to, simply going 6-5 from 2015-2017 was wildly underperforming.

I've been anti-Gill since 2014. Everyone knows my opinion on it. But if you're going to argue for a change, you need to make sure you're at least staying factual or else you lose any credibility you had.

You can technically state that, although I was pointing out other factors that would be included. I’ll gsay by definition it is winning seasons, however they did not include those results of a playoff birth or even being sole champions of the conference. We can point this out as what is facts or not, however your statement doesn’t quite matter if others have a different perspective of what’s success or not. If a season or seasons doesn’t develop progress and success, then it doesn’t give much validity in this game of entertainment and business(good thing we have the resources). Clearly Gill hasn’t done that overall for the program, and he should thank McCaw for being generous for keeping him in his position.

[Jonathan Carone]

No. He should thank Jeff Barber for giving him the biggest gift of a contract since David Bennett's ten year contract at Coastal.

[cruzan_flame13]

No. He should thank Jeff Barber for giving him the biggest gift of a contract since David Bennett's ten year contract at Coastal.

Didn’t he get four years on the contract from Barber ?I’m talking in future tense, on the next one that he’ll most likely receive (although I hope not).

[tyndal23]

If McCaw wanted a change he would have gotten it. $ or contract wouldn’t have made a difference. Bottom line, TG earned the right to take LU through transition year(s) and frankly whatever stud coach you want doesn’t really want to go through that process anyway. TG isn’t going to run this program in the ground and might possibly do better at FBS level than he did at FCS and I am rooting that he does succeed at a high level but don’t kid yourself that anytime Ian wants to make a change - he has the power to do it and will. TG was closer to getting canned after last year than he will be this year or next. Once they decided to stick with him for FBS move, then he got 3 years in my estimation.

[JK37]

$$$ does matter. Just because LU has a lot of it, doesn’t mean they’re trying to spend it haphazardly.

None of these decisions are made in a vacuum. Plenty of other things going on when a decision about a contract is made. One has to consider assistant contracts in the same sport, plus buyouts and such on head coaching contracts in other sports.

I LOVED that JB had his coaches backs, even when admins wanted things changed. There were several contracts of JB hires that were backed up steeply. The cost to the University to buy them out has been high. I suspect that may be why HCTG has been retained. What he does with that opportunity remains up to him.

[R i]

FilmGuy and SJ , definitely stings a little more when you guys are quick to point out the flaws and not celebrate the victories because I guess I remember how influential both of you were in creating positive momentum for the fan base. So for every comment you bash the fan base for being "naïve " or only give out compliments conditionally, I feel vindicated to post after a big win.

Nothing personal, SJ (sorry JC sounds too irreverent) knows I respect his opinions more than anyone on the board, and I know you have been around football and college athletics for a long time FFG. I crave the old days when a coaching search on this message board was the highlight of my week. That cant happen when the momentum of the fan base is consistently bah humbug.