[VAGolf]

Last month, I asked the question of whether or not Gill would be let go if this season does not meet expectations. Most said no but it resulted in a fun discussion. This month, I want to ask, where are we as a program? So, here's my idea, I'm going to create a survey and you just quote it to fill in with your answers.

How many wins do you expect this year?
How many wins should we expect each season?
What are your postseason expectations for this season? (no postseason, one and done, quarterfinals or better, championship caliber)
Where do we rank in the Big South?
Where do we rank in the state of Virginia?
How do we compare to our rivals (Richmond, JMU, Coastal)?
On a scale of 1-5, how would you rate our recruiting past three recruiting classes?
On a scale of 1-5, how would you rate our offense?
On a scale of 1-5, how would you rate our defense?
On a scale of 1-5, how would you rate our special teams?
Lastly, do you feel that with the current staff, we havethe capability to compete for a national championship within the next 5 years?

Keep everything clean & fun. Don't call for anyone to be fired. Feel free to throw in some discussion after you fill out the survey.

[Purple Haize]

We are stuck in the mud and have been for awhile. However I feel we have seen some hope of us getting unstuck. You know how it is: you rock back and forth and then you almost make it out only to go back down again. But usually that next time or two you come flying out and are on the road flying down the highway. IMO this year or the next LU will get out of the rut if they stay the course. But Inalso think Gill is the guy for the job and am a big believer in consistency of coaching.

[flameshaw]

I believe we have made some good progress in the recent past, but came off the rails last year. We were in the playoffs 2 years ago, for the first time. We beat Coastal the last 2 years, beat JMU in the playoffs and should have won the Villanova game. Won games against Georgia State and App State. Unfortunately, we have also had more than our share of WTF games. Special teams cost us 4 games, 3 years ago.
There is zero excuse for the Monmouth and GW games last year. If we were to have another one of those games, I would make a change. Other than that, I think Gill can take us to the playoffs every year, win some playoff games. I am not sure he is the guy to make us contenders for the Championship each year. I would give him a couple more years to see how that goes.
Like PH, I believe coaching continuity is a good thing, hoping that Gill can make continuous progress for the next couple of years and beyond. I like him a lot, but not sure he has the dynamic personality needed to take us to the house.

[Jonathan Carone]

How many wins do you expect this year?
5-7

How many wins should we expect each season?
7-9

What are your postseason expectations for this season? (no postseason, one and done, quarterfinals or better, championship caliber)
None

Where do we rank in the Big South?
Second

Where do we rank in the state of Virginia?
Fourth behind Richmond, JMU and W&M. Ahead of Hampton, Norfolk State, and VMI.

How do we compare to our rivals (Richmond, JMU, Coastal)?
Richmond followed a playoff appearance in 2014 with a trip to the final four last year. JMU received a bye last year. Coastal is going FBS. Our program is significantly behind all of them despite winning games vs two of the three.

On a scale of 1-5, how would you rate our recruiting past three recruiting classes?
No clue. I don't keep up with recruiting.

On a scale of 1-5, how would you rate our offense?
3.5 - It had the potential to be great but poor play calling at times along with a QB who was inconsistent on important throws brought them down. Hopefully things are different with a new offensive coordinator.

On a scale of 1-5, how would you rate our defense?
3.5 - They've had great moments but have given up more than they should at times as well. I'm interested to see how we'll be in the second year of the 4-2-5.

On a scale of 1-5, how would you rate our special teams?
2.5 - Lunsford has been great at times, but we've had absolutely no return game lately, have too many punts blocked, and haven't gained anything on special teams.

Lastly, do you feel that with the current staff, we have the capability to compete for a national championship within the next 5 years?
No. I believe Coach Gill is a great man and great Christian. He is someone who I am proud to say represents our school very well. With that said, I don't think he's the head coach that can get us to where we want to be.

[BJWilliams]

Edit: Fine...I'll be original...

[Jonathan Carone]

Did you just completely rip off some of my answers and not change them at all?

[flamehunter]

haha I had to scroll back up to make sure I wasn't reading your post for the second time. I'm sure there's good explanation. Hero worship for sure.

[PAmedic]

Did you just completely rip off some of my answers and not change them at all?

you seem surprised by this turn of events

[BJWilliams]

I did. You pretty much said what I was going to say so I kept them in those cases. I figured it'd be easier that way instead of you criticizing me if i repeated what you said with different wording. Sorry I didn't note that at the end.

[forbidden]

Didn't you know, plagiarism 101 at its finest, did you go to UNC or something

[flameshaw]

It is good to know that Jon and BJ are on the same page anyway.

[Purple Haize]

It is good to know that Jon and BJ are on the same page anyway.

It's a Bromance for sure

[BJWilliams]

How many wins do you expect this year?
7-8. CSU has been out whipping boy and while Chadwell has certianly improved them, we really should try to reassert ourselves
How many wins should we expect each season?
8+
What are your postseason expectations for this season? (no postseason, one and done, quarterfinals or better, championship caliber)
One and done for now but I would love to see us make the quarters
Where do we rank in the Big South?
FIrst or second. CSU has improved and while they did win the auto last year I think we are still in the top tier of the Big South, especially with CCU headed to FBS
Where do we rank in the state of Virginia?
Tied for third. Richmond and JMU are the top tier in VA as FCS goes, then LU and W&M followed by Hampton, NSU and VMI
How do we compare to our rivals (Richmond, JMU, Coastal)?
Richmond and JMU are the top teams as I said above, but while we are not "two or three away" as ballcoach likes to assert, I do think we have a chance to become a regular player in the FCS playoff scene
On a scale of 1-5, how would you rate our recruiting past three recruiting classes?
Tough to say, most recruiting classes can't really be evaluated accurately until the class is all seniors. If I had to give a number Id go with 2.
On a scale of 1-5, how would you rate our offense?
3. Its had moments, but some of the playcalling made me shake my head, especially in short yardage.
On a scale of 1-5, how would you rate our defense?
3 as well. There have been moments where its been dominant, but not enough to really call it a top flight unit overall
On a scale of 1-5, how would you rate our special teams?
2. Lunsford had some absolute bombs (including the 60 yarder against Richmond) but he struggled with short to mid-range kick consistency. The return game has underachieved as well, and blocked punts became a bit more of an issue the last couple years
Lastly, do you feel that with the current staff, we have the capability to compete for a national championship within the next 5 years?
Possibly. I think the next couple seasons really will tell the tale for a definitive answer to that question.

[Chris Lang]

You're delusional if you think LU is even or ahead of William & Mary. Distant fourth in the state.

[PAmedic]

he's delusional

[BJWilliams]

Id rather not get in a debate with you as I know you are the former LU beat writer, but if you go back the last 10 seasons (to offer an accurate sample size I think), The only result where the Tribe has a clear difference is #of playoff appearances (3-1 including last year). Liberty has 15 more wins than W&M, zero losing seasons compared to 4 for W&M, both teams had 4 seasons where they finished the season ranked in a major FCS poll, and the combined margin over the two meetings in our sample? 8 points.

Call me deusional if you like, but the numbers don't bear out that W&M is miles ahead at least as far as Im concerned.

[Purple Haize]

Id rather not get in a debate with you as I know you are the former LU beat writer, but if you go back the last 10 seasons (to offer an accurate sample size I think), The only result where the Tribe has a clear difference is #of playoff appearances (3-1 including last year). Liberty has 15 more wins than W&M, zero losing seasons compared to 4 for W&M, both teams had 4 seasons where they finished the season ranked in a major FCS poll, and the combined margin over the two meetings in our sample? 8 points.

Call me deusional if you like, but the numbers don't bear out that W&M is miles ahead at least as far as Im concerned.

That playoff appearance difference is huge. Especially when you factor in the conference they play in and strength of schedule. Which also pokes holes in your number of wins argument.

[Jonathan Carone]

Beej - you're wrong. Plain and simple. We played in a very weak Big South and against weak schedules, not the CAA at its prime.

[olldflame]

Beej - you're wrong. Plain and simple. We played in a very weak Big South and against weak schedules, not the CAA at its prime.

Playing in the CAA at it's prime did make wins harder to come by, but I will argue the same was not true for playoff bids. They were getting at least 4 or 5 teams a year in, and I think it might have reached 6 a time or 2.

[jcmanson]

William & Mary is 4-0 all-time against Liberty, winning by a combined margin of 155-71.

[Purple Haize]

William & Mary is 4-0 all-time against Liberty, winning by a combined margin of 155-71.

That's a pretty pertinent data point

[flameshaw]

BJ, you can't always compare W&L records, unless you happen play the same schedule, and no one does that. You just don't have any argument here. As Jon said, there is a huge difference between playing a Big South schedule and a CAA schedule. Keep it real.

[forbidden]

but really is it, I would say gap has closed, hell JMU apparently has tried by any means not to have to play us, What happened then vs. now is all I would be going by. Since HCTG has been here they are 1-3 vs CAA I think with that important post season win vs JMU and dang sure should of been V'Nova to, but also the losses to Richmond. And truth be told as they say your only as good as your last game. NOD to W&M

[Jonathan Carone]

I think JMU not wanting to play us proves we aren't on their level. If a win over us would benefit them, or if a loss to us wouldn't be a massive failure on their part, they'd see value in the game. For now, none of those three CAA schools have any value in playing us.

[BJWilliams]

I'm not talking about JMU (although forbidden is). JMU and Richmond are the top teams in the state as far as FCS goes and I don't think that can be debated. My point is about LU and the Tribe. Yes they are 4-0 against us, but bear in mind that we haven't played them since 2007 (the infamous overtime game with the questionable spot). I don't think they are 14 TDs better than us these days though, even with a new starter at QB.