[jinxy]

What has happened with macon. I thought he was supposed to be pretty highly touted and provide the power runner. I thought we would see he and abnar lock it up this year. I just think it would be a real deflater to your existing guys that have worked hard for time. The offseason is one thing but this is late.

[spencers777]

Three arrests in 18 months? I would say he has already used his second chance. They need to let the guy's who have been there working all summer have there shot IMO.

[BJWilliams]

How does that change anything? Walt Aikens took a plea deal, spent two weeks in jail, was not reinstated by the NCAA and had to sit a year when he transferred to us.

I get that its a different staff, but things are not that different. They've been willing to take transfers with questionable pasts as well.

This right here, which also is the difference between this staff and the previous one. walt didn't play immediately when he had his legal trouble. With the (oft referenced) Asa Chapman situation, while he wasn't transferring in at the time, he played while he was still subject to adjudication, something which led to quite a few angry posts on this board. What happened to Walt, in hindsight, is what should have happened in that situation, especially the last part.

[jcmanson]

How does that change anything? Walt Aikens took a plea deal, spent two weeks in jail, was not reinstated by the NCAA and had to sit a year when he transferred to us.

I get that its a different staff, but things are not that different. They've been willing to take transfers with questionable pasts as well.

This right here, which also is the difference between this staff and the previous one. walt didn't play immediately when he had his legal trouble. With the (oft referenced) Asa Chapman situation, while he wasn't transferring in at the time, he played while he was still subject to adjudication, something which led to quite a few angry posts on this board. What happened to Walt, in hindsight, is what should have happened in that situation, especially the last part.

"Which also is the difference between this staff and the previous one" - I have NO IDEA how this statement fits with the rest of your post. It makes no sense.

[BJWilliams]

The bolded part is what is different. you had a guy, in legal trouble, instead of trying to rush him back onto the field, they let the process play out...and he stayed off the field while that happened.

[jcmanson]

Who was the coach when Walt transferred in?

[BJWilliams]

(Thinks...) you know, I actually think he who will be in town for the homecoming game...that said, I trust Coach Gill would not make that same error, even if there is pressure to win now (which we don't know if JB is putting that kind of pressure on him...or at least we don't know on the record).

[SuperJon]

Beej, you're making no sense.

[BJWilliams]

Ok.

Coach Gill is in year 3 (second full cycle since he came in just before signing day 2012). While we don't know for sure if he is being pressured by the AD to "win now", I believe he has enough sense to look at the situation with this player, who is quite talented, but obviously has a lot of issues (and boy are they issues) he needs to work out off the field, and isn,t't going to simply think "yeah he has a felony charge hanging over his head, but darnit, my job is on the line so he is gonna play...now...so I can win...now". I will say though that I did misattribute the Aikens transfer to coach Gill

[jcmanson]

While we don't know for sure if he is being pressured by the AD to "win now

I think we do know. Why wouldn't he have that pressure? Do I really have to lay out all the reasons?

[BJWilliams]

No you dont...I still don't think he is going to simply (if he even does transfer here) rush him out there knowing he has some serious trouble on the horizon, just so he can maybe add 1 win (or 2) at the cost of his integrity

[SuperJon]

While we don't know for sure if he is being pressured by the AD to "win now

I think we do know. Why wouldn't he have that pressure? Do I really have to lay out all the reasons?

He has that pressure.

[jinxy]

True or false. Once rocco made the decision to play asa with felony charges still pending he was strongly encouraged to investigate other options.

[SuperJon]

Once it backfired, true.

[bluejacket]

Once it backfired, true.

The right answer.

[bluejacket]

The Asa situation probably had a bigger effect on Rocco leaving that we all think

Yes. Yes it did.

Yes and no.

[Kiwon]

While we don't know for sure if he is being pressured by the AD to "win now

I think we do know. Why wouldn't he have that pressure? Do I really have to lay out all the reasons?

He has that pressure.

Facts versus Speculation:

Has JB indicated that Coach Gill's job is on the line if LU doesn't win the Big South and make the playoffs this year?

JB has a shorter leash for Coach Gill than Coach Layer? Really?

[bluejacket]

No and no. But the pressure is still there.

[SuperJon]

Barber holds football and baseball to a higher level than basketball so yes, the leash is shorter in football.

[Kiwon]

Barber holds football and baseball to a higher level than basketball so yes, the leash is shorter in football.

Again. I'm still waiting on the facts that JB is pressuring Coach Gill to "win now" or else.

Further, how do you know that "Barber holds football and baseball to a higher level than basketball.."?

If this were a courtroom, you'd hear the defense attorney say, "Objection, your Honor. Assumes facts not in evidence."

What are the grounds for these assertions?

[SuperJon]

I know people. I've worked for Jeff. I know his personality.

[BJWilliams]

I think his point in asking is whether there is anything "on the record" stating (explicitly or not) a) Gill needs to win the Big South outright this year "or else" and/or b) football and baseball are held to a higher standard and therefore those coaches are on a short leash

[SuperJon]

It doesn't have to be on record to be true. It's never been on record that Barber told Rocco to find another job but it's still a fact.

[jcmanson]

This is a funny conversation. If Coach Gill does have a "win now" or else type demand on him, what kind of fact or on the record statement do you expect to have? It's not like AD's go around saying "if we don't win a championship this season, Coach X is out."

[VAGolf]

FCS football is built on transfers. If a guy has been working all off-season and loses his starting spot because a transfer came in, tough luck. As a proud Christian school, we need to continue to be a home of forgiveness. So what if the kid doesn't have the best past? He's just a sinner...and from a football perspective, he isn't a QB or a center, so his off-field issues don't bother me. Imagine if we brought this kid in, and he changed his life around while at Liberty. That''s what we need to be about.

For those of us who know Walt, even if it's just briefly, we're well aware of the struggles he was enduring when he came to campus. I'm 99% sure that isn't the same kid that left here. Let's hope the same happens here.

Now, if he comes in and gets in trouble early, let the discipline ensue. But let's put aside the ignorance and stupidity for just a moment. This kid is an absolute ridiculous talent. Possibly, our biggest question on offense is at the RB position. He can fill a need. FCS football is about getting transfers and adjusting. We're a Christian school, Christianity is a faith that is about grace and forgiveness. Bring the kid in here, let's all pray for him while he's here and let's hope he puts a spark into the rest of the RB's.