Five questions with Appalachian State AD Charlie Cobb
Appalachian State's win over Michigan has been called the greatest upset in the history of college football. Now here's one of the people who helped put it together: Appalachian State athletic director Charlie Cobb.
Grizzoulian: What do you believe this win does for your program? What do you hope it does for your program? More attention, more recruits, more donations?
Charlie Cobb: Exposure is obviously tremendous. Our hope is that it gives some national credit to Coach Moore, his staff, and the players.
Grizzoulian: What affect does this win have on the FCS as a whole? Does it give the whole division a bit more legitimacy?
Charlie Cobb: I think it shows that you still have to play the games. My favorite picture from the game Saturday - besides the scoreboard shots - is the one from the coin toss to start the game. Their left tackle is 6'7" and 320. Our guys don't even hit his chest, yet somehow we stayed in the game. As for a lasting legacy, I think it's going to take more wins by the better programs over FBS schools to start any kind of national movement. The scary part is how many of these schools are going to get a chance.
Grizzoulian: Did you schedule this game? If so, what were your thoughts when you set it up? What was the amount paid to the Mountaineer program for making the trip to Ann Arbor?
Charlie Cobb: We were paid $400,000 for the game. I've told many people that we didn't play the game for money. Coach likes the challenge of playing FBS schools. I don't ever want to be the kind of administrator that puts his program out for bid because I think it cheapens the whole deal. We needed games and Michigan was still looking for a 12th game and we were able to make it happen. Jay Sutton, our Associate Athletic Director, deserves all the credit for getting the game done on our end.
Grizzoulian: The University of Montana and Appalachian State almost had a game set up, why did that fall through? Do you think games like that are essential for the progression of the FCS?
Charlie Cobb: We talked with Montana about a game and still have interest in playing. Travel and expenses really seem to be the biggest hurdle. These types of games are what make our season interesting. Unfortunately, both of us seem to be at the end of the spectrum in terms of getting other FCS schools to play.
Grizzoulian: Is Appalachian State taking a potential move to the FBS into consideration at all? Does this win make you consider it a bit more?
Charlie Cobb: Let's enjoy the win and not make it a one-game referendum on going to the FBS. We want our entire athletic program to mirror our university in being the best that we can be. Our Chancellor, Dr. Ken Peacock, wants Appalachian to be the very best - academically, athletically, and in the arts. That's our goal.
I'm pretty sure that just about every Montana citizen thinks that this weekend's Griz-Cat game is the grandest thing this side of the globe. It's important for Montanans to know that there are not just bigger college football games, but more importantly, bigger college football people. One of these people was Bo Schembechler.