Last Thursday, I hosted a Zoom meeting called "Lunch with Doc" where we had about 85 interested ETSU fans participate.  At the end of the Zoom, we asked for any questions.  I was able to answer about five or six of those questions but there were several that I didn't get a chance to answer in the time allotted.
 
I would like to answer them now:
 
Question 1:  Do you think the Tri-Cities affords more NIL opportunities due to its size and ETSU's status within it, than some peers like JMU and Mercer?
 
Doc: I do. I think Johnson City has really supported ETSU.  The business community has really supported us plus individuals have supported ETSU as well.  The one thing that I would hope for is that we become more regional in support.  We really need to focus on engaging more businesses and individuals in Kingsport, in Bristol, in Elizabethton, and the whole Northeast Tennessee area, but I do think because of our tight connection to the community and the business communities' support of ETSU, I think we do have more opportunities than JMU and Mercer.
 
Question 2:  With the rise of the NIL, the role of the 'General Manager' has increased simultaneously.   If our teams were to use the model of the General Manager, would this occur on a team-by-team decision, or would it be a decision made across the athletics program as a whole?
 
Doc:  We're not going to have each sport have a general manager.  There won't be enough revenue sharing to have a general manager for each sport.  Like I said on the zoom, David Blackburn (DB) has assumed this role for us.  He has a great rapport with the coaches and players so he's more or less assuming that role already.  He also engages with the collective and we're blessed to have DB helping us in that area.
 
Question 3:  From the outside looking in, ETSU facilities look like they are pretty updated [sic].  Are there facility improvement plans on the books?
 
Doc:  Yes, we have just, in the last two weeks, engaged with an outside consultant.  This consultant will come in and look at our space to see how we can utilize the space better.   We believe that the dome is a terrific asset to us, and we have not used it to its maximum ability.  We are looking at all the space inside the dome to find how we can modernize and create facilities that are not only useful but will create a great image and help our brand which can also help with our recruiting.  We do need to look to update our current facilities.   As part of that, we want to see if there are any other areas that we really need to focus on.  I would expect that once we know exactly what we're going to do, we will start a capital campaign to help us fund the project.  We will also take a serious look at the football stadium and assess those needs. 
 
Question 4:  Will Title IX have an impact related to NIL, the elimination of scholarship limits and selection of which sports to fund?
 
Doc:  Title IX has an impact on everything we do.  We continue to try and meet the criteria for Title IX. Like I alluded to on the zoom, depending upon the administration that is in office, this may impact the focus of Title IX. What their interpretation will be, is another question.
 
Question 5:  Questions were asked about former ETSU quarterback, Tyler Riddell, and why he was "sent packing"?  Why wasn't Tyler retained when you look at his loyalty to ETSU?  Tyler clearly was a major contributor to our success under Coach Sanders in his last year so is there a loyalty issue?
 
Doc:  I'm not sure that's the right term to use.  As with any coaching change, I think that particular coach felt that he needed to improve the quarterback situation. For those outside the dome, you never know the totality of all the things that are involved in those decisions.  For example, how the coach engaged with the player, how he communicates what the expectations are of the player, where his thoughts are as to a particular position.  I don't know how that communication went between Tyler and the head coach.  I am proud that Tyler earned his degree from ETSU, and the world needs a terrific young man like Tyler in it to make it a better place.  We wish Tyler nothing but the best. 
 
Question 6:  It's been announced Jalen King is coming back to the football team. Does this mean the rule you said was in place at ETSU where athletes who announce their intention to transfer could not return, is that rule no longer valid?
 
Doc:  We definitely do have that rule if a student-athlete announces they are going to transfer; however, when there's a change in coaching, we think it's only fair to give the student-athlete the opportunity to enter the transfer portal because they don't know who the coach is going to be.  Once the coach is here, that gives the new head coach an opportunity to talk to those individuals who have gone in the portal to see if it's a good fit.  This did not only happen for Jalen King to return to the team. There were five to seven players who did return once they realized Coach Healy was going to be our new coach.  Coach Healy then had the opportunity to communicate with them.
 
The only time that rule is waived, is when there is a head coaching change or there's some unusual situation or circumstance that occurs.  Again, our rule is, if you put your name in the NCAA Transfer Portal, that indicates that you don't want to be at ETSU.  If a student-athlete does not want to be here, we'll wish good luck and all the best to them in the future.
 
Question 7:  How much longer are you planning to stay at ETSU and is David Blackburn your successor? 
 
Doc:  I can honestly tell you that I don't know.  I'm pretty old.  As long as my health is good and President Noland can tolerate me, I'll probably stay here as long as I am productive and wanted.
 
When I leave, I'd be surprised if David steps in.  David's terrific!  I don't think he has any desire to get back into the day-to-day management and leadership of an athletic program.  I think that would be great, but I think David had his time in the "barrel" and he's really enjoying what he's doing working with football and our other programs.
 
Those were the questions that I didn't have a chance to answer. I appreciate all of you for your interest in ETSU and participating on the Zoom.
 
The link below is the full video of "Lunch with Doc", from January 30, 2025.