A Wednesday grab bag: Coaches, Hughes, Hand and BCS title odds
Much to the chagrin of Virginia Tech fans, there still hasn’t been any official movement with the coaching staff. Even someone with sources like Doug Doughty is hearing conflicting things from the Hokies, as evidenced by these two tweets four hours apart yesterday:
Looking for VT aide #bryanstinespring to become recruiting coordinator and coach tight ends but turn over OC duties.
— Douglas Doughty (@DoughtySports) January 8, 2013
New #VT source disputes earlier Stinespring report. Plot thickens.
— Douglas Doughty (@DoughtySports) January 8, 2013
So everyone will continue to wait, both for official news on the coaching front and the three juniors’ NFL decisions. In the meantime, here are a few other random notes …
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** The Hokies’ offensive struggles in the bowl game was a boost for at least one player. Freshman punter A.J. Hughes made the USA Today’s All-Bowl team.
Here’s what the paper wrote: “Yes, Virginia Tech’s impotent offense gave Hughes many opportunities to strut his stuff as the Hokies’ punter. He had 11 punts for 464 yards (an average of 42.2 yards per punt) with a long of 57 yards and put four punts inside Rutgers’ 20-yard line.”
** Defensive end Da’Shawn Hand, the top recruit in the 2014 class, listed his top five schools for next year in a tweet. His list, which appears to be in alphabetical order, is Alabama, Michigan, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia Tech. He put Ohio State sixth.
The 6-foot-4, 245-pound Hand, who 247 Sports lists as the No. 1 recruit in his class, is from Woodbridge. He’s remarked in the past about his close bond with his primary recruiter at Tech, defensive coordinator Bud Foster.
** You think it’s too early for national championship odds in 2014? You are wrong. Bovada.com came out with them shortly after Alabama secured the 2013 national championship. Not surprisingly, the Crimson Tide are favorites to complete a three-peat, with 4/1 odds. Virginia Tech has 66/1 odds. That’s 25th on the list.
The Hokies and Crimson Tide, as you know, play in the season opener in the Georgia Dome on Aug. 31. Here are all the teams with better than 100/1 odds:
- Alabama 4/1
- Ohio State 17/2
- Oregon 17/2
- LSU 12/1
- Texas A&M12/1
- Florida State 14/1
- Clemson 16/1
- Florida 16/1
- Georgia 22/1
- Notre Dame 22/1
- Louisville 25/1
- Miami 25/1
- Oklahoma 25/1
- South Carolina 25/1
- Nebraska 28/1
- Stanford 28/1
- Texas 30/1
- Michigan 33/1
- USC 35/1
- Oklahoma State 40/1
- UCLA 40/1
- Wisconsin 50/1
- Mississippi State 60/1
- TCU 66/1
- Virginia Tech 66/1
- Boise State 75/1
- Michigan State 75/1
- North Carolina 75/1
- Oregon State 75/1
January 9, 2013 - 9:26 AM
I can understand the AD staff wanting to keep things quiet, but why so many conflicting rumors. That makes it sound like the staff can’t make up its mind what it wants to do or potential hires can’t make up their minds. This decision is a little bit harder to make than fullback dive on 3rd and long.
The old saying of “no news is good news” does not apply in this situation.
Andy,
Any chance the Fearless Forecasters will be updated to reflect the bowl games and final season standings before next season starts?
VT could sure use a HAND………..
HARHARHARHARHARHARHARHARHARHAR
This process is becoming a JOKE !!! They are handling this process the same way they game plan and call plays, pee wee league style !!!! My guess is no one will take any assistants job or Beamer is in the process of cosmetic change, not substance. There are not many ” up-and-comers ” who will put up with Beamers old style offense and Weavers pay policy.
Concerning the Commonwealth’s top recruit, another example of the offense hurting the team, only this time off the field. I would think a top defensive player would have a lot of concern for what position his defense would be placed in game in an game out, and at VT the ansswer is “not good”. This kids can go anywhere they want, and who would want to deal with VT’s drama right now if they had other choices?
Hey, you guys need to ease up on Coach Beamer, he probably doesn’t know how to go about firing a person.
Wow this is getting ore rediculous by the minute i dont believe Beamer really wants to change the staff all that much is the feeking im getting otherwise some one would have been let go or resigned by now and with onlt a few days before Thomus Exum and Gayle making there NFL decisions thos is taking waaayyyy to much time!!!! Its like there hurryup off when Logan goes to the then looks at da sideline for 10 to 15 secs then has to call a TO cause the clock is running out unbelivable SMH!!!!!!!
Sorry about typos i just awoke and still a lil sleepy
I agree with Tony. This whole process seems to be the exact way Beamer runs the program. Drop the hammer already, bring in whomever is coming and let’s go.
http://rivals.yahoo.com/virginiapreps/football/recruiting/rankings/rank-3013
The above link is the class of 2014 recruits in VA. The talent on the defensive side of the ball is amazing. Tech cannot allow Hand, Holmes, Nnandi, Walker and Clayton to leave the state without fighting hard for them.
Seriously, if no changes are made to this offensive staff, Beamer should be fired, Bud Foster made the head coach and Torian the defensive coordinator. This crap is ridiculous!
The hesitation would seem to some that Beamer does not really want to make any changes in the coaching staff.
Tech opens the season with Alabama,yes that Alabama. Guess which team will win that game?
Tech needs to get better, lots better, and it could start with changes in the coaching staff.
Let’s go Hokies !!!
It takes TWO to MAKE A DEAL! Slavery ended in 1865. The idea that you can just “drop the hammer and bring in whomever” is silly.
Again:
1. If the program sucks as bad as some of you say, why would anyone want to come here?
2. Why would Pep, in particular, want to come here from Stanford where he is having success?
3. The idea that anything is better than Stinespring is stupid. If you think that way, you are stupid.
4. If you want Beamer to rush into it just because you are impatient, you are stupid.
Do any of you guys actually run a business? Are any of you actually responsible for the lives and livlihoods of others? I can’t believe youare because if you were, you would realize that hiring people is best done with thought and consideration. The best staffs are built by people who consider more than the hype that surrounds any one candidate. Some people like staff friction. Some people don’t.
Some people actually consider the ramifications of what they do. Beamer is one of those, whether you like it or not. Beamer may be a number of things, but he is not stupid. If he hired and fired because you are impatient that would be stupid. If he hired and fired because of the news cycle he would be a politician, not a football coach.
Get off his case and let him do what he needs to do.
Nothing’s changed from the month ago when I made my comment about the changes. Only the diversions directed to the press. Same ole – 1 ‘retiring’, 2 ‘choosing to pursue new opportunities’, 1 ‘promoted’ to a new Coordinator position at same salary (4X the norm, but 99.99% of Hokie fans will stupidly ignore it), 1 bendowed with a new Coordinator title while holding the guaranteed for life job until he succeeds daddy, also being named to assume the crown that daddy ignored for nearly a decade (re:new ‘Coordinator’ title).
Bottom line? Stinespring & Shane stay, though in much easier positions. Recruiting Coordinator & Special Teams Coordinator titles will guarantee large protected incomes for the favored sons, but produce no difference in W-L totals.
Zman, comment 18 – I read more of these then I post usually, exception being the past few days, and while I agree it takes thoughtful consideration to do the correct thing, people, their families and livelihoods are in the balance. However, this is NOT a new issue or problem, the signs of this need have been here for several Years and has went too long. Since you mention ‘running a business’ a good business example .. Good to Great I have quoted here before.. ” “People are not your most important asset. The right people are.” … you first get the right people on the bus, and then you get the wrong people off the bus, then the right people in the right seats, ” ..
Everyone please ask yourselves, do you think Frank Beamer is giving everything he has 110% in his power to make the Virginia Tech program the best it can possibly be as it stands right now? The answer to that is no.
Until he realizes he sometimes has to make tough decisions that may hurt feelings but it’s for the greater good of the program, I don’t think he is fully committed. Until he actually takes overall offensive coaching and recruiting seriously on the offensive line, unfortunately we are going to see more seasons like this one. The problem I have with this program today is that Beamer thinks and wants to be something they aren’t. He wants to play run first, physical football like the Stanford’s and Alabama’s yet they don’t recruit to fit that identity. Why are the lines seemingly the problem every year, yet players change and coaches stay the same? I’m assuming you reasonable supporters know exaclty what I’m talking about and the homers will keep making excuses.
Simple as this. No announcement until everything is signed, all t’s crossed, i’s dotted etc. Worse than not making a change would announce prematurely and have to retract. Not fair to second choice if that is route you end up going. There are changes coming soon! Reports today is Beamer is meeting with CERTAIN members of his staff. Also gives the ones released time to pursue next gig without fanfare. This is being done very professionally. After deciding on new hire contract has to approved by administration(Steger). Coaches he is interested in where busy with teams that just finished playing barely a week ago. Relax everybody. Only timeline that had to be met was so Logan knew what future coach was there for him to make his decision. Perfect example of rushing to be rushing is Tn. Made public last two coaching search going after these high profile guys that turn them down and having to settle for solid but not big time name. These coaches have no appeal because everyone, recruits, current players etc all know this guy was a replacement for who was really wanted. Loss of credability first day on job.
I really don’t know what the whole SLAVERY drivel is all about so eff even discussing that! 11 years is patience enough to see that this offensive staff was not producing. That seems to counter any mentioning of thought, consideration and dealing with ramifications, which are the traits that you feel Beamer has.
Beamer should hire and fire not because of my or any other poster who offers an opinion about the situation at Virginia Tech, he should hire and fire because, from a business standpoint, the offensive side of the ball was not meeting the bottom line! In football, the bottom line on offense is to score, and only a dummy or a blind man would think that the Virginia Tech offense for the last eleven years was any good at that!
And we are going to have to just disagree on whether Beamer is intelligent or not. I have watched enough of his games and have seen with my own eyes some good things and some very stupid things out of him. The fake punt in the Sugar Bowl, the third and Pickle, the fact that FSU has zero rushing offense when we played them for the national title but kept blitzing them and the sheer stupidity of redshirting Logan Thomas and then making him a QB being the most stupid!
And I believe the news media, as well as posters such as myself can plainly see that he has not done what he was supposed to do, that is why he is feeling the heat now! There are high school programs in the Tidewater with offensive staffs better than Virginia Techs, that can adjust during the game, will not hesitate to play a freshman and will fire a coach or coaching staff if they are not producing!
757
You mean like this one?
85 – Korren Kirven – DL – 6’5″ – 292lbs – Fr – Lynchburg Va.
copied from Alabama’s 2012 roster.
excuse the lack of fluidity in the 3rd paragraph, but ya’ll get the point. We should have stopped trying to blitz Weinke so much. Florida State could not run on us! Beamer admitted to this himself, but like always with him, too little, too late!
HIgh school programs and staffs better than VT? Nepotism? Stupid coaches?
Ignorant comments confirmed in writing
What’s really stupid is the suggestion that Stanford offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton would replace Stinespring as OC. It would be a step down for Hamilton and Beamer will screw him if he tells Hamilton that he’ll be VT’s HC after Beamer leaves; Shane has that job wrapped up. Hamilton SHOULD replace Beamer, but it will be a few years before the die-hard Hokies emerge from their denial and accept that Beamer is responsible for the relative deterioration in VT’s performance since the year of the Kansas loss. He’s failed to adapt and it shows in the offensive performance and on special teams. The last few games in 2012 VT’s defense returned to its old form. Sure, VT has won games because of big-time plays by Tyrod for a couple of years and Thomas last year, but it’s been clear to many for several years that VT lacks good offensive coaches. Frankly, the line blocked much better and matured more rapidly when Stinespring was more involved with their coaching and not in the booth.
Anyway, there’s a high probability that VT’s defense will play very well against Bama, Thomas will have a great game, and talk of change will fade once again because of VT’s athletes, not their offensive coaches. VT has the defense in 2013 to make some big plays against Bama’s new, inexperienced o-line, and VT might beat Bama. Of course, it is more likely that Beamer maintains the status quo, VT gets creamed, and everyone but Weaver starts calling for Beamer’s firing.
Yeah Hokie in Gamecock country, just like that! You can’t let Korren Kirven get out of here without fighting for him. Alabama has there eyes all over the Tidewater again with the 2014 class. Why else would they even schedule the game. It’s a recruiting tool. Saban fully expects to win that game against Virginia Tech. You don’t see the Chick – Fil- A Bowl setting up any FSU vs Bama matchups or any LSU vs FSU matchups because they aren’t sure that they can beat FSU! But Bama is very sure they can beat Tech and then come into this state and clean house on potential recruits.
If you have a bad coach and a good QB, you can generally compete for the National Championship, witness 1999 with Michael Vick. Beamer is a good guy, a Fancy Gap regular guy and has an impressive win record. Butr even if he wins 8,000 games and can never move this club to the next level and beat a top five team or beat a good bowl team, then he will still be looked at as a failure by such coaches as Saban, Miles, Carroll or even Dabo Sweeney or maybe Paula Johnson. Also, I was off base a bit with Bud Foster’s defensive record; they gave up an average of 30 points a game against Clemson over 3 games, they did a little bit better the last couple of years defensively but it was still around 20 points per game given up. The statistics might get off to a rough start next year with Bama if the Tide plays the first string.
Forever Hokie, one of the best things that could happen in this state was the VHSL restructuring the divisions from AAA, AA and A. Not that it hasn’t happened before, a team from the western part of the state playing a team from the Tidewater, but it will happen more often. I still remember when Lee Suggs played for, I believe it was Patrick Henry Roanoke or William Fleming, and they played the Hampton Crabbers at Norfolk State for the state title. Suggs was shut down, and Hampton put on an offensive display. I think the final score was 54-7. This year, the rest of the state will understand why the Tidewater is like it is, because you will see more of it. And yes, the Hampton High offensive staff is much better than VT’s. You can add Phoebus and Oscar Smith to that too. Just ask Curt Newsome, he’s from the 757 and coached at Kecoughtan, he’ll tell you who is better!
#15 – I agree with you. Getting the right person, or people, is key. What makes them “right” can encompass a world of difference in style. Organizational culture has allot to do with it.
#18 – I used the “S” word because hiring decisions are 2-way streets. You don’t just “go get someone”. They have a choice to make as well. Too often fans on this site seem to think that we can “get” anyone we feel like.
#22 – Yup, stupid suggestion. Have you ever been promised something at work and then didn;t get it? Either because the promiser left, or, didn;t have the authority to pronmise, or, couldn’t make it come true? Promising what you can’t control is stupid. I don’t think Beamer is stupid. So, what can’t he control? His own health for one thing. Who the next AD is and how they see the world. Accidents. The future. Anyone who comes beliving the Beamer can fulfill a promise that they become HC really ought to get their head examined. That might work on a kid, but not a real pro. Mature professionals know that “the truth changes” and promises aren;t good unless they are in writing and even then, subject to litigation. HC’s in waiting is a concept that has not worked very well. You think coaches and their agents don’t know this?
#26 757 – Suggs played HS ball at William Flemming. And there are some really good HS coaches in VA, however I don’t think it is a similar comparison.
We’re gonna get a little off topic here but you feel that slavery was a two way street or that the supposed ending of it was a two way street?
Drawing conclusions without evidence is not smart. The evidence tells us that Beamer is looking for a new OC. Beyond that, nothing will be known until the contract is signed.
The old O coaches are family to Frank, he will not hang them out to dry. Its difficult enough to make these changes without all of the infantile sniping. Leave him to do his job, please.
PA based Hokie, that Hampton High team had Ronald Curry, Marques Hagans, Elton Brown, Jimmy Williams before he went over to Bethel, Muffin Curry, Ahmad Hawkins, and Bobby Blizzard. That’s at least five guys who went on to NFL. Not only did coach Smith have the horses he knew what to do with them. They crushed Warwick multiple times with Vick at QB. Crushed Bethel when he went over to Bethel. Crushed Western Branch with Vince Hall. Crushed Deep Creek when they had the running back everybody wanted, I think his name may have been Stith or something like that, he and Dre Bly ended up at North Carolina and they absolutely crushed my high school to the tune of 88-0! It’s one thing to have the horses, quite another knowing what to do with them. Now think about what V-Tech has had, especially the 2009 team on offense. With the current offensive coaches they had the 35th or the 38th best offense. If they had a competent coaching staff, that team could have been a top five offense, it was that loaded.
Brian and 757 know what they’re talking about
I’ve only read the first few posts of this blog. Haven’t any of you folks ever hired anyone before? You don’t hire the first person you talk to. You go over several candidates, check them out and then interview. You folks want them to make the perfect hire on your time table because you are impatient. Changes will come, but I’m willing to wait for the right changes. No firing or reassignments will be announced until they are ready to announce the new hires.
“You don’t hire the first person you talk to. You go over several candidates, check them out and then interview.”
That’s very good advice 540Hokie, I wonder if that was the practice when Stinespring was hired? Were several candidates interviewed, or was Stinespring just handed the keys? You would have made a wonderful Athletic Director!
757 I am not saying the Tidewater coaches are not good. I use to love the Hampton Crabbers. What I am saying is you can not compare high school coaches to college coaches. It is not a comparison. It is little x’s and o’s for the high schools and not the big X’s and O’s for the colleges. Not the same pressure or scrutiny. Not the blogs that think they know everything and want to tell the college coach what to do and what timeline to follow
And seriously, I like Bud Foster too, he’s had some head scratchers, but for the most part I like him. But if you check the link out that I provided for the Virginia class of 2014 prospects, Vincent Mihota is already committed as a defensive end. He is quoted as saying that the coaches told him that if he gets bigger he may move down to defensive tackle, I totally disagree with that. They need to keep him at end, and if they need a tackle go get one. Heck, get three or four. This is probably the only issue I have with the defense, the constant shuffling around of players from year to year and the recruiting approach to the defensive line. Virginia Tech is simply going to have to get bigger and deeper along the defensive line. They have played enough powerhouse teams and lost, to understand now that to beat an Alabama, your defensive line is going to have to be as big, and as deep as Bama’s offensive line. If Bama’s guards are 6-5, 330, your d tackle should be the same, or darn close. If Bama rotates guards, then you had better be rotating defensive tackles. That’s the only way Tech is going to beat Bama, Ohio State, Wisconsin, and all these other teams they are playing in the future. I’ve been looking at Ohio State’s recruiting and they are stockpiling on the defensive line. If Tech doesn’t get it together, it is going to be another national embarrassment for the program when they play them.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=_v6K-NIGyCA
Forever Hokie this is for you. Hands down, Tyrod Taylor was the best QB Virginia Tech has ever had. And listen to the coach at the elite 11 camp say that out of all the QB’s, Tyrod had the best footwork and mechanics. That’s coaching, before he got to Tech!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=lvSSpeTmIeY
TECH VS ALABAMA 2009
I loved Tyrod Taylor. You knew that he was going to give you the best he had every game. But, best mechanics, no. He started out with a looping throwing motion a la Randall Cunningham that was greatly improved as time went on. I give Best Throwing Mechanics award to Don Strock.
Tyrod was a good Hokie QB, but it took him 3 full years to learn how to play the position. It’s a comparison to a guy like AJ McCarron who has QB’ed his third year at Alabammer, and seems so polished and smooth. It took a long time for Tyrod to get to that stage, while McCarron has been there for quite a while. That goes to show that the utterly deficient coaches that Frank Beamer clung to so desperately in his ‘family’ environment were hugely inferior to those Nick Saban expected to perform at an elite level.
Just think if Frank Beamer only hired and retained competent coaches, what Tyrod’s last three years could have been, instead of it taking Tyrod three years to learn his position like it did.
That’s the difference in erecting an empty trophy case, then pointing to it as some fake sense of pride – and in actually working to fill whatever trophy cases are already on hand.
757, They’re taking their time so as to not make the same mistake twice.