Some quick hits from today’s presser: Virginia Tech introduces its new offensive coaching staff
Virginia Tech introduced its new coaches today. As such, there are a mountain of quotes to sift through.
Here are a few of the larger points from the press conference I thought I’d point out now. I’ll have much more on the new coaches over the next week on the blog:
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– Head coach Frank Beamer was very appreciative of what Mike O’Cain, Curt Newsome and Kevin Sherman had done for the program, but he felt a change was necessary. “The bottom line is that we weren’t as efficient as we needed to be,” he said, not pinning the blame on one person. “And with that, I felt like we needed to make some changes. … I feel like when things are not working as well as they need to, you need to change it around.”
– In introducing offensive coordinator Scot Loeffler, offensive line coach Jeff Grimes and receivers coach Aaron Moorehead, Beamer said, “When you add new ideas, new people, new personalities, I think there’s a freshness there. That kind of starting over gets everyone excited.”
– The new staff’s eventual yearly salaries will be as follows: Loeffler $400K, Grimes $265K, Moorehead $150K. Grimes and Loeffler are also both eligible for $50,000 retention bonuses on Jan. 1, 2015. Bryan Stinespring, who was stripped of his offensive coordinator duties and will now be recruiting coordinator, had his salary readjusted from $364K to $300K.
– Now, Loeffler will be paid $150,000 per year through June 30, 2014, and Grimes will be paid the same through June 30, 2013 (prorated amounts for partial years). That’s because their previous stop, Auburn, owes them the difference from their new salary to their old one through the life of their contracts with the Tigers. Loeffler made $500K at Auburn and Grimes $400K. So Auburn has to make up the difference there, which is a pretty good chunk of change. To put the salaries in perspective, Bud Foster makes roughly $500K as defensive coordinator.
– Stinespring’s contract runs thorugh June 30, 2016, while Loeffler, Grimes and Moorehead’s go through June 30, 2015.
– Titles. Everybody’s got one. Grimes is running game coordinator. Additionally, Charley Wiles is the defensive running game coordinator and secondary coach Torrian Gray will add defensive passing game coordinator to his title. The only coach who is not a “coordinator” of some sort or an assistant head coach is Moorehead, who simply is receivers coach.
– Beamer spoke highly of Stinepspring, who had said he “convinced” to stay on staff. Why’d he stay? “It’s always been the right situation for me and my family. Virginia Tech’s part of who I am. It’s inside of me,” Stinespring said. “It’s something I care a great deal about. I think when you go back and look at it and say, ‘OK, in the decision process, is the essential figure yourself.’ Then I think sometimes I situation like this might be a little difficult. But if the central figure is Virginia Tech and these kids that you love and have loved for over 20 years, and this university and this program, then it’s not so difficult. He and I talked a couple different times. He knows how I feel about this place and this university. There’s a dream we’re chasing. And I’ve been fortunate and blessed to have a front row seat to a great football story. I’m excited about the next chapter of it.”
– Stinespring said he talked with Beamer shortly after the season. That’s when he found out the direction Tech was going in. Did he know Tech needed an overhaul? “I knew that we didn’t play well enough this year,” Stinespring said. Was it awkward? “It wasn’t as difficult as you may imagine only because of the guy I was having the conversation with,” Stinespring said. “Because of the strength of that relationship, because the respect that you have, you’re able to work through that conversation.”
– Although Beamer said they’d talk about recruiting locations later for the new staff, Stinespring said Grimes will handle Western Pennsylvania, Stinespring and Cornell Brown will be in the 757. Loeffler will recruit quarterbacks and Grimes offensive linemen anywhere, though.
– Here’s a list of folks Beamer talked to while getting ideas for people to fill these jobs: John and Jim Harbaugh, Nick Saban, Pete Carroll, Lloyd Carr, Urban Meyer, Bobby Bowden, Will Muschamp, Mark Richt, David Shaw, Bruce Arians, Clyde Christensen, Jim Tressel, Steve Addazio.
– In an offensive coordinator, Beamer wanted someone who held the same philosophy as him. He said that starts with running the football. Loeffler fit the bill. “The philosophies that have always been here at Virginia Tech is what I grew up in, particularly during my Michigan years,” Loeffler said. “So we’re getting to play to the strengths of our team. We understand that Virginia Tech has always played great defense, they’ve always played great special teams. We need to have an offense that is able to run the football effectively. Play-action pass, be productive on third down and obviously in the red area, score touchdowns rather than field goals. But the similarities that you see, there are things Bryan has done here in the past in his system that are similar to what we believe in. I think the marriage between what they’ve done in the past and what we want to do is excellent.”
– Loeffler met with Logan Thomas the day before he had to make his NFL decision. He said it kind of felt like recruiting him. “He’s an absolutely wonderful person,” Loeffler said. “I think he’s got tremendous upside. The thing I really like about him is that Virginia Tech football is important to him. And he came back to win championships and to make sure that his legacy is to go out his senior year as a champion.”
– Grimes and Loeffler coached together at Auburn. They are of a similar mindset. “I think we had an immediate connection,” Grimes said. “He’s probably in a former life been an offensive lineman. Because he has a lot more the temperament and some of the personal habits of an offensive lineman. But he coaches like an offensive line coach does. And what I mean by that is he’s very demanding, he gets after the guys. He and I just really have a great relationship and have spent the last year getting to know one another. I feel great about being here with him. I believe wholeheartedly in his ability as a coach, as a coordinator. And I’ve been around some great ones, but this guy has more football knowledge than anybody I’ve ever been around and is a great motivator too, so I’m really excited to be here with him.”
– Loeffler didn’t want to get into what happened at Auburn, when the Tigers’ offense sputtered in 2012. He said he wasn’t going to talk about it out of respect for people there. “I’m at Virginia Tech and it’s a new year,” he said. “Did I learn a lot of lessons? Absolutely. Do I want to get into those lessons? No. Absolutely not. I’m at Virginia Tech and I’m excited to help this program win.
– Beamer looked past the stats at Auburn in making this hire. “I think you deal in what’s real,” Beamer said. “The people I talked to, it was overwhelmingly positive. Then when I sat down and visited with them, I certainly was convinced. I think in this business, it happens. Andy Reid leaves Philadelphia and the next day he goes to Kansas City. It’s circumstances sometimes. The players you’ve got. I think you’ve got to take in what’s real. Are you a good coach? Are you what you’re looking for or not? I’m thoroughly convinced I’ve got three excellent guys here.”
– Here’s Grimes’ offensive line philosophy, which should be music to Virginia Tech fans’ ears: “What I’m worried about is developing the toughest line in the ACC. And that’s something that is hard to measure and it’s one of those things that you can’t necessarily put a statistic with it, but I think you know it when you see it. That’s going to be my number one goal and approach. In order for us to do that, we’ve got to have the mindset up front, in order for us to do the things on offense, particularly running the football, we’ve got to have the approach up front that we’re going to dominate the game from the offensive line position. It’s the only way it works. It’s the only way your offense takes a physical approach. We’ve got to be essentially the big brothers of everybody else on the offense. I believe we’re the tip of the spear, so to speak, the first in to fight. And if we do our job with the right approach and the right mindset, then I think the other guys will follow.”
– Moorehead’ name came up during Virginia Tech’s talks with Stanford’s Pep Hamilton. “The thing I think about Aaron here is he actually walked on at Illinois and ended up being an all-conference player,” Beamer said. “And then he wasn’t drafted out of college, but then he played with Peyton Manning and Indianapolis for five years. He’s a guy who knows about hard work and dedication and out-working the other guy and be efficient. I think he brings a lot from that standpoint. I told him the other day that I kind of like him because he reminds me of me. He wasn’t always athletically what you needed, but he kind of worked harder than anybody else. I think he brings a lot to the table also.”
– Moorehead is a Midwest guy, so the snow doesn’t bother him. He said he first got introduced to Virginia Tech in the Orange Bowl a few years back. “You watch the athletes they had all over the field,” he said. “Not just receivers, defensive backs, but the linebackers, the defensive line and the tailbacks and the quarterback at that time was obviously a very good football player. And anyone that’s anyone knows that Virginia Tech has had great athletes for a long time. It was an obvious choice that when I got here you’d have great athletes.”
January 25, 2013 - 3:32 PM
Welcome all! We are glad to have you here.
Who is the little guy in the middle? Is that FB? At least we are bringing in big coaches.
Welcome to the Hokie Nation, gentlemen! We wish you much success.
Let the games begin. I am excited about these guys. I’m also impressed with Beamer’s search process. It appears to have been extensive with a lot of collaboration. We’ve become used to Bud emoting on the sideline; it will be nice now to see someone from the Offense doing the same.
Will Shane get the $64,000 that was taken from Stinespring? Stinespring should have gotten a big fat raise if the Colts are interested in him. Don’t yuse guys agree? The year that Spurrier was interested in Bud Foster as a defensive coordinator resulted in Foster getting around $100,000 annually to remain at VT. Do you think Foster is more valuable than Stiney?
That little guy in the middle would have knocked you into next week when he was playing at VT. He has always worked hard and never gives up.
Really Barry? You have to ask the question if Foster is worth more than Stinespring?
Welcome to the new guys, looking forward to an improved game plan next season.
I hope someone was there with a shovel during the Stinespring portion of the session, there was a lot of fertilizer being spread pretty deep. I’m sure Beamer had to do a lot of “convincing” to keep Stinespring on staff, even with the modest pay cut. After all, his alternative was unemployment — tough choice. The fact that the guy didn’t get the boot with O’Cain (too bad he was the one thrown under the bus) shows that Beamer still doesn’t understand the reality of his program — which is why it probably took this long and lots of pressure from some big-money donors to make this change, even if it is several years too late.
Hopefully the new coordinators will have free rein to run their parts of the team the way they want to and with some direction toward an identity. Alabama won’t be any test, VT will be lucky to be in that game at the half. The true measure will come against the rest of the schedule. Go Hokies!
I totally love the exchange between Exum and Morehead. Andy, could you go into more depth with that? That won over the fans, myself included, when Morehead told Exum his receivers were going to outwork everybody.
I’m 100% sold on the hires and I’m going to rally behind the program. I hope the rest of Hokies Nation does.
Hokiesports.com has Stinespring listed as tight ends/offensive tackles coach. Does that mean Grimes coaches the other 3 guys?
Talk is talk and the results will tell but, right now, I’m thinking coach Beamer may well have hit a home run with these hires. Moorehead may not have a lot of experience but he obviously knows about hard work, kind of like Cody Grimm.
oh yeah, I’m excited too! I think it will take awhile, but these new coaches should be of great help. Probably help with recruiting too. I also agree that it will be nice to see some coaches on the sideline showing some emotion besides Bud Foster.
Let’s get on with the show!!! Go Hokies!!!!!!!!!
Stiney is tight ends and recruiting coordinator. Grimes has the whole o-line, plus run-game coordinator. HokieSports has it listed wrong.
Would like to invite all Hokie Fans to come to hear Johnny Shelton, Tech’s Sports Chaplain speak at the 9:00AM and 11:00AM Services on February 3rd, Superbowl Sunday at Parkway Wesleyan Church. The Church is located on Top of the Hill off of 460 East. turn Right on Mexico Way. Afterwards we will have an indoor Tailgate Party with the Hokie Bird and several of the Tech Players along lots of Free Food and an Autograph Session with Small Footballs at no cost.
Come and Enjoy the Day with a Lot of Hokie Fans.
Don’t have any inside info on big money donor pressure. I am simply glad that Coach Beamer took the time necessary to get some highly motivated new coaching talent into the program. I still like the way he conducts business in the name of my alma mater. I doubt all the bloviating on this blog had much influence. That being said, I really appreciate your effort Andy on keeping us all informed on even the smallest program detail. living 4 1/2 hours from Tech, this is my link to what’s happening. Can’t wait for spring game!
Trevor, I too loved the Exum exchange. Good guy, great athlete and Hokie!
I have some friends from VT (believe it or not!) and they say that when the football practices are going on, Beamer is rarely there., i.e., no real interaction until game time and ESPN time, photo ops, hot dog sales, etc. Could that be correct? Maybe he doesn’t work as hard as he used to but….I don’t either.
Beamer’s out there at every practice. And yes, he’s involved. I can’t speak for what happens behind the scenes, but I can for practices.
Loved to hear the new OC say we need TD in the red zone rather than FG that sure is a change aiready!!
I would believe you before I would believe my friends. Thanks. I think they were setting me up, they might not like the Jackets as much as I do.
Why’d Stiney stay? 300K, any other answer is BS. In addition he had no job offers, the report that he was talking to a NFL team came from Doug Doughty and he got it from Stiney.
Hokiesports.com has been corrected.
Andy: Don’t get suckered in by Barry the Idiot from Ivy. He’s just trying to instigate and provoke as usual. To insinuate that Coach Beamer is not at the practices is preposterous and doesn’t deserve rebuttal on your part in my opinion!
#14…I wouldn’t use the church to promote your football team, there is enough of the watered down gospel going around as it is. I don’t think any sports jerseys or paraphanelia should be allowed in the churches. This is promoting man and his idols rather than the Lord. I know what I am talking about.
I’d like to say welcome to the new coaches. Looking forward to improvements.
#24 HE IS THE VIRGINIA TECH CHAPLAIN .GET OVER YOURSELF!
Beamer spoke to Clyde Christensen, not Todd Christensen.
Hey “Forever Hokie”- lighten up. I’m not a whiny baby like a lot of the other posters here, and I played OT, so I have gone up against guys like FB.
Funny, Teel thought the same thing- from TSL:
“Teel: Frank, before these changes, the average age of the offensive staff was about 50, now it’s about 40. Was that intentional?
Beamer: Not only younger, but taller … everybody stand up. [Coaches stand up and tower over Beamer.]”
So I guess my comment wasn’t really that far off base. Have you ever played football on a team?
Barry from Ivy I appreciate your comment on Johnny Shelton Speaking at the Sunday Services on Superbowl Sunday but you are misinformed that we are trying to promote the Football Program at Tech. We are merely using a very Dynamic Speaker and Minister of the Gospel to reach people that otherwise might not attend a Church Service. I am aware of the impact that Johnny Shelton has had on many Young Lives at Tech and everywhere he speaks so I Respectfully disagree with your Views on this matter.
Rob, you’re right. I misheard him when he was talking.
Great update Andy. Most profound thing I read, get six instead of three in the red zone. Stiny always thought three was enough to win with VT’s defense and special teams. Hopefully that mindset is gone.
What really impressed me the most is the fact Frank Beamer called the other coaches for advice. That absolutely floored me. Nick Saban, of all people, and I’m sure that Saban probably suggested Loeffler to Beamer because, if I recall right, Loeffler was on Saban’s short list before Saban went with somebody else.
That clearly shows that Frank was doing his due diligent, even the silence from his office were maddening, but I have to give credit to where credit’s due.
Folks! Let’s give these new Staff members time to recruit their type of players and see what they can do with them before the same “OLD CRowd” starts picking them apart!
Barry – Just get lost – Who cares about your CRAP!
Welcome to Hokie Nation all new Coaches!
Okay, I am leaving the Hokie site, I know you will miss me. However, I do honestly think there is a chance you could beat Alabama. If you do, then you control your own destiny. This may be your best chance yet to get to the Big Dance. Good luck and thanks for putting up with me. BTW, I don’t have a problem with the Chaplain speaking at a church, my problem is when football becomes bigger than the real message. Moderation is good.
A breath of fresh air. A coach who can improve quarterbacks. A real offensive line coach. Hopefully players will be recruited for the line. Not converted tight ends. A new day is dawning. We might have a chance against Alabama. It won’t be 72 to 3. Congratulations ! A decision like this 3 years ago would have changed history.
Where’s crooked roadster ? As Jimmy Carter said, ‘I’m cauiously optimistic ! Beamer is still here. THAT IS A BIG NEGATIVE.
Still no ‘Bama game this Fall. I won’t be fooled by Spring Practice.
I too have heard players say Beamer is never around. We can hope so.
Let’s drink to ’13 ! !
Peppers Ferry, why so negative about Beamer? Did he steal your date to the prom or something? There was a huge clamor for a change on offense, we got it. Better late than never. Now we see if the changes do any good. Beamer is the win record leader amongst active coaches. That is saying something. Oh yes I hear the cupcake argument coming. Don’t care. I have had a ton of enjoyment watching this team over the last 20 years. Blacksburg and Christiansburg have exploded…due to VT and somewhat to VT football and all that contains. The bloody Bama game is scheduled…it is there in Black and White. If you have information to the contrary, spit it out, otherwise you are spouting nonsense.
Jimmy Carter!!!! Please don’t drag his senile rear end out!! We have enough nuts in DC. Bloody fools take an oath to uphold something they have never taken the time to read.
Welcome to the new coaches. Sounds like a good group with talent and great work ethics. Looking forward to a good year on 13.
HokieHope, Some good linemen in the past came to Tech as TE’s. Duane Brown, All=Pro for Houston. He didn’t convert until his sophmore year and played well. I remember seeing him catch a TD pass as a freshman. The 49ers have a good tackle, Joe Staley, went to Central Michigan as a TE. OL’s need good footwork as well as strength and size. These guys still have the footwork even after adding the bulk to play the OL. I’ve never seen it as a problem.
#14 DH, everyone needs to go back and reread this post. For those close enough and weather permitting, that would be a very nice change of pace on a Sunday morning. I’ve no idea, but perhaps some of the new coaches might even be there in attendance for that one time/location. Even if not, as noted there will be some Hokie players. That would be a nice time to interact with them in an unofficial setting.
Very solid report and info from the conference, Andy. Well done. Interesting to see the initial comments from the new coaches as well as the ‘official’ stance from Frank Beamer regarding everything. I found his comments on Stinespring, as well as Stinespring’s own comments pretty telling and not at all surprising. Also VERY interesting to note that Stinespring was signed to a new contract that is longer than those of the new hires, for those that skimmed over that one.
Okay, time to turn the page on that one.
Loeffler’s philosophy is pretty much as expected. I’d love to see a more ‘wide open’ mindset, but then Hokie football on the offensive side has always been more inline with his predicted efforts than one of pass first. That’s been the case under every coach, excepting Charlie Coffey, not just under Frank Beamer. So that’s fine, too. I think/hope the main contribution Loeffler provides is a consistent focus more than anything else. Less knee jerk guessing at offensive philosophy, lots more actual knowledge and focus. That in itself will be a big help.
Grimes is the one new coach that will have the largest impact, I predict. I am really impressed with him. Let’s hope he puts the toughness into our OL, like he predicts. It has been sorely missing and sorely needed for years now.
All in all, it’s nice to have this all made public and official finally. Now it’s time for them to go to work and make their imprints!
David in Salem, I agree with your comments 100%. Beamer has been nothing but a tremendous asset to VT football, southwest Va. and the university. No question. Those who say otherwise are just masquerading as Hokies.
Crooked Road, look on page 7 of the RT sports section and see that Stinespring took a $62,230 pay cut. That’s one less item for you to gripe, I mean rant about.
Now if someone can make that trophy case disappear the world will be a better place for Crooked Road, right?
“tip of the spear, first in the fight” I like it. Stick it in, Stick it in ,Stick it in. Peppers fairy , Barry is leaving, maybe you could catch a ride. We will play bama, and we can win that game! Go Hokies !
Crooked, I agree with almost all of your comments in post #41. I do like structuring the offense around a strong ground attack though. I like passing on first down but you don’t have to have a pass first offense to be good at it. Grimes seems to fall right in line with the offensive mindset that has been brought and I think Hokie fans are gonna see us getting more physical up front from the start. I like that, because when you are getting the offense going north and south then youre able to hit that PAP pass on first down for a TD. You also soften up the edges to run those plays that stretch the field that go for more than 3 yards like they did last year, instead we get chunks of yardage on those plays. I could care less how much Stinespring is making or how long he’s signed for but I applaud you for closing that argument. You getting soft on us? I agree, lets talk about the program moving forward.
My concern with Stiney still on the O-Staff, is who will have F Beamer’s “Biggest Ear?” My hope is that the OC will direct and manage the “O” and CB only impacts 4th down decisions.
Grimes has the toughest job, our O-Line has not been good for a number of years. Is it the teaching abilities of the coaches or the capacity to improve with the linemen we have on the team?
My belief, we will all see post the Bama game, is that we have up-graded the capability of the O-Staff and only the on-field performance will affirm that belief.
GO HOKIES!!! GFB-VT `63
No matter how good a coach you are, you can not make a turtle run like a rabbit. You can not make a French Poodle as strong as a Black Bear. Unless VT coaches recruit a heck of a lot more Rabbits and Black Bears, they will continue to disappoint their faithful fans. Was the word “Recruiting” mentioned during this press conference? You can not claim to have a “National” program without a majority of your players being ranked “National Talent!” BIG TIME RECRUITING, Frank, the game today is BIG TIME RECRUITING.
Looking at the photo I hope all three of those guys have eligibility left because I would like to see them in our line.
Bye bye Barry. Bye bye Barry. Bye bye Barry we’re glad to see you go…..
I never realize how sort Frank is.
SHORT
#45 COM, there are two reasons I prefer a more open offense. Both of them can be addressed in similar manner. Don’t get me wrong, I like the visceral lure of running the ball right over top of the defense. I really do. The most exciting offense I’ve ever seen was the Wishbone, ala Oklahoma, where they managed to attract the elite skill backs and just decimate people.
Anyway, here’s what we REALLY need in the future. We need to find a way to secure 4/5* recruits at a higher conversion ratio. We just HAVE to do a better job of that. I’m not going to get into a pointless argument about who we got and what they were rated. That’s not my point. My point is about opportunity cost. Who did we miss out on that were elite Va/NC/Md HS recruits? We’ve just got to get more of those guys.
Secondly, to make this ground game work the way it used to? We’ve GOT to get a tough and, AND, athletic offensive line. I fully believe in Jeff Grimes. I might be proven wrong later, but I like this guy. I’ve got confidence he’ll coach the OL the way they need.
Even though I said only two things – I want to see us evolve our strength & conditioning to modern concepts. I think the team overall could improve from that. I don’t have confidence that we’re maintaining cutting edge strength & conditioning like so many teams. That wins ball games in the fourth quarter, that wins ball games on the goal line, that wins ball games in the trenches. It’s not body mass, it’s strength & conditioning. That’s the next page. It’s not time for old friends and comfort levels. It’s about forging the iron. That’s the next page.
The primary reason for my desire for a more open offense? Recruits. That gets back to the original point. Recruits all think they’re all going to be NFL superstars. No matter how much you try to reason with them, they all think they’re going to be the greatest. They want to shine. To be on ESPN highlights, and YouTube clips. A more open offense draws more skill players – QB, RB, WR, even TE’s. A more open offense draws more TV attention, so that even the OL gets attention for being capable in a modern offense. Look at the NFL. There you have higher passing, more open offenses. Yes, Alabama won the MNC with a ground game, but here’s the deal. Players want to go where they think they’ll be prepped for the NFL. Why has VT gotten good RB recruits in the past? Because they know that’s the one position on offense that they’ll be showcased for the NFL.
In today’s offensive philosophy, a RB can still be showcased in a spread formation, balanced/passing offense. 65 offensive plays in a game, like VaTech has averaged over the last decade-plus? Over 40 of them were rushes. Always between 42-45 were rushes. Typically 20-25 were passes, until the last couple of seasons. See, even with Logan Thomas throwing for so many yards? We’re still a rushing team. Even with him setting records, we still rush more than pass. But at least we’re passing more than just occasionally.
We need that to be more balanced than what has been the long term trend for us. It’s a new day in college football. The chains have been moved. I know all about intended passes that turn into rushing attempts, that still doesn’t make it balanced. Offensive skill players, which are a significant portion of the elite recruits coming out of our recruiting region, those guys want to see open offenses. It’s a different world, and about different things than it was back in the day. That’s what I’m saying…
Crooked, never thought I’d read that much from you without at least one scoff or major disagreement, but, well, I guess I’ve crossed the Rubicon ’cause I agree with what you just said. Pretty much all of it. I have griped for years about not getting high quality receivers for just that reason, and don’t think that isn’t used against us with every decent receiver we’ve gone after in the past twenty years. The list of good receivers we have gotten is too well known to bother recounting, but how many have we lost because of our stodgy offensive schemes.
It was nice to hear Frank Beamer admit what the world has known for years, that he hates change, but I’m all for giving this new bunch a hearty welcome and a ton of support. Thing is, cupcakes or not, we have won a ton of games in the last 20 years and I think FB is a good football coach and at this point I have a lot of confidence in him. Maybe these changes will help him make others regarding recruiting focus and effort. Like many, I would rather see a wide open offense, creative pass plays, play action, etc. But if we’re gonna be stodgy, then let’s be tough, hard to beat stodgy.
Thanks Crooked Roadster. Good sound comments. Was the wishbone at OK first, or they just did it the best? Was Royal and UT first, or was that the Veer ? Some high schools tried it. Don’t be a stranger!
#52 Perch, I don’t post the stuff I post to flame or troll, I believe all of it. I know that might be scary to you and some others. I’ve said this forever and it gets ignored, I want to see VaTech sports of all kinds succeed at the highest levels. When I’m critical of Weaver or Beamer or Stinespring, it’s only because I’ve got foundation for doing so, and I try to provide that foundation.
I was the 1st or 2nd person on here to post after it was well known who the hires were, and I was supportive of them all the way through, while providing context and foundation for doing so.
I will never be a blindered cheerleader, because that is not what our teams deserve. If we’re deficient for a reason, I want to discuss the reason so we can overcome it. If we’ve got a coach who doesn’t want to reach for the stars, it’s worthy of discussion. At the same time, I’m not raking anyone over the coals without what I think is foundation.
The hoops team, for example, is ‘suffering’ right now. I predicted it would happen, because I had foundation for why that would occur. It doesn’t make me happy, and I’m not blasting Johnson for what are some evident weaknesses. He’s doing his best. Just like it is evident that Bud Foster expects the best from his guys, and Jeff Grimes will expect the best from his guys, I expect full effort. That’s all. If it doesn’t happen, I’ll scorch the ground when necessary. I praise when it’s deserved. That gets ignored on here a lot, though.
It’s funny, multiple times every week on here, somebody says something to the effect of ‘I hate to say this, but you make a great point…’ They hate to do it because they don’t like other points I made where they disagreed. That’s the only reason. I’m fine with that. I post way more than anyone else because I care so much. I vent because I care so much. I’m not saying I care more than others, I’m just saying I care. I’m not a hater, I’m just passionate. I’ve been there for longer than some of my detractors have been alive. I know that they don’t understand it. No big deal.
These three new guys? I hope for a lot from them. I hope they’re allowed to influence the program. Change is NOT bad. The world changes every day, to fight that is to retreat, not advance. If you’re not getting ahead, then you’re falling behind. Plain & simple…
#53 pepper, the wishbone debuted at Texas first. If I remember correctly, in 1968 Emory Bellard was the assistant coach who drew it up for Darrell Royal, then the Texas head coach. They ran it extremely well, but Oklahoma adopted it under Barry Switzer soon after and just went crazy with it. I think Texas beat Arkansas for the 1969 championship with it. OU dominated in the 70′s with it, and of course by the early 70′s a lot of teams were running it. Oklahoma always got these RBs out of Texas that were just unbelievable. All of them would be 5-star guys today, and all would look like – 6’0″ 215 lbs, 4.3 speed out of high school. Just insanely talented guys.
I think the Veer was first used by Houston. The old Southwest Conference was just a fertile ground for offensive football back in the day. For those that don’t know or remember, that was mostly Texas schools, plus Arkansas and another one or two. Let’s see – Texas, Texas A&M, SMU, TCU, Baylor, Texas Tech, Houston, Arkansas, heck, that’s eight. That might have been the whole conference. Arkansas got mad about something I don’t remember right now and broke off to go to the SEC. Frank Broyles was their big presence as a Coach, then AD, and he was the one who made the move.
Anyway, that’s a little about the ‘old days’.
Crooked Road- please re-read your own comments and try to see them from the perspective of other readers in a public forum- don’t take this as an attack, but as a comment that might decrease negative comments about you. You note that at times, others identify positively with some of your observations. Congratulations- that should probably happen most of the time? What irks many people here is that you ALWAYS remind us that you were the first to comment. Believe me- you don’t have to remind us- those of us who try to wade through every blog SEE your comments first- EVERY DAY. Not one, but FIVE. Usually one after another, every 5-10 minutes.
You may not care for Bill O’Reilly’s views, but he makes sound recommendations regarding commenting- keep them ‘pithy’ and ‘don’t bloviate’ – he’s saying, think carefully beforehand about what you post, and then don’t take 5 paragraph to make a point you could have in one. Finally, you don’t need to remind everyone that you commented on some random, esoteric topic 3 weeks ago and you were first and we need to go see for ourselves- if you have to reassure everyone, then it’s all the more likely that they want believe you. If you know anyone in Law Enforcement, ask them what this usually means when it comes up in an interview.
You can take this advice and do with it what you wish. This isn’t my blog, but I would have expected a moderator to have commented before now. You just have to remember that you are only one of a million other VT fans, and we all have our own thoughts and comments (and maybe assume that one of us may just have come up with the same analysis before you did- eliminating the appearance of coming across with another “teaching moment”).
Sorry- “won’t” believe you. Damn those little buttons.
Agree to disagree. The spread is not the same as when it was first started because more teams are running the ball out of the spread. I simply don’t think you can be great at running the ball consistently if you are running the spread unless it’s the spread option. If you’re going true spread with 4 or 5 WRs then it’s hard to run betweeen the tackles. Ask any OL coach, blocking for the spread or the pro style scheme are two different animals and you’ve got to have an identity on the line as well. I don’t want to be the jack of all trades but a master of one. I don’t mean two TEs and a power eye, 3 yards and a cloud of dust, 1960s style. I want to see some more straight eye, split eye, use of the TE in the passing game, and more quick hit crossing routes once we’ve established the run. Establish the run and you’ll see LBs and FSs start coming down hill, exposing the middle of the field for the PAP pass. All in all I hate the Tony Franklin brainwash spread, too many pieces have to be just right and recruited that way to produce. I like sticking to what has worked in college football throughout the years after the gimmick offenses have come and gone.
You go cr, we are lucky to have your wisdom. If we ever forget that, I am sure you will remind us.
CR, I’ve been reading your posts long before I ever posted here myself, I recognize your writing without having to look down at the end to see who it is. You inflame with your rhetoric sometimes, and your protestations to the contrary, sometimes your thrust is hard not to see as hating on all things Beamer. You also seem to see anyone who does not agree with your depth of distaste as being a sycophant to all things VT, or worshippers at the altar of St. Francis, but probably most of us just love VT and are appreciative of coach FB’s efforts through the years. Like I have said before, I have been ragging on the Stiney thing for so long my friends won’t discuss it with me…I have had issues with FB, I just don’t vilify the man over them.
All that said, I have never lumped you in with “He who has left this blog from Ivy” whose flames could be read from outer space, but you are often strident and just a bit hard to take in your tone, regardless of how well you think you have made your points. You are no more passionate about VT than most of the posters here, you just seem to take it to a different level. Luckily, you spell well and can turn a phrase with the best of them, but it seems that you will not be satisfied unless VT is NUMBER ONE every year in every sport, and that just ain’t gonna happen, my friend.
I am not bothered by the tropy case, even empty it at least suggests that to the best of their ability, those coaches over there are aiming as high as they know how. I am no love it or leave it kind of guy, I think many of your observations are valid, no matter how irritatingly you try to drum them into those blindered by their love, but it is LOVE and hope, not uninformed blind following, that motivates most of their optimism.
Your posts aren’t scary to me, or to anyone else on this blog. It is that kind of labeling that turns folks off, crooked, maybe much more than what you have to say. Who on this blog has defended Weaver? You seem to think that you are the originator of hokie discontent with him. He did his job, not always well, but he should’ve been gone long ago. Likewise, Stiney, and yes, I know, Stiney is definitely on Frank, but perfection in sports is an unattainable goal and Blacksburg is a tough sell to many recruits, and coaches, so getting the best is not going to be easy, or even, maybe, possible. Getting the best out of what we can get? Well, that’s why VT is where we have been able to get to, last year notwithstanding. Yes, we need to keep striving, keep changing when we need to, and yes, FB is notorious for his conservative approach, but to deny the success we have had and to predict gloom and doom if Frank doesn’t begone is not warranted…yet.
Glad you care, but often your passion comes across more as arrogance, and no one likes to be preached to, even from the high and mighty.
Perch, You should be nominated for the Pulitzer Prize. Great assessment of Crooked Road. Will it change his attitude and behavior? No chance.
Thanks, danny, but if I could write for a living I would…too damn much work involved.
Not trying to change crooked road, you know the one about leopards and spots, just venting myowndamnself. It’s winter here in Mathews and I have a bit too much time on my hand between hokie basketball games, I guess.
Perch, Crooked writes so much and is so negative I’ve stopped reading 90% of his stuff. I just realized the 10% I do read is still way too much. I’m going to cut back even more…
Scott, like I’ve said before, I am no computer wiz, but I learned long ago what that little down key will do.