Interesting comments from Torrian Gray and Whit Babcock

Last night, Coach Gray and Whit Babcock spoke with the NOVA Hokie Club at Clarendon Ballroom. Coach Gray spoke first and gave a basic overview of both the offense and defense. After a couple of "I donate $10K a year so I get to ask asinine questions" questions, Coach Gray opened up a little bit about a couple of things to look for next year. I asked a question about man coverage technique that I will review later this summer. Some other comments that I found to be interesting.

1) He anticipates Brandon Facyson will be full speed and if he is the Brandon Facyson of 2013, he is a lock to start at field corner. His rehab is coming along and he should be cleared to do full workouts in a month.

2) Gray noted that Chuck Clark had "the best spring of any player I have coached in 10 years." When pressed, Gray said that he expected Clark to be the free safety in base defense, and then he will move to nickel corner and either Desmond Frye or Donovan Riley will move to free safety in nickel coverage.

3) Gray also commented about how he has more depth at corner and safety than he has had since he has been coach, but noted how most of it was very young. Adonis Alexander got high praise for being able to move out to corner after being a safety his whole career. It sounds like Mook Reynolds and Greg Stroman are competing for the next man up if Facyson isn't healthy.

Whit came up to our table and spoke to us briefly before the event. Most of his discussion focused around the extra cost of attendance factor and a pending lawsuit against the NCAA which, if successful would push college athletics to a professional pay model instead of an amateurism model. In order to cover the added cost of attendance factor, he called on donors to donate 110% of previous levels (giving 110%). He also went through a list of facilities upgrades that are needed, including the need for premium seating (luxury boxes) at both Lane and Cassell. Cassell will likely need phased work because there will be major cost, but he loves the location.

For me, the most interesting comment by Whit was his recognition of Coach Gray as "one of the best defensive coaches in the country" and someone who is loyal to Blacksburg. It sounds like keeping Coach Gray in Blacksburg is very high priority.

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