I heard on Packer and Durham that the ACC asked some schools if there is any interest to play a game on December 19th. VT was not one of the schools that they mentioned.
Asking TKP community, what are your thoughts? Should we schedule another one?
In my honest opinion, I'm not even sure if we have the numbers to play another game unless we can possibly unload some of the Freshmen and let them have their way.
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It would be a great way for the new coach to get some time with the team.
Not sure a new coach would have time to put their system in-place in 72 hours.
Good news on offense though, since Brad Cornelson's "Playbook" is scribbled on 6 Sticky Notes, they should have 71 and 1/2 left for on-field work.
Ye of no faith
Hell yeah. I love volunteering for an ass kicking. You think Ohio State has time?
No, Bronco is right. It's not worth it anymore. Let the kids go home and enjoy the holidays with their family. Enough is enough.
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Your GIF game is on point French
Make the bad man stop
It would give coach cornelson some time to work on the 3rd down QB up the gut play...
He is going to confuse everybody and start running it on first and second down as well. Oh wait, he showed that with Knox last week.
Yeah I don't know if I need another swift kick in the face. The players need time off I imagine it's been a huge pain in the ass going through the protocol and like most people in this world they deserve a break and to be with their families.
I love the game and cheering for the hokies more than most but enough is enough it won't mean anything.
Marshall?
They'd be the favorite and likely kick our teeth in.
I have a feeling Fu might want to play...
Hell no, for the love of God I'm begging for this season to be done after this next game for the fans and especially the players.
HELL NO
pls no
#MakeTheMove
Haha I think most of us on here want to end the Fuente era, not prolong it.
Pretty sure the only reason we haven't checked out this week is we want our damn cup back.
And we hope to high heaven that the team hasn't checked out yet either for the same reason.
Resounding no. That's 3 days after the coaches should be shown the door anyway. But I'll echo many who have already said that enough is enough and the players deserve to be with their families
I'll donate to the Hokie Club in your name of you join TKPC.
I am always pro more football. But this year only if players unanimously want it. I doubt they would.
100%, it should be player choice, and there should be no hard feelings if they choose to just go home to be with family. But if they want to keep playing, then why not give them the opportunity?
Let's schedule USF so we can have a...
Bull game.
Sounds good...so long as its a guaranteed W. Someone like...Liberty? On second thought, probably not such a good idea.
Maybe we could schedule VMI or William & Mary just so Fuente could give another program in Virginia it's signature win before heading out?? /s
I mean, Penn State's sure as shit gonna be sitting around.
All of the Big Ten is playing 12/19 as part of "champions week".
How much do we get for the game? Could help with the Fuente buyout.
Lol...The Buyout Bowl.
Live from Blacksburg...
Let's make it interesting *lights up cigar* winner or Loser gets the other teams coach?
How bout this...?
Losing team either has to take the "winning" coach or pay their buyout...lmao...
I usually would say yes, but realistically I think it would throw kinks into the situation. If Whit makes an announcement on Dec. 16th, there's no way to get a new coach here in time, especially if it's a coordinator who will need to staff up. So who would coach the game? Do you want Fuente to coach it after he's been fired? I would think not. Would that mean Whit would hold the announcement until after the game on the 19th? I would rather not have a game postpone that announcement. Are we hoping one more gives us bowl eligibility? When would the bowl theoretically be played? Maybe it would be good to get a new coach in and have time with the team for that. But then you're back to who coaches on the 19th. Oh, and all this predicated on the players wanting to play.
Do what any team does when they fire a coach midseason - grab one of the assistants to be the interim coach.
I thought of that, but I'm assuming that if we fire Fuente, his guys - Cornelson, Vice, Shibest, and Teerlinck, would all go (we'd want Corny gone), or at lest not be willing to stay and coach (or if they did - not have their hearts in the game), which would leave Claeys or JHam left. JHam would be the highest ranking, but Claeys has HC experience. Maybe promote Vice to OC, Claeys to HC, and JHam stays DC? Then we have to stick with current plays, just mix up when we use them. I'd want to play someone we could beat even if we only had 1 coach left on the roster, not because I don't trust our guys, just think we need someone to call the right plays that take advantage of what a D is giving them and taking advantage of our strengths, without pulling QB run plays on 3rd down.
Keep in mind all those assistants are under contract as well. Just because Fu is fired doesn't mean they are just going to break their contract and not finish out the season.
But the timing just doesn't make sense, you are going to fire the head coach in the middle of game week preparations? If the players really want to play again, give them a chance at one of the lower tier bowls after 2 weeks off and an interim coach assigned.
They may be under contract, but someone else said it's year-to-year. When do their contracts actually end? And some of them may want to go job hunting in a hurry. Like not sure if the new HC would try to meet with some of the guys to keep them on board (Vice for example), possibly Teerlinck and Tapp? Because even though Vice and Teerlinck are Fuente's guys, now that I think about it, if Fuente goes to some G5 school, they'd be taking BIG pay cuts most likely. It would be nice to be able to keep Vice.
Then the question becomes who would stay and who would go. I imagine most of the offensive staff other than Vice would probably be gone. Defense, who's to say who we'd keep - I'd like to keep Tapp, possibly Teerlinck (and let him get his guys in before we make too many judgments on how his line did this year - based on how his NFL lines did, I'd think he COULD do well, maybe if he got some recruiting pointers or help from a good recruiter).
Should this be it's own thread - assuming a certain hire, what coaches do we think he might bring/hire vs potentially keep from current staff?
This article from February 2020 says that Corny and Vice's contracts run through June.
This 2017 article had multiple coaches with different length contracts, all ending in June of their respective years.
That all makes sense, as July 1 is usually the beginning of the new athletic year. (Most notably seen when schools changed conferences on that day.)
But I think most assistants stay at their old job until they have a replacement job or are directly fired themselves. They risk losing too much money quitting on their own.
That makes sense. Despite when their contracts go through, I gotta imagine some of them will be looking for new jobs the minute there's news with Fuente. Guys like Claeys and Williams especially with the lack of ties to Fuente who are more likely on their own. Then not sure a new coach would keep Lechtenberg, Smith, or JHam, so a lotta guys may be looking for something new right away, because despite contracts, the most coaching turnover and potential for jobs is most likely going to be between the 12th and end of the year I'd guess.
My guess is that it is actually because July 1st is the start of a new fiscal year for VT, and then possibly that any notion of an "athletic year" is aligned with that. Makes sense that contracts would be based on thale fiscal year so that money can easily be designated for one fiscal year budget or the other. But I could be wrong...just a guess.
I'll almost guarantee you are right.
I highly doubt he announces right on December 16th since that's NSD. It'll probably be a few days after that
But it's kind of a dick move to wait until after. Plus, it might be advantageous to do it then so if we get the coach we're hoping for, he might be able to bring some of his recruits, whereas if Whit waits and the coach's recruits sign at the other school, they're bound there. I bet he does do it on the 16th, and probably early for that reason.
Other than the money would there be any reason for an extra game?
If the players want one, sure, whatever they want. As a fan, I want another game like I want another root canal. Thanks Coach Fu because any year in the past it would have been a no brainer YES.
There is no incentive for anyone to play a game on the 19th. Unless you're Ohio State...oh wait, they don't have to because the B10 blows their pipe and cradles their balls.
If I am Indiana, I would lodge a complaint and call themselves the legitimate division winners. They met the pre-season requirements.
If Fuente is still the coach then hell no. If he isn't and the players want to play then I would be behind it. Give the reigns to Vice and let the mullet run!
NO!
Schedule William & Mary...and let's see what Kadum, Hawkins, Walker, Brunson, Gary, Lee, Jenkins, Beadles, Sanders, and Wright can do
Our goon strength coach can't get Brunson or Gary in shape enough to contribute. so scrap that idea.
Let's just get the cup back and get out of here.
Saw a rumor that maybe the Commonwealth cup winner would get the invitation to the military bowl.
the last thing tech needs is to go to a bowl game and get an ass whoopin. Let's let this bowl streak thing die, and start anew.
If you get a bowl invite, you go.
if the players want to, sure, I guess. But hopefully, if we do play on the 19th (doubtful IMO) Justin Fuente will not be on the sidelines
Not in a year where there will be no significant ticket sales, your program has lost a ton of money during the season, and the the game will be a net financial loss.
Still go.
Why?
Bowl games are often money-losses in a normal year. It will be even more of a hit since there won't be any ticket sales to cushion the blow this year. With an Athletic Department significantly in the red, you think they should needlessly throw away more money?
You don't need extra practice with a lame duck staff. The kids haven't been able to spend significant amounts of time with their families due to COVID and are probably mentally and physically exhausted. Why force them to go through even more time in COVID protocols (and potential exposure) just for an exhibition game?
Look at the reasons BC put out for declining a possible invite. It makes zero sense, especially with potential turnover after one of the worst seasons in recent memory. Let the season die.
If the bowls are a money pit, they will be cancelled. I doubt there will even be fans in attendance. It will be TV money or nothing. The players went home for Thanksgiving with no problem. Bowl teams work around coaching transitions all the time. I just can't see complaining about how much we have not marketed the program in recent years and yet decline an extension of the season, and end the bowl streak for whatever that is worth.
Bowls are not money pits for the bowls themselves. The bowls are not going to cancel their one yearly chance at revenue even if it is less than usual.
Unfortunately, outside of the top tier, bowls usually end up costing the schools money. How can the school justify the additional expenses so soon after announcing shortfalls, salary reductions, and lay-offs. This isn't raising money for a coaching buy-out from boosters. This is expenses paid for directly by the school.
And no, not all of the players went home for Thanksgiving. Many stayed in Blacksburg. You are suggesting that they stay at school and follow COVID protocols for much longer than they would otherwise.
For what? Marketing? A four or five win team going to a bowl game this year isn't exactly going to be the best marketing for the program. If anything, it will be used against us.
Not true. The conference reimburses travel expenses, up to a reasonable amount. And if we end up in the Military Bowl as rumored, there's a nonzero chance it's either a day trip or a single night stay, unlike normal bowls where you have multiple days of outings and media sessions and whatnot in the leadup.
What? Who is going to "market" that against us, and how? And is it worth losing our nation-leading bowl streak just because we don't think we deserve to play in a bowl game even if one invites us?
what about the ticket sales? My understanding is the bowl sells a block to each school (they have to pay for those tickets no matter what) and then it's up to the school to recoup the cost by selling the tickets to their fans. If there's no fans but the schools are required to pay for the tickets that they can't sell wouldn't the schools then lose money on the deal?
I don't foresee the military bowl even having ticket sales. So I dont think that would be the same this year. If we could make money on tv alone all year then so can a bowl game right?
How are they going to make schools sell tickets that don't exist? That doesn't make any sense.
If the tickets don't exist why does the bowl want to select a fanbase within driving distance?
I think they're talking about a team within driving distance, not a fanbase.
I know I'm starting to sound like an inquisitive 6 year old but why does the bowl care if the team is within driving distance?
So the teams don't have to worry about staying at hotels, social distancing bubble.
It's less expensive for the team to go to a bowl in driving distance. If the team is footing that bill, it might make them more likely to go to a "local" bowl. If the bowl is footing the bill, they want to lower their expenses since they don't have the same kind of revenue coming in.
Plus, it allows for more flexibility if plans have to change, especially if time is a factor.
Thanks! This is the best answer I've gotten
The ACC wants a local team to minimize expenditures (and therefore maximize profit). The ACC reimburses travel expenses out of the bowl dividends it receives. The bowl itself doesn't care.
I wondered the same but right now it looks like zero chance of fans in stands. Perhaps they meant driving distance for the teams. Perhaps it gets cancelled.
If it's a single day or one night trip, that's all the more reason to not play. We're literally only playing for tv money. The kids don't even get to do the cool shit they normally do. It's a waste unless they want to play.
Ohio State only has five wins so far this year...obviously different circumstances involved but it just shows how different this year is.
For the record, I truly believe that if the players want to play in a bowl game then they should go. That is the only reason they should. I was more saying that it is understandable if they don't want to and they shouldn't be forced to in order just to extend the bowl streak.
I feel bad that they won't get the full bowl game experience if they do decide to go. Sucks for someone like Herbert who has never had that experience.
What in the fuck is going on with this mindset? Sure, I don't like the idea of seeing us get our shit pushed in for the billionth time this year, but that bowl streak and the no-shutout streak are the only things keeping us in the same sentence as programs like Georgia and Oklahoma. We lose that and the only time ESPN will talk about our program is when they talk about how much we suck and how far we've fallen since the good ol' days. You want that? You and those scabs from Sons of Saturday can commiserate at your own shitty pity party. I know this year sucks, but why would you want to lose every single thing that makes us even marginally relevant? If we get an invite and the kids want to play, let them play and keep the streak alive.
Gonna let you in on a little secret, when 5-7 teams get to go to bowls, no one gives a shit about how many bowls you went to. The streak is a blip on the radar lol.
Also, I like that you think Sons of Saturday are in a pity party. The head honcho there is still a staunch Fuente defender lol.
You're right about SoS. I should've specified: Billy Ray said the same shit about the bowl streak as OP and I don't like it. It reeks of "woe is me, everything is horrible and it'll only get worse. We just roll over and let it so we have a clean slate."
And the former players give a shit about the bowl streak, save a couple (see e.g. Billy Ray).
Saw that too, they want a team that can drive there
We should schedule a bad in state team to ease travel and get a sure win... Like ODU or Liberty. We always beat them.
if this joke hadn't already been made 3 or 4 times I'd give you a leg
No to another game on the 19th and I wouldn't mind if they cancel the game Saturday.
I would rather play and lose, then cancel arbitrarily and have UVA say we were afraid to play them.
I hope we play and stomp them. The cup needs to come home and be cleansed of zima with a bath of bourbon.
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Yes. Schedule a basketball game. I'll watch that.
No. Next question.
FTFY
Boston College just announced they would decline their bowl invite:
Also, a really great first season for Jeff Hafley.
I think that is about all I need to see.
If our guys want to host a players only meeting and decide they want to play then great, and if they don't then that's great to!
Anyone that wants to go home should and not have anything held against them.
I could see it as not even a decision of "I want to go home", but rather "I am tired of all these protocols, all the rules, all the testing. I want to keep playing football, but not like this."
I assume the push for this is to fulfill as much of the TV contract as possible. For better or worse after this Saturday we will have played our full schedule. VT has held up its end, no reason to put our guys through an extra game. Let the teams that haven't played a full schedule play if they want to, but no reason for us to play.
Wouldn't an extra game violate the 2020 season DNR?
Sure why not. Get North Alabama, Western Carolina, or Abilene Christian to come to Lane.
Why not South Central Louisiana State University?
The bowl streak just sets us apart so I'd say yea. If we're going to fire Fuente I'd say let him coach the last game so we win and get to 6-6. Then fire him and have J Ham coach the bowl.
Sets us apart from what, exactly?
Every other FBS team because we have the longest one by far
And where does that get us? A 4-6 record?
Our bowl eligibility at this point is more at the mercy of how many bowls and teams are available than how games games we play or win.
For sure, I would also be cool with them cancelling non NY6 bowls so our streak remains intact (kinda like our ncaa tourney streak in hoops)
I know the 2020 rules don't mean much and this makes for a fun discussion, but with tomorrow's game, the Hokies will have played their full 2020 schedule. There is no reason to add another game. I am pretty sure the other teams that were invited were teams where a game has been completely canceled.
Anyway, 2020 can't end soon enough. Just blow it up.
