The Case for Chadwell

Over the last few weeks, I've seen a lot of disinterest and dislike for Jamey Chadwell as a potential candidate for the next head coach for Virginia Tech. I'm not here to say he's the best option - hell, he's not even my first choice - but I'd be pretty pumped about the hire if Whit announced him on Monday. I am writing today to make a case for Jamey Chadwell to be the next head coach at Virginia Tech.

His offense is both effective and fun to watch
I'm not a scheme guy - if you want to learn about Chadwell's scheme, read this - but despite being an RPO/Spread Option/Triple Option offense (all terms I've seen attributed to this offense) it's actually quite balanced. So far in 2021, Coastal Carolina is passing for 269.6 yards per game off an average of 24.3 attempts/game. They are rushing for 222.7 yards per game from 39.5 attempts per game. Their 2020 split is similar.

Beyond being effective, this team is just plain fun to watch. Search youtube for coastal carolina chantecler football highlights. You won't be disappointed.

Chadwell has a dynamic personality
He's a players coach - I encourage you to read about his weekly trophies, touchdown celebrations, Mullet Squad, and much more:

The Coastal Carolina football team claims it has more fun than any other team in the country, and the Chanticleers keep trying to prove it.

Even his peers and coworkers speak highly of him:

Chadwell was well-liked by many in the Charleston Southern athletic community, including head men's basketball coach Barclay Radebaugh, who is going into his 16th season with the team.

"I've been in Div. I athletics for 33 years, and Jamey's one of the best coaches I've been around regardless of sport," Radebaugh said. "He has an amazing ability to bring the best out of everybody. Jamey has the 'it factor.'

"Whatever that is in coaching, Jamey has that."

I don't what more I can say? Players, other coaches, and the media all seem to love this guy. This dude isn't Fuente 2.0.

He's a culture fit.
Everyone knows by now that Chadwell is from Appalachia. He grew up bailing hay and shucking corn in Caryville, Tennessee. DOES IT GET MORE LUNCH PAIL THAN THAN?!?

He's won at every level.
I know there's a ton of you reading this saying "He's never coached in the Power 5; I don't want him." This is true - Chadwell has never coached in the P5 - but he's won at every level:

  • As a DII coach, he took over a 2 win North Greenville team, leading them to their winningest season ever after 3 seasons. He took them from 2-8 to 7-3 to 11-3. They finished as the 12th best DII team that season
  • In 2013, Chadwell took over a Charleston Southern team (FCS program) that had gone 0-11 and 5-6 in the previous 2 seasons. In year 1 of the Chadwell era, Charleston Southern won 10 games, the highest win total in program history. Chadwell would go on to lead them to 2 conference championships, 2 FCS playoff berths, a 4-0 record over their in-state rival The Citadel, and a win over then-FCS powerhouse App State.
  • Most CFB fans have seen what Chadwell has done at Coastal Carolina - In 2020, he was 3 points away from an undefeated season, beating 2 ranked teams, and 1 FBS team. This year, his team is 9-2, those 2 losses coming by 3 points and 2 points, respectively.

He's not a Fuente
Not only does Chadwell have far more head coaching experience than Fuente did in 2015 (and a better personality it seems), but by objective measures (namely, SP+), Chadwell's G5 teams have out performed Fuente's:

Coach Team Season Record Total SP+ Offensive SP+ Defensive SP+ Special Teams SP+
Fuente Memphis 2012 4-8 96 111 71 124
Fuente Memphis 2013 3-9 77 107 50 85
Fuente Memphis 2014 10-3 55 79 32 74
Fuente Memphis 2015 9-4 47 35 82 66
Chadwell Coastal Carolina 2019 5-7 113 99 108 98
Chadwell Coastal Carolina 2020 11-1 25 9 63 22
Chadwell Coastal Carolina 2021 9-2 28 9 67 68

All that said... he's not perfect
Would I have some concerns with a Chadwell hire? Yes, of course - the dude has never had to recruit at the P5 level. Can this be overcome? Yes, of course. We (the school, the fanbase, and the administration) have learned a lot since the 2015 coaching search. In 2015, we focused mostly on what Frank never had - an offense - and lost sight of all the things that made him great: His ability to innovate on the field (especially in special teams) and his ability to relate to almost anyone (administrators, donors, fans, high school coaches, recruits, parents, etc).

Now, we (1) know what we need in a coach, and can (2) find ways to address his blind spots. If we hire Chadwell, it will be essential to round out his staff with proven coaches/recruiters. But we know that now. We didn't realize that in 2015.

I don't know if Chadwell's the guy - to be honest, I think Napier is done deal, and I think he's the best option out there - but if Whit announces Chadwell as the next Virginia Tech Football Coach, I will be quite excited.

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21st century QBs Undefeated vs UVA:
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21st century QBs Undefeated vs UVA:
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