Seems unlikely that he would be retained as the DC (speculation on my end), and he probably would rather try to continue as a DC elsewhere than take a step back as a position coach, but time will tell.
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Whole situation with Ham bums me out hard. Timing couldn't have worked out worse for him:
- forced into service too early
- FuCorn's high-scoring offense failed us a lot, leaving the game up to the defense too often
- diminished cupboard re talent level (lots of bodies, few "dudes")
- general program downturn hurt recruiting
- felt like he was just beginning to show how the defense could work under his leadership, but with a lame duck HC, it was never gonna truly matter in the long run
I'm not saying he worked some miracle this year - a couple of our losses this season sit squarely on the D's shoulders - but I saw flashes. The biggest bummer is I see J-Ham becoming a really great coach down the road, and I'd love for that to come to pass in Blacksburg. It will be hard to imagine that happening with Pry - unless J-Ham is willing to take a positional role in order to stay here (as opposed to trying to land a DC gig somewhere else).
A G5/FCS coordinator gig would prob(?) pay the same as, say, Outside Linebackers Coach at VT. I'm holding out a little bit of hope that we can retain him, but I'd understand if Pry needs the slate wiped clean (and if Ham can't stomach the demotion).
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Justin Hamilton , Jack Tyler, and to an extent, Darryl Tapp weren't put into positions to succeed.
Tapp was lucky to make the most of it and get an NFL job. I hope Ham and Tyler get more opportunities cause I think with the right staff they'd be great coaches.
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I'm in your camp on this one. I'll throw a few things in...
1). Second half adjustments (cough cough - just like Bud) showed flashes of brilliance - see UVA, WVU etc.
2). Probably needs to reevaluate how aggressive he is at times as we were terrible at times in situations where we played zone and needed to generate pressure.
3) counterpoint to 2 I am convinced he was hamstrung by Fu's risk adverse style.
4) by many accounts he is a budding star who embraces recruiting, has a great intellectual capacity and LOVES VT and the area.
I wonder (I am sure I will get crushed on this) if he will be retained in a Dc type of role that includes Pry's mentoring. Keep in mind Dabo wanted to hire him as Venables' understudy and Kill labeled him a future star from what I have been told.
Admittedly it's a tough call, but I am in the camp he got one of the worst possible situations to be successful ever at VT.
Coach on hot seat, only 1 spring, Covid throughout, anyone he recruited basically had a limited chance to develop and a pathetic offensive counterpart that put far too much pressure on the D. He made his mistakes, but context matters...
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I think you cut him and Jack Tyler loose solely to get the Fuente stink off them. Let em go get experience in other programs then have them come back better coaches. Both those guys want to be HC at VT, or at the very least DC, I'd like them to be the best coaches possible if and when they come back.
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I agree for the most part, but it could have been worse for him. If Fuente had been fired last year, I think he ends up in a worse spot. This year allowed him to show what he can do in a more normal year.
Another example is that I believe Fuente wanted Odom when the job came open but Whit wouldn't give him the money. IF true, that was a huge break.
I think he ends up as a G5 DC or as a position coach at a very good P5 program. Still some good roles open. Remember he rose very quickly and did so for good reason. He brings a lot to the table and will be back as a P5 DC in a few years. May be good for him long-term as it could broaden his network. Not going to feel bad for him as he seems like a baller.
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The situation he was thrown into sucked and I certainly think he's going to be an outstanding coach wherever he ends up. I think he will land on his feet, especially when he's got Bud Foster who will vouch for him. A phone call from him is a powerful recommendation.
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The technique stuff that Pry uses for his DBs are way more Torrian Gray than Hamilton's two deep man under and zone stuff. I am guessing Coach Jones is well versed in that style, but despite Hamilton coaching some under Bud, he taught different technique when he became the big whistle.
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When I spoke to my mentor @DavidCutcliffe several weeks ago, he told me that I'd have options, to be patient and to choose people not places. I was planning to be patient, but I found the perfect people, at the the perfect place. Reunited and it feels so good!!! Let's go Hokies! pic.twitter.com/MkMGnKXd4h— Derek Jones (@CoachdjCheetah) December 6, 2021
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This is awesome and love how they're hitting the ground sprinting in recruiting thus far. Nailed down Gosnell, now heading straight to 757. Looks like this guy is going to pull some dogs to the 'Burg and get that nastiness and attitude back on D.
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Definitely a better chance than we had a week ago. I wouldn't be surprised if he stuck with Clemson or followed Venables to OU. It wouldn't shock me if a couple current players on Clemson's roster followed Venables to OU, but I doubt he would make a concerted effort to poach players from Dabo given their lengthy and solid relationship.
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I will tell you that Derek Jones' twitter is a breath of fresh air. Engaging with fans, quality content, he reads twitter replies.
Hokie Nation we just wanted you guys to know that Coach Pry finally took the time to change his shirt. He didn't want to, but he was a little embarrassed someone on twitter noticed. Hopefully he remembers to let us eat at some point today. "It's a great time to be a Hokie!" #LGHpic.twitter.com/FghFA0gHmw— Derek Jones (@CoachdjCheetah) December 7, 2021
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It's both overwhelming and fascinating that he has as many tweets a day as he does. He has a good track record as far as I can tell though, so tweet away, coach.
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He's like a professional motivational speaker. What a great person to have on staff.
Unfortunate circumstances don't equate to a bad day, a negative attitude about those circumstances equates to a bad day. Unfortunate circumstances are a part of life, bad days are choices in life. #Ap2wpic.twitter.com/9dK2R6d9wI— Derek Jones (@CoachdjCheetah) December 7, 2021
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It is now. I mean there is the occassional Let's Go Hokies *clap clap clap-clap-clap* chant, so it works. I guess it also works for the LET'S GO! HOKIES! too, since that wouldn't hashtag I don't think.
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Comments
Let's Go!
HOKIES!!!!
I really like this hire. Interested to see the role he is on the staff. Could be DC could be DB coach or both, could also be special teams coordinator
I'm interested to see if we do co-DC's and/or split up CB's and Safeties.
So are we thinking that JHamm is likely out completely? It is starting to feel that way.
Seems unlikely that he would be retained as the DC (speculation on my end), and he probably would rather try to continue as a DC elsewhere than take a step back as a position coach, but time will tell.
Whole situation with Ham bums me out hard. Timing couldn't have worked out worse for him:
- forced into service too early
- FuCorn's high-scoring offense failed us a lot, leaving the game up to the defense too often
- diminished cupboard re talent level (lots of bodies, few "dudes")
- general program downturn hurt recruiting
- felt like he was just beginning to show how the defense could work under his leadership, but with a lame duck HC, it was never gonna truly matter in the long run
I'm not saying he worked some miracle this year - a couple of our losses this season sit squarely on the D's shoulders - but I saw flashes. The biggest bummer is I see J-Ham becoming a really great coach down the road, and I'd love for that to come to pass in Blacksburg. It will be hard to imagine that happening with Pry - unless J-Ham is willing to take a positional role in order to stay here (as opposed to trying to land a DC gig somewhere else).
A G5/FCS coordinator gig would prob(?) pay the same as, say, Outside Linebackers Coach at VT. I'm holding out a little bit of hope that we can retain him, but I'd understand if Pry needs the slate wiped clean (and if Ham can't stomach the demotion).
Justin Hamilton , Jack Tyler, and to an extent, Darryl Tapp weren't put into positions to succeed.
Tapp was lucky to make the most of it and get an NFL job. I hope Ham and Tyler get more opportunities cause I think with the right staff they'd be great coaches.
Me too. As a Hokie, I'm jealous that they will both likely become key members of a staff other than ours.
Nothing says they can't go get some experience elsewhere and come back some day.
I'm in your camp on this one. I'll throw a few things in...
1). Second half adjustments (cough cough - just like Bud) showed flashes of brilliance - see UVA, WVU etc.
2). Probably needs to reevaluate how aggressive he is at times as we were terrible at times in situations where we played zone and needed to generate pressure.
3) counterpoint to 2 I am convinced he was hamstrung by Fu's risk adverse style.
4) by many accounts he is a budding star who embraces recruiting, has a great intellectual capacity and LOVES VT and the area.
I wonder (I am sure I will get crushed on this) if he will be retained in a Dc type of role that includes Pry's mentoring. Keep in mind Dabo wanted to hire him as Venables' understudy and Kill labeled him a future star from what I have been told.
Admittedly it's a tough call, but I am in the camp he got one of the worst possible situations to be successful ever at VT.
Coach on hot seat, only 1 spring, Covid throughout, anyone he recruited basically had a limited chance to develop and a pathetic offensive counterpart that put far too much pressure on the D. He made his mistakes, but context matters...
So as it turns out Dabo now has a spot available for an experienced DC.
I think you cut him and Jack Tyler loose solely to get the Fuente stink off them. Let em go get experience in other programs then have them come back better coaches. Both those guys want to be HC at VT, or at the very least DC, I'd like them to be the best coaches possible if and when they come back.
I agree for the most part, but it could have been worse for him. If Fuente had been fired last year, I think he ends up in a worse spot. This year allowed him to show what he can do in a more normal year.
Another example is that I believe Fuente wanted Odom when the job came open but Whit wouldn't give him the money. IF true, that was a huge break.
I think he ends up as a G5 DC or as a position coach at a very good P5 program. Still some good roles open. Remember he rose very quickly and did so for good reason. He brings a lot to the table and will be back as a P5 DC in a few years. May be good for him long-term as it could broaden his network. Not going to feel bad for him as he seems like a baller.
The situation he was thrown into sucked and I certainly think he's going to be an outstanding coach wherever he ends up. I think he will land on his feet, especially when he's got Bud Foster who will vouch for him. A phone call from him is a powerful recommendation.
JMU?
They will be in the G5 in a few years, so that's a plus.
JMU will officially be in the Sun Belt (G5) by July 2023. I would be shocked if it didn't happen before the 2022 Football season.
They will be in the G5 in a few years, so that's a plus.
I read this and immediately this scene came to mind...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sr9_GfeoCjk
#Memphis2VT
The technique stuff that Pry uses for his DBs are way more Torrian Gray than Hamilton's two deep man under and zone stuff. I am guessing Coach Jones is well versed in that style, but despite Hamilton coaching some under Bud, he taught different technique when he became the big whistle.
This man has STYLE.
He is really into this cheetah thing.
And not in the SEC way
wow! this cheetah thing has really caught on fast
you have now : )
Please someone tweet this back at him. I would if I had an account.
Since Fernley doesn't have one either I did. It's such an amazing work of photoshop.
That coat is Fire!
Reminder he got to Blacksburg 10 hours ago talk about hitting the ground running, the guy barely got to sleep
This is awesome and love how they're hitting the ground sprinting in recruiting thus far. Nailed down Gosnell, now heading straight to 757. Looks like this guy is going to pull some dogs to the 'Burg and get that nastiness and attitude back on D.
Any chance they flip Covil with Venables off to OU?
Definitely a better chance than we had a week ago. I wouldn't be surprised if he stuck with Clemson or followed Venables to OU. It wouldn't shock me if a couple current players on Clemson's roster followed Venables to OU, but I doubt he would make a concerted effort to poach players from Dabo given their lengthy and solid relationship.
This is awesome. We're going to need $$$ for more jet fuel.
Haven't seen Gobble do his thing, so...
Derek Jones anagrams to DJ Kerosene
Straight fire?
simply phenomenal
On the subject of turkey legs, it is also an anagram of Jerked Ones.
I will tell you that Derek Jones' twitter is a breath of fresh air. Engaging with fans, quality content, he reads twitter replies.
I was just about to post something similar. Coach is a tweeting machine.
It's both overwhelming and fascinating that he has as many tweets a day as he does. He has a good track record as far as I can tell though, so tweet away, coach.
He's like a professional motivational speaker. What a great person to have on staff.
Feels unnatural to not have a coach that likes to isolate the program from the public.
Amen to this tweet - life is what you make it.
I'd say that he (technically) is a professional motivational speaker - I mean, he's got a book full of motivational quotes
Is #LGH a thing? It's new to me, but seems like something Hokies should have been doing since hashtags became a thing.
see what happens when we finally get competent recruiters?
It is now. I mean there is the occassional Let's Go Hokies *clap clap clap-clap-clap* chant, so it works. I guess it also works for the LET'S GO! HOKIES! too, since that wouldn't hashtag I don't think.
Von Miller is that you?