Not going into detail with Beamer's presser, yall know all he said. But after reading what all he said, something struck me. When Bama played Arkansas a few weeks ago, Saban was PISSED at halftime because he said they could have done better, and they were up 24-0 at half!! And now we have Beamer being all optimistic, saying how we got better today, how he's gonna build on this, how Exum did a good job all night, etc. Can you imagine Nick Saban saying that stuff? Why hell no (and yes, I do hate Nick Saban). It is good, sometimes, to have a coach like Beamer, one who is always looking at the bright side and whatnot, but if you put that in perspective to some other programs & head coaches around the country, we have a looong way to go and many changes to make to get back to where we want.
/rant over
Comments
Thats why they should remove the stupid empty trophy case. Not only is it bad luck but unless the goal is to win the MNC and hold everyone accountable to that goal, then it will not happen
Now that you mention it, that's a good point. Why is the case there if its not our goal? Surely I'm not the only one that thinks if he really wanted that trophy changes would be being made.
Agreed
If another program had offensive issues like ours has had over the years, you better believe there would be new offensive staff.
This is actually the first time in my life I've actually been furious with Frank. I'm just so disappointed he's let everyone, coaches and players, get so completely complacent. They just expect to win. Heck, we, the fans, do too!
And I'm saddened by how terrible we looked. What happened to fundamentally sound football? Frank has allowed us to get so, so sloppy. We used to be solid. What happened? Why can't Logan throw a football anymore? We know he can. We saw it last year. So what's the problem now? Why can't we tackle anymore? That's probably what upset me the most, but we've seen the sloppy tackling coming on the past couple of years...
Also, isn't Shane supposed to be handling the running back situation? I literally think he draws straws or does "eeny, meeny, miny, moe" to choose who to throw in the game next... Come on Shane. I love your recruiting abilities, but you gotta pick up the slack ON the field.
maybe you should root for bama
Really?
Don't be ignorant.
youre right, i'm over it, i'm goin to bed
Beamer is the nicest guy you'll ever meet.
Virginia is for lovers...and Beamer is from Virginia, so of course he is optimistic.
Virginia Tech football was nothing before Beamer. We all need to yank our heads down from the clouds and realize that we have been spoiled over the past 10 years with good seasons, and just because we lose a few games, we shouldn't get all up in arms. Beamer is optimistic because he's been through the mud and come out a winner (as is apparent in the 10+ win seasons recently). Ups and downs...it's college football. Anybody that thinks Beamer isn't the best thing to happen (and the best thing that still is happening) to Virginia Tech football should kindly remove everything VT from their wardrobe.
On a different note, we are a weird team. We have huge misfortunes in games (Michigan, Boise, this game, etc.), but we also are very inconsistent. We tend to play at the level of our opponent, regardless of how good or bad they are. I hope that we get out of that funk and start playing consistently soon.
I'll start panicking if we drop ACC games left and right. But seriously, the offensive staff needs to be shaken up. Should've happened years ago in the post-season. But as long as we stay in contention for the ACC, I don't see it happening.
The defense needs to play with a purpose, and tackle properly.
You can have your asshole coach.
I live in the heart of SEC country and I see our fans becoming more and more like their fans and I really hate it. One of the reasons I love VT is because we weren't like the SEC. I don't need assholes running our football team. You don't have to be a asshole to win football games. Don't we all deal with enough assholes in our lives, why do I need another running one of the things I love. Saban has a few other things going for him that helps win National Titles and it's not just his attitude. He also over recruits and has endless streams of $$$ to get the stuff he needs to land the best recruits. Not to mention he's got the brand of Alabama Football. I agree there is definitely something wrong with the team this year, but it may not be all coaching. Has anybody stopped to think we're making our players better than they really are? VT football seems to be at its best when it has to over achieve and the coaches have to coach them up. This year it seems like the new starters and and the ones in new positions just don't have enough talent to give us the kind of season we have come to expect.
I think you misunderstood the OP's point. You can be a nice guy and be a good football coach, but there comes a time when you have to stop being a nice guy and get in someone's face. Beamer gets lots of good publicity and is well liked and respected around the country for what a stand up guy he is. Nobody is saying that should change. But, we are talking about 18-23 year old men here. Sometimes a heavy hand and browbeating is needed to get them to pay attention and get their head right. Letting them know that poor effort, technique, focus is unacceptable and you will find yourself on the bench if it's not corrected. Also, that it goes for the coaches, players, and even down the equipment managers. I think everyone is tired of the sugar coating "aww shucks" attitude from the the whole coaching staff. There's obvious deficiencies that need to be corrected and need to be said out loud.
Debatable
There are way too many psychological angles to make an assumption like that. It is just as easy for me to say that because he is always optimistic and become he always walks softly, the team feels more motivated to win for him.
P.S who knows what goes on behind closed doors.
True, I don't know what's said at halftime or anywhere else, but the body language on the field says something different. Watch the PITT game or the offense in the first half of the cincy game and let me know if you see a motivated team out there, because I don't. I guess my main point is that people are tired of the problems with the program being glossed over. Beamer said the offense improved during the game. Yes, it's easy to improve in the second half when an offense doesn't make a first down till 5 minutes left in the first half.
Maybe it's because he's not going air his dirty laundry n public
I think Frank Beamer is the type of person that does not want to air in his dirty laundry or problems in public. It's quite obvious the family atmosphere for this team is very important to him. How many of you know of families where you would never know about the type of problems they're having or if they're having problems, you know they're not going to talk about it with anyone outside of their family. I know my family is like that. I think that's how Frank Beamer runs this program. He's made changes in the past. Don't believe me? Ask some of the former players. Sometimes it takes him awhile to make a change, but he's made the changes non the less. I don't know what he's saying behind closed doors, and I'm not going to speculate.
Agreed
I am with him, if the goal is to win the SECPN BCS title game year in and year out, why arent we doing what we need to do to accomplish this goal? If the offense is the problem how is Stinespring and Mike O Cain still have a job?f I say Ocain because Logan is fucking terrible this year. I say take that damn empty tophy case and either smash it to bits on the field or take it outside to practice every day and have it on the sideline every game. Motivate these damn kids and the coaches need to learn how to light the fire under these guys. I simply believe that Beamer has lost his touch and discipline of his teams.
I also believe that we can win it without being like the wack sec and over recruiting, illegal recruiting and just being in the pocket of espn. But you also need to get back to VT football. Bud Fosters Defense killing folks and line up and run the damn ball then set up the pass offense. Get back to wearing maroon on maroon, white on white and hell i say we be the bad guys and bring the black on blacks out, kinda like a dark knight rises complex, which would be sweet.
Its time to get angry and start winning some fucking games and gaining our national respect back.
Beamer is too soft!
I feel like Beamer is too soft. The fundamental difference between watching Alabama and any other team, is that Bama does not make mistakes. Watching Virginia Tech players botch tackels, consistently overthrow the ball and flat out screw up their routs is pure proof to me that Beamer needs to get his players in line and be more commanding. On the note of Nick Saban's comment, in a system where whether you go to the national championship is based on how badly you can beat an inferior team (which is the case), his opinion is understandable.
ok line drawn
the notion that frank is soft is bull fucking shit. i agree with some of the criticisms and disagree with others but i just wont let that get said without a callout.
saban is an excellent coach. i agree with his whole process approach. saban is also a mercenary asshole who screams in kids faces for wearing their hats backwards.
you really think if frank yelled more and belittled the kids on the sidelines like saban does we would suddenly be top-5 program every year?
If your worried about getting screamed at in football, I dont hink you know the game that well. If you can get hit that hard there is no reason they can't take some heat from the man in charge. I said he is too soft, thats not to imply he rewards his players with candy when they have a good down. If players continue to miss tackels and ignore fundamentals they should have learned years ago, they need a wakeup call.
its just a difference is philosophies. pete carroll was winning national titles just a few years ago and he's sorta of an anti-saban personality. bob knight was a great coach. so was phil jackson.
ps frank aint soft
To be fair
I'm not thrilled with our record in big games or how we can play so far above our talent level yet ALWAYS play down to our competition. I would agree that some of that should be on the coaching staff.
That being said, Saban has all-world talent on his team. Every. Damn. Year. Yes, he is a great motivator, and yes, he relies on being a huge dick to staff/players/everyone to stress accountability. But Alabama has enough talent throughout their roster to go man-on-man, 1st team vs 1st team every damn practice. They aren't worried about kids getting hurt from starters full-contact hitting starters. Because if someone gets injured, what does it matter? Throw another 5 star kid in there. Not every team has that luxury, which is why we (and many other) programs can't practice like Bama. That is why Bama misses fewer tackles and has better execution (along with coaching staff and other factors, of course). Beamer isn't soft, he just understands what he has to work with. Our cupboard isn't bare, but it sure as hell doesn't look like Alabama's.
Information
Where are you coming up with all of this?
Do you have a source that shows that Alabama has more players getting hurt than other teams? Have you seen their closed practices? Do you really think the coaches aren't worried about their players getting hurt?
VT has had plenty of Offensive talent over the years, the NFL is proof of that. It comes down to this.. Saban wouldn't tolerate sub par assistant coaches.
Beamer needs to upgrade his coaching staff and recruit better players. Both are very possible.
"VT has had plenty of Offensive talent over the years, the NFL is proof of that. It comes down to this.. Saban wouldn't tolerate sub par assistant coaches."
Right on bro! And if Beamer doesn't want to admit that change is needed, then he needs to go as well. And just to make it clear, I've felt this way for a while now. The first clemson loss last year was the final straw for me.
We need a major offensive coaching change (not stiney won't call plays anymore, big deal) or Beamer needs to go. It feels good to finally say that on this site.
Come on now.
Obviously I am not present at closed practices. And I never said the coaches "aren't worried", just that since they are so loaded talent-wise, they have the luxury of not being pressed against the wall if they lose a starter/contributor.
Don Kausler, Jr. handles Alabama coverage for the Birmingham News. A quick scan from his preseason (Not counting Spring) write-ups showed the following injuries:
For anything that the players were not in no-contact jerseys I will put minor. Note that it may indicate that the players were otherwise limited in practice.
Chris Black (shoulder, season)
Wilson Love (ankle, minor)
Dee milliner (knee, minor)
Jarrick Williams (torn ACL, season)
Adrian Hubbard (elbow, limited to no-contact)
Eddie Lacy (ankle & foot sprains, minor)
Ryan Kelly(ankle, limited)
Amari Cooper (foot, no-contact)
Bradley Sylve (fractured hand, limited)
Compared to Virginia Tech during the preseason:
Nick Acree (ACL, season)
Ethan Keyserling (hip, minor)
David Wang (ankle, minor)
James Gayle (ankle, limited)
Tariq sustained his injury last season in March, so I will not be counting him. Similar story with DJ Coles, who injured his knee during the regular season last year.
Please correct me if I missed anyone from either team--I'm sure there is at least one either not-reported or brushed over.
I do not have statistics that show Alabama per year has more players hurt than other teams. I do have somewhat compelling evidence that a program with a S&C program perhaps better than ours (which is very good) had more injuries as well as higher instances of more severe injuries from preseason practices up until week 1 of the season.
I understand Football injuries are not an exact science. It is a full-contact sport and with bodies flying around full speed. Injuries are bound to happen. But don't act like you are blind to the fact that many SEC programs, Alabama in particular, take pride in a physical, smash-mouth style of play. They get that way through practice, which, going back to my original point, is why they can execute so well from the get go. And they can afford to practice like that because of the caliber of players throughout the roster.
I completely agree that Saban does not have tolerance for dead-weight on his staff or team. I agree we need staff changes, especially on the Offensive side of the ball. I tentatively agree with your point of being able to recruit better, as long as you are not implying we are capable of recruiting at the same level as Alabama.
I think everybody should keep this in perspective. I don't think the poster was trying to say that Beamer needs to be Saban, he's only saying that some of that fire and those hard nose coaching characteristics would benefit us, instead of Beamer acting like nothing's wrong.
Saban isn't the only coach that's intense and demands accountability. If you go across the spectrum, I'm sure the major coaches all have their own individual way of doing things and what works for some, won't work for others, but when you're in a situation that demands a response, don't act like everything is peachy, which is really what I think the poster is trying to say.
To compare every detail of Saban's coaching style/situation to Beamer's is madness in my opinion, and even more absurd is comparing Bama to VT. We're far behind them and for good reason. There's a lot of comments in this forum comparing our team to theirs, our recruiting to theirs, our revenue stream to theirs, etc. and it makes no sense. Just like I tell people when discussing the #VTforSEC situation, don't compare us to Bama and LSU when deciding if the SEC would be a good move, that's retarded. Be real about who we are and where we are as a program. We're a hell of a lot better than most but we're not close to Bama or Saban.
I would like to see more fire from Beamer too. I would like those that have screwed up for years to be held accountable, cough Stinespring cough. I would love for us to get an outside hire for offense. We have a lot of problems and only time will tell if they get fixed or not, but I don't think we should start comparing ourselves to Alabama. We already feel bad about this season, unreal comparisons tend to make you feel worse.
Isn't that why Bud Foster is there?
And for that matter Stinespring is pretty intense during practices but how is that working out? If you ever caught some of the behind the scene stuff on ESPN, you'll see VT has got it's share of intense coaches. Frank Beamer just isn't one of them. It's not his personality and to expect otherwise is not reasonable. People can't change their personality. I'm sure Beamer is aware of his leadership at this point in his career. Any good leader knows this and will surround themselves with people that make up for their own deficiencies. Even Shane is pretty intense. Now he said the major issue of the slow starts was discussed at length in today's meetings. What was said is being kept confidently, which doesn't surprise me. I'm sure other teams would want to know just as much as some of the fans. We all need see what happens next.
Look, Im not trying to say Beamer needs to be Nick Saban. Saban's commanding approach is effective, but his anger gets the best of him and he ends up being a raging asshole most of the time. For that reason I cant stand the man.
That being said, a stricter approach if used to target the right areas of development could more effectively cause players to make less mistakes during games. VT had the capability and athleticism to beat Cincy and Pitt, but it was mistakes like missing tackels and throwing the ball without accuracy that let us down. That is the kind of problem that Nick Saban's coaching style fixes quickly.
It is about temperament
What is the best way to motivate a player? Everyone is not the same and responds differently to the way criticism is delivered. CFB is not a big ego type coach so he cares more about not looking like an ass in public. He treats his players the same way since most or all are not big ego guys either. I think the big ego guys respond better to public humiliation than others and will step up their game.
There is no right or wrong way. You are either effective or you are not.