Andy, I found your insights into the frequently discussed subject of who replaces Frank when he retires very interesting. As you pointed out with the AD position change it does sound like finding Frank's replacement is more up in the air now than if Weaver was still at the helm. If Whit truly does value head coaching experience when looking for the new head coach, whenever that times comes, do you envision Foster leaving for a head coaching position sooner rather than later to be in better contention? As much as I would hate to see Bud leave, if he does it in order to solidify himself as a head coaching candidate when Frank retires I could live with it.
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I don't get the impression that Bud is willing to leave VT unless it is for a high level BCS program. His problem? Those programs don't want to hire unproven guys, they prefer hiring experienced head coaches. As for the question of Bud even wanting to be a head coach, I'd put that at no more than 50%, based on his actions over the years. I just think he doesn't want it, unless it is as Frank's replacement, and even then, I'm not sure he wants that. Bud will be 58 in 2017, that's young to retire, but then again, Claytor Lake is nice when you don't have to watch game film all the time.
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I imagine that he can easily retire comfortably as soon as he receives his annuity. I also get the strong drift that he wants to walk out the door with Frank. Bud is more comfortable as 'the right hand man' than anyone in college football since Mickey Andrews. Think about it - he's a legend in Hokie Nation, he's got 100% control of his defense, he never gets negative press or fan blowback, and he's lived in the same location for well over two decades. Other than the opportunity to have the title of head coach, he's got it made.
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There were lots of message board people convinced he was and should be the heir apparent when he was hired by his dad. That has quieted considerably since then.
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Its a big leap to make, from runnning backs coach to head coach. But Blacksburg is not like the Blue Blood schools. I don't see Whit tying his legacy to such a risky (and maybe unpopular) decision. Let's let this puppy play itself out. Talking about Frank's retirement is like getting the measuring tape out to fit grandma for her coffin during a Thanksgiving dinner.
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I'm not even completely sold on Shane as a running backs coach. Recruiter yes. He's got a lot to prove before I would be comfortable handing him the keys to the program though.
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Nope, that is some fantasizing by some Hokie faithful wanting a wide open offense in the future. Chad Morris has had and will continue to have many opportunities at our level as a program and above. I've never seen anything by Morrise mentioning VT, and I've never heard any college football voice tying him to us. Only thing is some message board posters wishing it would happen. It would be nice, but I would be surprised to see it happen, even with Whit at the wheel.
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Except that Whit hasn't been about hiring assistants, no matter how promising. He's been about hiring high profile well proven head coaches. I expect him to make a splash hire whenever the time comes, but I expect it to be someone who's been a head coach at the FBS level.
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One name that would be intriguing to me and could fit the timeline if Beamer did retire after his contract ends is Willie Taggart. He's one of the youngest head coaches in the nation and if he can turn USF around like he did at Western Kentucky he will be a hot commodity. He fits the current Stanford vibe that Beamer has been into.
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I'm curious if other SEC head coaches take the James Franklin route. Build up your program then leave for a big name outside the SEC. Will Hugh Freeze look to make a similar move? What if Deterk Mason or Mark Stoops do well at Vandy/UK? Why not someone like Dan Mullen, who has done an amazing job at Miss State and NOBODY talks about him nationally.
Those are all programs where it's seems to be impossible to sustain consistent success. If any were successful you'd need to break the bank to get them, but those are the kind of names I expect Whit to go after when the time comes.
I know I'd be looking to get out if I had success at a bottom feeder SEC team. Just look what Cutcliffe has done in a short time at DUKE
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There's a big difference between Vandy and the other SEC schools. Even down years, UT faithful are still football obsessed. Vandy fans care far more about the tailgate than the game.
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I haven't looked too closely at his previous stops as an AD, but I wonder if Whit would consider previous HC experience as being more important than keeping the pieces of a great Defensive staff together. In the basketball hire he was replacing a coach who hadn't been successful and was being fired. When CFB retires, it's likely to be a completely different situation with a group of really successful coaches along with players recruited to play in their systems.
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Would we be able to land Bruce Arians you think? I mean he's got the experience he's a tech alum....iunno I always wondered whether we could pull that one off
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Comments
Is Bud Foster next in line to coach Virginia Tech..........
He better damn well be.
Andy, I found your insights into the frequently discussed subject of who replaces Frank when he retires very interesting. As you pointed out with the AD position change it does sound like finding Frank's replacement is more up in the air now than if Weaver was still at the helm. If Whit truly does value head coaching experience when looking for the new head coach, whenever that times comes, do you envision Foster leaving for a head coaching position sooner rather than later to be in better contention? As much as I would hate to see Bud leave, if he does it in order to solidify himself as a head coaching candidate when Frank retires I could live with it.
I don't get the impression that Bud is willing to leave VT unless it is for a high level BCS program. His problem? Those programs don't want to hire unproven guys, they prefer hiring experienced head coaches. As for the question of Bud even wanting to be a head coach, I'd put that at no more than 50%, based on his actions over the years. I just think he doesn't want it, unless it is as Frank's replacement, and even then, I'm not sure he wants that. Bud will be 58 in 2017, that's young to retire, but then again, Claytor Lake is nice when you don't have to watch game film all the time.
If he was smart with his money, he has enough to retire there whenever he wants.
I imagine that he can easily retire comfortably as soon as he receives his annuity. I also get the strong drift that he wants to walk out the door with Frank. Bud is more comfortable as 'the right hand man' than anyone in college football since Mickey Andrews. Think about it - he's a legend in Hokie Nation, he's got 100% control of his defense, he never gets negative press or fan blowback, and he's lived in the same location for well over two decades. Other than the opportunity to have the title of head coach, he's got it made.
True, but mobile quarterbacks are his nemesis. See UCLA and Maryland of last year.
Blasphemy
Does anyone really see Shane as a viable candidate to be VT's next head coach? I would never even consider it a possibility.
Shane as next head coach at VT ? Neign, Noooooooooooo !!!!!!!
There were lots of message board people convinced he was and should be the heir apparent when he was hired by his dad. That has quieted considerably since then.
Its a big leap to make, from runnning backs coach to head coach. But Blacksburg is not like the Blue Blood schools. I don't see Whit tying his legacy to such a risky (and maybe unpopular) decision. Let's let this puppy play itself out. Talking about Frank's retirement is like getting the measuring tape out to fit grandma for her coffin during a Thanksgiving dinner.
I'm not even completely sold on Shane as a running backs coach. Recruiter yes. He's got a lot to prove before I would be comfortable handing him the keys to the program though.
I swear I have read on occassion that Chad Morris would be interested for the HC position (if he was still available).
Nope, that is some fantasizing by some Hokie faithful wanting a wide open offense in the future. Chad Morris has had and will continue to have many opportunities at our level as a program and above. I've never seen anything by Morrise mentioning VT, and I've never heard any college football voice tying him to us. Only thing is some message board posters wishing it would happen. It would be nice, but I would be surprised to see it happen, even with Whit at the wheel.
I don't like mentioning Chad Morris in the same sentence as VT....it has not worked out
The same could have been said for Buzz Williams in February.
Not saying we'll get Chad Morris, but if the past few months have shown us anything, expect the unexpected when it comes to Whit Babcock.
Except that Whit hasn't been about hiring assistants, no matter how promising. He's been about hiring high profile well proven head coaches. I expect him to make a splash hire whenever the time comes, but I expect it to be someone who's been a head coach at the FBS level.
One name that would be intriguing to me and could fit the timeline if Beamer did retire after his contract ends is Willie Taggart. He's one of the youngest head coaches in the nation and if he can turn USF around like he did at Western Kentucky he will be a hot commodity. He fits the current Stanford vibe that Beamer has been into.
I'm curious if other SEC head coaches take the James Franklin route. Build up your program then leave for a big name outside the SEC. Will Hugh Freeze look to make a similar move? What if Deterk Mason or Mark Stoops do well at Vandy/UK? Why not someone like Dan Mullen, who has done an amazing job at Miss State and NOBODY talks about him nationally.
Those are all programs where it's seems to be impossible to sustain consistent success. If any were successful you'd need to break the bank to get them, but those are the kind of names I expect Whit to go after when the time comes.
I know I'd be looking to get out if I had success at a bottom feeder SEC team. Just look what Cutcliffe has done in a short time at DUKE
There's a big difference between Vandy and the other SEC schools. Even down years, UT faithful are still football obsessed. Vandy fans care far more about the tailgate than the game.
I haven't looked too closely at his previous stops as an AD, but I wonder if Whit would consider previous HC experience as being more important than keeping the pieces of a great Defensive staff together. In the basketball hire he was replacing a coach who hadn't been successful and was being fired. When CFB retires, it's likely to be a completely different situation with a group of really successful coaches along with players recruited to play in their systems.
Would we be able to land Bruce Arians you think? I mean he's got the experience he's a tech alum....iunno I always wondered whether we could pull that one off
Only if got fired from the Cards...he would be the obvious #1 choice IMHO if he was available.