Frank Beamer conducted a short interview on Beamerball.com where he discussed the search for replacing Aaron Moorehead. In the interview, he discusses Moorehead's tenure at Virginia Tech and his reasons for leaving. He also highlighted the first team meeting of the 2015 season and briefly discussed the seven early enrollees. You can read the interview at http://www.beamerball.com/free/news.htm
Most significantly, Beamer discussed the coaching search for Moorehead's replacement.
No, we have a sense of urgency on finding our next receivers coach. John Ballein and I worked all weekend on our strategic approach and finalizing our list. You have to recruit, care about our kids, fit in with our staff and fit the culture here at Virginia Tech. Matter of fact, Ive included some of our players in the search process. Theyre going to meet with the candidates and I look forward to their feedback. So, this is a position I want to fill immediately and hope to do so quickly. Weve been very proactive and productive in the talks weve had to this point and I anticipate this process will move quickly. I dont like having holes in our coaching staff and we need our staff complete as we wrap up recruiting and begin winter workouts. We have a ton of interest in this position and Im confident well find the right guy.
I thought it was interesting that he included his players in the discussion. Some have mentioned Ron Duggans, who was involved in Isaiah Ford's recruitment at Louisville as a possible candidate. The quote also seems to affirm that Whit Babcock is letting Beamer make the decision about his staff.
Comments
It shows trust in the players, I like it.
but franks lost the locker room! *sarcasta*
I think it demonstrates credibility to the players who were recruitied by Moorehead. "Hey the kids all really liked Aaron. They also really like the guy we're bringing in. If you're thinking about strolling because of this, fear not."
I have much more confidence in this search process now that we've hit at least 2 out of the last 4 out of the park as far as I'm concerned.
I hope we get another young up-and comer like Moorehead was. he did wonders recruiting for us for a few years and our staff definitely needs to follow the trend of staying younger and relevant at all positions to better relate to the recruiticorns. Another guy with a Superbowl ring would not hurt...
The problem with Ron Dugans is that he's only recruited Florida. We're in good shape in Florida with Gray and Wiles, although a reasonable argument could be made that you are never heavily invested enough in a place as fertile as Florida.
A guy like Ron Curry could work the 757, freeing Cornell up into more Baltimore/DC/eastern PA. Same with a guy like Zohn Burden.
I could also see our next WR coach focusing on position rather than geography, like we see Searles and Loeffler doing.
Ties to the 757 isn't important in a WR coach, IMO. I'd much rather that position coach have deep ties in Florida even if some of our coaches already recruit that territory. The 757 doesn't produce enough elite receivers to bank on.
So do you want them to recruit position or geography? Searles and Loeffler recruit position. Everyone else recruits geography, as did Moorehead.
Personal preference would be for skill position coaches to recruit their positions, and it would be an added bonus that he already has ties to a talent-rich state like Florida.
I agree 100%, stiney is in the 757, if there's a guy he sees he will let dugans know.
When listing necessary qualities for a replacement, first thing out of his mouth was, "You have to recruit." I think the focus is in the right place, and I love that he's getting player feedback. That quote was way more specific and way less coachspeak than I'm used to from Beamer.
The only thing he didn't say that I wish he had was that he's going to get input from Lefty.
I don't understand why there is any surprise that Frank is leading the search. It is not the job of the AD to hire new assistant coaches, despite the false mantra often repeated on the internet. It is the job of the head coach to select someone who fits his staff. The AD merely acts as a guideline to how much the coach is allowed to spend. That happens everywhere across the country. It's been that way for decades.
It's nice to see Frank is addressing the issue, and engaging people other than himself in the hire.
Bucky might have some competition. Also Mook is only 168? Glad he enrolled early so the Gentrification can begin.
It is nice seeing Clark come in at 293 already too.
Who were the other 2 guys that don't look familiar?
There were a couple walk-ons that just enrolled. From Andy Bitter's most recent article:
The Article has links to Click and Peoples' highlight videos.
I love that he is including the players on the search and decision. They choose a school because they like their coaches, it is only fair to them that they get to play for a coach they helped choose in this case as well. I also bet Beamer went to the young WRs and asked "Who else did you like in the recruiting process?"
Have not heard the name Jack Click mentioned before today . Ex - FUMA QB , with decent size & good arm strength, and nice touch on short passes. His highlight film is impressive. QB competition just got even more interesting.
I've got a really good feeling about this.
I confess myself to be cautiously optimistic, because Beamer pretty much put my concerns to bed that he was going to turtle up and go with a "safe," ultra-loyal choice who wouldn't leave the program, a la Mike O'Cain to replace Kevin Rogers. The fact that Frank opened with accepting that turnover is part of the business speaks volumes of how far his mindset has come since 2006.
Excellent....that clearly shows a head coach engaged in finding the right person, with the right chemistry and having a very clear sense of urgency....not a coach stuck in old, tired ways.....very nice! WTG Frank!
Les koenning is a name to watch, id say its between him, zohn burden and dugens.
Anybody checked FlightAware.com for flights into the Tech airport? Roanoke? The Tech plane going anywhere? /s
I saw a flight from Richmond to Roanoke in the past month. Guys... we're getting Shaka Smart as our WR coach! /s
That plane must have been for Moorehead and not Foster...damn how did I miss that