Anyone else see this article at BlueGoldsports.com?
Multiple sources have indicated to me that Whit Babcock has already approached current Arizona head coach Rich Rodriguez about replacing Frank Beamer at Virginia Tech. While I was not told directly the two had met there was a strong indication that there had been a personal meeting in the not-so-distant past.
Obviously read all of this with a huge grain of salt, but if RichRod and Babcock have a working relationship, this could be interesting in a few years.
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Ew. Please no.
Pro: We would have an offense
Con: Everything else
Pro: It would piss off WVU fans. Otherwise, you nailed it.
My reaction would be:
Why would that be your reaction?
This would be the opposite of the Buzz Williams hire
I'm in full support.
#sources
potentially important question: Do RichRod and Bud have a good personal relationship? The answer could impact my thoughts on the ridiculously long lead time rumor...
This quote sums up most "reporting" these days. How does someone indirectly indicate to you to that something might have happened in the past? There is so much hedge language and non-starters here that it really is just nothing. God bless the off-season.
*sigh* This kind of stuff is getting posted now and we aren't even into the doldrums of the offseason yet. Can September get here quicker so we can have something meaningful to talk about?
HAHAHAHAHA. What a joke.
The real question is why were you on bluegoldsports.com? I'd rather be caught on a bizarre pornsite by my mom.
Chris at TSL is giving it some credibility because I guess he has heard similar from other #sources.
Take that for what it's worth. TSL isn't the type to excited about every rumor on the block.
It just doesn't seem believable, there's too much that's going to happen between now and whenever Beamer decides to retire (which could be well after 2017) that make #sources seem even less believable right now, especially when I see something like this on a WVU site.
As for your TSL point, I don't know much about them and I don't claim to, but they've never given me reason to give my internet traffic to their website, I'd rather go to TKP.
I think it's entirely believable that Whit and Rich Rod had an informal in-person or phone conversation to gauge potential compatibility for the VT job. I don't think Whit will wait till Beamer is DONE to have these types of conversations.
I agree with you that too much can happen between now and whenever that day comes that VT will be actively searching for Beamer's replacement.
TSL has been around since the mid-90s and was really the only game as far as a third party, hokie exclusive media source. Without them, it was just newspapers and hokiesports/beamerball for info. Their message board community may be a little wack, i currently prefer TKP myself, but they do have real connections in Blacksburg and within the VT athletic community - enough that they don't need to comment and speculate on every rumor that concerns VT athletics.
Yep. Chris and Will are solid guys and solid reporters. They're not going to speculate on anything that doesn't have legs, but they've been mulling over RichRod as a post-Beamer candidate for quite a while (among others, it hasn't been exclusively RichRod). I've rarely posted on their boards (more people = more whack jobs), but the content they put out is top-notch. You won't find many people more well-connected to the VT athletics department.
And while it will hopefully be a while before Beamer retires (which would ideally indicate he's relapsed back into that lovely winning habit), we're gonna see rumors floating around on this stuff until well after his replacement is hired. Shoot, the aforementioned conversation between Whit and RichRod could have been as simple as, "Hey, any chance you'd be interested in the VT job after Frank leaves in a few years?" "Maybe, why not?" "Ok, cool." Whit's good at what he does. He's going to do what's best for the football program, not what's best for one of his buddies. He knows if he screws up the football program he's in some pretty serious trouble, and there's no harm in keeping feelers out there just in case he has to make a hire before he planned on it.
I ask this as a serious question, but is this still true? We have a new AD now and while he hasn't cleaned house, I'm sure he has his group inside the department that he trusts and that gets information and I would think that group would be somewhat, if not entirely, different than his predecessor's group. This is also a rumor that is easy to print since it's not immediately actionable and no one will remember anything about it once it is. Beyond that the rumor is that they "might have had a meeting". Solid rumor.
Probably truer now than ever. The current admin is MUCH more open to non-traditional media than the previous admin.
I agree they are more open to it for the big things but that doesn't mean that they are behind closed doors. Allowing more non-traditional media to get press passes and #SOURCES are very different types of access. I just don't see how this helps Whit to have it leaked when he kept the lid on the Buzz hiring pretty tight. I see this as a boon for Rich Rod however. Rumors like this seem to appear any time a coach is trying to get a raise from their current school.
I'm confused then, I thought your question was "are the TSL guys well connected to what's going on within the AD?"
It was/is. I don't equate them being more open to giving press passes to non-traditional media to them having inside knowledge about Whit.
One thing opens up opportunities for the other, especially if you've been around for a while and established a good reputation for yourself. Doesn't mean they're having beers with whit, but there are lots of folks in the department.
Agreed. Weaver and TSL never got along. Since he's gone either TSL's sources are more willing to talk, and/or the athletic department is more open.
Maybe I should spend a little time on TSL occasionally. However, I can't take this RichRod thing that seriously. So far, Whit has given me every reason to trust in his decision making abilities fully so even if I do ignore the what seems to be #sources to me it still doesn't make sense. Part of the reason the Buzz Williams hire was so great is because his personality fits in well with the community and culture of Blacksburg, with the other main reason being that it seems like we figuratively out kick our coverage in terms of coaching quality. RichRod is good enough to be a head coach in Blacksburg, I just don't think he's a good fit with the community and culture and I'm sure Whit knows this.
The skeptic in me would conclude they are using the "report" as a way to air out a rumor they heard to generate some offseason traction and pageviews.
If they are connected to the behind the scenes info, they haven't reported any of it. I don't recall them breaking any Tech related story as of late.
Boondock Saints always gets a leg!
It may happen, anything it possible, but i don't think so. Not sure people understand the kind of money that Arizona is putting up to keep him there. VT does not have that kind of money to spend. RichRod has a massive bonus structure there.
In addition to the typical (though in his case better than most) incentives for winning title and championship games, RichRod has essentially been given a trust fund by a wealthy donor. Him and the basketball coach. They released 500,000 master units valued at $35.36 per unit. RichRod was given 175,000 units, which is $6,188,000 in value at the moment and can appreciate. To get the bonus he needs to remain at Arizona for 8 years starting from 2014.
The way he is succeeding there and how the school, athletic department and donors are behind him to build something I just don't see him leaving before getting that pay day. Why would he? So does anyone think Beamer is going to still be coaching in 2022? Or that VT is going to be able to a) buyout his current contract and b) offer any kind of bonus that could match this to cover that loss?
Can read about it here:
http://www.si.com/college-football/2014/05/28/arizona-coaches-contracts-...
Most people assume Beamer will only coach 2 more years.
If that...
Maybe so but I also think people drastically underestimate the kinds of changes that are going to take place at an institutional level at Virginia Tech over the course of the next decade or three. I'm betting people will be surprised what VT can afford.
Umm until the Hokie Club grows ALOT, I don't think I'll be surprised. Less than 10,000 members currently.
Low number seems like a big growth opportunity, thus supporting his point.
But his point about what VT can afford I think is way off.
What is your definition of institutional changes?
This would be an example
https://www.vtnews.vt.edu/articles/2015/04/042015-develoopment-phlegar.h...
That's academic side though.
It's so much more than just the academic side. For starters it directly affects the Hokie Club which will fall under the "Advancement" umbrella. Beyond that, "the academic side" necessarily impacts all things Hokie. It's the sun around which the AD orbits.
I think they are different animals, I'm pretty sure, someone correct me if I'm wrong, the Hokie Club is a part of the athletic dept, answering to the AD?
Previously, yes they would be different entities. However with the new administration they are putting this under a single umbrella. This hire will basically become the head of fundraising for ALL aspects of VT academics, buildings and sports (Hokie Club) included.
This would be another example:
Pete Moris
Wouldn't be thrilled with the move, but I'd rather have Rich-Rod with Foster than basically anyone else without him...
I'm going to chalk this up to #sources since it was posted on a West Virginia site
I remember when Rich Rod high fived and hugged his player who drilled our punt returner before the ball got there. The refs threw a 15 yard flag for the personal foul... yet there was Rich Rod celebrating his player for the hit.
All Class.
#strongstinkofWVU.
Why not hire like almost anyone else?
If Whit thinks he can win football games without getting the program smacked by the NCAA (which seems to be becoming easier by the minute), then screw it, I'm in.
Smacked? More like slapped (on the wrist).
I wouldn't hate it, maybe even like it IF, and that's a big IF, Bud is still the DC
F*ck that. If any man anywhere has earned a shot at a job, Bud Foster has earned a shot as HC. The idea of asking Bud to stay on as DC under RichRod makes me nauseous.
chill dude, never said I wouldn't mind seeing Foster as head coach. Imo he won't be. I think Babcock is going to make a big time hire when Beamer steps down.
Lets remember a few very important details when considering this fool as the successor to Beamer... Rich Rod played defensive back at his alma mater (hmm sound familiar), was hired by his alma mater as head football coach (hmm sound familiar), took his alma mater to unprecedented heights of on field accomplishment (hmm sound familiar), and oh yeah then he left overnight for "greener pastures" before his team even played in their bowl game (hmm)....One thing doesn't match all the others. This dude is the ANTI-FRANK and the complete wrong fit for a place and culture like Hokienation....IMHO of course.
If i recall WVU was at heights back in the day, long before RichRod was coach. They were the Beast if the East.
According to wikipedia, Don Nehlan who was the coach there from 1980-2000 won one Big east Championship in 1993 and were still independents when they went 11-1 in 1988. Rich Rod took over in 2001 and got them an outright or share of the Big East title 4 times before leaving in 2007. That includes an 11-1 record and perfect in conference record in 2005. Granted the Big East was a shell of it's former self by that point, but in general that far exceeds anything WVU had been doing in the previous 3 decades before his time as Head coach in terms of consistent championships.
That was the Backyard Brawl loss to a mediocre Pitt team in 2005 that cost WVU a shot at the title. I remember watching the night before VT beat BC in Jacksonville. That was a great weekend.
The upset loss to Pitt happened in 2007.
That was a great weekend
Yup that is correct, that lone loss in 2005 came at the hands of a team we all kind of like alot...
Led by a QB that certain robots from the future like
You gotta admit, MV5 was on his game that day.
Yep...
And to be fair, MV5 took a lot of heat for his actions that day, in flipping off the WVU students, but if you had heard some of the outright racist shit he took all day long from that section, you'd fully understand why he did it.
That, and the reported eye gouging and extracurricular physicality under the piles gave him all the leave he needed in my book to flip them off. Can't condone so much of what he did to tarnish VT and the Vick name and legacy, lord knows between them they both did have a lot of 'splainin' to do, but that day, in that place, with those jerks in the stands, well I was fine with that particular action/reaction.
Easier to win those titles with Miami and VT gone though.
And wasnt Beamer extremely close to bolting for UNC?
Yes, but the situation was very different.
Frank: "Maybe I'll leave for UNC." (deliberates for a day) "No, I want to stay and make sure my staff gets a raise."
RichRod: "I think I'll leave for Michigan, but I'll coach WVU through the bowl game." (a few hours go by) "Nope, screw you guys, I'm leaving tonight."
The other one was that Whit had spoken to Mark Richt- which to me was far more believable.
It's more believable that VT could hire Mark Richt away from UGA than RichRod from Arizona?
I consider them both quite believeable.
Yes, culturally, values wise (I think Whit places this very high- look at Buzz... and Richt is cut from the same cloth) It would also be the 'big splash' that Whit likes to make.
Bud could work with him (he tried to hire Bud I believe). Recruiting- wise, etc given our work in Ga.
It works on a number of levels.
I don't think it would happen, but the reasoning behind it is that a lot of UGA fans are calling for Richts head since he hasn't won them a title yet. Expectations would obviously be lower at VT so that might be something he values
Don't want any part of Rich Rod at VT. Period. Full stop.
Coach Loeffler, is this you?
No wants!
I won't root for Rich Rod.
Is it so hard to find a coach that can win in Blacksburg that DIDN'T coach at one of our two regional rivals???
Yeah, but, they hate him.
I'm all about Rich Rod replace Frank. I don't think it will happen, but I like it. How fun would Lane be if we scored 40 billion points a game?
if all you want is offense, there are soo many other coaching options who would be cheaper to acquire, less of a PR risk, less likely to get VT into trouble, and equally, if not more-so, proficient offensive coaches.
I don't know (or really care) whether this rumor has any legs (I have my doubts) but I do not think it is likely that RichRod will end up in Blacksburg.
cough * Chad Morris * cough
Morris, Herman, Bobo. A lot of offensive guys getting their chance to show what they can do that might time nicely for us
Big fan of his, but at this point (assuming he continues to have success), I don't see him ever coaching far outside the state of Texas.
I waited to read all the comments before I put money on my horse and you beat me to it. My money is on Chad Morris all the way. It was mentioned that he has ties to Texas and all, but I think he's a name that we can get with a good sized but not exorbitant salary and he fits the culture, etc.
If that happens, does Bud stay? Maybe not, but I think maybe so. Bud's got a sweet deal in Blacksburg when it comes to intangibles that aren't measured in dollars.
Blech
The day that happens would be the last day of me supporting the Virginia Tech football program. I have no interest in having anything to do with a Rich Rodriguez lead program.
Can't see it. But, who can say? It would be a splash hire, maybe for the negative
RichRod? ...ummmm... NOOOOOOO! Not a cultural fit, and he obviously hates living in cold climates.
Mark Richt? Not going to happen unless he gets fired, which could happen. I know a couple of hard-core UGA fans and they are mighty fickle as a fan base. An SEC title though would cement him there I suspect. All that being said, would love to have him at VT, but would rather give Bud a shot if he wants it. He certainly has earned it.
That would be his 3rd. The first two, though (2002, 2005) were won when the CFB landscape was much less volatile.
I really don't think this rumor has much weight. Rich Rod has stated in the past that he and his wife wanted to be in a warm place. They have that in Arizona; they won't have that in Blacksburg.
Secondly, I'm sure that Rich Rod being the next coach won't make some donors happy.
Thirdly, Rich Rod is a WVU alum. I really don't think he would have the stomach to break their hearts again. If Rich Rod is hired as VT coach, I'm sure that it'll stir up the rivalry again, but like my point about the donors, I'm not sure that is what everybody wants. Personally, I'd rather have Tennessee as a border rival.
Or...this could be a stunt by the athletic department to gauge what everybody thinks of the idea. Remember, Whit did say that organizations leak info by design sometime back when he was looking for a new basketball coach.
Could be Whit trying to help a buddy out with some leverage on a contract renegotiation.
Nope. His contract has already been redone to the tune of 6+ million as I showed above.
C'mon man, what fun is the offseason without some baseless speculation?
Fuck it sure why not.
Having a So-So Offense and Great Defense hasnt won us a Natty, maybe its time we try the opposite.
The Bama's, tOSU's, and FSU's of the world put less and less stock in coaching loyalty every year, its about having the best staff you can have in that year and maybe the next, if we really want to be competitive after Frank we need to ignore former coaching ties that dont impact quality too.
If I was Whit Babcock, I wouldn't exactly shit on Bud Foster. But hey, I'm not a business man. Maybe in reality Coach Foster isn't "the" guy. Oh well, I'll just stay in the present and not ponder so much about the future.
I would love it... As a coach for us, no that would be less than ideal, but the simultaneous meltdown on TKP, TSL, GC, etc, would be something you tell your grandkids about.
It would be like someone signing Tebow in 2015.....
Oh the offseason, it'll get after ya.
Rich Rod and Bud leading up opposite sides of the ball? That could...pay significant dividends.
Having said that, naw hell naw that fool ain't gonna coach my program. I'll fire Whit out of a cannon into the Sun before I allow RichRod to coach for the home team in Lane.
So besides leaving WVU for a bigger job, what exactly has he done that people keep saying he "doesn't fit the culture." Has he been in trouble? Does it have more to do with his ties to WV? Or does he just rub yall the wrong way?
As much as I like the fact that he screwed over the Cousins, breach of contract (and his new university subsequently bailing him out to a large extent) doesn't sit well with me. Nor do major NCAA violations (though they were reduced by the NCAA after Michigan self-imposed penalties) that occurred pretty much immediately upon RichRod's arrival.
No, thank you.
Wouldnt be so excited about this hire myself. Could be worse, but I doubt it would happen.
However, if it did happen, and he won, everyone would love him. So it really doesnt matter what we think of him, or whoever, at the time they are hired.
beamer isn't getting forced out before bristol or nd in 2016, but i expect that to be his last yr. that's both very soon and a long time from now. many things can and will happen with everyone involved. i'm sure they've talked being boys and all, but i for one won't support dickrod.
I tend to agree with you about beamer not being forced out, but one thing that could push the date sooner would be health issues. Frank not exactly a spring chicken anymore.
mmm... spring chicken
Oh Definitely... Beamer is coaching the race track game.
Does anyone see a scenario where Whit hires someone from the outside, and Bud stays on? My answer is a resounding NO. The ONLY way we retain Bud is to make him the head coach.
I could see a scenario where Whit hires from the outside, and Torrian Gray gets promoted to DC, but Bud won't stay.
You are probably right but an established big name coach like Richt would be an obvious situation that could work. Richt loves Bud as a DC and losing out to Richt is hardly an embarrassment. I don't think Richt is coming to Blacksburg, but that is an example. Rich Rod might work. Unlike the linked article, I don't see that happening at all but Bud could stay under that circumstance. A former NFL guy would also fit this profile...big name and would benefit by keeping Bud.
A young up and comer wanting some stability may want to keep Bud, it would be like Beamer keeping Billy Hite from Dooley's staff, but I don't see Bud staying if he thinks the new guy is less qualified than he (Bud) is.
My choices for HC after CFB:
1) Bud Foster. Don't care that he doesn't have HC experience. He's ours and should be handed the reigns.
2) Richt. If Richt came and was given the position over Bud, I wouldn't have any problem whatsoever with it as long as Bud was still given 100% control over the defense. Richt is my #1 choice if it isn't Bud.
...
Infinity - (tie) Todd Graham, Rich Rodriguez, Paul Johnson, Jeff Jagodzinski, Brady Hoke, Charlie Weis, Mike Leach, Bret Bielema, Will Muschamp, Mark Mangino...Seth Greenberg, others.
agree 100% with number 1. Number 2, I'd go a step further and say that I'd only want Richt if Bud buys in AND maintains control. If Bud is out, I don't know that I'd want Richt.
Spot on. I'm not a huge Richt fan. He's just... Meh. Wouldn't be ecstatic if he was hired, but I'd be OK with him + Bud. I'd be interested in seeing Pep Hamilton, but I think he has his sights set on the NFL.
I agree with this. And that is a lot of change at once. How does Hokie Nation respond to this scenario? Positively? Maybe not. Change is coming, but its appearance is unknown. I think a transition upon Frank's retirement should be less volatile. I think Bud should be HC, Torrian to DC, hire the next DBU professor. Heck, if after a couple years we haven't progressed, THEN you can go outside. This would at a minimum maintain a competitive team (I actually think it could improve it), support continued improvements in recruiting, and Hokie Nation support for the long haul, IMHO.
I'll let Whit hire whoever he thinks is the best candidate to succeed Frank and hope that whoever it is succeeds.
Here is the only way to deal with #Sources during this time of the year....
The Duke don't play
I mentioned this before, but if you're going to embed YouTube videos, GIFs from giphy, or anything else with embed code you DO NOT need to use the link button. Simply copy and paste whatever embed code you have to directly into the comment textbox.
The list of potential replacements that fit the "Buzz" model (mid-career, high energy, high level of success), is really short. Does Butch Jones fit the profile and would he leave Tenn? I could see them opening the checkbook and making a run at Dan Mullen. Much easier path to the playoff from VT. Otherwise, you are probably looking NFL or waiting to see how guys like Morriss, Montgomery, Bobo, etc. pan out...or you get an older guy.
David Shaw.
Stanford pays terribly.
good choice. he may be home though
I'm still waiting to see if he is able to maintain what Harbaugh did there. After a few years, they look like they're settling back towards the middle of the pack. When Hogan graduates, we'll have a much better idea of the state of that program. I don't think they'll maintain ten win seasons.
I don't think Hogan is any good (or, he's a west coast Brewer). He's serviceable.
They had a dip last year, but it may in part be because Shaw was having to deal with Hogan having a pretty bad year.
Either I missed it it or I haven't really seen Pep Hamilton's name mentioned. This guy was a sure bet until the Colts came and offered more money and the chance to coach in the NFL with Andrew Luck.
Yea he may get a NFL HC gig soon but I wouldn't count him out as a possibility. I think Pep system partnered with Bud's defense would work well together.
There was some scuttlebutt that the negotiation with Pep Hamilton didn't go well, to the point of him being insulted at our offer.
But others say he was close to joining us and bonded with Beamer....thus the AMo recommendation.
So, depends on who you believe.
If you believe Beamer, he said in his book that Pep was "close" to signing with VT but was upfront about another opportunity that could potentially be offered to him that he would rather take over VT's OC job...that job ended up being the Colts' OC job.
...if Pep was "insulted" by our offer, he never would have told AMo that he should take the WR job at tech.
I think Pep would be a longshot, but he would be my top guy to bring in at HC (assuming that Bud stays at DC)
I believe we all thought Buzz Williams was a long shot as well.
I am pretty sure Buzz Williams was not even on our (avg fans / tkp readers) radar as an option when his hiring was announced.
I agree. Buzz was not even close to being on my radar. I had to google him and then read about him to know anything other than that he was the Marquette coach. While I was subsequently quite intrigued, then pretty happy about his hiring, I could never have envisioned him at VT at the time of his hiring.
We live in interesting times, indeed, eh?
During my time there Rich Rod actually came and watched a full VT Spring Practice. I want to say it was in 2006. His whole staff came to tour our facilities, and he was in the middle of negotiating what he wanted done at WVU. It was really strange, but coaches help each other out all the time.
those staffs were friendly, even more so when stewart was coach if i remember correctly.
I will say this, though...
If it comes to this, and when Beamer retires, if RichRod is our guy, so be it, and I'll welcome him with open arms, because he'll be the head man of our program, and I love the program enough to not let an individual shy me away from loving it. And I fully believe if we could hold onto Bud through the process, and pair a RichRod offense with a Bud Foster defense, we'd be a legitimate powerhouse of a football team, with legitimate National Title potential year in and year out. I mean really, a plug and play offense with a plug and play defense, both of which coached by guys who have proven to be excellent at coaching their respective side of the ball? Sign me up.
That, and it would REALLY piss off the entire state of West Virginia, which would just be icing on the cake for me.
Nah, Marshall fans would love it.
FWIW I've been over at TSL ever since it first launched as HokieCentral.
Chris and Will are good peeps and they were the first to know about Moorehead headed to TAMU and they seem to have a pipeline into what's going on behind the scenes.
Have to agree. I may not enjoy the atmosphere on the message boards so much, but Chris and Will have a great long view of the program and as good a feel for the pulse of the program as anyone not drawing a paycheck from the school.
The boards are no where near as great as the discussion threads here, but I give their regulars props for irking loluva and the sabre every chance they get
Sometimes I go on the sabre just for funsies. Might drop a troll post or 2. Just mix things up and see what happens. Cause, y'know, offseason.
In reference to all of the comments hoping that Bud would stay DC after being passed over for HC - I'm not sure how realistic that is. Bud would have to really love Blacksburg/VT/his job to stay DC for a new coach. I could definitely see him being offended.
How would you feel if you worked the same job for 2 decades, did the best job you could do, and then, when the opportunity for a promotion finally opens up, you get passed over? I'm not sure I would/could stick around.
I think the hope there is that he is the first HC offer, but ultimately decides he doesn't want the reigns after all. Then VT hires an offensive guy who is ok with Bud and his crew staying on. Then I wake up
Here's a question:
Who would you rather have as HC: Rich Rod or Lane Kiffin?
This is just a hypothetical situation and in by no way recommending either become the head coach over the other person.
Rich Rod over Kiffin.....but neither hopefully
I choose a sharp stick in the eye.
If Kiffin is ever hired at VT's coach, we have have been infiltrated at the highest levels, and I will take up bowling and never watch another college football game or concern myself with Virginia Tech athletics again.
I might have to cut off my nose to spite my face. And by that I mean I might take some level of joy in losing just to watch Kiffin squirm. I usually don't go too far off the rails in internet discussions, but I might have to let out my inner mustang is that happened.
Pretty sure if Kiffin was HC, we would all get over it and eventually be huge fans
...of basketball.
If Kiffin is ever brought any closer to this program than on the opposing sideline I will burn every scrap of VT gear I own, start rooting for whoever plays Tech every weekend (except UVA), and lead protests outside of Merryman/Lane every gameday.
If the choice were RichRod or Kiffin, I suppose I would go with RichRod but I damn sure wouldn't like that either.