I'll state up front I want Bud Foster as our next HC and I'll tell you why.
Just reading the comments from a LOT of recruits, more than a few mentioned the "family" atmosphere.
I think Bud can keep this cultivated commodity going. I also think he's learned a lot from Frank through the years. I think he would do a good job running the family business. He could also keep a lot of the coaches there, even promoting Gray to DC.
Having said that, how will Foster manage things? Would he promote Gray to DC? Would he still have time to keep the defense up to par? Will his HC duties get in the way? Would his HC duties suffer as a result of making a game plan for the defense?
Lots of questions. I'm willing to find out if Bud has what it takes because I think he can do it and I believe it would be the most seamless of transitions by keeping everyone together.
Comments
I think bud to hc is the absolute best decision moving forward. Move TG to DC but still have Bud heavily involved in the defense...
So this next opinion of mine will be unpopular, but I'd hope Bud would find a better OC... (if he proves otherwise by seasons end I'll gladly eat crow, but I'm just not a fan of SL)
Who should Bud hire, if he's the HC? To me, the proof is in the pudding and the pudding isn't only in the WL record in the years where scot had to rebuild a nuke-bombed shantytown. We're landing really good offensive players at every position and I would be reluctant to put that at risk.
We probably don't land Lawson without SL and definitely would not have landed Joshua Jackson. These are top notch QB recruits. QB's want to play for this guy. I believe the offense will get going under SL soon and we will be happy.
Josh Jackson is a top notch qb recruit? Lawson I can agree with.
Yes, he is. ESPN has him as 4 Star and #180 in the ESPN 300. SL plans on getting one QB in each class. And if he keeps getting QBs like Lawson and Jackson our offense will be in good shape for years.
wide gap between the two IMO.
Bud should be the next head coach. I agree with Frank's assessment of the coaching staff; that it is the best staff he has ever had.
Sorry but I'm tired of these "what if" conversations. Beamer will retire when he retires and then we can have these conversations. Until then
So you clicked on a thread to post an abandon thread gif?
Then don't click on the thread?
You do realize that this is a message board, right? Message boards deal in a lot of "what if" situations.
I'll show you the door.
Unlike many Hokie fans, I am completely open to the topic of discussing a post-Frank Beamer era. While I want Frank to coach as long as we are going to bowl games, he has been the head coach for nearly 30 years, so it's just fun to talk about what might happen when he retires as it will be completely different than what we're used to.
The name Rich Rodriguez has been brought up quite a few times. At first, I supported this idea, but then I got to thinking: he just seems like a scummy guy. I mean, he completely botched #2 West Virginia's game against 3-8 Pittsburgh that would have propelled the Mountaineers into the National Championship during the 2007-08 season, and then he left for Michigan the next week. Being that Frank Beamer has been our Head Coach since 1987, I'm not quite sure that would go over too well around here.
I want stability more than I want a championship. Stability brings multiple championships, as recruits are more inclined to commit. I want the family atmosphere that KeyBird brought up. Bud Foster would certainly bring that kind of atmosphere. And while he has no head coaching experience, he has learned under one of the best, and he is one of the best assistants in college football. He has consistently put a good defense on the field now since 2004 (2010 and 2012 were rough years, but they were still good enough to get the job done). I am confident he can lead a team.
I don't thing they go together. I think more lies on coaches knowing when to call it quits, or if coaches don't then when a school knows it's time to move on.
Since 1999 FSU, LSU, and Ohio State have won 2 national Championships under 2 different coaches.
The exception of course, Bob Stoops has taken Oklahoma to 4 NC games and (though in a lot less time) Nick Saban has taken the same school 3 times
R Rod gets brought up because of the offense change up and the change to a program he has made at Arizona (Preseason #22)
Be interesting to see what Bud would do. As head coach you are more hands off. It wouldnt be the same defense or maybe he would just hire a DC for looks and still do it himself and then I guess it would be all good
> Stability brings multiple championships
We would be drowning in NCs if that were the case. I don't know a program more stable than ours the past 25 years.
I respectfully think a lot of people need to be more open with risks, especially in the college football environment now. A lot of VT fans seem too scared of change, and that mentality should go away. Stability is nice but stability also makes you complacent and too comfortable. I think the post-Beamer era is the perfect oppurtunity for Tech to take it to the next level and seriously try something new. I believe that whoever is the best for the job should take over, and if that is Bud so be it, but I'm open to hearing other possibilities as well.
What I'm trying to say is that if we were to go to a National Championship with Rich Rodriguez, chances are he would be offered a job the next day in the NFL, or a higher paying college job. If Tech were to win a National Championship with Bud, he would probably stay (I'd like to hope), and we know we'd have a championship coach every year thereafter.
Bud is a great DC and has been for a long time. That is his strong suit; not head coach.
....but how do you know?
There have been plenty of successful DCs that moved on to HC
It would look like great.
Sounds like you've won me over. I support Bud Foster as next head coach.
TG to DC. Play Find-An-OC. Win.
If Bud believes Whit is the right man for the job, then by all means he should take over, but I'm open to other suggestions as well. I believe in choosing whoever can get the most success for Tech and take our program to the next level. If that comes internally, that's great, but if that has to come externally there's nothing wrong for that in my books.
#WhitForHC
What more does a DC have to do ? It's that simple: Bud Foster earned the right to be VT head coach.
That's the entire premise behind The Office, and Michael Scott being a Regional Manager
Michael Scott went from being a Sales Rep. to a Regional Manager. From selling a product to managing people. Two completely different jobs.
Now, I'm not saying going from DC to HC doesn't have differences but in a general sense, a Def. Coordinator has to manage the defensive staff and the defense. Becoming a HC would still be in the same category of his previous experience, just a lot more responsibilities.
One of those, he was pretty good at.
I love how I just witnessed a serious comparison between Michael Scott and Bud Foster...
Not a comparison to Michael Scoot but how no one earns the right to the next job. That is what Michael Scott did
Before he was promoted to regional manager, he was an exceptional salesman, able to relate well with clients and using his personable attitude to his advantage, and he displays this several times throughout the series. He rose to his manager position by being one of the best salesmen in the company, winning consecutive awards for best salesman.
to a Regional Manager.
Michael is shown to be an incompetent manager, who injects a lot of his personal feelings into the work environment.
From selling a product to managing people. Two completely different jobs
The Peter Principle is a special case of a ubiquitous observation: Anything that works will be used in progressively more challenging applications until it fails. This is "The Generalized Peter Principle."
http://theoffice.wikia.com/wiki/Michael_Scott
There are similarities but I would say more differences than similarities
From selling a product (Defense) to managing people (Head Coach). Two completely different jobs
My previous job with an insurance company had this exact problem. The regional manager was an absolute rock star when it came to making sales back in the day, but as a manager, you could tell he had no idea what he was doing or how to connect with the workers he was supposed to be leading
It's a very common problem in sales organizations. Managing/developing people and being a good salesman are almost two entirely different skill sets.
Wasn't the Scranton Branch of Dunder Mifflin routinely recognized as one of the top sales driven branches in the entire company? The fact that Michael led such a successful branch led to him getting (albeit not serious) consideration for the VP role after Jan was dismissed, when Ryan eventually got it? Didn't one of his employees win companywide Salesman of the Year? At one point, when the market was lagging, wasn't the Scranton branch so successful (I believe they were the only one turning a profit) he was asked to go around to all Northeast branches to give a seminar on how other branches could increase profitability? And after resigning over a disagreement in job roles, he was able to successfully start a new company that leeched away so much of Dunder Mifflin's clientele away that Dunder Mifflin was forced to merge with the company, the terms of which included significant raises for all his employees, and the reassignment of his previous supervisor?
You can say a lot about Michael Scott's personal skills and his inability to handle himself in the professional way a manager should, but you cannot question his ability to lead a performance-wise, outstanding branch.
The implication there was that the office was successful IN SPITE OF their leadership.
And yet when Michael stepped down, sales started to lag to the point where they needed to be bought out by David Wallace to remain solvent.
Michael was more important to that office than many realize. Its not insignificant that the guy he mentored ended up taking over as Regional Manager, especially after the Andy debacle.
I took the success of his office as part of the irony of the show, not proof that Michael was a brilliant manager.
Thanks for saving me the trouble of typing this response.
Bud is not in sales as a DC. He happens to manage one of the best defensive units in all of college football each year.
He manages coaches below him as well as the student-athletes.
As a HC he would he would manage pulling the team together for one common goal.
I have NO DOUBT Bud Foster could handle getting a team together for the purpose of kicking the other teams collective arse.
He has seen enough that he probably already has in his head the tweaks he would make as HC. Bud Foster is ready.
This is a business not a club. No one "earns" the right to be the head coach. You apply for the job and if it is determined that you are the best candidate for the job then you get. It doesn't get handed to you because you've been here a long time.
But to answer the question:
Nailed it!
I want him to go back to this look for his HC intro press conference.
I want Bud as the next HC, but the sooner they come out and announce a succession plan for Frank the better we'll be able to counter the negative recruiting about our "impending" coaching changes. I know it's been discussed that in the state of VA we can't have a HCIW, but i'm sure there is something else we could call it and still get it done.
I do agree with you that I want Bud to be the next HC and it would be nice to have a way to ease the worries about the future of VT with recruits. However, until the administration actually knows when Frank is going to step down (or be fired), it's never wise to proclaim who the next guy is. I have complete faith that Whit has a contingency plan and is well aware of the situation.
Pain, for all opposing teams, next question.
To me, Bud has demonstrated excellent teaching skills and doesn't shy away from accountability. I really want him to get his shot.
It's a tough call. He has earned a shot, but you have to consider the other options. If it's Bud or Mark Richt, I pick Mark Richt. If it's Bud or PJ Fleck, I pick Bud.
We aren't going to know the context that Whit will be working under. He hired Buzz Williams, so I trust in Whit to make the right decision.
Mark Richt has struggled consistently in the SEC East, the obvious little sister of the Sec West. Anytime Bud has struggled, it was never consistent. He has always adjusted.
That's not true at all. In 14 seasons Georgia's won at least 10 games 9 times and never missed a bowl. And for much of that time the SEC East was the more powerful division thanks to them and Florida. You could say he's under achieved given the talent level and resources of a place like Georgia, but they've been consistently good.
Are you inferring that Mark Richt is not a good enough coach for VT after Beamer leaves? Most people agree that there is no way Richt would leave UGA to come to VT.
Yet another reason I'm glad I'm not Whit Babcock making this decision.
I truly understand that perspective and there is sound logic behind it. I have trust in Whit to do the right thing also but I also do not expect a losing Season in football. That is a risk and I know we have to take risks to move higher in the football world but at the same time they need to be calculated. My math=Bud Foster.
If it doesn't work out we tried and time to move on.
Likelihood be damned for this thought: It'd be neat to see Bud Foster next and then Torrian Gray after.
If BF doesn't get the job, I hope he goes to a rival so that he can pound VT every year. VT would have been awful without him this past decade.
"VT would have been awful without him this past decade."
Should that really be our criterion? I think we should look forward, not back. Foster has served us well, but in terms of HC, I'll be judging him on what he offers for the future, not what we owe him.
That statement wasn't necessarily about criteria, just stating my opinion. But he's shown the ability to adapt in-game, over the season, and through the offseason, which is what I think it will take for VT to get to the next level. It was an article several years old, but it's about Bud and being a HC and the guy has a plan in place for when he does get a HC gig - even down to dining plans.
No question that Bud is capable of adapting what he has tactically to get a win, and to come up with a great defensive strategy.
The question for the next coach is whether they can imagine the future, and put new tools in place to get there.
VT's defense is top notch, so "the next level" is an uptick in recruiting on both sides and and improved offense. Beamer has already given that his best shot, and we should see the results over the next two years. What would Bud do differently? THAT is the question that you need the answer to.
I don't think Whit should be limited to the current staff in choosing Beamer's successor. He should pick the coach that he feels will give VT the best chance at getting to the next level. Wherever that coach comes from.
I believe Whit "gets" the culture at VT. He knows that community is a big part of that. But I don't think we as supporters of the program should presume to limit that choice.
I'm open to a robust selection process, and that includes the possibilities of keeping Bud as DC (lowest risk if he'll do it), or hiring him as HC. It also includes hiring a new HC from outside the program.
Bud is on social media - I wouldn't really have thought that would happen. I mention that for the ability to adapt off the field to connect with recruits/community. I don't see Bud having such a forgiving/accepting attitude wrt not getting the job done as a player or coach. He's well respected by his peers and therefore I don't think he'd have any problem getting bright minds to come be apart of his plan.
You're open to change and outside, that's cool. I'm sure there are some good candidates out there. I see a name like Mark Richt come up and to me that's not the right direction. The guy can't win big games at UGA with all that talent and support and he's supposed to be a better option than Bud? I'm not buying it. PJ Fleck is a name I see here - I don't know enough about him to have an informed opinion, but to me that's not a given upgrade. I'm just in the category of promoting from within based on a record of excellence. That's why I'll always be pro-Bud.
I think Bud has demonstrated the ability and desire to be the best
Not only is he on social media. he wears TKP shirts on social media.
#BudforPrez#BudforHCThe criterion for the new head coach at Virginia Tech is "can they take VT football to the next level?"
It's premature to say that this staff can do that.
There needs to be clear progress in terms of winning and recruiting by this staff (and donations by the community) before you can advocate keeping this staff or Foster as HC. Continuity is great, but it will get you similar results to what VT is already getting.
The next HC at Virginia Tech needs to be able to convincingly put forward a plan to get VT consistently in the top 15. They're not going to get there if they're in the middle of ACC recruiting, in spite of all the success they've had in the past two decades.
I'm open to the idea of Bud as HC, but I'm not yet sold on it.
I am curious as to why you are not sold specifically? Nobody here is going to see the plan Bud or any candidate submits for moving VT to the next level. Is our criterion only that you must have won a National Championship?
Let me ask the question this way: what has he not done to earn a shot as the big whistle? Whatever that is, the successful candidate should have already done it as well. I seriously am not picking at you. For the sake of good discussion, I am curious what BF has to do to sell anybody on being the right guy to lead the team when CFB retires.
The next level isn't a national championship. The next level is consistent top 20, and a CHANCE at a national championship. The next level is cracking the top 20 in recruiting. This year's class is currently ranked at 41 on 247. I expect that to improve, but It's NOT a good trend. This staff is great doing more with less, but at some point you need to do more with more.
I'm not saying it CAN'T be Bud, I'm saying he should have to compete for the job like everybody else, and should have to convince Whit that he's the best candidate for the job. It may well be that the next two seasons show a marked improvement, which would be a proof of concept of the current staff/trajectory. I think Bud is great, but at some point VT needs to supplement him with a stellar OC and a head coach (or someone else) who can recruit like his life depends on it. If Loeffler "passes the test", then keeping the current staff together is fine. If he doesn't, then what changes will Bud be able to make that Frank was never able to do?
The next head coach hire at VT is the biggest opportunity for an overall improvement in the program, and I'm expecting that. Whit needs to pick the best person for that job. Yes, it's a lot to ask. But I see the possibilities.
I don't disagree that Whit has to pick the best possible candidate for the position. I am specifically asking what, in your opinion, has Bud not done that would put him at the top of the list? A lot of the responses I see ( not just this thread) seem very subjective because of the "staff" trend. Bud only controls the defensive staff and I think he has done a hell of a job with it. He cannot be judged on the offense being poor the last few years.
I'm saying that that's not the question. The question is "What has he done to put himself at the TOP of the list?"
He's been an OUTSTANDING Defensive Coordinator. He gets to keep that job as long as he wants it, and VT should pay him handsomely.
The Head Coach job is a different position, requiring different skills. I'm saying the job is not his by default. He gets to put his case forward. He has been outstanding and loves the place. He's had a lot of success as Defensive Coordinator. Those are great qualifications, and nobody else has those.
Yea? What else ya got? All that isn't enough to get my non-existent vote or vocal support.
He needs to convince Whit that he has thought about the big picture, and is willing to do what it takes to get the Offense and recruiting working better than it is now, while keeping the defense top-notch. Is the defense going to be able to maintain their level of excellence without Bud? What is he going to do that Beamer couldn't figure out, or was unwilling to do? What is he going to do differently? Who will his offensive coordinator be? What will be Shane Beamer's role?
Beamer took the program as far as he could. He went to the national championship game. But he wasn't able to turn the corner. The program is better known now, and has a lot of support, but it's a consistent top-30 program. I would like to see a national championship in that trophy case, but to get that I believe you have to be a consistent top-20 program. How is Bud going to get there? He doesn't have to convince me. He has to convince recruits. Every year. He has to win recruiting battles against UNC, UMD, and UVa CONSISTENTLY, and against Alabama and Ohio State at least regularly with recruits from Virginia. There is no way VT should be losing recruiting battles with UVa. With what VT has to offer, that's just poor salesmanship.
Part of that HC job is "selling the dream", or at least having an overall staff that can do that. You're getting better, staying even, or losing ground. Where is VT right now? Where will they be in two years?
Does the guy who can do all of this exist? Can VT hire him? Is it Bud? You tell me.
I'll say I think Loeffler is better than people give him credit for being. But we're going to find that out in the next two years. If he can work out the demons on the offense, recruiting picks up, and this thing starts to hum I think it bolster's Bud's case for a seamless transition. Is that what Whit is thinking?
I like the idea of consistency, and I'm not saying it can't be Bud. But for me, it's not automatically Bud.
Holy shit that's a dictionary of a post big guy! I agree with several points you make. We have established that we as fans are not going to know what the specific plan is that each candidate submits.
So just tell me, in your opinion, what else do you specifically need to see out of Foster? If you can't, answer that question, it's ok just say that. Either way I am having a blast drinking bourbon and thinking about Labor Day while I watch the Reds smash the Pirates with the fan.
For those in the Mark Richt boat please note he had zero college football head coaching experience before taking the Georgia job but was a successful OC at fsu. Why would we think Bud would not have the same success?
Wish I could give this more legs. Chip Kelly, Jimbo, Richt, Helfrich, and Bob Stoops are all accomplished head coaches who's highest position was a coordinators before accepting a job at a P5 school. Why are people convinced Bud can't have similar success?
I haven't seen a good reason why Bud shouldn't be given the head coaching duties. In fact, I think that, as of late, he's started to adjust his off-the-field actions (much like he's made on the field adjustments) to more closely resemble a modern day HC. He's more active on social media, he's become more accessible to the media. He's hit the recruiting trail hard (see in house visit to Tim Settle). Of course, some of these might just be a result of Whit changing the program, but it still should not go unnoticed.
None of those guys were a coordinator in the same job for over 20 years. They all had a upward trajectory throughout their careers and were HC by the time they were 45. Bud chose not to do that
So you assume that he's not qualified?
Its not that he isn't qualified. At face value, 20 years of DC experience is better than 10. Its just that waiting around to maybe be head coach one day doesn't scream head coaching material to me. I don't see loyalty as the only reason he never left.
Chose? He's interviewed for several HC jobs. He'd be an HC already, at a different school, had he been selected.
So basically what you're saying is...
The way I look at it:
1. Give Bud a shot - if he fails, then he himself knows he was given a shot and couldn't do it, and there's no shame in that, and then he hopefully comes back and stays as the DC.
2. If you don't give Bud a shot - then he might get bitter and go to a different school as a DC (or even an HC).
I think it wouldn't be a bad situation if Bud got a shot and didn't make it, and if he does do a great job, then awesome! Low risk, high reward.
In the history of football, has this ever happened? It seems highly unlikely, The outcome if he fails as a head coach is very much more likely to be that Foster will no longer be a Hokie
No one's ever had the reputation of Bud either. It's like Gene Chizik - bad HC, but still a good DC. IF he (Foster) doesn't end up here he'd end up somewhere else.
it happened a level below with Stiney.
I think Muschamp is in that situation right now. He was a former Auburn DC who became a HC at Florida, and is now back as an Auburn DC.
Great call out! I think that is a valid argument. Because I am Pro-Bud, I think Bud has done significantly more with less including an offense that doesn't help out much. I have a hard time giving Muschamp a pass considering the talent they had. Example of forcing the system into the player instead of adapting to the personnel.
There are examples that support both sides. It is my impression, may not be accurate, that Bud is fairly well liked in coaching circles. Not sure about Muschamp. The only relevance to that is just that Bud might be able build a stronger staff.
Ohio State hired their DC at the time, Luke Fickell to be their HC like 5 years ago after the whole Tattoogate with Tressel, but they were God awful. Got canned after only one year. However they still kept him on staff, and he's been the co-DC and LB coach ever since. So yeah, it has happened and uh, can we say worked out pretty well for the Buckeyes?
He was hired as the INTERIM head coach while Tressel was suspended for five months, and then Tressel resigned. He was then named head coach from May until November that year until Urban Meyer was hired.
Not sure you have the sequence quite right. Fickle, who played for Osu, had been on the d staff for a few years and was DC at the time Tressel resigned. Which was right before the Season started. Luke was named interim HC and he knew it was temporary. They lost starting QB and a few other key players. You are right it didn't work for them. Does not mean it wouldn't work for us.
"Does not mean it wouldn't work for us."
Thanks for clarifying the details, but I was actually saying the exact opposite of your last sentence. The point was that if Bud failed after a year or two of being head coach, they could just say this thing isn't working (like anOSU did) and let him have his old job back at DC. And my point was that it worked out pretty well for the Buckeyes in getting Urban Meyer, so I think hiring Bud after the Frank Beamer era is over would actually be a good move on our part.
Sorry my mistake lol. I am on your page. Fantastic point!
I think you're kidding yourself if you believe that Bud will get a try at head coach, and if it doesn't work out go back to the defensive coordinator position.
The situations are not comparable.
It definitely wouldn't be an ideal situation because it would mean ya know, we were sucking, but he's that much of an asset that I think if it could happen to anyone, it'd be him. But I see what you're saying for sure. Just a thought.
I figure Lane would look something like this to opposing teams, and every game would be a night game.
The only downside to CBF as the big whistle is getting a bunch of holding penalties after the O-line embraces all that is Foster, and starts to fire off the ball and sack the linebackers. *
.
.
.
*(I would pay double face value on the ticket prices to see this)
I would like to see Bud become the next HC. He has been extremely loyal to Frank and the university and is a huge reason for our success over the years.
I've heard some people over the years say that he doesn't have the personality to be a HC. I couldn't disagree more. I met Bud this summer (I posted my review on the this message board) and I was blown away by how polite, open, and engaging he was.
- He has been a great DC and I don't see why he can't be a great HC.
- I worry about losing Torrian Gray and he could possibly become the next DC.
- I don't think he'd put up with poor coaching on the offensive side of the ball and would make the change a lot quicker than what Frank did.
wow. Someone with a much higher maturity level than mine approved this shirt for print.
They stopped just short of "Eat Bud's D!"
I would buy that T-shirt.
Campus Emporium my friend.
On sale for $9.99 but they only have small's left.
I would totally buy that.
I was going to start a thread sort of like this yesterday but with all the Ohio State stuff that went on yesterday I was going to wait till today to do it. However this looks like as good a place as any to talk about this. Instead of us saying yes or no to OP's original post why doesn't everyone make a list of the coaches they would want at each assistant position.
We would have to put stipulations on this though, and the stipulations are no Lateral Moves, in saying that though if it is a lateral move from a lower prestige school that is fine.
So I will make two different lists, one if Bud Foster gets the HC gig and one if he doesn't, remember you can only have 10 coaches:
HC/Co-DC: Bud Foster
Co-OC/RB Coach: Todd Washington(Running Game Coordinator)
Co-OC/QB Coach: Scot Loeffler(Passing Game Coordinator)
WR Coach: Zohn Burden
OL Coach: Stacy Searels
TE/Co-Recruiting Coordinator: Bryan Stinespring
Co-DC/DB Coach: Torian Gray
LB/Whip: Cornell Brown
DL: Charley Wiles
Special Teams/Co-Recruiting Coordinator: Shane Beamer
The only way I would be ok with Bud not getting the HC job is if he agreed to stay on as DC and this is what I would hope this would look like.
HC/QB Coach: Chris Petersen
Co-OC/RB Coach/Running Game Coordinator: Todd Washington
OL: Stacy Searels
WR: Zohn Burden
TE/Co-Recruiting Coordinator: Bryan Stinespring
DC/Assistant HC: Bud Foster
DB/Assistant DC: Torian Gray
DL: Charley Wiles
LB/Whip: Cornell Brown
Special Teams/Co-Recruting Coordinator: Shane Beamer
You have to remember Frank will be part of the hiring process and I think that anyone that comes in will have to yield to some demands from Frank, the only person that wouldn't have to do that is Bud. On top of that Frank will be an Assistant to the AD for something like 5 years after he hangs it up.
Some good thoughts here. I'm expecting one of three scenarios:
1. Foster as HC, keeps D staff as is, all new OC staff except one holdover (Could be any of them not named Loeffler)
2. Buzz Williams of Football as HC (somebody you don't think we can get right now but brings immediate credibility), all new offensive staff except one holdover, Foster and D staff stay on.
3. Outside HC, all new coaching staff but two holdovers, one on each side of the ball.
I'm all for redoing the Offensive assistants/coordinators. If that was the case I don't think anyone that would come here would have a better OL coach in their back pocket than Searels. Plus if we could do Stacy Searels and Todd Washington on a single staff, I would like to turn into Stanford East, with how they put linemen into the league. However if we are playing that game this is what I would like it to look like:
OC/RB Coach: Todd Washington
OL: Stacy Searels
TE: Jeff Blasko
WR: Joker Phillips
Hasn't Bud Foster said in the past he would make Charley Wiles DC if he became head coach? Not sure why everyone is jumping to conclusions that it would be Torrian filling that role.
I had never heard this before, I don't know why...I just kind of assumed TG would fill that role I guess.
The biggest reason for that is Wiles isn't going anywhere. But someone will come and snatch Torrian, shortly. We need to do something to keep him here.
That makes no sense. Coaches come and go. It happens. You put the best man in for the job, and if Bud thinks its Wiles, then you give it to Wiles. There's no need to but TG in a position Bud doesn't think hes ready for just for the sake of keeping him
Everyone is entitled to their own opinion unfortunately I would think you are in the minority.
It's been heavily intimated over the years that Foster would make Wiles his DC and he would hire an OC of a true spread team. Gray's stock has risen that he may earn a Co-DC title with Wiles, because Foster will be calling the D signals anyway.
I think promoting Wiles over Gray as DC would be his first (and MAJOR) mistake as HC. I'm very worried about that.
i think it would look something like this:
yep, that's it
JMHO - But I'm not certain Bud Foster will stick around after Beamer retires. He's made several comments in interviews that seem to me can be interpreted to mean he doesn't coach here for Virginia Tech. He coaches here for Frank Beamer. If Beamer weren't here, he'd likely be elsewhere by now, as in DC for an SEC or B1G team earning more than VT pays a Head Coach.
Once Beamer retires, Bud is gonna do what is best for Bud. He might very well be offered the job. He also might very well get stolen by a school with much deeper pockets than VT. He's going to get a lot of very attractive offers.
This is all speculation, but I think to keep Bud Foster from leaving to Texas A&M, Whit (who was discribed by Coach Foster as being "very proactive" in the process) made it clear how important he sees Foster is to the athletic program. Something in that contract, or communicated across the table, must have expressed that Whit's plans for Foster extends past Beamer's tenure. Whit might be thinking HC or at least keeping Bud as DC as a requirement for the next HC (which wouldn't be a hard sell). But I doubt that "after Beamer retires" situations were not discussed during that agreement, and CBF is still here.
I'm probably reading too much into it, but I read something yesterday (probably Bitter's column) pointing out that Bud and Frank are the only members of the coaching staff with contracts that extend beyond 2016. This could be interpreted to support your theory.
The simple fact is this, no one is guaranteed success based on what they have done in the past. Some have had great success going from a DC/OC role to a HC role. Some have crashed and burned. Some have had great success moving from a HC at one school to a HC at another. And some of those have crashed and burned.
Here's my two cents. Bud has been extremely loyal to our program and without him it would not be where it is today. I know that he has an unrivaled tenacity and unwillingness to accept defeat. Personally, I think he would go far as a HC, and even if he did struggle initially, I believe Bud finds a way to win. I believe he has earned his shot, and I think we should give it to him.
Could he fall flat on his face as a HC? Absolutely. But so could anyone else.
Sometimes you have to give the kids the keys to the car and hope for the best.
I certainly believe he has earned it.
My only question is "Can he take VT to the next level?", not "Has he earned his shot?".
I'm not saying he can't, I'm just saying that's the question, and the only one.
I give him extra credit in the competition for already being ingrained in the system, for previous contributions, and for loyalty, but I wouldn't forego the competition for the job altogether.
If they somehow manage to beat Ohio State and avoid stumbling after that, I'll consider THAT the interview.
When I started reading this line, I thought you were going here:
BSG auto-leg
Your ass pocket is full of wisdom as well as whiskey!
Whiskey = wisdom.
Disclaimer: This may not hold true in all situations. Individual results may vary.
Here's How it Goes
The Monday before the Bristol game at the Press conference Beamer announces his plans to retire and how 30 years has been great and long story about other past players and coaches. As he's wrapping it up in his One More Thing a la Steve Jobs, he's retired at the end of regulation of the Tennessee game.
Game tickets sellout and skyrocket on stubhub
On Thursday it's announced that interim Head Coach will be Bud Foster and after the Handshakes are made all coaching question go to Bud. Major audience at the Post game for an introduction. Bud is coach for all 2016 and told that VT will do a full search after the season. Based on the results of 2016 we get to see if Bud is the next coach. He's involved in operations enough that there is no loss for the change. Besides Offensive play calling Bud is currently doing it for Tech Football.
So based on 2016, we get to see the results on the field and follow his press conferences and any recruiting news.
Interviews are held over the winter and Mid January a decision can be made and everyone has had a shot at it.
Recruiting wise Tech's always be around the 24th percentile of recruiting. Most of the verbal commits are Virginia (~60%) kids well intent on going to VT so a coaching change would only help the team, See Buzz Williams Recruiting.
Men's Basketball was in the 25 percentile to now being in the 6th Percentile
VT Basketball Class rank
2012 87th
2015 20th
My thoughts. They mean nothing.
Having said that, how will Foster manage things? ---- I would think Bud is a 'details' guy and an 'accountability' guy for himself, his staff and all players in the program. No matter if it's a classroom assignment or play assignment, I think you would hear a ton about 'accountability.'
Would he promote Gray to DC? ---Yes.
Would he still have time to keep the defense up to par? --- Have you ever heard the guy talk football? By that I mean how football looks through his eyes. This guy is an animal. He would not let his vaunted-D slip.
Will his HC duties get in the way? --- I don't see them getting in the way, but more importantly; Will he be good at them?
Would his HC duties suffer as a result of making a game plan for the defense? --- No. Plenty of coaches deal with this. He would have the luxury that a lot of new coaches don't have and that he could have 'his team'/'his guys' (Wiles, Torian, Brown) already in place. Seamless change.
-----
Who would he hire for OC? --- I don't know, but I'm pretty sure Bud would go full scorched earth to find the Offensive version of him. I see him getting some young mind out there who is an absolute football junkie.
Who would he hire for OC? --- I don't know, but I'm pretty sure Bud would go full scorched earth to find the Offensive version of him. I see him getting some young mind out there who is an absolute football junkie.
You mean SCOTT LOEFFLER?
If SL turns things around for us this year and next, don't be surprised if we hang on to him/other programs come calling for him. There's a lot to be said about turning around a terrible offense with zero available talent in 3 years. If Bud is the next HC, my money would be on him either hanging on to a successful Loeffler or getting someone from the Clemson/OSU/Oregon coaching trees to run a hurry up spread attack.
Bud's already said he would run the Oregon spread were he a head coach. So, no SL.
Bud4HC. My only worry is that he'd promote Wiles over Gray as DC. That would be his first major mistake as HC. Gray>Wiles. It's not even close.
Gray's units might put up better results, but that doesn't necessarily mean that Gray has a better understanding of the defense as a whole.
I don't even know that much about Wiles. What's his background (prior to Tech)? I know that Gray has successful NFL (playing) experience and is a kicka** rockstar recruiter. What's so great or special about Wiles? So far impression of him is that he's not really all that impressive.
Have to give Wiles a couple of more years. He inherited a train wreck that was transporting dumpsters that caught fire. And that goes right back to the top and you know who.
Wiles played under Beamer at Murray State (like Foster). He's been coaching at VT since Gray was a player. He was a DC at Murray State when Beamer first came to VT.
Wiles is just as integral to our defense as Gray. I believe that in the event Bud moved to HC, Wiles would be either DC or Co-DC with Torrian. I don't think Gray gets the job alone.
I could live with Co-DCs as long as Wiles wouldn't inhibit Gray's creativity or get in the way. Of the two of them Gray>Wiles simply on the fact that Gray alone has sent innumerably more Hokies to the NFL.
The NFL argument doesn't make sense. The fact that our DB go more frequently than DL is a function of scheme, not coaching ability. Our DL guys are tweeners for most NFL positions; they get shifted around or don't work out and that's been a main knock on our program in terms of DL recruiting for a while. Doesn't mean Wiles isn't a good coach. His guys put up monster numbers at the college level, as we're currently seeing.
Also remember that while the secondary and the line play complementary roles, Bud's philosophy is always to take the run away first, and that's where Wiles fits in so well. He knows how to get his guys to do that. Bud wouldn't radically alter his stance after all these years of success. Of course, the line can commit to a certain style of play with the knowledge that they have a great secondary that can play on an island if needed, so it's a bit of a chicken-vs-egg argument, but stopping the run is generally where the strategy starts.
Yea, I'll second VTGuitarMan. I think you're tremendously undervaluing Wiles. He's one of our best coaches (hence the nickname 'Sacksburg'). If something were to happen to Bud (ie, he got sick and couldn't run the defense) I'd expect Wiles lead the defense.
Look. You're misinterpreting what I'm saying. I can obviously observe that Wiles is an integral part and very much contributed to the construction of Sacksburg. What I can't wrap my brain around is why and what makes Wiles a superior candidate and the person of the "right stuff" to Gray. So he's got "more experience". Just because a person has more experience coaching doesn't automatically make them the right person.
Look, I'm not trying to undervalue his contributions or even his coaching. It's just that from my perspective, Gray looks like the better guy. I guess I'm in the minority on that but I'll deal.
Also regarding the Co-DCs, I'd be fine with that but I'm going to make a music analogy. Back when Phil Smith (former Principal Trpt of the NYP) was brought from the CSO he was made Co-Principal alongside John Ware for the first decade he was there. However, you bank on it that only ONE of those 2 played ALL the 1st Trpt parts, and that was Phil.
If Gray and Wiles are made Co-DCs which one gets all the Primary Coordinating tasks? I believe it should be Gray.
I think it's the fact that Wiles seem to get low rated recruits, and turn them into stars (see Luther, Dadi, etc). Gray gets 4 star recruits routinely. I guess I just have this preconceived notion that Wiles is more involved with the defense as a whole than Gray is. I have no knowledge to back this up, but that's just the impression I've gotten (again, couldn't tell you why). Gray could be the better candidate, I'm not in the meeting rooms, so I don't know.
I'm not at all opposed to Gray taking Bud's spot one day, I just think that the fan base forgets Wiles sometimes.
Wiles and Gray are already in co-coordinator type rolls beneath Foster. Wiles is the Run Game Coordinator and Gray is the Passing Game Coordinator.
Stinespring to HC and get Newsome back for DC. Only if Stiney stays involved in the offense.
I'm thinking we could bring in Mike O'Cain to be co-HC with Stinespring. We don't wanna spread Stiney too thin
Only if the entire coaching staff is in the Press Box during the games