Pat Forde weighed in on Virginia Tech's head coaching search Tuesday morning.
Virginia Tech (9) – Leaving: Frank Beamer. Arriving: The Dash is betting the mortgage on Memphis coach Justin Fuente, and betting that it happens quickly next week. Word is that athletic director Whit Babcock has his man, and has for a while now, and Fuente is that man. He's done a remarkable job at previously moribund Memphis, going 18-6 over the past two seasons. It's possible that tumbling dominoes at LSU and points elsewhere (namely Florida State) unspring this, but unlikely. A Fuente hiring would also keep Rich Rodriguez in place at Arizona.
The national college columnist for Yahoo Sports is a respected reporter, that's broken major college sports news many times over. Senior editor at SI.com Mike Harris vouched for his reputation, and Mike Barber followed up Forde's news with a bit of a confirmation.
If @YahooForde says Justin Fuente is going to be Virginia Tech's next coach, you can bank on it.— Mike Harris (@SIcomMike) November 24, 2015
Forde also says Memphis coach Fuente to #Hokies. That's the rumor we've been hearing in coaching/agent circles. https://t.co/qIefRMps8X— Mike Barber (@RTD_MikeBarber) November 24, 2015
On Monday, GridironNow published, "Fuente definitely the top candidate at Virginia Tech".
Virginia Tech's Frank Beamer will coach his final regular-season game Saturday when his Hokies play at Virginia in an attempt to become bowl-eligible, and insiders tell GN that the school already has a definite replacement in mind.
Memphis' Justin Fuente has emerged as the leading candidate to replace Beamer, to the point where there already have been some preliminary negotiations. Memphis announced last week that it had made what it called "an extraordinary offer" earlier this season in an effort to keep Fuente. But leaving Memphis for Virginia Tech is a no-brainer.
On Friday, Geoff Calkins of The Commercial Appeal reported the Tigers made (before they defeated Ole Miss on 10/17/15) an "extraordinary offer" to keep Fuente at Memphis.
Currently, the highest-paid coach outside the Power 5 conferences is Cincinnati's Tommy Tuberville, who makes $2.2 million a year. The offer presented to Fuente is richer than Tuberville's deal, according to the source, who said it compares favorably with the $3 million annual contract that Houston reportedly is prepared to offer Tom Herman, its first-year coach. A second source with knowledge of the offer, however, said it includes an annual salary of $2.5 million for Fuente and a pool for assistant coaches beyond that.
Even though Memphis' deal has been on the table for over a month, Fuente has yet to sign it.
I did a deep dive into Fuente's background last week, if you're interested to learn about his tenure at Memphis, and how he might fit as Virginia Tech's next head coach.
Comments
another day, another frontrunner
I agree, and won't believe anything until it's announced by Tech, but from what I've heard, Fuente has had more legs than any other candidate.
Guitarman is Fuente?
IMGUR MUST BE STOPPED.
I can't find his profile to see how many legs he has. Can you link that for me?
Fuente on a treadmill.
Since when can one "bank" on Pat Forde?
That guy's a hack.
I'd be willing to bet Mike Harris knows a little more about Pat Forde's credibility than you do.
Seconded- and I mean that in no offense. Mike Harris is good.
Yeah, maybe. How do we know that tweet isn't sarcasm?
FWIW, I haven't paid too much attention to Forde over the past year or so, but his stuff during his latter years at ESPN, and starting out at Yahoo was strictly click bait, in my opinion.
Many of us know him and his family. It's not.
he usually has some good beer recomendations
A hack? I'd say he's probably the most honest college football writer I listen to. Plus, he has no reason to lie or spread rumors about the VT job.
Can he save me 15% or more on my car insurance?
All I read was "Memphis' Justin Fuente as next Virginia Tech Head Coach" and got excited.
Damn you, Joe....
But..... but..... Dan Mullen?!
I got all excited about Dan Mullen, too :(
"Hello, Pittsburgh, yes, my name is Steven, how are you? Great, I'm looking for information on how to handle coaching searches because I've gotta be honest... I can't do this anymore."
Beer. Lots and lots of beer. I find that Diet Coors works best.
I don't think anyone really knows who it is except Whit. We've went from done deals with RR, Fuente, Herman, Morris, speculation about Richt and Mullen, and now again with Fuente. I honestly can't wait for an announcement to be made next week. I feel like a kid who just can't wait until Christmas morning.
Don't forget Fedora for a hot second!
Why don't we take this discussion
And move it over here?
Friend of mine is hesitant about Fuente b/c he believes that Fuente's offensive system relies too heavily on the QB - Does anyone who has watched Memphis play much agree/disagree with this?
EDIT:
To clarify, some systems rely MORE on the QB's decision making than others. In some systems, (like Lefty's, Jimbo's, Shaw's etc) the QB is forced to make a lot of reads/decisions/progressions. In others (such as Clemson, OSU, Auburn, etc) the QB doesn't have to make as many decisions, the plays/reads are simpler, allowing the QB to rely more so on athletic ability.
IF my understanding is correct, and a QB in Fuente's offense has more responsibility than, for example, a QB in Morris's offense, can Fuente recruit one QB/year to fit his system? If not, where does that leave us? Is his system something that QB's can pick up in one year, or is it more complicated?
I think it's much easier (and more fun to watch, but that doesn't really matter if we win) to find/recruit an athletic dual threat QB and build a system around him (a la Morris, Meyer, Mullen, Herman, etc), than it is to find and develop a smart, super accurate passer (a la Lefty, Jimbo, Shaw, etc).
Wait wait wait...an offensive system is going to rely on the QB? Can someone explain to me an offensive system that doesn't rely on the QB? He's seriously the most important person on that side of the ball. Sure, a stud runningback can make up for a less than stellar QB, but a QB is still the most important piece. Can't run an offense without him. But with regards to what your friend said, Fuente is riding Paxton Lynch because Paxton Lynch is fantastic. So of course he's going to rely heavily on what Lynch does.
I think my initial concern is that Fuente's variation of the spread is a very pass-heavy one. Lynch has been throwing 40+ times most games this season. I'm a bit more of a fan of the smashmouth spread style that Herman, Morris, and Mullen run. Fundamentally, it's focused around a committment to the run game, which I think is what we need to get back to. The passing game can flourish as well, but we're likely not going to be throwing it 40+ times unless circumstances dictate it.
The thing is that Paxton has the arm and the ability to make those throws. He's completing nearly 70% of his throws so why not throw it 40+ times a game? Almost 400 attempts and he has 8.8 yards per attempt. Those aren't just easy throws he's making. And Lynch has almost half as many carries as their most used runningback when you remove sacks. They just don't have a strong ground game. In 2014, the top back carried the ball 196 times for 949 yards. Lunch has 98 caries when you remove sacks. In reality, it looks pretty balanced in terms of the splits, 406 passing attempts, 490 rushing attempts, including sacks and busted plays. But Lynch is what moves that team. He's top 10 in FBS in passing yards, 12th in QBR, 6th in completion percentage, and has a 21-3 TD/INT ratio. I'd rely on him too.
I just really want an offense where the QB is NOT a primary runner. He already has a lot on his plate, they shouldn't add getting the snot beat out of him to it. A couple of carries a game? Sure, fine.
Sounds like that's generally the case. It's hard to tell how many of Lynch's runs are designed compared to broken plays, scrambles, or tackles for loss that aren't counted as sacks. Lynch has already been sacked as many times this year as last year, so I'm led to believe that their offensive line isn't that great. I haven't watched them close enough to tell you whether they rely on Lynch as even a secondary runner, but from the few times I've seen them play, it looks as though the utilize Lynch's mobility, which he's very good at, to catch the opponent off guard as they sit on passing routes.
What happens if the QB does not have this ability? Are we going to be screwed if we have one recruiting miss at QB? In a Morris/Mullen/Herman system, I would not have this concern. I'm wondering if this is a concern in Fuente's system?
As it was said further down, Fuente builds around what he has available. He takes lemons and makes lemonade. Memphis is a successful team because of Paxton Lynch. Without him, they are not a good team. That's not a slight against Fuente, that's the fact that they don't have the top end talent. What Fuente has shown is the ability to develop a QB in Lynch and his ability to adapt the team to that player's strengths.
Loeffler's offense requires the qb to make good reads or the offense looks bad. I'm scared Fuente could have us in that scenario if he doesn't have a great qb to run his system.
Yeah, to be honest a lot of what's being said about Fuente right now reminds me of what was said about bringing in Loeffler, which scares me.
What happens is the same thing that happens to any other offense when a QB cant make a throw
Michigan State just beat a top 5 OSU team with only 8 completions. Clemson beat ND with only 10 completions and about 80 yards.
Obviously these situations are outliers, but I'd prefer to run a system where the team can realistically find a way to win even when their QB is having an off day.
That's why we bring in Motley or just run a backfield of McMillian and Rogers. /s
Paxton Lynch was also a 2 Star recruit coming of college. Would be interested to see what he can do with a kid that has a little more raw talent.
The offense revolves around the QB quite literally. I am not sure what he could mean by rely on the QB too much, seems like a ticky tacky reason to not like Fuente.
Paxton Lynch has a ton of raw talent, but a combination of injury and no receivers to throw to kind of made the perfect storm of not getting enough recruiting interest. http://247sports.com/Article/Memphis-QB-Paxton-Lynchs-journey-through-th...
Any scheme Les Miles runs.
False because their lack of success comes from the fact that they haven't had a standout QB. A strong defense and a good RB can win some games, but you won't win them all without a QB. They haven't had that and so they haven't been great. Every system is going to rely on a QB. How much will vary, but GT is the closest I can come up with to a team that tries to not rely on the QB only because I hesitate to call the person receiving the snap a QB. Even then, get behind the sticks or behind in the game and they flounder. You need a QB to run an offense. Plain and simple. If the statement was that he relies on the passing game rather than a power running game, that's a valid point and one that I addressed above, but to say he "relies on the QB" makes no sense.
Les Miles/ his QB coach have failed to do anything with the QB'a they get, that's on him, he has been forced to rely on schemes that don't involve a QB and its his own fault.
My point is that you cannot "not rely" on a QB and expect to be successful. They out talent teams and then lose when it comes to the big games where their talent is matched. There really isn't a team that can win without a competent QB.
The guy took Memphis from the ashes to relevance. That should speak enough.
Why is anybody second guessing Whit?
Not saying you're wrong but I think there's a big difference between relying on your quarterback and requiring a competent quarterback. Alabama doesn't rely on their quarterback but obviously you can't win with a guy that throws like the dad from that Volkswagen commercial
I'll take that every day of the week with Lawson back there. He's done this with Lynch (a TWO star recruit) so imagine what he would with Lawson or even Jackson. The days of VT being a smash mouth, run the ball type of football team are over. We may not know the coach but one thing is for sure, you're going to see us slinging the rock a heck of a lot more in the coming years and I for one cannot wait.
This is going to be our fan base after the first game next year....
Seriously?
There will be a significant portion of this fanbase that will lose its collective shit after the first loss about our lack of running if we become a team where everything flows through the passing game.
I think a lot of people hear "spread offense" and instantly think we're going to be slinging the rock 40-50 times each game. Look at Houston's offensive statistics this year under Herman. They have been running the ball way more than they have been throwing it. Morris and Mullen also adhere to this run first philosophy. They spread you out and then run it down your throat, and when you commit to stopping the run, they throw bombs all day on your secondary. I think that style of the spread is what I want the most, not some air raid, run and shoot attack.
I want whatever the hell will never let us see a game like Pitt or Wake again
... and back to back losses vs ECU.
Yes. ALL of that happened over the past two seasons.
The type of offense we want is exactly what ECU used against us this year.
I'd take it, sure, but I don't know if it's exactly what we want.
Mobile QB with a solid passing game? I'd take it. :)
ECU is more of a sling-the-rock spread and I'm more interested in the power-running spread. I'd be fine with either, honestly. Anything has to be better than 'multiple'
I know it's oversaid, but I'm interested in whichever type of spread puts the most points on the board using our personnel. I trust Whit first, and then the new coach after Whit pulls the trigger on him, to implement that. :)
Memphis has passed 406 times this season. They have rushed 490 times.
Houston has passed 328 times this season. They have rushed 532 times.
Miss. St has passed 416 times this season. They have rushed 358 times.
SMU has passed 344 times this season. They have rushed 456 times.
Personally, I too prefer the run-first spread offenses. Memphis's offense seams pretty balanced.
That's interesting, definitely would have thought Miss St ran the ball more and Houston ran it less.
Game flow has a little bit to do with that, but yes, I was surprised as well.
yeah...interesting indeed. This stat makes me mad, actually, because now I want Herman EVEN MORE. I already have my hopes way up...I'm setting myself up for disappointment. Oh well! I'm pretty confident I'm going to be satisfied with whoever Whit ends up hiring. We're in a good position to get a great coach and I think we will.
Houston's won about 5 games by > 3 scores, so I'm sure those stats are a bit run-heavier than normal.
That's the key to winning now today's football you pass to get ahead and you run to stay ahead
We haven't been a smash mouth team since the Suggs/Jones era.
I'd say it ended after the David Wilson era.
The question begs, is Memphis successful this year because Paxton is star that was uncovered or developed by Fuente? Fuente is probably a good developer, as he has shown the ability to develop multiple unheralded QBs into high draft picks: Andy Dalton at TCU, now Paxton at Memphis. So, even if the system relies too heavy on the QB, in my mind, that's ok because Fuente can coach up QBs.
The first part of your post is what scares the crap out of me. Is he riding the high of having a very under the radar recruit (that he offered blindly) and Memphis falls back into the abyss after he goes to the NFL, or is he truly a good coach building a program up from nothing?
I just feel that we may regret a flash in the pan type hire.. Mullen has sustained a little bit of success, as has Richt as well as RR (even though it's mediocre).
I am afraid we are really rolling the dice with the new shiny things.
He had 2 offers- Memphis late(week of signing day) and Florida A&M.. He went to a smaller HS Trinity Christian and also had his run of injuries (knee and legs). He went from unknown to a interesting recruit with his performance in the Central Florida All Star game at the end of the season. Memphis took a huge risk but it paid off after a Redshirt year.
Regardless its great to see Fuente put his QB in a position to succeed. Each year Paxton improves in Completion %, TD to INT ratio and his AVG throw. Imagine a Fuente with a Lawson or Jackson that seem to have more athletic ability than Paxton. As always accuracy and being able to make all the throws is extremely important but I'd think Fuente could get it going with either Lawson or Jackson all day all night
What are the odds we keep Jackson with Loeffler leaving? I think Lawson sticks around just due to the fact I believe he'd have to sit out a year if he transferred (correct me if I'm wrong here) and he's already itching to get on the field. I think Lawson will be the starting QB at least by the midpoint of next season.
Even if Jackson leaves, I think we're ok as long as Lawson stays. That buys us a few years and at that point Fuente's track record will be looking pretty good, having put Dalton into the league and developing a 2-star recruit into (according to what I'm reading lately) the no. 1 QB drafted this year.
Jackson leaving would be a huge detriment for us. That means that come 2017 Lawson would have either a true freshman (to be recruited) or a walk on Jack Click backing him up.
The way Tom Herman brings along his backup QB, I'm not overly concerned with that. With the way Tom Herman recruits, I'm doubly not overly concerned with that.
Regardless of whether we keep Jackson, I think by 2017 our QB situation is going to be just fine.
Except we are talking about Fuente and not Herman
"we are" is a loose term. Maybe you're talking about Fuente. I'm talking about Herman.
Well being that you're posting in a thread that is dedicated to Fuente.....
fair enough. But I've been chirping about Tom Herman since day one
Doesn't look likely man. And losing Jackson would certainly be a concern for 2017 unless we get a JUCO transfer (Park maybe) or immediately sign another QB for this cycle
that's exactly why I'm still on that train. Whit advised the fans not to believe anything they read. Well, all we're reading about is Fuente at the moment. All we've read about Herman is that he's not likely to be the next coach at VT and with Houston ready to pony up nobody thinks he's leaving anyway. Read between the lines and he could be a lock for the VT job. I guess we'll find out soon. I wouldn't mind being wrong. I think that Herman is going to turn out to be a rockstar coach and will be wildly successful. I'm going to follow his career regardless of whether he comes to VT or not. That being said, if he's not the next Head Hokie, I have faith that Whit will hire a guy who is fit for the job. I think we'll be in good hands no matter what.
Honestly I thought Herman was our sleeper too, especially since Houston's raise came on the same day ESPN began reporting that VT had already likely found their coach. But the leaks that have came out the last 2 days have been from very reputable sources combined with the Herman interview at SC news makes me think he is unlikely. Personally I like both of them, but Fuente seems the better cultural fit.
Could also be smoke and mirrors. I wouldn't put it past Whit
WHit said there would be no intentional leaks
Whit said that VT wouldn't leak anything intentionally. That doesn't mean other agencies won't float rumors...Fuente's agents might be floating rumors to leverage other offers. South Carolina might be floating rumors of hiring Herman to gauge fan support. We don't really know.
I'm fine with Fuente or Herman, I'll give the edge to whichever can retain Bud
I'm with you. Except that I don't think Bud is retained. For Bud's sake, I think I'd like to see him get an HC gig somewhere. He's 56 (I think?) and if his dream truly is to be a HC he needs to start getting that experience pronto.
I think any of the guys we've mentioned over the last 4 days (Morris, Mullen, Herman, Fuente) would be strong hires for us. I wouldn't be upset with any of them. I think it'll be Herman. If not, I'm sure I won't be upset with whoever it is. I trust Whit to knock this out of the park. He's proven to be more than capable at his job thus far. He's obviously well connected and smart. He knows that this hire could make or break his career. He also knows that at the end of the day, he needs to put butts in seats. He's going to hire someone and then make sure the whole fan base is damn excited about him. I'm sure we'll all jump for joy at the announcement. I just can't wait for it to get here. All of this speculative debate is tiring (even if it is kinda fun)
This time next week we are likely to know who it is. Also the insiders over at 247 have been consistently saying that Bud is staying. Obviously I would personally love for Bud to be a successful headcoach somewhere although the other part of me wonders who we could get to replace Bud? Odom maybe if it is Fuente? Grantham (although that is going to be hella expensive)
Personal opinion... we keep Bud. We hire an offensive guru to be our head coach and pony up to pay him. We then turn around and give Bud a very high (>$1M per year) salary to stay on as our DC, and give raises to his staff. We can go relatively cheap on the OC, as the head coach will take most of the playcalling and personnel decisions, and allow those positions to focus more on recruiting and positional training.
I mean, I'm glad you clarified but isn't that sorta what every single post on this entire thread is? It's kind of a given, right?
I'm just posting this nonsensical post to see how itty bitty we can get the responses to be.
Oh, I can promise you that it can get much, much smaller.
That's what she said.
Based on her experience with UVa frat boys.
lol
hilarious
I think we're failing at making this a skinny post.
I completely agree with this. I don't trust any source until it comes straight from Whit. I keep remembering all the rumors with MBB coaching hires and then out of left field, Whit surprises us with Buzz. I hope this is what's happening here, and what rumors we're hearing now are coming from the other camp simply to increase their prospects. Just my opinion.... or may I'm doing too much wishful thinking.
It's not anyone floating anything. The contract is on the table. Fuentes just has to sign it. I was told this last Sat by someone in the know. We probably won't hear about it until Sunday though because of the games this weekend.
Well I'm not upset about it. I think Fuente will be a good coach. I'd sure love to have a cohesive offense that the players are capable of executing in Blacksburg....
That HAS to be an intentional leak. Just to throw you off.
http://sportstalksc.com/index.php/2015/11/24/usc-coaching-search-whos-ho... not looking good
Welp. Somebody will definitely snag him. I'm still not going to buy it 100% until it's a publicly done deal. I agree it doesn't look good, though. He's going to be a brilliant coach IMO. It's not surprising he'd be willing to take his chances in the SEC. South Carolina has a much easier route to the SEC Championship game than Miss St. South Carolina will be in good shape if they're able to land Herman.
SEC East is in really bad shape this year, even Florida hasn't looked great
Herman out at USCe:
http://sports.yahoo.com/news/sources--houston-s-tom-herman-no-longer-a-c...
Well, if Herman is going to USCw there's not a whole lot we can do to compete. I'm honestly surprised that USC would go after a G5 coach though, even Herman. I assumed they consider such candidates to be below them.Edit: I'm dumb.
In that article, USC refers to South Carolina.
Not really. When I see USC, I always first think Southern Cal. I've never thought of South Carolina. I guess I'm with Dabo on that. :-)
Seeing people call South Carolina "USC" honestly pisses me off more than "Vah Tech." And I have no connection to either South Carolina or USC.
As a former resident of San Jose, CA (24 years), you are not alone. I kept reading the article until they mentioned playing Clemson. Every time I see USC, I think University of Southern California. Even Google agrees... :-)
And thus I really don't get why Andrew Ford left.
I don't think Ford predicted a coaching change. If he couldn't beat out Motley and saw the writing on the wall with Lawson he wasn't likely to get much playing time here. Especially if Loeffler continued to recruit a stud QB every cycle.
Man I hope Lawson can prove himself enough during the offseason that he can take the reigns to begin the Fall.
I think Jackson stays regardless, the only thing that could change is if we hire a HC who runs the option. He will be an early enrollee and that is a tedious process to get through/approved between the HS and College.
If he backs out now he would have to find someplace to go in December as early enrollee's normally report to campus the 1st week of January and get settled in. Lets say VT announces a new HC Thursday the 3rd, lets give the new HC a week to convince Jackson to stay or leave. He's looking at 2 weeks to re-open his recruitment, get accepted and approved. Not a position I would want to be in that's for sure.
I would imagine that Jackson has been working on a contingency plan all along.
the likelihood of a coach holding onto 1 scholarship for a kid that might decommit and re open his recruitment to early enroll is pretty slim.
If he leaves he probably would have to go lower fbs team, JUCO route or CC. For a kid highly recruited like Jackson I don't see him risking that just because of a coaching change at a program where he hasn't even attended his first qb meeting.
What? It's not slim at all. There are schools out there right now who would like to add another QB. I doubt Josh Jackson has been taken off other schools boards, they know the situation and know that Loeffler will likely be let go and Jackson will be looking around. Sure, will there be two to four weeks to make that decision? Sure, but if I'm....say....Northwestern or Maryland....I've been recruiting Jackson for weeks and have an official visit lined up for him for mid December for when Loeffler is let go.
If Jackson is coming here solely for Loeffler, he should have a contingency plan in place. If he is coming here for reasons other than Loeffler, it may not matter to him.
It's extremely slim because how many schools are going to have a scholarship open in December to fill? Not many p5 schools will. Jackson probably started on his paperwork and stuff end of junior year and based off of the news he signed his paperwork October of this year.
I've seen it happen twice in my 15 years of working for athletic academic offices. Not saying there's not a chance but its highly unlikely to happen.
absolutely and IMO its the latter
trinity Christian maybe a smaller school but its busting out D-1 talent on the regular right now. lets not forget where our very own i.ford came from. there is plenty of scouts keeping an eye on TC and I would think if the kid looked like he was going to be developed into what he is now he would have had a few more offers.
This is my concern - It appears to me (I could be wrong) that it's easier to plug-and-play a QB in a Morris/Mullen/Herman system than in Fuente's system. Can he recruit one QB each year that fits his system, and can they learn the offense in a timely manor? If not, can Fuente adjust his system accordingly?
I think this is a pretty reasonable concern. Of course even Mullen's system was never great without Dak Prescott at quarterback, you could make a similar argument against him. Herman hasn't even been a coach long enough to demonstrate an obvious downside, so I'm hesitant to count his system as any less dependent on a particular type of player.
Just look at the top 15 FEI offenses in the country. Lots of experienced QB's.
BGSU, Baylor, WKU, Arkansas, Navy, Notre Dame, Stanford, TT, Oregon, USC, Memphis, NCSU, Miss St, UNC, Clemson
Baylor has done a great job navigating QB issues, as has Notre Dame. I don't know BGSU, WKU or TT's QB situation, but Ark, Navy, Stanford, Oregon, USC, Memphis, NCSU, Miss St, UNC and Clemson are all almost wholly dependent on their experienced QB.
LSU is 16th, an interesting example of a non-QB driven offense that is successful.
Good point. At the end of the day, most really good offenses have an experienced qb playing at a high level. And LSU is there thanks to a Heisman level running back and elite athletes. I'd say if the biggest downside we find is that his offense requires a quarterback playing well, we've got a good candidate on our hands.
I'll disagree with Clemson - it's one of the reasons I'm so high on Morris. Last year they lost Watson to injury (and their OC), and they still managed to kick the shit out of Oklahoma.
They had the best defense in the country last year though.
And their offense was awful a lot last year. I remember a BC game when they looked like us.
They put 40 on Oklahoma
I've read a lot articles listing Fuente as top choice. This source seems like the most credible #sauce about our coaching search since Beamer announced. I'm not going to get my hopes up nor am I going to wholeheartedly believe this but I feel like this is correct.
I'm cool with almost all of the names that have been thrown around except RR. I also want whoever it is to keep Bud.
Don't get your hopes up for Bud. I don't think he stays. Let's just hope Bud finds a HC gig. I'll be rooting for him wherever he ends up. Unless he ends up at UVA. But I don't see that happening...
Well unless he gets an offer from someone this year, it seems like he would at least stay and enjoy his lucrative DC contract until he gets a HC offer he likes.
I agree - I don't really see him leaving for another DC job, and I don't really see a P-5 school offering him the HC job.
But I guess you never know.
There are going to be a whole shi*-ton of job openings this year. Bud doesn't have to take a P5 HC gig either. He might get snatched up by a tier 2 type school where he can get some experience and build his resume up to make himself a more attractive candidate for a P5 job in a couple years. With how many fans we have clamoring for him to get his shot as VT's next HC it's amazing that not a single person seems to think it's possible that he could be hired as an HC elsewhere. Don't forget that VT is widely regarded as a top 5 job opening this year in an extremely crowded field of job openings.
Bud has repeatedly shown no interest in G5 or FCS HC openings. Unless Maryland or someone similar come calling I doubt he leaves for a HC gig
Bud has also been hedging his bets to get the VT HC job. If he doesn't, who really knows what he'll do? Especially if when he asks Whit why he's not getting the offer, one of the reasons cited is lack of HC experience. Wouldn't you think that would motivate him to go get a HC position, regardless of what level, just to build up his resume to one day realize his dream of being a HC?
What do mean by "hedging his bets"? Are you suggesting Foster may already have an exit strategy in place if he doesn't get the HC job? Or at a minimum, has always been in contact with other ADs about vacancies? Or perhaps, he was working up some deal with Whit? I mean it's possible, but, to continue with the poker analogy, I always felt he pushed all his chips into the VT HC pot and never hedged a bit. He definitely hedged financially, ensuring that he would get paid as DC, but I never felt like protected himself in terms of "what if I don't get the VT HC job."
I guess I'm using that term incorrectly. I think Bud has always assumed that he would be a lock to get the VT HC position when Frank retires. I think he was correct in that assumption all the way up until Weaver retired. Whit changed the equation for Bud but at that stage it may have been too late in the game to do much about it. Bud may have stayed in Blacksburg out of respect for Beamer, but if he truly wants to be a HC I think the best move for him now is to try getting a HC gig, at any level, this year. He's not getting any younger and I'll bet money that his lack of HC experience is a big notch against him.
As successful as he has been as a DC at the P5 level I would imagine that someone somewhere would love to have him as their coach. With all of the openings that will be available this off season I could easily see Foster getting a gig somewhere. He would be wise to do that IMO.
I expect him to stay as DC unless he gets a HC gig elsewhere which is looking unlikely at this point.
I do too. He's got a sweet deal here. If someone wants to offer him more money and he thinks its more stable AND it offsets having to move from the lake, he should do it. But I don't expect that will happen. I don't think he will get a HC shot either.
If he does leave, offer the DC job to Gray in a hurry.
If Georgia makes a big offer, a school that will likely be looking for a new DC, has gone after him before, and can shell out a heck of a lot of money, I could see him leaving. But it would have to be for DC at an elite school or HC at a school with prospects. We'll see I guess.
And that's fine. If he's got a better deal, take it. We've got other options as well.
How about Bud does not leave but doesn't coach either. He would only stay on as DC for a few coaches. How about he actually retires to the lake and stays on as a advisor/consultant in Blacksburg for a nice paycheck and enjoys his family and his life.
I like Fuente. He wears a hat and not a visor.
Exactly, I could do without one of these douche canoes on the sidelines
You got a problem with visors?
I'm gonna need footnote credits for the use of douche canoe.
But seriously, it's good to have help spreading the usage.
Had a buddy lived in Afton. He had a couple or three dogs. One year, almost 40 years ago, they got snow up to the level of the front porch on the cabin he and his buddy lived in. The dogs would walk out the front door, step off the porch and do their business, rather than try to fight through a few feet of snow to reach "new" grounds. When the snow melted, finally, all the stuff settled. Into the canoe they had drug up to the front porch before the snow. And left, open side up. Not sure what they called it, but it seems like it was right up your alley! As I recall, we mostly fished out of my canoe that season.
Ha! Talk about being up shit creek with a turd for an oar.
I don't think there is much difference between Fuente and Mullen. Both have won in places where you have no right to win. Both are program builders. They are both offensive guys, Fuente's offense may be more pass centric than Mullens. There is concern that both are reflections of their current QB's, but both are also renown for their ability to get the best out of QB's. And both would probably have recruiting as their relative weakness, but if they surround themselves with a good recruiting staff, may improve.
That said, Fuente is probably $1M/year less than Mullen. I think you can get Fuente for the $3M that Memphis offered. Mullen will take closer to $4M.
That's a huge difference actually
My biggest concern with Fuente would be recruiting but remember the main knack on Urban Meyer at Utah was that he couldn't recruit and also Jim McElwain at Colorado State, but once those guys got in a place where they had all the resources to recruit and hired the right staff, they took off and never looked back. I think that Fuente could do the same here.
Agree on the Urban Meyer comment, but I'd counter the Jim McElwain example and say he's winning with Muschamp players currently. Not saying he isn't a good coach/recruiter, but he's only one year at the helm.
You would be correct, but Florida has a top ten class currently for 2016, that was what I was basing the assumption off of.
Murray State football program alums haven't failed us yet.
12 PM on Saturday is going to be really stressful for me. I'm focusing on the VT-UVA game, but have a strategy planned to where I can also see parts of anOSU-UM, Clemson-USCe, GT-UGA, and UK-UL...
Now I need to add SMU-Memphis to the list because I have to watch how Justin Fuente acts on the sidelines since we have this report...
I can make it a little easier. Don't bother with Clemson USC because it's going to be ugly. GT UGA isn't worth watching unless you want to see if a UVA transfer QB can outscore the triple option. Finally unless you're still a big Kyle Tucker fan don't bother with UK vs Louisville as I'm assuming this is football and not basketball.
Apparently you don't watch Clemson-SC games much because they are rarely blowouts, and normally won by SC
Yes and normally SC beats the Citadel.
I'm big on the ACC vs. SEC match-ups, so I'm really intrigued by Clemson and USCe and GT and UGA. Clemson's always struggled with USCe, so I'm curious as to how it'll look since they're #1. I've gotta pull for the conference. But I am rooting for one SEC team, which is Kentucky. My whole family is from there and I'm a lifelong UK fan in mainly basketball, but football too (rather pointless, but still).
I've got that Green Day song stuck in my head except I changed it to "wake me up when November ends"
Does anyone know what kind of house Pat Forde lives in? Let's be honest, today's housing market is a zoo. There's no telling what sort of mortgage Pat Forde has!
All things being equal, I would rather poach a HC from the SEC than
Conf USA.The American Athletic Conference of America. (Edited because you never piss off a beaver or a Hokie)So for me... Mullen > Fuente.
I wont be mad, I just wont be excited.
I have good news for you; Memphis is in the American Conference.
But I agree Mullen > Fuente.
Pretty good article on Fuente's offense here.
http://www.sbnation.com/college-football/2015/10/22/9582354/memphis-tige...
They talk a lot about Paxton Lynch, but I also get the impression that he's a coach that builds around what's available. Right now they rely on the pass game because he's got a great qb (that he developed from day one) without a star receiver or running back. There's going to be risk with every head coaching hire, but everything I read makes it seem more and more like he really knows what he's doing and is able to develop talent and put them in place to succeed. If he's our guy, I'm pretty excited.
Last time I heard that exact description of someone (he bases his offense on who he has rather than a scheme), Chip Kelly was trying to say why he traded for Bradford and didn't need Mariota.
That's not the same thing at all. Chip's done the exact opposite, blowing up Philly's roster and bringing in his types of players rather than working with what he had. His roster building with the Eagles is almost the perfect antithesis of what I was talking about.
So he loves himself some RB rotation, eh.
To overcome talent issues...
I started playing NCAA 14 again with updated rosters last week. Decided to start with Fuente and Memphis. The Tigers won the National Championship and Lynch won the Heisman, so this is basically a slam dunk hire.
Finally some actual #analysis!
Fuente fits the mold for VT, He will be a stable Head Coach, young and with a offensive back ground. He won't get happy feet here at VT and will be the type that will stay . And Bud Foster, Wiles and Grey will be here next season from everything I hear. VT has had a great Coach for 29 years, who knows what any new coach can do here at VT, give him your support and lets see. Been 29 Years, Lets get behind the new Coach...
Tom
Herman
I think you should make this exact statement the new "F*** Matt Ryan" of each new coaching rumor thread.
Oh, I thought that was "F*** Rich Rodriguez"
One day I'm gonna have "eternal sunshine of the spotless mind treatment" done on my memories of that game. UGHHHHH
I agree that he has done a lot with little talent (similar to a young Frank Beamer). I don't see how he provides a recruiting boost though.
Who says Beamer hasn't asked Foster to stay? Why wouldn't he ask Foster to stay? I'm sure CFB wants to see the next guy succeed as much as we do, and why not make it as easy of a transition as possible.
He can offer some advice to Bud, but Beamer will have no say in who the next coach after him will be. This is all whit
Whit (and the new HC) decide if Foster even has a choice to stay, but even if they want him, Foster has to decide if he wants to work under a new HC.
Right, I know. All I said was Beamer has no say in who the next head coach will be and can only give advice to Foster, whether he listens to it or not
Anyone else think it's crazy Fuente played college ball at the same time as Vick?
please please please let this be true...
I think we will be successful and have a bright future with any of Mullen, Herman, Morris, Fuente. As long as we can keep Foster. NO RR! WOOOO
Admittedly, the idea of poaching a proven SEC coach (Mullen) is sexier than an AAC head coach, but a couple things to consider as it relates to Fuente, IF he is the guy.
In terms of offensive stats, his resume is impressive.
Here's a look at TCU's offensive numbers the three years prior to Fuente taking the reigns as co-offensive coordinator. (Number in parenthesis is national ranking):
Total Offense
2006: 408 YPG (17)
2007: 287 YPG (64)
2008: 412 YPG (24)
Scoring Offense
2006: 29.2 PPG (26)
2007: 26.1 PPG (72)
2008: 33.6 PPG (21)
Now, here are the Horned Frog's numbers during Fuente's tenure as co-OC:
Total Offense
2009: 455 YPG (7)
2010: 476 YPG (12)
2011: 440 YPG (28)
Scoring Offense
2009: 38.3 PPG (5)
2010: 41.6 (4)
2011: 40.8 (9)
While yardage didn't improve dramatically under Fuente's watch, points-per-game did by a pretty wide margin. Fuente's results at Memphis have been similar.
Memphis Pre-Fuente
Total Offense
2008: 417 YPG (26)
2009: 373 YPG (63)
2010: 285 YPG (117)
2011: 274 YPG (116)
Scoring Offense
2008: 27.2 PPG (48)
2009: 21.8 PPG (95)
2010: 14.4 PPG (119)
2011: 16.3 PPG (115)
Memphis Under Fuente
Total Offense
2012: 318 YPG (113)
2013: 311 YPG (117)
2014: 427 YPG (49)
2015: 512 YPG (11)
Scoring Offense
2012: 24.5 PPG (88)
2013: 19.5 PPG (111)
2014: 36.2 PPG (22)
2015: 40.8 PPG (11)
Another important thing to consider regarding Fuente is his development of quarterbacks. Andy Dalton entered TCU as a three-star recruit with two scholarship offers – TCU and UTEP. Under Fuente's guidance, Dalton became the 35th overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft. His senior year (2010), Dalton threw for 2,857 yards, 27 touchdowns and six interceptions, while completing 66.1% of his passes.
Memphis quarterback Paxton Lynch is a similar story. A three-star recruit with two offers (Memphis and Florida A&M), Lynch is now projected by many as the potential No. 1 overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft. Through 11 games this season, Lynch has thrown for 3,448 yards, 21 touchdowns and just three interceptions with a 69% completion percentage.
The cupboard is almost assuredly better currently at Virginia Tech in 2016 than it was at TCU in 2006 or Memphis 2011. The Hokies are actually scoring more PPG this season (29.5) than any season post Tyrod Taylor. It would be interesting to see what an offensive-minded guy like Fuente (or Mullen) could do with Travon McMillan, Isaiah Ford, Cam Phillips, Shai McKenzie, Marshawn Williams, Bucky Hodges (assuming he stays) and Brendan Motley or Dwayne Lawson under center.
I live in Memphis, and was just listening to Gary Parrish's local radio show, and he is pretty convinced this is a done deal. It's a really interesting listen (92.9 ESPN Gary Parrish if you want to find it) but he essentially said that he believes Pat Forde to have a contact in to the VT athletics department. He tied it directly to the Buzz Williams hire, and being surprised at how quickly he found out about that hire, coming to the conclusion that he's in the know through Blacksburg.
Interesting... especially when you consider HokieHistory's comment above in the thread:
Forde did break the news on Buzz. I am surprised though that he didn't devote an entire article to Fuente though. Maybe he knows that the contract is on the table and he is betting on Fuente taking it???
U of M alum here, and I'll say that GP is typically on the up and up of the rumors and grumblings. Just make sure to remind folks not to take any interest or meaning into whatever Geoff Calkins has to say, that dude is a hack who just spouts off whatever he feels like saying in the given moment, good or bad. in short, Calkins is a jackass.
RichRod to UVa!
Dan Wolken of USA Today: http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/2015/11/24/college-football-c....
Joe with all this smoke coming from so many directions are you hearing anything on the ground yourself?
That's ALOT of smoke from that man.
Question: How different would the new coach hire conversation be if Bud Foster was as successful of a coach on the offensive side of the ball?
considering the way college football has gone over the last 7 years, with offense being the priority for a majority of the teams in the country, I don't think Beamer is retiring this year if Bud was an offensive coach instead of a defensive coach. Most of the teams we play against are much better at offense than defense. If we were as good at offense as Bud has made us at defense I think we win a majority of those games and we're not having this discussion.
At risk of sounding incredibly stupid... Is waiting to see what happens with Les Miles completely out of the question? Would he not be interested in the VT job?
Yes. He's old, would cost us a boatload of money, and he hasn't had the offensive track record at LSU that we're looking for.
Looks like Herman isn't in the market for just any job. The Fuente hire makes more and more sense every day.
http://sportstalksc.com/index.php/2015/11/24/usc-coaching-search-whos-ho...
Or maybe he just likes South Carolina more than us.
I just don't see that being the job that draws him away. Houston can and has offered to pay ALOT of money to Herman. SC hasn't shown they are willingly to pay big money not to mention the tougher path through the the SEC AND Clemson every year.
South Carolina fans on the interwebs seem to think they'll be shelling out 6 million a year for their next coach. I don't know which would be funnier.... Seeing them fall flat with a boring hire being payed a reasonable salary or paying that ludicrous amount and falling flat for the next several years because they're South Carolina.
SC AD said that report was false but I still think he may end up there.
I think Fuente would make an outstanding coach for us. I think he would be a coach that stays with us for a long time. I hope that he and Whit will recognize the need to surround himself with a top-notch recruiting staff, and that Fuente will hire assistants with recruiting experience in VA and elsewhere. I think he could be a great recruiter, but he doesn't have those connections in areas where we will be competing against OSU, FSU, Clemson, Penn St, Tenn, etc for recruits. But the guy can definitely build up a program and get the most out of his players.
Seems Fuente was asked about link and he didn't deny it. Via Coaching Search.
http://coachingsearch.com/article?a=Justin-Fuente-addresses-reports-link...
Video interview from local memphis news:
http://www.myfoxmemphis.com/Clip/12028456/justin-fuente-responds-to-repo...
The latest from the Memphis front... Yeah, it's pretty much a done deal.
http://www.myfoxmemphis.com/clip/12028456/justin-fuente-responds-to-repo...
Edit: sorry, just noticed this was already posted.
Deal is far from done, but yeah it is looking like he is kind of hiding something during the interview.
Drink
http://coachingsearch.com/article?a=Justin-Fuente-addresses-reports-link...
Interesting?
http://wsls.com/2015/11/24/foster-candidate-for-illinois-head-coaching-p...
Is anyone else concerned that Memphis has lost three straight games under Fuente's watch since going 8-0?
Not exactly hack teams he lost to
The rumors of Frank's retirement started the week of that first loss.
Considering how likely it seems he's ours, the possibilities of distractions to the team and coaching staff are to much to ignore. Wouldn't worry about those losses too much. Good chance the team caught wind he wasn't going to be around in 2016 and sucked a lot of wind out of their sails.
No. I see it as a sign of playing solid teams and being distracted with things like this. A few additional thoughts:
This statement is completely subjective.
That being said, I agree pretty much with everything else you have to say. I think Fuente is going to be a really good coach and we shouldn't be upset if he is hired by Whit. I trust Whit to make a great hire and if Fuente is the answer then I think Whit has done a great job. Time will tell. I know that recruiting has been a hot topic for fans and Whit alike, and if there are legs to the rumor that Fuente is the guy I don't think Whit would make the hire if he had concerns about his recruiting ability. Don't forget that Fuente was working at Memphis. M.E.M.P.H.I.S. You can't hold that against him when you look at his recruiting record.
It's probably overlooked that Whit needs to find a Coach that fits the culture of the VT program, as well as a guy that can crush VA recruiting and be solid with X's and O's. And while I should probably be really excited at the prospect of Fuente taking over, I'm not yet. I was really hoping to attract a bigger name, even if that's an unreasonable expectation for Blacksburg. I have 100% confidence in Whit though. Still holding out hope for Dan Mullen
You and me think alike. I have (had) very high hopes that Whit would do the unthinkable and poach a huge name guy out of the SEC (Mullen or Richt). It's not that I don't necessarily like Fuente but he just isn't what I was expecting Whit to get and I honestly thought our school could do much better.
Seeing Mullen or Richt come would definitely be exciting! Though in my dreams, Pete Carroll is my guy (I'm allowed to have my dreams!).
For fun and b/c I am curious - what are some big name hires and non-big name hires that have happened in the past? I am curious to look back and see how they turned out ...
Why do people want these coaches who 1) lead their college teams into NCAA sanctions 2) ran away from said team prior to sanctions hitting
Because the NCAA won't do shit. Not saying I'm for it but I can see why people would be. It's sort of worth it.
Yep. If there's is no realistic punishment for breaking the rules, the rules aren't really rules.
When you watch UNC and Miami get by with no punishment for what they did, what's really the point in staying 'clean' other than to allow yourself a subjective pat on the back and convenient excuse when you don't win?
Integrity?
Because character is what you do when other people aren't looking.
In my book, it's better to live life the right way.
I agree, but I think the NCAA should grow some balls and enforce their rules.
Whelp, so much for that dream, I'd forgotten about the sanctions.
I'd far and away prefer Fuente to Richt. Mullen is a different story, but Richt is a great guy who has annually underachieved on the field given the resources available to him at UGA and his team's talent level. In the last 10 seasons, UGA has had 7 recruiting classes rated by Rivals as Top 10 in the nation and all 10 classes were ranked in the top 15. However in that same span, UGA has finished ranked in the Top 10 of the AP Poll just 3 times and are on pace to finish unranked this season for the 4th time in the same period.
A couple of notes from Kyle Bailey.
Yep, the search is far from over and don't be shocked if in the end it is someone other than Fuente.
Now KB is saying the other candidate still in play is in fact, Herman. Stop the merry-go-round, I want off.
Oh, but it's just getting started.
Talked to a guy that said Fuente has been on campus for interviews 3 times.
The amount of blather out there is just to an incredible level.
No way a coach is seen on campus right now. Besides being right before the end of the season, you know people are watching campus to see if someone enters that's a coach. Everyone wants to break this story.
Tom
Herman
I like you
More than any rumor, the interviewers last night leads me to believe this is all but a done deal. He asked specifically about the article yesterday, and said the following...
You don't dodge the question if there isn't something you're trying to hide.
to be fair, all coaches say that about all coaching rumors during the season. Doesn't really matter how much merit the rumors have.
I think it was Mack Brown that I heard say one time that most rumors about him were in years that he never got a phone call and the years he did get contacted there were no reports. It's pretty funny how the sources get their information sometimes.
Not to be negative regarding your post, which I think is great, but journalistic integrity is long gone. In a couple weeks, we'll hopefully have a new coach, and every other #source that had the hot beat on a new coach will be irrelevant. We don't exactly go back into our twitter feeds and subject journalists who are wrong to scrutiny... In the days of 24/7 news, we move on to the next hot topic.
If we did, Adam Schefter would have been out of a job years ago.
I think it's funny how now that Fuente is getting a lot of steam towards being the new head Hokie, that some people are now questioning how well he can do. Thinking that he will be a pass only QB who needs the perfect QB to run his system. Remember, he's at Memphis, not Alabama. It's not like he has recruits beating his dot down to play at Memphis. Coaches have a lot to do with recruiting but the brand and school do as well. That's why you have 4 and 5 star recruits not going to VT where they could make an immediate impact and most likely start for 3/4 years and instead go to places like Alabama and play backup for 2 years.
Fuente will do fine with recruiting and offense IMO at vt. He has a strong stable of running backs if/when he gets here. Needs a receiver or two but the top two are good. Has good TEs. Has what may be the next coming of MV7 as a sophomore QB. If bud is retained he has one of the best DCs handling the defense. Honestly I don't know what HC wouldn't want to have that type of DC coming in. The only way I don't think bud is retained is if Bud doesn't want to be the DC for Tech under a new coach.
Excellent points. It's also worth noting that NO ONE wanted Paxton Lynch. He took him and made him into a stud.
Andy Dalton too...
Kyle Bailey just tweeted that Tom Herman is still in play. Sorry, on mobile.
Interesting, because Chris Low said last night that it is looking like Herman will likely not end up at USCe.
true statement
my head hurts.
I've been on the Tom Herman hype train from day 1. I've clung to the words from Whit "not to believe anything you hear"
I was starting to accept that Herman was unlikely and all I've been thinking about for the last 4 hours is how I feel about Fuente (I like him, FWIW)
Now I'm expecting Whit to hire someone completely out of left field. We'll probably end up with Dino Babers or something.
We won't know until he actually announces.
In the mean time, we'll get a lot of unsourced stuff, and rumors to boost other offers and counter-offers for the names being batted around.
Would be happy with either, but Tom Herman is the grand slam.
Here is to hoping we hear something Sunday.
Per Bruce Feldman, Kirby Smart is the new front runner at USCe. It appears they have moved on from Herman.
#JustinTime
Yeah, #JustinBall and #JustinPailDefense don't have quite the same ring.
To be fair, neither does #BeamerPailDefense
Good thing it's not #FrankBall then. I could get behind some #FuenteBall though.
Somehow, I wouldn't be surprised if we don't hear anything until Dec 6
Tom Herman is undoubtedly a slam-dunk. But Tom Herman leaving after a year or two for a better job (a possibility, I'm convinced this guy will be an elite coach one day) might hurt us pretty bad. UNLESS:
1) Bud stays on AND we retain assistants who can continue to run Tom Herman's offense (ex: Clemson with Chad Morris' offense)
2) He makes an immediate impact in both recruiting and the win column and another coach (hopefully another excellent candidate) is there to step in and pick up where he left off.
3) Any combination or slight variation of the first two.
But stepping up from VT is stepping up into an elite program.....Bama, OSU, etc. There are only a handful of those programs and they don't seem to be openeing any time soon. I suppose LSU may be in that category but Miles isn't fired yet and if he goes this year Herman obviously isn't getting the job next year or the year after. The only other elite school jobs that may come open would be LSU, UGA and maybe FSU if Fisher goes to the LSU gig. However I don't know why Fisher would leave what he has in FSU right now. UGA and LSU maybe but still I don't think he jumps after one or two years. After 5-7 years with a strong run is possible, but again that's coaching now for the most part.
Or some school in Austin a few years from now
Tom Herman seems to be more and more rumored to be staying at Houston. That would be crazy at this point but hey you have to respect that. Wants to be in Texas. Keep building Houston. Join the Big 12. He could turn it into a pretty good job until he's ready to make the 3 hour journey over to Austin.
Could be a play to command every dollar he can get as well
Or he is just waiting for one of the "Big" jobs to open: Texas, Bama, anOSU, FSU
CoachingSearch.com story today on the matter - quoting Fuente
"I would say there's certainly no decision to be made and no decision has been made about anything," he said. "I'm concerned about trying to beat SMU. If there is an opportunity where there are decision to be made, then we'll take in all the information and try to make the best decision possible.
"Right now, it's premature to say anything is going to or not going to happen, just because there's no premise for a decision to be made yet."
"It's not a "no comment." It's not brushing it off or getting upset by the question. It's an open and honest "maybe," and we'll see."
To me it appears he is being as transparent as possible given the situation. That is admirable.
Agree completely.
I'm also going to go ahead and say it -- he won't be the HC at Memphis next season. (I know....I'm way out on a limb here). I'm just saying the only question is where he's going (not if).
This was after the video interview.... Yeah, certainly seems like one of his personal PR people got in his ear and told him to clarify his comments. I'm starting to lean towards this one being for real.
Yea, this was just posted an hour or so ago on coachingsearch.com. I didn't see it anywhere here on TKP. Though, I'll happily DRINK! Especially if we land Fuente.
Decided to read up a bit on the Memphis boards about this... Apparently there have been some quotes made by their AD in recent weeks that we haven't necessarily been paying attention to that makes it sound all but certain that Fuente is going to be announced as our coach next week. Basically, they've just been waiting to hear where he was headed, because he's been off the market for a while.
That, and there's an amusing vocal minority over there that legitimately think they're a better football program than VT, with far, far more upside.
I don't have enough faces or palms.
yeeeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaaaah
For your viewing pleasure
Is he on drugs? Serious question because that is the only way his comments make any sense.
Yes, but this, from the realist who responded to his post:
We're more popular than Virginia Tech? That idea is degronkulous and the rest of the stuff in your post is just nonsense.
VaTech's football program is light-years ahead of ours, that's just being real.
thanks for linking -I DO love fan-delusion... I appreciate the fervor over one's school/coach, that shows the fanbase is growing... but, yeah.
What site were you on?
You can read some of the threads here
One Memphis fan had this idea:
And, that would be a home run.
Better TEAM, this year? Probably. Better program? Lol.
EDIT:
Interesting comment one poster on memphis board made about replacing Fuente with Venables. How ironic would it be if Foster took that job after VT hired Fuente...
Apparently Missouri offered Fuente the HC job, site unseen and he turned them down. The leak of Fuente to VT came from their athletic department, likely to save face
Had some interesting reading on Memphis Tigers forum http://csnbbs.com/forum-499.html
I liked the one from a #sauce where someone who lives with an assistant is not happy about moving to Blacksburg.
That's bankable sourcing right there folks. /s
Sarcasm aside, I do think Fuente is our next head coach.
Purely comparing the cities of Memphis and surrounding area and Blacksburg and surrounding that's a HUGE difference.
Apparently Herman is out of the running for the USCe job and according to this, he wants to stay at Houston in hopes of getting the Texas job down the road.
http://footballscoop.com/the-scoop/
I don't trust football scoop
To each his own
From the #sources I have: Fuente will be announced as the new HC on Monday (11/30).
I wish there was a way to tag certain comments so that I could come back and find this on Monday and pat you on the back or ridicule you. Whichever seems more appropriate at the time :p
<3VPIhokieME
I would happily admit that I was wrong if it turns out that I am. I see other people sharing their #sources all the time and today I finally had one of my own give me some info. I love reading any kind of rumors that anyone else posts so I figured I'd give back when I had something to give. My guy did say that his source was from the Memphis side.
There seems to be so much buzz around Fuente that I feel like it will be him
Yea and it's impossible to keep secrets these days with social media
I agree with you that the official will be Monday but I have a feeling it will get out there Sat night or Sunday when he tells his team.
You Nailed it sir! I appreciate your #sources and I hope you understand my skepticism at the time. I'm stoked that we got Fuente and especially stoked that we're retaining Bud. I think that's HUGE!
Anyway,
glad you're connected, and Go Hokies!
Haha thank you! Not sure how long I'll keep the few connections that I have but for now we can all enjoy them! Go Hokies!
Don't break up with her....
Maybe I'm truly in the minority, but I don't want Fuente. I have this awful feeling that he hit a home run with his QB, similar to Frank and Vick, and now he is getting all the attention. I dont think he has the staying power. I think Herman has a better pedigree, and this year's Ohio State offensive offense is proof of what he can do.
Someone showed TCU's stats before and during Fuente's tenure weren't that much different. If you want to go off of that, Chad Morris is obviously a better choice due to his recruiting ability and the dramatic offensive improvement at Clemson. He also has made great strides at SMU over last year, with no Rockstar players. He would be my choice behind Herman, but we don't even hear his name anymore.
Herman would be better. But, he's holding out for major team, major money.
Fuente joined TCU in 2007 as RB coach, promoted to OC/QB in 2009-2011. The FEI offense ranks (going back to 2007):
'07 - 77
'08 - 45
'09 - 26
'10 - 14
'11 - 21
'12 - 71
'13 - 95
So, he should get some credit for his time in TCU. But, perhaps you can make the same argument for TCU as Memphis because he had Andy Dalton at QB. Based on the fact that he's done it twice with two QBs and two teams suggest that it probably wasn't just luck. But maybe.
no... it wasn't Luck -he went to Stanford... Huhderrrrrr.
(my bad, couldn't help it)
And yet we give ourselves so much credit when Luther Maddy and Dadi turned out to be good...
I see your point and it could be a George O'Leary/UCF/Blake Bortles type of situation down there right now, or it could not.
Been keeping an eye on the USCe job, yesterday the #sauces were saying Herman to USCe was basically a done deal, today they are saying he is no longed a candidate for the job... so maybe Herman could still be in play for VT, who knows
I would pee myself.
I guess Herman didn't like Columbia
Herman probably knows there is going to be a bidding war for his services. He's going to get paid, I'm guessing $5M+.
I'm not certain of that. It would be unprecedented. Coaches who get paid like that have accomplished much more than Herman has to date. The exception being Charlie Strong (and even that's debateable) but he coaches at Texas where the $$$ doesn't matter. Coaches who make $5mm or more: Strong, Harbaugh, Stoops, Meyer, Saban.
I think Herman is going to be great and he'll eventually get paid like that if I'm correct. I think it's foolish and premature to pay him that much this early, though. The man is only 40 and he hasn't even completed his first year as a HC. He'll get paid this year for sure. If he stays at Houston he's probably going to get $3mm which is nothing to sneeze at. He may get an offer closer to $4mm but I doubt if he'll be offered much more than that. The only place dumb enough to do it is LSU. I'm not convinced they'd make a deal Herman would agree to but that's probably his best shot at getting more than $5mm this year.
I think it will depend on market and perceived ability, not experience. I presume he's holding out because he believes Miles/Richt/Strong or some combination may be out. LSU/UGA/Texas/USC all currently pay $4M and above. If there is a big market with multiple big jobs open, and he's the biggest name, the bidding war will ensure he's paid well. If the market is small (only LSU), or Chip Kelly is also on the market, then yea, probably closer to $4M. He can also play the market, waiting for the right opportunity to jump (maybe Texas next year).
But does anyone really like Columbia? It's not a very pleasant place to live.
I don't know whether to be happy or sad that all of this could be over within 5 days.
If what this Lawson guy says is true, the key here for me is "as soon as Tuesday." If it's already a lock with Fuente, and this guy knows it, it makes no sense to postpone the announcement beyond the first of next week. If it's Herman, it could be "as soon as Tuesday" if Houston loses today, or after next weekend if he wins (and he has that offense humming right now against Navy).
A week ago he identified the coach as a great QB coach, great recruiter, and bringing the spread. The recruiting aspect doesn't fit with Fuente. And this is a few days before we hear that Herman withdraws his name from USCe. Who knows for sure, but things are certainly about to get interesting.
Herman. Herman. Herman.
Tuesday? Why so long? I'm pretty sure we'll hear unofficially on Sunday, with official on Monday. Unless it's Herman, and we won't hear until next week.
What has Herman done that Fuente has not done, people talk up Herman like he's Nick Saban or something. I mean, I would be happy for sure if he came to Virginia Tech, but Fuente has done just as well, if not better.
Google Doc of Coaching Analytics
Herman has grown a half way decent goatee. True, Bud Foster would scoff at it, but it is still better than anything I have seen from Fuente.
LMAO
I think the thought of the OSU offense coming to Blacksburg is extremely exciting. Fuente is far from a bad hire though.
Edit: Forgot Herman's recruiting record
Herman beat an option team. Soundly.
True. And that's better than Mullen too. He's 0-2 against GT.
That was some impressive preparation and performance for Herman and Houston today. The commentators even went into how Houston had prepared for the attack. Navy had to go to the air way more than normal to move the ball on them.
Perhaps he got some advice from his future defensive coordinator?
Good thought