Morning Hokie Nation, it's Brenden Hill and I'm excited to work with TKP on a cool AMA segment. From 12:30 - 1:30 PM EST today, feel free to ask me anything. Leave any questions ahead of time. Let's make it positive and fun. Follow me on twitter.
P.S. This is the only selfie I own. Go Hokies!!
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What's your best Bud Foster story?
My best Bud Foster memory is probably when I moved to defense and broke the two deep. He let me know that he believed in me. Also enjoyed helping him with his LPD foundation and the scholarship fund he used to help SWVA kids.
Do you prefer cake or pie?
Also, what was your favorite game during your tenure at Virginia Tech? I don't think anything tops beating #10 Clemson in Lane on Thursday night in 2006.
I'm a cake guy. Only Pie I enjoy is apple. My favorite game was probably our Miami game my senior year. That was the last time a Tech Team played in the Orange Bowl. That stadium had so much history so it was an honor to play on that field. A very electric and eery environment.
via GIPHY
What's the best sandwich in Blacksburg?
Has to be something from Sycamore Deli. Even though I had a few great sandwiches from Einsteins and couldn't seem to catch them being open last fall...
Tugboat Tuesdays!
Oh boy, the memories! A Hot Stripper and a pitcher of PBR. Bliss.
Did you mean Striper??
Nope.
Hot Stripper: Turkey, Ham Bacon, Melted Provolone, Melted Cheddar, Lettuce, Tomato, Mayo On 2 Layers Of Toasted White all for $7.25. Best stripper you can get for under $8.00.
I see you're now officially a member of TKP.
How do you feel about the current state/direction of the program?
I think the direction is good. I understand why Coach Fuente did what he did to make us competitive so quickly and last year was just a effect of it. I think 2020 is our year!
What's your favorite Frank Beamer story?
My favorite Frank Beamer story are boundless. He was such a charismatic leader. He know how to communicate and relate to us. He operated the program with the discipline of a military academy in terms of doing the right thing but also not micromanaging us. He used to tell us his old war stories though..He and Coach Cav once lined up against each other Coach Beamer for Tech Cav for W&M as a WR. Coach Beamer says he got the best of him lol.
Did a coach ever yell at you, "No Hill, IT'S WHIP!!"?
He would always call people Palsy Pronounced Pal z. He definitely would yell at us.
A few questions here but I will separate them:
Knowing that you are still well connected with the team, your former teammates, and a lot of people around the program, what have been your biggest concerns with the program culturally over the last 5 years or so? Do you think we are moving in the right direction?
Are there any noteworthy positive or negative trends that you feel have been particularly impactful to the team or on the recruiting trail?
We know we can't rely solely on Virginia talent in the current recruiting climate, but what do you think we can do to make VT a more desirable destination for top in-state talent?
Knowing that you are still well connected with the team, your former teammates, and a lot of people around the program, what have been your biggest concerns with the program culturally over the last 5 years or so? Do you think we are moving in the right direction?
- I think we are kind of in a middle ground. I wouldn't say going forward or backwards. After a season like we had the best thing to do is see how the kids perform this fall. I believe the proof is always in the pudding.
Are there any noteworthy positive or negative trends that you feel have been particularly impactful to the team or on the recruiting trail?
-It seems we are resonating with higher rated recruits which is good. At the end of the day players recruit players. You will rarely see a kid go to a place he doesn't like the vibe of the players. But the players are determined by the coaches so it's a triple down culturally.
We know we can't rely solely on Virginia talent in the current recruiting climate, but what do you think we can do to make VT a more desirable destination for top in-state talent?
-Honestly I think we need more diversity on campus. Need to continue to grow the african american student base. Also need more stuff for the under 21 students to do.
This needs to be stickied, because every time someone tries to bring it up in conversations regarding recruiting they get shouted down.
I've seen Brenden discuss this on Twitter with several other former players (Greg Boone was one, can't remember who else). Its a real issue.
It 's already being worked on. Quote from this article, https://www.roanoke.com/news/education/higher_education/virginia_tech/virginia-tech-to-revamp-application-process-for-potential-new-students/article_9b4e5a35-c3c1-546c-81d1-5690a85f4c3c.html.
I have a family friend whose son was granted admittance to VT in October 2018 for this coming school year, Fall 2019. He found out before anybody, even early decision. It was through a special program that I had never heard of before.
Thats awesome. I've heard when they speak on diversity sometimes they mean Asian students. It's important that they get african american students and women on campus.
What was your favorite away game and why?
Favorite Away game would have to be playing at UVA and beating them there. No better feeling than winning on the road in general but beating your rival on their home field is super exciting. Governor Kaine once joined us in the locker room after a win in C'ville. Fun Times!
Fun Kaine aside, when he was candidate for Gov, he dropped by our tailgate and took a shot of bourbon with us (just a bunch of students in the Cowgill lot, not anybody who meant anything)
Love the podcast and also just heard you on Don V's podcast, great stuff!
How hard is it for guys like Devon Hunter or Mook Reynolds to move between a nickel/whip position and another position like safety or linebacker? It seems like the VT defense has had a lot of hybrid guys who have had to switch positions in the middle of their career, and I'm sure it can be a bigger learning curve for some than others.
To follow up on this, if I remember right, you came in as an offensive player and switched to defense. What was that experience like? did you resist the change? and do you think the fact that VT has history of changing players around negatively impacts recruiting for VT?
No I wanted to move to defense and wish I had come in as a defensive player. I was recruited as a WR. I don't think that hurts us because usually its discussed with kids up front. Most of the kids who move positions usually are grateful to be there in the first place. I think the most important thing is contributing and playing. Nobody likes riding the pine especially if the team isn't amazing. We had guys who didn't mind waiting because the guys in front were studs.
I think Whip and Rover are the easiest to adjust to. The rover plays in tight space so the offensive players don't have a ton of room to get around you so it's easy. Same with Boundary corner. It's only so many routes a receiver can run in that tight space. Whip is easy because you literally just get to chase the ball and blitz without having to deal with interior lineman. Learning curve position is probably FS and Field Corner. Everything else on our Defense is easy if you communicate.
How do you feel about the reputation the program has with 757 recruits/coaches?
Do you think the ODU series actually benefits us in this area?
I don't think the ODU series benefits us. It only helps them. As far as our reputation in the 757 I think winning at a high level will solve all of that. I think Richmond is where we need to make more in roads. The 757 is literally only Virginia Beach and Chesapeake for talent right now. It's a whole generation who left this area and didn't have kids because of lack of jobs etc. My generation it was a boom town in Hampton and Newport News and across the 757. Now it's not as strong. Richmond is where its at. But We have to win and play an exciting brand of football again.
This is the dam truth X 1,000.
Have you as a former player, ever felt like the football program neglects it's former athletes? Or do you feel like you have the freedom of coming back to the sidelines if you wanted to take in a game?
it's tricky. I've been fortunate because I have good relationships and allies. But as a whole there is room for improvement in this area. Our program is just so young as it relates to that I don't think it was something we considered as we were growing. The Ohio States, ND and LSU's have been good for so long they have certain infrastructures that help them. Hopefully it'll improve.
Appreciate that transparent response B.
Thanks for doing this AMA, Brenden. Sorry I'm a couple days late to the party, but if you're still following this discussion, I have a follow-up question here. I'm curious as to where the room for improvement is. Does VT make it difficult for former players to come and participate, or do they just not bother actively courting you guys to come back? The latter would be unfortunate, but easily correctable. The former would be much more troubling.
Emma Watson or Jennifer Lawrence?
Sandwich :)
Capitol One
Jen Garner then.
Kate Beckinsale
Without specifics of what position the recruit plays, his ranking, where he's from, etc... But it's a prospect at the top of Virginia Tech's board. What's the pitch you'd make to him to sell Virginia Tech the best and have him ultimately sign with the Hokies?
My bad missed this one. In a perfect world I'd let him know that he can achieve all his dreams at VT. If he doesn't go to the NFL our network will help him find a job. He can meet his future love of his life on campus and we're going to be committed to developing him as a person and athlete. Not to mention we have the most dedicated fans!
Are we doing AMAs now?
Where have you been youngin? So far I've got Bill Roth and now Hill onboard for these things.
Shit man I can't keep up with everything on the interwebs. But cool.
I feel you man. Fairly new to this site and all this debate about cake or pie: is ice cream not an option?
That debate never made any sense; cookies are clearly the superior dessert
Well, since you asked.
Milkshake still not getting any love. Milkshakes can contain all of the above.
#teammilkshake.
Outside of Pie Milkshakes are clearly best.
Did somebody say Pie milkshakes?
I tried one this past year the crust wasn't good in it. I didn't really like it.
And then a bunch of boys show up in your yard....
Only as an accoutrement to pie
What about Shayne Graham?!!!! Hellloooooo!
Would you like to see VT jump to the SEC if the opportunity presented itself, again?
No Way. I think our brand is strong in the ACC. Watching schools like Nebraska and Maryland Struggle in conferences they have no business in is a good warning for me.
Brenden, great to have a great Hokie in TKP! Have more of your Brothers join us.
-Do you think the portal has/will create a free-agency type of situation where a commitment from an athlete becomes a "for right now" situation and lessens the value of getting an education as well as playing football?
-What are some ideas you and other players have to compete in recruiting with schools like Clemson/Penn State (besides of course, WINNING!).
I think the Portal is good because it helps kids who want to go, go. Mike Tomlin said it best "we want volunteers not hostages". I think if kids understand why they aren't playing and contributing they will want to leave because you only have 4.3 years to play so that time is valuable. I didn't play in 18 games I was eligible to play in during my career it sucks to this day. I think you're team is good kids won't mind waiting though.
I think recruiting players want to feel like they can enjoy themselves on campus. I would increase enrollment for POC. I would loosen up the rules around town so kids can be kids. I think the tide changed in Blacksburg, whether the city or school has more control/influence than FB. You have to remember where your bread is buttered. I think when the new dorms get built that will also help.
What would be the first major three decisions you would make if you were the new AD for VT?
What are your thoughts on hiring former VT players as coaches? What are the potential negatives to that?
Defensively if you played for Bud there is no negative. You know the standard and you know the scheme. Offensive staff the negative could be familiarity. But I think you need former players on staff. Also in support roles to help mentor kids.
Build the Dorm
Hire a Chief Marketing Officer for Athletics
Give myself a lifetime contract lol
In the shiny world of today's recruiting, do you think having a former player with good NFL experience (no matter if they have coaching experience or not) would help VT's recruiting efforts? Especially guys like Dhall and Flowers who have immense understanding of Bud's defense from playing in it, but dont have the coaching experience? This is a topic that gets alot of discussion about on this site. Would be interesting to hear your views!
I would hire one of those guys immediately honestly. College football isn't hard to coach if you've played in the scheme and played at the highest level. So the idea a former NFL player who played for Bud can't coach is absurd!! I think it helps because ultimately you've been where these kids and their families want to go. Who better to help them get there. It's hard to take advice from someone who's never done what you're doing.
Funniest Marcus Vick story
He probably can't publicly tell his funniest Marcus Vick story.
Love Marcus. He had a weak stomach though. He loved McDonalds and would often call earl after a conditioning workout in the summer. He would always laugh it off..Great teammate though.
edit: poor taste/ timing. happens to the best of us
If you could play on a different Hokie football team, which one would it be? Any single season will do.
What are your thoughts on the things done in the stadium for crowd involvement. Do you like getting rid of the hokie pokie at the end of the third quarter? Are you a fan of stadiums that have started pumping in more canned music or live activities like cheers, marching virginians/highty tighties, etc?
Hokie Team would be the 2007 team. I didn't play my RS Freshman year in 2003 so I always regret not asking for an extra year of eligibility for that 2007 run. We would have returned like 10 starters damn near.
I like the hype music, I want the Hokie Pokie back. I also want Stick it In Back! I think kids want the music but that 3rd quarter should be Hokie Pokie.
via GIPHY
What's the best bowl swag you got?
Best Bowl swag was probably the check. We would get paid per mile we lived from the bowl site and our home town as "travel money" The gifts when I played weren't that great.
How do you feel about fans/media having much more restricted access to the program under Coach Fuente?
What meal/order do you miss the most from West End?
I've talked to some people in the media the thing that they don't have that we had was a more relaxed press environment to have casual style interviews. We would sit around and media would come talk to us or eaves drop on a conversation. It made it more personable. This whole podium thing is very sterile, makes it hard for the media to get to know the kids and the fans too. Randy King once wrote a story on me with the title "We're just getting to know the guy" because I we had built some honest banter and relationship.
London Broil and Mash hands down from West End. Cheese Steak fries Close second.
Preach. King was an awesome writer too.
Corey Moore thought so too, it might seem.
Will never not leg this
Leg for London broil and potatoes. I miss west end
Brenden - Thank you for doing this! Here are a few questions for you.
When did something start out badly for you but in the end, it was great?
What's the most embarrassing story from your childhood?
What did you Google last?
1. My VT career
2. Too many to name just one
3. 2 chainz age
When former players like yourself get to go back to Blacksburg for games, do y'all get a chance to tailgate?
If so, what's that like? What's the go-to tailgate food, drink, game, etc.
I had a chance to go back with DHall for the UVA game to shoot a tailgate special for Players Tribune. We sampled some good eats. The best was a Philly Cheesesteak we had down the hill on Beamer Way. But Hokie Fans are always gracious with sharing.
If you had a choice:
Pecked by a thousand ducks?
🦆 🦆 🦆 🦆 🦆 🦆 🦆 🦆 🦆 🦆 🦆 🦆
Or
Pecked by one gigantic duck?
Love the humor. Pecked by One, because one is easier to Duck!
Did the transition from the Big East to the ACC have any direct affect on the team logistics, preparation, etc ?
Was game prep more difficult the first year of the ACC because of a whole new slate of teams that the team didn't have prior familiarity with year-over-year?
I don't think the transition was a big deal, it all happened so fast. Geographically we still had the same foot print it was less cold road games it seemed.
I think it helped us because they didn't know us either. Honestly we were probably more physical than ACC teams at that time. Thats what helped us. The Big East was a physical conference and we brought that to the ACC.
Not a question but just wanted to thank you for doing this. Great seeing former players still representing Hokie Nation and providing us some insight we don't normally have access to. We appreciate all your hard work and dedication to the O&M. GO HOKIES!!!
Thank you for the kind words, sincerely. It's a pleasure. Go Hokies!
Cycle us through the communication between the edge defender and the free hitter/alley defender. Does the edge defender receive a call to spill or force the play? Or, does the edge defender react based on how the blocking scheme or backfield action moves, and then the alley defender/free hitter?
Talk about how the alley play differs to the field and boundary? How challenging is it for a whip to be the force/spill player, especially given how the current whips are the same size as corners?
To the boundary, discuss how the boundary linebacker executes a spill and a force call from a base alignment. Is the rover reacting to the DE/Backer force/spill, or is the rover pre-assigned to cover the interior alley (on a force) or the exterior alley (on a spill)?
What in the heck is going on here between the DE, Backer, and Rover?
DE appears to have a spill call, and the fullback mauls him. 21 should be coming up outside in, but seems to be influenced by the rocket motion to the sideline. Should the free safety be staying put with rover chasing the motion (which doesn't make much sense) or should the rover be right on the DE's hip rather than half way to the hash?
Burn that tape!
Damn! French took my question! I was gonna ask that! :-)
The defensive end didn't spill it. He attempted to spill it but the runner still went through the gap. A true spill makes the ball bounce from the gap. You'll see Floyd is right there if the ball bounces to him. This is on the Defensive end. You don't get mauled on spilling. You literally sacrifice yourself for the team. But you have to get into that gap.
Love these questions. I'm a football geek. Let me try my best.
Cycle us through the communication between the edge defender and the free hitter/alley defender. Does the edge defender receive a call to spill or force the play? Or, does the edge defender react based on how the blocking scheme or backfield action moves, and then the alley defender/free hitter?
Ok so as far as the whip goes. 8/10 he's a contain defender meaning nothing gets outside of him. That is based on the coverage/defense called. The only time he is not is when the Corner is the flat defender in a tampa Cover 2 scheme and When we have a short yardage blitz called he reacts to the block and usually goes under or spills it. The FS is usually a fill defender and everything should be funneled in to him if he has to ever make a tackle.
Talk about how the alley play differs to the field and boundary? How challenging is it for a whip to be the force/spill player, especially given how the current whips are the same size as corners?
-Boundary everything is easier because the space is so tight. The runners don't have a ton of space to make you miss or run away they're working in a phone booth as we say. To the field you have more space to chase. That's why our great boundary corners were good because they would sit on routes and use the limited space to their advantage, Jimmy/Flowers/Macho etc.
-Size doesn't matter because you're usually dealing with Tight ends and receivers they rarely pull lineman to you as the whip. Guys just have to play with their arms and hands instead of letting offensive blockers get to their chest.
To the boundary, discuss how the boundary linebacker executes a spill and a force call from a base alignment. Is the rover reacting to the DE/Backer force/spill, or is the rover pre-assigned to cover the interior alley (on a force) or the exterior alley (on a spill)?
Usually the backer spills everything to the rover. The rover is usually the free player but it usually is determined by defense called and blocking scheme. If they run an Iso at the backer he's gonna spill it. Our goal is to always make the ball bounce outside to a free hitter. Gap sound gap control defense.
I just gave you 5 legs. Good stuff and thanks for doing this.
Agreed
Thank you for taking the time to do this.
1. Do you have any remarkable anecdotes about the Adibi brothers?
2. Favorite sandwich or burger topping combo?
3. Coolest place you've traveled.
1. They and their parents are great people. Very smart guys great football players. I think Xavier and Coach Beamer have the same Birthday.
2. I'm an all the way guy. Lettuce, tomato, onion, pickle, jalepeno, sauces. Just nothing random like egg lol.
3. I've been to Europe a ton. Coolest place is tough, Probably South of Portugal this place called Algarve. I love traveling.
Thanks for your question.
What was running through your head right before you touched the Hokie Stone entering Lane for your first night game?
I mean honestly nothing. You're just in a trance until you run out. So anxious. I was always Blank. Very emotional experience. I've cried and thrown up leading up to a kick off in lane lol. Neither at the same time btw.
How many chickens would it take to defeat an elephant in a fight to the death???
Yeah, wouldn't the chickens just run away since they're, you know, chickens?
lol. 1?
How many
chickensCavaliers would it take to defeatan elephanta Hokie in a fight to the death??? Answer-for the last 5213 days, they haven't invented a number high enough to answer this yet. And maybe never will!How do you feel about the job the new staff (post Beamer) has done so far? Biggest compliment, biggest complaint?
Biggest compliment is they've had success. Biggest complaint would be hoping the culture and support staff continues to develop. Under coach Beamer we had such great culture. The locker room policed itself.
Under coach Beamer we had such great culture. The locker room policed itself.
This is huge. Hope this becomes the norm again.
What are some of the strategies offenses used during your time and what you have observed since you left to manipulate Foster's defense to get a numerical advantage at the point of attack?
I think scheming us. Georgia Tech came out and threw an opening pass on us my senior year that Cincinnati tried. It worked because they knew what we would be in versus that formation. That's about all you can do because if Bud knows what you're doing and has the players to play it your up a creek.
reading this makes me want to run through a wall
There have been a few "favorite story" questions already, but Cav was your position coach and in my limited interactions with him, he's been hilarious.
What's your favorite Cav story or one-liner?
I wanna hear this one...
Coach Cav recruited me, he recruited Michael I was very close with Coach Cav. He used to say "we all have a lot in life" essentially I took that as we all have a role, not everyone is gonna be the head man or the super star in life. But you can make something of yourself none the less. His wife and family were the sweetest people. Love him.
Why do YOU think Tech has trouble attracting top talent sometimes?
I think you have to win and you have to make them feel at home. More diversity and people from their home town etc. Even if this guy isn't a 5 star if he's from this kids high school and can play somewhat even if it's just special teams I'll give him a scholarship to help me recruit his friend.
Wasn't that uva strategy for awhile?
With the proliferation of spread offenses, what would be a change to the defensive scheme Bud employs to give the best balance against them while still being able to deal with power run teams (i.e. BC)?
I think recruiting good athletes first and foremost. Size, Speed, etc. I also think building up depth is key. Our defense was very young. Watch out for these kids in 2020 and beyond. I wouldn't change the scheme just get some experience players.
Thanks!
Who is the most talented player you've ever played against?
- Ever played with?
If you could change one thing about the VT Football program what would it be and why?
Who do you keep in touch with the most from VT if anyone?
What changes at VT have stuck out the most?
Whats the worst thing you've seen a fan say/tweet/post?
Was there ever a player on another team you enjoyed trash talking the most and why?
If you could have another chance on a play what play would you redo?
- What would you do differently?
What do you feel is VT's cieling in the national spotlight?
Wanna be best friends?
Who is the most talented player you've ever played against? Calvin Johnson
- Ever played with? DeAngelo, Kevin Jones, Jimmy Williams, Eddie Royal
If you could change one thing about the VT Football program what would it be and why? I'd add support staff to help the kids off the field
Who do you keep in touch with the most from VT if anyone? DeAngelo Hall, Mike Imoh, Aaron Rouse
What changes at VT have stuck out the most? The town outside of the students has grown.
Whats the worst thing you've seen a fan say/tweet/post? A lot of people didn't like my tweet storm about the It starts now hash tag they questioned my loyalty
Was there ever a player on another team you enjoyed trash talking the most and why? Tashard Choice he was an Atlanta guy super funny. Matthew Stafford also talked trash too
If you could have another chance on a play what play would you redo? I dropped an Interception against Clemson, Wake, and Miami and should have made a play against BC on a TD pass. I regret those 4 all the time
- What would you do differently?
I'd catch the ball. The BC play I would have peeled off. Matt Ryan threw the ball behind me and the man I was covering
What do you feel is VT's cieling in the national spotlight? I hope a National Championship. We need a dynamic Kyler Murray type QB to get us there. Hopefully it happens
Wanna be best friends?Sure. What's in it for me? Lol
Wanna be best friends?Sure. What's in it for me? Lol
Free beer/whiskey if you're in ATL
Appreciate you taking the time to answer my questions!
Did you and Aaron do any celebrating for his big victory here in Virginia Beach?? Super excited to have him as councilman
Which players are you most excited to watch this year? Which do you think have the biggest opportunity to make major improvements?
I'm excited to watch our whip, corner, safeties. It was hard watching that group last year. They have the talent. I think J Ham will help.
What's up Moyyyyyyyyy!?!
Don't know if it's already been asked, but as someone that has played the receiver position, do you feel it makes sense to continue to have Zohn (originally a WR position coach as well as a former receiver himself) kept as a tailbacks coach, or would it be better to move him back to WR coach??
Yep. Zohn enjoys coaching the RB's. You don't really coach RB's anyway you can't tell an artist what to paint. RB's mainly get coached on pass protection and route running. I think we just need a home run guy. Flowers raves about King so we'll see.
Thanks for responding to my question. Thanks for joining TKP and fielding this Q&A, but most of all, thanks for being a Hokie.
Thanks for doing this Brenden, really enjoyed reading through this
NP. I enjoyed it..
I enjoyed this guys. Thank you for your questions and support. I'll check back in tonight if I have some time and do more responses. Random thought: I think things changed in the program when the freshman no longer all shaved their heads balled. That's probably the last ACC championship we have. lol
Beams put an axe to that our '08 year because of the NCAA bitching about hazing
If they shaved their heads, we wouldn't have awesome Rambo lettuce out there though.
If you get a chance:
1. Better show: The Office or Arrested Development?
2. Above, you mentioned you think 2020 is our year....you mean to challenge the likes of Clemson and Bama?
You get to host the coach's film room during the big game (whichever game you want that to be). Who are the coaches you select to be in there with you?
edit: dangit, i was too slow. That's what I get for working during work.
welcome to the TKP fam! now that you here you need to hang around for a while. become a house hold name in the turkey leg race!
when was the last time you were in Blacksburg for a game when is the next time you plan on being there for one?
I saw some of your previous post about former players being coaches at VT and the benefits, have you ever considered coaching at VT or has the opportunity just not come up yet? rank former VT players that you would hire in order by gameday coaching abilty, recruiting prowess, player development, etc. I know a ton of former hokies out there coaching all over, whitley, dyrell Roberts just got a promotion, clowney is coaching at HU, loren robinson, rocs coaching highschool ball in bmore, the list goes on and on.
Upstairs or downstairs at Tots? I know you've been there as we had a couple of conversations at that fine establishment in college. I enjoyed speaking with you then, as well as seeing the AMA today. Thanks for doing this and sharing your thoughts on the program and teaching us former wannabe college football players about Bud's D.
What did you think of Herbie scolding you for dancing on the field? I believe it was 2006 vs BC, during a tv timeout and their band was playing Sweet Caroline.
Personally, I thought he was out of whack.
If Brenden comes back to answer one question, I vote for this one. You were out of whack waiting so long to get this one on the board!
Don't @ me, but one key element that you're leaving out is that we were down 20-3 at the time.
In his defense, how do you not dance when Sweet Caroline comes on?
If I had gone to the ACC Championship that year (it was in Tampa, IIRC), I would have carried a sign that said, "DANCE, BRENDEN, DANCE!"
Thank you Brenden for taking the time to give us some insight. To follow up on a few questions:
1) Can you expand on your thoughts about how the locker room/off the field issues are handle with Fuente vs Beamer. It does seem like the university itself is making more of these decisions and tying the hands of the coaching staff. However, Beamer seemed to give kids multiple chances to learn and grow from their mistakes. Fuente seems to move on much quicker.
2) Which secondary player do you think has the most potential/brightest future?
What a great idea.
Thanks to Brenden for answering the questions, and thanks to the TKP Gods responsible for putting it together.
This is really great, thanks for taking the time and providing candid responses.
There has been plenty of discussion in the past about Bburg's attractiveness to recruits, and I think your remarks reinforce a lot of that. As both the university and the town grow, hopefully diversity will increase and it will become more and more a place recruits see themselves.
For the immediate future though, one thing I wonder about is Tech's academic prestige. That is an advantage over a lot of the blue blood programs, and I'm wondering how you think that factors into recruiting?
Just want to say that of all the hundreds of articles and thousands of posts on TKP and other VT sites that I've read, this is the most interesting post discussion I've ever read. Thanks BH, and TKP. Go Hokies!!!
Thanks to Fireman as well.