He is a football coach, not an administrator.
Good friends with Corny and his family so he might not be as quick to recommend #firecorny as some here would like.
His personality seems to absolutely fit the VT culture.
Kill starts at 35:44
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=54WYG8DeyUw
What do you think?
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1:10:54 in that youtube link
Fixed.
Something that always bothers me about these videos. Why is there 1 hour 45 minutes of video for 45 minutes of press conference? Isn't there anyone at VT who can edit out the dead time?
Send a message to Kill.
They do the press conferences on YouTube live which i believe auto generates it as video when it's over.
You are right and in no way are my following statements directed at you. I just need to get it off my chest.
All they have to do to fix this is have an intern start the stream when the press conference actually starts. There is no need to have the youtube live video sit on the intro screen for an hour and a half. You can schedule a stream on YT where it will allow the viewer to open the link and have it just sit there until the streamer starts the video. Not that having these more polished would help recruiting or anything else that matters in a vacuum, but its stuff like this that adds up across the program to make us look sub-par in comparison to others.
Said he likes to possess the ball, limit turnovers, run the ball, play good defense and special teams. So basically has exact same philosophy as Beamer.
Has anyone seen Frank and Jerry in the same room?
and almost every coach in the country
and Bill Belichick and Don Shula and Chuck Knoll, and Nick Saban, and Joe Gibbs, and Barry Switzer, and Tom Osborne, and everyone except Larry Fedora and Mike Gundy for the most part.
To you and Nick above, where does CornFu fit? And that is why I made the point about Kill having same philosophy as Beamer.
From Day 1 Fuente has preached about the run game being a top priority in his offense.
#unblockedhatphilosophy
Beamer teams never abandoned the run even if the running game was struggling. CornFu is much quicker to abandon the run and become pass heavy.
the 2007 Orange Bowl begs to disagree
I was skiing in Park City during that bowl game and only watched a small part of the game. Couldn't stomach watching a replay, so I don't know any details from that game.
Sounds like he could teach a lot to this current team
Said no coach in the history of football.
Yes, but he also didn't mention spreading the ball around, showing multiple looks with lots of misdirection, and using WR, buble, and tunnel screens as an extension of the run game. Those are all things that Loeffler and Fuente have talked a lot about. Instead Kill referenced how big the OL currently is and was excited that they should have the potential to move bodies.
Dude, you're good. I'm just funning around.
But really though, We like to run the ball, protect the ball, and possess the ball is like the Holy Trinity of the Church of Coachspeak.
You forgot "We like to win games."
Almost too much like Beamer. I remember watching the Minnesota Mizzou bowl game in 2015 I think where down two scores with 3 minutes left in the half Kill opted to run the ball and end the half outside field goal range rather than throw downfield and risk an interception.
That being said it might be a nice counterbalance to Fuente who wants to go for it every 4th down and likes to go for the odd two point conversion. Some better game management would have saved us a lot of trouble in games like ND last year, and GT 2017
Fuente doesn't like to go for it every 4th down, just ones where it makes no sense.
FTFY
I like when we score more than they do.
Mhmm it's nice
I think it would be more accurate to say that Beamer's style reflected the typical playstyle of the Big 10. That conference has historically been about beefy olines, running the ball, and playing defense for a long time. Kill is just another representative of that.
I learned they need to get a new mic flag, that thing is banged up
Ha. I noticed that too but I kind of like the distressed look. Same with Fuente's ratty old hat and sleeveless hoodie.
I think he's been told to work with Vice on the OL until it's fixed.
Ah so we hired another lifer like Beamer. Great news!
I've only watched a bit of it so far, damn wireless headphones died, but when asked "What do you do?" Kill responds "Whatever Fu tells me to."
To me, it seems like Fu realized that he was a little over his head with being a head coach at a P5 school. You aren't just a coach, you are the guy, you do everything. So what happens when you can't do something? You find someone you will trust to do it for you. Looks like there was tons of film Fu either wasn't getting to or couldn't be thorough enough with the hours in the day. Brings in a guy to help him and this is a brilliant guy who seems to be on cloud 9 he landed essentially a dream position.
Or you make sure you have good middle managers (i.e. position coaches and coordiators) to get the job done so you don't have to spend your time on the minutiae and details and instead focus on the overall game plan, the program's direction and culture, and maybe what holes need filled on the roster to ensure said direction and culture can be achieved.
Literally no championship team in the last ten years uses this philosophy. Bama and Clemson have created the new normal in college football, hiring tons of "advisors" and "assistants" who work behind the scenes. This hire, and embracing this model in general, is long overdue in Blacksburg.
I think every team has the model I suggest, all of the assistants and advisers are there to help the coordinators and position coaches. The Head Coach lays out the plan and all the underlings execute it. It sounds like Fuente has been getting into the weeds a little too much and brought it Kill to help.
Not even back peddling, I said, as a head coach, hire good people underneath youshop though don't have to spend too much time on the details and you said "everyone hires a bunch of assistants" the only difference is you assume extra people would work directly under Fuente where I think they would work under the coordinators/assistants.
To be fair, Saban watches a lot of football and is still involved in the defense. But not everyone is Nick Saban, and he has 27 assistance so he can do what he does best.
So what does it say about this guy when he has a staff like this?
That's no staff. It's a list of students (under Saban).
Out of curiosity, can you post Fuente's list here for comparison's sake?
Moved up under Bama staff
Appreciate you!
Can we express the Bama staff positions as "$" where $= 100k?
Bama Coaches salaries - 2019
This is what I've found so far. Doesn't include everyone on that list.
oh for a delete button...
Is that the former Hokie walk-on LB/Special Teamer? Good to see him landing a good gig after graduating.
Yep. I noticed the name as well and looked him up. I'm curious if it's a "good gig" from a pay perspective, though I get many would probably consider it worthwhile to work under Saban if you're looking to break into coaching and move up.
I'm sure it doesn't pay much, but working for Saban is definitely good for your resume if you have aspirations for a career in football.
He used to work for us.
1. Jerry Kill spends his vacations at various college football teams learning more and more. This guys is a football animal - he can't digest enough.
2. "I'm a football coach, not an administrator."
3. He has established relationships through his football coaching past with most of the VT coaching staff.
4. He had other offers to do this elsewhere, but this was the perfect fit.
5.
6. "There's nothing better than NOT being the head coach."
7. He started work at VT last Tuesday.
8. He and Coach Bill Snyder are tight.
9. Running the ball successfully requires "continuity' everywhere.
10. Jerry Kill is 3 ft, 3 in tall (He said he's half as tall as the O line.).
11. Jerry loves that he gets to work with Bud Foster.
Coach Jerry Kill is a blue collar, straight shooting, football junkie.... He's gonna like it here, and we are gonna like his inputs to the coaching staff.
I wonder if this will end up being one of the first critiques behind closed doors to Vice. I understand you need to rotate guys to find the right positions, but he seems to do it right up until game day. I feel like I've heard about the importance of an O-line playing together consistently from so many coaches.... except Vice.
I don't recall any of the video pressers and the Mic'd up videos of Coach Vice ever not stressing O-line consistency or even playing together. It's also not the impression given by the OL players during post-game interviews too.
Watch how he positively talks and challenges the OL here in the Fall All Access vid part 2 @ 3:34
https://youtu.be/jMcCWsoWrXE
Edit: I'm trying to find the OL and Vice interviews where they describe how the OL operates. I do recall that Vice wants consistency no matter who's playing what position and which of their brethren is playing beside them.
EDIT: this is the week 3 press conference. Vice starts @ 16:15 https://youtu.be/nj1wEtpij0U
He doesn't address any type of consistency at all in this clip.... He basically tells them if they work hard they have no ceiling. I don't have any issue with anything he says, but it has nothing at all to do with my point.
Maybe I wasn't clear, but this is exactly what I feel is different about Vice. The quote you referenced is saying Vice wants his players to perform consistently no matter the situation (what position they're playing or who they're playing with). My point is that it is often stressed how important it is to have the same players in the same positions consistently so that they can develop chemistry. The idea is that by the time those same 5 guys are in a game, they have so many reps together that they each know what the other will do before they even do it.
At about 17:08 he says "yes, it was very inconsistent. It's a work in progress, playing some different guys, some newer guys...." Then goes on to say the chemistry isn't there yet. That's obvious to everyone. The question I was trying to answer is that perhaps the reason the chemistry isn't there is because Vice rotates guys too much throughout practice vs putting together 5 guys with a few weeks of camp left and letting them gel. (just to be clear this is my hypothesis, but I feel it's backed up by circumstantial evidence)
I think Vice could come out and say the most important thing in his mind is finding 5 guys and sticking with them, but when every video out of practice seems to feature a different group with players in different positions.... Then we get in a game and one of the supposed strengths of the team can't even pick up basic stunts and blitzes from inferior competition..... Then you have an experienced P5 coach come in and his first comment about the team is that we need consistency on the O-line.... I think all that speaks for itself.
My only other comment in defense of some of the shuffling is that he's dealt with some injuries (and the NCAA) that force his hand obviously and that's not his fault. Regardless, the O-line play must get better and that's on the coach. Especially when, on paper, it's one of the more talented O-lines we've ever had.
Great discussion HB.
This I get down with this
100800 percent! It's hard for me to recall a time when we had this many BEEFcakes on the OL. And at times this year, there have been flashes of brilliance from their play. Gone are the days of relying on a mobile QB to buy time with his feet because of our OL shortcomings.I do believe Vice wants to find his 5 guys and enough depth where there is no drop in skillset, technique, and ability when subbing in the 2s/3s. But we're not there yet and a but aways from it. And to continue the improvement, we'll need to recruit even bigger and better OL talent.
I'd love an OL where the 2s/3s could be NFL-talent. In a perfect world, we'd have an All-american NFL-talented OL.
Again, great discussion HB.
I wish you got the rest in on this. He resigned his AD on Monday at SIU. He had his wife drive him to Blacksburg on Tuesday, had her drop him off at the office, and he started working while she looked for a place to stay.
Kill literally came to Blacksburg without a place to stay and his first stop was the office to get to work. This is a man who was dying to be back as a coach and I love every bit of it. Only way I could like it more is if Kill and Beamer are sighted getting Cookout together while getting pedis.
Thanks for adding details. The dude is a football junkie.
Might not be good:

I wonder if we'll see Kill and Beams eating milk shakes together.
Wow, man. Just realized that Frank gif is an accurate representation of me during game days recently. Crying like a child in the inside, but by the look on my face (Frank) you would think that I'm dead inside. Cool as a cucumber, baby.
Didn't someone do like a 'flashback' edit of the .gif of Frank staring off in the Cassell...? For the life of me I can't find it, but it's the one that's overlaid with clips from Hokie Football moments of the past as he continues to stare into nothingness.
Wait, Kill IS friends with Corny?
So he will NOT be as quick to recommend firing Corney as we would like....
Kill seems really excited about this opportunity and he sounded honest in his response to what he saw with the running game.
I mean...I know we love Vice, but his mixing and matching of Offensive lines is ridiculous...get your 5 and keep it moving...and I'm kinda surprised it took Jerry Kill coming in here to tell them that..
Injuries have shook up the line. Damn it Kill should tell them to stop getting hurt.
He was doing this in the preseason. This isn't something new. I remember Lecitus Smith saying that he doesn't know what position he's playing from day to day..
Exactly so he could rotate guys around in the event of injury to produce the best possible lineup. A starting guard might be your second best right tackle and so forth.
Hard to do when you're down your first and second string centers by game two, man.
I absolutely agree and I'm all about providing depth, but an offensive line is typically built on continuity and knowing what the other man is doing next to you...it might not be as bad if you swapped tackles..(right tackle and then left tackle, youre still paying tackle) but to switch from tackle, to guard on both sides, that can be difficult..
My point is, the mixing and matching this season isn't Vice's fault.
I think this hire was well worth it.
Funny, he does remind me of Beamer.
Also interesting: He feels that this is the perfect situation to work in this kind of role, and he's had other offers to do it, but picked this one because he's comfortable with the staff.
What he said bout Fuente:
I loved that line.
He makes you feel good just listening to him.
Kill is saying all the right things to me. I sure hope he can focus our identity and get us pointed in the right direction
Fuente said all the right things too...
Don't get me wrong, I like the Kill hire but we should temper expectations
Hence why I said "I sure hope"
My expectations for this arrangement will be significantly enhanced when Kill gets the NCAA to change their ruling on Brock Hoffman.
He'll just Kill them if they don't.
Video now seems to be here
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=54WYG8DeyUw
Leg. Updated.
Don't think it merits its own thread, but these tweets from Chris Coleman are interesting regarding the OL:
This is wild info. I feel like our impact players continue to be young guys
It's because we're so thin at almost every position, and we have injuries on top of that.
We really need to build a talent base and start redshirting these kinds of players.
Are they starting now over Smith and Jackson? It's them Hoyt Darrisaw and Dzanzi?
Tenuta is probably starting at RT. RG is Nester or TJ Jackson or Dsanzi.
Hoyt is probably close to be being back.
I see Hoyt on my TR bus ride and he's gone from a knee brace, to a knee strap, to last week nothing on his knee. That would seem to confirm that he may be able to return soon.
Fuente looks absolutely miserable in these press conferences. I think he'd rather have a root canal. He does not look like someone who is having fun being a Head football coach. On a brighter note Kill is obviously tickled to be here.
Oh come on Jerry, Corny is RIGHT THERE!
Yeah! Make him carry the stupid dummies! He's younger and more spry!
1. Tech was blindsided because Brock Hoffman was running with the ones in camp.
2. He values continuity on the offensive line (and running game in general). Please less shuffling and rotating.
1. Tech was blindsided because no one expected the NCAA to be so messed up as to deny a transfer because someone's brain tumor wasn't serious enough.
And in closing, eff the NCAA.
What we learned... the we are damn lucky to have a high caliber champion like Jerry Kill on our team. This was a monster hire. The man is beloved everywhere he goes, knows football inside and out, and is personable, honest and as kind as any coach you'll find.
Any coach?
Sad how long it's been, since we last beat GT.
The one thing the slightly concerns me - and this could end up playing out way differently - is that it seems like he knew a lot of our coaches from other stops along the way. I still hope he can be brutally honest with Fuente putting some of those relationships aside and give him his honest unbiased opinion about all aspects he is tasked to analyze.
Good point, and Coach Kill addressed this with the press. 'I'm a straight shooter. '
My issue is two fold: Kill states 'I had a guy for this on my staff'.....meaning either VT hasn't utilized this in the past, or Fuente didnt quite think he had 'that guy that had the answers to right the ship on his staff......
Either way, you hire Coach Kill EVERY time if you can.....I give Fuente credit for a great move.
Shoot, if my office could employ a seasoned respected manager who's job is to improve chemistry and outcomes while not wanting authority..... bring it.
Agree with this, and will continue to hope this move will pay off. I know the fan base is anxious - to say the least - to see things turn around. Just hope that pressure doesn't fall back on Kill because of unrealistic expectations for what his impact will be. At the end of the day, Fuente is the one telling Kill what to do - at least according to the presser. The onus is on Fuente to ask the right questions/duties for Kill now.
First order of business: eliminate turkey bacon.
So Jafar Williams and Jerry Kill came into Bull and Bones Christiansburg yesterday evening and sat next to me at the bar. I introduced myself and told Coach Kill welcome to Blacksburg.
Reason for posting, I sat there for maybe 30 minutes and was able to listen to what they were talking about. Jafar seems like a pretty cool dude that would be able to connect with players and recruits on a personal level. Coach Kill seems real laid back. ESPN was on and it was talking about the Houston quarterback and they both commented that this was going to become the new normal.
Some points I took away from what I could hear:
Just some cool stuff. Oh yeah, Coach Jafar drank double Makers on the rocks and Coach Kill drank plain ole 12 oz draft Michelob Ultra.
Beer of the week this week right there ladies and gentlemen. Last time I drank Mic Ultra was that horrendous Orange Bowl vs Kansas. Fact: it is possible to drink enough Mic Ultras to black out.
Duly noted. Will be in Six Pick later tonight.
Love it, Makers and Woodford are my standard "not shitty" bourbons.
Of course, I still drink Evan Williams because I'm a garbage person and I'm a fan of the 2008 Virginia Tech running game.
Great stuff, thanks for sharing. Sounds like a lot of these fixes could be implemented immediately, such as simplifying the run sets and starting to get a consistent starting 5 on the line. I wonder if they will give Bell some looks as the bruiser back. Hopefully Willis can clean up those mental lapses somewhat. The RPO is completely ineffective with him at QB, so we might as well ditch it if he is predetermining whether or not to hand it off before the snap.
This is all music to my ears. Go Coach Kill.
Maybe someone else can answer this: Is there a real reason we can't just scrap the RPO sets? Willis is a senior, it's not like he's going to magically figure it out after a bye week. Just get back to old school football, I formation shit. Develop play action off of it with attacking vertical routes to take advantage of Willis' arm talent.
No, because I formation works best with man blocking schemes. We are a zone blocking team, so our "power" package is going to come from an RPO/shotgun deal where we might run to the power (TE) side man to man.
First off, Willis does OK on RPO. (run-pass option).
It's the Read Option (handoff to RB or keep & run) that he struggles with and frequently hands off to the RB when the option defender is crashing on the RB.
RPO reads are more along the lines of "Is that linebacker or safety charging the line of scrimmage or not" and generally a little slower / easier of a read than the very quick Read Option read of which angle that DE 10 feet away is taking and oh which OL made their blocks?.
overall the RPO is really hard on a defense. because it forces safeties / LB's to be in two places at once. either covering the hard slant in the middle of the field or meeting the RB at the LOS. However if the OL isn't getting it done against the DL those 2nd level defenders can safely hang back in passing lanes. So a 'bad read handoff' where the RB gets tackled for no gain can actually be the right RPO read.. just a bad block by the OL.
Sorry, I tend to use RPO and run option synonymously when I cognitively understand the difference.
Maybe its the NCAA 2014 in me but I love a fast shifty back like king paired with a bruiser. Hit them in the mouth until they are tired the run around them for big gains.