Recent Comments

If we already have an established wrestler at a particular weight class, how do backups/underclassmen work? Do they wrestle at invitationals or "JV" matches? Do we only have one at each class with a few extra guys that go up or down a class when needed to fill in?

Coach Fuente, I still have high hopes for what you are bringing to VT and have not lost faith, however, on this one...

Yeah, I think he's got to have a sit-down with all of those kids. I really do. And if the kid wants to leave, he should honor it. But the reality is that most programs are full now because signing day is over. And to transfer after the year means sitting out another year. What Fuente needs to do is say, "I'm going to hire the best damn DB coach I can, and Bud is still in control of the defensive scheme. That scheme will (probably) always require outstanding DB play and you figure into that prominently." Emphasize the fact that the player committed to the school, no matter how disappointed he is on an individual level. He's going to get a great education at VT and he will get a chance to play college ball at a very high level, regardless of who his position coach is. But overall, I expect Fuente to be honest and honorable through all of it.

The optics will define the behavior in the public space. That you can never change, regardless of what the reality is. I agree with ltrepeter. The optics of this are horrible for VT. Whit has to address that now. There are a couple of 2016 recruits that feel screwed/used and we just lost some credibility with the 2017 recruiting class.
This puts VT athletics in damage control - no matter how you look at it.
Fuente better sign the 2nd best DB coach in the nation - the best one just flew the coop.

No, but apparently the assistant coach on the right (Mark Atuaia) apprehended someone who was the driver in a hit-and-run:

http://www.richmond.com/sports/college/schools/university-virginia/artic...

I think all of us are disappointed with the loss of Gray, reasons he chose to leave may never be known. We have been very fortunate over the years to have very little turnover in coaching, we may have a new norm here in Hokie land. Who knows, this might be a chance to bring in a new, dynamic coach who will add to recruiting.

Winning doesn't hurt - and it almost certainly doesn't happen without winning. But it's Pollyanna to think that if VT just wins, the $$ will come. For VT to truly compete at the highest levels in football, an "uptick" is largely meaningless. The athletic budget needs to sustainably increase by 50% ($30M-$40M)...RIGHT NOW.

A few 10 win seasons simply isn't going to do that. Hell, twenty 10 win seasons probably doesn't do it. Whit's job is to try to pull it off in conjunction with a winning program. Given VT's relatively location, lack of massively wealthy benefactors, mid-sized alumni base, and diluted political/fiscal clout due to sharing the state with UVA, it is a very steep hill to climb.

IMO, Sands' apparent vision of a significantly larger student population is the most important long term step that never gets mentioned. It would increase the alumni base, broaden and deepen the connections to VT locally, regionally & nationally, and would force UVA to either do the same (and give up its elite, exclusive pretensions) or resign itself to 2nd tier athletic status in the state (and perhaps in other ways as well).

OK, this seems awfully third hand, and its easy for well connected Gator fans to say this. We need more #sauces.
If true, the pay cut started that process. It had to start somewhere.
No one would enjoy starting a professional relationship this way, not I, not you...

Not doubting your sources but logic would tell me that if your ties are from FL it seems possible they are getting their info from TG which is only one side of the story. I imagine there is more to it that that.

Can we please move on from the Jim Weaver hiring out of his personal rolodex? I am sure Midget and Johnson are swell guys but please. We don't have to hire a former VT DB. That is the tired way of working we are trying to move past. We can actually look around the whole country and hire the best recruiter and coach. He doesn't have to have played with TG. Time to move forward - not operate the same way we have the past 30 years.

What a waste of money. Who needs a bottle opener? /s

Missed first ten minutes, but Wes closed the show reiterating that CJF "could not confirm", and that was about it for that topic.

Edit: what everyone else said before I refreshed the page.