Recent Comments

I agree on that, and I wasn't saying that he should have been getting 1st string carries, just that he was a better option at tailback than JC Coleman for most of the year. I wouldn't expect him to be able to push a pile in short yardage situations anymore than I would expect JC to do so.

If Shaka or other coach becomes available and is interested, Whit finds the $$$ to make the move. Until then, he has to show support for the coach or he will undermine recruiting and everything else (assistants leaving, etc... ahem weaver).

Whit seems like an operator. Needs to marginalize guys like Teel who are undermining program support with his probably completely unresearched column yesterday. Don't give the clown any access. If Whit did give Teel access to float a trial balloon, thats not a good sign for our new AD hire.

Should try to find a highly qualified HS or other asst coach who can help and mentor JJ... no offense to JJ but like UVA is doing with London. No need to hire a retread coach as JJ's replacement at this point. Plenty of time later if JJ implodes and we can't buy our way out of our mess (we should be able to). JJ could still get this done. But so could Whit (by hiring the answer). If either of them fails to show they will get it done by the end of next year's coach hiring season... this could end up a mess.

Fundraise, fundraise, fundraise. Not sure how burned out the donors are....hoping for Whit's sake, he can raise a rainy day fund... okay a few rainy day funds, because we've got a few happening, probably a few more coming.

Thanks! That was fast. (That's what she said)

That sounds like the resume of a former long-range specialist, turned coach that we should keep our eyes on. Like a homeless man's Steve Kerr.

For the record, I think JJ needs another season for us to truly judge his coaching abilities and vision for the program. What many people are brushing off as "excuses" are pretty significant obstacles to success in big-boy college basketball. Rome wasn't built in a day and Romulus and Remus didn't start with a still burning dumpster fire. Let's see what JJ can do with at least two of his own recruting classes and a supportive AD. If that doesn't work out, then after JJ's third year we will be much better off financially if a coaching change is necessary.

Have you been paying attention to the same bball program I have? It IS desperate.

Coaching for a Div 1 Basketball team - Grand Canyon University - in the WAC!! Last year's record was 15-14 (10-6 in conference). He was a Phoenix Suns Asst head Coach before that for 5 years. Sounds like he's done well post NBA...

Here's an idea though...alumni don't want to go watch a basketball game in a boring environment. Excitement around the program is created in 2 ways: performance on the court and atmosphere at the games. The atmosphere is determined by the fans and those who have the most energy and easiest access to the games are the students. So while alumni may not want to stand up, they can certainly sit in a different location. Even if the student section was just the area behind the benches, it would be a drastic improvement. When was the last time we actually sold out all of our season tickets for basketball? I honestly don't know this answer, but we can create a demand by placing the student section in a better location, allowing more students to go rather than doing the standby seating after tip-off, and creating more energy in Cassell. Alumni can sit behind the basket or on the side with the media still.

95% of the west stands is standing or jumping for the entrance on the football games. Be careful where you are slinging hash.

Thanks, Smitty. I was "bcarroll260" on HokieHaven awhile ago. Not sure if that makes sense to you...but I hope it does.

And I worked with TechHoops.com awhile back to help get feedback on Hokies on Fire and the Cassell Guard.

I think it has to start with the AD. And, I think a lot of the author's points are valid. Hold season ticket holders accountable.

But, at the end of the day, VT Athletics is measured in dollars, not in fan loyalty. Students are not worth nearly as much as alumni in terms of dollars.....especially for basketball.

And alumni want to sit down in the front, and have a beautiful view of the court. They don't want to jump for Enter Sandman (see West Stands during a FB game).

So, if the AD is committed to building a student-centered basketball culture, he has to start with the students.

Get them involved with the process. Possibly forego short-term revenue gains for long-term sustainable basketball culture change.

And, then it'll create a virtuous cycle.

Students involved in process --> more loyal students --> better basketball atmosphere --> better recruits and program...possibly some key wins --> more money from alumni --> students involved in the process to make it even better.

And, that cycle starts with the students. Period.

I loved Jim Weaver, and I sat on some committees with him as a student, but he was not a student-centered AD

Lets get Michael Jordan and Larry Bird as assistant coaches. :)

I don't think anyone here thinks that this write up and a simple acknowledgement from the Athletic Director of the information is going to change a whole lot. It might get the information a fresh look and it might do nothing at all. It cant hurt to make sure that the administration see's that the alumni actually does have an opinion of the current product when they are making decisions for next season. Small piece of the pie but every little bit helps.

I am in full support of students round the court. I was at Tech when the Corps of Cadets sat right behind the opposing team at the football games and can remember getting into plenty of opponents head, having them run their mouths at us and lose track of the game. Still remember one of the linebackers from Syracuse falling flat on his face because he was yelling at us when he was supposed to be on the field, so rushing to get back out there he tripped over a fan cord, helmet hit their special teams coach, and he didn't make it for the next play. I would love for this kind of environment to be the norm at the basketball games, but money talks unfortunately.

Brandon, welcome to TKP. have a Turkey Leg. You have some time invested here. Kudos to you for defending what you created. Note everything in this thread would be changed. I think the Cassell Guard is great idea, it needs to have a larger presence.

And, We. Must. Have. Loyal. Basketball. Fans. Period. So, the question is how to help create that. If you don't start developing, you don't ever get there. I think you had the vision to help start the path there. We need to grow off of that.