Can John Rocovich help lead this recovery of Virginia Tech Football? I have heard that he was instrumental as rector in his past term (2002-2004)? How aggressive will he be in helping restructure the athletic department from ground up?
I think many of us can agree that Pry underperformed with the current $144mm annual budget and hopefully we can sort things and get the right personnel to punch above weight with current resources - what we had with Beamer for decades. But on the flipside, how fast/ likely is it that the current leaders can secure a $200mm annual budget that Babcock suggests can keep us competitive?
Forums:
DISCLAIMER: Forum topics may not have been written or edited by The Key Play staff.
Comments
To be clear, that budget is for ALL of Athletics.
As I mentioned here, Pry had nearly $41m to spend on football, which puts us at fourth (basically tied for third) among ACC Publics.
If we can all of a sudden find an extra $50m+/year in the couch cushions, then Whit has seriously failed at his job.
Well, I believe that at least the back half of this quote is true. What is more interesting is how much money did Whit really leave out there by not:
I would not be surprised if there is truly ~10-15 million dollars the AD can raise if we make the right moves. Maybe that's hopium, but maybe it's that we aren't unlocking the true value of our alumni/fan base.
I can get you 10-15m easily, thats our profit the last 2-3 years
And if the BOV votes to give the department an extra 50 million in September then need to keep Whit to administer it.
The Board of visitors cannot just "give" athletics an extra $50 million. State law does not allow for that; the money is not fungible.
If we find an extra $50 million, it has come from donations that were previously untapped.
He's got the keys right now.
I'd like to think he'll get the $$. IF that happens, then step #1 is complete.
IF VT restructures and modernizes their athletic department, then step #2 is done.
If they engage donors and re-vamp the Hokie Club to energize even base donors, with competitive NIL opportunities, then step #3.
THEN.... we're an attractive destination for coaches, players etc.
Old article link here, but informative:
Rocovich article 20 years ago.
My limited interaction with him through VCOM gives me some optimism.
TSL speaks very highly of Rocovich. Thanks for sharing this article.
Football GM seems like a lock. Ryan Cowden (a guy I played against in high school) is the VP of player personnel and development for the Patriots. He is from Lebanon, VA. Doubt he would be interested, but if so, get him.
That's essentially the same job Jeff King does for the Bears. Not proposing either for the job but can't hurt to have them on a selection committee IF the school is hiring a GM.
Two NFL personnel types with similar jobs from small/obscure towns in SWVA...wild.
If BOV approves a budget increase and revised structure as expected, should start hearing more names of candidates for GM and HC as agents get even more active.
More fun to speculate about coaches because they are more visible but GM hire may be more important; and would surely need to sign off on the HC.