Because we're all Sunday morning quarterbacks.
Much of this is in charticle form:
http://www.roanoke.com/sports/columns_and_blogs/blogs/andy_bitter_virgin...
Now that University of Maryland and Rutgers have officially joined the Big Ten, college football analysts have begun pondering the next schools likely to switch conference in the near future. Despite Techs refusal to leave the ACC, many see the Hokies as a perfect fit in the SEC.
In a recent article, SEC reporter Greg Ostendorf and college football analyst Edward Aschoff examined the two schools that could potentially be a great fit in the SEC:
http://espn.go.com/blog/sec/post/_/id/84783/take-two-possible-sec-expans...
A worthy opponent, but none we can't handle. Go Hokies!
https://www.facebook.com/events/337760773041850/permalink/33776133970846...
What (non-VT) college stadiums/gameday experiences are must see? Go.
It seems like the notion that other schools are using Frank's age & potentially forthcoming retirement as a negative on the recruiting trail is starting to pick up some steam. Granted, this may all just be message board chatter, but it may have some legs given the obvious fact that Frank is starting to get older. The many high-profile recruiting misses we've had over the last few years may support this, although no recruit has ever stated this to be the reason for selecting another school that I am aware of.
With that said, is it time for VT to start considering, and ultimately publiczing, a transition plan for Frank? And if so, what would that plan look like?
In my opinion, laying out a plan with a clear path forward, that would ensure some staff continuity, would help ease a recruits mind about coming to play in Blacksburg. In fact, if done correctly, it could be used as a selling point: come help Frank Beamer win the Battle at Bristol and reach 300 wins before playing for someone like starting in 2017.
Again, I'm not sure what this would look like...but I'm sure Whit could come up with something exciting.
Option 1: Head Coach in Waiting. Bud? Scot? Torrian? Yes, I threw Torrian out there because right now he's a NFL factory, a solid recruiter, and a pretty charismatic interview.
Option 2: A TBD new head coach, but with guaranteed extended contracts for certain members of the staff.
Option 3: Create room on the staff and hire a outside head coach in waiting? Perhaps a high profile outside name could be hired to an "associate head coach position", or even an off-field administrative position, with a guaranteed major salary bump in 2017 when he takes over. Could retain or hire new coordinators in 2017. I personally could see this option turn what is now a recruiting negative into a very positive thing.
What do you all think?
Throw a dart at a board for Nos. 2-5 on the countdown. They really could go in any order.
http://www.roanoke.com/sports/columns_and_blogs/blogs/andy_bitter_virgin...
Bud Foster, the second best defensive coordinator in college football:
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2109144-the-15-best-defensive-coordin...
I dont usually pay too much attention to Bleacher report, but when I see the name Bud Foster, I had to read it. VTs Bud Foster came in second place while Michigans State Pat Narduzzi came in first. Considering the year Michigan State just had, I think that the writer got it right. But HokieNation would argue that coach Foster should have been first.
I just met a guy who is starting a company that is hoping to provide college teams' game footage to the public. They are going through the conferences themselves to obtain licensing, but it would be really cool (especially for French and Mason) if fans could see what the coaches are seeing when they review game film. Here's the link for the beta test if you're interested:
http://reviewgamefilm.com/wp/sign-up/
They are set to go live in two weeks I believe. Should be a good thing they have going.
http://msn.foxsports.com/college-football/story/2014/06/24/top-10-non-co...
Bruce used an interesting methodology to come up with his list, check that out in the link above.
His take:
Things begin mellow enough with FCS William & Mary, but then it gets nasty with a trip to Ohio State and then a game against a dangerous East Carolina team with one of the nation's top QBs (Shane Carden) and a very potent offense.
The fourth game is against a WMU team that went 1-11 last year.
I'm not sure if any of your saw this, but it's worth a read. It's very impressive what they are doing with the data and what the future holds for them as they continue to develop and refine it. I'm guessing some of those recruiting battles with FSU are MUCH harder for our coaches to fight when they are going up against something like this. I would think an engineering school like VT would LOVE something like this. Someone tweet Whit!
http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/11121315/florida-state-se...
I'm sure no one will have strong opinions about this.
http://www.roanoke.com/sports/columns_and_blogs/blogs/andy_bitter_virgin...
So I've sort of failed at updating this. Had a lot going on recently. Here are the details for next week's NOVA Hokie Club Kickoff with Whit Babcock, if you haven't already heard.
