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Will Stewart
Joined: 09/18/1999
Posts: 93,035
Likes: 137,337
Will Stewart Admin
Founder Subscriber

All valid points.

From a fan perspective, like Pete D'Amour says, "Let the man cook." Here at TSL, we understandably have a different viewpoint. I've got four guys whose jobs are to produce VT-related content, and football drives the bus. David is very busy with hoops and his role as Managing Editor, so he's not really affected by a football shutout. Nick Brown also stays really busy as Director of Media. That leaves Chris and Andy. Chris more than Andy is capable of producing content without access, because we didn't have media access the first seven years of Chris's career, and he learned how to write without it. Andy relies on access more than Chris does, because Andy is a classically-trained journalist who lets his subjects do the talking, and he (partially) builds his content around that. He's capable of writing columns, and often does, but he gets very antsy if he can't ask questions and get answers from the people he's covering. There's only so many mailbags you can do if you're Andy. Without access and info, we also run into situations where we've got overlap. For example, Chris is currently doing positional breakdowns, and Andy is just as capable of doing them and doing them just as well ... but Chris is already doing them. These guys WANT to work. They want to tell stories and provide value to our subscribers. Lack of access makes that more difficult. We'll keep working on ideas for the offseason.
Posted: 02/10/2026 at 08:43 AM ET
(In response to this post by vtox1)

Thread Replies (61)

Full Thread →
There is a narrative developing among certian local NRV sports PR/media
vtox1 • 02/09/26 10:11 PM ET
Almost inevitable, as much as I dislike it
WestyHokie • 02/11/26 12:45 PM ET
Franklin has been on ESPN, and Hokiesports has provided a lot of material
VTFinance10 • 02/11/26 06:54 AM ET
All true, but at the same time, he's not going to get the national media
reestuart • 02/11/26 12:26 PM ET
Why won't he get national media access he has had in past? If he wins at VT
vtox1 • 02/11/26 09:54 PM ET
Why would he? This is VT. Not PSU. **
reestuart • 02/11/26 11:20 PM ET
Absolutely sir. **
SCHokie1103 • 02/11/26 08:17 AM ET
If VT wants to be back in Top 25 (& nationally relevant), then national
Scream_On_D • 02/10/26 10:08 PM ET
Yes, I agree 100%. However, locals both media and boosters in NRV
vtox1 • 02/10/26 10:30 PM ET
makes me wonder how much he is still (feelin'), this...
bourbonstreet • 02/10/26 09:34 PM ET
JUST like Buzz**
AnotherTechW • 02/10/26 09:31 PM ET
Not Just like Buzz is unique, but yes some of the same issues. **
vtox1 • 02/10/26 09:35 PM ET
The issue is some fans lense versus national
1947Sunbowl • 02/11/26 11:05 AM ET
Buzz was needlessly antagonistic
Vippie1 • 02/11/26 08:38 AM ET
Agreed **
vtox1 • 02/11/26 09:51 PM ET
Expecting perfection or that they act like a predecessor is not a good
UTPr0sim • 02/10/26 05:25 PM ET
All valid points. ◄
Will StewartAdmin • 02/10/26 08:43 AM ET
I recently bought a (first-time)
Tidewater Hillbilly • 02/11/26 10:17 AM ET
this is where an AD comes in and respectfully
lazarus1 • 02/10/26 11:37 AM ET
Im sorry, This is CJF program and AD is here to support it
1947Sunbowl • 02/10/26 02:08 PM ET
Whit can give Franklin friendly advice counsel and answer Franklin inquiry
vtox1 • 02/10/26 08:54 PM ET
Whit has zero experience building or running a national brand of football.
Jwunderdog • 02/11/26 11:11 AM ET
That pretty well sums it up.**
RJHokie • 02/10/26 08:57 PM ET
No, he's not anywhere right now.
Chris ColemanAdmin • 02/10/26 01:12 PM ET
ok, my post was actually not much about Franklin's
lazarus1 • 02/10/26 03:21 PM ET
Whit can't make Franklin available.
Atlee Hokie • 02/10/26 09:47 PM ET
Touché!**
RJHokie • 02/10/26 10:00 PM ET
Can't Andy just get AI to create avatars for the coaches and then interview
goodbadugly • 02/10/26 10:53 AM ET
And just keep picking
1947Sunbowl • 02/11/26 09:59 AM ET
Would certainly get noticed and a response**
TomTurkey • 02/10/26 05:04 PM ET
Would hope Pry can intercede to get Franklin without being a mole for TSL.
TomTurkey • 02/10/26 09:58 AM ET
Does Franklin restrict access to his assistants? You might be able to
vatechcowpatty • 02/10/26 09:26 AM ET
How do I put this without coming across as complaining .... ?
Will StewartAdmin • 02/10/26 09:45 AM ET
Franklin is experienced enough to know he is going to have to give some
Jwunderdog • 02/11/26 11:19 AM ET
well, you definitely come across as complaining. If this is the new norm,
Scream_On_D • 02/10/26 10:28 PM ET
Agreed on (most) all that.
Will StewartAdmin • 02/11/26 10:09 AM ET
My 2 cents. Money talks. I am guessing Travis has an understanding of
GBOHokie • 02/11/26 11:34 AM ET
Yes, Greg Roberts and Rick Watson have Phil Elmasion on regularly and he is
vtox1 • 02/10/26 10:34 PM ET
Just a thought get creative or a little unorthodox request the new Analysts
vtox1 • 02/10/26 09:25 PM ET
I have no idea what to tell you.......
2hhoop3 • 02/10/26 09:17 PM ET
Why do you suppose MBB has quit responding?
HokieSA • 02/10/26 06:00 PM ET
No clue.**
Will StewartAdmin • 02/10/26 09:28 PM ET
I'd prefer Mike to just focus on coaching the team during this critical
Scream_On_D • 02/10/26 10:31 PM ET
How is TSL helping to advance the VT strategic vision?
HokieAl • 02/10/26 01:45 PM ET
Have you specifically requested Pry? Do you have a contact (Bill Roth ahem)
vatechcowpatty • 02/10/26 09:53 AM ET
Not directly, but we're talking about it, haha.
Will StewartAdmin • 02/10/26 11:57 AM ET
Maybe garbage some so-called fans post on the boards is souring them on TSL**
VT72 • 02/10/26 07:42 PM ET
Glad to hear that Robie will be on soon!**
IV_Hokie12 • 02/10/26 09:52 AM ET
A fact of your business. Franklin will have fun if he "lets his hair down."
TomTurkey • 02/10/26 09:51 AM ET
100% agree with your last sentence. **
SCHokie1103 • 02/10/26 08:13 AM ET
Local boosters better pony up a few millions in NIL,they'll get the access**
HokieBrazil • 02/10/26 07:37 AM ET
His decision on Merryman and his media accessibility don't bother me at all
TekkNerd • 02/10/26 07:10 AM ET
We just went 3-9. Meeting with NRV media should be low on his priorities. **
VTFinance10 • 02/10/26 07:24 AM ET
I think he should walk and chew gum at the same time
Hate2SeeItEnd Hokie • 02/10/26 10:15 AM ET
Interesting takes on local and national media access.
RJHokie • 02/09/26 10:28 PM ET
And disability access to Cassell **
TomTurkey • 02/10/26 05:07 PM ET
If Franklin’s Hokies teams crush everyone, I don’t care if he never speaks
Zanderhokie • 02/09/26 10:20 PM ET
Agreed**
Stork • 02/10/26 11:45 AM ET
Harumph! Harumph!**
EDGEMAN • 02/10/26 10:42 AM ET
I didn't get a harumph outta that guy!**
RRHokie90 • 02/11/26 07:30 AM ET
Absolutely. Just let the man do his job and focus on crushing our
SCHokie1103 • 02/10/26 08:19 AM ET
I agree. It's the signal to noise ratio.
ChrisLords • 02/10/26 01:31 AM ET