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BG Hokie BG Hokie OP
Sep 28, 2022 at 04:52 PM ET
What percent chance do you think the last regime will be considered better
than the current regime. I’m at 60% chance right now. Sobering outlook…

161 Replies

Zanderhokie Zanderhokie
Absolutely not enough data to even give a ballpark projection on that
right now. We've only played 4 games. Let's revisit this after the season. Even then, it's too early to say. Year 1 was always going to consist mainly in digging out of the hole Fuente left us. It will take a while to just get the basics back together (recruiting, S&C, portal talent, etc).
BG Hokie BG Hokie OP
It’s never too early to predict the future on a message board where only
fanatics discuss things. Fanatics predict things. It’s never too early. Before the season wasn’t too early for such a question, a day after the hire wasn’t too early for such a question. Why do message boards exist if not to have meta conversations about the probabilities that lay ahead with respect to the football program. These responses are so cliche but don’t really make any sense. I mean, guys that have never have even so much as put on a football uniform have opinions as to good and bad play calls or that the jet sweep is inherently a bad play in the proverbial playbook. The audacity….
Zanderhokie Zanderhokie
Just sayin'.. any answer anyone attempts to give you will be a stupid one
by definition. There's just not enough information to make any kind of projection worth anything at all. It's just a completely wild guess at this point, and not even worth worrying about at this point. If I absolutely must answer the question, I would say 50%. The probability of the previous regime being considered "better" than the current one is exactly the same as the probability of the the previous regime being considered "worse". That's because no one has any idea what they are talking about when they address this question, due to lack of sufficient data to educate their point. Any answer to that is just a silly guess. I could ask my 3-year-old and she will give you an answer exactly as accurate as a professional football coach would. At least as of today.
P
Planner_Hokie
Wow 4 games in
And we already have ridiculous posts like this
BG Hokie BG Hokie OP
I don’t understand this response. It’s a legitimate question. One that’s
phrased in a way that puts odds on it. I’m basically saying there is a 40% chance Pry will have a more successful regime than Fuente. And I’m asking others what chance they think that is? Why is that so ridiculous? Sports fanatics predict things all the time. What makes this prediction and solicitation of others predictions so ridiculous. If you’re incapable of discussion about it, that’s on you.
sacramento hokie sacramento hokie
As Yogi said 90 percent of the game is half mental*
VaTechie VaTechie
you will hear the talent excuses, which may have something to do with it
Some of the lost portal guys hurt. Old regime could not decide on who was the starting running back. The best running game were from walk ons from Beamer (Sam Rodgers, Peoples). Lack of QB depth hurt us. Under the old regime, we use the portal with QB depth. Hit a long shot with Evans. With that, our talent should beat ODU and be able to have some form of run game to the outside against WVU even if it is a jet sweep. IMHO, Stinespring, Loefler, and Cornelson are better OCs than Bowan. I hope I am wrong.
F
fordham
Gotta love revisionist history
Again it has been 4 freaking games
4dhokies 4dhokies
Won't know until we see what recruiting looks like in a couple years.
I certainly understand the concerns now, and things could move in a few directions: 1. They sign some talent and the coaching staff gels 2. They struggle signing folks but the coaching staff gels 3. They struggle signing folks and coach like they're Blacksburg High Or something else happens, but we just don't know right now. Really wish Fuente had canned Corn and been able to bring in a real OC a few years ago though. We'll never know.
HOHKIE HOHKIE
Way too early to say. This a ground up rebuild that will take years
And it is impossible to give it a grade after 4 games. Look at F$U. They are just now looking competent after how long- 4 years? I see things that concern me, but I also understand that there were going to growing pains with a first time head coach, and that is especially true given the state of the program at the end of 2021. Wins and losses are irrelevant this year; progress and development are what I am looking for. And I have to keep reminding myself that progress is not linear. There will be frustrating setbacks.
VTGungHO VTGungHO
This teams lacks talent. Pure and simple.
Need to get better players in the house. 5 wins MAX this year
BG Hokie BG Hokie OP
Agree but why are our 4 returning OL who were solid at run blocking horrid
at it this year. That’s on coaching! Whether it’s temporary or permanent remains to be seen. Our transfer QB was also better with Marshall coaches last year than with VT coaches this year. That’s on coaching!
Zanderhokie Zanderhokie
We completely changed the blocking scheme and philosophy
Changing from a zone blocking scheme to a Wisconsin-style drive blocking scheme is no small feat and not quickly accomplished. It was bound to look rough this year and will take some time to get right.
O
OldRetiredHokie
YUP
reestuart reestuart
this may be a Pollyanna view, but I'm not taking anything from this season.
The only real thing that is concerning to me is the penalties. That's something VT can control. But everything is new. I don't like seeing a ton of losses, but it's not a huge surprise.
BG Hokie BG Hokie OP
The regression of solid players who have gotten worse under THIS staff is
the real concern. Much of the penalties are hopefully just bad luck. Though at least one maybe 2 delay of games are just embarrassing moments where our new staff looked incompetent.
B
Bburg Mac
Player development is obviously a key component of coaching ability.
Was one of many issues the Fu regime really struggled with.
Gobbler Guru Gobbler Guru
I think Pry is a better CEO for the program than Fuente. But ultimately...
I believe the success of a college football program is defined by the quality of the staff the CEO hires. And in that regard, I don't think Pry has done any better than Fuente. It's also what defined (and doomed) the beginning and ending parts of Beamer's tenure. Given the choice, Beamer would have muddled along with Steve Marshall and Mike Clark until he got fired. Given the choice, Fuente muddled along with Cornelsen until he did get fired. I'm not optimistic that Pry will prove any different.
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VTCALS72
that assumes fact not in evidence
I know there is the "jet sweep" like complaint and view that says Frank was forced. But there is no real proof of that, just what a vocal group wants to believe. For all we really know had Dave Braine laid that ultimatum down, good chance Frank would have walked as it would be very hard to be successful with an AD who meddled to that extent. As for Fu, he told Whit at least some things that needed to change. Whit did a few but not a lot. Looking back on it, Fu knew he needed to do something and that was where Jerry Kill came in but again funding for this advice was late to the party and then funding to make the changes didn't come. I wonder what the Fu regime would have looked like if in 2019 Fu had been given the funds to really out bid Ark. for Odum and to hire a similar OC? We can wonder but we just do not know.
F
fordham
Geez people. Patience
BG Hokie BG Hokie OP
Why shouldn’t this thought process be applicable 33% into the first season?
It’s a legitimate question. I even expressed the question as a probability measurement figuring homers would be answering 5% or similar. Every scenario is within a possible range of outcomes. Fanatics prognostic odds on future outcomes all the time. This is no different.
F
fordham
The staff just got here and it is a useless question
What are you going to do? Fire em? We have no choice but to give them some time to work on it I am aware nobody has any patience
BG Hokie BG Hokie OP
Of course, we're not the decision makers. It's a discussion forum for
fanatics. I don't want them fired.
TekkNerd TekkNerd
I hope I'm wrong but I have a very bad feeling....
We made an emotional hire that felt great. But now I'm starting to think that maybe that's all we have. I just don't have any confidence in the offensive coaching staff. I think its because like many I expected us to break the bank and go all-in on offense coaching staff to combine with a defensive minded hire like Pry. However that didn't happen. We just don't look right. To my eyes what we're running looks worse than anything we've done in years. If we don't make any adjustments at all against UNC that will be really concerning to this Hokie.
CrystalCoveHokie CrystalCoveHokie
Hiring a relatively unknown coordinator felt great? …….
Basically a crap shoot hire of a no-name guy when we couldn’t afford or otherwise get names higher on our list. He could do great but the resume was thin.
BG Hokie BG Hokie OP
That abysmal mess in Jacksonville last season under Meyer seems to have
travelled with Bowen up to Blacksburg. The puzzle pieces are not fitting together thus far on that side of the ball.
TekkNerd TekkNerd
I guess was still on the high of the new hire?
For me the whole summer was one long happy montage of 80s era, "we're getting back to basics" songs, when it came to the Pry hire. You know, lots of electric guitar, hair bands, Tawny Kitaen etc. Now I'm starting to realize there needs to be some substance here too. I'm not sure how we get the O talent we need via recruiting or the portal based on where things are now.
I
IronBlood
The fan base was sold the Beamer/Cultural fit ties and in typical fashion
swallowed it immediately.
E
EDGEMAN
The fan base also saw VT coaches entering Virginia high schools for...
...the first time in years. Really think that will pay dividends down the road.
3TechFanz 3TechFanz
IF those High Schools have talent. I'm not sure getting Kent St kids helps
E
EDGEMAN
The idea is to "show the flag," even years they don't have players for us.
Hopefully when they do have players for us, they'll encourage them to play at VT.
3TechFanz 3TechFanz
I get that. But we are offering kids now we wouldn’t have 20 years ago
E
EDGEMAN
We sign the kids who want to play for VT
Win, and more kids will want to play for VT.
BG Hokie BG Hokie OP
Yeah, I think Pry has a good plan/process re: recruiting relative to the
last staff. I would just bet, unfortunately, that he’s going to need to make some tough choices regarding the offense before those dividends ever pay off.
N
NokieHokie
A VT HC make a tough choice on offensive staff? I'll believe when I see it.
JRHokie JRHokie
Pry got to fix this..
It's his hires, He is the Head Coach Now. And No Excuses... ** Edited by JRHokie at 9/29/2022, 10:57:50 AM
F
fordham
So fire the staff? Doubt that would help anything
What is your solution?
JRHokie JRHokie
Either Fix It or Replace them.
Not hard to understand. they do everyday in Money Laden NCAA College Football.. And in any business that wants to strive and advance.. Carry On !!
VPI63 VPI63
Well, on the bright side …
No one is complaining about the jet sweep. 😎
BG Hokie BG Hokie OP
Only stupid fans didn’t like the jet sweep. It was a successful play.
James Mitchell alone, scored touchdowns on it at least 3 times. This staff just runs inside / outside zone into the backs of OL that this staff has thus far made worse as if they’re game planning for a spring scrimmage.
E
EDGEMAN
Only that we haven't run one in the first four games...lol
santafe santafe
Would love to see a jet sweep or 2, instead of running it up the middle
almost every time........:)
bigbadbird bigbadbird
no man, no
hokiepro hokiepro
Why? You don’t like running plays that average 6+ yds vs 1 yd?
I
IronBlood
I'm sure it has happened, but I don't remember seeing any running back
outside the hashmarks through four games.
F
fordham
After 4 games? Who is our saviour
Please name someone
E
EDGEMAN
I think he's talking about Nick Saban.
EmpireHokie EmpireHokie
I think Pry was probably at best our 3rd choice
When Whit was talking about his next coach his most significant thing was " "we want someone with head coaching experience". Well, what happened? That was Whit's most significant qualification. I think he got shut out by P5 head coaches. Coaches know we are right now a faltering program and probably see coming to VT as a risk to their careers. I think Whit probably had opportunities to bring in a G5 coach with experience but it would've been viewed as a repeat of Fuente. The culture needed to be changed. He wanted someone that understood Blacksburg but there weren't any coaches that fit his criteria. He got caught n a criteria trap and that will be his legacy - destroying VT football with the help of Sands. ** Edited by EmpireHokie at 9/29/2022, 10:13:05 AM
E
EDGEMAN
Coach Pry has done everything expected to rebuild the program so far...
If our O-line could remember how to run block, everyone would be singing his praises. I'm in the "lets wait and see" camp. I want to see how we progress in the season, and how well we do next year... If next year appears as futile as this season, I'll understand bringing out the torches and pitchforks.
B
Bburg Mac
He has done some good, yes, but...
...there are some thigs that are bothersome. Questionable coordinator hires. Mediocre recruiting success. Poor use of the Portal to improve depth. Poor discipline during the games (penalties. decision making). Lack of energy on the sidelines.
BG Hokie BG Hokie OP
If our “o line could remember how to run block”. That’s on the coaches!
Your point is the biggest reason I’m concerned that something is massively a foul. Our 4 returning OL have clearly regressed from last staff to this staff. Sure, implementing new scheme and terminology won’t be without some hiccups but these aren’t hiccups this is a hospital bed on a ventilator. We know Joe Rudolph is a good OL coach. Something with the way this offense has been implemented and installed is inexplicably flawed.
A
ACC_Hoops
Get over yourself, PIT ran for 2.0 against WVU
BG Hokie BG Hokie OP
Get over myself? Where have I talked about myself? I'm talking VT football
here, try to stay on track.
TekkNerd TekkNerd
I don't want to pull the plug on him, just feeling pessimistic.
E
EDGEMAN
Don't think anyone is happy with our lack of a rushing attack
The data says it's the 3rd worse in all of the P5 programs. That's unacceptable, and it appears coach Pry needs to get directly involved with the offense too.
Tuckahokie Tuckahokie
Also 3rd in most number of penalties...and bottom ten in most yards given
up in penalty walk-offs. Can't run and penalty prone is a crappy combo.
E
EDGEMAN
I'll give that an asterisk. The two games with the massive penalties...
...were called by our opponents' officials. The other two games were called by ACC officials, and a "normal" amount of penalties were called. Just saying... But with that being said, we've had too many procedure other stupid infractions (delay of game, etc.) this year. That should have been cleaned up before our first game.
bigbadbird bigbadbird
i think 4 games deep on a complete rebuild may be a bit early.....
BG Hokie BG Hokie OP
Eh, 4 returning OL, a good efficient QB transfer all look remarkably worse
than last year. We should be questioning why…
Tuckahokie Tuckahokie
I wrote this year off to a large degree...but did hold out hope for at
least some improvement and maybe even a low-tier Bowl at 6-6 ish...(both could still happen)
8
83Hokie
Jeez, after 4 games, u r at this point? Pitiful!!
BG Hokie BG Hokie OP
Good contribution to discussion!
H
Hokie1992
It’s anyones guess
The passage of time always makes things look better. Stiney was a terrible OC. But 10 years later, we consider his complete impact on the program. Right now, there is very little from which to judge pry. He’s a great personal fit for Virginia tech. But his staff is running a big ten system with the former regimes players. Part of the full story is Fuente was a brilliant hire because VT can’t recruit talent to run big ten/sec systems, so recruit three star talent and run a spread option. We’ll apparently that wasn’t the answer. So we’re back to recruiting top talent to run a big ten system. If we can’t recruit at a high enough level, we’ll be back where we were in 2016. I think this staff does better. Fuente was hobbled by Covid, a coach that screwed up, and ultimately an inability to decipher hooker/burmeister/Patterson as well as to recruit a franchise QB. Pry has to get a qb. We’ll see how this staff does with their recruits. But the staff are guys that have succeeded at or above this level, so I expect success on their part
whatIpostlike whatIpostlike
.6% maybe
S
soflahokie
Maybe 10%, this staff has made adjustments the last one never did
Our passing offense has changed substantially in the last 4 games
bigbadbird bigbadbird
we look like a football team- i mean at times we getting it kicked - but ,
it looks like a functional team - not the unholy mess that was running back and forth from the sidelines of last year
AbsolutVT03 AbsolutVT03
I disagree. We look way less "functional" than we did at any point under
Fuente particularly on offense. You mention "running back and forth from the sidelines last year" but we've had multiple instances of struggling to get the play/personnel on the field this year (and it's led to penalties). None of this is surprising as we've got a bunch of coaches from different places that are coaching together for the first time so it's probably not fair to expect it to be a finely tuned machine yet. But the notion that what we're seeing is somehow more "functional" than what we had last year is just not true.
bigbadbird bigbadbird
it's ok to be wrong- i won't judge you
AbsolutVT03 AbsolutVT03
It is ok... but in this case I'm not. I was trying to be polite but if you
think we look more "functional" in these first 4 games than we did under Fuente than you either have never watched football before or you just want to hate on Fuente irrationally. Even if you take away the struggles in the run game the increase in procedure penalties and such should make it pretty obvious that this is NOT a well functioning team right now. It's kind of absurd that anyone would even make such a claim.
bigbadbird bigbadbird
the offense is not good- the D is way better- but running a complex o
and calling trick plays is not going to work in the long run- they have to establish fundamentals again- water bottle was a disaster- he was a gimmick that hit his moment at Memphis
I
IronBlood
So last year = no fundamentals and the OL graded out pretty well.
This year it's return to fundamentals and the OL is dog crap. Wow, Pry & Co really know their fundamentals....was it the 333 yards vs ODU or the 284 yards vs BC or the 228 vs WVU that clued you in to their success? I think I'll pass on Pry's fundamentals if that's what he has been working on the last 10 months.
bigbadbird bigbadbird
who graded them? the same people that designed the zone blocking scheme
where defenders would run between two lineman blocking no one ?
I
IronBlood
Maybe it was guys who thought we'd have more than 35 yards rushing on 17
carries against WVU. For those doing the quick math at home, that's slightly more than 2.0 yards per carry. But I hear that possessing the ball for 21 minutes in a 60 minute game is really, really good.
bigbadbird bigbadbird
not the new ones- the OLD grades ? who did those- you are comparing
AbsolutVT03 AbsolutVT03
I can't speak for him but I know CC usually uses PFF when comparing a
player's year over year performance. And those metrics say the OL has regressed almost as a whole. Here's just one example: Parker Clements Run Blocking 2021 season 75.0 Parker Clements Run Blocking vs WVU 44.3 And that's not to single him out b/c like I said the numbers are down pretty much across the whole OL. I have to think it's due to a new system and new coaches working together because our OL didn't forget how to play football and Rudolph didn't forget how to coach the OL. But it's obvious that many of the offensive players who were good to serviceable last year are struggling this year for whatever reason.
AbsolutVT03 AbsolutVT03
Ok so Option B then "you just want to hate on Fuente irrationally". I'll
also simply point out that Fuente definitely had a better/more proven resume than Pry when he was hired and we're seeing the difference in that right now. Fuente didn't work out for a litany of reasons some that were his fault and others that were out of his control. It remains to be seen how Pry pans out but I can't imagine thinking Fuente was a "gimmick" while being so confident that Pry is the answer.
BG Hokie BG Hokie OP
Homers aren’t rational. It feels better to just continue with honeymoon
vibes and look to 2023 for improvement from what’s likely to be our worst year since that infamous 1992? season.
bigbadbird bigbadbird
maybe- but i don't miss fuente- and whit has blasted us to the stoneage
it is a total rebuild - it could come back fast but it's not coming back that fast- wins are possible but they will be upsets except for when we play the tackle eligible crowd
AbsolutVT03 AbsolutVT03
The crazy thing it's not like I'm advocating getting rid of Pry. It's
disappointing but understandable regarding the penalties and struggles given that we're only 4 games into a regime with a first time head coach and a staff made up of a bunch of guys that have never worked together. That's why you see a lot of new coaches bring a bunch of their previous staff with them so that they can hit the ground running. Pry and company didn't have that luxury and we're seeing the results of that I think. It doesn't mean it can't/won't get cleaned up. But it's definitely not "functional" right now.
6
6thStreetHokie
I thought the coordinator hires would be better and mostly still think that
And it’s way too early to tell/judge. But I’m not blown away by the OC hire and some of the hires I liked haven’t made impacf as much as hoped. If Pry can recruit at Fu level or better and coordinators mold more then Pry can be better by year 4-5 easily. But that’s some if in there
V
VAHokie89
I was always skeptical given bowen’s inexperience
whatIpostlike whatIpostlike
say that to his face
That is one large dude... gotta be 6 foot 8
B
Bburg Mac
A Power 5 program is no place for on-the-job training for coaches.
As Fu's regime and possibly the current one have shown. Believe both the OC and DC should be highly experienced to succeed at this level.
AbsolutVT03 AbsolutVT03
I think you overestimate the draw (and $$$) VT has right now. We weren't
going to get an experience P5 coach for the money we were offering. It was almost certainly going to be either an experienced G5 coach or a P5 coordinator. Feel free to throw out names that you think would have realistically fit your criteria but I'm betting they all would have been out of our price range.
3TechFanz 3TechFanz
The program budget increased to 5-6th in ACC? Not sure our OC/DC earns it
AbsolutVT03 AbsolutVT03
Whether the current guys "earn it" or not is not really relevant. I was
speaking to the ability to attract proven successful P5 coaches to Blacksburg. Even with the increased budget I don't think that was feasible. The budget has gotten better no doubt... but I still don't think we're at the point where we can pry highly desirable assistants away from other P5 schools.
3TechFanz 3TechFanz
If take a cincy coordibator
B
Bburg Mac
Yes, money is a huge factor...
But even a high salary doesn't guarantee success (there are many, many examples of that). The good coaches are out there, and VT's money is still very lucrative. And the draw actually is pretty good here (think of all the also ran programs out there). This mostly falls on th AD's ability to make the right choices. Look at the programs that rise out of almost nothing every year and achieve success.
AbsolutVT03 AbsolutVT03
Like I said by all means throw out some names but I think you'll struggle
to find "good coaches" with proven records that we could afford. The reality is things are a crapshoot regardless of experience or money. Someone that works well one place may not have success somewhere else. You don't really know until the coaches get on campus and start coaching. We've got several offensive coaches that have been OC and the guy with the most proven track record Rudolph is also the guy whose position group is arguably performing the worst on the team. So clearly P5 experience doesn't guarantee success. A high salary doesn't guarantee success. So I don't think "learning on the job" is any more or less of a factor. It's all a roll of the dice so now there's not much to do but sit back and see if it works out or not.
F
fordham
We should have ordered one from Amazon!
GCHokieof91 GCHokieof91
Would have gotten free shipping
with our Prime account!
V
VTCALS72
Where do you think the "highly experienced" coaches can come from"
Leave out the bluebloods and where are the coaches you speak of? At VT we are not going to get the "hot" name coaches. Those are going to the higher profile and money schools. So we could go get fired former blueblood coaches but, do we really want to do that? So then the table of prospects for say coordinator positions are position coaches at similar or higher profied schools or coordinators at G5 or lower money/profile P5 schools. None of which I would consider "highly experienced to succeed and this level."
B
Bburg Mac
Does not need to be "blueblood" to be a solid coach. Look at Mike Young.
But they also should not have zero experience in their coaching roles, something that is a big problem currently.
V
VTCALS72
Two points on that
1- At the UVA game last year the TV announcers were speculating about the next VT coach and the name J Chadwell whom I think was at Coastal came up. No one with a higher resume was mentioned. Would you rather have gone after another Fu and staff, most of whom meet your criteria? 2- Kirby Smart would not meet your criteria as he, like Pry took a head job from a big time coordinator spot not a head man spot and UGA, unlike us could compete for the very best in the land.
B
Bburg Mac
Was never a fan of Fu. Smart was clearly experienced at the highest levels.
I think you missed my point. Comparing Smart to our OC and DC hires is nonsense.
V
VTCALS72
I didn't do that, I compared Smart to our Pry hire.
in support of the concept that coordinators, guys who have been around the big time schools, is a resume that is as good or better than a G5 coach. I didn't specifically say it but I also meant that position coaches at a big time have as good or better resumes to be a coordinator as do G5 coordinators. So when we get down to an actual realistic field of candidates for VT, we were most likely either going to get someone like Pry or Chadwell.
MontgomeryTexasHokie MontgomeryTexasHokie
Not a flame or arguing with you
but Steve Spurrier (or pick your offensive mind) couldn’t be 4-0 with what there is to work with. You can’t run due to offensive line and that flips it to a portal qb who throws lots of picks to a so-so group of receivers. Not a good combo. Until that line shapes up, you can put Josh Allen under center and Nick Chubb at RB and likely no better. Finally, isn’t Pry calling the defensive plays? Have I been asleep for 4 weeks? We are in for a long ride no matter who sits in the top chairs. The damage done by a spineless AD not cleaning house earlier will be long time to fix. MTH
B
Bburg Mac
Yes, but recruiting and obtaining good talent is clearly part of the job.
The portal was not used effectively by this staff. The players are out there. No excuses.
F
fordham
The receivers are not so so but almost all are new and just started
Working with our QB’s. See GB packers. New WR’s and passing game having issues
E
extremehokie
This 100%
C
ChrisLords
We didn't have a choice.
After Fu, we weren't going to go the 'hire a successful G5 coach' that has no connection to the school route again. And we couldn't afford a successful P5 coach. Maybe a retread but there weren't any retreads with a connection to our culture. Remember Shane Beamer had already taken the USC-e job by that point and I don't think he's the answer any way. Even though he was about as accomplished an assistant coach that you could ask for. So we got the best coordinator who knew our culture for HC that we could afford. I don't have a problem with hiring Pry for the HC, or paying good money for a top notch OL coach (even though his work is not looking that good right now). I do wonder about going cheap on all the other assistants. I thought we had $4 to $6 mil to spend on assistants. Did Pry get all the guys he wanted? There were no experienced coordinators or assistants that he wanted more than the lower price assistants he got? Or was he turned down by those assistants that had experience? That seems more likely to me because VT is a tough job right now and the fan base expects too much out of the players we have. ** Edited by ChrisLords at 9/29/2022, 9:31:20 PM
3TechFanz 3TechFanz
No issue with HC selection. I have issues with his OC and DC picks
No experience. Does Marve forfeit some of his pay to Pry since Pry is doing part of his job calling plays?? ** Edited by 3TechFanz at 9/29/2022, 9:25:43 AM
B
Bburg Mac
That is my main point.
How can you choose key coordinators with little or no experience in their role?
V
VAHokie89
We didn’t hire a top notch OC. We hired a
Relatively inexperienced one
B
Bburg Mac
Same for the DC.
VPI63 VPI63
You forgot option #3..J C Price :)
3TechFanz 3TechFanz
Uh no
VPI63 VPI63
His record is perfect in conference play …
and .500 overall. Who has been better in the last 3 years?
3TechFanz 3TechFanz
Lost to Miami. They’re in conference right? Love the guy -
But he’s not DC material let alone HC
M
Mercury
We definitely have 2 camps of fans really polarized
1. Enfacturated with Fuente and his philosophy, respect of players (not), and lack of respect to staff and anybody in Blacksburg. JUST HIS JOB TO COACH not to babysit high school coaches, alumni and students. or 2. Like Coach Pry and his ties to the Beamer culture at VT, and realize the no 1 job is build relationships that will result in building a big team, and closeness to players.
8
83Hokie
3rd camp … can’t ever be pleased, no matter what
BG Hokie BG Hokie OP
That’s too simple. I just think both are likely 4 or 5 year coaches that
get canned. And I think it’s more like than not that Fuente, at the end of day, Will average more wins per season than Pry. Fuente had to go! He was bad, ultimately, for culture. I’m just concerned there is some bad operational issues with this new staff. The kinks can be worked out, for sure. A successful Pry is certainly in the range of outcomes. I’m just starting to think that success is less likely than a coin flip.
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seacain
YAWN.
DarylS DarylS
Realistically most coaches only last 4-5 years
Either they fail and arenlet go or suceed and want to move to a bigger opportunity. We were spoiled
VPI63 VPI63
I feel far from spoiled …. ODU loss in Norfolk 2 consecutive times ?
No. Can’t feel spoiled. Maybe you meant soiled? 😨
BG Hokie BG Hokie OP
Agree, but make no mistake I’m saying 4 or 5 years and not moving onto
“Greener pastures” given success.
bigbadbird bigbadbird
Blutarsky - control freak who couldn't handle a local reporter questioning
his idiocy
BG Hokie BG Hokie OP
Eh, being an ass to local reporters is irrelevant to this convo. If a coach
wins enough games, he can be a huge arsehole to everyone!
bigbadbird bigbadbird
i think the fact he couldn't handle the stress of that room indicated how
he prob acted behind closed doors - and that's why I think PRY has alot to rebuild- and going to have to tolerate some loose play for awhile
Riverguy Riverguy
x---->0
BG Hokie BG Hokie OP
x > 0 is what you’re saying, correct? Or you’re dreaming that x = 0?
The former is a no duh, the latter is an impossibility in the real world of rational thought with respect to range of outcomes.
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seacain
?? LOL.
VT Pops VT Pops
0%
They sucked on and off the field…CBP staff is worlds better off the field, and your post implies you’ve given this staff a whopping 4 games to take care of the on the field things.
GCHokieof91 GCHokieof91
Better yet, what percent chance do you think
the fan base as a whole will be impatient and scream for heads to roll after a bad first season?
VaTechHokiesACC VaTechHokiesACC
Message Board or real life?
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cvillehokie07
Fanbase ? No. Fanboys on this board ? Yes
Tombo Tombo
The fan base as a whole? Very low. Less than 10%. Certain vocal
people? 100%. I think the problem is as BG says below, we don't look competent. Also said below, many are learning on the job. We were told we have money to hire more experienced coaches yet it seems we went bargain shopping again. Time will tell on that. There are holes everywhere in our program from game prep, to practice coaching, to in game coaching, etc. I'm sure we could all list out a lot of gaps at the moment. The tale will be told in how long it takes to close up those gaps.
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ChrisLords
We have money and we went bargain basement shopping for coaches.....
Having money for VT means being able to pay $4.5 million a year for a head coach. Unfortunately you only get the bargain basement P5 coaches for that. You can't get a successful P5 coach for that, but you can get a top notch coordinator who is essential to a major programs success. I think VT did very well getting our HC. I'm not sure why all the assistants other than Randolph seem to be on the cheap side. Maybe we're saving money for our other up and coming sports. Softball, Baseball, MBB, WBB, Wrestling and Track and Field. Did we want to go with another successful G5 coach that has no ties to the program again? No, after Fuente we wanted to get back in touch with who we are and become a strong defensive team again. It's working and there is definite upside to the defense. We stopped WVU 4 times in the red zone and forced field goals and were in the game 16-10 in the fourth quarter despite the offenses inability to score. It's going to take time if it works at all. I say enjoy the entire athletics department. Thanks to ACCN, there's Hokie sports on every week until June. It's only late June, July and August that we really have to suffer without something to root for.
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hokeyhokie
VT is playing @Liberty. We act cheap
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ChrisLords
We are cheap....
there's no question about that. If you'll notice, I said money for VT means paying a HC $4.5 mil a year. Now that's still near the top of the ACC but not good enough to keep a good coach, if he's successful, from being poached by and SEC or B1G or some B12 schools.
BG Hokie BG Hokie OP
100%. You’re new to message boards?
6
68Hokie
Impatience
Sports fans have a ridiculous perspective about the time needed to build a program. They expect it to be done overnight.
BG Hokie BG Hokie OP
I expected 6-6. It’s the appearance of a lack of competency and cohesion
that concerns me. I think the biggest red flag is the appearance of players becoming worse this year under the new staff.
hokiesrule98 hokiesrule98
100%
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Fatman
Fu inherited a full house left over from Frank. Pry has a pair of 3s and is
Trying to make something happen. I’m not impressed with Pry’s O, but every time I think of criticizing him I think back to the last bowl game. Talent level is LOW.
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hok1eboy
Well...FU inherited way more talent than he left, that's for sure, but
FU had no future...he had to go for the simple fact that his program could neither evaluate, recruit or retain players. Don't know where the dysfunction came from, but look no further than the quarterback room for proof. Only time will tell if the current coaching staff will grow into a great staff...they are all O-T-J training in positions the never held before.
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Durham Hokie
If Fuente had won last year close games, he would still be here
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hok1eboy
Agreed, but it is inarguable that his ability to recruit, retain and
develop talent was on a downward trajectory.
BG Hokie BG Hokie OP
The in game problems are deeper than low talent level. Solid players are
worse this year than last. There has been regression by all returning OL and Grant Wells. It’s awesome that we have a coach with a good personality.
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Mercury
ALot of fans didnt want to see the team's deterioration from 2012 to 2016
Coach Beamer was a legend, who all like personally and an alumni of the school. But entire the staff, AD and Burress hall leadership was getting old and comfortable.. Fuente did NOTHING to right the ship... (he felt that he was only here to coach)... So we got back more than 2016 76 years more deterioration. These kids who play for VT, love VT, but they are frankly average players who have generally speaker a low bar for improvement. We have what have... and no weight training, and player development can raise the bar. They can hustle all you want, but it is what it is. Pry or his staff not going to through anyone off the bus oor put down the team or his staff. Not his style, versus Fuente. (or some critics on this board. The biggest problem is recruiting commitments are staring early. commitments are beginning in 8th or 9th grade and deals pretty much set by 11th grade. So VT was definitely late for 2022, and 2023 and trying to catch up for 2024. Also, in regards to transfers, VT didnt want players who left another team due to team issues. The concept is we got enough issues, we dont want to inherent some one else's problem. Yeah, VT didnt play good against WVU,...Eavery game going to be a game biter. VT will have to play ugly ball possession and sound defense and minimize penalties. Milk the clock.. any slight errors will cause a loss. We will see.
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sandmanfan06
I’d be happy with nail biters
2
2hhoop3
Commitments in.......
8TH and 9TH grade? You clearly need a much better understanding of the recruiting process.
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MrFantastic!
Franks last teams were bad.
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VTBird541
BTW
You can't say we have low talent here or the vultures will pounce all over you
BG Hokie BG Hokie OP
We do have a low ish talent level compared to what we need to excel but
the recruiting classes by Fuente with the exception of 1, were very much in line with Beamer classes late in regime and Pry recruiting at about the same level as Fuente in general this far (slightly lower). What we’ve got is a hope that Pry’s personality and saying all the right things re: recruiting and relationships will actually pay dividends above our current talent norm.
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VTBird541
Frank left him a full house?
Really? Is that why those 6-6 seasons happened at the end of beamers time?
MP4VT2004 MP4VT2004
You seriously think the current roster could compete with Fuente's first?
That game would not be remotely close.
BG Hokie BG Hokie OP
Agree, the game wouldn’t be close but Fuente took over in 2016 and the 2015
leftovers dramatically improved. Fuente and Corny took a unknown JUCO QB and made him look like a million bucks. Pry and offensive staff grabbed a hyper efficient transfer QB and have, thus far, made him an inefficient QB everyone wants to see benched. I expected this team to at least be re-energized with a new staff and a new message. They look worse… Hopefully, the kinks work out but it seems as though the puzzle pieces of assembling a new staff aren’t quite fitting together. That can change and I certainly hope it does!
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Polito1
Um no, Evan’s made 2 avg to below coaches look good for 1 year
You’ve got that backwards. And Evan’s wasn’t an unknown, IIRC he was the #1 Juco QB coming in. That’s why they spiraled downward after - the trend was clear and awful under the last regime. No clue yet if Prys the right / better guy, but let’s not for one minute pretend that Fu / Corn somehow ‘made’ Evan’s. Completely the other way around - he masked how bad they really were…
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IronBlood
So put it another way, Fu and Corn didn't stop Evans from reaching his
potential, but Pry / Bowen / Rudolph have effectively turned 5 OL and Wells into lesser versions of themselves literally immediately. It's hard to win with lesser talent, but it is even harder when your lesser talent are taking steps backward.
MP4VT2004 MP4VT2004
I don't think it's fair to compare Grant Wells to Jerod Evans.
They have two completely different skillsets with vastly different caliber players surrounding them. Evans was used almost as much as a running back as he was a quarterback, which made defenses respect his threat to run and helped open up passing opportunities. Wells is not a running threat, nor does he have the benefit of any run game whatsoever or deep threats at receiver. Based on what I've read here, he has not played well, but he doesn't exactly seem to have much chance for success.
BG Hokie BG Hokie OP
Exactly, the revisionist history to put The last regime in the worst light
possible is always a classic move. Fuente had a horrible culture leading personality and had to go. But his on field product generally looked like they knew what they were doing.
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Bburg Mac
No, they looked like they didn't know what they were doing.
VPI63 VPI63
Yes, that time out against Liberty was… umm…. Well, ummm.. 💩 🤔
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UpperQuad
His biggest problem was staff management (hiring & firing, etc.)
So far, it looks like that also may be an issue with our new head coach.
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KeithHokie89
Too small a sample to make a fair comparison.
Patience grasshopper.
BG Hokie BG Hokie OP
Of course it is, but why limit fanatic discussion in the manner you’re
implying.
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UpperQuad
The last regime's defense is a tough limbo bar to go underneath
BG Hokie BG Hokie OP
Yeah, that’s what I was hoping too…
MaryWashGrad MaryWashGrad
Not very confident at the moment ....
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hokietom87
12 penalties a game is hard to swallow