Alan Tisdale and Virginia Tech came up short on Saturday vs. Purdue. (Jon Fleming)
Virginia Tech lost a close one to Purdue on Saturday in what was certainly one of the strangest days in the history of Hokie football. It’s not that the Hokies lost. I picked them to win a very close one, 24-20, and I think we all recognized that was a football game that could have gone either way.
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There are a ton of issues with this team, maybe more then orginally thought. What I find so disheartening is we can never win a close game. Think back over the last few years and see how many one score or last minute losses we've had. Something is not right.
ACChamps2004
To show where I'm at with this team, I had scheduled a golf match at 2:00 saturday, intentionally missing the game because we would lose anyway. Shortly after I left my house, the game was suspended due to weather, so I just played my golf match (I live outside of Augusta, GA so we didn't have the same weather that VA did on Saturday). I won my golf match and was home by 5:15, only to still be subjected to watching that disaster anyway! LOL, at least I won the match.
JHHOKIE
What you saw, I saw most of it. It's unimaginable back-up QB's are not part of being in the middle of anything. And honestly, I saw little excitement on our bench. Foster I don't think would have put up with that. We have lost our mojo, our soul, our manhood. It's really sad.
SanibelHokie
Drones should be at Pry’s hip on every play. If they don’t start playing him I bet he will be in the portal again and maybe go to Tennessee and win a Heisman.
phoenixhokie
So list it out, Toledo -- WHO on the staff is HORRIBLE and why. You can't make blanket statements like that w/out some back-up. Some coaches have been there all of 4 months so obviously, you have some incredible detail to share is they're ALL horrible. Please share.
moneal
Good article. It's hard to believe I've gotten to a point where we look terrible in losing and I'm like "meh". But here we are. The eye test tells me there's no way they turn this around unless they start making very drastic changes
mygreenbaypackers
Grant Wells is not going to get us where we need to be. Not saying we have a better option right now but I think someone else ought to get a chance.
SCHokie1103
Ridiculous statement to put that all on Wells! Are you kidding me? Take off your I hate Wells glasses and you will see there are way more contributing factors to the way we are playing on both sides of the ball.
PenthouseAlumni
The “wells hate glasses” interesting. Even against ODU he was missing wide open receivers and he still did that multiple times against Purdue. I think it’s worth taking a shot with Drones, minimally he should be able to run the RPO better and open up the run game slightly. However, I think Bowen shoulders most of the blame
Two4VT
This feels like it's unraveling quickly.
gaholder81
When Whit hired Pry I was skeptical...when Pry, despite being a defensive coordinator and first time HC hired an OC with next to no experience I thought, "This is NOT going to go well."
134510Hokie
Ditto!!!
So sorry that seems to be the correct reaction............
VTAtlantaHokie
Your both are correct. I know we liked Coach Pry's GA connection under Coach Beamer but if that's why Whit hired Coach then that was a wrong reason. Our program needed a Bigtime Jolt.....either via a very experienced homerun hitter like Norvell, Christobal or even Napier or via a sensational hire like Deion or Shane Beamer. Sorry, I felt our Program needed the sensational hire. Our organizational leaders thought differently and may have blew it and chose wrong. I hate to make that statement because our many of our hires like softball, baseball, wrestling, Olympic sports, and our Mens & Womens Basketball hires have been spot on.
Now Coach Pry, who no doubt, is a likable and credible guy, has to figure all of this out the hard old-fashion way while learning on the job. Coach Pry had no former staff of his own so who can he hire.....only OC's and other assistants with no significant experience. We are an OJT program going against seasoned professionals on the other side of the ball. Yes, our staff can recruit but the staff may not be able to develop talent, get more out of its talent, and out scheme its opposition. Not until they've learned through experience, hard knocks, and developed as coaches. This might be a 2 to 4 year process before we see significant results and it may be never. Unfortunately, we need results now while we still have a program and a conference. I hope it gets better for us but time is ticking and optimism may be falling.
VPI81
Nice article, Chris. I really appreciate the work you put in to give statistics to support your arguments. It makes your articles much more persuasive than the myriad of unsupported opinions that pop on the boards. I agree with 99% of what you said. My only exception is the comments about Drones not joining in with the team. I don't think that is a reflection on anyone but him. He is not a freshman and has been in college football long enough to know his job is to be with the team. His behavior indicates to me he is either immature or has a bad attitude which may help explain why he has not seen more game time. His behavior is also setting a bad example for the younger quarterbacks. If he's the athlete everyone says he is, I wonder if this explains why he is no longer at Baylor.
hokieben
Last week against ODU when Wells failed to get the first down on fourth and short, Drones was next to Pry, stormed away and took off his helmet obviously upset he was not given a chance to play in that situation. Based on his reaction and then not joining the huddle this week makes me wonder if he has lost faith with the coaches and somewhat 'checked out. Even if he is still bought in, I agree his not joining the huddle does not set a good example or show maturity and leadership.
eyetalianhokie
It seems the only thing we do well is Enter Sandman. After that, it's all downhill. How impressive will Enter Sandman be if the attendance goes down as the losses mount? This has become very upsetting to us all!
2003pilot
I really thought the DL would generate a disruptive pass rush against Purdue after reading the preview articles on their OL. It was almost non-existent.
HokieLT276
Watching it on TV, the D-Line was frequently, one step away. Card was getting the ball out really fast. Overall, the defense played pretty well Saturday. We will never win games with the defense on the field the entire game.
As for a solution to the run game... Maybe go back to a simple running concept. Power I formation and Send It.....
zman1978
Let’s face it. Football is probably the least performing sport that VT has now. Especially true considering the national success of so many of our other men’s and women’s teams.
ROI on Football funding is a joke.
Arch72Hokie
Amazing isn't it? We've gone from a, "football school" to a basketball school.
LXNTN_HOKIE
It makes it harder for players to learn from coaches when the coaches are still learning how to coach. I'm not as optimistic now for a 6-6 season as I was before the season started. I don't know if we'll even match last year's win total. It's a long season, though, so hopefully, they will get better. Go Hokies.
I am a VT Hokie
Concerned that it's more than Bowen, but Wells at QB. I wonder if the book may be out on him and he's tipping plays at the line by his mannerisms, cadence, etc. More than that, we've seen him get rattled and sail his passes, fastball them when touch is needed, and force them into spots that he shouldn't. I think that makes an D-coordinator's life easier when you know the passing game isn't overly reliable and makes it easier to key on a shaky O-line for run fits. I'm in favor of Drones getting a chance to see if the entire operation runs a little bit better than with Wells behind the line.
gaholder81
Chris just went through an entire article (VERY slightly veiled) showing evidence about how it's Bowen and you say, "Well maybe it's on Wells?"!?! Wells isn't Joe Montana, but he is certainly better than what he is showing now. Just take a look at his stats at Marshall. Chris showed in his article how other players/coaches are thriving once they escaped VT. It works in reverse too. Wells and Tuten come here to this black hole and their stats take a nosedive. IT...IS...BOWEN...
Savagehokie
Coaching staff loses the locker room...they lose the season (and beyond)
Mapmaker
Will, Scott, Andy, et al...how are you going to give us hope this week?
Can't ever remember feeling this low. Hearing of the malaise on the sideline is almost too much to read.
ToledoHokie
Just give us the truth……
This coaching staff is horrible, and this program is horrible. The sooner we recognize it the sooner we can fix it.
Now I know there are no changes coming, so just call it like it is….a pathetic program. And no more predictions of wins cause there won’t be any.
hokiepro
I don’t think the whole staff is horrible. Bowen has proven to be so far
phoenixhokie
So list it out, Toledo -- WHO on the staff is HORRIBLE and why. You can't make blanket statements like that w/out some back-up. Some coaches have been there all of 4 months so obviously, you have some incredible detail to share is they're ALL horrible. Please share.
MaroonLantern
Chris, you make a compelllng case for why all fingers should point to Bowen as the root cause of our running game problems. Question is, what should he be doing differently? I presume this comes down to scheme, strategy, and play design - making it all work based o. The personnel you have. Would love to hear what the ideas are here.
SkierGirl1
Saw the game and watched the 30 minute highlights moments ago. Most big plays were passes down or across the middle of the field which gives receivers room to run. This is an upgrade from last year where 90% of the passes where between the number and sideline is like an extra defender. If you watch the final Drones drive, we got up the field with passes down the middle of the field. The final 3 passes where toward the sideline and incomplete - game over.
Lets give Drones the start because he is a more dynamic runner. We need that skill because of the deficiencies of the o-line and assuming Jennings is out.
Coming into the season, I really expected to be 3-0 after next week but now think RU will beat us.
VAHokie89
I guess Chris didn't want to harp on the "running up the middle" thing anymore. Pry himself said "if we can't run inside, run outside. Get creative."
TomTurkey
Player disengagement is a major red flag to me. Added to a coaching staff learning [I hope] to be a coaching staff, it can be a recipe for disaster. We hear the team[sic] has bought into the culture, etc., but what is going on in the locker and position rooms?
HokiesandHerd
I just don't understand why VT football doesn't make qualified coordinator hires. Bowen's experience as an OC was 1 year at Fordham (he was the co-OC at Penn State in the COVID year, but I believe Ciarrocca was the main guy). Chris Marve has never been a DC. Justin Hamilton's only DC experience was at UVA-Wise. Brad Cornelsen was OC for 2 seasons at Northeastern State and co-OC for one season at Memphis. Scot Loeffler was OC at Temple for one season and Auburn for one season (when the entire coaching staff got fired after winning 3 games). Bryan Stinespring had no OC experience prior to being hired in 2002.
HOKIEFROY
Maybe qualified coordinators do not want to come to Blacksburg.
pine52x
you make a good point. not sure. Maybe HokieRoy is right. They don't want to come to Blackksburg.
lane
Having read Bowen’ s resume I think the only offense he might have any semblance of knowledge about is the Penn State offense. I don’t think you can run the Penn State offense at VT .
N2VT2
Amen to that. And throw in Vice.Tell them to call collect!
MKD
Chris, great observations...
I think the overall biggest obstacle for VT are trying to rebuild a program while at the same time, trying to build a coach and coordinators. I've never seen that work in the business or sports world. Rebuilding requires successful past experience in support roles (coordinators) when hiring a new leader (head coach) who has no past experience.
LXNTN_HOKIE
It makes it harder for players to learn from coaches when the coaches are still learning how to coach.
No_Limit_Hokie
Does anyone have Fu's and Corney's numbers handy?
N2VT2
Amen to that. And throw in Vice.Tell them to call collect!
JDods123
Seriously. I'd rather have an average team with an unlikable head coach than a bottom dwelling team with a coach I'd like to have a beer with.
MV Trumpet
Maybe Bowen can spend the next off-season visiting other FBS schools for pointers on run blocking, just like they did this summer for turnovers.
hokiehowl
Somebody with a lot more football knowledge than me might know the answer but… Can this offense get better?
With the people we have, are we able to make some changes and run the ball or are we just stuck with who we have for the next 10 games?
It seems like we should be hitting the transfer portal hard to bring in a brand new offensive line For next year.
Ashcreek Hokie
Hey diddle diddle, let's run it up the middle. The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result. I know I'm oversimplifying things, but geez, eleven yards??? Eleven. Freaking. Yards. Please put the kids in a position to succeed.
Bigtime
Don't think Wells does a good job with his fakes. Seems like he telegraphs to the 'D' what he is doing.....plus the scheme is not giving an optional back on the runs.
MKD
Unfortunately, I think yesterday's loss could be the beginning of a 6 game losing streak. I sure hope I'm wrong...
VT just doesn't pass the eye test. It looks like the exact same team as last year. Over 90% of the formations, receiver routes, motions, personnel groupings (positions, not the same players obviously), run plays, and play calling is identical to 2022, so I expect the same results.
Hokie for life....
LXNTN_HOKIE
It makes it harder for players to learn from coaches when the coaches are still learning how to coach. I'm not as optimistic now for a 6-6 season as I was before the season started. I don't know if we'll even match last year's win total. It's a long season, though, so hopefully, they will get better. Go Hokies.
pine52x
Maybe I am way off track. "read the wrong signaler"? I guess they send in defensive signals via 2 or more people on the sidelines. Players just picked the one they were supposed to ignore? Maybe there is just too much coaching going on. Maybe it would be better to either just send in the defensive play via a sub or make the messaging simpler or just let the players play. For a young team, maybe too much of this is causing player overload. I think we have good athletes, but their getting confused and not playing to their strengths.
MDHokie79
Coach Pry is right about 1 thing: Just ridiculous
Hokeedokee
We will be lucky to win any more games this season if we don't see a MASSIVE improvement on the OL, might not happen even if we DO. If our head coach allows his OC to keep his job if we go down this path, we need a new Head Coach AND a new OC. I am sick of excuses and giving people who are not fit for their jobs to get wealthy getting fired from VT. Whit should also be on a HOT seat if we don't turn the corner this season. No one can tell me we cannot do better than this.
ToledoHokie
You won’t…….and we won’t!
Wiseguy86
Before I comment, I want to add some context. Although TSL crowd does not know me, my father and grandfather were All-American football players at Pitt, and I was a 3 year starter and captain at William & Mary (not big enough to excel at D-1). I have been an avid VT fan for decades. Like Chris, I took the rare opportunity last night to sit in the West stands right behind the team. I wanted to get the vibe of the VT sideline. Like Chris, I was stunned to see the backup QBs completely disengaged during the game. I wondered whether Drones was hurt. If I am Drones or Pop, I am right with the O coaches/decision makers as active participants. They are all in this together, right? You would expect Well and Drones (and Pop) to be talking, comparing notes, engaged. Also, it did not seem that Wells communicated regularly with anyone. When D was on field, Wells sat on the bench with only some brief talks with WR, RBs. There did not appear to be any real communication or strategy being discussed when the O was off the field. WR coach and Strength coach were the only coaches who stood out to me as being actively involved. Is there someone on Pry's staff who evaluates this apparent lack of engaged, team participation during the game. (Chris, I agree with your comments on Coach Bowen. Ugh--thought we would be much better on O.)
DADEC52
Always appreciate the views of those with experience. Thanks for confirming what many of think as well.
Diehard Hokie
Appreciate your comments! I keep going back to the softball HR event they had... Grant hit a HR and there was dead silence. There was all sorts of hooting and hollering when anybody else hit a HR. That says it all to me.
VicDrit
This might sound crazy, but maybe Pry was trying to fake the opposing team coaches as if they weren't even thinking about going to Drones.
But, also makes me wonder if Bowen doesn't need to come down from the box to call plays while engaging more with the players during the game.
Chris Coleman
Good comments, thanks. I agree on the overall lack of communication between offensive players. It seemed lower than I would have expected.
VicDrit
Good article. It's funny how we always lament losing our middle linebacker to graduation.
Diehard Hokie
Unbelievable from a once proud run the ball program. Pry needs to read this article and do something about it.
Hokeedokee
If Pry needs to read this article to know he has to do something drastic. he doesn't need to be our HC. We have forgotten - as a total program - how to WIN. We don't play like we expect to win. We don't ATTACK our opponents, we don't leave it all on the field. We don't have the killer instinct that winners - or better yet, teams that REFUSE to LOSE - have. It's sad. Lane Stadium used to be "the killer dome" for a reason. Hard to imagine that. I done with figurehead coaches. I want people who WIN and only want winners around them. If we don't want to pay for those kinds of people we should quit pretending we're on track to "be back", and just settle for what we've become...mediocre at BEST.
FF Hokie
No innovation at all. Best play was one stolen from Fresno State that worked against Purdue the week before. I’ve never felt so close to being done as it’s no longer enjoyable.
Rock Haven Hokie
Something is definitely wrong and you have a better eye on things than I do. Tech isn’t world beaters but they should be able to run the ball better.
GO_HOKIES_GO
More important than the injury to Jennings (which is a serious loss) is the injury to Wells - unless there is second playbook for Drones, the offense is not going to get better next Saturday. Also, if Wells is out for any length of time the Hokies are an injury away from having to play a guy with zero experience - not good.
geevt92
Let’s hope Pry does what’s right for VT’s football program and replace Bowen with an experienced and proven OC in the offseason.
ncook
And I hope Whitt does the same thing to Pry. He sure can talk the talk but cant walk the walk. Player developement is none existant. Fu was a better " coach " than Pry, just not a salesman like Pry.
phoenixhokie
Agree - Fu and Corny could game plan and scheme. With subpar talent, we put up yards and points. I thought Fu surrounded himself with a better staff overall. BUT, Fu has the interpersonal skills of a rabid porcupine. Soooooooo, what do we do? Pry will get his 3-4 years. What hotshot (even semi) veteran OC will come here — say next year - knowing the HC is squarely in the hot seat?
McHokie93
I agree completely with your statement at the beginning of the article. I can not think of one game where we out coached the opponent, or out schemed, or out prepared the other teams coaches. We have done such a poor job of picking head coaches. We are an embarrasment.
MotorCityHokie80
Our only hope against Rutgers is they overlook us with them playing at Michigan in Week 4. But I fear this could get real ugly.
RomperStomper
Serious question. Do we only have one running play?
HokieFeather
I have seen 4 in two weeks. Inside zone, option, toss and yesterday they added some pin and pull action which actually produced better gains.
st_andrew
No
HokieGator
We ran several yesterday. But they all look the same at the end.
proudhokie2001
Yes and we run it consistently the same. For negative yardage. So in a way there is some precision. If it was target practice then all we need is to align the scope and voila, running game fixed. No time better than today to find a way to improve. NOW!
74 Comments