Monday Thoughts: Peeling the Onion

Will Stewart

September 25, 2023 77

I know you’re here to read about the Hokies, but I just have to slip this in here:

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Monday Thoughts 2023 VT-Marshall football

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77 Comments

DelMarHokie September 27, 2023 at 1:00 PM

Will, great article. I feel the deep concern we all have is the lack of improvement from game 1 of 2022 to today. The lack of continuity on both sides of the ball is very puzzling. And the backdrop of all of this is Coach Pry telling us last yr, through the summer and into the fall of how the he and the coaches have seen this dramatic improvement in skill level, commitment, attitude and understanding of the systems that he is installing and that he is so excited to see them go out there and show the Hokie Nation what they are capable of. He sees these kids everyday. Did/Does he really believe this team would be competitive ? He has to know the glaring issues (esp defensively) that just jump out...even to the casual football fan. Hate to be negative but as coach Parcels said, You are what your record says you are.
LXNTN_HOKIE September 26, 2023 at 7:53 PM

Fuente didn't coach from 2012 to 2021. I remember Beamer coached thru the 2015 season and won the Independence Bowl against Tulsa. Fu coached from 2016 to 2021. I'm sure it was just a typo.
HtownHokie September 26, 2023 at 12:35 PM

shank you, Will! some interesting "takes" on OUR TEAM in your copy. and then, "The message boards, especially the TSL Subscriber boards, are a lot better, so you’ll still be able find me there." i'm fully on board (? oops! ? ) with that TSL assessment comparatively speaking (about other boards and social media). however we still continue to shoot off our mouths in of emotions that are sometimes embarrassing and show less than what i consider ut prosim-temperance and an overall gratitude to be Virginia Tech Hokies. bringing to mind “some folks are wise, and some otherwise” ~ Jonathan Swift, "Polite Conversation" criticism can be constructive or destructive. i must temper my own comments many times after composing them, but before i select "[Submit]"! edification on these TSL boards can sparse after a loss(es); i sincerely hope that we Hokies can remain positive, hopeful, encouraging and loyal as we post and pull together to get back to "classic, turn of the century" Hokie football. !Go Hokies! !We ARE Virginia Tech!
1. HtownHokie September 26, 2023 at 12:36 PM
  
  oops "thank you, Will!" (but i am chuckling at my mispell there.)
alvis hardy September 26, 2023 at 12:18 PM

As a member of the class of 1953, my football years were: • 1949 1-7-2 • 1950 0-10-0 • 1951 2-8-0 • 1952 5-6-0 The Corps of Cadets traveled to Richmond to see that win. As I recall, The Richmond Times sports page said something like this; Richmond can gain national recognition if it allows VPI to end its college football record of 19 game losing streak. I will be watching Saturday and, as always, expect to win.
1. Cheesehokie September 28, 2023 at 1:34 AM
  
  +1 for your perspective through all the years!
vtgriff09 September 26, 2023 at 8:55 AM

You didn't complete your analogy, which was a good one. Eating ice cream and chips is fun, but the results suck. I would probably guess the same about our team. Lots of gimmicky instagram stuff, pool parties, boat parties, dinners, show up to events, kiss babies, snowball fights...it seems like playing for VT is fun, maybe much easier than playing for good programs (see videos of Colorado players throwing up preseason and them talking about how hard practice is). Deion may be all the fun in the world on camera, but the practices are brutal and meant to build winners. We are pulling tires. Time to try something new. The result, like getting fat from eating crap, is a product of the process. The process is not improving players. You are correct, there is a special level of ineptitude with this staff. Nothing besides all the fun stuff has gotten better.
1. Hokiealways September 26, 2023 at 11:18 AM
  
  A good dose of Phil Elmassian to chew out this coaching staff, is what the doctor ordered. Too much mediocre junk with this bunch, and time is of the essence. Virginia Tech Fans have an excellent reputation for supporting their HOKIES, however, this bunch of coaches are underachieving and a mess!!!
2. HokienGeorjaw September 26, 2023 at 1:23 PM
  
  +1.
133222Hokie September 26, 2023 at 8:11 AM

To quote Tech Triumph “Win or lose, we’ll greet you with a glad returning, you’re the Pride of VPI”.
Hokie67 September 26, 2023 at 7:52 AM

Great story - as always, Will. It seems it's a dichotomy. I've had more people ask me if I have extra tickets for ANY of the remaining games. First time that I've had all of my tickets accounted for. Go figure.
VaPoly07 September 26, 2023 at 7:43 AM

If I'm "Whit", I dont want to stick around for another HC hiring, especially if rumors regarding him not wanting Pry in the first place are correct.... if so, watching this is probably hard for him to stomach
1. phoenixhokie September 26, 2023 at 8:11 AM
  
  I love Will's commentary as usual but I disagree on the notion that Whit *won't* make the next hire. He will IMO. Rick George is Colorado's AD. He's made 4 over the last 10 years and we ALL know who he hired last. Dr. Sands and the BOV know Whit's record holistically and it's outstanding. I know ... I know .. FOOTBALL IS KING. And it is. But that athletic department is humming otherwise and university presidents tend to the take the loooooooooooong view on things. Sometimes too long, granted. But I think Whit makes the next hire if there's one to be made. But I also think he could be scooped up beforehand to a bigger school with a bigger budget and this whole convo could be moot.
2. Arch72Hokie September 26, 2023 at 10:19 AM
  
  So, who "picked" Pry? Football aside, Pry has made good decisions even if Brooks wasn't one of them.
  1. hokie_eikoh September 26, 2023 at 11:41 AM
    
    Pry is John Ballain’s guy.
    1. HtownHokie September 26, 2023 at 12:54 PM
      
      really? one "old regime"* man pulled that string so strongly that the AD had to accede? or gossip-wise? - for creating more social media volatile fodder and stir the TSL pot? * nothing wrong with CFB and the "old regime"; but many things have changed since then. that philosophy might actually be no longer applicable. it was great at the turn of the century: thanks JB, CFB, and Co. for the successful seasons circa V7!
cdogvt September 25, 2023 at 11:50 PM

Will - I appreciate you making this article informative and positive. It isn't easy. I find it much easier to complain and rant personally and will try to do better. We need to stick together and not be "those fans" that get so negative it ruins our chances with recruits, new coaches we need, etc.
Curious Hokie September 25, 2023 at 9:57 PM

Elmo brought fire to the program. They got after you. And they had a few great players to build around. I have said it for weeks our defense needs to go back to blitzing more and being aggressive. Yep we will get burnt some. But we are getting burnt playing it vanilla. Got to try to get some negative plays for momentum.
1. HtownHokie September 26, 2023 at 12:57 PM
  
  this simple suggestion has much merit! at least it will create excitement on the field that will transmit to the fans and tv watchers. good comment, CH.
Hokie Witch September 25, 2023 at 9:23 PM

William- I have been off of twitter for 2/3 yrs ago. It is a cesspool of negativity. Have a nice day!?
vvhokie September 25, 2023 at 8:13 PM

My wife is a Vol and I have been through the entire downward spiral since Fulmer left. Kiffen, Dooley, Jones, Pruitt, Huepel (not to mention two interims and one hiring process disaster along with wholesale ncaa sanctions) in 12 years. Fulmer was their Beamer, but they had traditional prior and national titles. We seem to be in the Dooley era at Tech, with a lot more pain in our future. They also went through 6 ADs in the same time frame before finding a coach and AD that work.
1. dougellen1 September 25, 2023 at 11:09 PM
  
  Dooley had a winning record at tech.
  1. Arch72Hokie September 26, 2023 at 10:22 AM
    
    But he was a jerk and his teams were boring. He brought Billy Hite.w/him from UNC.
Jasonh September 25, 2023 at 8:12 PM

Dan Mullen was the OC for that Florida team. Seems like Dan needs a coaching job. Ok, OK, I know it will never happen.
Coach_247_365 September 25, 2023 at 7:16 PM

This weekend's game will tell us exactly what to expect the rest of the way. I honestly think if we have another abysmal game like much of this season has gone then there will be an announcement of some type of upcoming changes. We are selling out Lane and then putting a product on the field that doesn't fit the bill. I think we'll see folks no longer showing up. It's getting harder and harder to commit my entire weekend to this program. For the record, I've been all in from day one with Pry, however I've never felt a low like we are currently experiencing.
1. gaholder81 September 25, 2023 at 8:11 PM
  
  I actually could see us winning this game and losing the rest. I won't put too much stock into this one based on Pitt's horrific offense. Then again our D could be just what Dr. Narduzzi ordered.
MKD September 25, 2023 at 7:09 PM

Great job Will. With all due respect, the onion has already been peeled, and it's now up to leadership to make tough decisions. Everyone says "rebuild the program" and that's the wrong way to look at VT football. It's about who can lead the program and what are the expectations at every single level, just like Frank Beamer wrote in his book. I don't see any leadership on this team, including coaches, players, and administration.
CPVT3 September 25, 2023 at 7:06 PM

"Say what you want about Urban Meyer, he knows how to lead a football team." College football team And I don't think anyone is "delighting" in VT's demise, they're just pissed off (some reasonable, some not).
1. ToledoHokie September 25, 2023 at 8:18 PM
  
  Agreed, for most of us this forum is our only chance to bitch and moan to people who actually care like we do. In my case, NOBODY cares or even have a thought about VT in Toledo, it’s all Michigan and Ohio State. It’s was so much fun to wear my school colors when we were good. Now when I wear anything with VT on it they think it’s for “Vermont”! This board is the “wife” we come home to and bitch and yell at because our job sucks or we had a crappy day and we take it out on them. Doesn’t mean we are “delighted” that we suck, in fact it shows how much we care…..hell we even PAY for the right to complain here. That’s devotion!
  1. No_Limit_Hokie September 25, 2023 at 11:05 PM
    
    "... we even PAY for the right to complain here. That’s devotion!" We are gluttons for punishment, and insane enough to pay for the privilege!
    1. ToledoHokie September 26, 2023 at 8:37 AM
      
      So true!…..…I care too much about Will, Chris, Andy, David and the others at Techsideline to cancel, plus where else do I go for all things Hokie? One day football will be good again and it will be fun!
Shbolf September 25, 2023 at 6:33 PM

How about spell the players names right on the back of their jerseys
1. No_Limit_Hokie September 25, 2023 at 6:52 PM
  
  Word. How embarassing!
  1. hokie_eikoh September 25, 2023 at 7:15 PM
    
    Lack of detail is everywhere!
2. 5_4Hokies September 25, 2023 at 11:37 PM
  
  Huh? Did I miss something?
  1. Will Stewart September 25, 2023 at 11:40 PM
    
    https://twitter.com/WillStewartTSL/status/1704524878873772443?t=-Vg82TX5RK1sjwLFY99i1Q&s=19
Arch72Hokie September 25, 2023 at 6:31 PM

Will should qualify that prior to WWII Tech football footbal had some decent season but in the main was average.. Yet even in 1942, we won 7 games. The war interrupted the program for 1943 and 1944 while the "Gentlemen" from Charlottesville continued to play. Post-war, we were in a startup mode and UVA enjoyed its, "Golden Era," under Art Guepe. Between 1945 and 1950, we were 8-40-6. Followoing the 1950 (0-10) season, there was considerable soul-searching as to the future of VT football. Themodern era began the next year w/the hiring of Frank Moseley, a protege of Bear Bryant. was hired .Moseley won 89 games between 1951 and 1953 but posted an 8-0-1 mark and antioanl ranking in 1954. His teams would produce wining records except for 1957 (4-6) though his last season, 1960 (6-4) after which Jerry Claiborne, another Bryant protege and future mentor of one Frank Beamer was hired. All this to say, things have been dire before as they were during Beamer's first 6 seasons (25 wins); some times the darkest hours are just before dawn. We know what happened in 1993. Will we fall to the 2, 3 and 2 win seasons of 1987, 1988 and 1992? Pry won't have the long leash Beamer did but I suspect he'll make changes sooner than Frank did. I think ther are still some winnable games on the schedule and he'll win more than the 3 games he did last year but if he's not breaking even in 2 years, then Whit will be looking for his 3rd coach - and it will be his last, despite the success of the other coaches who report to him. Tech is first and foremost a, "football school." Keep in mind that prior to Dabos's breakthrough season (2011), Clemson hasd suffered a prolonged peior of mediocre football under Tommy West (1994-1998) and Tommy Bowden (1999-2008), both of whom were fired. And while Dabo has won 2-NC's (2016, 2018), expectations are high Upstate and Dabo is 2-2 (0-2) so far in 2023 and has lost ground to an apparent re-surgent FSU. He still has Miami, Syracuse (which has given Clemson problems), ND, UNC and arch-rival USC home (loss in 2022) to play. The Tigers are coming off a 31-14 loss to Tennessee in the Orange Bowl last year. Dabo has had a good run but could the bloom be off the rose? Fans in Death Valley are surely restive. By comparison, can Pry can weather a 4/5-win season?
1. DelMarHokie September 27, 2023 at 1:06 PM
  
  Dabo had a spectacular run of QB's running his offenses. The lack of great (not just good) QB's, combined with loosing key coordinators/coaches has been too much for the program to absorb.
VAHokie89 September 25, 2023 at 6:31 PM

Too much reading about florida ;:(
vtgriff09 September 25, 2023 at 6:29 PM

Here is reality. ACC network said in preseason we needed to go 4-0 or 3-1. We are 1-3 vs the crap we played. Pry is awful. Move on. Disappointing. No.more excuses
MDHokie79 September 25, 2023 at 6:14 PM

Peeling back an onion makes you cry, just like this season is starting to. That being said... GO HOKIES!!!
1. Hokie67 September 26, 2023 at 7:48 AM
  
  Peeling back an onion makes you cry,>>>> Ever of heard of Vidalia Sweet Onions? :-)
No_Limit_Hokie September 25, 2023 at 6:14 PM

"That’s seven possessions, 28 plays, and 57 yards of field position (not offensive yards — field position. Penalties factor in)." In the pregame for the National Championship just before Georgia boatraced TCU, Nick Saban talked about Field Position. He said something like (doing the best I can to recall), "You gain 20 yards after both sides punt, and keep doing that, and before you know it, you've got a hundred yards of Field Position. That's a Touchdown!" Everyone looks at the usual stats, Passing and Rushing yards gained from the Line of Scrimmage, and Turnovers. Easy to forget are Return Yards, missed Field Goals, shanked Punts, Penalty Yards, Blocked Punts, etc. "We outgained them by 150 Yards! How did we lose??" Um... because their Punt Returner ran back two kicks for scores? Chris recently wrote some about a stat that I like, Available Yards. Very relevant to this point.
Atlee Hokie September 25, 2023 at 6:06 PM

At this point, I do not believe the Hokies will win another game. At this point, based on what I've seen with my eyes, they will have to show me something before I start believing again.
hokie_eikoh September 25, 2023 at 5:54 PM

If we go 1-11, fire OC, DC, and the entire Ballain family!
MV Trumpet September 25, 2023 at 5:45 PM

Any word on getting Mike Young in for a podcast episode?
1. Will Stewart September 25, 2023 at 11:42 PM
  
  I've got a note to schedule him and Kenny Brooks.
2. Cheesehokie September 28, 2023 at 1:44 AM
  
  I started reading your comment and thought you were going to ask if there was any word on getting Mike Young to coach football! ?
MISTERBIG September 25, 2023 at 5:40 PM

Great article Will. As usual great stuff. I really enjoy and look forward to your Monday Thoughts!!
Sawhill Hokie September 25, 2023 at 5:08 PM

Thanks for the article. Between the TSL subscriber content and the podcast I am able to get through these losses; however, I am beginning to care less and less and these recent losses don't bother me as much as the Temple loss in '98 but at least then I knew the coaches and players would bounce back-I am not so sure today. Anyway, my TSL subscription is cheaper than therapy so thanks again.
SarahVTHokie24 September 25, 2023 at 4:39 PM

You seem to be pretty harsh on misspelled names in posts. Keep in mind auto correct is not your friend and the edit function doesn't always work. Then there are those that simply say, eh, they know what I mean
1. WestyHokie September 25, 2023 at 4:56 PM
  
  Especially for writers who use "towards" instead of the correct "toward!" :-)
Maverick86 September 25, 2023 at 4:05 PM

I have a feeling Pry would already be gone if it was a $27 buyout...
1. atlhokie1 September 25, 2023 at 10:13 PM
  
  Let me search my couch for change.
  1. No_Limit_Hokie September 26, 2023 at 7:12 AM
    
    I wish we could give Likes for comments! ?
IB4TECH September 25, 2023 at 4:04 PM

I thought we went to the Sun Bowl in 48 or 49.
1. khakiblue September 25, 2023 at 4:05 PM
  
  47
2. Arch72Hokie September 26, 2023 at 10:14 AM
  
  1946, "The Beardless Wonders"
khakiblue September 25, 2023 at 3:53 PM

Slow peeling might not reveal the rot at the center until it is too late.
LG Hokie September 25, 2023 at 3:34 PM

I'm not chuckling. Our current situation is a serious one. It's back to the Charlie Coffey/Jimmy Sharpe days, which I lived through. We'll get through it, but how long it takes and where we wind up depends on how and how quickly we respond.
1. hokie_world September 25, 2023 at 5:08 PM
  
  I lived through those games with a lot of bourbon and cigarettes, along with others in the '72-'78 time frame. I thought those days were behind us, now it is a nightmare.
2. BAMAHOKIE September 25, 2023 at 5:11 PM
  
  At least with Charlie Coffee we had Don Strock and our offense played exciting ball. Didn’t win but Stock & receivers set records.
  1. khakiblue September 25, 2023 at 5:53 PM
    
    Won more than this regime so far.
3. ScottsdaleHokie September 25, 2023 at 5:47 PM
  
  The Jimmy Sharpe years were almost dynamite with a couple that reached that level. If only...
133895Hokie September 25, 2023 at 3:25 PM

Several things I am in agreement with. The reference to Elmassian goes to the heart of my feelings that our team has not had an "attitude" or "swagger" lately. Even Marshall showed attitude after making hits. The Attitude can spread quickly among players, and create a high level of pride and confidence. It has to begin with coaches with demanding aggressiveness. We do not seem to be there right now, even aggressive play calling on offense can create pride and confidence...then swagger. Wins will follow.
hokiehill1117 September 25, 2023 at 3:18 PM

Speaking of Twitter, it took a lot of personal restraint not to tag VT Equipment in Will's post about spelling a player's name...
1. dgvracer September 25, 2023 at 3:57 PM
  
  LOL, Agreed. APR anyone?
DaytonaHokie September 25, 2023 at 3:10 PM

Will, that was DEEP. Thanks for that. Most of us have never experienced a total rebuild after reloading year after year after year. Let's hope Brent gets this thing turned around. There is some talent there...and, I am talking about the players....
1. gaholder81 September 25, 2023 at 5:10 PM
  
  You still haven't experienced a "total rebuild". Total rebuilds aren't when you have a new coach after a bowl game. Total rebuilds are win you are coming off a two or three win season. Ya know, like where will be when this staff is done.
  1. gaholder81 September 25, 2023 at 5:11 PM
    
    Where we'll be.
WestyHokie September 25, 2023 at 3:07 PM

Curious, why is the NFL record 72, when Chicago hung 73 on Washington in the 40s? Is 72 a record for just regular season? Are the 40s considered pre-NFL? Thanks.
1. jfhokie September 26, 2023 at 2:19 AM
  
  Could have been that that 1940 game was for the championship and this was a reg season game? Just a thought
2. Arch72Hokie September 26, 2023 at 10:29 AM
  
  Chicago hung 73 on the Redskins in a playoff game. Redskins hung 72 on the Giants in a regular season game. The earlier game that season (in NY) was a 13-10 win by the Giants.
GreenvilleVT September 25, 2023 at 3:06 PM

$27 buyout? Man those were the days.
VTBuck20 September 25, 2023 at 2:58 PM

Bring back $27 buyouts. But not for Pry. Not yet, anyway.
TechHokie13 September 25, 2023 at 2:53 PM

My favorite bit about Will's tweet: most of Hokie Twitter is buzzing about it being some cryptic hint at a big change/event occurring. It's actually Will just putting out a random not-gloomy tweet ?
Durham Hokie September 25, 2023 at 2:40 PM

I also enjoy potato chips and vanilla ice cream

Monday Thoughts: Peeling the Onion

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