New Virginia Tech defensive coordinator Sam Siefkes and head coach Brent Pry have to decide on their defensive staff. (Jon Fleming)
1) How do you see the coaching staff shaking out now that we have a DC? Does Siefkes remain as a "walk-around" coordinator or does he take over a position? Do we hire a DE coach? Does Prioleau stay at safeties? How does Quinn fit into the staff? Offense??? New QB coach with Bowen becoming a "walk-around" or move to TEs? Answers Chris, I need answers! — breid07
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Damn Chris...knocked it out of the park with this one. Nice job.
yeffockram
Great article. I appreciate your insight and opinions.
LXNTN_HOKIE
Me too.
SCHokie80
Great write-up Chris all around; I've been off the grid for a bit (work stuff) and just read articles on Sief, listened to Podcast, and with this article I believe Pry's hiring of Sief was a great hire/fit and is just the beginning of some major changes with Sief (and Pry) creating a new Blueprint to bring us back to the glory-lunchpail Bud Foster days of HOKIE D (and having Bud involved will help.) I also like the fact that Pry/Whit aimed high and took a very methodical approach before making what I believe is Pry's most important hire to be successful (i.e., not a down the hall "next".)
Also glad to see that we've got a really good basketball coach in MY who is a great person and really wants to be at VT. Looking forward to see his renewed vision to getting it back to his standards!
middletennhokie
Chris, that might be your best Friday Q&A ever! Great insights.
I too have grown tired of Clemson and FSU, and would argue that in this era Miami is a bigger 'brand' than FSU. Love your idea of calling their bluff on $$ distribution based on anything other than results.
El Paso Hokie
On the subject of FSU and Clemson, I wouldn't assume that their departure would bring more stability to the ACC. That sure wasn't the result for the PAC12 when USC and UCLA bolted for the BIG10. Although their departure wasn't preceded by acrimonious litigation, USC and UCLA leaving still torpedoed the league. The rest of the league members saw the PAC12 ship taking on water and there was a mad rush for the lifeboats. I would expect the same potential reaction if the ACC lost its two big football brands.
Federal Hokie
I’m a bit confused in parts of your response to question 2. At one point, you write “I’m of the firm belief that revenue should be distributed based on how teams finish in the conference.” Later you write “I’m biased against unequal revenue sharing because of Virginia Tech’s experience in the Big East.”
Am I missing something here? It just seems a bit contradictory.
Chris Coleman
The first part was a joke, saying that FSU should take their last place winnings. I'll edit for clarity.
Federal Hokie
Very good thanks! I like jokes, but I obviously didn’t get that one?
HokieCrazy1994
The same thing goes for the offensive scheme, btw. When we're 6-6 or 7-5 with a dynamic Top 25 defense, will Pry realize too late that the offense needed the same kind of shocking change to the system???
HokieACC
The offense scheme seems okay, but it's the game day play calling that needs some serious work. Maybe bring in another set of eyes on game day like the defense?
RVance
We need better OL play and talent! Once we get that the offensive scheme will show out!
fosterD1
Wonder if Bud had any input on this hire??
Chris Coleman
No. This was Pry all the way. That's why everything was so quiet up until the last day or so. He kept it as close to the vest as possible.
sacramento hokie
Brilliant response in the type of “ radical” overhaul that Pry now expects with the new DC. I haven’t thought about what was one of your main points and WHY our defense failed- for some reason Pry believed he could simply run with what type of defense they ran at PSU- clearly stinking linear thinking because we don’t have 4 and 5 stars. With the right scheme , as Elmo proved, you can beat superior recruits in the other side of the ball… frankly I am excited to see how this works on the field
LG Hokie
I agree on needing the "fireworks" and look forward to seeing them beginning with the upcoming season. Our new defensive coordinator sounds like a good guy to do this.
Mongotek
Great read as always and I'm in total agreement fwiw. The thing that stands out for me is the recruiting of safety type players. We can't out five star the two conferences we are behind so maybe we can out scheme them. I also feel like the contract with the mouse is good for Tech in that it gives us time to get back to where we need to be which is being attractive for one of the big two. Imagine if the great escape were to start today with our recent records, basically the past decade. Our time is starting now and we need to give it all we've got or be resigned to being a prep league for the Big 2.
pine52x
I have grown tired of the message boards. I definitely like your columns and look forward to reading them each Friday. I very much value your opinion. Today, I especially enjoyed your responses to questions 2, 3 and 4.
WOJO
Same here
Really hope we see fireworks this year
vtgriff09
That was a great response to my question...and it made me feel a little excited to see what may come of this hire. I agree that this is a driven coach that is going to do everything in his power to be successful. If Pry is hitting a reset button, good for him...it is the first real awakening that jas happened, and it means he had to have a tough battle with his ego to change out of his scheme (where that is tough for anyone). Interested to see how much things shake-up within the staff, if at all. I am on board with Sief, and hope that he brings something that can create some turnovers
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