Neon Deion - Showboating sideshow as a coach or legit possibility to next level our talent, $'s and results?
KQ- I am not a Deion guy, obviously that has become clear. I think this is an important time for GT football and the risk/reward is too high and ultimately his aspirations are way beyond CFB anyway. He wants to be an NFL HC. GT is not in a place to be a stepping stone either at the moment. They need someone who can win consistently for 3-5 years and fix the damage with the fan base winning 9 games in three years had.
Do you know why kalani norris isn’t with the team anymore?
KQ- Yes, per my sources both at GT and with people who know Norris, Kalani wanted to redshirt, Key did not want to redshirt any of the older players because the team is still in the mix for the ACC Championship. Kalani had made a plan that for reasons I can't even process Collins agreed to allowing him to play the first four games and then redshirt. Then the change happened and he had to make a decision whether he wanted to play and be a part of the team or not. He made his call in his best interest and Key made his.
How are the SA's handling the transition inside the locker room from CGC to CBK? Obviously the product on the field has shown plenty of improvement, but do you get the sense that these kids would love to have CBK convert his interim title to permanent HC? What about the current coaching staff? I know Key selected some of the staff himself, but I'm sure some of the other guys have to be worried for their jobs even if they are performing well.
KQ- I think everyone I know on the staff was pretty frustrated where things ended up with Collins even some guys people would consider his "guys" and there is some fresh air in the building now and Brent Key just wants everyone to do their job and do it to the best of their ability. He isn't a micromanager either so that helps a lot. You can see that coming across on the field of play with some decisions and how they are calling games as well.
For the players, I think they are doing a good job of just trying to focus on the taste at hand. There were a lot of hurt feelings early on, but at the end of the day guys are seeing results and that is increasing the buy-in overall.
Say Key gets to 6 and 6, if they were to remove interim lable, what do you project the contract length?
KQ- I think the contract would be a normal length deal like 5 years, but the buyout and his salary would be GT friendly. I've talked to people close to the situation and Key knows the deal so he would take a deal below market value with a friendly buyout for his chance to prove himself. They can layer the deal with hittable incentives similar to PJ's first contract and it is a low risk strategy for GT in that case.
Sorry if I missed it, have you spoken to CPJ since everything went down, what did he have to say? Have you spoken to Collins or TStan since?
I realize there is an answer that goes like “Why would I?!?” … just curious
KQ- I had ZERO relationship with Todd Stansbury, anything I needed to communicate with him came through intermediaries and anything I got from him came the same way. Collins I've left alone, I like him as a person, but this isn't the time for someone like me talk to him. I've talked to CPJ a few times, he called me when Todd got let go and about some other stuff non-GT related.
Not taking anything away from his accomplishments so far- would you say pump the brakes a little on Key as Coach?
KQ- I think this is an audition and he would tell you that. People are excited so it is okay to be excited. It doesn't mean he will end up with the job, but they are making some steady progress so that is encouraging and the team has stopped (mostly) beating themselves.
1) How much more fun is it in the press room given the winning 2of2 for the staff, the medicine having been taken (where we aren’t waiting for the show to drop on firings), having a coach who is more direct on rosters, injuries and specifics on what we work on and why?
KQ- I mean it is easier because Key is straightforward, if I really need to find something out aside from Mike Daniels' situation where I'm not going to press on him, I can. Collins liked everything to go through specific people and you'd get vague answers, I can just ask Key whatever I'm wondering on the record or pull him aside if need be. So that is nice. It is nice not being on DEFCON 8 anymore either with the AD.
2) How’s the attitude of the men’s hoops team given the super low projections they’re getting (last or 2nd to last behind Pitt - who has won 6 conference games in the last 3 seasons)?
KQ- They think they are going to be good and surprise people. The schedule is very favorable for them as well.
3) What is your favorite game related moment on GT’s Campus and your favorite Non-game related moment on campus?
KQ- At GT, probably the 2015 FSU game, I'll likely never see anything again like that in my life. Non-game is interesting, that goes all the way back to my first time on campus back in 2001. I was covering the game and I was with a friend who was working for the UGA campus TV station and we were filming tailgating scenes over in the Varsity and AMC lots and we started at 8am for 7:45pm kick. I was given many, many, many beers to the point where I was blitzed even through the first half of the game in the press box at the time. Luckily I was working radio at the time so I just had to record the post-game from a mult box. That was a wild environment that night as well for the game. I was like 2-3 weeks from turning 21 as well. lol
