The Bigger Picture: Coastal Division about to ramp up

[GTJT622]

As I pointed out in a post back in June, Georgia Tech Athletics is at a major crossroads right now. And, it ain't looking any prettier.

Ga Tech better wake up: http://georgiatech.forums.rivals.com/threads/gt-athletics-needs-to-step-up-in-the-new-acc.2301/

Tech with a historically bad finish in the Sears AD Cup last year: http://georgiatech.forums.rivals.com/threads/learfield-athletic-directors-cup.2700/

The additions of Notre Dame and Louisville, in particular, who each have strong athletic programs almost completely across the board with a few exceptions, are making things much more difficult for the Coach MaChelle Joseph's, Brian Gregory's, et al, not just at Tech but throughout the ACC. That's a good thing for the conference. Ga Tech had better step up.

Now, as I also pointed out in a different thread. I am fully aware you can break most Tech Athletics fans into one of three subgroups: 1) football fan only; 2) football and men's hoops only; 3) love them all. My guess all along has been (1) is about 30% of our fanbase, (2) is about 50% of our fanbase and (3) is about 20% of our fanbase (and to which I belong, FWIW).

For the needle to move at Tech (read: get the attention of an athletic director who is unimpressive and stands there while the overall athletic department at this crossroads is looking far more like Wake Forest than anybody else in the ACC nowadays), I think you must talk football. It encompasses all three groups above of course, but especially group (1).

Well, get ready for things to ramp up, my football-loving Tech fan friends. Let's take inventory...

1. Duke - they are in as good of shape as they've been in probably 50 years. Even better than when Visor Boy was there because everybody knew it was a matter of time before he headed on to bigger things. Cutcliffe is there to stay and they'll continue to be a thorn in everybody's side moving forward. Their recruiting has been getting better as well.

2. UNC - nothing needs to be said really. Currently 10-1, Coastal Champs, etc. Doesn't look like NCAA investigations are going to do anything to this program.

3. Pitt - Narduzzi is a significant upgrade over their previous HC (Chryst) and with their infrastructure, hotbed of HS FB in their own backyard to recruit from, etc., they are primed to shake the echos of days gone by when many of us remember Pitt being a national powerhouse.

and now where things are getting ready to get very interesting...

4. Va Tech - goodbye Beamer Ball and hello Rich Rod? The Hokies have the infrastructure, fan interest, facilities, etc., to hire a knockout candidate here and they will. The Hokies are a FB-first athletic program, perhaps more than any other in the ACC. Yes, even Clemson, FSU, and the like. Their group (1) above is probably 70+%. They have a relatively new AD and he'll go get a good one. That program has been sleeping the last 3-4 years. They could get scary good quickly if they can start dominating recruiting in Virginia's fertile Tidewater area like they once did (and Mike London likely leaving UVA should help that as he's good in that area) along with some new ideas, etc. Beamer's biggest flaw over his last few years was being extremely loyal to some guys who had been with him for years and not willing to can them - or perhaps, waiting too long.

5. Miami - this is the biggest sleeping dog there ever was. Yes, they've never proven they can win big without cheating. But, it is still an attractive spot to hire a big time HC. All you have to do is sign 20-25 4-5 star guys within a 100 mile radius of the school every year and you know you have the talent to be very good.

6. Virginia - they have the resources, the facilities, the money. As mentioned above, they have fertile recruiting areas to tap into. UVA is right there in the top 3 in best athletic programs across the board which makes the group (3) folks happy as they are really good in just about everything - less football. Their fanbase is sick of losing in FB. I think London is canned after their finale this week - win or lose versus the Hokies - and they are provided yet another opportunity in the Coastal to upgrade and I think they will.

Strap it on, Mike Bobinski. Same to you, Paul Johnson. It isn't getting any easier moving forward. In fact, Tech at a crossroads could be finding ourselves looking up at the rest. Losing 2 straight years to Duke and UNC is a sign. A bad sign.

 

[Texwood]

If we can finish the 2016 recruiting class strongly, I think things are looking good for football. The 2012 & 2013 classes were small to begin with and both suffered crazy amounts of attrition. I think this has a lot to do with what we are seeing right now. We are now looking at signing back-to-back large classes (large for GT anyway) and the 2015 class is even better than their hype coming in. If the staff can close strongly on 2016, things should get a lot better.

Basketball is in a holding pattern around Mount Hewitt, unfortunately. Hard to see much in the way of real upside until that steaming pile of obligation subsides.

 

[stech81]

As I pointed out in a post back in June, Georgia Tech Athletics is at a major crossroads right now. And, it ain't looking any prettier.

Ga Tech better wake up: http://georgiatech.forums.rivals.com/threads/gt-athletics-needs-to-step-up-in-the-new-acc.2301/

Tech with a historically bad finish in the Sears AD Cup last year: http://georgiatech.forums.rivals.com/threads/learfield-athletic-directors-cup.2700/

The additions of Notre Dame and Louisville, in particular, who each have strong athletic programs almost completely across the board with a few exceptions, are making things much more difficult for the Coach MaChelle Joseph's, Brian Gregory's, et al, not just at Tech but throughout the ACC. That's a good thing for the conference. Ga Tech had better step up.

Now, as I also pointed out in a different thread. I am fully aware you can break most Tech Athletics fans into one of three subgroups: 1) football fan only; 2) football and men's hoops only; 3) love them all. My guess all along has been (1) is about 30% of our fanbase, (2) is about 50% of our fanbase and (3) is about 20% of our fanbase (and to which I belong, FWIW).

For the needle to move at Tech (read: get the attention of an athletic director who is unimpressive and stands there while the overall athletic department at this crossroads is looking far more like Wake Forest than anybody else in the ACC nowadays), I think you must talk football. It encompasses all three groups above of course, but especially group (1).

Well, get ready for things to ramp up, my football-loving Tech fan friends. Let's take inventory...

1. Duke - they are in as good of shape as they've been in probably 50 years. Even better than when Visor Boy was there because everybody knew it was a matter of time before he headed on to bigger things. Cutcliffe is there to stay and they'll continue to be a thorn in everybody's side moving forward. Their recruiting has been getting better as well.

2. UNC - nothing needs to be said really. Currently 10-1, Coastal Champs, etc. Doesn't look like NCAA investigations are going to do anything to this program.

3. Pitt - Narduzzi is a significant upgrade over their previous HC (Chryst) and with their infrastructure, hotbed of HS FB in their own backyard to recruit from, etc., they are primed to shake the echos of days gone by when many of us remember Pitt being a national powerhouse.

and now where things are getting ready to get very interesting...

4. Va Tech - goodbye Beamer Ball and hello Rich Rod? The Hokies have the infrastructure, fan interest, facilities, etc., to hire a knockout candidate here and they will. The Hokies are a FB-first athletic program, perhaps more than any other in the ACC. Yes, even Clemson, FSU, and the like. Their group (1) above is probably 70+%. They have a relatively new AD and he'll go get a good one. That program has been sleeping the last 3-4 years. They could get scary good quickly if they can start dominating recruiting in Virginia's fertile Tidewater area like they once did (and Mike London likely leaving UVA should help that as he's good in that area) along with some new ideas, etc. Beamer's biggest flaw over his last few years was being extremely loyal to some guys who had been with him for years and not willing to can them - or perhaps, waiting too long.

5. Miami - this is the biggest sleeping dog there ever was. Yes, they've never proven they can win big without cheating. But, it is still an attractive spot to hire a big time HC. All you have to do is sign 20-25 4-5 star guys within a 100 mile radius of the school every year and you know you have the talent to be very good.

6. Virginia - they have the resources, the facilities, the money. As mentioned above, they have fertile recruiting areas to tap into. UVA is right there in the top 3 in best athletic programs across the board which makes the group (3) folks happy as they are really good in just about everything - less football. Their fanbase is sick of losing in FB. I think London is canned after their finale this week - win or lose versus the Hokies - and they are provided yet another opportunity in the Coastal to upgrade and I think they will.

Strap it on, Mike Bobinski. Same to you, Paul Johnson. It isn't getting any easier moving forward. In fact, Tech at a crossroads could be finding ourselves looking up at the rest. Losing 2 straight years to Duke and UNC is a sign. A bad sign.

As you know I fall in the number 1.

Duke next year will only be avg ( question is will avg be duke avg or football avg )

UNC will go back next year to playing like unc they loss to many players this year.

Pitt will be better , I have no reason to think this but they are improving this year.

VPI is a wild card who will be their new coach ? Will Bud Foster stay if he is not the Head Coach ? ( I hope not )

Miami you are right lots of talent if they find the right coach.

UVa I know you know more than I do about them with the right coach maybe 2 or 3 years out.

And "Georgia Tech" Ok I know some are saying all these freshman playing will help us next year. ( Not so fast ) The 2 offensive line will and the freshman on defense will help. But all the a-backs and B-backs will not be they ones you will see next year starting.
Ok who will we see next year. As CPJ said early before the season started Nathan Cottrill was the best A-back at practice before he got hurt. Could be faster them JT and if CPJ likes him I would say he can block. The other A-back could be JJ Green ( remember him) .Qua Searcy could be in the mix to see good playing time.

At B-back could start with MM but look for him to start practicing at A-back also. Also look for Weimerskirch to see playing time , and don't forget CJ Leggett at B-back.

So what does all this mean. Think back to past teams, 4 or 5 games to get all the backs and QB on the same page then look out. We will need defense to help us will till the offense gets going ( hope this is not a problem but is history is right that may not happen) . ( look for a 6 or 7 wins next year) not good but better then this year. Then in 2017 the big question will be who will be the QB, Christain Campbell ? And how much playing time will he get in 2016 JT's last year. So maybe 7 or 8 wins because all the A-backs and B-backs can help a young QB. Most Tech fans will be Ok with 8 wins.

But our year will be 2018 all our backs will be seniors with lots a playing time much like last year.

So the question is how do we get out of this rut that we have only 1 very good year every 4 years. Don't know how to do it but we may see it work itself out by a few players moving on after this season. ( Ones who see they may not get much playing time next year) Why is this important, because we have an unbalanced number of scholarships each year ( 28 last year 14 in 2013 and 17 in 2012) We have to get where we sign 25 each year, yes I know that adds up to over 85 , but because of injuries and other things that cause a player to move on it keeps your roster well balanced with freshman,sophomores , juniors, and seniors were a player were each year you have players with experience and not needed to start 10 freshman at once.

( just my thought and it may not be a good one but all I have )

 

[GTJT622]

Agree as usual, Texwood. The question moving forward is will our recruiting (along with many other factors) raise the bar to higher standards outside our own?

IOW, it is nice to have better recruiting classes to Tech's standards. Don't get me wrong on that. It is good. But, will our own standard be nearly good enough versus the standards that may be raised throughout the Coastal moving forward? We'll see. I hope so.

Being a group 3'r like many of you, it's a really concerning time for Tech Athletics as a whole right now. Other than golf, maybe women's tennis and beesball, there isn't much to look at from a W's and L's perspective across GT Athletics as a whole and smile about with a lot of brimming confidence. I think the Volleybees have made some strides this fall and though the last 2 weeks have been very disappointing, they are young and on the cusp of 2016 being a breakthrough season where they contend in the ACC and to get back to the NCAAT.

 

[Holly Springs Dawg 3]

As I pointed out in a post back in June, Georgia Tech Athletics is at a major crossroads right now. And, it ain't looking any prettier.

Ga Tech better wake up: http://georgiatech.forums.rivals.com/threads/gt-athletics-needs-to-step-up-in-the-new-acc.2301/

Tech with a historically bad finish in the Sears AD Cup last year: http://georgiatech.forums.rivals.com/threads/learfield-athletic-directors-cup.2700/

The additions of Notre Dame and Louisville, in particular, who each have strong athletic programs almost completely across the board with a few exceptions, are making things much more difficult for the Coach MaChelle Joseph's, Brian Gregory's, et al, not just at Tech but throughout the ACC. That's a good thing for the conference. Ga Tech had better step up.

Now, as I also pointed out in a different thread. I am fully aware you can break most Tech Athletics fans into one of three subgroups: 1) football fan only; 2) football and men's hoops only; 3) love them all. My guess all along has been (1) is about 30% of our fanbase, (2) is about 50% of our fanbase and (3) is about 20% of our fanbase (and to which I belong, FWIW).

For the needle to move at Tech (read: get the attention of an athletic director who is unimpressive and stands there while the overall athletic department at this crossroads is looking far more like Wake Forest than anybody else in the ACC nowadays), I think you must talk football. It encompasses all three groups above of course, but especially group (1).

Well, get ready for things to ramp up, my football-loving Tech fan friends. Let's take inventory...

1. Duke - they are in as good of shape as they've been in probably 50 years. Even better than when Visor Boy was there because everybody knew it was a matter of time before he headed on to bigger things. Cutcliffe is there to stay and they'll continue to be a thorn in everybody's side moving forward. Their recruiting has been getting better as well.

2. UNC - nothing needs to be said really. Currently 10-1, Coastal Champs, etc. Doesn't look like NCAA investigations are going to do anything to this program.

3. Pitt - Narduzzi is a significant upgrade over their previous HC (Chryst) and with their infrastructure, hotbed of HS FB in their own backyard to recruit from, etc., they are primed to shake the echos of days gone by when many of us remember Pitt being a national powerhouse.

and now where things are getting ready to get very interesting...

4. Va Tech - goodbye Beamer Ball and hello Rich Rod? The Hokies have the infrastructure, fan interest, facilities, etc., to hire a knockout candidate here and they will. The Hokies are a FB-first athletic program, perhaps more than any other in the ACC. Yes, even Clemson, FSU, and the like. Their group (1) above is probably 70+%. They have a relatively new AD and he'll go get a good one. That program has been sleeping the last 3-4 years. They could get scary good quickly if they can start dominating recruiting in Virginia's fertile Tidewater area like they once did (and Mike London likely leaving UVA should help that as he's good in that area) along with some new ideas, etc. Beamer's biggest flaw over his last few years was being extremely loyal to some guys who had been with him for years and not willing to can them - or perhaps, waiting too long.

5. Miami - this is the biggest sleeping dog there ever was. Yes, they've never proven they can win big without cheating. But, it is still an attractive spot to hire a big time HC. All you have to do is sign 20-25 4-5 star guys within a 100 mile radius of the school every year and you know you have the talent to be very good.

6. Virginia - they have the resources, the facilities, the money. As mentioned above, they have fertile recruiting areas to tap into. UVA is right there in the top 3 in best athletic programs across the board which makes the group (3) folks happy as they are really good in just about everything - less football. Their fanbase is sick of losing in FB. I think London is canned after their finale this week - win or lose versus the Hokies - and they are provided yet another opportunity in the Coastal to upgrade and I think they will.

Strap it on, Mike Bobinski. Same to you, Paul Johnson. It isn't getting any easier moving forward. In fact, Tech at a crossroads could be finding ourselves looking up at the rest. Losing 2 straight years to Duke and UNC is a sign. A bad sign.

Could not agree more (for once)