Enough!

As a long-time fan of the VT football Hokies, I have seen fortunes come and go.  The program has always been a generally decent and honorable one, and one that most Hokie football fans can be proud of (okay, maybe if we exclude the end of the Marcus Vick period and the embarrassment that he continues to bestow on our institution).  During the up years (and winning game performances), the college football pundits point to the long tenures of many of the coaches, and conclude that "stability" is the key to Virginia Tech's success. During the down years (and poor game performances), the experts--and the fans--point to the unimaginative coaching, particularly on offense, and say that contemporary football program offenses have simply passed the Hokies offensive brain trust by.  We are still trying to to run a 20th century offense in the 21st century, and it is now well outside its shelf life. Todd McShay of ESPN most-recently made this particular assertion.

Although I also value stability in an organization, it is a simple truism that if people in strategic positions are unable to adapt, then changes must be made.  And when changes are necessary, one also has to consider the question, "If I release this person, can I find someone better to replace him/her?".  It's always a little bit of a chicken-and-egg situation.  For example, VT's A.D., Jim Weaver, released VT basketball coach Seth Greenberg on somewhat of a whim--allegedly because Seth's organization did not adequately reflect the "family relationships" evident within other VT sports teams.  The fact that the Hokies were unable to make the NCAA Tournament under Seth's watch no doubt factored into the decision, along with a few other things (such as it was rumored that he had clandestinely been interviewing with other organizations for a job).  Regardless, he was fired so late in the post-season that all of the previously-available "high-caliber" potential replacement coaches had already been nailed down by other teams. The default choice became former assistant coach, James Johnson.  The early results (before ACC play) look promising; but if this move works out, it will be due purely to dumb luck (which, respectfully-speaking, appears to be the key to our A.D.'s success over the years--from our admission to the ACC as well as VT's improbable invitation last season to the BCS Sugar Bowl).  But I digress...

The Hokies are not always going to have a Michael Vick, Tyrod Taylor, Ryan Williams, or David Wilson on the team--at least not until we have more consistent team performance year-in and year-out, which leads to better recruiting.  So, during those "non-star" years, the offense still needs to produce, adjusting to the various talents of those currently on the team.  The present VT offensive coaching staff seems unable to manifest success under less-than-perfect circumstances, so the organization needs to diligently find someone with these skills and then "make room" for them in the organization. Offensive game plans, play-calling, offensive line coaching, quarterback coaching, and special teams coaching are all areas that need attention.

November 23, 2012 - Source: Geoff Burke/Getty Images North America

Specifically, the fuzzy delineation and reassignment of offensive coaching roles between Bryan Stinespring and Michael O'Cain has simply not been productive. Furthermore, under O'Cain's quarterback coaching tutelage, Logan Thomas' passing accuracy has actually regressed.  The kid is a real gamer and will do whatever it takes to win.  The coaching staff pushed him into the QB position, initially against his desire, so they owe it to him to make him successful there.  He certainly has the physical tools and mental toughness to excel in the position, both at the college and professional level.

We know that coaching changes make huge differences in team performance. Clemson had been a perennial doormat of the Hokies for some time.  Then, they hire a new coach and an innovative offensive coordinator, and in the three most-recent games with the Tigers, the Hokies have been so over-matched that they don't look like they belong on the same field with them.

I am certainly not alone in these sentiments.  In fact, I am a relatively late-comer to those calling for change.  My patience with the staff ran out after the team's season-end loss in the Sugar Bowl against Michigan.  The defense effectively shut down the Michigan offense, but the panicked offensive play-calling at critical times during the game sabotaged Bud Foster & Company's masterful defensive effort.  

Regarding other specific changes, I think that I generally agree with the proposals reflected in a recent blog post from GobblerCountry, which I encourage you to read. 

Will any coaching changes actually occur during the coming off-season?  Frank Beamer's unyielding sacrifice to the god of loyalty would appear to make this unlikely.  It will take extraordinary pressure from big-dollar donors and athletic sponsors for this to have any chance of happening.  We'll have to wait (and pray) and see.  Until then, I hope for a successful performance in our upcoming bowl game.

Go Hokies!!