The Frank Beamer is done/Coaching Update thread

Hokie200proof said:

Why are folks high on Chad Morris? Am I reading his HC record correctly? 1-8?

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To be fair, it is SMU, which a mess. Their offense, which is his specialty, has improved a good amount from last year with pretty much the same pieces. So its little more forgiving to look that record and realize what he's working with. People also love his work as Clemson's OC.

But I don't get all the love either. I think he could be a good candidate, but not a great one. I think the love just stems from the fact that people are just imagining the best case scenario of his offense and the fact that he stated VT would be a dream job for him a year or so ago. It's a rose colored glasses kind of thing. Realistically, he's the biggest question mark of any candidate due to his lack of collegiate coaching experience, a fact that many keep glossing over.

And I think some of the love is Bud supporters who realize he's not getting job so are throwing support for the candidate that will most likely retain Bud.

Hokie200proof said:

Why are folks high on Chad Morris? Am I reading his HC record correctly? 1-8?

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The offensive improvement across the board has been drastic at Houston, with a team that was absolutely trash last year. Stats have been posted in tons of threads when people bring up the 1-8 thing. Gotta stop reading TKP and looking only at record. Also, if you check out their schedule, VT may be 3-5 against it.

He showed drastic improvement immediately at Tulsa, Clemson, and now SMU. Clearly his ability to recruit speaks for itself too.

Morris or Richt would make me very happy. Looking at the recent quotes by Bud, you can tell he wants to coach. I still think VT needs new blood as HC, but a rejuvenated Bud with either of the aforementioned guys would be a big win in my book.

ckhokie said:

The offensive improvement across the board has been drastic at Houston, with a team that was absolutely trash last year. Stats have been posted in tons of threads when people bring up the 1-8 thing. Gotta stop reading TKP and looking only at record. Also, if you check out their schedule, VT may be 3-5 against it.

He showed drastic improvement immediately at Tulsa, Clemson, and now SMU. Clearly his ability to recruit speaks for itself too.

Morris or Richt would make me very happy. Looking at the recent quotes by Bud, you can tell he wants to coach. I still think VT needs new blood as HC, but a rejuvenated Bud with either of the aforementioned guys would be a big win in my book.

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I know that SMU has been in a slump and was pretty much a dumpster fire for Morris to walk into, but I keep hearing people talk of the offensive stats being better than a year ago only. I don't think others (like on TKP) should be judging his body of work just from an offensive side - what about defensive stats, special teams and recruiting? Are they fairing any better? If so, I will feel a bit better if we do go for Morris. He is kind of the unknown in this whole situation. I would much prefer a 'Richt keeping Bud type of hire' (if that is in the cards with WB).

amszete said:

I know that SMU has been in a slump and was pretty much a dumpster fire for Morris to walk into, but I keep hearing people talk of the offensive stats being better than a year ago only. I don't think others (like on TKP) should be judging his body of work just from an offensive side - what about defensive stats, special teams and recruiting? Are they fairing any better? If so, I will feel a bit better if we do go for Morris. He is kind of the unknown in this whole situation. I would much prefer a 'Richt keeping Bud type of hire' (if that is in the cards with WB).

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Morris is an offensive minded coach. He and Bud together could be amazing.

Defensively, they're pretty much exactly where they were last year, with the same players.

Morris is the best recruiter of any of the coaches who've been mentioned thus far.


FWIW, the guys on TKP have some weird obsession with 'offensive' coaches like Steve Addazio, who has the 123rd (out of 128) best offense in the country right now.
I find there (editorial) stuff and their comments almost unreadable.

Leading candidates at Virginia Tech

According to JC's sources, Fuente is in the lead.

ckhokie said:

Morris is an offensive minded coach. He and Bud together could be amazing.

Defensively, they're pretty much exactly where they were last year, with the same players.

Morris is the best recruiter of any of the coaches who've been mentioned thus far.


FWIW, the guys on TKP have some weird obsession with 'offensive' coaches like Steve Addazio, who has the 123rd (out of 128) best offense in the country right now.
I find there (editorial) stuff and their comments almost unreadable.

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Is he though? How much of his recruiting at Clemson was all him and how much was having Dabo, a charismatic recruiter, there to seal the deal? Has SMU's recruiting ranks dramatically rose over years past? Hard to judge that right now, I know. But my point is I don't think you can say Morris is the best recruiter. He's likely a good recruiter, but best? I'd say that's too far.

wildturkey said:

Is he though? How much of his recruiting at Clemson was all him and how much was having Dabo, a charismatic recruiter, there to seal the deal? Has SMU's recruiting ranks dramatically rose over years past? Hard to judge that right now, I know. But my point is I don't think you can say Morris is the best recruiter. He's likely a good recruiter, but best? I'd say that's too far.

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RR isn't really a recruiter, Fuente isn't known as an overly strong one, we know what we have with Bud...

Morris recruited DeAndre Hopkins, Deshaun Watson, Shaq Lawson, Chad Kelly...so he did fairly well for himself while at Clemson. SMU's current class is 57th on 247. They had the 81st rated class last year.

If we're not in it for Herman, I'd say Morris is the best recruiter of who we're (supposedly) considering

ckhokie said:

RR isn't really a recruiter, Fuente isn't known as an overly strong one, we know what we have with Bud...

Morris recruited DeAndre Hopkins, Deshaun Watson, Shaq Lawson, Chad Kelly...so he did fairly well for himself while at Clemson. SMU's current class is 57th on 247. They had the 81st rated class last year.

If we're not in it for Herman, I'd say Morris is the best recruiter of who we're (supposedly) considering

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Alright... I'm coming around on Morris now. Would like the new coach to be a + recruiter.

I think any of the candidates have a chance to be strong recruiters, regardless of their history in that area. I wonder how big of an effect Beamers age/health and eventual departure has played on us missing out on all of the big fish the last few years and being poor in that area all together? I believe that and the "staleness" of the program has led to our demise wrt the overall talent we have been able to bring in. Unfortunately that is ultimately what is going to keep Bud Foster from being next man up.

The ability to be a salesman who is trying to sell a shiny NEW car (the new VT program) will determine what direction this program will go. Sell the dream (see Mike London), get the studs in Blacksburg, coach them up and win ALOT of games, build momentum and set the program up for long term success, that's the grand plan.

I think Fuente is at the top of everyone's list, he would be a huge get and I agree, He might be the best fit of all of them. He comes from a solid coaching tree, has proven he can build a program and develop talent. Winning makes the recruiting much easier and the program a much easier sell.

I chuckle when you hear people talking about Kirby Smart being a great recruiter... Urban Meyer etc. etc. They are at Bama and tOSU for goodness sakes, who doesn't want to play there??

The outside shot at Herman and then Morris would be my 1 and 2, assuming we can retain Bud.

I don't know if Fuente has a proven track record of recruiting just yet. I wouldn't be upset if he were hired like I would be with RR, but he's a distant 3rd at this point for me.

VTSparks said:

I chuckle when you hear people talking about Kirby Smart being a great recruiter... Urban Meyer etc. etc. They are at Bama and tOSU for goodness sakes, who doesn't want to play there??

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Look at what Herman is doing at Houston. Learned from Urban, no longer has 'OSU' backing, and he's putting together damn good classes. It can certainly be done.

Smart is widely regarded as one of the best recruiters in the SEC and the nation. It's not like he's not going to retain anything when he steps out of Tuscaloosa. At worst, you're still looking at a MAJOR upgrade from the recruiting that's currently happening at VT.

ckhokie said:

Look at what Herman is doing at Houston. Learned from Urban, no longer has 'OSU' backing, and he's putting together damn good classes. It can certainly be done.

Smart is widely regarded as one of the best recruiters in the SEC and the nation. It's not like he's not going to retain anything when he steps out of Tuscaloosa. At worst, you're still looking at a MAJOR upgrade from the recruiting that's currently happening at VT.

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I don't doubt most of the coaches being considered would be upgrades wrt recruiting. Smart has learned from one of the best (Saban) as has Herman (Meyer) on what it takes to recruit and the importance of it. I don't think anyone is going to take VT to the level of being a Top 10 in recruiting immediately (or ever for that matter?). I think these are great recruiters who happen to have something to sell at their respective schools that they will never be able to sell at VT. That doesn't mean that they can't upgrade the recruiting in BBurg, I think they can and they will regardless of who is captain of the ship. Having some sort a relationship with Va schools will not hurt at all. That's why I think many are high on Morris. I think there are pros and cons to every candidate. I think Fuente could be just as good as Morris and Smart in the recruiting aspect, despite his past record in this area.

I think the best case scenario would be Morris w/the current defensive staff. Not sure how possible that is. Morris has recruited the east coast, has relationships with Virginia schools. He has a great offensive scheme to sell and frankly, he isn't going to be able to hire s defensive staff that is any better than what we have in place. Despite what a lot of other people are saying, I'm not sure how likely it is for Bud and Co. to stay on with a new HC. Wouldn't surprise me if he left and took a non P5 HC job somewhere else and brought nearly the ENTIRE staff (O and D) with him.

I'll take Herman or Fuente 1a and 1b.....with Morris 3rd...RR 4th....and Kirby Smart somewhere between RR and Mike London's shitty draws the time he had that gun pulled on him

I'm really trying to avoid this thread because I don't want to get attached to any of the rumors, but I would like to poll the group to see when we think we'll announce the new hire. We've got a pretty "meh" 2016 recruit class at the moment, so I'd hope the new guy would have a month or more before signing day to hit the trail on our behalf. Do we think that will happen?

Are there rules against approaching coaches during the season? Or when a coach can be named as the successor to Beamer? If not, when do we think we'll pull the trigger?

Hokie200proof said:

I'm really trying to avoid this thread because I don't want to get attached to any of the rumors, but I would like to poll the group to see when we think we'll announce the new hire. We've got a pretty "meh" 2016 recruit class at the moment, so I'd hope the new guy would have a month or more before signing day to hit the trail on our behalf. Do we think that will happen?

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I'd wager it's very soon after the UVA game, pre bowl season

Are there rules against approaching coaches during the season? Or when a coach can be named as the successor to Beamer? If not, when do we think we'll pull the trigger?

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It's my understanding that if you plan on talking to an existing coach at a school (during the season), you need permission before engaging with them. Agents are fair game, though.

With Missouri now entering the arms race, things are about to get interesting over the next few weeks. I imagine there will be at least 2 or 3 P5 jobs opening up by bowl season, so where does/will VT stand in the pecking order? I realize that we are one of the most attractive jobs because of recent tradition, recruiting footprint, facilities, weak division/conference, etc. But does anyone know where we stand with regards to $$$? I think ultimately that may determine if we can get our guy or not. Does anyone know what type of $$$ resources VT has to spend?? I have heard some throwing around the $3.5-4 mill type of numbers? Is that realistic? If so, I think we could get about anyone we would want.

Maybe I am wrong, but I am not writing Bud off yet to be the next man up. If so it wouldn't be a popular hire with much of the fanbase. But it seems that we could get him on board relatively cheaper than some of these other guys and have more $$$ to spend on new staff (particularly Offense) and recruiting resources? Thoughts?

You still stick by your recent percentages 46? The Morris talk has simmered down and now Fuente seems to be the big name? Give us some skinny old buddy.

VTSparks said:

With Missouri now entering the arms race, things are about to get interesting over the next few weeks. I imagine there will be at least 2 or 3 P5 jobs opening up by bowl season, so where does/will VT stand in the pecking order? I realize that we are one of the most attractive jobs because of recent tradition, recruiting footprint, facilities, weak division/conference, etc. But does anyone know where we stand with regards to $$$? I think ultimately that may determine if we can get our guy or not. Does anyone know what type of $$$ resources VT has to spend?? I have heard some throwing around the $3.5-4 mill type of numbers? Is that realistic? If so, I think we could get about anyone we would want.

Maybe I am wrong, but I am not writing Bud off yet to be the next man up. If so it wouldn't be a popular hire with much of the fanbase. But it seems that we could get him on board relatively cheaper than some of these other guys and have more $$$ to spend on new staff (particularly Offense) and recruiting resources? Thoughts?

You still stick by your recent percentages 46? The Morris talk has simmered down and now Fuente seems to be the big name? Give us some skinny old buddy.

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I think everything thus far has been speculation to fill dead time. There's really no way to know what Whit is doing, aside from him telling recruits the next coach 'will be offensive.'

To your original point, I think $3.5-4 mil is a realistic budget. With all the openings, even the 'cheap' options may pull a premium. I think on paper VT is a better job than Mizzou. Seems like with their off the field concerns, that only helps us out. I have no idea what kind of budget their working with. Pinkel made $3.1 a season.

Hopefully Hokie Club donations ramp up once the new HC is named. I have long said I will donate once Beamer has been replaced - which I will stand by. The amount will initially depend on the hire.

Hokie200proof said:

I'm really trying to avoid this thread because I don't want to get attached to any of the rumors, but I would like to poll the group to see when we think we'll announce the new hire. We've got a pretty "meh" 2016 recruit class at the moment, so I'd hope the new guy would have a month or more before signing day to hit the trail on our behalf. Do we think that will happen?

Are there rules against approaching coaches during the season? Or when a coach can be named as the successor to Beamer? If not, when do we think we'll pull the trigger?

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I'm saying by Wednesday after the UVA game. A week at the latest

It will be by Wednesday after UVA, unless the new coach is in a Chanpionship game, in which case the following Wednesday. If you hear nothing after UVA, that's a clue as to who it is.

Forty_Sixand2 said:

It will be by Wednesday after UVA, unless the new coach is in a Chanpionship game, in which case the following Wednesday. If you hear nothing after UVA, that's a clue as to who it is.

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So...its Fedora...