From a student’s perspective

RonJohn

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Yes, and Paul outdid Gailey as well. We can do pretty well every now and then when the athletes fit and can master the Xs and Os. Dodd showed that, as did Ross, O'Leary, Paul, and, less often, Gailey.

But … I don't think staying in the ACC is written in stone. If everybody keeps being upset at "mediocre" results (i.e. winning seasons where we don't win 8 - 11 games), then I wouldn't be surprised to see a switch.

GT can't afford the buyout to leave the ACC. Especially can't afford the buyout if the result is moving to a conference with a smaller media payout.
 

Vespidae

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Auburn, AL
A switch like one to the AAC would pretty much guarantee an empty stadium.

Two points:

  1. If we were to switch, switch to the SEC. It would do more to improve our programs all around than anything else we could do. Likelihood of happening: zero.
  2. Basketball. We are in the largest media market of the best basketball conference in the country and we stink. It costs peanuts to run a basketball program. The only word that comes to mind is incompetence,
 

takethepoints

Helluva Engineer
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6,076
A switch like one to the AAC would pretty much guarantee an empty stadium.
Well … unless we turned out to be a competitor with UCF and a regular champ or division champ. I think you are underestimating the lure of that 8 - 10 consistent win program, no matter what conference it is in.

Mind, I'm not saying that we should do this. I only used it as an illustration of what could happen. The point made above about the buyout is a major barrier to a move. Further, I want Tech to stay in the ACC and win at the level we did with Paul or better. But programs do move.
 

Vespidae

Helluva Engineer
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Auburn, AL
Well … unless we turned out to be a competitor with UCF and a regular champ or division champ. I think you are underestimating the lure of that 8 - 10 consistent win program, no matter what conference it is in.

Mind, I'm not saying that we should do this. I only used it as an illustration of what could happen. The point made above about the buyout is a major barrier to a move. Further, I want Tech to stay in the ACC and win at the level we did with Paul or better. But programs do move.

Moving would be a death blow. The college sports programs are moving to P5 and everyone else. Yes, Tech could move but ... attendance would crater. As would donors.

I would rather be 5-7 in the ACC than 8-4 in the Weedeater Conference.
 
Messages
13,443
Location
Augusta, GA
Two points:

  1. If we were to switch, switch to the SEC. It would do more to improve our programs all around than anything else we could do. Likelihood of happening: zero.
  2. Basketball. We are in the largest media market of the best basketball conference in the country and we stink. It costs peanuts to run a basketball program. The only word that comes to mind is incompetence,
We tried to get back into the SEC, but, in spite of his original support for it, Dooley dumped on us. And, yes, I would love for us to be back in the SEC again, even now.
 
Messages
13,443
Location
Augusta, GA
Two points:

  1. If we were to switch, switch to the SEC. It would do more to improve our programs all around than anything else we could do. Likelihood of happening: zero.
  2. Basketball. We are in the largest media market of the best basketball conference in the country and we stink. It costs peanuts to run a basketball program. The only word that comes to mind is incompetence,
I wouldn't say we stink in basketball, but we have seen better days for sure. I actually like CJP, and I hope, once all the BS is behind us, he can start getting some good recruits in here. For the most part IMO he does a pretty good job with the talent he has been able to get. Still a LONG way to go though.
 

Vespidae

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Auburn, AL
I wouldn't say we stink in basketball, but we have seen better days for sure. I actually like CJP, and I hope, once all the BS is behind us, he can start getting some good recruits in here. For the most part IMO he does a pretty good job with the talent he has been able to get. Still a LONG way to go though.

I think CJP is ok. But if he could get hired at AZ State, he’d be gone in a minute.

Cremins has McGuire and a NY pipeline of talent. Tech SHOULD be in the top 3 of the ACC ... so my view is we are way underperforming our potential.

No excitement. No experience. Just feels like we are drifting.

TSTan: “Josh, I like you. But if you don’t plan to win championships, I would rent, not buy.”
 
Messages
13,443
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Augusta, GA
I think CJP is ok. But if he could get hired at AZ State, he’d be gone in a minute.

Cremins has McGuire and a NY pipeline of talent. Tech SHOULD be in the top 3 of the ACC ... so my view is we are way underperforming our potential.

No excitement. No experience. Just feels like we are drifting.

TSTan: “Josh, I like you. But if you don’t plan to win championships, I would rent, not buy.”
You don't think that NC State game was exciting? I sure did, and all I could do was listen and read Swarm Chat, since I don't get the ACC Network.
 

Vespidae

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You don't think that NC State game was exciting? I sure did, and all I could do was listen and read Swarm Chat, since I don't get the ACC Network.

One bird does not make a Spring. We haven’t had an exciting brand of basketball for at least 20 years. I remember going to the Tit and watch Ralph Sampson, Jimmy Valvano, Dean Smith ... it was so exciting. I don’t see that now.

Would love too. But it’s ... ok.
 

TheSilasSonRising

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3,729
We tried to get back into the SEC, but, in spite of his original support for it, Dooley dumped on us. And, yes, I would love for us to be back in the SEC again, even now.

Dooley wasnt for that.. Bryant had shown some support before shutting up.

One reason dooley took ugag job was he knew the timjng of GT dropping out of SEC at the same time was a Godsend.
 
Messages
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One bird does not make a Spring. We haven’t had an exciting brand of basketball for at least 20 years. I remember going to the Tit and watch Ralph Sampson, Jimmy Valvano, Dean Smith ... it was so exciting. I don’t see that now.

Would love too. But it’s ... ok.
20 years??? You don't think Hewitt's first few years, culminating in the championship game in the Final Four were exciting? Granted after that year we fell apart, but those were definitely exciting years for Tech basketball.
 

4shotB

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Retired Staff
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4,853
One bird does not make a Spring. We haven’t had an exciting brand of basketball for at least 20 years. I remember going to the Tit and watch Ralph Sampson, Jimmy Valvano, Dean Smith ... it was so exciting. I don’t see that now.

Our young fans may not believe this but it was once a bucket list item of mine to see us play Duke at the McMammary Coliseum. It seemed equivalent to attending the ACC tournament, the Super Bowl or the Masters in terms of excitement and prestige. Once I could get tickets I didn't want to go....it's like the old line from Rodney Dangerfield or Groucho, I don't want to belong to any club that would accept me as a member.

I didn't get to see GT FB in the SEC but I do recall the environment on campus in the following years when UT, UF, Auburn and Georgia played us at home. I think GT is a fit in the ACC but NC or Miami or Pitt or VT just don't bring the same electricity that our more immediate neighbors do.
 

Animal02

Banned
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6,269
Location
Southeastern Michigan
Moving would be a death blow. The college sports programs are moving to P5 and everyone else. Yes, Tech could move but ... attendance would crater. As would donors.

I would rather be 5-7 in the ACC than 8-4 in the Weedeater Conference.
It will be interesting to see how the whole "paying for image / likeness" thing shakes out. My gut feeling is that there will be a movement of some to a almost semi pro and the rest will pull back from the arms race. I think there will be a shift in league affiliation at some point.
 

jacket_fan

Ramblin' Wreck
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758
Location
Milton, Georgia
Our young fans may not believe this but it was once a bucket list item of mine to see us play Duke at the McMammary Coliseum. It seemed equivalent to attending the ACC tournament, the Super Bowl or the Masters in terms of excitement and prestige. Once I could get tickets I didn't want to go....it's like the old line from Rodney Dangerfield or Groucho, I don't want to belong to any club that would accept me as a member.

I didn't get to see GT FB in the SEC but I do recall the environment on campus in the following years when UT, UF, Auburn and Georgia played us at home. I think GT is a fit in the ACC but NC or Miami or Pitt or VT just don't bring the same electricity that our more immediate neighbors do.

I recall when the south stands were the bottom of the horseshoe.

Bo Jackson ran around the right corner for a TD. The south endzone was full of Auburn fans. Bo was faster than Hershel.

I also recall going as a student to Knoxville and Tech beating a superior Tennessee team in the rain. And to Auburn and beating a ranked Auburn team.

Accordingly, I would love Tech back in the SEC, but it will never happen. Especially now with the pay to play the NCAA has instituted.
 
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