General News about Key and his Staff

[4shotB]

Catch 22. Having UGA win a National Championship and Tech have 3 straight 3 win seasons has gotten some of the higher ups (President Cabrera) and money people off the schneid. CPJ was a victim of the fact he showed he could be 'good enough' with less money. If what needed to happen to motivate this had happened under him, he'd have been canned though.

I am overly optimistic in general about things. My perspective is that if Geoff had won 5 games last year and 7 this year, things would have been status quo in our AA. Things got so historically bad that for the first time in a lifetime, it looks like people at the top sat up and took notice. I am hopeful that now that the CEO has his hand in the cookie jar ( as opposed to turning a blind eye to the whole thing), we can climb out of the ennui that has settled over our major programs in the last 10-20 years. I know that people will scoff at this idea but I did preface my comment with the fact that I generally err on the side of optimism

 

[57jacket]

I am overly optimistic in general about things. My perspective is that if Geoff had won 5 games last year and 7 this year, things would have been status quo in our AA. Things got so historically bad that for the first time in a lifetime, it looks like people at the top sat up and took notice. I am hopeful that now that the CEO has his hand in the cookie jar ( as opposed to turning a blind eye to the whole thing), we can climb out of the ennui that has settled over our major programs in the last 10-20 years. I know that people will scoff at this idea but I did preface my comment with the fact that I generally err on the side of optimism

Totally agree. My exact sentiments.

 

[Techster]

That extra money for staff Key got? Looks like he's starting to put it to use. From what I've heard, the off the field hires are not over with...more hires to help out Key and the staff are coming.

Looks good on paper, but with all things, it's the results on the field that matters. I really like the way Key has been methodical, and strategic about the hires. These are all hires that will have a return on the field. Not saying hires like social media guru and marketing isn't important...in this day and age of social media it definitely is for recruiting purposes, but I think Key understands if he doesn't win, none of that matters.

As I said previously, I'm really excited to see what Key can do with a full offseason under his management.

 

[inGTwetrust]

I also like how a lot of the hires have ties to the state of Georgia and the high schools here in particular. Those relationships should pay off down the road when it comes to recruiting. Lots to be encouraged about.

 

[Techwood Relict]

Now we have a leadership team that all seems to be rowing in the same direction

I used to tell my squad all the time, "it's ok if you b!+@#, so long as you row on count". I had guys that didn't like the conflicts personality-wise, but it was always better to put the issues on the table and deal with it directly.

I'm excited to see how the new leadership team is doing now and for the future.

 

[billga99]

If CPJ had this level of top-down support and financial commitment, GT would have competed for a national title. (and I say this knowing full well that he didn't always ingratiate himself to the top... even if it wouldn't have mattered, b/c I don't believe they were as capable as these top guys)

There is no way to prove this one way or the other. But I am more than happy that we are giving more attention to football. My suspicion is if Key can get this back on track, the next target will be Men's Basketball. Maybe improving staff to help with recruiting will help multiple sports.

 

[kg01]

That extra money for staff Key got? Looks like he's starting to put it to use. From what I've heard, the off the field hires are not over with...more hires to help out Key and the staff are coming.....

So you uh .. hear anything about on-field sideline management positions? Who me? No I'm not nervous ...

On a serious note, totally agree with your sentiment here. We lamented not being in the staff 'arms race'. Now it seems like we're atleast trying, which is miles beyond where we were. Now we just need results.

 

[tomknight]

If CPJ had this level of top-down support and financial commitment, GT would have competed for a national title. (and I say this knowing full well that he didn't always ingratiate himself to the top... even if it wouldn't have mattered, b/c I don't believe they were as capable as these top guys)

How is that relevant to.our current staff

 

[bobongo]

So you uh .. hear anything about on-field sideline management positions? Who me? No I'm not nervous ...

The lasso. Try the lasso. Horse and cowboy hat will add gravitas, let them know you're a serious candidate.

 

[SidewalkJacket]

How is that relevant to.our current staff

Its message board discussion. That's what happens here.

 

[Mattmc10]

I felt it was a really bad sign he and Choice both made lateral moves away from their Alma mater. That told me that they felt things were very bad with no signs of getting better.

Now, I think it’s equally a good sign that he was willing to come right back so quickly with Key in charge. I see this as a sign that he sees the main problem has been solved if the quick 4-4 turnaround wasn’t enough of a sign. The main problem is g(eoff)one.

Choice more than doubled his salary moving away from Tech. He put himself in a top 5 RB coach position in the nation. That’s not moving laterally.
Coleman added another 100K. That could be argued as lateral for a guy who spent 13 years in the NFL.
Agreed on it being a good sign Coleman is coming back. Choice is gone from Tech unless we offer him OC or HC. We cant afford 722k for a running back coach.

 

[gville_jacket]

Choice more than doubled his salary moving away from Tech. He put himself in a top 5 RB coach position in the nation. That’s not moving laterally.
Coleman added another 100K. That could be argued as lateral for a guy who spent 13 years in the NFL.
Agreed on it being a good sign Coleman is coming back. Choice is gone from Tech unless we offer him OC or HC. We cant afford 722k for a running back coach.

I mean with the increase in assistant pool money we have, we could afford it but we’d have to sacrifice off field support. In todays world, those off field positions can be just as critical so not smart to cut those.

 

[Oldgoldandwhite]

I am overly optimistic in general about things. My perspective is that if Geoff had won 5 games last year and 7 this year, things would have been status quo in our AA. Things got so historically bad that for the first time in a lifetime, it looks like people at the top sat up and took notice. I am hopeful that now that the CEO has his hand in the cookie jar ( as opposed to turning a blind eye to the whole thing), we can climb out of the ennui that has settled over our major programs in the last 10-20 years. I know that people will scoff at this idea but I did preface my comment with the fact that I generally err on the side of optimism

Probably the best turn of events since Homer Rice was hired. But I’ve been wrong before.

 

[Randy Carson]

Just listening to a post by Wreck Talk who counted up six National Championship rings on our new staff.

Not sure how many we had under the previous administration, but when guys have coached (or played) and won national titles, that suggests to me the possibility that they may be able to find their way back to the mountain-top as a result of having travelled that path before.

 

[roadkill]

I am overly optimistic in general about things. My perspective is that if Geoff had won 5 games last year and 7 this year, things would have been status quo in our AA. Things got so historically bad that for the first time in a lifetime, it looks like people at the top sat up and took notice. I am hopeful that now that the CEO has his hand in the cookie jar ( as opposed to turning a blind eye to the whole thing), we can climb out of the ennui that has settled over our major programs in the last 10-20 years. I know that people will scoff at this idea but I did preface my comment with the fact that I generally err on the side of optimism

Sometimes failure is the best teacher. Perhaps historic failure will result in historic improvement.

 

[augustabuzz]

That extra money for staff Key got? Looks like he's starting to put it to use. From what I've heard, the off the field hires are not over with...more hires to help out Key and the staff are coming.

Looks good on paper, but with all things, it's the results on the field that matters. I really like the way Key has been methodical, and strategic about the hires. These are all hires that will have a return on the field. Not saying hires like social media guru and marketing isn't important...in this day and age of social media it definitely is for recruiting purposes, but I think Key understands if he doesn't win, none of that matters.

As I said previously, I'm really excited to see what Key can do with a full offseason under his management.

I think Duke's performance this year got a lot of attention. We've met the ante and raised.

 

[leatherneckjacket]

With regards to the coaching changes on defense. If you look at the PFF grades from the various position groups, only the DBs were graded well above average. For the DL, Keion White was very good, as was Douse, but most of the other DL scored below average in the PFF grades. As for the LBs, even with Eley and CTIII racking up tackles, their PFF grades were only average compared to other LBs.

The scores below reflect only those who reached minimum number of snaps.

Player	Position	PFF Grade
D'Quan Douse	DT	75.2
Akelo Stone	DT	56.5
Makius Scott	DT	55.0
Zeek Biggers	DT	54.3
Keion White	Edge	72.5
Sylvain Yondjouen	Edge	67.0
Kyle Kennard	Edge	50.2
Charlie Thomas	LB	65.2
Ayinde Eley	LB	63.3
LaMiles Brooks	Safety	81.5
Clayton Powell-Lee	Safety	71.2
Jaylon King	Safety	58.5
Zamari Walton	CB	74.5
Miles Sims	CB	68.9
K.J. Wallace	CB	51.1

 

[stinger 1957]

Key impresses me with how he goes about doing what needs to be done, We need players? Hire coaches that have track record of being really good recruiters. Hire a great HS coach liaison. He goes and gets what he needs to get the job done, seems to keep personal feelings out of it. That is really good IMO, hard for many to do. Want to recruit your home state and a few of surrounding states, hire good recruiters for those states.
It really helps when he has a school Pres, AD, supporters working as a team to give him as best they can what he needs. Everyday gives me more and more confidence that we're headed in the right direction after what seems a long, long time.
The man had given this some thought before he ever was offered the job, has a plan and seems to be executing.

 

[orientalnc]

Sometimes failure is the best teacher. Perhaps historic failure will result in historic improvement.

Back in my software days I told my employees that during development a failed test is the most instructive test.

 

[g0lftime]

I think Duke's performance this year got a lot of attention. We've met the ante and raised.

I attended two Duke games this year. The big improvement I saw was a very good quarterback that stayed healthy. The other observation was interviews with the players who were inspired with desire to be good and confidence instilled by Elko. I think we are on the same sort of trajectory but I think we have a higher ceiling than Duke. I really like the staff that Key is building.