Okay, I'm in a pissy mood because my favorite team (GT) is now 4-4 because they lost to a VERY beatable team, plus my second favorite team (Falcons) is now 4-4 because they lost to a VERY beatable team. On top of this, the vile and unnameable pestilence to our Northeast is 9-0. There was a time in my life when this would have sent my world spinning, but with age comes perspective.
I have been a Georgia Tech fan since I was about 6, and although my kids might say otherwise, that was not quite in the Heisman Era (but I do remember Dodd as coach). I never attended Tech (though I take as a point of pride that they offered me a decent scholarship out of high school) because, like many of the athletes we chase after, I didn't want to be an engineer. I grew up in an extended family where I was seen as odd because I wore the colors of their rival team and I suffered greatly around many a Thanksgiving weekend. But I have never wavered in my loyalty to the team.
Prior to every season I speak and dream of undefeated dominance. At the end of all too many seasons, I lick my wounds and dream and speak of next year. But this year is still in progress, so I dream and speak of an 8-4 season that surprises everyone. Is it realistic? Probably not, but it is who I am. And I don't understand fans who seem so often to delight in defeat and dream and speak of disaster at every opportunity.
I admit I like Paul Johnson, though I'm not always sure why. I don't think he is incapable of being out-coached or that he is the only coach who could win at Tech. But I do know he has been more successful than most and he runs a program that I can take pride in following. I was excited when I recently moved back to buy season tickets to watch my team in person. The STUDENT-Athletes we watch are worthy of my support as they fight to the end and then afterwards, win or lose, represent our school with class and surprising elocution (just watch the videos of interviews).
And for those who think a coaching or scheme change will make us a perennial powerhouse, I wonder in what dream world you are living. I read so many screeds about poor recruiting that point to Gailey's perceived recruiting prowess, yet forget he couldn't do much with those recruiting classes (as we are interminably reminded it took Johnson to win with Gailey's recruits). I just wish the Chicken Little Syndrome or Bama Envy would give way once in a while to support for our team when things look their worst.
Sorry for being so wordy. Go Jackets and THWG!!