HC Candidate/Rumors/Info Thread

[takethepoints]

With regard to recruiting and your comments with another poster on the OL, I read somewhere (not sure if it was here or somewhere else), that Collins was recruiting OLs based on measurables, but not on talent. Someone mentioned a kid getting offered and committing from South Georgia maybe (?) who had the size, but who everyone who say him play every week knew wasn't a high DI prospect. Reportedly, Collins wanted him because he was a 6'4", 300 lb guy, but with no talent. I think that is what the other poster was getting at with regard to recruiting OLs and how Collins had his thumb on the scale as compared to who Key wanted to recruit. Collins' tenure could not have been more of a mess and after the last 8 weeks, I'm willing to give most of the staff a pass on their time when Collins was the coach. Just look at the D and what Thacker has done since Collins left. The D is actually generally playing really well.

Yes. I think TFG didn't have a sound idea of what he wanted to do with players. But it isn't all on him. The big fan beef with Paul was, "He doesn't recruit! Just look at our rankings! We can do better than that! Why are we recruiting players who other P5 schools have ignored?" (Why this went on while we were, you know, winning and where it was obvious that Paul had a different way of evaluating O players has always puzzled me.) TFG paid attention to that. He wanted his recruiting classes to be as highly ranked as possible and he wanted players who would, at least, look like P5 players physically. I.e. he wanted to please the fanbase. And, for a year or so, he did. His first class was a good one, in terms of rankings, and he brought in talented players _ Gibbs - later as well. I think he believed that an accumulation of talent would translate into wins with a minimal effort by the coaches to get them ready. He was also, I think, a micromanager, just about the worst thing that can happen to a football team. Hope our next coach a) knows what he wants to do and b) recruits players that will help him do it. And, of course, ignores the fans and wins. Tall order, but possible.

 

[WreckinGT]

This year, yes. But I think you have to admit that they have been playing at a much higher level since he left. We've really been getting pressure on quarterbacks and not really giving up too many big plays (granted, two in the NC game and one of those was called back).

I think they have been better, much better might be a stretch. FSU just completely obliterated us. It was by far their best offensive game of the season. Miami put up more points against us than their last three non GT games combined. On the flip side they were really good against Duke and UNC. The rest of the games have been relatively average when looking at what the teams normally do. The UNC game was the best defensive outing of the season. The UCF game was a pretty clear second. I just don't know that the defense made some incredible transformation after UCF game which was already a really good performance.

 

[JacketOff]

now now....

Don't you think you should ask him first?

No

 

[thecrowdedbooth]

No

so you just make general assumptions about folks?

 

[Northeast Stinger]

OK, I admit it. I don’t have the passion for promoting one HC candidate over another. I even find it a little tedious when some go all in on one candidate or another or, conversely, argue vociferously about why a certain candidate would be a major mistake.

Of course, I also recognize that this is a Tech board, which means that people may not be arguing so much about a particular HC candidate as they are about what they see as faulty reasoning. It’s a little like someone choosing the wrong mathematical formula to solve a problem. You’re allowed to choose the wrong formula but you better show your work and get the decimals in the right place.

Does anyone have any information about who the actual front runner for this job is?

 

[MonroeJacket]

Here’s what needs to happen…

We hire Chadwell. UAB hires Key.

Chadwell comes here, knocks it outta the park. We win 18+ games over the next two years. Key does the same at UAB. Some factory inevitably poaches Chadwell. We hire Key, he kills it over the next two decades and retires a Yellow Jacket. Boom!

 

[Jim Prather]

New AJC Article (Paywall)

Does anyone else think that Ken Sugiura cruises these boards to get his ideas? Basically everything he said is something which has been discussed here ad nauseum.

 

[lv20gt]

or perhaps you just haven’t made compelling arguments.

Hard to have compelling arguments to people willing to either make crap up or believe anything they read on the internet that supports what they want to be true.

At the end of last year, Thacker was incompetent and people were screaming for Collins to take more of a direct control. Here is what Thacker himself said last march and a bonus quote from a player.

"As defensive coordinator Andrew Thacker described the arrangement Tuesday, Collins has made “a concerted effort to make sure that he is available more than he’s ever been for the defensive (meeting) room.”

"“We’re actually starting to see the defensive mind of coach Collins,” Chimedza said. “Because we’ve all known that he’s a defensive coach. He’s (previously) been more with the offensive side of the ball. Now this year, he’s basically hands on with defense."

But now we're led to believe that Thacker was a genius held back because Collins was too hands on with the defense in prior years, and that the improvement this year is because Collins is no longer here. Why do people believe that? Because some random internet poster says it's true. Also, interesting that Collins is more hands off with the offense and we're somehow worse than we were in the past. Maybe there is a different common factor that was the actual issue there...

Apparently Collins loaded up on transfer OLmen instead of getting Key recruits to work with. Oh the numbers don't actually support that theory. Change course. Collins only recruited based on measurables instead.

I'm surprised we haven't heard about some 5* monster DT that wanted to come here but Collins turned away for *insert made up stupid reason*.

Also the contention that that doesn’t happen in business is ludicrous beyond belief.

I've never said a word about what happens in business mostly because I think that trend of bringing up personal experience from working in the business sector is laughable and not worth my time to even consider, which is saying something considering the trash I do respond to. If I wanted to go that line I'd talk about how what also happens in the business world is employees who think they know better undercut their boss to try and make them look bad believing if the boss is fired it will benefit them in he long run. Might explain why our highly thought of OL coach was so terrible developing the ol.... Or I realize that comparison is dumb as hell and makes no sense because of the differences between the corporate world and coaching.

 

[ibeattetris]

New AJC Article (Paywall)

Does anyone else think that Ken Sugiura cruises these boards to get his ideas? Basically everything he said is something which has been discussed here ad nauseum.

Without a shadow of a doubt.

 

[Techster]

It was a joke. Georgia southern tried it before they hired helton and that was one of the only places he'd go back to (navy beign the other)

I know...I was trying to be punny...and failed

 

[D-man44]

Oohhh. Better yet, let's partner with a network and make it a reality show. Use the proceeds to fill our GTAA coffers.

Hard knocks college football!

 

[Gt2019]

A 247 sports writer for Georgia state is trying to say Chadwell will be the next Georgia Tech coach and Brent Key will be the next UAB coach. Very doubtful this is real since even the Tech 247 board is full of ****.

 

[Augusta_Jacket]

New AJC Article (Paywall)

Does anyone else think that Ken Sugiura cruises these boards to get his ideas? Basically everything he said is something which has been discussed here ad nauseum.

Ken was at our tailgate for the Miami game. He does his best to get to know what the fans of the program think as well. I've always enjoyed his articles because I know he actually tries to keep a finger on the pulse of the program.

 

[slugboy]

New AJC Article (Paywall)

Does anyone else think that Ken Sugiura cruises these boards to get his ideas? Basically everything he said is something which has been discussed here ad nauseum.

You’d hope he has a couple of sources in the AA. He might not, but it’s his job

He actually does some research instead of just spilling out an opinion, which puts him ahead of some other writers

 

[Randy Carson]

Here’s what needs to happen…

We hire Chadwell. UAB hires Key.

Chadwell comes here, knocks it outta the park. We win 18+ games over the next two years. Key does the same at UAB. Some factory inevitably poaches Chadwell. We hire Key, he kills it over the next two decades and retires a Yellow Jacket. Boom!

+100

I think this scenario is highly likely.

If Chadwell really is all that, then we will have him (if we have him) for a limited time only, because he will make the big $ and coach for a natty some day. But not at Tech.

Meanwhile, Key will be earning his stripes and longing to get back to the flats.

 

[poofed]

Yes. I think TFG didn't have a sound idea of what he wanted to do with players. But it isn't all on him. The big fan beef with Paul was, "He doesn't recruit! Just look at our rankings! We can do better than that! Why are we recruiting players who other P5 schools have ignored?" (Why this went on while we were, you know, winning and where it was obvious that Paul had a different way of evaluating O players has always puzzled me.) TFG paid attention to that. He wanted his recruiting classes to be as highly ranked as possible and he wanted players who would, at least, look like P5 players physically. I.e. he wanted to please the fanbase. And, for a year or so, he did. His first class was a good one, in terms of rankings, and he brought in talented players _ Gibbs - later as well. I think he believed that an accumulation of talent would translate into wins with a minimal effort by the coaches to get them ready. He was also, I think, a micromanager, just about the worst thing that can happen to a football team. Hope our next coach a) knows what he wants to do and b) recruits players that will help him do it. And, of course, ignores the fans and wins. Tall order, but possible.

Paul Johnson knew what kind of players that fit his system. He didn't care about how Tech ranked in the recruiting war. He done alright with those players that he chose. He done a lot better with the players that Chan Gailey left him. Gailey recruited at a pretty high level for Tech. Me personally I think that since you are in the heart of Atlanta you should always recruit at a reasonably high level for Georgia Tech. Tech won't ever recruit at Georgia's level but they should never be any lower than 35 in the recruiting rankings. I say this because of all the talent within a three hour drive of Tech. I liked how Gailey got talent from the state of Georgia and went out to other states like Texas to get skill position players. George O'Leary did the same up the Atlantic seaboard. I know that was back then and things have now changed with NIL in play. I'm still trying to understand how NIL affects recruiting. Anyway I think you have to get some blue chip players to attract other blue chip players.

 

[CEB]

Meanwhile, Key will be earning his stripes and longing to get back to the flats.

Hopefully he doesn’t screw around and price himself out of a job here!

 

[poofed]

+100

I think this scenario is highly likely.

If Chadwell really is all that, then we will have him (if we have him) for a limited time only, because he will make the big $ and coach for a natty some day. But not at Tech.

Meanwhile, Key will be earning his stripes and longing to get back to the flats.

What about going for the gusto and hire Hugh Freeze.

 

[bobongo]

What about going for the gusto and hire Hugh Freeze.

No way, no how. It'll never happen.

Hugh Freeze - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

​

Scandals and resignation[edit]​

In January 2016, the NCAA charged Ole Miss with numerous recruiting violations. An investigation turned up evidence that Ole Miss employees and boosters arranged numerous "impermissible benefits" for players, such as car loans and cash. At least one recruit was suspected of getting help on his college entrance exam.[25]

The investigation reopened soon after star offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil admitted taking money from one of Freeze's assistants.[26] In February 2017—three months after suffering its first losing season since the year Freeze arrived—Ole Miss withdrew from bowl consideration for the upcoming season. The move came on the same day that the NCAA sent an updated notice of allegations charging the Rebels with eight additional violations. Most seriously, it accused Freeze of not monitoring his assistants, and also accused Ole Miss of not properly controlling the program.[25]

On July 13, 2017, Freeze's predecessor, Houston Nutt, sued Ole Miss for defamation, contending that Freeze and school officials falsely blamed him for the violations. As part of discovery for the lawsuit, Nutt's attorneys filed a Freedom of Information Act request for calls Freeze made on his university-issued cell phone during January 2016. Nutt's attorneys contended that Freeze and others at Ole Miss leaked information to the press as part of an effort to smear their client.[27]

While reviewing those records, Nutt's attorneys discovered a call to a number associated with a female escort service, and alerted Ole Miss officials about it. Freeze claimed it was a misdialed number.[28] School officials investigated, and discovered what they later described as "a concerning pattern" of similar calls dating back to shortly after he arrived in Oxford.[29] On July 20, chancellor Jeff Vitter and athletic director Ross Bjork gave Freeze an ultimatum: resign or be fired for violating the morals clause of his contract. Freeze opted to resign; offensive coordinator Matt Luke was named interim coach.[5]

In February 2019, the NCAA punished the Ole Miss football team for the recruiting and academic violations committed under both Nutt and Freeze. The punishments included a two-year postseason ban, three years of probation, and a four-year ban on some scholarships. As well, the NCAA forced Ole Miss to vacate 33 wins from 2010 to 2016. As a result, 27 of Freeze's wins were stripped from the books; only the 2015 season was unaffected. His record at Ole Miss is now officially 12–25; it

 

[poofed]

No way, no how. It'll never happen.

Hugh Freeze - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

​

Scandals and resignation[edit]​

In January 2016, the NCAA charged Ole Miss with numerous recruiting violations. An investigation turned up evidence that Ole Miss employees and boosters arranged numerous "impermissible benefits" for players, such as car loans and cash. At least one recruit was suspected of getting help on his college entrance exam.[25]

The investigation reopened soon after star offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil admitted taking money from one of Freeze's assistants.[26] In February 2017—three months after suffering its first losing season since the year Freeze arrived—Ole Miss withdrew from bowl consideration for the upcoming season. The move came on the same day that the NCAA sent an updated notice of allegations charging the Rebels with eight additional violations. Most seriously, it accused Freeze of not monitoring his assistants, and also accused Ole Miss of not properly controlling the program.[25]

On July 13, 2017, Freeze's predecessor, Houston Nutt, sued Ole Miss for defamation, contending that Freeze and school officials falsely blamed him for the violations. As part of discovery for the lawsuit, Nutt's attorneys filed a Freedom of Information Act request for calls Freeze made on his university-issued cell phone during January 2016. Nutt's attorneys contended that Freeze and others at Ole Miss leaked information to the press as part of an effort to smear their client.[27]

While reviewing those records, Nutt's attorneys discovered a call to a number associated with a female escort service, and alerted Ole Miss officials about it. Freeze claimed it was a misdialed number.[28] School officials investigated, and discovered what they later described as "a concerning pattern" of similar calls dating back to shortly after he arrived in Oxford.[29] On July 20, chancellor Jeff Vitter and athletic director Ross Bjork gave Freeze an ultimatum: resign or be fired for violating the morals clause of his contract. Freeze opted to resign; offensive coordinator Matt Luke was named interim coach.[5]

In February 2019, the NCAA punished the Ole Miss football team for the recruiting and academic violations committed under both Nutt and Freeze. The punishments included a two-year postseason ban, three years of probation, and a four-year ban on some scholarships. As well, the NCAA forced Ole Miss to vacate 33 wins from 2010 to 2016. As a result, 27 of Freeze's wins were stripped from the books; only the 2015 season was unaffected. His record at Ole Miss is now officially 12–25; it

I know about all that stuff. He was fired and shamed and had to go to a lower level to get a job. He has served his time there and has been pretty successful. We all know that Tech doesn't have a lot of money to hand out to a proven coach, but you could get this proven coach on the cheap until he has shown that he is worthy.