Whisenhunt only works IF:
-Innovative OC is hired to take advantage of the abundance of talented dual threat QBs in the Southeast, and talented skill players. I believe there is some recruiting advantages to having "NFL coach" next to your name...but those advantages disappear quick after a couple of years if your QB and offense is floundering. OC has to be able to take advantage of a dual threat QB to level the playing field versus more talented teams. IMO, the spread of teams taking advantage of dual threat QBs since CPJ was hired was one of the things no one saw coming, and it also hurt us because before the DT QBs had to move positions, but in the modern era they're a weapon that evens the playing field. GT has done well with DT QBs and with some component of the option (see Friedgen, CPJ).
-Good DC. Keep CNW, or bring Giff Smith and promote to DC. Smith could be an iffy proposition at DC because the level of spread teams on the college level is vast compared to the NFL. Yes, the NFL has teams that run spread/RPO/option, but GT will see it on a weekly basis with night and day variations from week to week. The saving grace for the next OC is most of the 4 stars we recruited in the past few years are on the defensive side. There is talent there. CNW would bring continuity, but Smith was a dang good recruiter for us during his time.
-Give the new staff the support they need. We all know what this means. Open those checkbooks and give the new staff the help they need to staff up recruiting and have more support staff. There's a new message to sell, and I think recruits will be receptive to it initially because GT will represent an opportunity for many recruits to help build something new with a new system in place. Take advantage of it, or lose it.
-Retain coach Andy McCollum. Easily our best recruiter, and can be an invaluable bridge for the new staff. People have questioned his effectiveness as an on the field coach, and that's something to be decided by the next HC, but you can't question his ability to recruit. Now imagine if he can sell something besides a triple option system to play in or against everyday in practice!
Whisenhunt can work...BUT there are a LOT of ifs involved...