The Future

[MountainBuzzMan]

Recruiting has to get better

Coaching on one side of the ball has to get better

Otherwise we will be tech average

Did you think we were going to be 6-7 wins this year as well?

 

[GT33]

(My coaching son worked for HS coach that's a very good friend of John KING. He coached against John and Haynes when they ran air raid, rpo and power i against him. He wonders where the gunslinger/ runner King went.)

I think they told Key: $3M to get maimed like 2024, $1M to just get the crap kicked out of him. We paid the $1M

 

[Mandingo Finkelstein]

As fans we will never know the details of roster building/management in this NIL era (aka pay for play, aka professionalism). Having said that, we can or should start to think about it like a General Manager might.

For example as an analogy, when Charlie Morton went off the Braves' payroll that's a $20M they had been spending on 1-year contracts which has been freed up to spend elsewhere. Put aside whether Alex Anthopolous has spent it wisely. A different subject for a different forum. But, you get the idea.

We can assume some of our NIL has gone to some seniors. A lot perhaps went to a freshman who has had some "issues" that makes his future with Tech a question mark...or, at least, the NIL investment. Maybe not. Again, we don't know.

Freed up NIL funds is a big deal to invest elsewhere to keep or attract. NIL funds invested this past season that no longer make sense moving forward play a part as well. And, so forth.

It's kind of stupid calling it "NIL" when it is just paying guys, but in the words of that great American, Paul Johnson...it is what it is. As Nick Saban said on an ESPN Game Day episode one Saturday morning last year...WTTE of... "when you are investing big NIL money in a player, you better get it right". (note, I might be wrong, but I think he was answering in reference to the FSU QB that was a total bust they reportedly spent a whooooole bunch of money to get there).

 

[4shotB]

As fans we will never know the details of roster building/management in this NIL era (aka pay for play, aka professionalism). Having said that, we can or should start to think about it like a General Manager might.

For example as an analogy, when Charlie Morton went off the Braves' payroll that's a $20M they had been spending on 1-year contracts which has been freed up to spend elsewhere. Put aside whether Alex Anthopolous has spent it wisely. A different subject for a different forum. But, you get the idea.

We can assume some of our NIL has gone to some seniors. A lot perhaps went to a freshman who has had some "issues" that makes his future with Tech a question mark...or, at least, the NIL investment. Maybe not. Again, we don't know.

Freed up NIL funds is a big deal to invest elsewhere to keep or attract. NIL funds invested this past season that no longer make sense moving forward play a part as well. And, so forth.

It's kind of stupid calling it "NIL" when it is just paying guys, but in the words of that great American, Paul Johnson...it is what it is. As Nick Saban said on an ESPN Game Day episode one Saturday morning last year...WTTE of... "when you are investing big NIL money in a player, you better get it right". (note, I might be wrong, but I think he was answering in reference to the FSU QB that was a total bust they reportedly spent a whooooole bunch of money to get there).

I read your post and then thought about all the years I have been watching the game. Back when the wishbone was a very popular offense. Back when people punted on 4th and 3 no matter what. When uniform discussions were unheard of. Seems like, no matter how much things change, we remain uncertain about the next year. IIWII is the truth and on this we can agree.

 

[BainbridgeJacket]

As fans we will never know the details of roster building/management in this NIL era (aka pay for play, aka professionalism). Having said that, we can or should start to think about it like a General Manager might.

For example as an analogy, when Charlie Morton went off the Braves' payroll that's a $20M they had been spending on 1-year contracts which has been freed up to spend elsewhere. Put aside whether Alex Anthopolous has spent it wisely. A different subject for a different forum. But, you get the idea.

We can assume some of our NIL has gone to some seniors. A lot perhaps went to a freshman who has had some "issues" that makes his future with Tech a question mark...or, at least, the NIL investment. Maybe not. Again, we don't know.

Freed up NIL funds is a big deal to invest elsewhere to keep or attract. NIL funds invested this past season that no longer make sense moving forward play a part as well. And, so forth.

It's kind of stupid calling it "NIL" when it is just paying guys, but in the words of that great American, Paul Johnson...it is what it is. As Nick Saban said on an ESPN Game Day episode one Saturday morning last year...WTTE of... "when you are investing big NIL money in a player, you better get it right". (note, I might be wrong, but I think he was answering in reference to the FSU QB that was a total bust they reportedly spent a whooooole bunch of money to get there).

Well, we just went 9-3 paying 2 QBs for one to play and, like you said, invested quite a bit for less than 20 OL snaps from a freshman.

Our NIL situation will be better in 2026 which will help offset the production that's graduating. It will be used to shore up the lines.

 

[Mandingo Finkelstein]

I read your post and then thought about all the years I have been watching the game. Back when the wishbone was a very popular offense. Back when people punted on 4th and 3 no matter what. When uniform discussions were unheard of. Seems like, no matter how much things change, we remain uncertain about the next year. IIWII is the truth and on this we can agree.

Yep. Another one to consider. Curt Cignetti's instant success at the worst P4 FB program in the country (yes, even worse than Vandy) has changed the landscape significantly. Now, everybody thinks if they will just hire the "right guy" they will start winning often and big immediately in this day and age of the portal. One thing few people realize though is not only did Cignetti take his entire staff to Indiana, he took about 15 to 17 James Madison starters or starter-capable transfers with him. I only bring that up because in this era of the transfer portal allowing it, when you hire someone from a different school they can literally bring a bunch of immediate contributors who knows their system and they have faith in immediately. In other words, as sad as it appears I suppose, when bringing in new blood as HC it is conceivable nowadays that the HC will bring a majority of the starting 22-deep with them. Times have changed indeed and we will see more moving forward that we haven't even thought about on the first day of December 2025. This is the stuff administrators and coaches and players are dealing with now that never or rarely existed just a decade or so ago.

 

[Root4GT]

But Tennessee is also Power 4 and SEC. A win over them helps more than a win over Temple.

Operative word is WIN. Yes a win over Tennessee would be a good win for sure!

 

[33jacket]

Did you think we were going to be 6-7 wins this year as well?

Not sure what you are saying. Tech average is 7 wins with a flash in the pan every 6-7 years. Ish. Obviously no human could be so dumb to think we win 7 games a year absolute for 40 years lol. You would have to be so dumb to think that its not a discussion. No. Tech average is 7 wins that bounces between 6-8 and the every once and a while hits 9 or 10.

This year with the weak *** schedule I figured 8 minimum. We are at 9. May get to 10. But the 3 out of 4 losses late showed how that all works. The tech average in full effect

 

[Darthdad]

Operative word is WIN. Yes a win over Tennessee would be a good win for sure!

Operative word is WIN. Yes a win over Tennessee would be a good win for sure!

Damn right win! We’re going beat those guys!

 

[iceeater1969]

Agreed on defensive personnel/ alignment. Personally I do prefer the 4 man even fronts, but if we can’t get the horses then we need to change to a 3 man odd front. I was calling for us to go to a 3-3-5 stack formation after the NC state game or at least on Passing downs to cause havoc because our front four was just not getting it done. Pass rushers are at a premium, so we need to generate pass rush through numbers and scheme.

Next year on offense should be interesting, do we move away from Keys physical tough run the ball approach and move toward an air raid ? Some evidence to suggest would be for the first time in a while we don’t have a star running back returning. Hosley has been good at times and maybe a young buck steps up, or we get one from portal, but as it stands now most are just looking to be solid RBs. Combine that with Philo’s high school resume and our returning WRs and Buster’s Air raid background, think would be worthwhile trying. This coming from a guy who loves to run the ball and enjoyed CPJs spread option offense.

In 93 sons played Tackle on HS that made run into championship. They were part power i and part Air Raid. Also had aggressive ddfense.

 

[chewybaka]

Yep. Another one to consider. Curt Cignetti's instant success at the worst P4 FB program in the country (yes, even worse than Vandy) has changed the landscape significantly. Now, everybody thinks if they will just hire the "right guy" they will start winning often and big immediately in this day and age of the portal. One thing few people realize though is not only did Cignetti take his entire staff to Indiana, he took about 15 to 17 James Madison starters or starter-capable transfers with him. I only bring that up because in this era of the transfer portal allowing it, when you hire someone from a different school they can literally bring a bunch of immediate contributors who knows their system and they have faith in immediately. In other words, as sad as it appears I suppose, when bringing in new blood as HC it is conceivable nowadays that the HC will bring a majority of the starting 22-deep with them. Times have changed indeed and we will see more moving forward that we haven't even thought about on the first day of December 2025. This is the stuff administrators and coaches and players are dealing with now that never or rarely existed just a decade or so ago.

In my mind Cignetti is not the driver...there are many talented coaches waiting for an opportunity. The key was Mark Cuban an alumnus of IU who decided to open his check book and change the narrative of IU football. $$$ is the driver...we dont have an enormous alumni base (Ohio State graduate 15k/yr - Michigan sim.). Tech needs a patron with virtually unlimited funds like LSU, Texas Tech, Oregon, Texas, OSU, ... ....to be interested in a challenge...

 

[UgaBlows]

In my mind Cignetti is not the driver...there are many talented coaches waiting for an opportunity. The key was Mark Cuban an alumnus of IU who decided to open his check book and change the narrative of IU football. $$$ is the driver...we dont have an enormous alumni base (Ohio State graduate 15k/yr - Michigan sim.). Tech needs a patron with virtually unlimited funds like LSU, Texas Tech, Oregon, Texas, OSU, ... ....to be interested in a challenge...

Same way UVA was successful this season- huge nil donation from an alum

 

[Frodo Swagginz]

Nothing wrong in taking an interview. It’s all about connections. What if Cabrera left for Stanford and we got another Peterson in there. What decent coach, even a GT alum, would want to work in an antagonistic atmosphere? Johnson was able to do it because he was an older guy near the end who ran his own thing. As quickly as things went from the other coach to now it can go bad even quicker. Take a look at Ole Miss. Their staff and roster are about to be decimated. They will go from an 11 win team to a 5 win team in just a few months.

Oh sorry, I didn't mean for it to come across as condescending towards Key for taking the interviews. I'm just curious why he (or anyone) would take the time to do so assuming that they are happy in their current role. Though, I believe you answered my question - It's building connections.

 

[BainbridgeJacket]

Petty wasn't physically there this year. He's like 6'6 and is still building the grown man strength. His athletic traits give him a high ceiling, though, and I do hope he sticks around.

He's supposedly making a ton of progress in terms of S&C. I think he's gained 30 pounds of muscle since getting on campus.

Payton Joseph was the guy I thought we should've played more, but for some reason the staff trusts fusile and Moore. That makes sense give the volume of snaps they've played. But neither of them have the physicality, point of attack ceiling Joseph has, and the PFF grades are directionally correct and seeing Tana so low aligns with what I saw.

Payton Joseph and guys like that are how we will beat uga. We need to match that level of physicality on the LOS. We also need to play people at their more natural position. Carney at Guard is an example of that, he was playing tackle this year in an attempt to get the best 5 on the field. I get it, but at the same time I'm not sure it really worked once we finally faced a good defense in game 11.

If I were the coaches, next year's OL would look something like

LT - Mackenney
LG - Joseph
C - Transfer or Moore
RG - Carney
RT - Petty

Bring in a couple transfers for depth and maybe one surprises. Tana and Riggs would be better in short spurts and get another year to develop. The above is an ACCCG worthy OL.

 

[Frodo Swagginz]

Petty wasn't physically there this year. He's like 6'6 and is still building the grown man strength. His athletic traits give him a high ceiling, though, and I do hope he sticks around.

He's supposedly making a ton of progress in terms of S&C. I think he's gained 30 pounds of muscle since getting on campus.

Payton Joseph was the guy I thought we should've played more, but for some reason the staff trusts fusile and Moore. That makes sense give the volume of snaps they've played. But neither of them have the physicality, point of attack ceiling Joseph has, and the PFF grades are directionally correct and seeing Tana so low aligns with what I saw.

Payton Joseph and guys like that are how we will beat uga. We need to match that level of physicality on the LOS. We also need to play people at their more natural position. Carney at Guard is an example of that, he was playing tackle this year in an attempt to get the best 5 on the field. I get it, but at the same time I'm not sure it really worked once we finally faced a good defense in game 11.

If I were the coaches, next year's OL would look something like

LT - Mackenney
LG - Joseph
C - Transfer or Moore
RG - Carney
RT - Petty

Bring in a couple transfers for depth and maybe one surprises. Tana and Riggs would be better in short spurts and get another year to develop. The above is an ACCCG worthy OL.

That would be the dream OL in game 6 or 7, but I would personally like to alternate Petty and Joseph with some experienced guys until they are settled in

 

[stinger78]

Petty wasn't physically there this year. He's like 6'6 and is still building the grown man strength. His athletic traits give him a high ceiling, though, and I do hope he sticks around.

He's supposedly making a ton of progress in terms of S&C. I think he's gained 30 pounds of muscle since getting on campus.

Payton Joseph was the guy I thought we should've played more, but for some reason the staff trusts fusile and Moore. That makes sense give the volume of snaps they've played. But neither of them have the physicality, point of attack ceiling Joseph has, and the PFF grades are directionally correct and seeing Tana so low aligns with what I saw.

Payton Joseph and guys like that are how we will beat uga. We need to match that level of physicality on the LOS. We also need to play people at their more natural position. Carney at Guard is an example of that, he was playing tackle this year in an attempt to get the best 5 on the field. I get it, but at the same time I'm not sure it really worked once we finally faced a good defense in game 11.

If I were the coaches, next year's OL would look something like

LT - Mackenney
LG - Joseph
C - Transfer or Moore
RG - Carney
RT - Petty

Bring in a couple transfers for depth and maybe one surprises. Tana and Riggs would be better in short spurts and get another year to develop. The above is an ACCCG worthy OL.

Agree mostly. Carney is a natural OG. He is not quick enough to play OT. He got beat a lot in pass pro. I actually think Moore, with his quickness, could play OT better than Carney, but I think he's penciled in at the C slot as you have him. That's also a good place for him. If Petty stays and develops, he'll be the OT next year. Those 5 above that you named could become a very good starting OL.

 

[D1Guru#43]

Buster Faulkner to University of Florida to be their OC...

 

[stinger78]

Buster Faulkner to University of Florida to be their OC...

What? Nooooo!

 

[Techwood Relict]

So they are buying a lot more copper wire and yeast?

And sugar. Three thousand pounds, I hear....

 

[Techwood Relict]

Who would want to be anything in Kentucky? Kentucky's redeeming quality is it's not Indiana.

Guy in the red shorts swinging and missing a lot....