Transfer Portal: Who's Coming and Going (2022 Roster)

[WreckinGT]

It's obviously not "message boards having that much power/influence". But I do think the tone of the fanbase, which is captured to a degree by boards like this, shows up tangibly in areas such as fan support, money donated, etc.

The media certainly runs with it, which has a tangible impact on the program.

I just don't get why we, as fans, add to it. I'm not saying be a blind homer but constantly tearing everything down simply does not help.

You aren't going to force fans to be positive without something positive happening within the program. Fandom isn't something you can manipulate without results.

 

[New Old Guy]

What happened to the kg01 we have had for so long? His place has been taken by a thoughtful, reasoned and informed poster who just showed up on June 1!

 

[kg01]

Personally, I think why folks do it at times is to try to get the attention of the higher-ups at GTAA. I recall being incensed when AD Radakovich went out of his way to persuade Hewitt to stay when St. John's was courting him, only to fire him a year later. Was it the fan's apathy and anger that finally turned Radakovich around? Something certainly did. I guess I'll never understand the workings of our AA when things like that happen. But, I can understand getting so frustrated that you try to find ANY way to send your message to the AD.

Not saying you're wrong though. That frustration does have a negative impact. But then we may need to add our AD's to your list, because it is often their inaction that prompts the harshest fan reactions.

Oh now that's a whole other discussion. There ain't enough internet minutes left on my AOL disc to get into all the ways I think our ADs have screwed up and screwed us.

You aren't going to force fans to be positive without something positive happening within the program. Fandom isn't something you can manipulate without results.

Not trying to force anyone to be positive. Just highlighted that incessant negativity isn't good for the program. They can make their own choices from there.

 

[kg01]

What happened to the kg01 we have had for so long? His place has been taken by a thoughtful, reasoned and informed poster who just showed up on June 1!

I been hacked?

 

[orientalnc]

Interesting summary of 2022 portal losses vs gains

Georgia Tech Football Opinion Week 2022: The Outcome is Assured

Staff changes and the portal won’t be enough. This is it.

www.fromtherumbleseat.com

“Pessimist: one who, when he has the choice of two evils, chooses both.” - Oscar Wilde

 

[WreckinGT]

Not trying to force anyone to be positive. Just highlighted that incessant negativity isn't good for the program. They can make their own choices from there.

Negativity isn't good for the program I agree. I think we just disagree on how to get rid of the negativity. I do feel bad for the more optimistic folks though when the team is going through tough times. I still personally feel having negative people at this point in the program isn't a bad thing. That means they are still around.

 

[DavidStandingBear]

Interesting take. I haven't heard the opinion that the negativity around Hewitt killed our program (is that what you're referring to?). I lost a ton of interest back then, because I was disappointed in the results on the court. OK, frustrated and angry about the results on the court (see Clogged Toilet Offense). But I am unsure that this negativity has created a hangover that could not be undone by future coaches, especially Pastner (whose positivity I have always enjoyed, even when I got frustrated with GT's early season embarrassing losses).

It has seemed to me that it has been a $$$ issue all along for our major programs, whether it be money necessary to hire the higher profile coaches, or money for NIL deals (now), or whatever. It's just hard for me to believe that message boards have that much power and influence. But maybe I'm wrong...

When I do get frustrated and angry, I generally try to stop posting and go silent, as I just don't think negativity is good for anyone (other message board readers, or myself).

Maybe coaches should be paid on the NIL system, let the "fans' and sponsors determine the pay?

 

[bobongo]

Not trying to force anyone to be positive. Just highlighted that incessant negativity isn't good for the program. They can make their own choices from there.

Most of the people about whom it is claimed are "incessantly negative" are actually a mixture of positive and negative - positive about what's going right (the latest promising recruit/transfer for instance), and negative about what isn't (the remaining dead wood on the coaching staff for instance). The problem is there are people who can't, don't, or won't see the positive side and just brand everyone with whom they disagree on any issue as "incessantly negative". They personally attack someone on an issue they have a different take on and stay mum on the issues with which they have agreement.

 

[Techwood Relict]

I think we just disagree on how to get rid of the negativity

Win. All other options are secondary and fleeting.

 

[Ibeeballin]

Know what 'they' do know? They know the fans largely don't know what TF they're looking at or what TF they're talking about.

Nor do the fans truly grasp what a coaching change entails. The fans watch the crap show that happens at places that have far more money for coaches than our fans' support is capable of garnering. Yet they somehow think, "Nah that won't be us."

These same fans have watched what their toxicity did to our basketball program years ago. Yet they continue to think, "Nah my incessant deriding of the coach won't have lasting damage, regardless of who the coach ends up being once the guy I hate's gone."

The fans keep thinking it's about Collins, but it's really not. Rot is rot. And what folks are sowing is rot for our program. And, spoiler alert, it doesn't go away once the coach is fired. Our basketball program is a literal, shining example of this. No idea why folks continue to court disaster.

It's mindboggling but completely expected since GT folks are the smartest dumb people in the world.

This might be the best post of all-time

 

[Ibeeballin]

This is, in my opinion, the most objective, detailed, reasoned and accurate prediction for the future of the program that I have read.
In my heart, I so want this NOT to be true. But in my mind, it seems like the most realistic outcome. Collins is not HC material- never was, never will be.

Objective is a stretch, but as you stated, it’s your opinion

 

[Buzzbomb]

I year left…DT/DL…UTenn. Undergraduate…..Visits scheduled: Fla., JSU, USF?,TSU?

 

[orientalnc]

I year left…DT/DL…UTenn. Undergraduate…..Visits scheduled: Fla., JSU, USF?,TSU?

6'7" 305# DL, grad transfer.

Could be a starter for us. Started 12 games at Tennessee before transferring to WVU and quitting the football team.

 

[kg01]

This might be the best post of all-time

Aye, they don't keep me around just for my pretty face.

 

[JacketFan137]

6'7" 305# DL, grad transfer.

Could be a starter for us. Started 12 games at Tennessee before transferring to WVU and quitting the football team.

i’m hoping with a year of s&c zeke biggers can get on the field more. he has the frame to be a jordan davis like guy for us.

 

[bobongo]

I'm not saying be a blind homer

You're not?

constantly tearing everything down simply does not help.

I see very little of this. Very little of the black or white, all-or-nothing, but many shades of gray.

Here's where I stand, which coupled with a dollar will get you a donut: I want Collins to succeed, because as you say, changing coaches isn't a picnic. But I also want him to succeed because under the right circumstances, he seems to be a very good recruiter. The new assistants will help. More new assistants, at OL coach and DC would help more. But insinuating that his catastrophic failure thus far coaching this team is the fans' fault is an absurdity. He's 9-25, for Pete's sake. And you think we should all be happy campers? It's not the real world.

 

[kg01]

You're not?

I see very little of this. Very little of the black or white, all-or-nothing, but many shades of gray.

Here's where I stand, which coupled with a dollar will get you a donut: I want Collins to succeed, because as you say, changing coaches isn't a picnic. But I also want him to succeed because under the right circumstances, he seems to be a very good recruiter. The new assistants will help. More new assistants, at OL coach and DC would help more. But insinuating that his catastrophic failure thus far coaching this team is the fans' fault is an absurdity. He's 9-25, for Pete's sake. And you think we should all be happy campers? It's not the real world.

In both your responses to me you seem to be responding to things I didn't say. I glossed over the first response but this one is a bit too far.

Nowhere did I state or insinuate anything about the job he's done being the fault of the fans.

And if you think there's not a constant barrage of negativity from many posters on this and other sites, I'm not sure what to tell you.

 

[bobongo]

Nowhere did I state or insinuate anything about the job he's done being the fault of the fans.

Okay, not exactly, but you were beginning to venture very close to it. You said: "These same fans have watched what their toxicity did to our basketball program years ago. Yet they continue to think, "Nah my incessant deriding of the coach won't have lasting damage, regardless of who the coach ends up being once the guy I hate's gone."

The damage has been done by Geoff Collins and his 9-25, and not the naturally and understandably resulting "negative fans". Just don't get that backwards.

 

[Billygoat91]

Know what 'they' do know? They know the fans largely don't know what TF they're looking at or what TF they're talking about.

Nor do the fans truly grasp what a coaching change entails. The fans watch the crap show that happens at places that have far more money for coaches than our fans' support is capable of garnering. Yet they somehow think, "Nah that won't be us."

These same fans have watched what their toxicity did to our basketball program years ago. Yet they continue to think, "Nah my incessant deriding of the coach won't have lasting damage, regardless of who the coach ends up being once the guy I hate's gone."

The fans keep thinking it's about Collins, but it's really not. Rot is rot. And what folks are sowing is rot for our program. And, spoiler alert, it doesn't go away once the coach is fired. Our basketball program is a literal, shining example of this. No idea why folks continue to court disaster.

It's mindboggling but completely expected since GT folks are the smartest dumb people in the world.

Of course Stansbury and Collins know this is likely going to be a rough year attendance-wise. If that didn't cross their mind, I would be worried about what they are thinking about.

I am not saying that fans know what is best for the program. The past decade of Tennessee football is evidence of that. CGC himself admitted what I alluded to regarding press conferences with his statements regarding it being time to coach more and talk/brand less. A statement that at the time was lambasted by the media because his job is to coach. I think that Stansbury and Collins know that their words will fall on deaf ears if results do not accompany those words.

I don't think that any of this is necessarily about Collins, he just happens to be at the front-end of the criticism. We had hit a ceiling under Johnson and it was time to try something else. The Institute also made decisions before I was born that led us down the path to where we are now. The fact of the matter is that GT makes so much money off of academics/research that the hill does not have to give a crap about athletics. We, unfortunately, choose to show our love for Tech through the support of athletics programs that are not, and have not been, adequately supported by the alumni base at large and the shakers and movers with the Institute. Collins could be viewed as a tragic figure of sorts, but the potential tragedy of the situation is why he got a 7 year contract. That also doesnt absolve him of responsibility. I think that if any improvement was shown this past year that the negativity would not be as bad as it is. I think the fan base at large was relatively patient with him the first two years. There was actually a lot of excitement going into last year.

Discussing the current state of the program and lamenting the point to which we have fallen is toxic to a degree. That doesn't change the fact that we are here. If this forum and all the negative comments were totally obliterated off the internet, the stands still would have been red at COFH last year. 9 wins in 3 years will do that to a program. Having a mostly STEM school with an ever increasing number of international and out of state students will do that to a program. A program that was already experiencing a decline in fan support over the past decade that had its highs and lows, experienced an even bigger decline when things got worse (record-wise). That is not an unexpected result. Winning cures all woes in the end. We just are not winning enough. It is understood that we are reaching a make-or-break year for Collins. I would argue that if this were not a make-or-break year, sending the message to recruits that you are ok with 3-9 is not great branding either. There has to be an impetus for improvement and a desire to make things better. There has to be assurances given to recruits, fans, and the institute that things will improve.

You are correct, rot is rot. It has been at Tech for a long time and is now manifesting itself more out in the open. That said, the entire fanbase is never going to be content with a hire and there will always be those deriding a coach (unless you have a Saban on staff). Fan complaints are not the rot that is destroying Tech athletics. People hated on Johnson because of his offense even when we went to the Orange bowl, people hated Chan Gailey because he never beat Georgia or was too pro-style etc. This list could be done for all of our coaches in all of our sports. To an extent, I am just happy we have enough people that care enough to complain. Look at Kansas. The football program has fallen to such irrelevance that, except when they beat Texas every other year, no one thinks about them. I also think the value placed on fan comments is over-stated. There are schools that have recruited better than Tech despite having much more toxic fans. Tech fans mostly don't berate recruits like what we see from other schools. Kids pick the school they are attending for a myriad of reasons. Falling in line as fans will not solve Tech's problems and supporting the school does not equal to falling in line. Just because Collins is the lightening rod that is attracting a lot criticism doesn't mean every complaint is about him. Just because people want Collins gone doesn't mean that they are ignorant to the changing landscape of college football at large. Being Collins-centric and worshipping him like the second coming is not going to make him the coach that we are hoping he will become. It is not going to turn Tech into a powerhouse. All of that could very well happen and I hope we win every game from here on out. I personally don't care who our AD and coach is. I don't care what our offense or defense is. I just want the school that I graduated from to kick some major "$$ in football and destroy the mutts in Athens.

Fan complaints did not kill Army's, Harvard's, Princeton's , Sewanee's, or Tulane's championship aspirations. The changing landscape of the sport did. Just becuase I made a statement about TStan and CGC knowing that attendance would likely be down this year in terms of season ticket holders does not equate to some indictment on a lack of knowledge on their part or that I or anyone else can solve the situation. The peak off egotistical folly is to assume that one has all the answers. They are more knowledgable about why we are where we are than any of us here. That is why it is their job to fix the situation.

 

[orientalnc]

I hope the mods will relocate the posts not related to transfers. I agree with some of the posts, but this ain't the correct thread.