Sad to say: Tech Football Is No Fun Anymore

[goldmember]

Tech has a TON of non-engineering majors now. It's not just Engineering or IM like back in the day. You have applied language and intercultural studies, business, international affairs, public policy, psychology, history technology and society . . . and a ton of fun minors to hide for two or three years those who are less interested in academically rigorous programs . . . film and media, social justice (!!!), science fiction studies, physiology (!!!), etc., etc. PLENTY of things to keep those 1000 SAT "student-athletes" enrolled if that's the way you have to go.

And it's also almost 1/3 females now - not 12% like back in the day. Don't necessarily have to hit up those girls from Agnes Scott or the nursing college these days. Plus you're in the ATL, not the hinterlands of backwards ass Cowtown, South Carolina. The ATL has a lot more single women than it does men. If you can't find female companionship in Atlanta, you're a loser.

And there is reality. Even at Clemson . . . only EIGHT players got drafted into the NFL last year. Eight. Seven the year before that. They sign 25 or 30 recuits every year, and the vast majority never see an NFL roster at all. And some kids even realize that . . . no matter how much they might dream of the NFL, and even if they are 3 or 4 star. Those are the ones you have to go after hard. As an extreme example, look at Calvin Johnson's family, who his parents were, and it's not a complete shocker then that he chose a school like Georgia Tech - as his father once remarked. And if that NFL dream doesn't work out for your son, Mom, would you rather that he had a degree from one of the most prestigious universities in the country, or a printed piece of toilet paper that says "Clemson?"

IMO, there is a lot for Tech to sell.

I agree with what you are saying about GT but the large state schools around us have changed as well. No one, except maybe GT alumni view a degree from Clemson, UGA, etc.. as garbage anymore if they ever did.

I am not saying GT can't be competitive, academic schools that used to be really bad at football for decades have had success. Duke, Wake and Northwestern have been competitive, not at he level GT fans would find acceptable but those are harder jobs than GT. Stanford, Baylor, and TCU have been very good at times. I just don't think that we are going to recruit our way there. It doesn't have to be Paul Johnson but we need a good football coach to be successful.

 

[goldmember]

I hear you and don’t disagree. GT is not on that level right now. But Collins isn’t selling “eye candy” and basket weaving. He’s selling living in the city that is a magnet for African Americans of all stripes (artists, entrepreneurs, professionals) that can open many doors. His method has already proven it works as his 1 recruiting class was one of our best ever. That’s an incredible accomplishment with 1 year on the job. That’s why I’m a Dabo fan. He saw what Clemson’s weaknesses and strengths were as you pointed out formed a game plan to change it. And it worked.

I think what Collins is doing for the GT brand amongst teenaged football players is spot on and GT and our future coaches will benefit from it. You have to remember, every middle and high school football player has only seen one type of GT football since they were born - a one dimensional team with short non passing QB’s and a coach who yells at everyone. Nobody even knows we had some success other than us because no one cares about Orange bowls anymore. I remember several years back we had half my sons high school football team at my house on a Saturday. The announcers made the usual comment about our coach being a genius because he didn’t need a play sheet. The kids started laughing because one of them said something along the lines of, well what kind of playsheet do you need to either hand it to the RB to get tackled immediately, or pitch it to a guy who gets crushed immediately or to call a deep pass on 3rd and 25. The GT football reputation amongst those who matter (high school players) was a joke. It’s not any more. Another side story, a kid from our high school got offered and signed with GT. It was his only P5 offer because he wasn’t a P5 player. He knew it, his parents knew it, but he took it and got an education he wouldn’t have gotten at the other lower level schools who offered. It’s a feel good story for the kid and his family, but it really showed me how far we had fallen.

It kinda sounds like you are saying people don't care about actual results anymore if we are dismissing Orange Bowls. Does it invalidate it for some people if we aren't running an acceptable offense and we are filling up the bottom of our classes with kids without P5 offers (Gailey did this too and it drove me crazy). ? I kind of felt that way after the UCF game, yea they've had some success but what they are doing is goofy as hell and I am glad that's not us.

We may of over corrected though, there still needs to be some substance behind it all, everything can't be a recruiting pitch.

 

[Yukonwreck]

It kinda sounds like you are saying people don't care about actual results anymore if we are dismissing Orange Bowls. Does it invalidate it for some people if we aren't running an acceptable offense and we are filling up the bottom of our classes with kids without P5 offers (Gailey did this too and it drove me crazy). ? I kind of felt that way after the UCF game, yea they've had some success but what they are doing is goofy as hell and I am glad that's not us.

We may of over corrected though, there still needs to be some substance behind it all, everything can't be a recruiting pitch.

I really haven't seen much on the X's and O's side that would indicate we have a quality coaching staff. I like the branding and the recruiting, but we also have a couple of exceptional talents that don't appear to be getting any developmental training.
Admittedly, nearly half of the players are underclassmen, many brought in to play in the option system, so I guess patience for one more year is warranted.

 

[1982Jacket]

Would you be more likely to be seen by a NFL scout at Clemson or GT? Which will showcase your talents best? That is probably what a 5 star is thinking about. Well, there probably are a couple of other things an 18 year old is thinking about. The long term value of a Tech degree in Science Fiction studies versus one at Clemson probably isn't significantly different. You forget that a lot of good football players come from the hinterlands and might not feel as comfortable in a big city. Just because you like it doesn't mean everyone does.

I didn't mention 5 stars. Those will be tough. But Tech could have a helluva football program with a good mix of 4 stars and 3 stars and good coaching. Which is what I actually wrote about if you cared to go back and read my post.

Yeah, the big city isn't for everyone. Neither is cowtown. We should get ours; they can get theirs.

Anyway, please excuse me for loving Tech. Sounds like you love Clemson. DSFDF.

 

[The Champ]

I really haven't seen much on the X's and O's side that would indicate we have a quality coaching staff. I like the branding and the recruiting, but we also have a couple of exceptional talents that don't appear to be getting any developmental training.
Admittedly, nearly half of the players are underclassmen, many brought in to play in the option system, so I guess patience for one more year is warranted.

What exceptional talents aren't getting any developmental training? Seems like an odd take

 

[ThisIsAtlanta]

I didn't mention 5 stars. Those will be tough. But Tech could have a helluva football program with a good mix of 4 stars and 3 stars and good coaching. Which is what I actually wrote about if you cared to go back and read my post.

Yeah, the big city isn't for everyone. Neither is cowtown. We should get ours; they can get theirs.

Anyway, please excuse me for loving Tech. Sounds like you love Clemson. DSFDF.

I don't think you're going to find anybody satisfied by a good mix of 4 and 3 stars after hearing how we're a sleeping giant at the center of the college football universe, with a coach hired exclusively for recruiting... We've got some good players, and Gibbs absolutely should have been a 5 star. There's no reason CGC can't win those battles. He needs to, if we're ever gonna win even the ACC, forget national titles. You're not gonna beat today's Clemson twice in a season with a mix of 4 and 3 stars, no matter how good your coaching is.

 

[1982Jacket]

I don't think you're going to find anybody satisfied by a good mix of 4 and 3 stars after hearing how we're a sleeping giant at the center of the college football universe, with a coach hired exclusively for recruiting... We've got some good players, and Gibbs absolutely should have been a 5 star. There's no reason CGC can't win those battles. He needs to, if we're ever gonna win even the ACC, forget national titles. You're not gonna beat today's Clemson twice in a season with a mix of 4 and 3 stars, no matter how good your coaching is.

I would be satisfied if we brought in, say 10-12 4 stars a year and 10-12 3 stars. Yeah, with good coaching you can build a nice team with that - especially if you are finding some diamond in the rough 3 stars. Expecting to get a bunch of 5 stars at this point is delusional, IMO. Maybe someday if we build it up by winning a lot more with those 4 stars and 3 stars . . . Maybe.

And I don't expect to beat Clemson twice a year. Once every three years or so would be nice, though. Not getting manhandled and housed 73-7 at home would be nice. Mostly 8-4s with an occasional 9-3 or 10-2 would be nice. And I absolutely believe Tech can do that with the right people in charge.

 

[ThisIsAtlanta]

I would be satisfied if we brought in, say 10-12 4 stars a year and 10-12 3 stars. Yeah, with good coaching you can build a nice team with that - especially if you are finding some diamond in the rough 3 stars. Expecting to get a bunch of 5 stars at this point is delusional, IMO. Maybe someday if we build it up by winning a lot more with those 4 stars and 3 stars . . . Maybe.

And I don't expect to beat Clemson twice a year. Once every three years or so would be nice, though. Not getting manhandled and housed 73-7 at home would be nice. Mostly 8-4s with an occasional 9-3 or 10-2 would be nice. And I absolutely believe Tech can do that with the right people in charge.

Okay, great for you. This is not what we were sold.

 

[BigDanT]

Okay, great for you. This is not what we were sold.

Out of curiosity, I’m wondering how this differs from Collins own words. We were sold the vision of O’Leary type teams. If I recall correctly Collins believes his Tech teams can be ranked every year eventually.

 

[ThisIsAtlanta]

Out of curiosity, I’m wondering how this differs from Collins own words. We were sold the vision of O’Leary type teams. If I recall correctly Collins believes his Tech teams can be ranked every year eventually.

Collins said 8-4 and some 4 stars was his expectation? Lol

 

[BigDanT]

Collins said 8-4 and some 4 stars was his expectation? Lol

Got you, I understand.

 

[OptionJacket]

It kinda sounds like you are saying people don't care about actual results anymore if we are dismissing Orange Bowls. Does it invalidate it for some people if we aren't running an acceptable offense and we are filling up the bottom of our classes with kids without P5 offers (Gailey did this too and it drove me crazy). ? I kind of felt that way after the UCF game, yea they've had some success but what they are doing is goofy as hell and I am glad that's not us.

We may of over corrected though, there still needs to be some substance behind it all, everything can't be a recruiting pitch.

Regarding results, can you tell me who won the 2015 Cotton Bowl? Or the 2016 Fiesta Bowl? I’m sure if your team won it you’d remember. No one else cares. The playoff system has totally morphed every fans view of college football. Bowl games are now meaningless. I was at the Kentucky- GT Gator bowl. The crowd was thin and by the time I made the walk back to the car it was over. Why? Because it was a meaningless exhibition that no one remembers except the few who were there. It was a beautiful day. I do remember thinking, our BBack is legit. That was the last game he played for GT.

I guess my point is in this day of technology the days of hurting for weeks after a loss or that feeling of pride over a win are rare unless you are the last team standing because folks instantly move their mind to the next thing. That’s why I laugh at all the sky is falling talk. Heck, today, right now, most people still think we run the option. Why? Because most fans only see GT on highlights or when they are flipping the channels. It’s like us knowing anything about Oklahoma State or Arkansas.

I totally agree that Collins has to show some coaching acumen at some point. But honestly, that point isn’t today. All that matters today is that he can bring in a players that won’t be a loss before the play begins. Against Notre Dame and Clemson of the 22 starting players (11 offense, 11 defense) those two teams had us beat 21-1 before the play began with Gibbs being the one GT win ( and yes, I’d take Gibbs over Etienne because I’m a homer). We have 4 games against teams that are way closer to us than the last 3. Say what you want but BC was huge along the lines and just mauled us.

 

[1982Jacket]

Okay, great for you. This is not what we were sold.

Caveat Emptor.

 

[Olgoldandwhie]

OP made some good points. Raise your hand if this has been a fun year.

 

[midatlantech]

I really haven't seen much on the X's and O's side that would indicate we have a quality coaching staff. I like the branding and the recruiting, but we also have a couple of exceptional talents that don't appear to be getting any developmental training.
Admittedly, nearly half of the players are underclassmen, many brought in to play in the option system, so I guess patience for one more year is warranted.

Everybody wanted us to run a more normal pro offense and that is what we are doing. It looks like everyone else and now the coaching isn’t creative, et al.

 

[cuzjacket]

Everybody wanted us to run a more normal pro offense and that is what we are doing. It looks like everyone else and now the coaching isn’t creative, et al.

Hard to be creative when your roster is full of niche players who would not be playing ACC level football had it not been for the option. Let the roster turn over before you make your final judgment.

 

[Killick]

I didn't mention 5 stars. Those will be tough. But Tech could have a helluva football program with a good mix of 4 stars and 3 stars and good coaching. Which is what I actually wrote about if you cared to go back and read my post.

Yeah, the big city isn't for everyone. Neither is cowtown. We should get ours; they can get theirs.

Anyway, please excuse me for loving Tech. Sounds like you love Clemson. DSFDF.

Lived in SC for several years. Have dozens of Clemson friends from that time. We went to a lot of Tech/Clemson games together. Always treated well at Death Valley. I called it Happy Valley back when we ran off some winning streaks. Was at the game when Godsey broke their hearts with 8 seconds left. Was sitting in the Clemson section with friends. The ones around me congratulated me even though they were disgusted. Actually was at every Tech/Clemson game from 83 till 17 except 89 (dammit) when we were burying my father-in-law. Good people, but they were about as obnoxious as uga fans when they won the MNC in 81. That 84 season when they expected another MNC and lost two of their first three to uga and GT (what a great game) then to USC at the end sobered them up wonderfully. Good fans after that. Next to beating uga and ND, I enjoy beating Clemson the most because there's nothing quite like succeeding when your friends fail.

You do know that you can disagree with people without insulting them, don't you. Sorta like I do with my Clemson friends.

 

[RamblinWreck92]

And if, by some wild circumstance, CGC does manage three seasons in a row with 9 wins, he's gone. He'll triple his salary going to coach at an actual football school.

The best possible coach for GT is some guy who can take non-NFL players and win games with them via a fantastically unconventional approach, a hard nosed attitude, AND ALSO wouldn't dick off for a football factory job once he became successful. And a whole bunch of GT fans ran that guy off because he lost "too much" without understanding what "too much" really meant, because they had too many conversations with factory fans around the water cooler and they let their heads get filled with too much crap from journalists who graduated from schools with a journalism degree, of which GT doesn't have. It was base, stupid, ugly, stupid, really stupid envy, and everyone who thought CPJ lost "too much" deserves to get hit in the head with a hammer.

Again,
Enjoy the ride.

Bullshit. PJ ööööing QUIT. and his players ööööing QUIT vs MINN in that dreadful Detroit Bowl. And fans had ööööing QUIT coming to games in droves years prior.

No "Factory" wanted him. That's a hot load of horseshit. PJ gave us some nice moments but his time was up, he knew it, and he quit.

Any fans happy with 6 wins and a boring-AF offense with no defense can go öööö themselves. PJ himself was so tired of it, he ööööing quit.

 

[GTRules]

Why does this thread still exist?

 

[1982Jacket]

Why does this thread still exist?

Why do you still exist here?