Bibb Stinger
Varsity Lurker
- Joined
- Aug 12, 2003
- Messages
- 145
With all the references to wins/losses of first and second year coaches, I’ like to review the coaches I remember:
Bill Curry- Coming in after Pepper, Curry was given a long leash to rebuild the program, went 1-9-1, 1-10 his first two seasons. He did eventually get to a 9-2-1 season and an All- American Bowl appearance, took him 6 years. Alabama shocked the world one year later, and stole him away.
Bobby Ross- came in well respected, and got pasted his first year 2-9, mostly blowouts, and he admitted the team quit during the Duke game. Second year, 3-8, but big improvement on the field. The losses were much closer, and the team didn’t beat themselves. Third year, after 3 close losses to start the season, the team breaks out to win 6 of the remaining 7 games. National Championship follows, with another bowl season after that. Ross leaves for NFL.
Bill Lewis- comes in with expectations of keeping the ball rolling, which he does until the sixth game of his first season, when FSU goes to the shotgun with Charlie Ward and completes a stunning fourth quarter comeback. The rest of the season goes down the tubes. The following season is highlighted by a QB controversy and mediocre performance; Lewis goes 5-6 each of his first two seasons. Tech sees the handwriting, and forces Lewis to hire O’Leary as DC. Lewis’ third season the wheels totally fall off, GOL takes over.
O’Leary comes in and goes 6-5 his first year, 5-6 the next year, then he brings in the Fridge and great things start to happen. (Mainly on offense)
So here we are with Gailey finishing with a very respectable 7-6 (compared to above),
Now what’s all the fuss about? Expectations and improvement.
Bill Curry came in took six years to get to a bowl game, but Tech stayed with him. Tech had low expectations and he showed improvement
Bobby Ross came in improved each year, and went on to win big. Now expectations are raised, no more we can’t win at Georgia Tech.
Enter Bill Lewis, first year similar to Chan in that they both ended on a down note the first year. Bill Lewis went on to lose the team, and lost his job in less than 3 seasons.
So, with Miami and Va. Tech coming in, can Tech afford to fiddle around with a coach that doesn’t show improvement? By the UNC game this year, the direction of the team should be apparent.
Bill Curry- Coming in after Pepper, Curry was given a long leash to rebuild the program, went 1-9-1, 1-10 his first two seasons. He did eventually get to a 9-2-1 season and an All- American Bowl appearance, took him 6 years. Alabama shocked the world one year later, and stole him away.
Bobby Ross- came in well respected, and got pasted his first year 2-9, mostly blowouts, and he admitted the team quit during the Duke game. Second year, 3-8, but big improvement on the field. The losses were much closer, and the team didn’t beat themselves. Third year, after 3 close losses to start the season, the team breaks out to win 6 of the remaining 7 games. National Championship follows, with another bowl season after that. Ross leaves for NFL.
Bill Lewis- comes in with expectations of keeping the ball rolling, which he does until the sixth game of his first season, when FSU goes to the shotgun with Charlie Ward and completes a stunning fourth quarter comeback. The rest of the season goes down the tubes. The following season is highlighted by a QB controversy and mediocre performance; Lewis goes 5-6 each of his first two seasons. Tech sees the handwriting, and forces Lewis to hire O’Leary as DC. Lewis’ third season the wheels totally fall off, GOL takes over.
O’Leary comes in and goes 6-5 his first year, 5-6 the next year, then he brings in the Fridge and great things start to happen. (Mainly on offense)
So here we are with Gailey finishing with a very respectable 7-6 (compared to above),
Now what’s all the fuss about? Expectations and improvement.
Bill Curry came in took six years to get to a bowl game, but Tech stayed with him. Tech had low expectations and he showed improvement
Bobby Ross came in improved each year, and went on to win big. Now expectations are raised, no more we can’t win at Georgia Tech.
Enter Bill Lewis, first year similar to Chan in that they both ended on a down note the first year. Bill Lewis went on to lose the team, and lost his job in less than 3 seasons.
So, with Miami and Va. Tech coming in, can Tech afford to fiddle around with a coach that doesn’t show improvement? By the UNC game this year, the direction of the team should be apparent.