GT98
Dodd-Like
- Joined
- Jan 29, 2002
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Had a friend who is an FSU alum attend the luncheon today at the Marriott. Coach Gailey was among the speakers. Here you go:
The speakers there were: Dave Van Halanger, UGA strength coach (formerly at FSU, left with Mark Richt), Chan Gailey, new head coach of Ga Tech, Tony Barnhart, writer for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and ESPN Gameday, and Lee Corso (who needs no introduction).
Dave Van Halanger ----------------- This guy could not be more excited to be at UGA and with Mark Richt, one of his best friends. This guy is pumped up in general I think. Also mentioned he was Tommy Bowden's best man, played for Bobby Bowden's West Va teams. Talked very highly about UGA, and very highly of Coach Bowden and his time there.
Chan Gailey ----------- Seems like a good guy. In fact, later when they spoke, both Barnhart and Corso spoke highly of him. Corso said he will be the best coach at GT since Bobby Dodd. He was very laid back, didn't talk too long, and very positive about GT. He is a bit questionable on offense for GT, and more positive on defense. Feels defense is the key to GT doing well this year.
Tony Barnhart ------------- On the ACC: FSU is at the top. Has a great team. On defense, not as many great athletes as in the past, everywhere else, back to the same FSU. Talked about the recent ACC meeting. Players from other schools think the "FSU dynasty" is over. FSU players told him, in particular Alonzo Jackson, those guys are "just whistling past the graveyard". Barnhart evidently agrees with Jackson. FSU's dynasty is NOT over according to him. We are still the team to beat. In the rest of the ACC, 2 through 7 you can mix up and toss out. It is open. Watch out for Wake, they return a lot of guys from a 6-5 team. Duke is hoping to avoid 34 losses, the Div I-A record held by Northwestern. He didn't seem too positive about that record being avoided. On the SEC: Tennessee may be the best offense they've ever had. Don't be surprised is UF is 2-2 in first four games (losses to Tenn and Miami). South Carolina may be a little questionable according to what Holtz told Barnhart, but still pretty good according to Barnhart. Kentucky may surprise. In the West, Alabama will win the thing (as in best record), but cannot because of their NCAA sanctions. Miss State is looking like they are the next SEC team in trouble. Auburn is down, crappy end to 2002 and Tuberville is feeling a little pressure.
Lee Corso --------- He was the best speaker, as you would guess. He was absolutely frank and honest and doesn't hold a thing back, which I enjoy. Here was his take on the national picture. Pac 10: watch out for Washing State, they are headed to the Rose Bowl. You won't hear much about them though. They are on the west coast and you can't get there very easily. Too close to Montana and Idaho, he said jokingly. Big 10: watch out for Michigan. Lost to Ohio State, Mich State, and Penn State. They have a lot of pride and don't take that lightly. They will win a lot more. ACC: Florida State is the team to beat Big East: Miami WILL NOT win the National Championship. Reason is psychological. They are practicing all spring and summer with that big fat ring on the hand, last team to repeat was Nebraska in 1970's. Corso predicted FSU would not repeat in 99-00. Not going to happen Miami. SEC: Tennessee is a great team, Florida players under new coach feel they have a lot to prove as well and could be good. Big 12: BEST football conference top to bottom in nation. Oklahoma has best defense in nation and watch out for them (SEC fans in crowd of 350 were not happy to hear that). Texas has best athletes in nation, but they have NO HEART. They haven't had it for years. If (big if) they get heart, watch out. Otherwise, not much will be coming from them. Heisman trophy: assuming they both stay healthy all season, and their teams play reasonably well, the winning QB of the Miami-UF game will get the statue. Chris Simms is the sleeper QB of the season. Also, mentioned Brian Leftwich at Marshall is one of the best QB prospects in years. Watch out for him in the NFL one day, and of course this season. But, he will not get Heisman, not on a 'national' enough team.
Finally, Corso went off big time on the SEC. He said everyone in the nation feels they are dirty. They will sacrifice their university's integrity and dignity, academics, and anything else they have to win. Corso was very blunt on this. He said they are very close to becoming the Southwestern Conference. He also said these coaches that cheat should be kicked out of football, just like these cheating corporate execs that are going to jail. He said if the SEC was smart, they get on a public relations campaign right away touting their accomplishments both on and off the field. He was stronger on this subject of SEC corruption and image than I have ever heard him be on anything, and he is right.
I thought that Corso's comments were interesting...
The speakers there were: Dave Van Halanger, UGA strength coach (formerly at FSU, left with Mark Richt), Chan Gailey, new head coach of Ga Tech, Tony Barnhart, writer for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and ESPN Gameday, and Lee Corso (who needs no introduction).
Dave Van Halanger ----------------- This guy could not be more excited to be at UGA and with Mark Richt, one of his best friends. This guy is pumped up in general I think. Also mentioned he was Tommy Bowden's best man, played for Bobby Bowden's West Va teams. Talked very highly about UGA, and very highly of Coach Bowden and his time there.
Chan Gailey ----------- Seems like a good guy. In fact, later when they spoke, both Barnhart and Corso spoke highly of him. Corso said he will be the best coach at GT since Bobby Dodd. He was very laid back, didn't talk too long, and very positive about GT. He is a bit questionable on offense for GT, and more positive on defense. Feels defense is the key to GT doing well this year.
Tony Barnhart ------------- On the ACC: FSU is at the top. Has a great team. On defense, not as many great athletes as in the past, everywhere else, back to the same FSU. Talked about the recent ACC meeting. Players from other schools think the "FSU dynasty" is over. FSU players told him, in particular Alonzo Jackson, those guys are "just whistling past the graveyard". Barnhart evidently agrees with Jackson. FSU's dynasty is NOT over according to him. We are still the team to beat. In the rest of the ACC, 2 through 7 you can mix up and toss out. It is open. Watch out for Wake, they return a lot of guys from a 6-5 team. Duke is hoping to avoid 34 losses, the Div I-A record held by Northwestern. He didn't seem too positive about that record being avoided. On the SEC: Tennessee may be the best offense they've ever had. Don't be surprised is UF is 2-2 in first four games (losses to Tenn and Miami). South Carolina may be a little questionable according to what Holtz told Barnhart, but still pretty good according to Barnhart. Kentucky may surprise. In the West, Alabama will win the thing (as in best record), but cannot because of their NCAA sanctions. Miss State is looking like they are the next SEC team in trouble. Auburn is down, crappy end to 2002 and Tuberville is feeling a little pressure.
Lee Corso --------- He was the best speaker, as you would guess. He was absolutely frank and honest and doesn't hold a thing back, which I enjoy. Here was his take on the national picture. Pac 10: watch out for Washing State, they are headed to the Rose Bowl. You won't hear much about them though. They are on the west coast and you can't get there very easily. Too close to Montana and Idaho, he said jokingly. Big 10: watch out for Michigan. Lost to Ohio State, Mich State, and Penn State. They have a lot of pride and don't take that lightly. They will win a lot more. ACC: Florida State is the team to beat Big East: Miami WILL NOT win the National Championship. Reason is psychological. They are practicing all spring and summer with that big fat ring on the hand, last team to repeat was Nebraska in 1970's. Corso predicted FSU would not repeat in 99-00. Not going to happen Miami. SEC: Tennessee is a great team, Florida players under new coach feel they have a lot to prove as well and could be good. Big 12: BEST football conference top to bottom in nation. Oklahoma has best defense in nation and watch out for them (SEC fans in crowd of 350 were not happy to hear that). Texas has best athletes in nation, but they have NO HEART. They haven't had it for years. If (big if) they get heart, watch out. Otherwise, not much will be coming from them. Heisman trophy: assuming they both stay healthy all season, and their teams play reasonably well, the winning QB of the Miami-UF game will get the statue. Chris Simms is the sleeper QB of the season. Also, mentioned Brian Leftwich at Marshall is one of the best QB prospects in years. Watch out for him in the NFL one day, and of course this season. But, he will not get Heisman, not on a 'national' enough team.
Finally, Corso went off big time on the SEC. He said everyone in the nation feels they are dirty. They will sacrifice their university's integrity and dignity, academics, and anything else they have to win. Corso was very blunt on this. He said they are very close to becoming the Southwestern Conference. He also said these coaches that cheat should be kicked out of football, just like these cheating corporate execs that are going to jail. He said if the SEC was smart, they get on a public relations campaign right away touting their accomplishments both on and off the field. He was stronger on this subject of SEC corruption and image than I have ever heard him be on anything, and he is right.
I thought that Corso's comments were interesting...
