It's 2007, GT is a GREAT job!

[Axe]

I don't want to comment about the current coaching staff, I just wanted to post quickly to state my opinion that the GT Head Football Coaching position is a great job and a spot where somebody can win and win big.

I think many of us are still stuck in the 70s/80s with the idea that the GT job is too tough and you can't win big here. I've had a little bit of that belief with me, but I now believe this is a great job and everything that is needed to win is in place.

1. The growth of the Metro Atlanta area and quality of football in the area. There are nearly twice as many High Schools in Gwinnett County today than there were in 1990, I have no idea how many more students there are, but I can tell you there are a whole lot of talented I-A prospects that have some of the finest coaching in the country. In the 70s and 80s, if you wanted the prime athlete you had win recruiting battles in the rural parts of the state where UGA was tough to beat and academics could be a question mark. I respect what is happening in other parts of the state, but the bottom line is there are a whole lot of top prospects 1/2 hour from BDS that are well coached and ready to go. The academics for a lot of these kids are very solid and ready for GT as well.

2. The Campus: GT does not have the greatest campus in the world but it is nice enough and now exceeds expectations everytime recruits come here. Our facilities are outstanding and we can put those toe to toe with most teams in the south. This is a far cry from the situation during the 70s/80s.

3. The City of Atlanta - The area around the campus has gone from depressing to one of the most desired areas in the city. The city is clearly a huge draw for a number of student athletes and obviously a great selling point for African American student-athletes. This a huge factor and something we have been selling well. Once again compare this to the 70s/80s.

4. The ACC - We are well postioned in our current league to step up and take a dominate position. Miami has a number of hurdles and challenges and issues they must face. The NC schools have yet to figure out the formula for success and even when they do, football will always come second. That leaves great opportunity for GT and VT to have opportunties for ACC titles and BCS trips on a regular basis.

5. Academics - The playing field on Academics and Character has been leveled some. GT is a tough place to go to school no doubt. But whether we want to admit it or not many other schools have been forced to pay more attention to the quality of their STUDENT-athletes than years ago. Schools pay a PR price when kids get in trouble and the NCAA progress mandates mean that teams can't afford to take huge chances on players. Those rules are tough on us no doubt but the playing field is certainly more level than it was in the 70s/80s.

Bottom line, Coach Gailey has been on the each of success here. It is clear that GT has been close to being able to compete and challenge for the ACC title ever year. This is a great job, not the best, but a very good job and I think Drad understands that and will make sure we have the best coach possible to run our program.

 

[thwg]

Agreed, I don't get the pessimistic thinking. GT has a more vaired curriculum than at any time ever. Thanks to Hope, GT has some fine good looking womne on campus. thanks to Hope, GT has many Southern bred, football crazy students on campus; more than in my lifetime.

Since the 70s, Division 1 football has gone from about 15% African American to more than 60%. We are in the heart of the New South, the mecca for African Americans. UGAg atheletes comes to ATL any chance they get to get away from the Alpharetta sorority girl thing Athens is.

GT is positioned to be a MIA of the 80s and 90s except with Notre Dame caliber students. BTW, ND just played the toughest schedule in the country. They will go 9-3 next year with a much easier schedule.

Anyway, GT should recruit the ATL and its burbs like never before. We have a campus that will be enjoyable, offer an education and connections that will open doors for a lifetime, and offer an urban setting that the vast majority of folks prefer. Hence the reason, midtown to Buckhead is fast becoming Manhattan and Auburn, Clemson, and Athens are staying in the 70s with more drugs and alternative bands.

For the coach who understands the South, the city, and somewhat GT, this is a gold mine.

 

[GoldZ]

Ask the coaching staff how they had to grovel at the foot of The Hill to just get 4 or 5 exceptions admitted to last year's class. Exceptions btw that gave the class it's ranking.

The playing field is anything but level.

 

[Axe]

Ask the coaching staff how they had to grovel at the foot of The Hill to just get 4 or 5 exceptions admitted to last year's class. Exceptions btw that gave the class it's ranking.

The playing field is anything but level.

Didn't see it was level, but get more level. It is certainly night and day from what it was in the 70s and 80s when players at the factory schools didn't go to glass. It seems you are indicating the exceptions were received and a great class was brought in. With our poor graduation record, it is probably a good thing that our coaches must work hard to make sure that any exceptions are worthy. Seems like the coaches believed in these kids and got the job done. Good job by them.