I want to take a few seconds to tell you about my friend Doug. He's a truly great guy. Loyal to a fault (I know this, because he's a fellow life-long Bungles fan). The kind of guy who would give you the shirt off of his back. The thing about Doug... brace yourselves... is that he's a Virginia Tech fan. One of the biggest I know, actually.
But that hasn't stunted our friendship at all. Quite the contrary. I think it's made us better friends. Mostly because I needed to know a decently reasonable VT fan so I could come down off of this misconception that all Virginia Tech fans are total redneck scumbags.
Doug isn't a scumbag at all. Like I said, he's a great guy. And he probably knows more about football, and has the most even-keeled opinions about football of anyone I've ever known. I respect him and his opinions a lot. A helluva lot.
His wife is a Virginia alum and season ticket holder. When he's not down in Blacksburg for a game (he's a Tech season ticket holder, himself), he's out there tailgating and taking in games in Scott Stadium. He knows the Virginia Tech program from top to bottom, but he also knows a hell of a lot about the UVA program. So he brings a lot of knowledge and a lot of unique, interesting perspective to the table.
That's exactly the reason why I wanted to do a blowout Wahooze-style Q&A with the man, coming from the angle of breaking down Tech's success over the last 15+ years, and digging down into how it will continue long term, and how UVA of the 2010's might be able to mirror the 1990's rise of the Hokie program.
As much as we Virginia fans might deny it, it is Virginia Tech's gridiron success that we aspire to. That's the God's honest truth. So I thought Doug was the perfect person to give us a little gospel on the subject. As you read through these questions and his extremely well-conceived and thoughtfully-constructed responses, try to keep that in mind. Where Virginia Tech is right now is exactly where we want the Virginia program to eventually ascend.
On to the Q&A...
1) How long have you been a Virginia Tech fan? Did it start with you going to school there, or before?
Doug: I started my Virginia Tech career in the Fall of 1990. I have to admit I was not a big Virginia Tech fan that first year. I suppose it was a combination of my love for basketball, my interest in pro football (The Bengals were one year removed from the Super Bowl and made a return trip to the playoffs, and frankly just the overall newness of college.) It pains me to admit that I chose to skip the 1990 VT-UVA game because I would have had to go back to school one day earlier than planned. I would say that the beginning of my fandom began my second year, in 1991. I went to every home game in '91 and '92 and saw 5-6 and 2-8-1 seasons. The payoff was the 1993 season which resulted in an undefeated home season and an overall 9-3 record.
2) At what point did you realize your football program had "arrived?" Was there a specific moment in time, a specific win, or a specific recruit, something like that?
Doug: Interesting question. From the game point of view, I would say getting the 0-12 Miami record off of our back in 1995 was really big, as was winning the Sugar bowl against Texas that same season. From a recruiting standpoint, getting Ken Oxendine and Cornell Brown to commit back in '92 and '93 were big, and showed that we were capable of getting some highly-ranked recruits that would have otherwise gone to UVA or UNC. Obviously, from a program point of view, getting that first Thursday night game in '94 and Gameday in '99 were all big deals as well. In my opinion, the concept of "arrival" usually cannot be defined by one individual moment, but by a sequence of events that build up to general public acceptance of the program. Obviously, the National Championship game berth was the fruition of this for Virginia Tech just as UVA's #1 ranking in 1990 was a the fruition of many events for the Hoos (first bowl game appearance, first bowl win, signing Terry Kirby, beating Clemson for the first time, etc.)
3) Why do you think Virginia has not been as successful on the field as the Hokies during the course of the last fifteen years or so?
Doug: From a head-to-head basis, I would say it's a variety of reasons. Let's go back to 1993 when VT started its current run. Throw out '93 to '99 as the series went 4-3 in favor of VT, which is essentially even. The only team that was clearly more talented during that stretch was 1999 Virginia Tech, which went on to the national championship game against FSU. From 2000 to 2004, It was 4-1 in favor of the Hokies. UVA had very talented teams in 2000, 2002, and 2004, but unfortunately had to play in Blacksburg all three years. In 2001 we got Al Groh in his first year after George Welsh left the cupboard a little bare in terms of young talent. Ironically, 2003 was our most talented team ever in terms of top-end players, yet we couldn't beat our way out of a wet paper bag by the end of the year. Obviously from 2005 on is where the gap really gets stretched out. The bottom line for the past six years is simply a clear differential in talent; VT has simply had more. Honestly my only concern about UVA in the past six years was Chris Long going crazy and single-handedly beating us in 2007 as he did that year against Miami. As long as we showed up and played our game we were going to win against you guys. More on this later...
Overall UVA played a tougher schedule than us in the late '90s but unfortunately didn't win a lot of the big games (Michigan '95, Texas '95, Auburn '97), a trend on which Tech has sort of returned the favor recently (Boise 2010, Alabama 2009, LSU 2007). The reality is that the margin between winning and losing is very thin.
4) Name the five most important positions on a college football team. Why did you choose those five? How does Virginia Tech traditionally address those five positions in recruiting and player development?
Doug: I am a big believer in the baseball axiom... it's most important to be strong up the middle. In college football, I would rank them as follows:
1) Defensive Tackle - Is there anything better than a disruptive DT in the 4-3, or a huge NT in the 3-4? They garner extra blocks and generally make everyone else around them better. I am convinced that this is the single biggest difference in talent between top-end SEC teams and teams that play in the ACC, Big 12, Pac-12, etc. Look at the last few national champions what do they all have in common?
2) Quarterback - Obviously you want your quarterback to be a smart and solid leader. I am not a big believer in the two quarterback system just because I have seen the negative effect it had on VT teams in 2003, 2007, and 2008, but it seems to be working at UVA right now, perhaps because they are both young.
3) Center - They are responsible for making all the line calls and frankly they have to deal with #1 on this list.
4) Middle Linebacker - They blitz, they cover, they are there for run support, they do it all, and if they don't have a great DT in front of them, they had better be super-talented.
5) Free Safety - They are the quarterback of the defense.
If you have each of these five in place, then I think you can just plug in RBs, WRs and DBs.
In pro football, clearly the QB, the DBs, and the offensive tackles are at more of a premium.
5) Are you getting nervous about Frank Beamer's eventual retirement? What will happen to the program when that day arrives?
Doug: "Nervous" is not a word I would use, but I would say there is always a little bit of trepidation with the eventual change. Frank Beamer is the face of Virginia Tech football. He has built it to what it is today. When I hear Hokie fans grousing about getting rid of Beamer to "get to the next level" I wonder if they realize that the level they are referring could be the Tire and Music City Bowls. I am not one of the Hokie fans that think our birthright is the National Championship. We already had our chance to catch lightning in a bottle, and the landscape of college football has changed to the point where realistically only six to eight teams really have a shot to win it all, and VT is not one of them. I believe that with the ACC now looking stronger than ever, and while we're certainly smaller than the upper-echelon schools, our national brand should allow us to find a capable replacement for Beamer. My guess is that once he steps down you can expect a slight drop off (7-5 to 9-3) for a couple of years but I would hope that we would be challenging for the conference title again by year 3 of the new regime. I certainly am not trying to be cocky, but this gets back to my answer to #2, above. While the loss of Beamer would be a large axe chop, it certainly by itself should not completely decimate a program that has had a nice 18 year run. My big concern at that point would be holding on to the new coach if he is successful.
6) If UVA is successful under Mike London and the Hoos continue to recruit the state of Virginia with as much success as we've had during the 2011 and 2012 recruiting cycles, how much do you think it will undermine the on-field success of Virginia Tech, if at all? Is there enough talent in the state of Virginia to support two top-25 type programs?
Doug: A more talented UVA team is definitely a threat to beat VT more often than present and clearly there has already been a recruiting effect. In looking at VT's recruiting the past couple of years, you can already see that we are taking a few more kids than usual from Georgia, Florida, North Carolina, and of all places Indiana. That being said, as the late '90s and early 2000s show, there is certainly more than enough talent in the Commonwealth to field two Top-25 teams. Historically, it has been done. The SEC teams are always going to get a couple of players from Virginia each year, so as fans of the in state programs you have to accept that. The real thing that UVA and VT fans need to worry about is just south of us -- UNC. Canning Butch Davis was a good start, but both of our fanbases should be hoping the NCAA prison-rapes UNC to make to make that job completely radioactive. I cringe at the thought of UNC's new AD bringing in some young hotshot like Gus Malzahn (Auburn OC) or Kevin Sumlin (Houston HC).
7) Name three things Virginia has that you wish Virginia Tech had.
Doug: I really like this question.
1. Baseball Team - I have to admit, I am insanely jealous of your success on the diamond. We had a nice run in 2009, but nothing like you guys have going right now.
2. JPJ Arena - While I think the school may have been a little overzealous with the number of seats, the place is amazing and is a great arena for concerts. If UVA ever gets hoops going like they had in the '80s and mid '90s this place could be one of the more overwhelming home court advantages.
3. UVA's ability to put out top line OL. Sadly this is one thing that VT has been pretty much terrible with doing. Offensive line.
Wahooze Bonus - Three UVA recruits that I would have loved to see at Virginia Tech:
1. Anthony Poindexter - This guy is the best safety I have ever seen. I was disappointed when he chose UVA over VT as he was a local boy for me (Lynchburg... well actually Forest, VA).
2. Herman Moore - Herman was seriously considering coming to VT, but did not have the extra math credit that is required for entry into the school. Needless to say VT's loss was UVA's gain.
3. Thomas Jones - Guy was a beast, and you came in and took him out of strong VT territory.
Honorable mention to the million dollar talent with 10 cent head - Ahmad Brooks. I think that guy could have been awesome as a rush end in Bud Foster's system.
8) Same question, but reversed. Name three advantages over Virginia that you feel Virginia Tech has.
Doug: 1. An administration (academic and athletic) that sees the football program as a way to increase exposure for the school overall. While John Casteen certainly was an incredible fund raiser, it was pretty obvious how he felt about the football program. Not sure what President Sullivan's thoughts are on this, but it all starts with her.
2. Football practice facilities - there is no reason that a school with as much money as UVa has should have the football team practice on concrete floors when it rains… ridiculous. I suppose this is based on #1, above.
3. Larger and ever-increasing alumni base - Not sure what UVA's official enrollment is at present, but let's face it. Virginia Tech is putting out 6,000 grads each year. It is all about money, and the more alumni you have the more donors you have.
9) Be honest --- does Virginia Tech have better fans than UVA, or is the Hokie fanbase just inflated after two decades of winning? Break down the two fanbases with as much honesty as possible. Do you think Virginia will develop a decent fanbase after some sustained levels of success?
Doug: Okay this is kind of a loaded question. "Better?" No way. Do I like the Good Ol' Song and the swaying after each score? Nope. But then I also feel that Hokie fans shaking their keys on third down is lame, as well. The point is that each school has their own traditions and the fans should embrace them. It is what makes each school unique. Do I think that there a lot of bandwagon VT fans? Absolutely. That sort of comes with the territory. They are typically the ones that predict 12-0 seasons and expect Logan Thomas to change water into wine. They are also the ones who complain about Beamer after the first loss. That being said, I do think that Hokie fans have two aspects to the fanbase that currently trumps the Hoo fan base... passion, and the knowledge for when to show that passion.
It drives me crazy to hear the home crowd start a "Go Hoos" chant when the UVA offense is staring at a 4th down play. Stop waiting for Crazy Train to play to make noise. Part of the play is when the other team is on the sideline trying to get the play in. Half the battle is lost when you wait for the QB to get under center before you start making noise. And for God's sake, stop streaming to the exits when there is 3 minutes to go, you have the ball and are down 5 points. Sad. Start coming to noon games, students. If you don't, you might miss that upset of Miami.
I know Kendall pretty well, and if you are reading his blog, my guess is you have just as much passion as he does, so you are not the problem. Not sure what the answer is in this case or if it is just serendipity. VT's entrance into the stadium to Metallica originated from someone in the band that was simply jumping up and down to keep warm and then others started doing it. I think things will improve from a fanbase standpoint as UVA improves. However, the double-edged sword from that is that the addition of bandwagon fans and their ridiculous and unrealistic expectations.
10) Based on your experience as a Hokie, what's the key to building a successful football program... and do you think Virginia is currently on the right track?
Doug: VT's rise can be traced to several factors - admission to the Big East, ability to hold on to Frank Beamer in 1993 and 2000, and most importantly, a commitment from the top to embrace the role of the football team to the university. Now that we are in the ACC, we no longer have to do this to the detriment of our non-revenue sports. UVA is in the ACC, has a top-notch athletics program, and appears to be increasing the commitment to football... so YES, I would say that you are on the right track for sure, depending on your expectations. If you are thinking 11 or 12 wins and contending for national championship, then I don't think that is realistic. The cold reality is that it's not really in the cards for just about every school (including Virginia Tech), unless there is a dramatic change to the college football landscape. I think it is realistic for a UVA fan to expect to win 7 to10 games every year and contend for the Coastal Division and ACC title. 2007 was fun having the berth to the title game on the line between UVA and VT.
BONUS QUESTION: If you were in charge of all conference realignment, in which conference(s) would Virginia Tech and Virginia end up, and why? Where do our schools belong?
Doug: This one is easy. Both schools are exactly where they belong… in the ACC. I have zero interest in moving to the SEC, where football is the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd priority with football recruiting #1a. Admittedly, we had a long way to go but I would like to think that VT has held up their end of the bargain in terms of helping the ACC in football while also increasing our relevance in the Olympic sports. We still have a ways to go, but I really love how far we have come in seven years. UVA and UNC are the gold standard for the non-revs, and I hope that one day Virginia Tech can have an overall athletic program that is on par with these two programs.
Doug: I started my Virginia Tech career in the Fall of 1990. I have to admit I was not a big Virginia Tech fan that first year. I suppose it was a combination of my love for basketball, my interest in pro football (The Bengals were one year removed from the Super Bowl and made a return trip to the playoffs, and frankly just the overall newness of college.) It pains me to admit that I chose to skip the 1990 VT-UVA game because I would have had to go back to school one day earlier than planned. I would say that the beginning of my fandom began my second year, in 1991. I went to every home game in '91 and '92 and saw 5-6 and 2-8-1 seasons. The payoff was the 1993 season which resulted in an undefeated home season and an overall 9-3 record.
2) At what point did you realize your football program had "arrived?" Was there a specific moment in time, a specific win, or a specific recruit, something like that?
Doug: Interesting question. From the game point of view, I would say getting the 0-12 Miami record off of our back in 1995 was really big, as was winning the Sugar bowl against Texas that same season. From a recruiting standpoint, getting Ken Oxendine and Cornell Brown to commit back in '92 and '93 were big, and showed that we were capable of getting some highly-ranked recruits that would have otherwise gone to UVA or UNC. Obviously, from a program point of view, getting that first Thursday night game in '94 and Gameday in '99 were all big deals as well. In my opinion, the concept of "arrival" usually cannot be defined by one individual moment, but by a sequence of events that build up to general public acceptance of the program. Obviously, the National Championship game berth was the fruition of this for Virginia Tech just as UVA's #1 ranking in 1990 was a the fruition of many events for the Hoos (first bowl game appearance, first bowl win, signing Terry Kirby, beating Clemson for the first time, etc.)
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| Terry Kirby: UVA's first modern-era uber-recruit. |
3) Why do you think Virginia has not been as successful on the field as the Hokies during the course of the last fifteen years or so?
Doug: From a head-to-head basis, I would say it's a variety of reasons. Let's go back to 1993 when VT started its current run. Throw out '93 to '99 as the series went 4-3 in favor of VT, which is essentially even. The only team that was clearly more talented during that stretch was 1999 Virginia Tech, which went on to the national championship game against FSU. From 2000 to 2004, It was 4-1 in favor of the Hokies. UVA had very talented teams in 2000, 2002, and 2004, but unfortunately had to play in Blacksburg all three years. In 2001 we got Al Groh in his first year after George Welsh left the cupboard a little bare in terms of young talent. Ironically, 2003 was our most talented team ever in terms of top-end players, yet we couldn't beat our way out of a wet paper bag by the end of the year. Obviously from 2005 on is where the gap really gets stretched out. The bottom line for the past six years is simply a clear differential in talent; VT has simply had more. Honestly my only concern about UVA in the past six years was Chris Long going crazy and single-handedly beating us in 2007 as he did that year against Miami. As long as we showed up and played our game we were going to win against you guys. More on this later...
Overall UVA played a tougher schedule than us in the late '90s but unfortunately didn't win a lot of the big games (Michigan '95, Texas '95, Auburn '97), a trend on which Tech has sort of returned the favor recently (Boise 2010, Alabama 2009, LSU 2007). The reality is that the margin between winning and losing is very thin.
4) Name the five most important positions on a college football team. Why did you choose those five? How does Virginia Tech traditionally address those five positions in recruiting and player development?
Doug: I am a big believer in the baseball axiom... it's most important to be strong up the middle. In college football, I would rank them as follows:
1) Defensive Tackle - Is there anything better than a disruptive DT in the 4-3, or a huge NT in the 3-4? They garner extra blocks and generally make everyone else around them better. I am convinced that this is the single biggest difference in talent between top-end SEC teams and teams that play in the ACC, Big 12, Pac-12, etc. Look at the last few national champions what do they all have in common?
2) Quarterback - Obviously you want your quarterback to be a smart and solid leader. I am not a big believer in the two quarterback system just because I have seen the negative effect it had on VT teams in 2003, 2007, and 2008, but it seems to be working at UVA right now, perhaps because they are both young.
3) Center - They are responsible for making all the line calls and frankly they have to deal with #1 on this list.
4) Middle Linebacker - They blitz, they cover, they are there for run support, they do it all, and if they don't have a great DT in front of them, they had better be super-talented.
5) Free Safety - They are the quarterback of the defense.
If you have each of these five in place, then I think you can just plug in RBs, WRs and DBs.
In pro football, clearly the QB, the DBs, and the offensive tackles are at more of a premium.
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| My "five pillar" positions are QB, go-to WR, left tackle / blindside protector, pass rusher (DE or OLB), and shutdown corner. |
5) Are you getting nervous about Frank Beamer's eventual retirement? What will happen to the program when that day arrives?
Doug: "Nervous" is not a word I would use, but I would say there is always a little bit of trepidation with the eventual change. Frank Beamer is the face of Virginia Tech football. He has built it to what it is today. When I hear Hokie fans grousing about getting rid of Beamer to "get to the next level" I wonder if they realize that the level they are referring could be the Tire and Music City Bowls. I am not one of the Hokie fans that think our birthright is the National Championship. We already had our chance to catch lightning in a bottle, and the landscape of college football has changed to the point where realistically only six to eight teams really have a shot to win it all, and VT is not one of them. I believe that with the ACC now looking stronger than ever, and while we're certainly smaller than the upper-echelon schools, our national brand should allow us to find a capable replacement for Beamer. My guess is that once he steps down you can expect a slight drop off (7-5 to 9-3) for a couple of years but I would hope that we would be challenging for the conference title again by year 3 of the new regime. I certainly am not trying to be cocky, but this gets back to my answer to #2, above. While the loss of Beamer would be a large axe chop, it certainly by itself should not completely decimate a program that has had a nice 18 year run. My big concern at that point would be holding on to the new coach if he is successful.
6) If UVA is successful under Mike London and the Hoos continue to recruit the state of Virginia with as much success as we've had during the 2011 and 2012 recruiting cycles, how much do you think it will undermine the on-field success of Virginia Tech, if at all? Is there enough talent in the state of Virginia to support two top-25 type programs?
Doug: A more talented UVA team is definitely a threat to beat VT more often than present and clearly there has already been a recruiting effect. In looking at VT's recruiting the past couple of years, you can already see that we are taking a few more kids than usual from Georgia, Florida, North Carolina, and of all places Indiana. That being said, as the late '90s and early 2000s show, there is certainly more than enough talent in the Commonwealth to field two Top-25 teams. Historically, it has been done. The SEC teams are always going to get a couple of players from Virginia each year, so as fans of the in state programs you have to accept that. The real thing that UVA and VT fans need to worry about is just south of us -- UNC. Canning Butch Davis was a good start, but both of our fanbases should be hoping the NCAA prison-rapes UNC to make to make that job completely radioactive. I cringe at the thought of UNC's new AD bringing in some young hotshot like Gus Malzahn (Auburn OC) or Kevin Sumlin (Houston HC).
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| Beware the Tarheels poaching Virginia talent. |
7) Name three things Virginia has that you wish Virginia Tech had.
Doug: I really like this question.
1. Baseball Team - I have to admit, I am insanely jealous of your success on the diamond. We had a nice run in 2009, but nothing like you guys have going right now.
2. JPJ Arena - While I think the school may have been a little overzealous with the number of seats, the place is amazing and is a great arena for concerts. If UVA ever gets hoops going like they had in the '80s and mid '90s this place could be one of the more overwhelming home court advantages.
3. UVA's ability to put out top line OL. Sadly this is one thing that VT has been pretty much terrible with doing. Offensive line.
Wahooze Bonus - Three UVA recruits that I would have loved to see at Virginia Tech:
1. Anthony Poindexter - This guy is the best safety I have ever seen. I was disappointed when he chose UVA over VT as he was a local boy for me (Lynchburg... well actually Forest, VA).
2. Herman Moore - Herman was seriously considering coming to VT, but did not have the extra math credit that is required for entry into the school. Needless to say VT's loss was UVA's gain.
3. Thomas Jones - Guy was a beast, and you came in and took him out of strong VT territory.
Honorable mention to the million dollar talent with 10 cent head - Ahmad Brooks. I think that guy could have been awesome as a rush end in Bud Foster's system.
8) Same question, but reversed. Name three advantages over Virginia that you feel Virginia Tech has.
Doug: 1. An administration (academic and athletic) that sees the football program as a way to increase exposure for the school overall. While John Casteen certainly was an incredible fund raiser, it was pretty obvious how he felt about the football program. Not sure what President Sullivan's thoughts are on this, but it all starts with her.
2. Football practice facilities - there is no reason that a school with as much money as UVa has should have the football team practice on concrete floors when it rains… ridiculous. I suppose this is based on #1, above.
3. Larger and ever-increasing alumni base - Not sure what UVA's official enrollment is at present, but let's face it. Virginia Tech is putting out 6,000 grads each year. It is all about money, and the more alumni you have the more donors you have.
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| A commitment to football, Missus Sullivan. Please make it happen. |
9) Be honest --- does Virginia Tech have better fans than UVA, or is the Hokie fanbase just inflated after two decades of winning? Break down the two fanbases with as much honesty as possible. Do you think Virginia will develop a decent fanbase after some sustained levels of success?
Doug: Okay this is kind of a loaded question. "Better?" No way. Do I like the Good Ol' Song and the swaying after each score? Nope. But then I also feel that Hokie fans shaking their keys on third down is lame, as well. The point is that each school has their own traditions and the fans should embrace them. It is what makes each school unique. Do I think that there a lot of bandwagon VT fans? Absolutely. That sort of comes with the territory. They are typically the ones that predict 12-0 seasons and expect Logan Thomas to change water into wine. They are also the ones who complain about Beamer after the first loss. That being said, I do think that Hokie fans have two aspects to the fanbase that currently trumps the Hoo fan base... passion, and the knowledge for when to show that passion.
It drives me crazy to hear the home crowd start a "Go Hoos" chant when the UVA offense is staring at a 4th down play. Stop waiting for Crazy Train to play to make noise. Part of the play is when the other team is on the sideline trying to get the play in. Half the battle is lost when you wait for the QB to get under center before you start making noise. And for God's sake, stop streaming to the exits when there is 3 minutes to go, you have the ball and are down 5 points. Sad. Start coming to noon games, students. If you don't, you might miss that upset of Miami.
I know Kendall pretty well, and if you are reading his blog, my guess is you have just as much passion as he does, so you are not the problem. Not sure what the answer is in this case or if it is just serendipity. VT's entrance into the stadium to Metallica originated from someone in the band that was simply jumping up and down to keep warm and then others started doing it. I think things will improve from a fanbase standpoint as UVA improves. However, the double-edged sword from that is that the addition of bandwagon fans and their ridiculous and unrealistic expectations.
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| Passion and knowledge... got it. |
10) Based on your experience as a Hokie, what's the key to building a successful football program... and do you think Virginia is currently on the right track?
Doug: VT's rise can be traced to several factors - admission to the Big East, ability to hold on to Frank Beamer in 1993 and 2000, and most importantly, a commitment from the top to embrace the role of the football team to the university. Now that we are in the ACC, we no longer have to do this to the detriment of our non-revenue sports. UVA is in the ACC, has a top-notch athletics program, and appears to be increasing the commitment to football... so YES, I would say that you are on the right track for sure, depending on your expectations. If you are thinking 11 or 12 wins and contending for national championship, then I don't think that is realistic. The cold reality is that it's not really in the cards for just about every school (including Virginia Tech), unless there is a dramatic change to the college football landscape. I think it is realistic for a UVA fan to expect to win 7 to10 games every year and contend for the Coastal Division and ACC title. 2007 was fun having the berth to the title game on the line between UVA and VT.
BONUS QUESTION: If you were in charge of all conference realignment, in which conference(s) would Virginia Tech and Virginia end up, and why? Where do our schools belong?
Doug: This one is easy. Both schools are exactly where they belong… in the ACC. I have zero interest in moving to the SEC, where football is the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd priority with football recruiting #1a. Admittedly, we had a long way to go but I would like to think that VT has held up their end of the bargain in terms of helping the ACC in football while also increasing our relevance in the Olympic sports. We still have a ways to go, but I really love how far we have come in seven years. UVA and UNC are the gold standard for the non-revs, and I hope that one day Virginia Tech can have an overall athletic program that is on par with these two programs.
Holy sh*t, thia is awesome. Thanks Kendall and Doug!
ReplyDeleteGreat fucking article. It's always nice to hear from a member of the opposition who actually has informed, reasonable opinions without any chest beating or name calling.
ReplyDeleteGreat stuff. You what impresses me most? Kendall's growth and openness to VT. No way would Doug get this invite 5 years ago. And forget about that VT-related sections of the "Admissions of a UVA Fan" post. You have come a long way since the taunts from Dunglison, K.
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Enjoyed the read. Great questions, K, and quality, honest answers Doug. Thanks guys!
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