New Year's Resolution

I have a pretty fun one this year.  It's not to be less fat or watch less TV.  It's not to stay away from trash like MTV's Buckwild.  It's not to be nicer to the kids or swear off swearing.  It's send out more Wahooze tweets!

So follow me, HERE.  I'll do my best to hammer you with tweets while we're in Florida.

Sipping Kool-Aid!

Okay, so I'm geared up to watch the Bengals tonight (WHO DEY!), then waking up at the crack tomorrow morning to get on a plane to take the family to see my grandparents in Florida, so I'll be away from the blog for at least a week.

Big basketball game against UNC tomorrow night, and it sounds like Jontel Evans will be back at something close to 100%, so that's good.  It's a huge game for us, as we really need the W to buoy our flagging RPI and make amends for the ODU debacle.  I'm not sure if we're a Tournament team this year, but a home loss to Carolina kind of seals our fate.  But this post is not about basketball!

This post is about football.  Specifically, all of the little nuts and bolts of the operation that I think will be better under the new and improved coaching staff.  Let's take a quick look.

Offense, In General
Let's play a quick numbers game --- Count the names I'm about to list.  Lazor, Wachenheim, Faragalli, Moore.  How many is that?  Four?  Now count the names: Lazor, Wachenheim, Hagans, Banks, O'Brien.  How many is that?  Five?  Good, good.  You're good at this.  Now do this math: 2+17+9+0.  28, right?  That's 28 years of combined prior D-1A/FBS-level experience among our former offensive staff.  Now this: 2+17+0+9+34.  That's 62 years of combined prior D-1A/FBS-level experience among our new offensive staff.  That's over twice as much experience.  Think our offense, in general, might be improved via this level of experience?  Competency, here we come!

The Offensive Line, in Particular
Tom O'Brien spent 21 years coaching the offensive line at Navy and at Virginia.  His role as the Tight Ends coach and Assistant Head Coach for Offense allows him ample freedom to pitch in with the o-line.  In fact, I bet he and Wach kind of double-team the OL/TE coaching.  If there's one area of the team that I think will be markedly improved because of these coaching changes, it is the OL.

Special Teams
In Jeff Banks, we have our first dedicated special teams mastermind since I've been following Virginia Football.  I said it a while ago -- make the ST a coaching priority, make it a priority for the team, and it'll become a strength and quickly ingrained in the fabric of the program's identity.  That's what happened at Tech when Frankie took the reins of the ST units.  That'll happen here under Banks, just like it happened at UTEP... under Banks.

Punting and Kicking, Specifically
Jeff Banks is a former punter.  There are not many former kickers in the football coaching profession, but we have one on our staff now.  This guy knows how to pick and choose kicking talent, and he knows how to develop those legs.  That's a fairly big deal for a program that figures to play a style that leads directly to close games.

Ending the QB Carousel
TOB is interested in quality control on the offensive side of the ball, and that means ending the maddening and messy QB carousel and choosing a starter, and then sticking with that starter through thick and thin.  How many QBs with 5-star tools did TOB have to work with at BC and NC State?  True or false: he sent (or is sending) those guys to the NFL after stellar college careers?  You know what?  Phillip Sims was a 5-star QB coming out of high school, and Greyson Lambert displayed 5-star goods.  Corwin "Turtle" Cutler did as well.  Time to sit back and reap these rewards under center...

Stop this ride! I'm getting sick!

The Defensive Line
This has kind of been swept under the carpet a little bit in the shuffle of the big-news coaching hires, but Mike London will personally take over coaching the defensive line.  This is similar to Beamer coaching ST.  So our version of "Beamerball" figures to become d-line play!  At the very least, it communicates to all DL recruits that UVA views its tackles and ends as being the "sexy" positions to come play for this team.  I like that we're sending that message, and I am beyond confident in London's ability to coach 'em up on the DL.

Blitzing
Jon Tenuta blitzes.  Early, and often.  Actually, he blitzes on pretty much every play.  Amen and Hallelujah.

Generating Turnovers and Game-Changing Defensive Plays
See also: Blitzing, and Tenuta, Jon.

Giving the Offense a Short Field
See also: Blitzing, and Tenuta, Jon, and Generating Turnovers and Game-Changing Defensive Plays.

The Tight Ends
Our new Tight Ends coach is one of the best coaches we've ever had patrolling the sidelines at Virginia, and he's a guy who has gone 8-2 in bowl games as a head coach.  Yeah, the guy can coach.  Our tights ends will benefit.

Big Corners in Press Coverage
It's part of the Tenuta scheme.  He likes his corners big and mean, and he likes them jamming receivers.  I am half-erect just thinking about the merciful end to 8-10 yard cushions.

A Commitment to the Run
Have you ever seen an O'Brien-coached team play?  They don't get away from the running game unless absolutely, positively necessary.  God bless you, Baby Jesus.  I think TOB and Lazor jive with the dink and dunk stuff, but TOB will help keep Lazor dialed in on running the football.  Kevin Parks, Clifton Richardson, Smoke Mizzell, Kye Morgan, and Khalek Shepherd say hello.


So here's what a Virginia football team looks like under this new coaching staff:
Ball control offense, very run-heavy, doesn't make mistakes, errs on the side of being conservative; solid quarterbacking, lots of screens to the backs, lots of short/quick passes to the flat, lots of looks for the tight ends, the occasional play action bomb.  Relentless, "push the envelope," attacking-style defense; blitzes on every play, overload blitzes that are difficult to prepare for and difficult to stop without very experienced QBs and RBs; press coverage, regularly burned by big plays deep, regularly gashed by runs/passes away from the overloaded side, lots of turnovers generated, more than a few penalties of aggression (late hits, personal fouls, roughing the passers), game-changing plays generated by the D; absolutely crushing less-talented teams and/or teams with shaky QB play.  Competent special teams, ST swagger, starters playing on ST, confidence in the kicking game as earned through demonstrated performance.  A team that wins the games it's supposed to win and who poses a "tough out" for elite-level opposition.  A team that exploits the opposition's weaknesses.  A team that may occasionally beat itself, but only by way of being "too aggressive" defensively.

I'll take it.

Hell yes, I'll take it.

OH, YEAAHH!



Have a great week, everyone.

GO HOOS!

Hidden Benefits

Yesterday's hiring announcements marked a turning point for the Mike London era at UVA. It signalled, among many things, that we are all-in when it comes to winning. Our staff underwent a transition from a focus on recruiting and stockpiling talent, to a focus on taking the talent, and maximizing its development and success on the field. It was a move that was necessary, and one that can do nothing but improve the program as a whole.

However, for all the benefits that we hope to see in the players and results, the biggest benefit could be felt in the coaching staff itself. And it could solve one of the biggest problems we have had. That is the perceived disconnect between Mike London and Offensive Coordinator Bill Lazor, especially at the QB position.

Say what you will about the Mike Rocco comments following his transfer, but they do clearly highlight at least a disagreement between the coaches over who should be starting. While I don't think there is a problem and a lack of respect between the two men, I do think that Coach Lazor perceived a greater ability to express his opinions, and challenge Coach London. This, in my opinion, would be due to Coach London's relative inexperience as a head coach. This is all speculative of course, but I think the QB carousel is a good demonstration of the lack of an authoritative voice on the subject. To me it screamed that each man thought they could make the decision better than the other. 

Regardless of the validity of that last paragraph, that all ended yesterday with the hiring of Tom O'Brien. TOB comes in as the voice for the offense, and a coach of his experience and proven track record should be the definitive and final decision maker for that side of the ball. This highlights the importance of the relationship between Mike London and Tom O'Brien, which from all indications is very, very strong. London now has someone that he trusts to run that side of the ball, which allows him to focus on the defense, and specifically the defensive line. While this sounds like he is seceding control that should ultimately be his, that is the incorrect way of looking at things. The point of the head coach is to put the team in a position to ultimately be successful. Part of that is having a staff you trust to take some of the burden off of you.

This is a huge hire. with OB in charge of the offense there will no longer be uncertainty. Expect Phillip Sims to progress nicely, and be firm in his hold of the starting job. Any QB rotations are a thing of the past now. Continuity has come to Hooville, and man does it feel good.

Wizard Staff

Not this, asshole.  You take me too literally.

In case you haven't heard, news broke today that UVA has hired Jon Tenuta as its new Defensive Coordinator, Jeff Banks as its Special Teams Cooardinator and Running Backs Coach, Marques "Biscuit" Hagans as its Wide Receivers Coach, and the coup de grâce (to our enemies), Tom O'Brien (aka "TOB") as its Associate Head Coach [for Offense] and Tight Ends Coach.

Hoofans have been waiting for a home run hire to replace Jim Reid, and Tenuta is certainly a bomb over the left field bleachers.  Meanwhile, adding TOB to the staff in any capacity is a grand slam in the bottom of the ninth in game seven of the World Series.

I can't do these hires justice like Jamie Oakes from Wahoos247 can, so please just read his story, HERE.  Come on back when you're done, I still have a few things to say.

Okay, you're back?  Good.  I also want to show you THIS.  It's important to set a tone and get the goosebumps raised.  Let me know when you're done watching.

All set?  Okay, here are a few of my quick-fire thoughts on these hires, which compose the "wizard staff" I mentioned earlier.

Tom O'Brien
Maybe TOB is a coach to coach our coach, and maybe his addition to the staff adds up to too many cooks in the kitchen, but I'm just going to put it as simply as I can: Everything Mike London is bad at doing, TOB is good at doing.  London and O'Brien have a history together, working harmoniously at Boston College.  So if a true collaboration is achieved within our coaching staff, it can only mean good things for UVA.  TOB is one helluva good coach.  He knows the state of Virginia, he has gobs of experience, he knows the ACC inside and out, and he excels at elevating 2- and 3-star talent into 4-star players.  I wonder what he'll be able to do with the 4- and 5-star kids London, Chip West, and Anthony Poindexter recruit?  Adding a guy like O'Brien to your staff is like a tide that raises all boats.  I overuse that saying, but it absolutely applies here.  I literally cannot gush enough about Tom O'Brien.

Jon Tenuta
Tenuta is like a mad scientist of blitzes. He believes in pressure as a philosophy. What, exactly, does that mean?

Tenuta sees pressure as not something to change the pace of the game or to keep opposing offenses from getting into a rhythm.  He doesn't see it as a situational component of defense.  He believes in playing on the opposite side of the line of scrimmage at all times, in order to rattle quarterbacks and dictate the action to the offense, not react to what the offense dictates to the D.  Tenuta has an aggressive personality and emphasizes physical play, and is a superb defensive play-caller because he is fearless with applying pressure... because he always applies pressure.  Obviously, this means blitzing.  Constant blitzing.

Blitzing can effectively be broken down into two categories: equal and overload.  An equal blitz is when the defense rushes with a number of players equal to - or less than - the number of offensive players in pass protection.  Overload blitzing is when the defense rushes the quarterback with more defenders than the offense uses to protect the passer.  The latter aims at applying pressure quickly with an unblocked defender, but can lead to uncovered receivers and/or holes in zone coverage.  There are variations to both approaches, but most are focused on disguise and execution.  Rolling coverages, dropping defensive linemen into coverage, etc. are mostly window dressing for these two blitz types.  One of Tenuta’s specialties is a hybrid of the two -- rather than rush more defenders than offensive players in pass protection, Tenuta focuses on overloading an area of the field. This overload area blitz attempts to turn a defender loose but doesn’t sacrifice bodies in pass coverage like a traditional overload blitz.  It's a beautiful thing to behold, as it can achieve the benefit of an overload blitz without the inherent risk of dropping too few players into coverage.  But make absolutely no mistake: Jon Tenuta's defense is risky.  It will generate sacks and turnovers, and force opposing offenses into making mistakes.  But it will also yield a lot of "too easy" passing plays, and will lead to the roof being blown off of coverage far too often.

NC State fans will tell you that Tenuta's style is essentially this: Blitz one!  Didn't work?  Blitz two!  Didn't work?  Blitz three!  Didn't work?  Blitz four!  Didn't work?  Blitz 'em all!

At the end of the day, you have to ask yourself, would you rather be attacking, or would you rather be attacked?  It's an entertaining style of defense, and I'm excited to see us play it.  Anything is better than bend-don't-break until you're broken.

Jeff Banks
Here's all you need to know about Jeff Banks: he specializes in coaching special teams, and is a true Special Teams Coordinator.  He's not just a regular position coach with the speacial teams tacked on to his list of responsibilities.  His units were rock-solid at UTEP, and as a former punter himself, he really knows and understands the kicking side of the equation.  I view this as a massive upgrade in our coaching staff, sorry Dex.

Biscuit
He's breaking through as a paid assistant coach, but here's what he brings to the table: 757 connections, youthful energy, experience at both wide receiver and quarterback, close personal affection for the University of Virginia, and a "will-do" enthusiasm for everything he does.  I think he projects as a very good recruiter, and a good-enough receivers coach while he cuts his teeth in the profession.


Add it all up, y'all.  This is indeed a Wizard Staff.  So frickin' excited right now!

GO HOOS!

Malware

Sorry for the malware, guys.  That pic has been removed.  Carry on...

Could This Man Save Virginia Football?

Consensus in the message board community is that Jon Tenuta will be the next defensive coordinator for the Virginia Cavaliers. Tenuta played defensive back at Virginia from 1979 to 1982 and has orchestrated some of the more aggressive and blitz-happy schemes seen in college football. Currently Tenuta serves as the Linebackers Coach and Associate Head Coach of the NC State Wolfpack, but with the dismissal of Tom O'Brien, he has become a free agent, and expect the news of his hiring at UVA to come down soon (NC State lost its bowl game yesterday).

Think of Tenuta's system and scheme as the exact polar opposite of Jim Reid's. Reid was conservative and focused on not having his players out of position to make plays, and relied heavily on the individual playmaking abilities of his players to generate turnovers. Conversely Tenuta's hyper-aggressive blitzing style forces quarterbacks into making rushed decisions. It's a style I didn't necessarily agree with, until Sunday that is.

Watching my beloved Redskins blitz and confuse Tony Romo on Sunday night made me realize what this scheme creates, and convinced me unequivocally that it will work here. And it's for the same reason that Coach Bennett succeeds on the basketball court. Tenuta brings a scheme that maximizes the abilities of the talent Virginia can be expected to get, and more importantly can raise the level of play. As Kendall loves to say, Coach Bennett's greatest skill is turning five fingers into a fist. Well Tenuta brings the sort of scheme that can do the same on the football field, and produce a defense greater than the sum of its parts.  Kendall Sez: Can it turn 11 fingers into two fists and a thumb?

A lot of the focus for defensive coordinators is to design confusing looks pre-snap in order to make the QB change to a specific play that the defense is designed to exploit. This relies heavily on having an entire roster of smart and talented players that can execute this complex scheme. Tenuta's defense is not that at all. This defense puts pressure on the QB to make decisions AFTER the snap, which is something I think 99% of college quarterbacks cannot consistently succeed at doing. The thought process is simple: bring more guys than the protection can block, and force the quarterback to think fast on his feet (or preferably, on his back). While we could get burned by quick hitters, or screen passes, the majority of the time we will see poor decisions made by the opposing QB. And those mistake will turn into TURNOVERS, something this defense has sorely lacked.

Another benefit of this scheme is the simplicity of it from a coaching and exectuion standpoint. For years, Virginia struggled to recruit for and execute the 3-4 defense. Finding and landing a nose tackle and outside linebackers that fit that scheme is next to impossible, especially at a non-marquee school like Virginia. Tenuta's defense is the exact opposite. Flashy, blitz-heavy, and fast this is the kind of defense kids want to play. Defensive ends can pin their ears back and go get the quarterback. Linebackers are given opportunities to have clean shots in the backfield to make huge plays. And defensive backs are given the opportunity to demonstrate their coverage prowess and ball hawk as the pressure gets to the opposing QB. It's a stat-padders dream. This is a scheme that players like Eli Harold will excel in, because pass rushing is his best attribute. It takes relieves the pressure of trying to not make mistakes because he has one job -- go get the QB.

This is the scheme that will work here. We have the depth on the defensive line to make it work, and the experience and talent in the secondary to make it great. Look for the big corner to be a mainstay of the Virginia secondary. Players like Maurice Canady and Tim Harris (both 6-2) will become the norm as jamming receivers at the line, and being able to bring the lumber, will be necessary for corners, while having safeties that can run down errant throws will lead to the tremendous success of players like Malcolm Cook and (hopefully) Quin Blanding. This is the defense that makes Virginia scary, and one we should all be excited about.

Now we just need to sit back and wait for the announcement of Tenuta being hired as our next defensive coordinator...

Happy New Year!

It's now 2013.  I already feel better.

Just watched the ball drop after watching Clemson beat LSU.  Good stuff, ACC.  Here's the bowl game tally for the conference so far, by the way:

Cincinnati 48, Duke 34
Virginia Tech 13, Rutgers 10
Syracuse 38, West Virginia 14
Vanderbilt 38, NC State 24
Georgia Tech 21, USC 7
Clemson 25, LSU 24

I'm cheating to take that big Cuse win over WV, but screw it, the Orange is more ACC than Big East at this point.  Wins over USC and LSU?  Hell yes we'll take that.  Losses to Vandy and Cincy?  Ugly, but not totally shameful.  I'll take 4-2 at this point, hell yes I will.

Here are the remaining games:

Florida State / Northern Illinois
Louisville / Florida
Pitt / Ole Miss
Notre Dame / Alabama


Anyway, have a happy New Year, Wahooze Nation.