A couple of years ago, a relatively little known football coach was brought in to take over for Chan Gailey. Oh, sure he was a winner at a small football school in Georgia but on the national scene, he was a blip. A coach that uses and "trick" or "old" offense and that coached at a military institution. He wasn't sexy or young/hot up and coming coach. What he was was a consistent winner that maximized the potential of his players. Tech fans were a mixture of outrage and confusion. "Who is this guy?" or "Why didn't we hire X coach (generally some huge name that Tech couldn't afford)" or "Well, D Rad has let us down" were common posts on message boards.
I will admit that I fell into the first category. I had no idea who CPJ was. I didn't even know he coached at Georgia Southern. Sorry, Georgia Southern fans, I had no idea who he was. All I did know after a Google search or two was that he was a solid winner.
So now the Tech basketball program has a new coach that fits the same mold. What do we see on AJC posts and other website message boards? The exact same comments and criticisms. I am not surprised but then again I fell into the first category again. I have no idea who Brian Gregory is or what he has done. Had it not been for an article on the AJC, I would still not know who he was. From their website, all I know is this:
He was a winning basketball coach at Dayton
He learned under Tom Izzo
The AJC seems to enjoy showing pictures of this guy with his mouth open.
Seriously, check out the article. READ IT! I am going to give this guy the benefit of the doubt. He has the credibility and pedigree to be a strong and solid basketball coach. What Tech fans WANT is often way over what can be produced. What Tech fans SHOULD WANT is a strong program that posts winning seasons, challenges for an ACC crown and represents itself well in March Madness. I think this guy could get us closer to those goals. In the era of short time college players, solid built programs will always be competitive. So a guy who has a winning background and is a solid coach has been hired. I see a pattern and that is a good pattern to follow.
Posts
3 comments:
AMEN. Not just CPJ, but other teams have been indifferent, perhaps even angry about current coaches who have been very successful (Mike Smith, Chizik, Fox)
Actually I looked at CPJ's record of winning at Navy and was excited that Tech got him.
I think everyone wants the big name or the hot commodity but it is the results. If Tech becomes a consistent winner and an ACC threat, who can really complain?
Post a Comment