The Wait is Over!!

The University of Virginia announced the hiring of four assistant football coaches today.  These hires are exactly what the Wahoos needed in the opinion of this fanatical fan!  Coach O'Brien was here during the glory days of HOF Coach George Welsh and his value to the staff is going to be felt at every level.  The offensive line will benefit, the offensive coordinator will benefit, the tight ends will benefit, and, most importantly, the head coach will benefit. 

On the defensive side of the ball, Coach Tenuta will bring an attacking style that he honed at Ohio State and Georgia Tech.  He is football alumni, which is the icing on the cake for this hire.  He believes in blitzing...relentlessly...hit the quarterback and punish him...make him feel it...that's aggressive defensive football and I want it implemented immediately!!

On special teams, Coach Banks has an outstanding background and his coaching acumen on special teams speaks for itself.  His units at UTEP were consistently at the top of the Conference and rated in the top third nationally!  Expect immediate improvements in this area.

The final hire is my favorite, Coach Hagans.  As a loyal die-hard fan, this is by far one of my favorite HOOS of all time.  This kid was a complete Uva success story; he worked hard on the field and in the classroom, was an outstanding citizen and a community contributor.  He was a damn fine quarterback and made "Meangelo" Hall look like a punk in the 2003 VT game when he continually beat that fool play after play.  I will never forget the 2005 Music City Bowl and the game that he had leading us to a win over Minnesota of the Big Ten.  I remember that megawatt smile lighting up the jumbo tron as he was presented the MVP Trophy...it was an honor to watch him play that day!  I'm thankful I was there to enjoy it with him and my beloved HOOS!

Hopefully we can get this thing turned around and have a couple of bowl seasons in a row, collect a few wins over that other school in Blacksburg, and then schedule a few big boys...maybe an Ohio State or a South Carolina...GO HOOS!!

Army vs. Navy...

I have a tremendous amount of respect for this game and the two academies.  That was an outstanding football game played with tremendous effort and passion.  The ARMY quarterback left it all out there and his raw emotion and reaction at the end of the game shows just how much this game means.  I salute that young man and all the members of the armed forces for their duty and their honor to our country. 

UVA Football...

The administration claims "uncompromised excellence," yet shows that phrase doesn't apply to football and basketball, particularly football.  I have been a loyal Hoo fan for 33 years, a season ticket holder for 20 years, and a donor for 15 years.  I was spoiled as a younger fan with a HOF Coach leading the University to winning seasons and bowl games and a couple of ACC Championships.  Those were fun times...

Now we fast forward to athletic directors deciding which assistant coaches get fired so that the head coach can keep his job.  Based on the words told to recruits...the head coach would very much agree that there is some "uncompromising" going on...but what type?  I'm sure that what will be thrown back at me is "we are committed...just look at the new indoor football facility named after the HOF coach!"  While that's great, it doesn't show me the internal commitment.  I'm not convinced at all that this administration, board, or president is nearly as committed as the other Division I schools in the state to football success.  That's 9 straight losses and 13 of the past 15 meetings have gone to that other State school...HELLO! CAN YOU HEAR ME????

I have no idea why I still continue to care about this; my passion runs deep as does my loyalty, but it's seldom rewarded with on-field success.  I'm tempted to apply for a position on the coaching staff or with football operations in general.  This organization needs an injection of toughness and passion directed in a controlled and effective manner.  Call me and we will get to work together on restoring what was once a relevant program.  By the way, a little compromise here or there is how things get done, and I guarantee it won't hurt the academic reputation...it's been proven at many other "elite" universities.  GO HOOS!

Last week...

That was an almost perfect game last week.  Let's follow it up tomorrow against the Canes.  Thank you for showing the fight and pride I knew you had deep down inside...GO HOOS!!!!

So...Bye Week huh?

CML and his staff have had two weeks to correct the problems that have plagued this year's edition of the Virginia Cavaliers.  This die-hard fan is very concerned about the ability of this staff to coach up young players.  It's time for them to show improvement across the board.  I understand that the University is giving away tickets to the UNC game for free to anyone who purchased tickets to the Richmond game.  That' a sign to everybody of the dire straits of the program right now.  The clock is ticking on this staff...and the donors and season ticket holders are watching closely to see if the product is worthy of further investment.  NO MORE EXCUSES...and as the great Al Davis always used to say...JUST WIN BABY!!

And if you need advice as a staff...The man in this picture still has an office in the McCue Center...He is a HOF Coach...he got it done... he won multiple ACC Championships...and he OWNED VT...TALK TO HIM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  HIS NAME IS SAINT GEORGE WELSH!!!

Well...

I love football season but when the HOOS are struggling I just don't feel like blogging.  This week's opponent is the Maryland Terrapins and it's homecoming.  I am hoping to see a win today but I'm not holding my breath.  There needs to be a sense of desperation today...and the pride factor has to kick in at some point.  Go Hoos!

Sims to start...

I hope he can get the Cavs back in the win column...we shall see!