Sports Columnists

By Monroe Hawg

October 18, 2005 10:05 PM | Link to this

Someone dial 1-800-George OLeary

By HB Ando

October 18, 2005 10:12 PM | Link to this

Let’s extrapolate just what you mean when you admit you’ve “been wrong about many things.” If we were to place that statement into the context of a win-loss record, how would you fair? Having read your comments and predictions for years, I’d generously project you at a .500 clip, performance wise. Like Gailey, you’ve had some successful days, outperforming the common man on the occassional NCAA hoops tourney. But you know quite well that you’ve been known to wallow in extended spells of mediocrity on many other days (years). We’ll call those your NC State’s to maintain comparative continuity.

Similar to the evolving expectations you noted at Tech, it would be fair to suggest, as you have, that .500 is no longer an acceptable success rate for the increasingly prominent Atlanta Journal Constitution. Average just isn’t good enough anymore, Mark. It’s probably time for your bosses to take away your livelihood. I’m sure you could find work for a paper in a smaller, mid-market community. As I’m sure Coach Gailey could find work for a less prestigious university. You’d both make less money, and the stress of going through the ignominy of being fired, in the public eye would be painful. But you’d both land on your feet.

As reporters have evolved from reporting, to creating, the news, it seems that the stakes for their jobs should change as well. When you go from reporting a coach’s firing to predicting or encouraging it, it seems fair that you should have to walk a mile in that man’s shoes. A sportswriters’ cold streak of incorrect picks and half-cocked essays, lacking either accuracy or insight, should result in a similar castigation.

There was a time when you were talented enough for the big leagues, Mark Bradley. But your time has come and gone. I, as a self-annointed analyst of what is acceptable quality (certainly as qualified as you would be to stand in judgment of a D-1 head football coach) from a sports writing perspective, find this analogy fitting. I encourage the AJC to act swiftly in finding your replacement. And I wish you and your family nothing but the best as you embark on your new assignment in Iowa City (let’s make that Fargo, in the off chance that they really do find sound secondary utility in wood chippers as a way of resolving disagreements such as these).

By HJJ

October 18, 2005 10:13 PM | Link to this

I agree. Chan Gailey is a good man, but a very average coach.

By Crazy Talk

October 18, 2005 10:22 PM | Link to this

Bringing back O’leary is crazy talk. He is the one who brought in all the “scholar athletes” that have Tech in trouble right now. His resume embellishment and shady past will be ignored as long as he stays at a Central Florida. If any high profile school should hire him the school would instantly be under NCAA scrutiny, most particularly if he turned up in Atlanta again. Gailey may get dumped but it will be hard to attract a “name” coach unless the deep pocket alumni are willing to pay a ridiculous salary and even then it would be hard to keep that kind of coach if one of the big time programs came calling. A young up and comer coach might take the job to polish his resume in hopes of a better job. The Tech alumni and fan base are almost as fickle and interferring as South Carolina’s, and you see what that constant bickering has brought the Gamecocks down through the years.

By Donald King

October 18, 2005 10:24 PM | Link to this

Mark. As you say, you’ve been wrong before. Certainly hope you’ll be wrong…as in 100% wrong…this time.

I wonder if it’s useful to recall here that Mr. Braine had another interesting situation..years yore at VA Tech…Frank Beamer had recorded a 24-40-1 mark in SIX (not four) seasons in Blacksburg… Everybody said Beamer should go… Braine said “NO”….and now as Paul Harvey would say “you know the rest of the story.”….

Whichever way the prevailing wind is blowing on a given day…and the “in” crowd seems to believe Gailey is done. Count me out of that group.

Like any TRUE Ga Tech fan…I want my team and my coach to succeed…Still optimistic that this season can go our way. The players and coaches will work like hell to make it happen…then if we fall short, we’ll re-evaluate….

That’s all for now…but, Mark, if things do break favorably for the Jackets down the stretch…I’ll be sure to remind you that you were wrong..

And if not… life goes on…

In these days when such things happen…like at Auburn with the behind the back campaign to get Tuberville fired BEFORE he had last year’s 13-0 run…

I hope Ga Tech fans will pause to remember how far we’ve come…

Does anyone remember the 1-9-1, 1-10, 6-5, 3-8 years under Curry…and the 2-9, 3-8 years under Ross in 87 and 88.

Can you believe we’ve got a team that’s 4-2…one catch or one 24 yd FG (take your pick) away from being 5-1….and yet there is a chorus to fire the coach… Is this real or is it fiction????

By SteveO

October 18, 2005 10:31 PM | Link to this

If you really look at it, the two things going agaist Gailey every year are injuries and failure to win after a bye week. If the Miami game is postponed, I don’t like our odds against Clemson.

By Ty

October 18, 2005 10:31 PM | Link to this

Mr. Bradley,

I often (usually) find myself on the opposite side of your observations. However, in this particular case, I can only say………

AMEN….(time to sing ‘Swing Low Sweet Chariot’ and giving Chan some more time to go fishing in the fall).

P.S. I personally visited with Chan a couple of years ago and told him, “We Tech alumni are pretty easy-going. We don’t expect to win the National Championship every year, nor the ACC every year. However, we must be competitive each year(6-5 each year isn’t that), beat Georgia two out of five times, and NEVER READ about our football team anywhwere but in the sports section!”

Alas, the Chan era (and I apologize to those regular bloggers)…..win one you shouldn’t; lose one you shouldn’t; get embarassed on the field once; get embarassed off the field once; go to a bowl game in the Northwest to reach 7 and 5…….

We can do better…coaching is the first step….

By Donald King

October 18, 2005 10:35 PM | Link to this

HB Ando - You are spot on! I nominate you to replace Mark at the AJC when he relocates to Fargo. Seriously.

In addition, I’m willing to start a grass roots movement to ensure that Terence Moore relocates as well. I hear that Point Barrow, Alaska has just started a daily newspaper and needs a marginally qualified sports columnist. That might also be a good second option for Mark if Terence does not take the job.

GO JACKETS!!!! ALWAYS!!!!

By Max Sizemore

October 18, 2005 10:37 PM | Link to this

HB Ando, that’s the best blogging comment I’ve ever read. Bradley has to write, what, two columns each week? I guess it’s pretty tough to get up for that many. Back in the old days, when Jesse Outlar prowled the printed page, you could get by with a bad column now and then. But expectations are higher now. In lieu of a fireMarkBradley.com website, I herewith present the email of the Managing Editor for Sports, Don Boykin: dboykin@ajc.com. He’s the Dave Braine of the sports department.

By hilliard

October 18, 2005 10:58 PM | Link to this

Mark, thanks for pointing out again what seems so obvious to me. Unfortunately, it appears to be not so obvious to Coach Gailey. I agree that he seems to be a very decent and respectable man, but his team is not getting it done on the field. I certainly hope Coach Gailey can turn things around before it is too late, but if he doesn’t, I would suggest that we would have a hard time finding a better replacement than Jon Tenuta. Is there another coach around that gets more effort and results from his players? And it doesn’t seem to matter that they are not all top recruits. GT need similar leadership on the offense, special teams, or the whole team. Now if Wilma will go away so we can try to beat UM Saturday.

By doc

October 18, 2005 11:13 PM | Link to this

hey ando! good to find you over here saying what you are . you may have stolen my thunder but a few weeks ago i was sounding out that though we arent going great guns that potential is still there. it will take patience and really only a few years out of many can we reliably stand toe to toe with the big guys but we can be respectable unless the curriculum department opens a new path to academic “success”. ga tech is one if not the only one of the real academic (national prominance top ten) that has consistently held its own. to draw a corollary to the news world this paper could dream of being what it was if budgets werent being scaled back giving reporters more time to develop stories and report something in depth rather than render an opinion.

i go way back on the tech scene having a grandfather play for heisman on the nat champs in the teens and grew up on the sidelines during the dodd years and i am not embarassed at all by the team this year. they are young, relatively small and not deep at the point of attack and have had injuries to boot. now throw in a defense that does it with smoke and mirrors and we are a foot away from being 5 and 1 as that is where the ball had to be thrown in front of johnson to be catchable in the nc state game. to be honest the strength of schedule is probably stronger than the other state school.

wake up folks and appreciate the effort of the balls, daniels and choice and the gifts of the receivers before you miss it and wonder how we got to look like vandy, duke, tulane, northwestern, stanford, etc. lay off gailey as he might be the difference between “mediocre” and just plain awful. i’ll take the latter that provides some hope rather than the years mentioned above as downright embarassing to the history of tech.

By doc

October 18, 2005 11:17 PM | Link to this

ty i just read your comments towards chan, i hope you really arent that arrogant in person and that was a bad day. pray about it my friend. you are in mine.

By John O.

October 18, 2005 11:24 PM | Link to this

I agree 100% with your assessment. We can only be average to slightly above average with Gailey at the helm. I think that we have one of the most deserving candidates for Head Coach already on our staff….John Tenuta! He’s going to get a shot to be a Head Coach somewhere soon…. why not at Tech?

By frank

October 19, 2005 12:27 AM | Link to this

Let’s see:

Season ticket sales are up more than 30% since Chan arrived at Tech. Attendance is up tremendously. Even the “cupcake games” bring more fans than Tech even had seats in the stadium before Chan arrived!

Football revenues are up. The most successful capital campaign (including stadium funding) in Tech’s history completed during Coach Gailey’s time at Tech. Outside of that, season over season contributions have historically peaked in his tenure. Merchandise sales are up.

And, Chan has extended the longest bowl streak in modern Tech history (one of only eight teams in the nation with such a streak) and returned Tech to its rightful position as the winningest percentage school in the nation in bowl games.

Are Tech fans satisfied with seven wins every year? Of course not. Do we find minor bowls acceptable every year? Not a chance. We are a program that can win at the highest levels. We are in the best football city in perhaps the best football conference. We have an incredible education to offer kids, to go along with the great social experience of living in Atlanta. I know I am not happy with anything less than championships.

Still consider that Chan’s tenure and achievements have taken place in the face of not having a quarterback, losing a recruiting class for honoring his commitment to the Dolphins (which I respect him more for doing), and a great number of matters beyond his control such as “flunkgate” and losing many of his best players such as Greg Gathers, Tony Hollings, Darrell Richard, etc.

We are in an era of 85 scholarships where almost every program is vulnerable to great inconsistency, including programs like Miami, Florida State, Florida, Oklahoma, Penn State, etc that have been blown out and have suffered humiliating and even historic losses and great inconsistency in the last 2-3 years.

Now, Coach Gailey is finally almost recovered from losing all the players and recruits from flunkgate, losing a class, etc. Next year, he will finally have real depth with a roster full of his own kids, to go along with a roster full of real experience at key positions such as quarterback for the first time.

Tech has not in recent decades ever had even one tall, fast corner like Kenny Scott, Jamal Lewis, and Avery Roberson that will be our core next season. Nor have they had DTs like Darrell Richard, Elris Anyaibe, Vance Walker and Mansfield Wrotto. Or, for that matter, real depth of talent at linebacker like they will have next year in Hall, Tucker, Wheeler, Guyton, Barnes, Chambers, Williams, et al. When has Tech ever had one (much less two) tall, athletic, fast defensive ends that compare to Michael Johnson and Darrell Robertson?

How about on the OL, where the typical Tech team has maybe 5-7 good offensive lineman. Tech has about a dozen tall, athletic kids on the roster that only need experience to become the deepest, most talented line we have seen. What about at wide receiver? When did Tech ever get so many tall, fast receivers like Greg Smith, Calvin Johnson, Martin Frierson, etc? I could continue position by position; but perhaps this is already enough. Tech is finally poised to breakout at least by next season.

Bobby Bowden has said that the key to consistency is depth on the team and experience at quarterback. Tech has not had either up to this point in Chan’s tenure (finally getting a little at qb when Reggie is healthy). Now, a small but vocal group of shortsighted detractors (every school has a few of these that scurry out of the woodwork at every opportunity) wants to fire him just before he gets a chance for both? Right.

Oh, and Coach Gailey’s kids have much higher average SAT scores and GPAs than we have brought in before - often the highest among top programs in the country!

I know Bradley just wants to sell papers and get hits on the website. I also am grateful that Tech’s administration is not so shortsighted and ignorant as Bradley and a few loud fans that make themselves seem more numerous behind the anonymity of the internet. Dave Braine stuck with Frank Beamer through a ton more heat than Chan Gailey has ever faced at Tech. I am not worried that he will cave to this stuff now.

By Alan

October 19, 2005 01:07 AM | Link to this

Because it’s Chan’s fault that our kicker missed two chip shot FG’s and the best WR in the nation dropped the game winning TD. All the coaches can do is put the players in the position to win and they did that the N.C. State game, the players didn’t make the plays. How hard is that for some of you to understand?

Just as you were with Andurw, you’ll be wrong about Gailey.

By Dustin

October 19, 2005 01:50 AM | Link to this

I have been saying it all along: Gailey is an idiot who doesn’t know what it takes to win championships. To hire him was a huge mistake, and I have wanted him gone since day 1. I’m not a big fan of Braine either because he seems to be content with 6-5, while the rivals across state are gunning for National Titles each year under Mark Richt. It’s time for a change, and this one better be the kind that not only thinks about winning titles, but they also can taste a championship!

By Mark

October 19, 2005 06:27 AM | Link to this

Tech needs a younger coach with some energy.They also need to send Ball away.Mark Atlanta

By Dawgman

October 19, 2005 06:39 AM | Link to this

I am a UGA fan and I say if Gailey goes and I believe he will, Tech should look at the former coach of Ole Miss and thats Cutcliffe. If he can turn around Ole Miss he can sure turn around Tech. Tech can recruit better players than Ole Miss. Also Ball needs to go. He is to small to be QB. The backup should be playing and getting ready for the starting role next year. Ball has cost Tech several games and one is the game in Athens last year. I can’t understand why Ball still is starting. I mean give the backup a chance because he can’t do much worse than Ball. Also in the first half of the game against NC State when Ball had only completed like 6 passes out of 25. Why is he still in there. Let the backup come in and have a shot. It just don’t make sense to me.

By kirk

October 19, 2005 07:09 AM | Link to this

Thanks Mark. Give potential Tech recruits some great reading material, buddy. That’ll sure help the situation. Your ridiculous article angered me so much until I read all the replies on this blog from insightful, intelligent Tech fans. Now its just a shame that the only thing those who get the paper read is the article itself. How much is Richt paying you to help him recruit?

By Dawgfan

October 19, 2005 07:44 AM | Link to this

Please, please, please oh God, do not let Tech fire Gailey. I have SO enjoyed his tenure. Here’s to 10 more years of Gailey with Tech!

By joe

October 19, 2005 07:45 AM | Link to this

Wow, what a revelation! The wrong one of course.

It’s not the coach, it’s the school. We find out that by hiding academic nonqualifiers, maybe hundreds of them over the years, tech has remained mostly a noncompetitive, losing-record school.

Shouldn’t tech drop back a bit? Play Lehigh, William & Mary, Duke and Dukesne, Furman etc. Win some ballgames without cheating. Life will be good again. Students won’t throw bottles at the opponent’s team, the opponent’s band, their own team and their own band.

Isn’t that what Saturdays, oh excuse me, Thursday nights are for?

By doc

October 19, 2005 07:46 AM | Link to this

frank as i said the ajc doesnt have the budget to alow reporters time to do investigative work before they comment. the nice thing about blogs it does allow for people to step up and provide some insight beyond what they told the coach to do. thanks for filling in some of the blanks.

By THL

October 19, 2005 08:14 AM | Link to this

Joe, Tech has not posted a losing record in quite a while. It also wasn’t that long ago that they beat UGA three years in a row. And while 1990 seems to be a long time ago, 1982 seems a lot longer. I think too many schools play too many “cupcakes” and to criticize a team for playing a tough schedule (and posting a winning record) is idiotic. As far as your “cheating” allegation…when someone doesn’t make the grades at Tech, they do not play…that is the way it’s supposed to be. I would wager that most D-1 schools have gotten away with some violations, but to label Tech a cheater in relation to all these other schools shows how clueless you really are.

By MarkRicht

October 19, 2005 08:26 AM | Link to this

Thank you Mark Bradley for being so instrumental in the recruiting success that I have had at UGA. Thanks to you I now have my entire 2006 class of nationally prominent recruits on board and am working on the class of 2007. But shame on you for providing reading material for all 7 of Tech’s potential 2006 recruits. And by the the way. That Kirk guy is an idiot. Also, do Tech fans think that they are scoring points with potential head coaching candidates with their incessant whining, belly aching, and “Iwas against him from day one” comments? When Tech gets better fans they will get a better coach.

By TheTruth

October 19, 2005 08:48 AM | Link to this

There is no reason for an established head coach that is winning big consistently in another conference to even consider Tech. With the addition of Miami,VT, and BC to the ACC, Tech will never be better than 2nd tier. Winning head coaches know the deal. You wait for a premier program. Tech is a lose, lose situation. A hot as a firecracker coach can become colder than ice after a stint at Tech. For example, Bobby Petrino has absolutely nothing to gain by leaving Louisville for Tech. Nothing. Even up and coming assistants have to think long and hard about Tech. Look at Mark Richt. He did the smart thing and waited for the right situation to open up. And folks, whether we will admit it or not, there is alot not right at Tech. Who is going to come here with sanctions inevitably coming from the lack of institutional control case? And puhleeze! No more of the bring back O’Leary thing. That shyster is why we are in the mess that we are in today. Does anyone remember his 33% graduation rate and now we discover that he had turned the athletic department into academic fraud central. Tech is a brick by brick fix er upper folks. Sorry, but it’s the truth.

By JC

October 19, 2005 09:01 AM | Link to this

Ando, I don’t care if Chan stays or goes, but that was one of the most well written pieces I’ve seen in years. As a Georgia Grad it made me question whether or not all this talk about Tech’s academic superiority might be true. Luckily, I read all the other bloggers, and now I’m satisfied that you are an anomaly.

By oldfoggy

October 19, 2005 09:14 AM | Link to this

I have read over the last 3.5 years both pro’s and con’s on CCG! Last year during the VT game where we had 6 you countum yourself, 6 yes 6 three’s and outs in the 2nd half. I said enough of this guy. He’s not the O guru he is claimed to be. I looked at his record at Dallas, turned out to be the same as here. No offense, a QB who has not improved much from day one, an O line that can’t get out of it’s own way, a D that is pushed to the limit by an inetpt Offense. This guy has got to go!

Since his arrival at Tech this guy has had more excuses than many coaches have in a life time. His fan base has milked every one of thos excuses to death. It’s time the faithful wake up smell the coffee. To me it happened last year at the VT game.

What’s funny to me is many on the boards will blast the writter of this article when he appears to be anti Tech, yet when he writes a article that appears to be pro Tech they are saying how great he is.

By CV

October 19, 2005 09:15 AM | Link to this

I’m a huge Tech fan and the fact that I don’t support Gailey doesn’t mean that I don’t support the team and want Tech to win every single game. The main problem I have with Gailey is not his record (although we need to win more games), the problem is his moronic play calling and that the team rarely looks ready to play.

For those who say “he put is a position to win and the players failded”, well we never should have been in that position. That game should have been put away early, but because of Gailey we had to fight to come back. And Gailey’s decsions at the end of the NC State game cost us the win.

When all the VT fans were trying to fire Beamer, I wonder what they were saying about him? Were they basing it soley on his win-loss record? I would like to know what was being said about Beamer. Were they saying what we say about Gailey, that he’s an incompetent offensive play caller and that he can’t get his team ready to play? Did Beamer lose because he didn’t have good players? We have plenty of very good players and can’t win consistently. Beamer couldn’t win period. I don’t think the situation is the same. Beamer was building a program, we are not. We have a well established program, rich with winning history and we need a coach that can continue that.

By oldfoggy

October 19, 2005 09:20 AM | Link to this

Oh yes Frank, forgot to tell you something and a question. You can spin, spin, spin all you want and tell the truth but by telling half a truth it becomes a lie. Now the question, why don’t you use the handle that you use on the Hive? We know who you are so give up the charade.

By TheTruth

October 19, 2005 09:31 AM | Link to this

Check our record since 1970! We are barely above .500! We are building, rebuilding, whatever you want to call it. Until we get a grip and admit that we are building/rebuilding we will never get a good coach. Maybe if we admit that we are rebuilding and give the right guy a contract to BUILD/REBUILD without fans with unrealistic expectations being “against him from day one” we can go forward. If we don’t get a grip soon and admit what we don’t want to, we will continue to wallow in mediocrity or sink to the depths in the restructured ACC!

By aw

October 19, 2005 09:44 AM | Link to this

of all the comments about chan,nothing has been mentioned about his far below normal recruiting. his classes digress each year.a large failing grade goes to mr. gaily for this most important aspect of the program.

By Wilbur

October 19, 2005 09:48 AM | Link to this

The biggest problem I see at Tech is the steady deterioration of our recruiting. Sure, we’ve had a few quality players come our way, but by and large we are getting very little consideration from the south’s better athletes. More and more it seems that the players we happen to sign are only getting recruited by the weakest D1 and a few of the DII teams. Beating out Tulane and Furman for our players, as has been the case the past couple of years, will soon show itself dramatically on the field. We have some decent players still in the program, but recent downturn in recruiting bodes terribly for our future.

By Ernie

October 19, 2005 09:58 AM | Link to this

Our prideful boast that we hope to extend “the longest bowl streak in modern Tech history” rings rather hollow when most of the games are played on blue fields….

By frank

October 19, 2005 09:59 AM | Link to this

Oldfoggy, you are right. I post occasionally on the Hive as jacketsrule. So what?

The merit of my case stands on its own - no matter whatever name is assigned to it.

On this website and others where I anticipate generating spam, I use a different email address, as anyone should (I recommend the same for you). Until I start getting a lot of spam at this address, I will always be “frank” at this site.

The particular email address that I have here (based on a pun) uses the name “frank.” For many reasons, I choose not to use my real name here. I note that you do the same; and I would recommend as much to others. Again, so what?

I am curious - what would drive a person to spend so much time on the public internet dutifully campaigning against a guy that coaches the team you say that you support? Certainly, nothing you say on the internet is going to get the guy fired. So, make no mistake that you are waging this campaign for yourself: not for Tech.

Moreover, what would cause you to feel the need to constantly challenge people that make and support positive comments about the program you suggest that you support? Do you really believe a negative comment on the public internet is equivalent in value to a positive one?

Finally, why are you so adamantly opposed to giving Chan a chance? Is there a chance all this bitterness might come from somewhere else? Is it his open Christian faith? Certainly, Chan has overcome some massive adversity since he has arrived to continue the bowl streak; and he is finally only a year away having a full roster of his players with a senior quarterback. Conventional wisdom has always held that unless you have a Bill Lewis style of collapse, a coach should get at least his five years to prove himself. Imagine where UNC’s program would have fallen if they had only given Mack Brown four years. Why are you so afraid to give Chan a chance?

I honestly cannot understand why a grown man would sit around on the internet day after day writing mean and ineffectual things about a representative of a school he says he favors. You have to have some serious angst to devote yourself to a thing like that.

If you actually believe there is somehow a measure of merit to your position, perhaps you might try something that might actually make a difference, like writing an informed letter to the AD.

Beyond that, perhaps you could find yourself a more constructive hobby: like collecting stamps or sending hate mail to Jodie Foster? At the very least, if Chan is ruining your life so much for losing to NC State and going to minor bowls, perhaps you should pick another team to support. For this season, you could pull for USC or Virginia Tech (unless of course Leinart or Vick gets meningitis or their teams have a rash of injuries). Then, when those teams are losing, you could switch to whomever arises to take their place.

At any rate, I generally tend to wish the best for others, including you. I would honestly feel better for you if you could find happier things to do with your life. I honestly hope that you will get outside a bit for some fresh air and enjoy your day today!

By Techaholic

October 19, 2005 10:07 AM | Link to this

Thank you for FINALLY writing what a lot of us fans have known for the last 2.5 seasons!

All anyone had to do is read Chan Gailey’s resume and THEY WOULD HAVE KNOWN WHAT TO EXPECT. NO significant successes, no highlight reels, no awards, no distinction.

Just another longtime coach who is better off as someone assistant in the NFL!

Dave Braine ONLY HAS ONE COMMITTMENT and that is to get the best coach for Georgia Tech. He owes nothing to this coach who is highly overpaid to begin with.

Apathy has taken over the Georgia Tech program and it came through the door with the hiring of Chan Gailey.

Time to move on, AFTER THIS SEASON - not the next!

Thank you for writing this article - it’s what a lot of us have been saying for a very long time.

By B-man

October 19, 2005 10:09 AM | Link to this

I would love for Gailey to succeed at Tech and win games he is supposed to win. Play tough every game at the least. Even in a loss, make it look like the game plan was solid.

I have come to realize he can rarely put together a full season. The highs and lows of the team over the past 3.5 years falls squarely on the coach.

What really surprises me is that he won’t hire an offensive coordinator to try to “pass” the blame. Look at Tommy Tubberville or Tommy Bowden. They had some disappointing seasons, the fan base is disgruntled, so they shake the staff up a bit to make it look like they are actually doing something. Gailey is too stubborn to even do that.

We have been a patient fan base. I am willing to give someone a chance. But this has gone on long enough.

By wes

October 19, 2005 10:16 AM | Link to this

Arguing to keep Gailey because ticket and memorabilia sales are up is ludicrous. Last I checked, memorabilia sales never won a football game.

By oldfoggy

October 19, 2005 10:17 AM | Link to this

Frank, don’t question my Christianity! I knew the Lord Jesus before you were born. CCG’s Christianity has nothing to do with a coach who is not cutting it! I became opposed to CCG last year during the VT game. In my mind I supported this guy until then. I have met him several time and told him I was glad he is here. My mistake, as well as the GTAA’s, Braine’s among others. The guy is not cutting it you can spin it any way you want but the truth is the truth! So just keep spinning it and in a few years if not sooner Tech will be in a world of hurt and not even be playing DII ball.

The old foggy to the FRENCH, lead, follow, or get to hades out of the way!

By McDonough

October 19, 2005 10:20 AM | Link to this

To all the defensive Tech fans on here railing against Bradley, you need to remember, he didn’t make the call for improvement, the Tech AD did.

The best point in the article is, if Tech is good enough to beat Auburn on the road, then they should be able to beat Nc State at home. Under Gailey, Tech usually upsets someone, they almost always get beaten a time or two by a much lower echelon team.

6-5 year after year would not be satisfactory to me, but hey, I’m not a Tech fan.

By Foot Ball

October 19, 2005 10:23 AM | Link to this

Gailey is a good man and a good coach. I expect he’ll be here for a few more years. I hope so , but , if he is shown the door it will be because he won’t/can’t/doesn’t bench Ball. Why he won’t I don’t know. We have one of the best set of runners in the ACC. We have what may be the best receiver in the nation. We have one of the better defenses in college football , even when given a short field to defend. We have an OK offensive line. It’s given up only 5 sacks and helped those good runners get a few yards while blocking against 8 in the box . We have a QB that’s the 11th best passer in the ACC and just moved up from 108th to 98th best passer in the NCAA D-1 . No team and no coach can overcome a QB that bad. Most coaches wouldn’t keep a QB that bad on the field. Being loyal to Ball may cost a good man his job. I hate to see it.

By Dog Hater

October 19, 2005 10:32 AM | Link to this

Hey FRANK!!!

Get a damn life. We suck under Chan. Thanks for mentioning our tricked up bowl streak. Real fans don’t go around bragging about that, cause we got it giftwrapped. And how many of those bowls were on/near Jan 1??? Back to the hive with the other babies.

Thanks for putting it in print, Mark.

By Dawg fan

October 19, 2005 10:32 AM | Link to this

I understand the want to win at Tech.As a lifelong Georgian, I always pull for Tech except when playing the Dawgs in any sport. True! Let’s look at it this way - as Georgians we should all be proud of the fine academic institutions we have in this state. Ga. Tech, Emory and yes, now, UGA is coming on fast. We don’t have to apologize to anyone about academics. We also do not have to apologize to anyone for the type gentlemen that Chan Gailey and Mark Richt are. They represent all that is good in trying to mold young people into model citizens of the future. There is life after football! (Can’t believe I said that!). Tech should realize it is a second tier team, just as it did when it withdrew from the SEC years ago. If you want it to be consistently competitive, there are probably some things that need to change. Are you willing to do that, as good Tech fans. I hope not. Yes, I want the Dawgs to beat you always, but as a Georgian, I also want to be proud of the institutions I mentioned for their academics. Tech has long had an excellent reputation in this area. Perhaps you should just be satisfied with a 7-4, 8-3 season most of the time, and instead take that academic pride more to heart. Tough decisions. Good luck in examining your “real” heart instead of your emotions of the moment. Chan Gailey is certainly a fine character representative of Georgia Tech. Isn’t that better than being the best football coach in the ACC?

By TheTruth

October 19, 2005 10:33 AM | Link to this

OK guys. Let’s pretend that the fire Chan crowd has shown him the door. Now let’s pretend that the same crowd is the search committee for the new coach. WHO will take the job? Everyone wants to point out the problem, but nobody has the solution. So who comes in, recruits a class, and immediately does better than Chan? And please try to be realistic.

By Bob GT78

October 19, 2005 10:38 AM | Link to this

I sit in the west stands game after game and listen to all the invective directed by alumni toward Chan Gailey. Is this unique? NO. It hasn’t mattered whether it was Bobby Ross, Bill Lewis or George O’Leary - Tech alumni sit there and constantly throw sarcastic remarks farther than a Gary Lanier pass.

We aspire to maintain a posture as a big time program, but it isn’t only the coach that may be holding us back - it’s the fans. People question the heart of the players in the first half of the NC state game. Where was the genuine enthusiasm from our fans that you would see from the home town crowd in Athens or Blacksburg, or Tallahassee or Baton Rouge - need I go on? The crowd was flat and the sarcasm toward Gailey began in my section before the kickoff. The bitterness was thick before the coin toss.

Chan Gailey has done a remarkable job of putting what talent he has in the right place and getting the most out of it. As Gailey and other coaches like Mark Richt have noted before, you run the offense and the plays for which you have the personnel. In that regard, Gailey has made the most of what he has. Think of the players he has moved and how the players production went up dramatically.

Some say he is not a great recruiter. Is it Gailey or is it something larger?

What is going to get the top recruit to come to GT when the stands are half empty and lifeless? A young, suave coach fresh off the cover of GQ isn’t going to change things if the fans find it bothersome to stand and cheer (without coaching from the big screen) for just a few seconds. Frankly, I’m tired of hearing “down in front.” Get off your seat and cheer. If you have that bitter attitude, why are you even coming to the game? What about all of those people that buy tickets and don’t show up? That makes a great impression on the recruits. And yet, there are those alumni that say they won’t come until Tech has better players and puts a better team on the field. This standoff can’t last forever or the program will die, just as it was doing when Homer Rice stepped in to save it.

The best recruit is going where there is unbridled enthusiasm and support for the program - and that is not Grant Field. We act like a bunch of elitists that expect the top recruit to bow at the alter of Dodd. Don’t get me wrong - I revere the great GT coaches - but that legacy is not going to win the competition for the top recruits today. Remember when Spurrier returned to college football and many of the recruits knew little about him?

So in a top program which should comes first - the top recruit - the young, suave Richt-like coach - or an enthusiastic crowd?

You can fire Gailey and start yet again the revolving door of coaches, but nothing will change until the general attitude of the Tech alumni and fans change. We sit in our seats, arms crossed and smug, demanding the coaches and players entertain us. This game of football is a team sport involving the players who give so much effort, the coaches who spend 80 hour a week in preparation for a game or for recruiting, and the fans who provide support. If we are so quick to be critical of the players and coaches in this team effort, how willing are we to bear the same critique of our contribution to success? Are the Tech fans holding up their end of the deal? Sadly, I don’t think so.

More top recruits will be attracted to Georgia Tech when the stands are full of cheering fans 20 minutes before the game regardless of who Tech is playing or who is coaching. The top recruits will begin to appreciate Tech when the call-in shows aren’t dominated by mean spirited attacks on everybody from the AD to the janitor. Until then, it doesn’t really matter who the coach is.

By william

October 19, 2005 10:41 AM | Link to this

Chan Gailey would be a good head coach. His problem is that he is in charge of the offense. The big mistake that he has made is that he has not hired a coordinator for the offense and replaced his special teams coordinator. If he simply would have righted those wrongs he would not be in the predicament he is under. GT offense ranks 2nd to last in the ACC while we have (Ball, Johnson, Daniels) making heroic plays. The proof is in the pudding. The only games that we seem to win are the ones that the GT coaches have a month to prepare for. Braine is a great AD he will make the right move.

By CW

October 19, 2005 10:51 AM | Link to this

Head coaches are paid great sums of money to assemble staffs, provide leadership and get the most out of their teams. Yes, Tech has some unique academic barriers, but they should not be used as an excuse by this or any coach. I too remember the Curry years and losing to Furman and yes, Chan has been an improvement. But compared to the success we had during the O’Leary/Friedgen years no one can say that the program hasn’t moved backwards and not forwards. I also agree that the season is not guaranteed to be a washout, but like Bradley says, the NC State game gives Tech a very small margin for success. Tech can and should beat both Wake and Clemson, but neither game will be easy. And Tech will need to really step up their level of play against Miami, UVA and Georgia or we’ll see another massacre like in Blacksburg. I’d love to see the Jackets win out and post a 9-2 record, but I’m not sure how realistic that is. What I’d be really happy with would be for them to play up to their potential for four quarters each game for the remainder of the season. Because what we saw the first half of the NC State game and the first half of the Duke game isn’t Tech football and it isn’t going to get it done in any of the remaining games.

By frank

October 19, 2005 10:53 AM | Link to this

Oldfoggy, I thought that I had asked an honest question. I am sorry if you took it as something else.

If you are looking for more reasons to get offended or another person to exchange personal jabs with on the internet, you need to find someone else. I just cannot do it for you. I have businesses to run, constructive projects to build, and a family to raise.

Look, I honestly wish you the best. And, if you are a real Tech fan, I hope to see you at a game some time wearing gold and cheering for the team as loud as you can at every opportunity.

Have a great day!

By Best Case Scenario

October 19, 2005 10:54 AM | Link to this

Ok, guys. All this talk is interesting. Those of us who are Tech fans want to analyze the situation and figure out what could have, shoud have been done differently. But as a friend once told me, “If “ifs” and “buts” were candy and nuts, every day would be Christmas!”

The point is what can we offer to the present situation that will make the most of what we have right now. Reality is what it is. The team is what it is, but what can be done right now this season that would make a difference and maximize our potential?

I think that there are two primary areas that can be and need to be addressed: Play calling and mental focus.

First of all, it should be obvious to Gailey himself that play calling is not his natural ability. Since he wants what is best for the team, he should delegate this important task to someone who is better able to utilize the strengths of our offense for each situation.

Secondly, the mental aspect of the game is more important at this level than many realize. Gailey may be preparing his players physically, yet it i apparent that they are not prepared mentally. He needs to find help in getting them more focused and motivated for each game and each opponent, no matter who they are.

I believe that if these two issues were addressed immediately and decisively, a different Tech team would emerge.

By TheTruth

October 19, 2005 10:57 AM | Link to this

BobGT78, that is the best blog that has ever been written here! You nailed it! You covered every sympton that when totaled identifies the disease that we have here at Tech. Thanks! Gimme 5.

By Chris

October 19, 2005 11:00 AM | Link to this

Mark, you rightfully blame Coach Gailey for inconsistencies and losses to teams we should have beaten but you don’t give him credit for keeping GT in winning seasons and bowl bids despite some real adversity with regards to academics, injuries, sickness, and etc.

By jawrjadawg

October 19, 2005 11:01 AM | Link to this

I was under the impression Mack Brown resigned at Nort Carolina to accept the job at Texas. Thank you for letting me know he was fired Why do the FOCers always want to use “he is a christian so you dont like him” I am also a christian and so is my preacher but I dont want him to coach GT so leave character out of this No one here or anywhere has said he is a great coach or could be. I did not like him at Dallas and I was disappointed when he was hired here Now this reminds me of the late 60s when Bud Carson was campaigning to keep his job only Chan is using his “yes” men on here and in the internet It is 3.5 years to late but time for him to go

By Foot Ball

October 19, 2005 11:12 AM | Link to this

Will being mentally prepared help Ball see down field better? Will it make it possible for him throw the long out? During warmups Ball throws the ball in good form so he must be mentally prepared at that point. So why does he throw off his heels in the game ?

Now we know ! The coach didn’t mentally prepare him !

Mentally Prepared - people who played the game and played it well don’t use that term.

Players , real players get themselves ready.

By TheTruth

October 19, 2005 11:16 AM | Link to this

Ok jawrjadawg. Who do you suggest gets hired? Normally feelers are out prior to the firing, i.e., Steve Spurrier telling Mark Richt that the UGA and Virginia jobs were coming open and would be good opportunities. Who’s the savior? Can you suggest someone that can come in and salvage this years recruiting class. Maybe the fire Chan talk is why Tech only has 7 recruits committed. Tell these recruits who is getting hired. And how many of our fans will “be against him from day one”?

By Best Case Scenario

October 19, 2005 11:35 AM | Link to this

Mr. Foot Ball,

You say that people who played the game and played it well don’t use the term “mentally prepared.” I beg to differ. As you read the comments and biographies of the great players of the past and as you listen to what the current greats say about the keys to their success, you often find reference to mental focus.

I agree, that real players “get themselves ready,” but football is a team sport. Having 11 guys out there rousing themselves to their own vision of greatness is not usually effective in leading the team to dominate.

You must admit that there are so many distractions out there today, that the task of focusing a team cannot be assumed. This is why, I believe, that Tech has been so up and down. This is why underdog teams can beat top teams on occasion. The inner drive and focus is as important as ability. The team that wants it more usually wins. I do think that is part of a coaches job. It cannot be simply left up to the players.

By dd

October 19, 2005 11:37 AM | Link to this

bradley is a sports columnist and merely is stating the obvious in what has become the bigtime business of college football and how GT’s football program has become mired in mediocrity and does that matter? i’m not sure given the range of posts on this board in support of gailey….hb ando, nice post which was basically was an epic defending mediocrity in a shoot the messenger format….i think chan seems like a nice guy and a good man but he is not a good coach….whether its his teaching, philosophy, recruiting, assessment of talent, game preparation or whatever else he is lacking, he is a poor coach… he came with a highly questionable record as a head coach and offensive coordinator…… he plays games not to lose and hopes tenuta’s defense saves him (and it has on a number of occasions) he loses track of the game and game situations and thus can’t keep up with the play calling/timeouts/play count, etc he still insists on being the offensive coordinator despite GT ranking approx 100th in offense for four years running he coaches the games GT loses that they should win this has been simmmering for years now and despite being 4-2, most people see the writing on the wall with Miami, GA WF,VA, and clemson on the schedule maybe he can pull it out and i’ll be cheering for GT at each game ….but i have my doubts good coaches usually win wherever they coach(see spurrier at duke….and please i know about the redskins) its great that tech has been to postseason bowls but most of these bowls weren’t around a few years ago when it meant something to go to a bowl….like more than 6 wins finish the season and i predict 6-5 if they’re lucky……let tenuta take the team…. if somehow they finish 7-4 and beat GA well i’ll be the loudest one cheering and at the same time hoping that tenuta doesn’t leave next year and chan gives up play calling if he somehow pulls his A out of the fire

By Triumph

October 19, 2005 11:40 AM | Link to this

Oh, I don’t know, I think Chan Gailey is okay…

FOR ME TO POOP ON!

I’m sorry, you nerds, you nerds make it so easy for me!

Go have a coke and a hotdog!

HAHAHAHA!

By Voice of Reason

October 19, 2005 11:47 AM | Link to this

dd - Please learn to use periods, capitals and complete sentences.

Triumph - Get a life.

By GT academic reality

October 19, 2005 11:49 AM | Link to this

Unless the academic adminstration decides to continue to expand the academic curriculum offered to include degree tracks that do not require Calculus and/or Physics/Biology, Gailey or any other GT coach will continue to struggle to bring the top recruits to Georgia Tech as well as keep them in school. Georgia Tech has very limited degree choices on top of difficult academic requirements for entrance/acceptance. It is my understanding that even Stanford, Duke, Vanderbilt or other highly esteemed academic institutions do not have this Calculus requirement. So, Georgia Tech fans should consider our recruiting successful that we are able to find 20-25 student atheletes each year willing to attend our institute based on the limited degrees that GT currently offers.

By gobuzzgo

October 19, 2005 11:55 AM | Link to this

Things Tech Must Do to play to it’s potential:

Ditch the Urine Yellow jersies- they’re a laughing-stock. How do you take Urine Yellow seriously?

Bring back the navy blue jersies with gold pants, and ditch the wimpy white shoes for big-boy black.

Consider an infusuion of trapping-option offense which is better suited to Tech’s smallish line.

And, fire Gailey.

Hire someone who has more energy than an effigy and who won’t play “not to lose.”

By Kdub

October 19, 2005 12:22 PM | Link to this

Tech definitely has had enough talent to win more games over the Chan Gailey era, despite its schedule. We have an excellent defensive coordinator, so once we get a coach with a better offensive system (i.e. Ralph Friedgen), Tech can make some real noise. Before Friedgen left, we were averaging over 35 points a game, but the defense gave up over 30 a game as well. Bring the Fridge back, and let’s see what happens.

By TheTruth

October 19, 2005 12:40 PM | Link to this

Out of the entire fire Chan crowd here this morning only one person has attached a name to a prospective coach. (Ralph Freidgen) The rest of you keep saying hire SOMEBODY. Is somebody kin to THEY? Ralph could be a possibility but when Tech had the chance to hire him they choose the infamous O’Leary. Ralph is also a link to the past that got in some deep doodoo today. Anyway, that door is closed. Since nobody else wants to suggest a hire after the fire, I will add two names to the list. Good coaches that could realistically consider Tech. I have a few more but these would be the first 2 calls. 1) Bobby Johnson (Vanderbilt) 2) Jim Leaverette (South Florida)

By Randall

October 19, 2005 12:52 PM | Link to this

Let’s be realistic here. Regardless of who’s the coach, it’s just not in the cards that Tech is going to challenge FSU, Miami, VA Tech, BC and in some years VA and MD in the ACC. They are capable of winning records with 6 to 7 and sometimes 8 wins per year with an upset but that’s about all anybody should be able to expect unless they’re delusional.

By Monroe Hawg

October 19, 2005 01:09 PM | Link to this

Hey, I realize George Oleary has some baggage, but if memory serves me correctly he had a little “fire in the belly” and we beat UGA on a regular basis under his leadership. Seems like it was 2yrs in a row or was it 3?

By Stinger Splash

October 19, 2005 01:11 PM | Link to this

Distasteful isn’t firing a coach. Distasteful is agreeing with Mark Bradley on anything. Which makes this hard to swallow. But he is right. And the reasons, just from the N.C. State game, are many. You don’t give up an 80-yard touchdown pass against a zone defense. You don’t have your slowest skill player as your number one kickoff return guy. And you don’t throw 50-odd times with the ACC’s best running back on the field. How many times has Tech looked just unprepared and simply uncoached for a game, going all the way back to the first Tech-Georgia game under Gailey and then the Fresno State debacle. Remember, Gailey inherited a program that was becoming a contender (anyone remember the 10-win season capped by the win over Notre Dame in the Gator Bowl?) That Gailey is a fine man of immeasurable decency is not the question. The question is, is he the guy who can turn Tech into at least an 8 to 9 win team every year, with a chance of winning 10 or 11 games and nudging in its way into the BCS. That answer is no. And what was VPI before Frank Beamer? Not much. Bobby Johnson? Are you kidding? Maybe Charlie Weis can get cloned in one of the Tech labs. Or, there was this quarterbacks coach about 25 years ago who always wanted the job, some dude with a visor and 2 handicap. Whatever happened to him?

By TheTruth

October 19, 2005 01:19 PM | Link to this

The points that Randall just made are correct. That is why I say that Tech is a brick by brick renovation. And the writer that mentioned Beamer was right on the money. It took Beamer 10 yrs. But now VT is over the top. Everyone uses O’Leary as some sort of benchmark for success. Check the records guys. He was here 7 years, had one 10 win season, one 9, one 8 Two 7, a 6 and a 5. That is consistently average. And he was going in reverse the year he left. TECH IS A LONG TERM RECLAMATION. God can’t turn us into an instant pwerhouse. As long as we are a revolving door for coaches we will sink deeper into the depths.

By TheTruth

October 19, 2005 01:35 PM | Link to this

For the record: In 7 years O’Leary was 52 and 33. .612! And a 33% graduation rate to boot! And the smell he left behind finally got to the noses of the NCAA Infraction Committee. Now we have sanctions coming as sure as the sun rises in the east. I heard Jamie Dukes on some college football show comment, “52 counts of academic fraud ain’t just an administrative error”. Get over O’Leary. Poor Chan got stuck with his mess.

By mem

October 19, 2005 01:56 PM | Link to this

Well all the points have been made both pro and con Chan, so I won’t rehash old posts. I’ll just say that as bad as things have looked at times this year and in years past, I tend to agree with Donald King in that I won’t have any problem if they keep him another year or two, and to wait until the season plays out before judging him on 2005. Just seems to be too much of the quick-fix syndrome these days.

But I do like talking football, and TheTruth and Kdub have started throwing out names, so just for the sake of discussion I’ll comment:

1) Friedgen ain’t coming back. No need to make a lateral move from his alma mater just b/c he worked here a few years. But it would be a nice choice if he did.

2) Petrino (mentioned on another blog) also wouldn’t come. No need to give up BCS hopes every year in the Big East to compete against UGA, UM, and VT with limited academic curriculum. He’ll hold out for a much higher profile job.

3) Bobby Johnson is a nice name right now, but throw take Cutler away and you have nothing (did Johnson recruit Cutler?). Nice run with Furman, but not interested.

4) Don’t know enough about the South Florida coach to comment.

5) Guys, I hate to say it but this is it for Tenuta. Unless offered the head job, I don’t see him staying on as DC past this year. Could be bad timing like with Friedgen all over again. But if Chan goes, he’s first on the list.

6) Two new names, and I realize they are both stretches: Norm Chow and Chris Hatcher. I would think Chow would hold out for a higher profile position as well, but keep in mind he actually interviewed for the Stanford job before leaving USC. That fact alone suggests he may be open to coaching at a school with tougher academic requirements. Hatcher is from VSU (as some have already thrown out) and is a bit young at only 33-34 or so, but he knows offense (Harlon Hill winner as a QB at VSU under Mumme and coached QB’s with Mumme at UK). May be a stretch for an ACC school to hire someone so young with no D1 coordinator experience, but it’s an interesting thought anyway.

But like I said, lot of ball to be played yet in ‘05 to be wondering who’ll replace a coach that hasn’t even been fired.

By SRF

October 19, 2005 01:58 PM | Link to this

I know we are not going to be Miami or Va Tech each year - but I am sick of 51-7 losses. I think that there are a lot of coaches out there that could do better.

I just want it to be close against good teams and we should beat the teams we have a chance at (NC State).

Losing is contagious and we are infested. It is time to clean house !

By chuck

October 19, 2005 02:00 PM | Link to this

Really agree with the writer and the urine colored jerseys. Also,time to face facts,we either cant compete with Miami,Va Tech,FSU and BC or we can. I dont think with our present coaching we can do anything but finish six and five..No attendance at home games,poor play calling and atheletes that can do better point to a new coach. Need established winner not a shot in the dark.

By dd

October 19, 2005 02:02 PM | Link to this

VOR, sorry about the grammar…thought i was making points line by line……guess i’ll go back to ……. anyway, i don’t buy that GT can’t compete against VT, Miami, FSU, etc….hell, how many times have we played these teams the last few
years and been in the game until the very end…. GT CAN COMPETE in the ACC….it has the talent….so O’leary didn’t win 8 or 9 games every season….i’ll take 8 or more wins every now and then as long as we’re consistently competitive….. IT’s the COACHING!!…..coaching makes the difference in close games and I know there is a coach out there who can win consisitently at GT…?tenuta, an offensive coordinator at a winning program……look what weiss did at ND and look what’s happened to the NE pats since…. remember what happened to GT’s offense after Ralph went to Maryland…..coaches make a difference at a school like GT……and chan just doesn’t have it…..and it can’t be more clear than to look at the pathetic offense he runs, the critical game decision making, clock management…. for a refresher on his previous coaching check his record he did a good job with kordell stewart at pittsburgh with Bill Cowher which got him the head coaching job at Dallas…he lasted two years because he was awful….he somehow got the offensive coordinator job with the Miami Dolphins and the Dolphins offense stunk and then Braine rescued the dolphins by hiring him here… he’s an old school coach who is unbending and instead of adapting he insists on players fitting his antiquated system…..he’s actually changed things up recently…..it’s too late chan needs to go….give the job to tenuta and let him find a young energetic creative offensive minded assistant and at least jazz things up… give him 4-5 years….i’ll take a couple of losing seasons for a little excitement i for one am sick of ‘settling’ and listening to all the excuses that GT “fans” keep spewing out about not being able to compete….find a new coach after this 6 win season(i hope)and let’s find out

By HB Ando

October 19, 2005 02:04 PM | Link to this

JC,

Rejoice sir, as I tell you the gleeful truth. I, too, am a Georgia graduate. The fact that I found myself defending Tech’s coach was paradoxical to say the least (and secondary to my desire to see Mr. Bradley ousted from his unwarranted positon with the AJC).

Please return to the comfort of your preconceived notions, as I too am ambivalent regarding the future of Mr. Gailey. However, my feelings regarding Mr. Bradley, and his tenure at the AJC will stand unmolested. His lack of skill and tact may be the one subject Dawgs and Jackets alike may agree on.

By TheTruth

October 19, 2005 02:06 PM | Link to this

Good points about Johnson. Didn’t think of Hatcher, but that is an interesting thought. Chow was on my list but yes, it could be a stretch. If offense is what you want,(even though D wins Cs) how about the guy at Texas Tech? I still like Leaverette from South Florida. He did a Erk Russell and basically built the program from scratch. I like his ability to build. He has created a foundation there and beat Louisville to boot.

By mem

October 19, 2005 02:11 PM | Link to this

Mike Leach at Texas Tech came to mind, but he now has them getting national respect (#7 in current BCS), so I just assumed he wouldn’t view the GT job as an upgrade over a Big-12 program he has up and running now.

You’re right on Leaverette though, now that I think about it. They weren’t even playing football 10 years ago!

By mem

October 19, 2005 02:14 PM | Link to this

One more on Leach… he is also a Mumme disciple, so Hatcher runs the same style offense.

I also agree that defense wins championships, but after 4 years of 20 ppg, I’m a little starved for points! Plus offensive systems such as thiers can still run effectively without 5-star recruits.

By mike

October 19, 2005 02:27 PM | Link to this

I WASN’T GOING TO COMMENT ON REPLACEMENTS, BUT WHAT MEM SAID IS EXACTLY WHAT I HAVE BEEN SAYING. CHRIS HATCHER WOULD BE MY NUMBER 2 CHOICE, RIGHT BEHIND ONLY HAL MUMME WHO IS NOW AT NEW MEXICO STATE. PEOPLE WILL SAY THAT HATCHER WON’T BE ABLE TO WIN IN DIV 1, BUT IF YOU KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THE AIR RAID SYSTEM YOU WILL WANT MUMME OR HATCHER. LET ME TELL YOU WHY. THE “AIR RAID” SYSTEM IS UNSTOPPABLE UNLESS YOU CAN DROP 8 DBS WHICH IS IMPOSSIBLE, AND IT MAKES INFERIOR TALENT APPEAR TO BE SUPPERIOR. (SEE TEXAS TECH AND LATE 90’S KENTUCKY) ALSO, THERE ARE A TON OF HIGH SCHOOLS NOW USING A VERSION OF THE “AIR RAID” (NORTH GWINNETT, HOOVER ALABAMA SOUTHTHLAKE CARROLL TX, AND MANY MANY MOORE)WHICH WILL GIVE A TREMENDOUS RECRUITING EDGE AS WELL AS PLAYERS COMING IN ALREADY KNOWING THE OFFENSE. YOU ALSO DO NOT HAVE TO HAVE MONSTER LINEMEN OR 5 STAR QBS. LOOK AT HOW LONG IT TAKES FOR A QB TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN OTHER SYSTEMS AND THEN LOOK AT HOW MANY TEXAS TECH QB’S HAVE THROWN FOR 500-600+ YARDS IN A SINGLE GAME IN THEIR FIRST SEASON RUNNING THE OFFENSE. I HAVE COACHED IN AN AIR RAID SYSTEM AND IT IS SIMPLE FOR PLAYERS AND UNSTOPPABLE TO DEFENSES. I HOPE GAILEY CAN GET THINGS TOGETHER BECAUSE I DON’T THINK BRAINE WILL CHOOSE A BETTER REPLACEMENT, AND I AM AFRAID HE WILL MISS THE BOAT ON MUMME AND HATCHER.

By jawjadawg

October 19, 2005 02:27 PM | Link to this

TRUTH .. You can bet the house I would have a list of candidates ready if I was Braine. Sorry but I do not get paid to hire or fire. If I did we would have never had this problem to begin with which makes me think there should be 2 vacancies in the AD I would have found a young assistant or someone from a smaller school when Oleary left us hanging When Chan was hired I kept reading how wonderful it was that we foind someone with experience then for 2 years after every screw up he made someone would say ” he is learning”. Why did GT hire a 53 year old rookie

By TheTruth

October 19, 2005 02:30 PM | Link to this

Good point mem. Some offensive systems don’t require overwhelming talent. The Freidgen years were not packed with the most highly sought after recruits either. I don’t want to go back to the days of 45 to 44 wins, but with the D that Tech has now, a few more points, we would win a few more games and maybe a flashier offensive system would attract higher caliber offensive recruits.

By Brody Bray

October 19, 2005 02:33 PM | Link to this

Great Article…….. I just hope we fire this man asap, before he completely destroys our football program.

We should get away from hiring David Braine’s fishing buddies who want to moonlight in their homestate during the twilight of their mediocre careers. If you question this guys Coaching ability, you obviously have not seen the Jackets play this year. This is the most uninspired Yellow Jackets team I have seen in a decade. In addition, if Reggie Ball is the best we can do, god help us all.

Find a young energetic coach……. a Paul Hewitt for our football program.

By geebee

October 19, 2005 02:41 PM | Link to this

Let’s face reality. Tech can attract two types of coaches, an up and comer and a re-cycle. The up and comer, even one of their own, will always leave for a bigger program and Tech will never be a big program in the ACC, even less likely now with the recent additions. They are further from the top.

The re-cycles will stay until asked to leave. Has any media spokesperson ever referred to Gailey without saying ex-Dallas Cowboys head coach? Which means the ex-unsuccessful Dallas Cowboys head coach. You get what you got. Tech is about where they should be. Not too good not too bad.

Say when does basketball tip off? Where it only takes 1 great player and some complimentary ones to be competitive, Tech can do that.

By mike

October 19, 2005 02:43 PM | Link to this

RUMORS LAST YEAR HAD BOBBY BOWDON HIRING CHRIS HATCHER AS HIS OC, SO I DON’T THINK HATCHER WILL COME TO TECH AS AN OC, BUT POSSIBLY AS A HEAD COACH. I ALSO AGREE THAT LEACH WON’T LEAVE TEXAS TECH. I DO THINK THAT MUMME WOULD LEAVE NEW MEXICO STATE TO COME TO TECH AS WELL AS HATCHER TO BE A HEAD COACH. LEACH HAS PICKED UP RECRUITING TREMENDOUSLY IN THE PAST 2 YEARS DUE TO THE AIR RAID OFFENSE, AND IS NOW UNDEFEATED WITH A LEGIT CHANCE TO KNOCK OFF TEXAS IN A FEW WEEKS. I AM CONVINCED THAT GA TECH WOULD BE HEADED FOR UNPRECEDENTED HIGHS IF EITHER MUMME OR HATCHER IS HIRED. IT WOULD BE GREAT TO SEE ALL THOSE BLUE CHIPPERS AT UGA GET 50 POINTS HUNG ON THEM EVERY YEAR BY THE JACKETS. BELEIVE ME WITH MUMME OR HATCHER, IT WOULD HAPPEN WITHIN 2 YEARS OF THEIR HIRE.

By TheTruth

October 19, 2005 02:43 PM | Link to this

Mike..good to hear a coach’s perspective. The more I listen the more I am coming around to the “air raid” scenario. Even though I still think that fixing Tech’s overall program is a protracted thing, there could be a quick fix for the offense. It would generate excitement, create enthusiasm, and improve recruiting. However…you still need D. And the programs with the aformentioned monster linemen, smashmouth running games, and 5 star quarterbacks will beat you most of the time, but the air raid philosophy could keep the program competitive while the other pieces of the puzzle are being put together.

By TheTruth

October 19, 2005 02:46 PM | Link to this

The only problem I see with Mumme is the problems he had with the NCAA and left with Kentucky. And we have got problems with the gestapo already. But Hatcher just could be the man.

By mike

October 19, 2005 02:58 PM | Link to this

TRUTH, YOU ARE RIGHT. HOWEVER MUMME HAS BEEN AT 2 SCHOOLS SINCE THEN WITHOUT ANY PROBLEMS. HERE ARE TEXAS TECH’S AVERAGES FROM LAST YEAR.

SCORING 36.2 PPG RANK 8 RUSHING 92 YPG (MUCH IMPROVED THIS YEAR) PASSING 399.7 YPG RANK 1 TOTAL YPG 491.7 RANK 6 SCORED 70 POINTS 2 TIMES (VS TCU AND NEBRASKA)

LAST WEEK - FIRST YEAR STARTING QB CODY HODGES THREW FOR 643 YARDS VS KANSAS STATE.

TEXAS TECH HAS BEEN GETTING BETTER PLAYERS ON DEFENSE SO LOOK OUT IN THE VERY NEAR FUTURE.

By jackets fan

October 19, 2005 03:04 PM | Link to this

I was not excited when Gailey was chosen as Tech’s coach. He’s not the rah-rah go get em sort that seems to do well with college kids. But at this point unless a really good, established coach (not necessarily a head coach) comes available and is interested, I don’t see the advantage in firing Gailey. Changing coaches kills recruiting and comes with a built in setback period of time (unless you get that super star coach). So let Gailey fulfill his contract and re-evaluate then. He’s actually done a decent job of recruiting. He may need some help in the play calling area, that’s something Braine should ask him to get.

By jackets fan

October 19, 2005 03:06 PM | Link to this

Plus, he’s won more games in his first 3 seasons than either Bobby Ross or George O’Leary did.

By warrenedick

October 19, 2005 03:08 PM | Link to this

well u-Washington let go a fine young coach for a gambling violation & now has an x stanford & Notre Dame coach who can’t seem to coach his way out of a pzaper bag. I bet you the Huskies would take your 6-5 record over their mess. Moral values sould belong to the mix somewhere. Be proud of Tech & help them . It’s easy to berate,get behind your team that will surely help. Reporters will write anything to sell fishrap even in Alaska. Warren GO GT

By TheTruth

October 19, 2005 03:09 PM | Link to this

I think Mike has come up with a solution! And backs point of view up with facts. And I guess Mumme does smell a little sweeter now. I still like Hatcher 1st. A guy like that could be a long termer much like Mr. Richt over at that other school. We might not beat those guys all the time, but we would never again be the bone they knaw on every year.

By Kelvin Self-Centered

October 19, 2005 03:13 PM | Link to this

It doesn’t matter who coaches there. Except for a 9 win season every 6 or 7 years, Tech will always be 2nd tier to UGA in this state and VT/UM/FSU in the ACC. Those geeks should just focus on basketball. And straightening their pocket protectors.

GO DAWGS!!!

NERDS! NERDS! NERDS!

By Kelvin Self-Centered

October 19, 2005 03:17 PM | Link to this

Mike is a fool. And probably a geek of Louis and Gilbert proportions.

UGA will never get 50 hung on them by the Jackets. Back in the Goff/Donnan year, perhaps (a la 1999) but never under Richt.

Mike - You just don’t seem smart enough to be a Tech student.

By A B

October 19, 2005 03:26 PM | Link to this

Oh, come on Dog Hater. Sure Tech sucks under Gailey, but if you’ll be honest about your football program (which is something most Jerkit fans have a hard time doing) no matter who the coach at the flats happens to have been, Tech has always sucked.

By mem

October 19, 2005 03:30 PM | Link to this

I’ll take Leach (who won’t come) or Hatcher, but I’ll leave Mumme with Mike. I agree he’s been clean since UK, but as folks like Lou Holtz and Jim Harrick have proved, if it’s happened once, it’s likely to happen again. On top of that, I remember watching Mumme go for it on every 4th down in a game in Athens, even from his own 20. If I remember correctly (help me out UGA followers), they went on to lose that game by only a TD or so (pretty low scoring affair), so if he actually punts and plays field position during the game who knows how it might have ended up. He knew offense allright, but he also made some very unorthodox coaching decisions, none of which I remember helping him win games. The benching of a proven QB in Dusty Bonner for a freshman Lorenzen also left a sour taste as well, and I don’t even care about UK football. That just wasn’t right, and seemed to go a little deeper than on-the-field performance.

By TheTruth

October 19, 2005 03:32 PM | Link to this

I don’t think that 50 will ever get hung on a UGA D either, primarily because of the athletic ability that their defenses year after year possess. But Mike IS onto something. The key to it though is having a D to go with the O that can make a team go 3 and out enough to get the O on the field. And that is how you stifle a “air raid” offense. Also it would take time to create depth so that teams like UGA don’t just wear you down with personnel. BUT MIKE IS RIGHT. A guy like Hatcher would make immediate improvement and keep the fans happy while putting the rest of the program together. I seem to remember how the Kentucky fans resonded to Mumme when he he was up there. Hatcher could definately be the 1st brick in the wall.

By mem

October 19, 2005 03:37 PM | Link to this

The game in question was the 1997 game in which UK lost 23-13, for the record.

By Big Dawg

October 19, 2005 03:48 PM | Link to this

No “Fans of Chan” on this blog? come on guys, this is the perfect forum to spread the love for the greatest head coach this side of 316: Chan the Man!

By Foot Ball

October 19, 2005 03:53 PM | Link to this

SOME INFO ON CHRIS HATCHER - QB’S HE HAS COACHED IN THE LAST 10 YEARS -

Lance Funderburk - Harlon Hill winner

Daunte Culpepper - NFL 1st round pick

Tim Couch - # 1 NFL pick

Dusty Bonner - Harlon Hill winner

All tall pocket passers . What would we do with BALL ? Kick off returner. Isn’t that what Auburn RECRUITED him for ? How long does it take a QB to learn this *AIR RAID * OFFENSE.

What would Hatcher do with Calvin ? He would be a big time All American.

By Stee

October 19, 2005 03:58 PM | Link to this

I hate to see Chan go if indeed it happens. However, this may be a good way to keep John Tenuta. If and I say if Chan is fired I think Tech should hire Tenuta as the head coach and bring in a good offensive coordinator. They could even make Joe Ham or Godsey the QB coach. Just my 2 cents, but I hope it doesn’t happen.

By Mountain Jacket

October 19, 2005 04:04 PM | Link to this

Mark - I could not agree with you more.

I am not sure why many want to personally attack you but, as an GT alum, I have to feel that we deserve better. Either get better or get worse and then get better. The mediocrity has to go. The team has better talent than the results show. They NEVER seem ready or prepared for a game against ANY opponent.

Why not go with a young and hungry coach trying to make his mark. Richt wasn’t exactly top of all lists when he went to uga. Isn’t there a young imaginative coach out there just waiting to jump up to a bigger conference??????

By Helpful

October 19, 2005 04:07 PM | Link to this

First things first guys. Reggie has to learn to count to 4 before you throw a new offense at him.

By JCrumb

October 19, 2005 04:20 PM | Link to this

Do we really have to keep him around next year too?? That would be a total waste of what could be Calvin’s last year and a whole year in general. If Gailey can’t be more than mediocre w/ the team he has now, he will never be anything but! Boot him now!

By Stinger Splash

October 19, 2005 04:21 PM | Link to this

And didn’t Gailey make his mark as a quarterbacks coach? Then why can’t a QB in his third year as a starter still not be able to throw a touch pass or any kind of pass that doesn’t require him to launch a Bobby Jenks fastball? and Tenuta isn’t the solution. He might be part of the problem. Look at the pass coverage. Terrible. Cox threw for over 350 in the Auburn game. And some guy from NC State torched a zone defense, a zone defense, for 80 stinking yards.

By TheTruth

October 19, 2005 04:38 PM | Link to this

Does anyone here have the real story on why Damarius Bilbo was never given a real opportunity to play quarterback? That was a really strange situation.

By GT Guy

October 19, 2005 04:41 PM | Link to this

Reggie should have never started this year. That’s another reason Chan should go. He doesn’t know when to cut his losses. Reggie Ball has no business trying to play the QB position in a major college program. He is totally unreliable, yet Chan stubbornly hangs on to the kid. What a shame to hang your career on a kid with the lack of consistent, effective decision making that Reggie has demonstrated

By Ramblin' On

October 19, 2005 04:54 PM | Link to this

To all the people defending Gailey by saying “this was only one game, ” you’re wrong. The only consistent thing about this program is its inconsistency.

To all the people defending Gailey by claiming the players share in the blame, this is certainly true; however, the inconsistency is brought about by poor preparation and therefore poor coaching.

To all the people villifying the fans for their inconsistent support of the team, you MUST have consistent performance from the team to justify consistent support from the fans.

To all of the dawg fans with their sarcastic, inappropriate, and grammatically incorrect remarks, GFY (consistently!).

By James Brown

October 19, 2005 04:58 PM | Link to this

When will Tech learn they need a coach that is not afraid to kick a*. No more mr. nice guy. sometime ago if you watched the sideline you would see assistant coaches kicking a* on the sideline. Thats terrible! but, hey….they won the national championship that year. (OOPs I’m telling my age)

By geebee

October 19, 2005 05:09 PM | Link to this

Donnan will get you to 7-4 year in and year out if you don’t mind the 4 being VaTech, Miami, Virginia and UGA.

By fred preddy

October 19, 2005 05:22 PM | Link to this

Chan was a compromise hire.Resumes are not only to be falsified, but are an irrefutable record of the past and an indicator of things to come. What was Chan’s?…..seven stops on the road to where? When a change is virtually inevitable, be swift, professional and clear. Do not plunge the program into utter ruin. Do not wait for ‘07.

By GTVegas

October 19, 2005 06:20 PM | Link to this

What about the guy from Boise? He is one of the best motivators around. Anyone that can have a successful program in Idaho with a blue field has got to be OK. I like Hatcher as well.

To those of you complaing about recruiting being hurt by talking about a new coach - Gailey’s contract is up next year. You have to have a change at some point. I have never been a big fan of Gailey (I liked Mcwhorter), but let him serve out his contract and make a clean change at that time unless you can get a quality guy sooner.

By GT FOREVER

October 19, 2005 07:07 PM | Link to this

Here’s the bottom line. If Gailey won’t hire an offensive coordinator next year he has to go! His determination to do it all on offense is killing us. That accounts for the inability of the team to be properly prepared from week to week. He’s too focused on his offensive game plan. I was at the NC State game and all of us season tickets holders knew he was going to run the ball! An offensive coordinator would have made the correct (and winning) call.

HE HAS TO GO!

By Dawg Fan

October 19, 2005 08:39 PM | Link to this

Glad to see that HB ANDO is a dawg fan, that was a great analogy, and a well written piece. I personally wanted Gailey at UGA, because I had no idea what a great man Coach Richt is. Gailey probrably deserved Coach of the year 2 years ago…maybe last year.

I defend Richt’s coaching style to UGA fans every week, because as they seem to know, “something isn’t clicking” on our offense. As much as Richt has done at UGA why would people be critical? Because it’s easy to be critical and the fans always think they know more than the coach.

Gailey has a head case QB, limited talent, one heck of a DC, who has made a defense out of 3 star athletes, despite injuries, and an arrogant academic department. Tech fans, it ain’t your coach, and quit blaming it on Calculus. A good program takes time, and you have a great foundation. No doubt, you won’t give Gailey the time he needs. Heck, when Richt loses this year, watch and see how many of our fans turn on him, even though every UGA fan would not have predicted before the season we would be where we are today. In the ACC and SEC, you have to have good coaching to do what both Richt and Gailey are doing. Tech will give UGA a run this year with half the talent and then you will fire Gailey. Maybe he can then come to Athens and help in our pressbox.

By Alum Greg

October 19, 2005 09:16 PM | Link to this

Well said yet again, Mark Bradley. Your assessment of GT football and Chan Gailey’s regime is on target.

Sustained progress and improvement (quarter to quarter, game to game, season to season) are the keys to a successful program.

Somebody’s lost the keys.

By Alum Greg

October 19, 2005 10:09 PM | Link to this

Mark Bradley, your assessment of GT football and Chan Gailey’s regime is again on target.

Earlier this year you expressed hope for an advancing Jacket program, even as you warned of potential historic backsliding.

Sustained progress and improvement (quarter to quarter, game to game, season to season) are integral keys to success at The Dodd.

Somebody’s lost the keys.

By War Eagle

October 19, 2005 10:10 PM | Link to this

Pat Dye, Tommy Tuberville and Mark Richt has proved one ESSENTIAL in winning college football games…RECRUITING, Tech has failed: recruiting 2 and 3 stars while SEC schools get sign 4 and 5 star players. Tech has failed in the Metro Atlanta rich athletes tradition, whereas, UGA, Auburn, Clemson have cleaned-up. Maybe its the facilities or location, but this has been Coach Chan downfall.Wish him the best, he kick our butt.

By Eric

October 19, 2005 10:49 PM | Link to this

Chan is a great coach. He should lead Tech for the next 10 years. He’ll turn it around. PLEASE keep him.

By JK

October 19, 2005 11:17 PM | Link to this

Chan Gailey has had a lot of adversity to face in his tenure and has done very well given the expectations. Kids failing out, drug arrests, Miami and then UGA next week (already assuming he’ll lose both), some of that stuff he just can’t control.

By CW

October 19, 2005 11:36 PM | Link to this

Dawg Fan, nice post. It is unbelievable to me as a Tech fan that Richt is taking some of the same heat as Gailey for poor play calling. I remember Stallings at Alabama getting ridiculed for not covering the spread and that was during his NC year. However, Gailey’s problems as coach seem less about over-critical fans and more about a lack of consistency. Being one of a very few Tech fans in Birmingham, I am always asked “how’s Tech going to play this weekend” and I never know what in the hell to say. How can we beat Auburn on the road and then lose to NC State? One year we get drilled by Georgia 51-7 and the next year we outplay Georgia but lose because of a handful of silly mistakes. Chan has brought in his players and installed his system, and yet we aren’t playing any better or becoming more consistent.

And for everyone who says Tech can’t compete with the upper-tier in the ACC- that’s ridiculous. Tech practically had a win in the bag last year against VA Tech and then gave it back with 3 or 4 plays that changed the game. Tech stood toe-to-toe with Georgia last year and could have won that game. Ball’s freshman year, Tech was a whisker away from beating FSU for the first time in forever. No, we will not beat the best teams in the country year in and year out, but anybody who says this team can’t compete is just wrong. Ross did it, O’Leary did it and there are other coaches out there who will able to do it as well.

By Andrew

October 20, 2005 12:09 AM | Link to this

Mark - thank you. The NC State game was just another example of an ill-prepared team losing when they should win by 3 TD’s. Tech should be 5-1 right now - with the only loss to Thugville VT. GT has a great recruiting position - I don’t care what anyone says - and has access to some of the best talent in the Southeast. Given the level of preparation for the first 6 games - my guess is Tech loses the final 5.

By Tim

October 20, 2005 12:23 AM | Link to this

CHAN MUST GO!!LEO I HATE TO SEE YOU GO< BUT PLEASE TAKE BOBBY COX WITH YOU !!!!

By wes

October 20, 2005 08:43 AM | Link to this

“I am always asked “how’s Tech going to play this weekendâ€? and I never know what in the hell to say”.

-CW, hilarious!

I feel the exact same way week-in and week-out. And as much as I keep up with these Yellow Jackets, I honestly cannot get a feel for which team will show up. They are truly a Dr. Jekyl/Mr. Hyde act.

And that act is getting quite old.

By mem

October 20, 2005 09:01 AM | Link to this

OK, here’s another take on the Chan situation. Let’s look at it from a distance and not even consider whether we think he can coach or recruit or not.

If you are a high quality coach at another school and see that GT, with a limited curriculum offering and higher academic standards (not an excuse for not winning, but definitely makes it an uphill climb), fires their head coach after only 4 years in which the coach never had a losing season, had a small initial recruiting class, overcame losing 10 athletes to academic problems, and upset nationally ranked opponents in each of his 4 years, would you really want to coach there? It would appear to most coaches that the fans and AD don’t see the big picture and jumped the gun on him.

I’m not using any of the above as a defense of Gailey, b/c I’m lukewarm at best on him. Just trying to give another point of view, because coaches don’t think like fans do.

By TheTruth

October 20, 2005 09:18 AM | Link to this

UGA always had a recruiting advantage over us and it has gotten more pronounced during the Richt era. In a nutshell,1) Richt plays alot of guys and plays them well. His depth allows it. 2)UGA sends multitudes of players to the NFL at every position. 3)Richt may be the best developer of QBs in the country. Just look at the QBs on their roster and a 5 star recruit from Texas chose them anyway. And then there is Tennessee,Auburn,Clemson,FSU,et al recruiting against us as well. And people it is not academics that put us at a disadvantage. It is embarrassing to hear that excuse for losing. Other academic schools win and others lose without whining. We need a Richt. Chris Hatcher has a reputation for developing QBs and skill players. We need a guy that can give us something to sell to FOOTBALL PLAYERS. All recruits think that they will play in the NFL. Mark Richt gives every player that he recruits a system that will play him and develop him and give him a realistic shot at the NFL. No, everyone will not make it. But to succeed you have to have a marketable product to sell. Right now we don’t have it.

By TheTruth

October 20, 2005 09:31 AM | Link to this

You are right mem. Chan has faced alot of adversity and coaches prospective coaches do see the big picture. I’m afraid that the long knives will get Chan. The next coach has to know that he will get the opportunity to build. Our fans need to have more realistic expectations and understand that while Tech has some good players, we have no depth and depth results from recruiting over time. Our performance against the top teams show us beyond a shadow of a doubt where we are as a program. When was the last time any of us saw one of the top tier teams get truly blown out?

By mike

October 20, 2005 10:10 AM | Link to this

I WOULD LIKE TO BACK UP A FEW POSTS AND RESPOND TO THE UGA FANS SAYING THAT NO ONE WOULD EVER HANG 50 ON GEORGIA. OF COURSE I WAS EXAGERATING BUT NOT BY MUCH. TECH DID PUT 51 ON GEORGIA NOT TO LONG AGO THOUGH WITH 3 TURNOVERS. ANYWAY THE AIR RAID IS MORE THAN JUST ON OFFENSE, ITS A PROGRAM PHILOSOPHY. PRACTICE STRUCTURE,CONDITIONING, AND EVEN STRETCHING ARE DIFFERENT THAN CONVENTIONAL WAYS. THEY DO SO MANY THINGS DIFFERENT THAN THE TRADITIONAL WAYS AND IT HAS PAYED OFF TIME AND TIME AGAIN. IT TOTALLY CHANGED MY OUTLOOK ON THE GAME. I JUST HOPE DAVE BRAINE WILL DO HIS RESEARCH IF GAILEY DOES HAVE TO LEAVE.

PS: NASCAR HAS JUST ANOUNCED THAT THEY ARE MOVING FROM SUNDAYS TO SATURDAYS IN 2006. AS A RESULT UGA TICKET SALES ARE EXPECTED TO BE AT AN ALL TIME LOW FOR THE 2006 SEASON. SANFORD STADIUM WILL BE MINUS 60,000 OR SO MULLETS NEXT FALL. WHAT A GREAT FANBASE THE DAWGS HAVE!

By TheTruth

October 20, 2005 10:16 AM | Link to this

Good morning Mike. I guess some of us need to qualify the 50pt statement and say not on a Richt team. And they did hang 48 on us in the same game and if memory serves it should have been 55 when you consider that the Sanks kid did not fumble. Anyway..you are right about the offensive scheme and I contend that it is the sales tool that is needed to improve recruiting at Tech.

By scott

October 20, 2005 11:04 AM | Link to this

Chan Gailey is an excellent coach but will always struggle to get the quality of athletes that UGA gets. Georgia Tech fans (myself included) need to understand that it is a lot harder for GaTech to succeed in football than most of the other D1 schools because of academics. Gatech doesn’t have ‘Education’ or “Sports Studies” majors as does UGA, Auburn, etc. Tech, is the ‘2nd school’ in the state as far as sports are concerned. In fact, I think most of the state’s better highschool players would even select Auburn over Gatech. I don’t like it, but there it is. Gailey’s hands are tied. I know they’ve competed for the top spot in the past, but that is more of an abberation. None other than Kirk Herbstreet (sp?) on ESPN the other day said Gailey was one of the top coaches in the country. But as the saying goes, you can’t win the Kentucky Derby with mules.

By Mark

October 20, 2005 02:08 PM | Link to this

Simple math: Chan has the 2nd best record compared to all Tech coaches in his first four years.( No. 1 has a little trophy named after him given to the best college football player.) We have lost our minds if we don’t support him, we will take a big step backwards if we change direction now. That just what the UGA people want, don’t be fooled we are heading in the right direction. Real football people know we have a great coach.

By dd

October 20, 2005 04:24 PM | Link to this

Simple Math: aside from the bill lewis disaster where his third team won one game and he was canned, take a look at O’leary and Ross (the GT athletic website offers lots of data)….over their first three seasons their teams showed steady improvement and culminated in outstanding seasons in their 4th campaigns (4 recruiting classes)…..ross won a national championship and O’leary won 9 (10?) games and went to a major bowl(O’leary took tech to several of the better bowls)…..chan will be lucky to win 7 games this year which seems to be his favorite number(if, and I say if, he wins 6 or 7 games we’ll be headed to Boise or Silicon Valley or maybe the Poulan weedeater independence bowl and we can all brag about how we’ve been to a bowl ?how? many years in a row, yippee) …as stated so many times he is a model of consistency….average but exceptional mediocrity….he’s had 4 years to recruit, 4 years to figure out he is a lousy, and i mean LOUSY, offensive coordinator, 4 years to learn coaching, 4 fortunate years that someone else’s (tenuta et al) defense consistently bails him out, and he just DOESN’T GET IT!…..a well-coached team with good game planning and game management and the right ‘system’ can win in college football even if its not loaded with blue chippers……GT CAN COMPETE against anyone….as far as prospective coaches wondering about coming to GT, are you kidding?…….. I would think that GT, in the ACC,a great football, BB, athletic and academic conference, in the city of Atlanta could attract any number of qualified coaches who would understand that this is college football and given 4 or 5 years on a substantial contract, they would jump at the chance and expect of themselves and their team to succeed and improve……Boston college, who just joined the ACC, is a lot like GT with smaller enrollments and tough academics and they don’t seem to be having any trouble adjusting to the ACC and all the teams that GT just “can’t compete against”…..i for one have been patiently waiting for chan’s master plan to pan out and it ain’t happening folks……. and i’m really, REALLY tired of hearing and reading all the EXCUSES of why…….

By Dawg Fan

October 20, 2005 04:24 PM | Link to this

To be perfectly honest I don’t care who Tech’s coach is. As long as Georgia has a good one, Tech will only win occasionally in the series. Now, as for Gailey being a “great” coach, that’s just silly. He has his team at 4-2, and they should be 4-2. They should have lost to Auburn and beaten NC State, but the problem is that they should end up 6-5 and will end up 6-5. However, “great” coaches don’t lose to Duke and NC State after upsetting a team who’s a little better than they are. Gailey’s a pretty good coach at a mediocre program. He’s Jim Donnan without the same kind of talent.

By mtraininjax

October 20, 2005 04:59 PM | Link to this

Mark - Thank you captain obvious. What took you so long? Maybe it was the Dook 1st half.

By dd

October 20, 2005 08:21 PM | Link to this

ps…….mr bradley, again nice column and feel free to revisit this topic as much as you would like over the course of the season…better yet, just wait until a day or two after the georgia game and simply title your column….’told you so’……if by some miracle chan figures out the art of coaching or makes much needed and way past due changes such that GT wins more than 7 games then you can title the column ‘chan IS the man’……see you in dec

By old Tech fan (in NC)

October 20, 2005 09:40 PM | Link to this

to mike: YOUR DIG AT THE SILVER B*** VIA NASCAR SEEMS STRANGE TO ME. MOST ALL THE RACE TEAMS HAVE SEVERAL ENGINEERS that design the cars. Hey, I’m really glad these is a college that teaches Vets…every time my dog gets worms, I take him to an Athems trained boy!…but what has that have to do with Chan leaving or staying?

By mike

October 21, 2005 09:59 AM | Link to this

OLD TECH FAN IN NC. I WILL GUARANTEE YOU NONE OF THOSE “RACE TEAM ENGINEERS” HAS A MULLET OR LIVE IN A TRAILER EITHER. GET A SENSE OF HUMOR WILL YOU.

ASSUMING ALL JOBS ARE CONSIDERED EQUAL - IF TERRANCE MOORE CAN KEEP HIS JOB THAT LONG, THEN I GUESS GAILEY SHOULD GET A LIFETIME CONTRACT. NO MOORE!!!!!!!!

By George Cox

October 21, 2005 10:48 AM | Link to this

I am an NC State grad and have no bones to pick with Georgia Tech except to say that our win in Atlanta was a gift from a Yellow Jacket team which should have easily defeated coach Chuck Amato’s Wolfpack. Mark Bradley is right on target because GT is an inconsistent as the Pack — a team which has lost 8 of the last 9 home ACC games and is 4-8 after Philip Rivers. It appreas that both programs will need new blood to get to the next level. At least the Georgia Tech coach is a humble man and accepts responsibility when talking to the press.

By British Bee

October 21, 2005 11:42 AM | Link to this

Devastating criticism of Tech sports and its coaches is what AJC columnists do best. The sniping at Chan Gailey has emanated from these sports pages, and seems to be a systematic campaign to have him fired. Obvioulsy this would not be an issue if Tech had won the NC State game to be 5 and 1, and clearly Gailey put the team in a position to win.

Chan Gailey is a proven coach who has won 7 games at Tech three years in a row - despite considerable adversity and ill-fortune. Imagine if Bill Curry had such a record; he would have the keys to the City and would be lauded in your paper.

As George O’Leary was fond of saying “you cannot be Harvard during the week and Notre Dame on Saturday”. No experianced coach is going to take a chance on Tech. Randy Edsall? He could be the next Bill Lewis. Chan Gailey is building something good at Tech - give him a break!

By J. Lane

October 21, 2005 02:22 PM | Link to this

What Tech needs is a former NFL coach who had success in college but couldn’t quite make the transition: Butch Davis. He can recruit Florida and brings a wealth of insight into playing against the powerhouses of the ACC (Va Tech, Miami, and Fl State).

By mike

October 21, 2005 02:22 PM | Link to this

I DO LIKE GAILEY, BUT A BEFORE UNMENTIONED CRITISISM OF GAILEY WOULD BE THAT TASHARD CHOICE IS PLAYING WAY MORE THAN RASHAUN GRANT. I KNOW THAT GRANT HAS BEEN HURT EARLIER THIS YEAR, BUT GRANT ONLY GOT MOP UP DUTY AGAINST DUKE. GRANT COULD HAVE GONE ANYWHERE BUT CHOSE TECH. CHOICE DECIDED TO GO TO OKLAHOMA ONLY AFTER GRANT COMMITTED TO TECH. GRANT COULD BE USED TO BRING IN MORE RECRUITS TO TECH JUST AS HOLLINGS BROUGHT GRANT IN. GRANT SHOULD BE USED MORE THAN HE HAS BEEN IN THE LAST 1 AND A HALF YEARS AND SHOULD BE BEING GROOMED AS THE TAILBACK OF THE FUTURE AT TECH.

By Denny

October 21, 2005 03:53 PM | Link to this

It is time for Gaily to make a call: Hire a “real” offensive coordinator, and hand off the duties of calling every play, of lose his job. He needs to spend his time (both prior and during games) preparing the “whole” team, and managing the process of creating a winning environment. He will be “blind” to all of the challenges that we are faced with as long as he is directing the offensive attack. He can hire someone who shares his offensive philosphy, give them “a lot” of help, but turn the burden over to them. Like Bobby Bowden, he can jump in and assist on play calling if things aren’t going in the direction he wants….that is what a HEAD COACH does. He still has time to make this adjustment….if he dosen’t, he is rolling the dice.

By wcoastjere

October 21, 2005 05:10 PM | Link to this

atlanta is a pro sports town/nothing exciting on the flats since the 2 bobbys left…only way to revive jacket fever is to send falcons to ludowici…long live toe meets leather and the young lefthander[those were the days]!!!!!!!!!!!

By Pete

October 21, 2005 10:30 PM | Link to this

WTF!?!? Couldn’t think of anything else to write, Mark!

By Ryan

October 22, 2005 07:17 AM | Link to this

THis is becoming ludicrous. If a coach consistantly provides 7 - 4 and 8 - 3 records in one of the toughest conferences around, its not an indictment of his ability. Newsflash> Virginia Tech blows people out. They do this quite often. THe do this with regularity> So do FSU and MIami. It is silly that things have gotten to the point where any record short of 9 - 2 or 10 and one shoudl get a coach fired. The best any coach can hope for, outside of MIami, Va Tech etcetera can hope for is to handg around the 7 - 4 or 8 - 3 mark each ear and then hope for the occasional flash of lightning that adds a win or two to get to 9 - 2 or ten and one. THis whining is preposterous.

By David

October 22, 2005 09:07 AM | Link to this

Amen. Nice guy. Real nice guy. Below average head coach. Please, please, use your brain, Braine. Look at the good coaches out there who go to programs with good players. Nick Saban, Tommy Tubberville, Pete Carroll, etc. They win quickly. The state of Georgia has way too much talent for GT not to be ranked very high every year. It is one thing to get beat by a better team. It is unacceptable to consistently play poorly against lesser teams.

Please don’t go the “O’Leary route.” Trace his record WF(with Freidgen)and WOF(WO). Fridge was about the best offensive coordinator in the country. He, also, hasn’t translated into a great head coach thus far. I played under both men with Bobby Ross as head coach. That is a man with intensity and passion not matched by very few. We need someone both smart, intense and able to motivate players. Who that should be I don’t have a clue. After watching the USC/Notre Dame game last weekend, I expect both of those teams to be in the top 5 every year as long as they are there. The display of great coaching on both sides was a site to behold for a southern football lover. Let’s find one of those types.

Mr. Bradley, I say you have it right on the money. Nice guy, but not the head man for the Jackets.

By Jim Bonner

October 22, 2005 03:27 PM | Link to this

Cough and No Brain hired a coach who had never been consistently effective. The records were there before he was hired; I saved a lot of money by cancelling my season tickets when they made that selection.

Dr. Clough - Please drop by your local Home Depot, call Mr. Blank on the house phone, and ask him to pick our next coach. (And if Jim Mora isn’t smart enough to pick up Friedgen when he’s let go from Maryland this year, please hire him as the OC. He’s the only reason that O’Leary ever won a game. O’Leary’s RECORDS post Friedgen prove it.) JimmyB

By GTNE80

October 22, 2005 11:07 PM | Link to this

Do not weep for Thomas Chandler Gailey Jr. His undoing has been his own.

As has been pointed out by many before me, my fellow alumni are among the most reasonable in terms of expectations as there are in the nation. We do not expect national championships or BCS bowl games. We want a competitive program that is reputed with integrity. We don’t want to read the newspaper accounts of flocks of our athletes losing their eligibility because of a loss of accountability within the athletic department. We don’t want to read about probation and penalties because our administrators don’t know how to interpret the rules and account for grades. We certainly don’t want to read about our athletes being indicted for selling illegal drugs.

Unfortunately for Coach Gailey, he could not deliver a product that met these reasonable expectations.

Instead, he took over a program that was very competitive. They were exciting and entertaining on offense. They were among the leaders each year in points scored on offense. They ran an innovative offense that kept defenders off balance and fans on the edge of their seats.

In his own arrogance, Coach Gailey single-handedly dismantled what remained of the successful offense and installed himself as Offensive Coordinator. Wiser men than I immediately pointed out the folly of this move. The college game of today is too complex for one man to handle both assignments. But this was his choice, and he will live with the consequences. Instead of taking a “if it’s not broken, don’t fix it” philosophy, he insisted on installing his own offense which has led to inconsistent, at best, results.

It’s time for a change. So, this time let’s do it right. As was pointed out by one of the previous bloggers, whomever the candidate, let’s take a very close look at his credentials. Not just his coaching credentials, but his credentials as an administrator and as a competitor.

The Tech administration can serve itself well by giving the football program an infusion of energy. To accomplish this, they need only to look within their own athletic department to the basketball program. Bring in a young, up-and-coming energetic coach.

I would propose something of a radical move for NCAA football circles these days. Let’s hire a young, well-qualified African American. We can set ourselves apart from our Southeastern football brethren and offer the young talented high school athlete a clear choice. They can continue to trundle off to these small town, big state colleges with a small minority population and a huge redneck fan base OR they can attend a prestigious academic institution in an urban setting with an educated fan base. These highly touted kids that having been leaving metro Atlanta and other parts of Georgia to head to Athens, Columbia, Opelika, Tuscaloosa, Knoxville, Tallahassee, Gainesville, etc. might be excited by the idea of staying in Atlanta or staying in Georgia and building a program with a coach, a university and a city that appeals to them.

Let’s not repeat the pattern of the past by hiring some tired old retread of a middle-aged, or older, white guy that has no connection to the youth of today.

It’s a win-win-win situation. It’s the right thing to do and the right time to do it.

By Coach

October 24, 2005 10:47 AM | Link to this

Coach Gailey has the program moving forward. There aren’t many division I schools that would like to play Georgia Tech if they didn’t have to. Tech is competitive. If you doubt this ask Auburn. And if you really doubt this ask Mark Richt - he probably really would rather not having to face Georgia Tech in his last game if tradition didn’t require it.

No one predicted Georgia Tech would make the game as close as it was last year - a couple of plays going the other way and Tech would have come out on top of a Georgia team with much more depth. Coaching certainly had a lot to do with it being that close. But fans who haven’t buckled it up and actually played division I football forget that the other team has 11 really good players who are doing all they can to win the game also.

Even Coach Dodd stated that he didn’t win games, players did. And he was allowed to have a couple of hundred to choose from.

Gailey has built up a sound cadre of players and coaches. He deserves to stay even if the season turns south. Keep talking about changing coaches and see how many top quality recruits we get.

The lack of oversite of academics is more a Dave Braine issue than a Chan Gailey issue. Remember the leadership of the previous athletic director. Braine is missing in action.

Bradley is off base and I am surprised the AJC allowed him to print his article.

By Isenberg

October 24, 2005 11:36 AM | Link to this

Gailey’s gotta go. We have an above-average team and is has the potential to be highly ranked. Gailey just isn’t getting the job done.

By GTVegas

October 24, 2005 12:35 PM | Link to this

Coach - Many of the other Division 1A teams that are consistently ranked would rather not play Ga Tech because Tech has the talent to beat them and pull the upset which has happenned frequently in the past, not just under Gailey. The people that love to schedule Tech are the tier just below what Tech should be because they know they can beat us. We win some we shouldn’t and lose many we shouldn’t.

THAT IS THE PROBLEM.

By retired engineer

October 24, 2005 07:39 PM | Link to this

Over the years, as I became more and more specialized in my field, I realized how little I knew of other fields.

Is this a case of a young reporter trying to be something else?

By David

October 24, 2005 07:49 PM | Link to this

Ted Roof. Certainly he is not exactly lighting the world on fire at Duke. I remember being on the team in 87 and traveling to Duke (led by Steve Spurrier) and getting beat by at least 30 points. Certainly, Spurrier proved that you can win at Duke. I am not quite sure if I am trying to talk myself out of suggesting Ted Roof as a candidate or not. I do think he deserves a look. Other schools have been held back by the notion that an alum makes a better head coach so I don’t think it is a requirement. Also, I don’t think he has completely proved himself as a head coach. However, I do know that he has some of the traits that would make him appealing. First of all, he was a leader on the Tech teams that he played on. Second, he had a very high level of intensity as a player. I can’t imagine him not being able to passionately motivate Jackets players. My only question is if he has proved that he has the complete package to make it all happen. I’ll just leave it at suggesting that he be given a serious look but not a free pass.

By Coach

October 26, 2005 11:58 AM | Link to this

David, Ted Roof as GT head coach? Are you kidding? Ted may have been a good player but he is still learning the coaching game! And, Ted is the guy who installed the terrible “bend but don’t break” defense that yielded about 35 points per game. If he had real division I coaching talent he could win at Duke.

Bill Curry had a lot more football experience than Ted when he was hired but he didn’t start to win until he sat down with Bobby Dodd and began to learn how to be a head coach.

Gailey has made a lot of progress with this team. However, he does need to utilize an offensive coordinator so he can keep his head in the entire game.

Being his own offensive coordinator keeps him too narrowly focused. There is simply too much going on during a game and it is happening extremely fast. He has a tremendous knowledge of the game and he has shown an ability to recruit top players.

By David

October 26, 2005 08:42 PM | Link to this

Coach; if you read my message above I agree with you. Roof may or may not end up being a good head coach. He hasn’t proved it yet. However, he does have some traits one would look for in a head coach. Having played on the team the last year of Bill Curry’s tenure, I agree with your observation. He is better suited for the TV booth. That being said, don’t try to make a case for Chan. That’s like me saying I would have maybe been an astronaut if I had just majored in Aerospace Engineering. According to you Gailey would be a great coach if he would just “…..” Woulda, coulda, shoulda. Results are all that they put in the record books.

By Coach

October 27, 2005 10:53 AM | Link to this

David, I started three years for Georgia Tech when Bobby Dodd was coach. Gailey knows football and he has recruited excellent players to a tough academic school. He may not be a personal motivator but neither was Dodd. Dodd was just very business like in his aproach to the game. And, Dodd was constantly second guessed by the fans regarding some of his “conservative” play calling. But like Chan he ignored it and stuck to his philosophy of football. Chan has been very competitive with a team that has been decimated by injuries and losses of players to academic problems which should have been under control by the AD.

Dave Braine may get pressure from heavy donors to the Association to make a change and he may have to respond to the pressure. But, he got a lot more pressure to change Beamer at Va. Tech.

As for me, I say keep Gailey and let him continue to make Georgia Tech competitve. I do not want to return to the days of Bill Lewis, Pepper Rogers, and Bill Curry or for that matter O’leary who had probably the best offensive coordinator in college football but the worst defense in division I.

By Tech Alum

October 27, 2005 01:10 PM | Link to this

First off HB Ando, you’re forgetting that Mark Bradley’s job isn’t to predict games. Thus, his employment does not rest with the how many picks he gets correct. So that was an irrelevant (yet, eloquently written) blog. However, Chan’s job is to win. He’s not winning. His only consistency is his inconsistency. And anyone knows that inconsistency is the result of a lack of leadership. Mark, you’re right on. I’m a die hard Tech fan, and thus, care about the future of our football program. And another thing, I used to go to Tech during the O’Leary days; how are ticket sales up? Maybe b/c we have better opponents and their buying out our tix as well as more seats? But, the stadium has been empty as opposed to when I was there (‘98-‘02). And recruiting is hurt more by a crappy coach than a column in the AJC. Another thing, for the die hard Tech fan who talked to Chan, you want a 40% winning percentage against UGA and you’ll be fine? Get a life. Realistically, we should be getting over 50%. I would have told Chan that I wanted to beat UGA every time. I don’t think Chan deserves the job even if he does get to a 7-4 season.

By David

October 27, 2005 08:43 PM | Link to this

Coach, my hats off to you for being a starter for 3 years for a great GT coach. That certainly gives you a platform to speak with some authority. I think we may just disagree. I am not sure if you think that he is taking us in the direction of being in the top tier of teams and beating UGA more than losing. If so, I hope your correct. If you say that you think 7-4 and an occasional 8-3 is the best we will get, we are just coming from completely different planets. I concede that we could get another Bill Lewis. I am just not ready to throw in the towel and I feel like that is the case if we stick with Chan. I watched the UNC game and his poor play calling and clock management at the end nearly helped us give a very, very poor team a win. I sat in the mist on Thursday night and watched us do nothing for a half against a hapless NC State. If you have an ugly baby, you just have to love him because he is yours. That isn’t the deal with a mediocre coach. I think the definition of insanity is doing the same thing and expecting to get different results. Same coach=same results. Once again, thanks for being part of the great history of GT football. A win on the 26 would certainly make me feel a whole lot better. I am taking my kids to the Wake game, and I am praying we don’t blow that one.