AJC > Sports > Tech > Blog > Archives > 2006 > October > 10 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USWho are the best Tech coaches ever?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I got some excellent reader response to last week’s story about my Dream Team staff of former Georgia Tech assistant football coaches. A couple of readers — and Maryland coach Ralph Friedgen — asked why Bobby Ross wasn’t on the list. Well, that’s because my list was restricted to former Tech assistants, and Ross never was an assistant at Tech. But there’s no reason not to consider the staff you could get if you included head coaches, too. Bobby Dodd, Bobby Ross, Pepper Rodgers and Chan Gailey all would have plenty to offer, and John Heisman probably knew a little something about football, too.
My knowledge of Tech history can’t match the knowledge of many of the readers who lived it. Dick Bestwick, a member of the 1967-75 staffs and later a longtime administrator at Georgia, sent this in response to my story:
“It made me think of all the people who coached there during my nine year tenure as an assistant coach.
“Turns out there were 42 of them on the coaching staff during that time frame, including three head coaches, and there were also five of my former players or assistant coaches at UVA who made the list of All Time Assistant coaches.
“Frankly, I would build a staff from the guys who coached there who either were or became head coaches in college. They include George Barclay, Marvin Bass, Richard Bell, Jim Carlen, Gary Crowton, Rex Dockery, Randy Edsall, Ray Graves, Bill Lewis, John McKenna, Bill Pace, Ted Roof, Rip Scherer, Steve Sloan, Charlie Tate and Bob Thalman. Since I coached with eight of those guys, I would probably choose them, but that would leave out eight really good coaches from which you would have to choose the ninth member of the staff.
“Or, you could go to the pro ranks and pick guys who coached in the pros after leaving Tech. That would include such luminaries as Bob Bossons, Bobby Franklin, Marty Galbraith, Al Lavan, Mark Leachman, Doug Marrone, Tom Moore, Steve Ortmayer, Dwain Painter, Chuck Priefer, Floyd Reese, Jimmy Robinson and Pepper Rogers. There may be more that I don’t personally know, but that gives you an idea of the kind of talent a school like Tech is able to attract as assistants, particularly since they’ve had so many coaches since Coach Dodd left.
“I’m most proud that Jon Tenuta, one of my former players and two-year GA at UVA, is doing such a great job as defensive coordinator at Tech. Tech ties are deep and I root for them every game but one.”
So, who would you put on your all-time Tech staff?
Comments
By Wozzo the Wonder Dog
October 10, 2006 04:16 PM | Link to this
Bill Curry and Chan Gailey.
By GoJackets
October 10, 2006 04:37 PM | Link to this
Nothing against Chan,but last year they were trying to kick him out.As a matter of fact,I really like him since he has turned the offense over the Nix.This new recruiting coordinator hasn’t hurt either.
By Average Joe
October 10, 2006 04:49 PM | Link to this
I have to go with the head coaches that one a national Championship for Georgia Tech. Bobby Ross, Bobby Dodd, William Alexander, and John Heisman have my vote.
By squirrel
October 10, 2006 04:58 PM | Link to this
Bill Lewis is my favorite
By The Man
October 10, 2006 05:28 PM | Link to this
GOJACKETS LIKES TO EAT MEN’S A*******HOLES!!!!!!! GOJACKETS LIKES TO EAT MEN’S A*******HOLES!!!!!!! GOJACKETS LIKES TO EAT MEN’S A*******HOLES!!!!!!! GOJACKETS LIKES TO EAT MEN’S A*******HOLES!!!!!!! GOJACKETS LIKES TO EAT MEN’S A*******HOLES!!!!!!! GOJACKETS LIKES TO EAT MEN’S A*******HOLES!!!!!!! GOJACKETS LIKES TO EAT MEN’S A*******HOLES!!!!!!! GOJACKETS LIKES TO EAT MEN’S A*******HOLES!!!!!!! GOJACKETS LIKES TO EAT MEN’S A*******HOLES!!!!!!! GOJACKETS LIKES TO EAT MEN’S A*******HOLES!!!!!!! GOJACKETS LIKES TO EAT MEN’S A*******HOLES!!!!!!! GOJACKETS LIKES TO EAT MEN’S A*******HOLES!!!!!!! GOJACKETS LIKES TO EAT MEN’S A*******HOLES!!!!!!! GOJACKETS LIKES TO EAT MEN’S A*******HOLES!!!!!!! GOJACKETS LIKES TO EAT MEN’S A*******HOLES!!!!!!! GOJACKETS LIKES TO EAT MEN’S A*******HOLES!!!!!!! GOJACKETS LIKES TO EAT MEN’S A*******HOLES!!!!!!! GOJACKETS LIKES TO EAT MEN’S A*******HOLES!!!!!!! GOJACKETS LIKES TO EAT MEN’S A*******HOLES!!!!!!! GOJACKETS LIKES TO EAT MEN’S A*******HOLES!!!!!!! GOJACKETS LIKES TO EAT MEN’S A*******HOLES!!!!!!! GOJACKETS LIKES TO EAT MEN’S A*******HOLES!!!!!!! GOJACKETS LIKES TO EAT MEN’S A*******HOLES!!!!!!! GOJACKETS LIKES TO EAT MEN’S A*******HOLES!!!!!!! GOJACKETS LIKES TO EAT MEN’S A*******HOLES!!!!!!! GOJACKETS LIKES TO EAT MEN’S A*******HOLES!!!!!!! GOJACKETS LIKES TO EAT MEN’S A*******HOLES!!!!!!! GOJACKETS LIKES TO EAT MEN’S A*******HOLES!!!!!!! GOJACKETS LIKES TO EAT MEN’S A*******HOLES!!!!!!! GOJACKETS LIKES TO EAT MEN’S A*******HOLES!!!!!!! GOJACKETS LIKES TO EAT MEN’S A*******HOLES!!!!!!! GOJACKETS LIKES TO EAT MEN’S A*******HOLES!!!!!!! GOJACKETS LIKES TO EAT MEN’S A*******HOLES!!!!!!! GOJACKETS LIKES TO EAT MEN’S A*******HOLES!!!!!!! GOJACKETS LIKES TO EAT MEN’S A*******HOLES!!!!!!! GOJACKETS LIKES TO EAT MEN’S A*******HOLES!!!!!!! GOJACKETS LIKES TO EAT MEN’S A*******HOLES!!!!!!! GOJACKETS LIKES TO EAT MEN’S A*******HOLES!!!!!!! GOJACKETS LIKES TO EAT MEN’S A*******HOLES!!!!!!! GOJACKETS LIKES TO EAT MEN’S A*******HOLES!!!!!!!
By GreenJacket
October 10, 2006 05:48 PM | Link to this
Chan deserves alot of credit as he has put the right people in the right places. The offense has improved since he turned it over to Nix, he brought Tenuda over to coach this defense, and has improved recruiting.
By Average Joe
October 10, 2006 05:52 PM | Link to this
Wow - I guess only “The Man’s” doctor can explain why he acts the way he does.
By The Man
October 10, 2006 06:03 PM | Link to this
AVERAGE JOE - SHUT UP! WHO ASKED YOU?
By CW
October 10, 2006 06:11 PM | Link to this
I thought that maybe the 5 minute delay meant that someone at the AJC actually filtered the posts before they automatically were added to the blog. Guess not.
Since the first Tech game I ever saw was during the Curry years, I can’t really comment on Heisman, Dodd and the rest. Since then, I’d say John Tenuta has to be the best D-coordinator with Randy Edsall coming in a close 2nd. Ralph Friedgen is hands down the best O-coordinator Tech has had, and during the Hamilton/Godsey years, he was the best offensive coordinator in college football, period. Whoever was the O-line coach under Ross would probably get a nod for that position, because we sure could run the ball and eat clock in 1990. For D-position coaches you’d probably want to go back to the Curry years during the “Black Watch” defense.
By GoJackets
October 10, 2006 06:29 PM | Link to this
Last night he stole my name and did it.Now he has come up with some ugaish name.And he still looks like an idiot.I wonder if The Man is getting jealous.He is acting like The Baby
I think O’Leary was pretty good.But it may have just been Freidgen making him look good.
By James
October 10, 2006 07:39 PM | Link to this
May we never forget the days where no team wanted to play any Tech sporting team. The days of the three Bobbys: Bobby Dodd, Bobby Cremins, and Bobby Ross.
By Nick
October 10, 2006 07:52 PM | Link to this
I think O’Leary was pretty damn good, with or without Friedgen (who was an amazing OC). Look at he’s done in a short time with UCF.
By Average Joe
October 10, 2006 09:54 PM | Link to this
I just watched a TurnerSouth College Football Classic from the 1991 UGA game. Great game that came down to a GT fumble deep in UGA territory to allow UGA to hold on to a 3 point win. I guess Randy Edsall and R. Freidgen were the coordinators. Even though they came up short in that game, the greatness of Freidgen and Edsall could easily be seen. Was Jim Lathrop the strength coach back then??? Wow, Marco Coleman, Coleman Rudolph, and Richard Kimsey were beasts.
By Surfrider
October 10, 2006 10:45 PM | Link to this
Bobby Ross would top list due to the times he was coach and condition of program and what he brought recruiting wise back to Tech as well as scheme.
Bill Curry would second the list due to program being on verge of extinction and he saved it by himself basically.
Bud Carson, one of the top defensive minds in the game ever.
Ralph Friedgen, who many Tech fans would love to see coaching at Tech again, soon.
George O’leary who built a program that is now rivaling Dodd’s for longevity. He laid the groundwork.
Don Lindsey the maker of the Black Watch.
Jon Tenuta, the Black Watch plus some.
Steve Spurrier, too bad Pepper got fired
Bobby Dodd, the grandfather of them all but the times were different and not as hard to compete in as today.
Frank Broyles of Arkansas fame.
Jerry Glanville, if anything for his personality.
Two little unknowns that were critical to Ross’s 1990 team and program…Brian Baker and Danny Smith (who recruited a little guy named Joe Hamilton a few years later)
Mac Mcwhorter (who should be head coach today). Coached at Tech for 9 years under Curry and O’leary in key times and roles. His stability helped those programs which led to where Tech is today.
The bottom line is if one can get a job at Tech on the staff and the team does half deccent it’s their ticket to a bright career, ala the past coaches can testify to.
By mtraininjax
October 10, 2006 11:12 PM | Link to this
Bobby Dodd was before my time, but hey, some people smarter than me named the stadium after him, so who am I to leave him off the list. (A list for only Head Coaches). Next would be Boss Ross, a national championship to boot, and then O’Leary, the last coach to win 10 games, and a share of a championship.
Till Chan wins 10 games, he is just another coach.
By savgt
October 11, 2006 09:14 AM | Link to this
I would say for head coach O’leary and Ross. I believe that the coordinators are as important as the head coach, which is part of the reason why Chan Gailey is starting to look like a better head coach these days. I do like Chan Gailey though.I would have to say for coordinators definetly Tenuta on D and Friedgen on Offense. I’m only 25 though and I’m only speaking on what I’ve seen and can remember.
By chuck
October 11, 2006 11:20 AM | Link to this
In Dodd we trust to beat Ga Butts was the theme during the heyday of tech football. The silver fox was sharp and always had his team ready to play on Saturday.We didnt have many letdowns with Dodd. He also is the Fatherof the famous belly series which was the granddaddy of the Wishbone and triple option.He was the best .Ross was excellent also. What a job going from one and nine and then a national champ three years later.
By JustMe
October 11, 2006 11:51 AM | Link to this
I was one of the Chan-haters last year. However, Chan was smart enough to turn over the offense to Nix, so I give him credit where credit is due.
I think Chan is like Reagon - not too great alone, but good enough to surround themselves with the right people.
By Play that funky music whiteboy
October 11, 2006 12:41 PM | Link to this
I’d have to say Bobby Ross - the guy is a winner and from the modern era. Also Tech fans, here’s something out of the Charlie Weis press conference yesterday you may find interesting - here is an answer he gave to the lower total yards and points per game that ND has achieved this year as opposed to last year.
COACH WEIS: “Well, I mean, you have to look at who you’re playing against, too. I don’t think that Georgia Tech defense is so bad. I think they’re pretty good, okay? You walk out of that game, you scored 14 points. You didn’t have a zillion yards. I was pretty happy walking out of there with a win.
Maybe that win wasn’t nice enough for you, but it certainly was for me. I was pretty pumped walking out of there with however many yards we had. It could have been 10. Wouldn’t have made a difference to me. Beating that team on the road in the opener that I knew was going to be a good team, contrary to popular opinion, I knew that this was going to be a team that was going to be good this, okay? “
The big fella is a Tech fan - I hope you guys go all the way.
By GoJackets
October 11, 2006 03:50 PM | Link to this
I can credit Chan with one thing.Through these last few years the team has had holes and they were criticized.Chan took the criticizm like a man and turned things over to the people who could handle them.Now things are looking pretty good.Last year I ould have gotten rid of himbut now I can say Good job Chan!!You are rebuilding a good program.
By Fred Preddy
October 11, 2006 04:21 PM | Link to this
I had the honor of being in charge of the Grant Field scoreboard(from the field) ‘53-‘58. All Dodd. And Coach D ran a very fine School for Asst. Coaches. Preceeding were Heisman and Alexander—-both legends, as in “trophy” and “razzle-dazzle option”. Sure, Carson,Ross and MANY brand-name assistants qualify.And, there will be more.Isn’t it amazing what the mere presence of an AD does for a program! GO JACKETS!!! Fred Preddy Blowing Rock, NC
By Michael Cameron
October 11, 2006 05:24 PM | Link to this
Good topic, Mike.
Yes, many outstanding assistant coaches have come through Tech, having done their part to build the storied tradition and identity which makes Tech so appealing for here-and-now fans and/or alumni. Young Tech aficionados should appreciate the doors that have been opened by those who came before (a truism for all of us regarding life, in general). Some of the younger bloggers do that better than others; the former group’s maturity and gratitude is appreciated.
Eminent Georgia Tech head coaches from the golden past include:
John Heisman — yes, that Heisman — coached at Tech from 1903 - 1919. His won/lost record stands at 102 wins - 29 losses - 7 ties. Coach Heisman was succeeded by…
William Alexander, who coached at Tech from 1920 - 1944. His won/loss record is 134 - 95 - 15. Coach Alexander was succeeded by…
Bobby Dodd (the Silver Fox), who coached at Tech from 1945 - 1966. His won/lost record is 165 - 64 - 8.
Tech won the 1917 National Championship under Coach Heisman; the 1928 NC under Coach Alexander; the 1952 NC under Coach Dodd, and, in the modern era, the 1990 NC under Coach Bobby Ross, who did a fine job of righting a ship taking on water.
The latter NC was, unfortunately, shared with Fifth Down Colorado, which benefitted, obscenely, from what has been termed possibly the the most eregiously God-awful call in the history of organized American sports. For those of you who don’t know, Colorado “scored” their winning TD in the waning seconds of the game against Missouri, on 10/06/1990, on what amounted to…fifth down. The man holding the down-marker sticks on the sideline forgot (apparently) to flip the sign after second down to signal third down, and the on-field officials failed to keep track of what down it was. Making matters worse, the Colorado QB appeared to push the ball over the goalline after his forward progress was halted. The ref was seen looking over to the side at the crowd’s pandemonium as the ball carrier gave an “extra effort” and jutted the football beyond the “imaginary plane.” The official then looked back at the goal, saw the ball over the line, and signaled touchdown! After conferring amongst themselves for about 1/2 an hour, having taken their eyes literally off the ball + donating a fifth down, the officials still refused to reverse their decision.
Consequently, Tech, with only a tie at North Carolina to mar the season (11 - 0 - 1 and the only undefeated team in Div. I), was eventually forced to halve the ‘90 NC with the Buffaloes (11 - 1 - 1), who were astonishingly voted #1 by the AP writers despite having one tie (as did Tech), one loss (well, one loss that was counted…they actually, in fairness, had two) and the obvious gift against Missouri. The coaches who voted in the UPI poll awarded the NC, properly, to Tech. Nothing against that Colorado team and its fans, but the 1990 NC should, to this day, belong solely to Georgia Tech…yes, I’m biased.
I hope Coach Gailey can one day take his place among the coaching legends at Tech. If given the time, I believe he probably will. He is a fine coach, and he has a willingness to delegate authority — one of the many strengths of Coach Dodd.
I am privileged to have seen the great Bobby Dodd coach in the stadium now named after him. He was a master at preparing his teams with near-perfect game plans — and he was always a gentleman in repersenting Tech and Southern football.
Returning to the present, get Clemson on 10/21 and the door remains open for 2006 to be one of those seasons to remember.
By Jacket hope
October 12, 2006 10:01 AM | Link to this
Headcoach = Dodd, Heisman, and Gailey. I don’t consider coaches who coached for less than 5 years as an ALL TIME great at my university. Gailey may pass Heisman but will have a hard time exceeding Dodd, in my mind.
Coordinators have only been that prevalent, IMO, for the last 25 years or so.
Offensive Coordinator - Freidgen. I think Nix is doing a great job and I hope he surpasses Coach Freidgen because I like Coach Nix.
Defensive Coordinator - Jon Tenuta.
By Doug
October 14, 2006 03:47 AM | Link to this
From the list of anyone who ever coached at Tech in any capacity, I think the BEST pure Head Coaches were Heisman as #1 (by a longshot) with Spurrier #2, Ross #3, Dodd #4 and O’Leary #5.
Great topic!
By TechToTheBone
October 14, 2006 03:54 AM | Link to this
I have to respectfully disagree with Coach Bestwick on Bill Lewis and Rip Scherer. Bill Lewis destroyed everything Ross had built. Just ask Homer Rice, George O’Leary or anyone who sat in the stands during his unfortunate tenure. And Rip Scherer was not a good offensive coordinator by any measure.
By wmmmci
October 15, 2006 11:42 AM | Link to this
Everybody left Ray Graves, and Frank Broyls off the list. Both should be near the top because of their long success as Head Coaches and Athletic Directors at U. Fla. and U. Arkansas. Bud Carson,and Bill Lewis stunk as head coaches, and Rick Sherer was just stupid.
By FultonCountyJail
October 15, 2006 08:11 PM | Link to this
Jim Donnan and Jim Donnan