AJC > Sports > Tech > Blog > Archives > 2006 > October > 19 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USGailey’s best handoff
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
You win with players, coaches may say, attempting either to be modest (not always genuinely), or to set the stage for failure by seeding the idea that when the inevitable hits their team, somebody other than the director should shoulder blame. It can be a lunge for exemption.
Tough to argue an axiom suggesting that nobody has a right to expect an Oscar from a great script if the actors stink. Coaches know that when their teams lose, it’s not the water boy’s fault. That leaves two potential culprits.
Tech’s head coach couldn’t swap out his roster, nor did he need to, and didn’t want to change but a pair of assistants. So Chan Gailey swapped out himself.
Formerly a director, he’s is a producer now, making his team better than when he exercised more control of those on screen.
Giving up act-by-act, scene-by-scene oversight by ceding play-calling — of his own volition — was no small thing.
Good thing folks on The Flats hired a man whose ego is bound-able because Gailey’s not having an easy go of it. “It’s not as fun, to be honest with you, as calling plays, but it’s best for the program,” he told The Touchdown Club of Atlanta on Monday. Gailey was understating for sure.
Tech’s winning, and with more moxie - whether on the road against a perennial national power (Virginia Tech), by leading from the get-go, breaking a late tie (Troy), or by coming from behind and holding on (Maryland) — for many reasons, none more relevant than the head coach.
He gave it up because he couldn’t keep up. (Don’t suggest he did this because of the heart attack he had last year. I’ve asked. He’s emphatically said no, and it was enough for me. Gailey’s many things, and believable is at the top of my list, which I can’t say for every coach I’ve dealt with in 19-plus years.)
The man’s said it before, and offered the explanation again Monday. Simply, he grew too busy to do his offseason homework, to set or even follow trends.
The result? Tech’s offense has moved into the modern age, and neo-play caller Patrick Nix’s playing cow sweeper on that train.
Gailey admits spreading the field works, helping create mismatches. And the presence of perhaps the land’s best college player, wide receiver Calvin Johnson, is one hell of a multiplying effect to boot.
That offense you keep seeing but not believing is not just about the shotgun, or spacing. It’s about players, too. But the former are big bullets, and Gailey gave away the gun. “I think the offense Patrick has put together really fits Reggie [Ball] very well,” he said.
Tech’s quarterback’s no more talented than before. But he’s utilized more wisely. That rides largely on the shoulders of Nix, who wouldn’t be in position to uplift Ball and others but for the humility of Gailey.
Players will always count plenty, but no more now than Gailey letting coaches coach, which he’s always done with uber-defensive coordinator Jon Tenuta anyway.
To hold office rather than rule, to delegate rather than dictate, is a larger move still when the officer chose wisely his delegates. Gailey has, saying, “My role now is to be the administrator, the organizer, look at the big picture and help in areas where I can.”
He won’t win an Oscar (perhaps ACC coach of the year?), but we’re seeing that it can be of seminal import when a director decides to step from behind the camera and instead make sure those in front of and directly behind it work their roles expertly.
College football has plenty of visionaries, so to speak, some who out-think themselves routinely, men who’ve no business manning the cameras. Gailey worked the machinery for years, and smartly at the college and NFL levels.
But as the style of the game took off, he left himself still holding a Polaroid. The coach looked through an ever-narrowing lens in recent years. He realized it, and moth-balled his camera.
That’s real vision.
Permalink | Comments (43) | Post your comment | Categories: Football
Comments
By WhitePowerDawg
October 19, 2006 04:13 PM | Link to this
Screw Tech! ‘Dem nerds ain’t got nothing on the DAWGS!!!!
WOOF WOOF WOOF WOOF WOOF WOOF WOOF WOOF
By Buzzmeister
October 19, 2006 04:22 PM | Link to this
Thanks so much WhitePowerDawg for continuing the UGA tradition of a statement with no premise, but nothing but trailer trash barking. I think WhitePowerDawg sums it up from most UGA fans (I would say graduates, but there are not many to go around) that they bring nothing to the table but a small bark.
Sorry WhitePowerDawg, but GT has 4 National Titles compared to your 1, and we are currently ranked higher than you. Matter of fact your bowl prospects look to be slim and none with slim going out the door.
By Buzzmeister
October 19, 2006 04:27 PM | Link to this
Everyone sit tight Jacket Nation, because those rednecks from Athens will be cutting loose relatively soon. Nothing but noise, about nothing. Absolutely nothing but excuses, and crying about their precious, filthy little bulldogs.
To Hell with Georgia!!! P** on them!!
By The Man
October 19, 2006 04:36 PM | Link to this
BUZZMEISTER - WHO ASKED YOU? GO BACK TO YOUR LABORATORY AND MIX SOME CHEMICAL WHILE PLAYING WITH YOUR PROTRACTOR. TO MAKE MATTERS WORSE, YOU LIKE MEN.
By mountain_jim
October 19, 2006 04:37 PM | Link to this
Yep, WhitePowerDawg and The Man, trailer-trash (as Buzzmeister said) to open a well-written blog (Thanks Matt).
Tough game this week - Good Luck Tech!
By Jake
October 19, 2006 04:49 PM | Link to this
Why do ignorant morons also known as UGA fans keep posting trash on Tech sports blogs? What’s the matter guys? Run out of shotgun ammunition? If your bored and looking for something to do, I have a suggestion for you. Go out and find a job. Regardless, now to the point of the blog.
The decision of Coach Gailey to turn the offense over to Patrick Nix was a brilliant one. As much as I loved his “Run, Run, Pass, Punt” philosophy, I greatly prefer the new offense. When you throw Calvin the ball good things happen. I’m just saddened that it took two years to figure this out. Something I’d like to see done (I’m not sure if it has been or not) is to lock John Tenuta up for many more years. He does more with less than any other coach in the NCAA.
By savgt
October 19, 2006 04:54 PM | Link to this
I think from now we should ingore our inbred friends that represent UGA(I’m 99% sure that they have never been to school there, because a high school diploma is required at UGA).
I’M BACK AND BETTER THAN EVER!!! YOU CAN’T STOP ME!!! YOU CAN ONLY HOPE TO CONTAIN ME!!!! Someone that writes that 20+ times on OUR blog is obviously just trying to get attention and it seems to me that this person can’t read or write and just gets their nephew or someone to copy these quotes off of other websites. Let’s just ignore them from now on.
By Brian
October 19, 2006 04:56 PM | Link to this
If I was a Georgia grad, I’d be embarrassed by the fan base. “The Man” and “WhitePowerDawg” sum up the fan base really well.
Tech gets crap for not having 90,000 at every game, but I’ll take 50,000 without the ignorant rednecks intimidated by Tech.
Keep calling them nerds, UGA fans. I think it’s working!
By GT Champ 90-n-4ever
October 19, 2006 04:59 PM | Link to this
Football is a gift from God. He inspired William Ebb Ellis and Walter Camp to lay the foundation for what American Football is today. This game teaches and gives endlessly in the form of life-lessons, fellowship and self-improvement. Many boys have become men playing this game. Families, cities and the even the nation have been healed by it. Please do not disrepect the game and all the good it does for EVERYONE with your hate, racism and ignorance. Do what you wish in your trailer, house OR mansion. But leave that garbage out of football. Chan did good! GO JACKETS!!
By Vick Bartkowski
October 19, 2006 05:06 PM | Link to this
How many black players are on UGAs roster Himmler?
By Davey
October 19, 2006 05:17 PM | Link to this
OH GREG when will you learn that no one has fallen for your little trick of changing names right after tech wins a big game and later uga loses one. Your getting more and more creative. Thats ok I’ll be rooting for the bulldogs all day this weekend the Miss St bulldogs.
By Not Disappointed
October 19, 2006 05:24 PM | Link to this
Jacket now and forever! Goooooooooooooooo JackkkkkkkkkkkketsSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By Richard
October 19, 2006 05:39 PM | Link to this
Maybe Tech has nothing on the Dawgs, but the Dawgs CLEARLY have nothing on Vanderbilt.
Gailey’s best move wasn’t to let Nix call plays. It was to stop calling them himself.
But a better move was to let someone other than himself handle recruiting.
By GTVegas
October 19, 2006 05:48 PM | Link to this
I’m not sure I would call Chan brilliant or visionary with respect to handing over the play-calling to Nix. Everyone screamed so loudly about it last year that he finally decided to give it a try.
I am just glad he was a big-enough man to do that. It’s obvious that he doesn’t have the ego some of these guys have and that he is an honest guy. Chan has morals and I like that, but I wouldn’t call him visionary.
By Glenn
October 19, 2006 05:54 PM | Link to this
Vanderbilt’s upset win at Georgia put it within two victories of Georgia Tech in all-time SEC victories (115-113).
That’s misleading because Georgia Tech was last in the SEC in 1963 and spent only 31 years in the league. Vandy has won its 113 in 74 years of SEC membership.
Now how bad is UGA this year?
By GTGreg
October 19, 2006 06:09 PM | Link to this
I think that we’re very lucky to have Chan. He managed to build a solid foundation in a tough conference out of honest, intelligent, hard working student athletes. Kudos to him for recognizing the play calling situation and fixing it… he wasn’t forced to hand them over by the administration or the AD, he wasn’t forced by the fans (as some Chan bashers overstating their own clout would have you believe)… he recognized the problem and fixed it. Let’s keep the ball rolling and tear up Clemson! Go Jackets!
By VAN-24 UGA-22
October 19, 2006 06:37 PM | Link to this
Chan, Your doing a great job.Keep it up and good luck Saturday night.
By Glenn
October 19, 2006 06:43 PM | Link to this
AJC
Thank you for starting to regulate some of the comments on your blogs.
Maybe if those who want to read and post see that you attempting to make this a forum for discussions rather than insults and profanities, the participation will actually be meaningful.
And, maybe, just maybe, if those who want to post their hate will go somewhere else or try to act mature and really start to make some decent points that can actually be discussion worthy.
By Ga_Tech_92
October 19, 2006 07:01 PM | Link to this
Great point Glenn. AJC, keep up the good work if you are now watching for posts not fit for minors.
Jackets, keep your eye on the goal…….there are a lot of tough games left….win them one at a time and focus….GO JACKETS we’re proud of you!!
By James
October 19, 2006 07:13 PM | Link to this
Davey, I hate to say it, but you’re wrong. The Man clearly isn’t GREG. I can imply that The Man likes gay men because of the abundunce thereof in his posts, whereas GREG’s posts are just plain stupid.
But, moving on, I do like Chan’s decision to change some things this season. Reverse passes, throwing up the middle, razzle-dazzle plays, the new Reggie Ball, Tashard’s patience, Calvin Johnson actually getting the ball thrown to him….yep, I’d say Patrick Nix is doing pretty good. I’m liking this new recruiting guy, too. As for Jon Tenuta….no comments necessary. Chan’s turned his team around this season, and our chances at a BCS game are looking good. And it would be VERY nice to beat UGA.
MVP’s thus far for UGA and Tech: UGA: Mike Cox, Charles Johnson, and Thomas Brown
GT: The whole team and Vanderbilt’s placekicker.
By Luvthejackets
October 19, 2006 07:16 PM | Link to this
good job Chan!
By James
October 19, 2006 07:28 PM | Link to this
Excuse me, I meant to say Joe Cox above. No matter, they all still suck.
By OrangePaw
October 19, 2006 08:17 PM | Link to this
Welcome to Death Valley Techies. Too bad you won’t be able to stop us. I just wish somehow we could play the Bulldogs every year instead… they do bring a little more competition.
By Ramble on!
October 19, 2006 08:38 PM | Link to this
THWG!!!!!!….they know their a$$ whooping is coming in a little more than a month.
Chan is very good at evaulting talent…at least I think so.
Best move ever…Demoting Ted Roof to LB coach. After all, Ted cost Joe Hamilton the Heismen. Hell, Ted wouldn’t even be able to stop Joe T.
*Move Tony Hollings to RB from special teams and back up DB.
*Had 12 players suspended his 2nd year, and it wasn’t his fault.
*I was never crazy about the Bilbo move, but I heard he wasn’t the brightest bulb of the bunch.
*And finally giving up the play calling.
The mutts can’t get it done with top 5 recruiting classes for the last 4 years, and we are going to spank them (not to mention the top 10 class coming in) BAD, with a 40 to 55 ranking class.
By Jacket hope
October 19, 2006 09:03 PM | Link to this
No question that hiring Patrick Nix was a great move. These are men of integrity and I hope we don’t tick them off, so they will stay for many years.
Finding coach to help us win is easy. Finding a coach with integrity that can win is next to impossible and GT has achieved the “next to impossible” in Coach Chan Gailey!
By Ramble on!
October 19, 2006 09:12 PM | Link to this
OrangePaw, Considering we have kicked your a* since the start of man kind, you must be into S&M to make such a stupid comment like that. OrangePaw, considering we have kicked you’re a$$ since the start of man kind, you must be into S&M to make such a stupid comment like that.
45-23-2 GT leads…either 6 or 7 of the last 10 (not going to bother researching), the last two in a row. You, are the best definition of what Webster’s (that’s a dictionary) calls and idiot!
It sounds like you got a lot of dawg in you, which would explain everything.
By tech fan in sc
October 19, 2006 10:18 PM | Link to this
Orangepaw, How many times has Klempson beaten Tech in the past ten years? Answer that and then we can discuss no competition.
By Surfrider
October 19, 2006 11:53 PM | Link to this
Good points. However, give the fans credit. They were hollering and screaming to a stubborn coach and AD and President who did’nt seem to get it. Well the new contract probably had something to do with this change, quid pro quo. I’ve never understood the head coach who wants to keep scheduling the tennis court hours and strategy. How many CEO’s run the finance dept.? Hopefully as long as Gailey is coach he will not revert to any coordinator job and instead be the overseer of all the depts.
By Mike Billips
October 20, 2006 04:52 AM | Link to this
Hey, Matt. You might want to look up “hubris.” I don’ think tha’ wor’ means wha’ you think it does.
:) Sorry to nitpick. Good column, otherwise.
By Gen Neyland
October 20, 2006 08:17 AM | Link to this
Hello there, fellas. Just me coming by to read a Tech blog sheet. Not as exciting as the UGA sites, but well, that’s understandable. Yellow Jackets head underground when an autumn chill is in the air. Youse guys need to be out celebrating your success up to this point. Clemson ought to be a worthy opponent. Now I’m no betting man, and I believe the winner will score more points than the loser, so in using that sort of logic I will go out on a limb and say Clemson by 4…..Go Vols
By Buzzmeister
October 20, 2006 09:26 AM | Link to this
Nice points brother and sister Jacket fans. Glad to see everyone is on-board in terms of the lack of education from the UGA fans. UGA loves to brag about the little things in life (i.e. 90,000 fans, barking, total offense, recruiting, etc.) If that is the case, then how many College Gamedays has UGA been involved in to date? None, that is correct, none. GT has 2 now and maybe more….Sic’em Bees!
Keep in mind that GT has a head coach with professional experience in addition to the college experience. We also have a former Auburn quarterback as offensive coordinator, and has throttled UGA in the past and hates those filthy bulldogs as much or more than we do. God Bless Pat Nix.
The best news is that GT is ranked higher than UGA, has a better chanced at a major bowl bid and actually has players that are strong in academics. I would like to see your average UGA player take Calc or Chem at North Ave. and just see how long they last. NFL (Not For Long) They prefer the Jane Kemp classes.
Tomorrow is a big test for the Jackets, and I am concerned about having 2 weeks off and the potential of not staying in the groove.
Regardless of the outcome, for now Chan is the right choice for our school with his dedication and experience. Head coaches are often more administrators vs. play callers, and turning the calls over to Pat with the right to veto is the right thing to do. You need someone upstairs who can see things that a head coach on the sidelines cannot see.
Jacket nation know how to be patient and shows alot of class. I am proud of my fellow Jackets and how we bring so much respect and class to the game. As stated by Brian, I prefer 50,000 classy fans, vs. 90,000 beer-drinking barking rednecks. Amen brother Brian.
Now let’s take it to them!
By Luvthejackets
October 20, 2006 09:33 AM | Link to this
I love how OrangePaw is talking smack to a team that owns Clemson. We will win again in the litterbox this weekend! You know its bad when 2nd&3rd year Reggie Ball owns you! Senior Reggie Ball is sure to give you fits. Clemson has built up a bunch of overated stats against some bad teams. It will all shake out in the litterbox Saturday night.
By Luvthejackets
October 20, 2006 09:36 AM | Link to this
well put Buzzmeister !
By Red Fox
October 20, 2006 10:51 AM | Link to this
OrangePaw Comments: Welcome to Death Valley Techies. Too bad you won’t be able to stop us. I just wish somehow we could play the Bulldogs every year instead… they do bring a little more competition.
OrangePaw, are you crazy? Have you ever watched a GT/Clemson game? What an idiot? The game is decided in the last 3 minutes every year.
Oh, by the way hate to bring it up, but is that Clemson deep snapper from a couple years ago still around? Love that guy!
The game tomorrow will be a great game…no predictions here. Go Jackets!
By GT80
October 20, 2006 11:27 AM | Link to this
I believe that Chan was told to either give the play calling over to the OC he had on staff, hire a new OC and give the play calling to him, or not have that new 5 year contract approved by the Board.
Now if we can just get him to make better decisions as the HC, such as when to just run the ball on 4th down as opposed to trying a fake field goal, then maybe we’ll be playing in Jax and Miami in December.
Go Jackets and P O T D!!
By Rick
October 20, 2006 11:38 AM | Link to this
Enough trash talking. As a Tech alum, I respect UGA and their atheletic program. I don’t know much about their academics, but UGA’s reputation is solid.
Georgia Tech has a solid Heisman candidate in CJ. Tech has been respectable for many years, but they’re exceptional this year.
Good luck against Clemson!
By Glenn
October 20, 2006 11:52 AM | Link to this
Great post, Rick. Succinct and articulate…
By Buzzmeister
October 20, 2006 12:36 PM | Link to this
Nice comment Rick. Very classy. You are Tech Material.
By Bobby Ross
October 20, 2006 03:27 PM | Link to this
I’m not a betting man….BUT if I were, I’d pick Clemson to win this Sat. Clemson should control the clock enough w/ their ground game to keep Calvin Johnson on the bench a little more than GaTech would like, but expect at least a couple of big plays from the big WR anyway. That will keep GaTech in the game (along w/ their D-Fence), but Clemson can strike in the air, too, and that will be the difference in the game. 34-31 CLEM. p.s. There’s more ‘Tech’ fans over on the UGA blog than here. No wonder they have half a stadium.
By Bobby Ross
October 20, 2006 03:36 PM | Link to this
Buzzmeister: You’re measuring the success of CFB by how many College Gamedays you’ve had??? And Tech students are ‘smart’?? Guess that means you’re not really a Tech grad.
By Bobby Ross
October 20, 2006 03:37 PM | Link to this
By Buzzmeister
October 20, 2006 12:36 PM | Link to this
Nice comment Rick. Very classy. You are Tech Material. *Which means you ARE NOT.
By OrangePaw
October 20, 2006 08:10 PM | Link to this
The only reason College Gameday has been to 2 Tech games this year is because of who you were playing. Did you really think they came because of you? Come on up to the “litter box”, you’ll see what it’s like to play before a packed crowd, not a half filled gnats nest.
By BeeBad
October 21, 2006 03:10 PM | Link to this
Every honest Tech fan knew 2 years ago that Gailey was strangling the offense and ultimately the football team by being the offensive coordinator. Everyone knew Gailey should be it up but Gailey. So Gailey doesn’t deserve any congrats whatsoever for the move, Matt. He was 2 years late. To discuss Gailey and Georgia Tech further visit us at http://www.bbuzzoff.com