Tech

By ATL-Irish

August 28, 2007 5:58 PM | Link to this

yes, he does enjoy his job. He has figured out the it is “OK” to avg 7 wins a year and keep a job. Look at Davie and Willingham! The 2000 strong Tech supporters are content with .500 + 1 or 2 games every year. Long day for him Saturday, though.

By Do a little research

August 28, 2007 6:40 PM | Link to this

He won 9 last year. Plus the opener this year.

By Jamie

August 28, 2007 8:58 PM | Link to this

7-5, 6-5, 7-6 = the previous years for GT. I would say he is pretty close. He was 9-5 in one of the worst years in ACC. Gailey was trying his best to get out of the ghetto last winter…who can blame him?

By Jamie

August 28, 2007 8:58 PM | Link to this

7-5, 6-5, 7-6 = the previous years for GT. I would say he is pretty close. He was 9-5 in one of the worst years in ACC. Gailey was trying his best to get out of the ghetto last winter…who can blame him?

By Elijah

August 28, 2007 9:03 PM | Link to this

I am tired of people being so hard on Gailey. If you don’t like him, pull for the thugs at athens. He is building a program. Something tech hasnt consistently had in many years

By LongBeachJacket

August 28, 2007 11:27 PM | Link to this

All the critics and naysayers…buzz off….By now I think Chan has the foundation in place. Tech is a tricky place to win and the much panned previous AD was right when he said it’s one of the three toughest jobs in the country. The team has been steady (when viewing each season as a body of work) if not breakthrough spectacular during Chan’s first five years. We could be ready for a “takeoff” similar to the one Beamer’s bunch had up at VA Tech after his first five years in Blacksburg. Whatever happens, I like the attitude coming out of this program and I hope for a lot of success this year. Go Jackets!!!

By DinkyB37

August 28, 2007 11:40 PM | Link to this

Matt, he’s loosened up a little with you because he’s found that he can trust you.

When he first came in, his guard was up against everything, the media in particular. As he finds he can be frank around certain folks or certain forums, he loosens up. But it’s always measured, guarded. Thus his frequent appeal to his team to ‘circle the wagons’ and it’s ‘us against the world’.

He’s a good coach and a high integrity guy. He’s taken mediocre talent and had winning seasons. Last year could have been the breakout year, but the ‘Reggie’ factor took him and the team down. Again, he digs in his heels and gets self-righteously defensive if criticized.

He has gradually stockpiled talent in some depth to match the high character level he’s always recruited. The conditions are right (as they were last year) for that breakout season to occur.

The main concern is that his risk aversion will again put his O into plain vanilla gear once it gets a 10 point lead and leave it all on the D. Which could again result in other teams winning in the last quarter, like last year.

Win or lose, the kids he has are GREAT kids. Tech fans should be proud of them and support them whatever the ups and downs of the coming season.

By DinkyB37

August 28, 2007 11:40 PM | Link to this

Matt, he’s loosened up a little with you because he’s found that he can trust you.

When he first came in, his guard was up against everything, the media in particular. As he finds he can be frank around certain folks or certain forums, he loosens up. But it’s always measured, guarded. Thus his frequent appeal to his team to ‘circle the wagons’ and it’s ‘us against the world’.

He’s a good coach and a high integrity guy. He’s taken mediocre talent and had winning seasons. Last year could have been the breakout year, but the ‘Reggie’ factor took him and the team down. Again, he digs in his heels and gets self-righteously defensive if criticized.

He has gradually stockpiled talent in some depth to match the high character level he’s always recruited. The conditions are right (as they were last year) for that breakout season to occur.

The main concern is that his risk aversion will again put his O into plain vanilla gear once it gets a 10 point lead and leave it all on the D. Which could again result in other teams winning in the last quarter, like last year.

Win or lose, the kids he has are GREAT kids. Tech fans should be proud of them and support them whatever the ups and downs of the coming season.

By shivas

August 29, 2007 6:50 AM | Link to this

Matt, boys don’t cry , so get over The Cure cancellation. Nice to hear Giley is more comfortable. You know, I love to listen to Coach Gailey on sports talk radio, and in fact, I have come to like him much more, the more I listen to him. Hopefully, this confidence will translate into a 10 or 11 win season.

By Rags

August 29, 2007 10:46 AM | Link to this

Matt, the only issue that continues to annoy me about Chan is not only did he refuse to tell the fans last year WHY he stuck with Reggie through some wretched performances, but then he told us we did not even have the right to know.

He’s an average coach at a tough school in an improving conference. I hope he gets better. I hope he picked a good OC and stays the heck away from the offense like he stays away from the defense. I hope he wins them all. In spite of some well-publicized goofs, I’m proud of the team, and the school. But I can only grudgingly tolerate the head coach. His disrespect for the fans is inexcusable, and makes it difficult to fully support him even though he is clearly making progress. And I remain surprised the AJC lets him off so lightly on that issue.

Keep up the great work, I really enjoy your insights. Go Tech!

My $0.02.

By Shambo

August 29, 2007 10:47 AM | Link to this

Mr. Shivas,

As a good Tech Man, you should take pride in rejecting pure emotion and inserting factual data. On the Hill, you were taught to embrace divergent opinions, sift thru the options, and develope an educated decision.

Mr. ATL-Irish is spot-on in his opinion of Gailey. I don’t care for his choice in schools to support, but his opinion on Gailey is (not simply right or wrong) but based in FACT. As a supporter of Tech, you should appreciate that.

MR. Radacovich, please put us out of our misery.

By JD

August 29, 2007 11:36 AM | Link to this

Thanks for responding to the question, Matt (and for the exceptional reporting of the team).

By PB

August 29, 2007 11:39 AM | Link to this

Flash back to Dec 2, 2006 and a bone chilling day in Jacksonville, to what is generously called a defensive struggle between the Jackets and the Deacs. I watch as the Jackets eek out 6 points on 325 total yards with Reggie struggling as he did in 3 of the last 4 games (Duke being the exception). I am extremely agitated as Tech loses a game it shouldn’t have, thereby crushing any hope of easing the despair brought on by the loss in Athens.

That night, my agitation once again turns to despair as I watch the Gators play the Razorbacks and (to my amazement) five different QBs take snaps during the game. FIVE. Both teams and both coaches were going all out with no apparent fear of losing. Needless to say, I was envious.

With that, I realize I need to get over last season and move on but I’m having difficulty doing so… most of that has to do with Chan Gailey. Overall, I would agree with Dinky. Chan has done a good job building a foundation Tech has not enjoyed in the 30 years I have been following them. However, in the pit of my stomach, I can’t stop thinking about the opportunity lost last season (seniors leaving the field in Athens knowing they never beat UGA, the dismal day in Jacksonville, etc.) and the one thing that keeps ringing in my ears is an interview on 790 with Matt Chernoff a month or so after the Gator Bowl. In the interview, Chan obstinately defended his decision to stick with R.B. stating, “based on the information at hand, I thought it was the best decision for the team.” When pressed, Chan dug his heals in even further. I thought, he just doesn’t get it. I’m sure that dogged nature has served Chan well in his career but it also illustrates an apparent inability to, even in hindsight, “seize the moment.”

I am going to South Bend to see the game. I am really excited to just be able to witness the event… “I am not going to allow myself to get emotionally wrapped up in this team.” “I am not going to allow myself to get emotionally wrapped up in this team.” “I am not going to allow myself to get emotionally wrapped up in this team.”

I feel better already. I’ll check back next week…maybe.

By The Big Bug

August 29, 2007 12:12 PM | Link to this

Donnan coudn’t beat Tech.The Dawgs would not stand for it.If Gailey loses to UGA this year, he has got to go.

By Ben S.

August 29, 2007 12:48 PM | Link to this

Good point. Donnan had a 40-19 overall record and got canned. We need to raise our standards a bit. 6 and 7 win seasons are not “ok”.

By shivas

August 29, 2007 1:10 PM | Link to this

Shambo, these blogs are all about opinion. 4 days before the big game, and I cannot help but be excited and positive. I believe in Coach Gailey and the program he continues to build. His recruiting will pay-off in a big way, and yes, I think 10-11 wins in very possible for this team this year.

By GT Man

August 29, 2007 1:19 PM | Link to this

I firmly believe that GA Tech has all the assets in place to have a great season. However, a great season can be measured in many different ways and one of those is if GT defeats GA. If Chan does not manage a win here, then he should be replaced. It should be one of the criteria on which the Head Football Coach at GT is judged. Hopefully he has learned his leason over the last 5 years and 2007 will see Tech reap the benefits of the foundation he has laid.

By Shambo

August 29, 2007 1:27 PM | Link to this

Mr. Ben S.

Thank you for joining the sizable army of fans & grads that object to Gailey’s teaching of the acceptance of mediocrity. His own best efforts (58% win % at Tech) is little better than the results of a coin toss. Our kids deserve better.

As I have pointed out with Mr. Bradely’s column, the real crime is that Gailey gets paid (from public funds, no less) more than $1 million/yr for this paltry result.

Lets face it - after 5 years - what ever Gailey has to offer simply does not work. How long would you last in your job is 42% of everything you did failed? Would your boss put up with it for 5 years? Would you get paid $1 million/yr?

Whatever Gailey is doing is not - has not - and will never work. As my grandmother always said “There is no greater sin than doing the wrong thing well”.

Mr. Radacovich…in your heart, you know we are right. Don’t make the same mistake with Gailey that Gailey made with Reggie Ball.

By GT80

August 29, 2007 1:47 PM | Link to this

Wow, some of the best posts on the GT blog ever. Lots of good points about Chan. I’ve flipped and flopped from basher to sympathizer and back again but I’ve come to the realization that Chan is gonna be here for a while, and each year he has shown better “head coaching” abilities. Rags and PB, we all know that we will never get an answer about the Reggie issue and I’ve decided that it’s best to not look back.
I’m very excited about our new OC, Bond, John Bond, and the article about him today gives me confidence that he is not going to let Chan hold him down. I’m not going to South Bend but will be watching intently and I expect a big victory. And I expect this will be Chan’s best year ever. But if we don’t win that last game against the Bullpuppies it will be a lost season and I’ll be right there with everyone else bashing poor Chan again.

By Shambo

August 29, 2007 1:56 PM | Link to this

Mr. Shivas,

I did not mean to suggest that I was not interested in your opinion. If I came across that way, I apoligize. Your opinion, and everyone’s else’s on the AJC blogs have value.

My point is not with anyone’s opinion, I am simply trying to point out a larger issue. To wit: Gailey is teaching our kids to accept meodicrity as a “standard” and this must stop. I regret that he is not very talented and has not produced beyond the 58% rate, but these are the facts. As a Tech grad. you have to give me that.

I agree with you that Tech may have 10 - 11 wins in them this year. My point - I believe supported by historical fact - is that won’t happen because we have a “leader / teacher / coach” that is willing to accept less.

Hey, if you were a mediocre coach making $1 million/yr, perhaps you might not shoot for the stars either.

Either way, I appreciate your opinion. Clearly, you are a true Tech fan, and, in the end, we have to stick together.

By Bondo George

August 29, 2007 2:04 PM | Link to this

I think we beat UGAY this year. I look forward to the Tickle Pile after we conquer them. Can you imagine the ecstasy we will experience. All those bodies after a win like that. It will be heaven on earth. I wish some of those Georgia Bulldogs would join us. Those Brutes!!!

By George P. Burdell

August 29, 2007 2:44 PM | Link to this

I too have had mixed emotions on Chan and it is hard to defend his actions with Reggie. I don’t see why in those games where he struggled, we couldn’t put Taylor or someone else out there. It is not like they could have done any worse. I’d trade the chance on a turnover to no chance of going for a 1st down and watch our talented defense become exhausted any day.

On the other hand, Gailey found one hell of a running back in Tony Hollings that the prior staff had not utilized to the fullest. I do think he has built a good foundation and is very good at assessing the best use of most of his players ( with the notable exception of Reggie).

We could fire Chan, but who else are you going to get there? Everybody wanted Ralph to take over the job and look at the mediocrity of Maryland football since he took over, with the exception of one very good season made better by Joe Burn’s blunder at the end of the game. I was disappointed at the end of last year, but Chan has also always ended up beating at least one really good team every year. He does also usually manage to lose at least one game every year that he shouldn’t as well, but a large part of that is just college football. I think depth will help in that area and we are certainly deeper this year than at any point in his tenure.

I am optimistic about this season because we have so much experience and we have TC running behind a very good offensive line. I am hopeful that Bond will be given freedom to run his offense FOR THE ENTIRE GAME, and not be forced to be conservative because we have a lead. I think 9+ wins is very reasonable as an expectation and I don’t rule out another trip to Jacksonville.

We’ll know a lot more on Saturday which seems like it is taking forever to get here.

By Gold on Ya

August 29, 2007 4:43 PM | Link to this

I agree with the Cure statement!! It will be a better show in the spring me thinks!

By shivas

August 29, 2007 5:10 PM | Link to this

Shambo and GT Man, I do not think beating UGA should be our litmus test for Coach Gailey. Question- what if at the beginning of the year last year someone asked you if winning the ACC Coastal would be great progress? I bet the answer would be yes. Richt has not beaten UF but there are no calls for his head. Winning the ACC Coastal is not mediocrity, and suggesting that is really a shot at the Team who were champions of the division. Gailey has overwhelmingly improved our recruiting. Go back to listen what those kids who signed with GT last year said about why they came to Tech. Almost all talked about how impressed they were with Coach Gailey, and about the future of the program. As I have said before, Frank Beamer was almost run out of VT in his 5th year, because it was felt the program was mediocre. To deny the progress we made last year is just another example of this video game society that must be fed immediate gratification. Firing Gailey would destroy this program, and I for one will have the patience to build on last years ACC Coastal championship.

By LongBeachJacket

August 30, 2007 1:29 AM | Link to this

I agree with the above comment that this blog is filled with good insights. In respect to Mr. $.02 above, I’ll throw in another penny.

I think if you look at almost any program, and any coach, anywhere, you can find something to criticize. Richt’s first year in Athens, they wanted to “torch” him for calling a run against Auburn down on the goal line w/time running out.

Up in Ann Arbor, they were starting to call Carr “4 Loss Lloyd” before he got them back to the top last year.

Out in Austin, they were literally ready to fire Mack Brown before he won the National Championship, now they’ve given him a $30 million contract.

If you want too, you can find a lot to “pick on” with Coach Gailey. You also have to be fair and remember that in ‘03, several pundits picked this team to be in the “dumper” early and it fought its way to a respectable 7-6 (I’m not going to defend the Duke game…but I’ll trade a win over Auburn for won loss at Duke under those circumstances).

Chan has been in “the League”…he’s worked for Jerry Jones. He’s probably forgotten more about football than any of us will ever know. A lot of factors go on out of our view that influence personnel decisions in games an otherwise. We’re not necessarily supposed to know those things. We’re not paid too. Sort of like when you go to a nice restaurant, you don’t typically aske to inspect the kitchen before sitting down to eat.

If you are carrying anxiety about Coach Chan (which a few of you seem to be)…let it go. What will happen will happen…and this year it has a chance to be real good.

The anxiety about the record against UGA is somewhat justified…but break it down for a moment… Three years in a row, we’ve been right there..had’em against the ropes. Sometimes it’s just the way things break in football…like when Alabama beat Auburn 10 in a row from ‘72-‘81, or Alabama beat Tennessee 10 in a row from ‘86 thru Peyton Manning. And UGA has there own albatross with the Gators. Eventually these things even out if the programs are roughly comparable. I’ll line our guys up against anybody and give’em a fighting chance.

Enjoy it all and see what happens.

Go Jackets!!!!

By Rags

August 30, 2007 9:58 AM | Link to this

To Long Beach Jacket:

Good post, and I agree with you. My comment was not specifically about leaving Reggie in games when he clearly should have been on the bench, it was that Chan told the fans it was none of our business. I absoultely agree he has forgotten more football than I have ever known. But instead of using that experience to explain why Reggie was playing - which everyone wanted to understand - instead he becomes arrogant and tells ut it’s none of our business. I can forgive and forget bad calls - I just do not like being disrespected for asking a valid question.

However, as another poster said, we just are not going to get that answer, or that respect. I still hope we win them all. Go Tech!!

By Jimmy

August 30, 2007 3:31 PM | Link to this

People, you can’t have it both ways. If Chan had told the media that he thought Ball was just better than Bennett(which he probably did via watching video and practice everyday), you would have wanted him run out of town as well. He shouldnt have to tell us how he runs his team. Just do it.