ajcsportstalk

By Matthew Sanders

January 16, 2007 06:04 PM | Link to this

Thanks a lot for coming back to UGA :/

By Barry Wynn

January 16, 2007 06:06 PM | Link to this

Van Gorder is an opportunist and a good defensive assistant. May not be head coach material even at college level.

By Russell

January 16, 2007 06:06 PM | Link to this

Hey, moron. He is joining the Falcons -several notches below UGA.

By Russell

January 16, 2007 06:09 PM | Link to this

I never had any confidence in VG. He reminded me too much of Tim Stowers who inherited Erk’s previous undefeated championship team in 1990. Tim was a great guy, but only a position coach at best just like Van Gorder. I would love to see Southern hire Rusty Russell, the late, great Erk Russell’s son. He would take the Eagles back to the top.

By BadgerDawg

January 16, 2007 06:11 PM | Link to this

Is this a statement by him thay he can’t get the job done? He leaves UGA b/c he feels pro experience will get him a head coaching job. He’s there one year then gets it at GSU(I have to believe he would have been offered even if he was still at UGA, but that’s a different story.) Now, after one bad year at a 1-AA school, he leaves for the same pro job position he left (LB coach.) Not an upgrade to DC, but LB coach. He must have been feeling some heat in Statesboro(no pun intended.)

By David

January 16, 2007 06:11 PM | Link to this

GSU problem will be solved. Van Gorder is incapable of coaching young men at the 1-AA level. I would never send a young man to play for him who need someone to show them how to be better rather than just being a critic. Time will tell if he can effectively coach more experienced and all ready qualified men. Thank you Falcons.

By Matthew Sanders

January 16, 2007 06:14 PM | Link to this

Sarcasm, dick

By Eagle Fan

January 16, 2007 06:15 PM | Link to this

The Falcons can have BVG. Good riddance from this GSU fan. I think BVG can kiss any more head coaching positions goodbye. Not everyone makes a good head coach. I like the idea of Rusty Russell, too.

By Flodaddy

January 16, 2007 06:17 PM | Link to this

This is not a surprise to me at all. VanGorder never looked good in that pretty Eagle blue and white. We will be better finding someone who can understand and appreciate our history. We are one of the few schools in the nation to dominate football in three different decades! Ok, 2000 hasn’t been the best for us so far but we have three years left. Let him go! The talent in that area is tremendous. We will have a coach in no time!

By Johnson is a Johnson

January 16, 2007 06:17 PM | Link to this

I guess at this point I’m a bit confused as to what CVG wants to do. I thought he wanted to head coach. As far as money goes, is Falcons LB coach a much better paycheck than Dogs DC? It seems like a step down to me.

By Flodaddy

January 16, 2007 06:19 PM | Link to this

As far as VanGorder becoming our linebackers coach. Hey, I wish him luck. He never should have left Georgia anyway. He would probably be at a national powerhouse leading right now leading their players. Now, he’s still trying to find himself! GOOD LUCK though! WE need it!

By Ron Roberts

January 16, 2007 06:20 PM | Link to this

As a Falcons fan and Georgia Bulldog, I have to admit, I’m a little ticked at Van Gorder for this move.

I’d have liked seeing him continue a fine I-AA tradition at Georgia Southern. I thought he’d be the kinda coach that could elevate that program to a I-A level soon, but it looks like he’s more interested in personal gains rather than finishing a job, and that troubles me.

By hal

January 16, 2007 06:22 PM | Link to this

i’m glad. he changed every tradition at gsu and had a load of talent that he didn’t utilize. he blamed players in public, which anyone in authority knows you don’t do. i think they should hire tracy ham as head coach and tracy hire raymond gross as off coordinator and install offense back that southern can recruit the personnel for ib the state against ga and ga tech

By Lance C

January 16, 2007 06:24 PM | Link to this

Good career move? Are you serious? He comes into a program like Georgia Southern which came of a winning season with a playoff berth, and destroys it. He promises a recruiting class that he is in it for the long haul, and then bails after destroying the program. He assures supporters that he is there for the long haul, but leaves after destroying the program. He stated that if he could not win at Georgia Southern, that basically was not a good coach. I believe the Falcons have enough problems, why would they hire someone that failed twice as a head coach, obviously has committment problems, and seems unable to take responsibility for his failures. I hope the Falcons improve next year, even with this coaching decision, and hopefully, Georgia Southern will now rebuild, since he wrecked the team, and be back to the winning traditions they had before his arrival.

By hal

January 16, 2007 06:25 PM | Link to this

i’m glad. he changed every tradition at gsu and had a load of talent that he didn’t utilize. he blamed players in public, which anyone in authority knows you don’t do. i think they should hire tracy ham as head coach and tracy hire raymond gross as off coordinator and install offense back that southern can recruit the personnel for ib the state against ga and ga tech

By hal n hinesville

January 16, 2007 06:27 PM | Link to this

thank you vg……..he changed every tradition gsu had. he blamed players and you don’t do that in position of authority. i think/hope gsu hires either tracy ham or rusty russell and they bring back raymond gross as off coordinator. gsu needs to run offense of players they can recruit head to head with ga and ga tech and that is the ole “ham bone”

By Bryant

January 16, 2007 06:31 PM | Link to this

Bring back the Triple Option!!!!!!!!!!

By Newman

January 16, 2007 06:34 PM | Link to this

Van Gorder needs to leave the state. I’ll never support the Falcons after what he did to the Eagles. He’ll probably be one year and out with the Falcons as well.

By lance

January 16, 2007 06:37 PM | Link to this

Van Gorder is a good Defensive coach but he is obvoiusly a flake. 4 jobs in 4 years. I am glad he did not come back to UGA. He would leave for another job next year and leave us in flux like GSU.

By Mad Eagle

January 16, 2007 06:39 PM | Link to this

Wow, this truly shows how truly sorry his character is. I feel terrible for the GSU players. Sorry UGA fans, this isn’t about you, this is about GSU and the fact that this moron destroyed everything we ever had. I’m a GSU student that has worked hard to ensure the future success of this program and I don’t even know what to do anymore. Good riddance BVG.

By Kill'em

January 16, 2007 06:42 PM | Link to this

I hope Georgia Southern looks at Giff Smith or Chris Hatcher. Hatcher is a proven winner and Giff, being an alum would bring stability to our program. He is Ga Tech’s recruiting coordinator which definitely is a big plus. BVG is a loser!

By george

January 16, 2007 06:42 PM | Link to this

As a UGA fan first, and GSU second, I would tell BVG to kiss my a. Where I once had high regard as a coach and man, I now think he sucks at both. If he was going to destroy GSU’s way of doing business, he should have at least stuck around to build it back up. I’ve never been a Falcon fan, and never will, so I do hope he falls on his a and takes them down with him. He is a selfish bast*.

By GW

January 16, 2007 06:43 PM | Link to this

BVG was a super DC at Georgia and that can’t be taken away. However, he may have set Southern back for a while and he has loaded the team up with transfers. This may also put AD Sam Baker on the hot seat. Statesboro folks and media hated BVG so they should be glad.

By Dave in Kansas City

January 16, 2007 06:44 PM | Link to this

As much as I liked BVG as UGA’s DC, I’m a little suprised at this move. Maybe him and Petrino have the same issues about saying that they will remain in the job and then take the next train out of town. Next thing you know he will be at Alabama with Tricky Nicky. As it appears, they all deserve each other.

By Humbug

January 16, 2007 06:45 PM | Link to this

I offer a big welcome to coach VanGorder. I’m looking forward to next season.
Coach Petrino made an excellent choice here. We are going to see some awesome line backing from the Falcons, starting in game one of next season. Possibly he is not head coach material but is one helluva good defense coach. Thank you Mr. Blank, too.

By Marietta Dawg

January 16, 2007 06:47 PM | Link to this

I bet that he leaves the Falcons after a year and goes to Tech as their DC, after Tenuta gets a head coaching job.

By Dnix

January 16, 2007 06:49 PM | Link to this

How can we expect players to be loyal to a program when the coaches can’t either?

By luke

January 16, 2007 06:50 PM | Link to this

Might be time for Southern to bring back the Hambone attack. Tracy Ham as Southern’s head coach would bring back a little of Erk’s mystique to Statesboro.

By Dick Duster

January 16, 2007 06:51 PM | Link to this

No head coach of such a great team should have a bad looking mustache like he did. He looks like a child molester.

By Jim

January 16, 2007 06:54 PM | Link to this

HELLO!! Did anyone actually think that BVG would enjoy his time at GSU? The gnats alone are reason to stay away from that place.

Of course a year in Statesboro is all that he could handle. Small towns are great and all, but hard to justify staying once you have tasted Athens and the NFL.

Not a surprise at all.

By Buck Cochran in the NW

January 16, 2007 06:55 PM | Link to this

Sorry but I was never overly impressed with him at Ga.

By dawgydawg47

January 16, 2007 06:56 PM | Link to this

Sam Baker is getting paid back for his poor decision making. He fired a good coach for BVG. He also essentially fired Nate Hirsch(The voice of the eagles for many years) for a larger radio contract. Sam Baker, it looks like BVG fired you. At least you can blame him when your gone. I second Tracy Ham.

By GSUFAN

January 16, 2007 06:57 PM | Link to this

Good Riddance, This man is a piece of work he comes to Georgia southern Screws up the offense, screws up recruitment. Then post a 3-8 season. Then leaves one year after doing all this crap. He may be a good defensive coach but he is a horrible excuse for a human being. He has no integrity and when the going gets tough VanGorder gets going. I wonder if the falcons know what they are getting?

By FalconManiac

January 16, 2007 06:59 PM | Link to this

He’ll stay around for a year or 2 with mediocre results and leave again for another job, just like in the past. Why can’t the Falcons attract top coaches like the good teams do?

By Dave

January 16, 2007 07:02 PM | Link to this

Van Gorder to Falcons!

I would just like the thank Brian Van Gorder! Thank you for the 3 wins this season. Also, thanks for getting rid of the triple offense and some of our traditions, they werent working anyway, right? Also, your welcome for letting you play head coach for one season. Guess coaching linebackers is really your forte. Well, good luck with the Falcons. We’ll be busy in Statesboro picking up the pieces of what our football program used to be! Have fun in Atlanta and dont let the overpaid, underacheaving falcons upset you. You can always leave them after one season when things dont turn out your way!

-GSU

By Brian

January 16, 2007 07:17 PM | Link to this

Late Christmas gift, thanks Falcons for taking this loser. I just hope that we can pick up the pieces. Jeff Monken for HC. Bring back the 3-O

By GSUBass

January 16, 2007 07:22 PM | Link to this

Thank you brian van gorder for leaving GSU in shambles. Thank you for throwing our players under the bus when we lost. Thank you for turning an 8-4 team into a 3 - 8 team in record time. Thank you for having the worst home record ever. Thank you for losing to the University of Tennesseee - Chattanooga for only the second time ever. Thank you for leaving town, don’t ever come back.

By kreedham

January 16, 2007 07:31 PM | Link to this

It is often said, “If it ain’t broke don’t fix it! Well the GSU Flexbone offense has worked ever since football returned to campus. Van Gorder could have modified it but he disgarded it so he had players recruited for the bone playing something else. As a GSU alum I was hoping he would get canned but this is almost as good.

He’ll do fine for the Birds since, at best, he is a coordinator/position coach but never again should he be a Head Coach.

I just hope GSU gets it right and returns to what got them to the top in the first place!

By carlos

January 16, 2007 07:38 PM | Link to this

Thanks for nothing Vangorder. What an embarrassment you are to all GSU alumn like myself. Here we are taking a chance on some wanna-be head coach for a year, and now who knows how many more losing seasons we may be in store for before we get back to championship status. Not only that; now I have to watch my beloved falcons with yet another “traitor” on their sidelines….what has happnened to sports these days?

By Clint

January 16, 2007 07:39 PM | Link to this

GOOD RIDDANCE MOFO

By LION06

January 16, 2007 07:39 PM | Link to this

This guy is a piece of work. He has used the Ga Southern people as a pawn to get to a better place. Im a coach myself but the way he goes about his business in distasteful. Glad to see your with the Falcons though. Misery loves company. I hope noone else offers you a quality job.

By midniterider

January 16, 2007 07:44 PM | Link to this

i knew he would be gone

By josh

January 16, 2007 07:47 PM | Link to this

I have met BVG personally and he seemed like a nice guy and a great coach at UGA. I am sure he has his reasons for leaving all these jobs, but I agree with everyone else that he has probably blown any chance of becoming a head coach. If we would have stuck with UGA for 2005 and 2006 seasons with great results like 2002-2004 he probably would have been a hot name for some of these current openings. Good luck with the linebackers and if he can turn Hurtwells Atlanta career around, then in my eyes he will have redeemed himself.

By Ace

January 16, 2007 07:51 PM | Link to this

I agree with Hal, GSU needs forget the “Van Gorder Era” and bring in a coach that can run the triple option. The Triple Option was fun as hell to watch and it gave GSU the ability to recruit great athletes that typical 1-AA programs would have no shot at signing. GSU has dominated 1-AA football for years with the triple option and for some reason we brought in Van Gorder to run a Pro Style offense that we didn’t have the personnel to run. I would love to see GSU become a 1-A program someday and I realize that the Van Gorder hiring was a potential step in that direction, but lets realize that for now, the GSU is 1-AA football in the heart of SEC Country. That being said, the triple option is a unique style of offense that gives GSU the ability to have an exciting brand of football that even good teams have trouble stopping. Although GSU would never come close to beating UGA, they scored 28 points on a great defense in 2004. With the offense they had last year, they couldn’t score 14 on Central Conn State. I was willing to give Van Gorder time to develop the program, but now that he is gone, lets go back the techniques that made us National Champs and eventually winning and not the style of offense will allow us to make the transition to the next division like Marshall, Troy, UConn, etc. have done in the past few years.

By Clint

January 16, 2007 07:56 PM | Link to this

As a former player at Georgia Southern, I haven’t had much liking for Van Gorder from day one…the way he changed our offense and other traditions and eliminated “runts” like myself and countless other GSU football players from ever seeing the field. I am happy he is gone, but I feel horrible for the upcoming seniors and what this does to their psyche and football careers. Good riddance, BVG, good riddance.

By midniterider

January 16, 2007 07:58 PM | Link to this

i dont see him getting a warm welcome in atlanta as a lot of falcon fans are ga and southern fans

By BA

January 16, 2007 08:05 PM | Link to this

Seriously, how does this guy keep getting good jobs. He was good at UGA, but look at the talent that he had. He is a proven loser and is a weasel of a man. This is the best thing that has happened to the eagles in quite a while. Bring in Giff Smith as head coach and then bring Mark Williams in as Offensive Coordinator. Fix Van Losers mistakes and get the Georgia Southern program back to where it was before this loser trashed everything near and dear to the program. Van Gorder reaks of mediocrity. No, I am sorry, he reached with all his might for mediocrity and fell just a little short.

By FalconManiac

January 16, 2007 08:08 PM | Link to this

Arthur Blank and McKay are at it again.

Dumb hire #1: Petrino instead of Ken Whisenhunt of the Steelers

Dumb hire #2: Brian Van Gorger of Georgia Southern U instead of Jeff Fitzgerald of the Baltimore Ravens or the Titans’ Dave McGinnis as LB coach

What will be the next dumb move by the incompetent falcons management? Maybe they can hire the brilliant Mike Shula as QB coach!

By JimBob

January 16, 2007 08:09 PM | Link to this

GLAD to see him gone. NEVER was a member of the GSU family. Never would have been. I have never been much of a Falcon fan because of their lack of direction in the the program. VG will fit like a glove. Be careful what you wish for… you might get it. Petrino and Van Gorder are like two peas in a pod. No committment, no integrity, no loyality, and no long term plan. Give Brian a clipboard and let him follow a real coach around. I only wish he had the Falcon opp this time last year before he sent our program down the crapper. I almost had bought into his plan with the hope that he could get things turned around. Hope he never comes in my area code again.

By Fred Garvin

January 16, 2007 08:11 PM | Link to this

CBVG is a terd. Good riddance. Not sure how this is a good career move for him. He is now labeled a jumper with a cheesy mustache. Bring back the winning tradition to GSU. Long live the triple option aka Hambone!

By Gary A

January 16, 2007 08:13 PM | Link to this

Probably not such a great move for VG, but it is great for GSU. As the highest paid coach in GSU history, people expected a lot more. His stated reason for dismantling the Erk Russell/Paul Johnson designed offense was that he could not develop a strong defense if the defense had to practice against a triple option offense.(???) This makes you wonder if he would ever be suitable as a head coach anywhere. Now GSU can get back down to business…Giff Smith….Rusty Russell either sounds pretty good to me.

By eagle1girl

January 16, 2007 08:15 PM | Link to this

Thanks BVG for stopping by for a little while and destroying the hopes and dreams of the graduating seniors who never got a shot of something our wonderful football team had. Thanks for destroying our program and our traditions but I at least I know I have something to look forward to in our football program next year. Go Eagles, One More time, Triple Option!!

By still443

January 16, 2007 08:17 PM | Link to this

Good riddance! This no lip clown comes in, butchers up the most prolific offense I’ve ever seen and then runs away. I guess he was only one step ahead of the boosters that were probably ready to throw him out anyway. I was ready to get rid of him after the first quarter of the first game (Who says I don’t give people a chance to succeed). NOW….. If they don’t hire Tracy Ham as coach to fix that mess, I’m ready to give up too.

By eagle1girl

January 16, 2007 08:19 PM | Link to this

Thanks BVG for visiting for a little while and destroying the hopes of the Seniors who played this past season. Thanks for destroying/humilating our foot ball program, taking away our traditions. I look at it this way, yes, thank you for leaving because now I can at least look forward to a new football season. Go Eagles! One More Time! And YES, Triple Option!!

By who

January 16, 2007 08:22 PM | Link to this

I AM NOT TRYING TO BE RUDE BUT WHO THE HE11 IS GEORGIA SOUTHERN?????????

IS IT A HIGH SCHOOL????

SO ALL YOU MORONS WOULD TURN DOWN A PRO JOB AFTER FINDING OUT GSU IS A CRAPPY LITTLE SCHOOL WITH NO REWARDS THAT RUNS A TRIPLE OPTION FROM WHAT YOU JOKESTERS ARE SAYING.

By km

January 16, 2007 08:35 PM | Link to this

VanGorder treated the kids like crap and ran off some fine players with his I am better than you attitude.Any idiot who takes the guy leading the nation in TDs and takes the ball away from him and reduces his touches to six times a game IS ATOTAL JACKLEGG!!!hats off to Jayson Foster for having an unbelievable attitude during the whole process.HE IS A FIRST CLASS PERSON.Most would not have handled the way Jayson has.Cant wait to see him under center again!! Iguess i will break out my GSU hat that has been put up for a year!!Hire Giff Smith!!!!!

By JimBob

January 16, 2007 08:41 PM | Link to this

Who? Who is who? Get schooled. 6 national championship rings in less than two decades of the programs existance. I fear you have not acknowledged Southern is due to the lack of media coverage by the likes of AJC. Van Gorder is the moron for taking a highly successful program and trying to make it mediocre. Our AD is the moron for putting clowns like Van Gorder in the Head Coaching Job. Tell you what, send Sam Baker to the Constitution as an administrator. He will make it a fishwrapper in a few months. I can only bet there is a line waiting in BVG’s driveway wanting to help him move. Likely many of them are his former ballplayers. Van Gorder needs to be in Atlanta with the rest of the wantabes and pretenders. Van Gorder is likely to want to trade Vick because he can’t figure out a defense to stop him either. If you have followed GSU you will know what I mean.

By Eagle92

January 16, 2007 08:45 PM | Link to this

I’m a GSU grad and contrary to some on this board I understood the rationale of BVG’s decisions re: our program and was willing to be patient. Of the comments I have read, no one seems to acknowledge that our D was PATHETIC under Sewak, not even a shadow of the PJ (much less Erk) years. We were having to outscore everybody. This is what BVG was attempting to fix (and I think eventually would have). Yes, O was prolific pre-BVG, but our D pre-Sewak was tough, too. That was the Sewak problem, and what got him fired.

Bad move BVG. Leave a Division I (yes, UGA snipers, we are Division I) HC job for a pro job you just left. Obviously a step down. Disappointing.

By kreedham

January 16, 2007 08:47 PM | Link to this

Maybe Paul Johnson @ Navy has a top notch assistant that needs a good career move since they run the same offense.

By hal

January 16, 2007 08:54 PM | Link to this

well for “who”. gsu won 6 national championships in 25 years since they started football back with triple option thank you.

By C

January 16, 2007 08:55 PM | Link to this

This will be a good move for GSU. I think BVG is a good assistant. No way is he head coach material. I saw him speak at a GSU alumni event last year and the moron told a joke that ended with him flipping the bird. Kids were all over the place and the entire crowd got silent. I have never seen a HC look so uncomfortable as everyone just stared at him like a big idiot. GSU will eventually get back to the glory days with a higher quality head coach.

By good ole horndawg

January 16, 2007 08:57 PM | Link to this

forgive me, this is off topic but why the heck is mustain leaving arkansas? what the hell is that all about? i thought they gave his high school coach a position with the team. he started and played alot for most of the season before his poor play and the team’s success dictated that he be benched. he was just a freshman! is he that much of a little punk that he is going to take his little ball and run off to Tulsa over being benched as a frosh? if not, then what is really going on? if somebody has the inside scoop on it, let me know. i think that is really bizarre.

By Good riddance

January 16, 2007 08:59 PM | Link to this

He’s a flake. Ga Southern will be better off without him. Definately NOT head coaching material. Four jobs in 4 years and will be gone too when Petrino splits for another job in a couple of years.

By sborodawgfan

January 16, 2007 09:09 PM | Link to this

The BVG chapter is a sad part of a short but rich football tradition at GSU. Not only did BVG manage to alienate an extremely loyal fan base; but he also changed the most successful program in I-AA history in exchange for a 3 win season. GSU has dominated football at its level since the mid 1980s. No other program at any level, HS, college or pro, has consistently produced champions like GSU since ‘85. The worst part of the whole episode is that such a proud program was turned over to someone who cared so little for its long term success.

By SSI-Terror

January 16, 2007 09:15 PM | Link to this

Georgia Southern needs to go after Andy Mac. He can recruit and restore GA Southern to the top of the SoCon.

By bigcalidawg

January 16, 2007 09:15 PM | Link to this

He is a very good Linebackers coach.

Best of luck to you coach Van G.

I wish you never left us.

By Skydawg

January 16, 2007 09:22 PM | Link to this

OK to all the BVG bashers. Let’s be real here. First of all, I wish he had never left Athens. But that’s another story altogether. Second of all, the took the Jax job as LB coach to allow himself to grow and land a possible HC job. That’s exactly what he did. Now to all the GSU fans, let’s get real here. And don’t get me wrong, I support the Eagles just like I think many other Dawg fans do (when not playing the Dawg). There is an emotional tie with Erk. He made us all proud. But has anyone thought that maybe he saw the GSU job as a dead end. I’m not so sure he was left with alot of talent let alone the tragedy the team faced this summer with the death of the beloved teammate. Perhaps he felt that, for his best interest, it was better to get back to a somewhat higher profile job with more exposure than GSU. Let’s face it people, we all want to better ourselves for good of our families. So before anyone starts casting stones, you better make sure your glass house is shatter proof.

By Joe

January 16, 2007 09:23 PM | Link to this

I was happy when GSU was able to get an NFL caliber coach such as BVG but I was shocked when he proclaimed that he was getting rid of the Triple O. His decision to get rid of the option was much like the decision Bill Callahan made when he took over at Nebraska. The difference being Callahan took a lot of criticism and endured some bad seasons before returning Nebraska back to national prominence. BVG left after one season to return to an assistant position where he is not at the forefront of the team.

By GSUEagle86

January 16, 2007 09:26 PM | Link to this

As a member of Georgia Southern’s first team and a long time season ticket holder it is tough to put into words what I think of Brian VanGorder. He was given everything he asked for in Statesboro - stadium renovations, new practice field, office renovations, and we got 3 wins and then he quit on us. His ego and the NFL are a perfect fit. When the playing field is level his incompetance shows. To leave Southern after what he did for the same position he had in the NFL should make anyone in there right mind stear clear of the guy. Falcons what do we owe you?

By Pip

January 16, 2007 09:28 PM | Link to this

Thank you BVG. Thanks for taking MY program and running it in the ground. As a GSU student I’m glad you are gone. You bleed red and black and you will never bleed Blue and White. GSU will get back on the map and going back to doing what we do best and thats win. You’re the best thing that happend to Statesboro in 07 so far.

By Dave

January 16, 2007 09:32 PM | Link to this

Skydawg- If VanGorders intention is to always better himself, why would he leave Jacksonville to come to GSU? Lets face it, his intention was to better himself. Except his move to GSU didnt turn out the way he planned. VG knew that if he stayed at GSU and kept losing where so many had success, then his chances to get a head coaching job at a higher level would all but vanish. He tucked tail and ran like a child without cleaning up the mess he created. As far as a dead end coaching job…whatever happened to that guy Paul Johnson anyway?

By cw

January 16, 2007 09:38 PM | Link to this

Maybe next year, VG will ultimately leave the state. I was glad to see him leave athens and will extremely happy if he went to the pacific northwest or farther.

By Nanna

January 16, 2007 09:43 PM | Link to this

The only way this could be better for GSU is if BVG took AD Sam Baker with him. He could work with the janotorial staff at the GA Dome.

By autoseteagle

January 16, 2007 09:51 PM | Link to this

Does POLLY want a CRACKER!KNOW BODY KNOWS THE COACH LIKE THE GUY WHO FEEDS HIM.YOUR WITH THIS JACK-A* ALL YEAR LONG.YOU GO TO HIS BOOSTER MEALS,ICE CREAM SOCIALS,EARLY MORNING BREAKFASTS,FOOTBALL BANQUETS,MONDAY NIGHT FAMILY FEAST,AND YOU EVEN FIX HIM HIS VERY OWN GLASS OF SWEET TEA.COACH IF YOU DON’T MIND BEFORE YOU PACK YOUR BAGS,STOP BY AND SEE ME JUST ONE MORE TIME SO I CAN FIX YOU A PLATE OF JUST DO RIGHT!!

By Joseph Whitaker

January 16, 2007 10:11 PM | Link to this

Although VanGorder had some good ideas about how to build his program, it didn’t take long to see he was in over his head having never been a head coach. VanGorder was slow to adapt when things didn’t go as plan. True, he had no quarterback, but, he’s the one who agreed to sign Travis Clark as a transfer. I don’t know if another college program will ever give him a chance to be a head coach. Because he gave up so quick and because of his results, I think he’s destined to be an assistant from here out. However, I wish him well, because he really did have a good vision on where our program needed to improve from a recruiting standpoint and I think that will help us in the long run.

By Humbug

January 16, 2007 10:12 PM | Link to this

As I said earlier, BVG is not head coach material because he is not good at planning an offense. But he is damn good at running a defense.I think his reason for leaving GSU so soon is that he came to realize that. Falcon fans will be praising him just as strongly as GSU fans are bashing him. It was a good move on the Falcons part. You’ll see.

By RiseofEagles

January 16, 2007 10:14 PM | Link to this

BVG is complete trash. Georgia Southern is better off without him. Georgia is better off without him. What a disgrace. His ego is larger than the cesspool that is Athens.

By Dawgstache

January 16, 2007 10:19 PM | Link to this

Van Gorder is simply another grossly overrated football coach who is going to profit from a couple of decent years with extraordinarily talented players at UGA. How much did he really need to coach up players like Pollack, Thurman and Boss Bailey? I would prefer to admire and respect my coaches, regardless of the level of competition. How can you respect someone like Van Gorder?

By john b

January 16, 2007 10:21 PM | Link to this

you would think some of richt would have rubbed off on van gorder in athens. guess not. what a flake. and i hate ga southern.

By AltamahaDawg

January 16, 2007 10:23 PM | Link to this

Well, one good thing out of it, BVG just pushed WM another step out of his shadow. As far as leaving, what does a fellow do when the situation obviously isn’t right for either party?

By asswipe

January 16, 2007 10:48 PM | Link to this

By David

January 16, 2007 10:54 PM | Link to this

First thing out of this jerks mouth is going to be “The reason we lost was because the Falcons does not have the talent at the LB position to win a game”

BTW BVG I bet your kids love switching schools everying year. In the past 4 years what was it school in athens, then jacksonville, then statesboro, now somewhere else. I feel bad for them

By Suffering Eagle

January 16, 2007 10:55 PM | Link to this

The only bad thing about this is that he had to pick the Falcons. I am now officially conerned about Petrino’s ability to turn the ship around. Next up, Sam Baker.

Anybody have Giff Smith’s phone number?

By Moonshiner

January 16, 2007 11:14 PM | Link to this

John B. hates Georgia Southern. Judging from his grammar, it appears that he needs to rush to Georgia Southern. He’s probably a Hillary Clinton supporter also.

By JY

January 16, 2007 11:21 PM | Link to this

Well was he really that good at UGA or did he just have the “Horses”? The Falcons just lost a fan and GSU is on the way back from destruction. He said if he could not win at GSU then he was not a good coach???? Well, Way to go MCCay, Blank, Patrino

By Eagle

January 16, 2007 11:22 PM | Link to this

Thanks van goof! The only thing good to ever come out of athens was ERK, and he was really an Auburn guy. UGAG was just a stopover.

By Moonshiner

January 16, 2007 11:29 PM | Link to this

VanGorder and Vick. Individuals who are each incapable of leadership. Sam Baker needs to head to the “ATL” himself. Maybe he can sell popcorn.

You can have Atlanta, face it, the city is a cesspool filled with thugs, traffic and politicians who are also incapable of leadership. Go Jags!

By Skydawg

January 16, 2007 11:35 PM | Link to this

Dave, you almost stated exactly what I said. Just worded it differently. I think he realized he made a mistake by taking the GSU job. You can call it what you want. Like I said before, I’m not ripping the GSU program, I support it second only to the Dawgs. But I just think that BVG thought he could better his career by going back to the NFL. As much as it may pain you to think, a NFL LB coaching position has higher visibility than the HC at GSU…at this point atleast. I believe is ultimate goal is to become a DC in the NFL and maybe, maybe a HC job in the NFL..whether he’s dillusional or not is yet to be seen. But let’s not bash the guy for him doing what he thinks is in his best persona interest for him and his family. Don’t we all at some point question where we are in life. Man if I just took that job then or…I could take this lower position job at company X, but the upside and chance for promotion and growth is far better. Sometimes you have to make decisions that you feel are best for you and your family. Whether its the right decision or not with BVG, in his eyes it was the right decision. I feel bad for the GSU program. But I’m dayum glad he’s the LB coach of the Falcons. He is one helluva LB and DC coach. I think he’ll be a NFL DC sooner than later and I wish him the best when it happens. GSU will survive this..and as many have stated, it may be the best for GSU in the long haul. I honestly don’t think his heart was there. But I know he’ll bust his tail for the Falcons.

By Skydawg

January 16, 2007 11:44 PM | Link to this

Eagle..you’re an idiot. Yeah Erk had a 20 year “stopover” in Athens. Just over 1/4 of his life. Erk was one of the most loyal Dawgs, if not the most loyal Dawg there ever was. So shut your pie hole!!! Only problem with the relationship is that UGA didn’t hire him as HC when Dooley retired instead of Goff. Then where would GSU have been?? His loyalties ran deep for both programs and he gave his life to both programs. So don’t try and belittle his loyalty for UGA. He probably just rolled over in his grave. RIP ERK!! We still love ya.

By Eagle

January 17, 2007 12:04 AM | Link to this

Skydawg…I’m pretty sure it was 17 years and yes he was a great man. He was also offered the UGA job after the 88 season. Stayed in Statesboro.

By LS

January 17, 2007 12:07 AM | Link to this

My surprise. here in Statesboro, is that we only had to endure one season with VG. Each change he made denigrated the heart and soul of GSU football. I played at SHS when Erk first came around on his crutches looking at the field he would initially play on and am in awe of what he accomplished. To VG, who complained about the quality program Erk built, don’t let the door hit you in the butt on your way out of town.

By Moonshiner

January 17, 2007 12:20 AM | Link to this

FIRE SAMMY BAKER! FIRE…FIRE…FIRE…for that matter, kick Bruce Grube to the curb as well. This program has been stuck in 1st gear since Paul Johnson left. We need a change from top to bottom. Sammy needs to go. Sammy…Sammy…Sammy…pacing the sidelines. Pace west down I-16 and North up I-75 to the “ATL”. You have no vision.

By bulldog_greg24

January 17, 2007 12:28 AM | Link to this

Wow what a bunch of hypocrites like Buck. I remember numerous personnel calling for Martinez’s head after the Kentucky game. Many of these people were screaming for Van Gorder to come back to Athens. I for one am not sold on Willie and his zone defense so I hope GSU will interview him. Good luck to BVG in Atlanta from your friends in Athens.

By Moonshiner

January 17, 2007 12:52 AM | Link to this

Hey Greg,

Get a life. BVG will be somewhere else in 2008. If you can’t offer more than that, go to bed.

By thrashyou

January 17, 2007 01:01 AM | Link to this

Thank God he is gone!!!! Everyone needs to also look at the coach at Central Conn. they run ERK BALL, They came down to the boro this past season and beat Southern in the first game. VanGorder was doomed to start with, you can’t run a spread offense with flexbone players. It would take 4 years to run the spread at Southern. I for one am happy that he is gone.

By bulldog_greg24

January 17, 2007 01:17 AM | Link to this

Hey Moonshiner,

At least BVG must be doing something right unlike Martinez. Looks like we are stuck with him since he turned down the offer to interview for the Rice job. I can handle getting beat by FL and Auburn, but to lose to KY and Vandy in the same season for the first time in 40+ years sucks. I made the trip to Lexington and just like at Vandy we had the lead in the 4th quarter. To watch KY pound the ball down our throats was very humiliating. For that, I say please find a school like GSU to take Gomer off our hands. At least with BVG, the defense had fire and didn’t get up talking smack after giving up 10 yards and a first down. It takes a special person like Willie to be able to go to GSU or Troy and win. Please give him a shot.

By Steve

January 17, 2007 02:00 AM | Link to this

I have a friend’s son that was being recruited heavily by GSU, that is until BVG took over. The kid really wanted to go to GSU but BVG never contacted him again. He went to his 2nd option and signed with a southern Conference school. He ended up getting a lot of playing time his Freshman year.

By jay

January 17, 2007 02:22 AM | Link to this

personally i am sick of all these college people who are moping over a college coach leaving a college to go for a pro job and saying that they have all left their sons out to dry. get over it. all of these coaches say the same thing to every recruit and prospect at every college and if they get a career opportunity of a lifetime they should take it. under your scenarios a college coach should what then—-give 2 years notice before leaving so he can ease out—thats never going to happen—these nfl opportunities come knocking perhaps only once in a lifetime for some of these guys and you never know when it may be the last time. get off their backs and get OVER IT!

By Jerry L

January 17, 2007 05:00 AM | Link to this

Disappointing, but I am a Falcon fan and am used to it.

By JimBob

January 17, 2007 06:43 AM | Link to this

Several things are recurring themes. Van Gorder was in over his head. He is a hedonist to abandon the kids he said he was committed to. He set the Southern program back several years. Southern’s fans are just as loyal as UGA’s or any others. He is defensive coach material not a head coach. His career goals are muddled. A college Head coach’s job is tough because you have to develop talent and recognize how to utilize the personnel you have to be successful. Van Gorder did not have that ability. Southern fans are glad to see the dawn of a new day. The Eagles have been liberated. College loyalties run deep. Van Gorder is better served being a part of the “here today, gone tomorrow” business like mentality of professional sports. It goes to show what pro sports are really about. On the other hand, I preferred entrusting my son to a man who could teach him, believe in him, and encourage him. Van Gorder was not that kind of coach; can’t say he will ever be.

By j marshall

January 17, 2007 06:59 AM | Link to this

Sam Baker needs to be fired. What a fiasco!! A once proud program is floundering because of his terrible decision!!

By Dylan

January 17, 2007 07:14 AM | Link to this

Van Gorder is a quitter with a huge ego. Can you imagine how terrible a time hisn wife and kids are having moving every year. Selfish jerk.

By Cody

January 17, 2007 07:24 AM | Link to this

It should be a good move for Van Gorder, but it will be a great move for Georgia Southern. It was obvious to most southern fans in a post game interview a quarter of the way into the season his heart wasn’t in it anymore. He had wonderful intentions but the team wasn’t built to change.

By craig

January 17, 2007 07:57 AM | Link to this

Georgia Southern needs to go after Chris Hatcher of Valdosta St.

By Jay

January 17, 2007 08:15 AM | Link to this

Seriously…no one cares about gsu football. Oh no, a div II coach left after one year, call cnn!

By steverino

January 17, 2007 08:19 AM | Link to this

I really loathe they way Ga Southern people have co-opted the intials GSU from Georgia State University. In Fl, MI, LA, OH, MS, IA, PA and others the S stands for State. It’s Ohio Southern, Southern Miss, East Carolina, and Western Michigan. Get it? And don’t trot out this “we’ve won so many championships, blah blah.” Yeah, Minor league championships…when ya gonna join the big boys in Div 1-A? Heck, Ga State has been a university since the 60’s. When did GaSo grow up to university status…80’s, 90’s? In 1995, the State Board of Regents accorded Georgia State “research university” status, joining Georgia Tech, the University of Georgia, and the Medical College of Georgia. GSU has an outstanding law school and business school. GaSo is known for…what…um…maybe agriculture and…uh…drunken students? Go find your own initials or something…maybe something like GaSo? Or anything other than GSU…it’s already taken.

By JP

January 17, 2007 08:23 AM | Link to this

For some reason GSU fans don’t want to come to the new age of football. Yeah the triple option works but it makes you predictable. VanGorder tried to change things for the best if you ask me. I’m sorry craig but ya’ll don’t want hatcher either because he puts the ball in the air alot and the people down in statesboro aint ready for that yet. And they don’t have the talent to do it.

By JP

January 17, 2007 08:25 AM | Link to this

Do they even play football at georgia state?

By Tom

January 17, 2007 08:27 AM | Link to this

Regardless of whether or not he was head coaching material, I just hope he instills the swagger and toughness in the Falcons that he instilled in UGA players. The Falcons have a load of talent at LB, and its time it was used effectively. They could use the intensity he will bring. Combine that with the D-line, and the falcons could really improve their defense.

By Eagle Fan

January 17, 2007 08:28 AM | Link to this

Don’t let the gates at Paulson hit you on the way out! Take Sam with you!!!!

By Moonshiner

January 17, 2007 08:32 AM | Link to this

steverino…aka…dumbass. Get a life loser and move back. Carpetbagger.

By tapate50

January 17, 2007 08:34 AM | Link to this

Hey steverino, I would be jealous as heck that a school with all the above attributes is more well known that your atlanta counterpart. I would be mad too. Research university? ” When was the last time 50,000 people crowded into a stadium to watch a kid do a science experiment???” - James Caan in The Program.

As for BVG, see ya. We will be fine. Bring back the yellow buses and the Triple O. We will be better without you and your 3 wins. Have fun getting Hartwell to play weekly.

By Matthew

January 17, 2007 08:34 AM | Link to this

He should go to work on Saban’s coaching staff.

By Moonshiner

January 17, 2007 08:35 AM | Link to this

Hey Steve,

Face it dude, Atlanta blows and your right there with it. Go vote for Hillary Clinton and call me when Georgia State starts playing football. You probably went to Devry didn’t you? Liberal prick. Get a life.

By Moonshiner

January 17, 2007 08:38 AM | Link to this

I think Jay and Steverino are either the same person or lovers.

By gdawginkalamazoo

January 17, 2007 08:43 AM | Link to this

I agree AltaDawg. Probably best for both parties. BVG probably realized that he was in over his head and you guys are lucky that he did so, so soon. Why stay and make things worse. You should be thankful that he realized it and moved on. You shouldn’t be bitter, I wouldn’t imagine he went there to intentionally lose. So get over it, get somebody back in there that knows the traditions and get back to business. BVG was hired to improve the defensive side of the ball. He just happened to be inept with the offensive side and the traditions of GSU.

By GSU ALUM 2004

January 17, 2007 08:47 AM | Link to this

Vangorder proved last year that he is a bad football coach. He can only succeed with phenomenal talent like what he had at UGA for a couple of years. Vangorder proved yesterday that he is a gutless, spineless bastard who didn’t, and probably never will, have the balls to finish what he started. F the Falcons, I hope they lose out and Petrino and Vangorder are unemployed by year’s end. True story, last year at halftime during one of GSU’s many losses, Vangorder said “I’ve coached at UGA and Ive coached in the NFL, I know what talent is and there is not a speck of G.D. talent in this room” Look in the mirror, buddy.*

By GMAN

January 17, 2007 08:50 AM | Link to this

Having lived in Statesboro during the ERK ERA, It was hard to stomach Vangorder’s performance. He got out of town while the getting was good. In other words, “he cut and Ran like a scalded DAWG”. Ga. Southern deserves better and will get a much better coach. Thank God that he is gone. GOOD RIDDANCE!!!!!!

By puppydawg

January 17, 2007 08:55 AM | Link to this

As a coach, BVG is very good as a position coach or DC but he has not proven himself to be head coach material and I doubt he ever will. As a man, he is every bit the w******* that Nick Saban is.

By ChampDawg

January 17, 2007 09:09 AM | Link to this

Ga Southern athletics is on the decline— particularly football and baseball. Now the basketball team is even having trouble. GSU is not the proud tradition it once was. Van Gorder is gone. Now if we can just keep cleaning house.

By fulldawg

January 17, 2007 09:11 AM | Link to this

looks like he has aged quite a bit……

By gigaman13

January 17, 2007 09:29 AM | Link to this

I have the answer to all of ATL’s problems! 1) draft Calvin and Kenneth Darby, 2)get ogres on the left side of the line, 3) get the best corner in free agency, 4) grab Tre Battle in the 5th round, and 5) get a DB’s coach that will teach the secondary what it is supposed to do. No need for thanks, I’m just here to solve all of the falcons’ problems. BTW, the answer to the goal line is to hire 3 or 4 big mamajamas that all they can do is push people into the end zone. Two words, Grady Jackson!

By City

January 17, 2007 10:02 AM | Link to this

Get over it already. BVG did what was best for his family. UGA fans didn’t whine when he left and neither should you. Let him go. Be proud anyone from your football program is NFL worthy. Something tells me he wasn’t a good fit for Statesboro anyway. Maybe you can get Mike Shula.

By Highway Emperor

January 17, 2007 10:10 AM | Link to this

As a long time Georgia Southern fan, all I can say is “Good riddance!” He may be a good defense coach, but he is not head coaching material based on his total demise of the Georgia Southern program in a single season. Not that he is totally to blame (Sam Baker, Georgia Southern Athletic, I hope you read this! You must go!!!) but Brian was in charge of the program. I think he will do a good job in a defensive role anywhere he goes.

By Spinks

January 17, 2007 10:18 AM | Link to this

THANK YOU FALCONS and good luck to BVG leaving a winning program for a loser. Good fit for both.

By cavdawg

January 17, 2007 10:22 AM | Link to this

VG was an awesome DC at UGA. His drive and intensity made “normal” players dominant players. THe falcons have a lot of talent, they’re just missing that fire. He’ll bring fire, that’s for sure. Sorry to all the GSU fans who are so PO’d, but if he was such a bad fit for your system and your traditions, you should be happy he’s gone, right? Besides, this move will let y’all get back to what you are used to that much quicker. Maybe he isn’t HC material, but he can D* sure coach some defense. I like it, even if it may be temporary.

By Big Man

January 17, 2007 10:39 AM | Link to this

CavDawg, if BVG had resigned the day after the last game of the season, a lot of people in Statesboro would have helped him pack his bags.

However, when you quit three weeks before signing day … well, that’s pretty danged sorry … even for a profession that’s known for attracting scumbugs (see Saban, Nick, et al)

You think BVG was a good DC. Fair enough.

Well, I KNOW he was a HORRIBLE head coach. It could take years to clean up the mess he left in Statesboro.

By ChampDawg

January 17, 2007 10:41 AM | Link to this

IMHO, Ga Southern should stop pretending so be some kind of football powerhouse (maybe used to be in years past but no more, and besides we’re talking about Div 1-AA here) and stop trying to hire “big-names”. Just go find someone with college head coach experience who can recruit, motivate, and coach. Sam Baker is wrong. Ga Southern is not one of the best football jobs in the country. Heck, it’s no longer even the best program in the Southern Conference.

By BadgerDawg

January 17, 2007 10:46 AM | Link to this

Steverino, I have the answer for what GaSo(I agree GSU is Ga State) is known for. If someone is from north Macon on up and is a student there, it is because they could not get into UGA. I have nothing against the school, but that is the reality and I’m glad I’ve never had to go down there.

By cavdawg

January 17, 2007 10:47 AM | Link to this

One year of mess is easier to clean than 3 or 4… if its wrong, the sooner you start fixing the problem the better. Big Man, you’re right, his timing leaves A LOT to be desired from your standpoint, but Southern is gonna get recruits, the new coach “restoring” the old GA Southern may actually prove as a boost to your recruiting. If things were so sour with him in town, maybe him being gone will be a draw. I wish y’all the best, but it’s time to move on and start looking forward. Good Luck.

By Maurice Hicks

January 17, 2007 10:57 AM | Link to this

should hire Coach Giff Smith(DL coach @Georgia Tech)

By Plastic Surgeon

January 17, 2007 11:01 AM | Link to this

I understand Mr. Van Gorder left Statesboro because his wife wasn’t happy there. Now, have you folks taken a real close look at his face? I’d say he is one lucky guy to even have a wife, given the fact that his face looks the front of a Mack truck. Probably realizing he would never get another wife, I’m sure her unhappiness went a long way in him making this move.

By LalaMeeka Smiff

January 17, 2007 11:05 AM | Link to this

Perhaps he came at a cheap price? That way, Arthur Blank can use the extra money to hire some cashiers at Home Depot!

By Suburban Meyer

January 17, 2007 11:06 AM | Link to this

ChumpDawg and the other UGA fans have a lot of nerve poking fun at Georgia Southern.

I mean, where does UGA rank among the “best jobs” in the SEC? Fourth? Fifth?

One more thing: how long has it been since UGA won a national championship?

The bottom line: there’s not another school in the country that’s done less with more than UGA.

P.S. My orange and blue poodle mauled Uga’s white butt!

P.P.S. It’s great to be a Florida Gator! National champs, baby! Can’t wait till the next Cocktail Party! Maybe UGA can finally bring a team that will make the Gators break a sweat!

By ChampDawg

January 17, 2007 11:09 AM | Link to this

Badger— You are an ignorant a-hole. There are many, many students from the Atlanta area and northern half of the state at Ga Southern because they choose to be. They choose a smaller school in a smaller town but with plenty of college-town type life and they choose not to put up the the 34,000 student headache and high-and-mighty egotistical liberal bull$hit professors that are chartacteristic of UGA. Next time you have a thought, save it, or better yet shove it!

By BVGoner

January 17, 2007 11:27 AM | Link to this

VanGorder experiement a failure

By: Tim Guidera

After delivering the worst season and some of the worst decisions ever for Georgia Southern football, it seemed there could be no bad time for Brian VanGorder to leave the school.

Somehow, he even managed to mess that up.

Because the unpopular coach’s move away from Statesboro played out as badly as most of the ones he made in his one three-win season here.

He left abruptly Tuesday, accepting a job as the Falcons’ linebackers coach and also leaving the program he upended twisting in his exhaust. And although his getting out of town was the most obvious solution to the unrest that will define his brief tenure with the Eagles, it obviously is not the best thing for the team at the moment.

This was what a lot of GSU fans wanted. It’s just not how they wanted it to happen - three weeks before National Signing Day, with commitments already made to another group of other school’s transfers and a trail of unfinished business following VanGorder all the way to Atlanta.

So, as has been the case almost since he arrived, VanGorder left people wondering how long it will take to fix something he did at GSU. And how they will do that seems even more uncertain than it did a day ago, which itself doesn’t seem possible.

Of course, that uncertainty is how VanGorder’s time in Statesboro will be measured, from the many changes he brought right down to the way he left.

It took a lot of guts to do what he did here, to try something new at a place where the old way was working just fine. But it didn’t take much courage to do what he did yesterday, to slink off one year into a four-year contract and with more work still to be done on his ill-advised rebuilding project than he actually accomplished.

That smacks of cutting and running, of backing down from the challenges that he created. And it puts the school in an even more difficult position than the last time it was looking for a coach.

Perception was critical then with Southern having just run off someone who had them in the playoffs and the nation’s top 10. Timing is the crisis now, because this is a point of the year when having the wrong coach is better than having no coach.

And it’s clearer than ever that VanGorder was the wrong coach for Southern.

He didn’t seem to be when he was hired, when his name and the credibility it brought to Statesboro was the perfect salve for the controversial situation he came into.

But he started to tear down that credibility almost immediately, with changes that were disruptive in the community and costly for the team this year.

First he got rid of an offense that was not just effective, but also the team’s identity. Then he compounded the anger a lot of fans felt at him for that by doing away with several other traditions and giving reasons for doing so that invariably came across as arrogant and condescending.

He’ll be remembered at GSU for all of that, as well as for the 3-8 record and five-game losing streak to end the season that were both worsts for the school.

And he’ll be remembered for the words he used in an attempt to ease people’s concerns about his drastic approach.

“If Brian VanGorder can’t coach at Georgia Southern,” he said several times during appearances prior to the season, “then he’s not a very good football coach.”

Maybe the rest of his career, wherever it leads, will be kinder to him than his own analysis, which at the moment seems to be pretty accurate.

But then, there’s a lot that should be different at Southern now.

It would be nice if Eagle fans could view the brief VanGorder Era as a bad dream. Except when they wake up today their team will still be at the wrong end of the Southern Conference standings, having ceded an advantage to all of their main rivals while losing the status they had built nationally over the previous quarter-century.

And they will have even less direction than they had under the guy who put then there.

Tuesday, they didn’t even have a suitable explanation for why things happened the way they did when VanGorder met with his team but not the media at a press conference planned by the school. Actually, athletic director Sam Baker asked him not to come, saying both sides had moved on.

To tell the truth, it was probably fitting that VanGorder wasn’t in Statesboro Tuesday night, by which point he managed to turn Georgia Southern football upside down all over again.

The hard part for GSU now will be making it seem like he was never here at all.

By Akagi

January 17, 2007 11:40 AM | Link to this

It is a good move considering he went 3-8 at GSU. So his future there couldn’t be seen as all that bright.

It is also a bad move since signing on to the Falcons is like booking passage on the RMS Lusitania. I bet he (and the rest of the staff) will be looking for new jobs within three or four years.

By cavdawg

January 17, 2007 11:41 AM | Link to this

Who let the Florida Fan in? First off - congratualtions, I’m glad y’all brought the national title back to the SEC, not the Big Ten, they proved how “powerful” they were on the 8th and in the Rose. But your gators BARELY got by UGA this year, and all of you know it. We played a meodest game, had some good movement, but nothing spectacular, and we were one drive away from taking that game. Don’t even BS the rest of us that you “didn’t break a sweat.” Please, we’re all happy about the National Title, but try to minimize the ignorance if at all possible.

Oh yeah, I hear Goody’s has their Jean Shorts and fanny packs on sale, you better hurry before the rest of the bandwagon skanks buy them all up!

By GSU2583

January 17, 2007 11:45 AM | Link to this

I have decided to stop VanBashing as of now.

Everyone knows what he is, was, and will continue to be.

He took the easy way out. Bashing him is the easy way out too. Somone has to do some work around here dang it!

By Sick of Vick

January 17, 2007 11:47 AM | Link to this

Linebacking isn’t a weakness for the Falcons, but Quarterbacking sure is.

Anyone know if Mike Vick has FINALLY been let go by the Falcons yet?

Warrick Dunn for Falcons QB !!!

( Could Dunn really do any worse ? )

At least Warrick won’t show me his middle finger and expect me to feel bad about it.

By Janet

January 17, 2007 11:52 AM | Link to this

Seems Van Gorder will fit right in with Bobby Petrino’s style and character. They both pledged their allegiance and commitment to their college teams then jumped ship unexpectedly leaving the teams shocked and hanging. As a Falcons season ticket holder I’m very disappointed in Arthur Blank’s decision to hire Bobby Petrino and Bobby’s choices for his new coaching staff thus far - unfortunately, I agree with sports writer Terrence Moore that the Falcons will be looking for another coaching staff in 2 to 3 years. Although I believe it is Rich McKay that is misleading Mr Blank and should be the next one fired. As a potential GSU parent, my daughter has included GSU as one of her college choices and will likely join the marching band, I hope the GSU athletic director finds a coach that is truly committed to the program: players, coaches, administration and fans.

By gdawginkalamazoo

January 17, 2007 11:53 AM | Link to this

Mr. Guidera has an excellent point when he says that you guys put yourself in that position when you fired your coach that got you to the playoffs and top 10 ranking. Not happy with what you have? Better be careful of what you wish for. Don’t blame the timing either, it is that time of year. What did you want him to do stay until after the recruits sign then quit? You are better off having it done now. With only one year gone you can’t be that bad off.

By Judge Dawg

January 17, 2007 11:54 AM | Link to this

Anyone think that Coach Gaily will be applying to GSU?

By MamaEagle

January 17, 2007 11:56 AM | Link to this

Seriously folks… I wish the best for BVGs family. He was obviously not the man for the job, so let him go and we will move on. GSU (like the initials or not)is OUR school and we can be just as proud of it as any DAWG or “bee” fan can be of their school. No need to get your blood pressure up. Too bad the small town politics ruined any chance of Rusty being interested anymore.

By ChampDawg

January 17, 2007 12:00 PM | Link to this

Sir-Burp-in Meyer— I was not poking fun at Ga Southern. And we’re not talking about UGA, idiot. We’re talking about Ga Southern and AD Baker made the statement. No, UGA is not the best program in the SEC and Ga Southern is certainly not the best program in the SoCon. Hasn’t been for a few years. I was just saving that the school would probably be better served, not to mention hire someone at a cheaper salary, to quit going after high-profile “names”. Hell, I wondered why BVG would leave the NFL and come to a Div 1-AA school anyway— unless he thought it was a ticket to someplace else.

By Frank

January 17, 2007 12:02 PM | Link to this

Van Gorder was never a good fit for a lot of reasons. But the insistence of GSU fans that he trashed the “tradition” of the option offense is utter nonsense. There is no way that a type of offense can be a “tradition”, or most college teams would still be running the wishbone.

My son is a GSU grad, and I’ve been to games in Statesboro. While the option can be effective, I’ve never seen it bring the Eagles back from a deficit because you can’t rely on it down one or two TDs in the 4th needing to make up a lot of ground in a short period of time. And time after time, GSU has just never had the passing game to do it.

Van Gorder tried to instill some semblance of a passing game, and it didn’t work last year. But the next coach is going to have to make the passing game work some time in the future for GSU to get back to the playoffs and contend for the National Title.

By dan

January 17, 2007 12:24 PM | Link to this

Good riddance. He may be a good assistant but he was a horrible head coach. Hopefully they’ll hire someone with a football mind instead of a linebackers mind.

By DawgByte

January 17, 2007 12:33 PM | Link to this

I don’t really give a rat’s arse about BVG, Falcons or GSU, so I can be objective.

From a career standpoint I never understood why he took the GSU job in the first place, because it didn’t achieve his objective of becoming a 1-A HC, which was the reason given for leaving UGA. I think BVG needs to fire his agent, because whoever is advising him isn’t doing a good job.

By Target Zero

January 17, 2007 12:34 PM | Link to this

can he help us or is he just another good ole boy they gave a job to!

By Brandon

January 17, 2007 12:36 PM | Link to this

I think VG will eventually come back to UGA.

By ChampDawg

January 17, 2007 12:49 PM | Link to this

Sir-Burp-in Meyer— I was not poking fun at Ga Southern. And we’re not talking about UGA, idiot. We’re talking about Ga Southern and AD Baker made the statement. No, UGA is not the best program in the SEC and Ga Southern is certainly not the best program in the SoCon. Hasn’t been for a few years. I was just saving that the school would probably be better served, not to mention hire someone at a cheaper salary, to quit going after high-profile “names”. Hell, I wondered why BVG would leave the NFL and come to a Div 1-AA school anyway— unless he thought it was a ticket to someplace else.

By Elmer

January 17, 2007 01:00 PM | Link to this

Rusty Russell is the Man to replace Van. Good luck VG with the Falcons…it seems the Falcons are picking up a few Jaguars X’s & 0’s. Hope they work out.

By Titothebear

January 17, 2007 01:13 PM | Link to this

The move may be viewed as lateral. He left a place he was hated to come to a place where he will soon be hated. Next season promises to be grim, in comparison to this year’s record. Seven wins will be an unattainable, high-water mark for the Foulcons next season. This team is akin to certain elements of Indian mythology in that this is where football dreams and aspirations go to die. Brian Van Gorder, welcome to the “Happy Hunting Ground” for football careers. Any ideas on what your next career might be?

By Not a Coach Basher

January 17, 2007 01:16 PM | Link to this

I don’t know how most of you all think, but if you picked up trash for a living and someone offered you more money (10k more)to pick up trash in another state, I bet you would leave too. It’s not about integrity, it’s about making a living and putting food on the table for your family. Don’t hate on BVG because he plans for the future. BVG has more character and integrity than you will ever have. I’m tired of people bashing coaches! Advancements/promotions do happen! Maybe you all need to change professions since you can’t advance or receive a promotion. Good luck Coach BVG and Coach Petrino, bring ATL something it’s not use to….A WINNING TRADITION

By kevin

January 17, 2007 01:21 PM | Link to this

I had respect for BVG when he came to Statesboro and most GSU fans wanted to give him a chance- he spit in all of our faces. I hope he never comes to Statesboro again. BVG wouldn’t be a good fart stain in ERK’s underwear. He will never be a good head coach, just a second fiddle that wants the credit- I’m sure alot of Eagle fans will help him load the U-Haul.

By InTheRoost

January 17, 2007 01:38 PM | Link to this

Fire Sam Baker & Hire Scott Farmer to replace him. Rusty Russell should be the coach, Tracy Ham run the offense. We must restore pride to “Our House”!

By david

January 17, 2007 01:40 PM | Link to this

bvg defenses have always been in top 15 or 20 in the country

By Old Dawg 55

January 17, 2007 01:42 PM | Link to this

To the blogger that asked about Mitch Mustain…he’s been released by the Hogs to find another school..he follows his former high school coach and this year’s OC for Arkansas who’s off to Tulsa. Also, two other frosh from Spring Lake have asked for their release from the Hogs to go elsewhere. Yes, Mustain is a good player but with an ego problem..he’ll have to adjust to a program rather than the other way around. However, the Hogs have some serious dissension on the team and Coach Nutt will have to work hard to cure the Hogs’ ills.

By Art

January 17, 2007 01:50 PM | Link to this

As a GSU alum, I’m happy. As a Falcons fan, I can’t wait for him to fault grown men for HIS shortcomings….like he did at GSU. He is dead in the water as far as being a head coach anytime soon. Brooking……start looking…now!!!

By Heath

January 17, 2007 01:51 PM | Link to this

As a GSU alum I think that this change is for the best and I agree with others that the option needs to become part of georgia southern agian. BVG not only let down the team the fans and the good people of Statesboro, but has made a name for himslef as a first class a*. I say goodbye with joy and I hope for the sake of his job that Sam Baker makes a very smart decision with the choice of the new coach. blue and white forever.

By Van Gorder's an idiot

January 17, 2007 01:55 PM | Link to this

Thank God he’s gone. He took an offense that’s been averaging 300 yards rushing and 30 points a game for decades and decided something was wrong with that. He was a defensive coach who screwed up both sides of the ball. Hire Rusty Russell, PLEASE!

By Heath

January 17, 2007 02:00 PM | Link to this

As for the person writing in under the name of who. Who is georgia southern? Well sounds to me like you don’t know much about the game of football, maybe you should voice your opinon on another sport that better fits your dumbass personality, perhaps raquet ball is more your cup of tea. Think before you speak next time s**

By bmw

January 17, 2007 02:04 PM | Link to this

BVG is bad and now all the pieces need to be put back together. A good move is for Baker to follow and get out of town. He has not proven to be a winner either. As is said, throw the trash out and get ride of the stink. Now we can go back to a successful program.

By OconeeEagle

January 17, 2007 02:18 PM | Link to this

Smart move to bring in Farmer, he was a key Asst AD in the successful era. Where is Rusty Russell? Must get an option offense staff and allow the coaches to coach!

By IslandEagle

January 17, 2007 02:27 PM | Link to this

If he took the Falcons job because of his family he would not have moved them four times in four years. What a hipocrite! Just admit you cannot handle the responsibility of being a headcoach. PS. Your porn stache went out in the late 70’s.

By b man

January 17, 2007 02:44 PM | Link to this

I thinks it a good hire. Partially b/c I’m a Dawgs fan but also based on his performance at UGA…his defense was always ranked around the top.

In the back of my mind I think he may want another head coaching gig someday, either college/pro. And if he has success w/ the Falcons, this would boost his resume. Anyhow, I’m just glad the Falcon’s landed him.

Go Falcons!!!

By Robert

January 17, 2007 02:47 PM | Link to this

THANK THE LORD HE IS GONE

This is the best NEW for Suffering Eagle Fans he was a JERK and glad he is gone We can get back to WINNING

By Black Man

January 17, 2007 02:59 PM | Link to this

I hate white people.

By Keith

January 17, 2007 03:08 PM | Link to this

New Alert..Bama and GSU fans!

Bear Bryant and Erk are gone and aren’t coming back!

Quite trying to find a replacement and move on!

By CARLOS

January 17, 2007 03:13 PM | Link to this

I agree with most of the people here. BVG was a joke and let just be glad that we found out before he ruined anymore recruiting calsses. now its time to move foward and get the option re-established so we can dominate the SOcon once again. Im sick of Furman and App state dominating the conference….

By GSU Fan

January 17, 2007 03:25 PM | Link to this

Jeff Herron is who should be next head coach at Southern. Great coach and will have great success at 1AA level. Go and get him away from Camden County!!

By sj

January 17, 2007 03:26 PM | Link to this

BVG is a tool with a bad attitude. The worst kind of instability combined with raging ambition. He gets in a leadership position so his destructive decisions affect many, many people other than him….and he doesn’t care, obviously

By Jak

January 17, 2007 03:31 PM | Link to this

BVG was fortunate to get a position at UGA that best utilized his talents, and likely would have brought him many years of success beyond most assistant coaches dreams. Can’t help but wonder what effect all the millions in cash going to CMR had on BVG. It was BVG’s ‘D’ that bailed out CMR’s ‘O’ frequently. I think leaving GSU is best for that program. As for our beloved Dawgs, I hope BVG stays with the Falcons for many years, and we never have to deal with him on an opponent’s sideline.

By The Duke

January 17, 2007 03:33 PM | Link to this

VanGorder came to GSU with grandiose plans but didn’t have the stomach to see them through. Simply put, he cut and ran.

I wish he’d left the state completely but rather VanGorder abandons his Eagle wings and becomes a dirty bird in the ATL. Arthur Blank, Bobby Petrino and Rich McKay, I hope you guys know what a risk you’re taking.

Goodbye, Coach GrandFodder….see ya…wouldn’t want to be ya!

By GeorgiaSportsNation

January 17, 2007 03:57 PM | Link to this

This was a great move for Brian Van Gorder. He clearly the worst head football coach in the history of Georgia Southern football. He was not going to turn GSU around.

What this highlights even more is the zoo that represents the athletics department at Georgia Southern. They ran out Mike Sewak, who was the most successful football coach in the Southern Conference over his four year tenure.

It is a joke that GSU AD Sam Baker folded to the Eagles fan base that helped run Sewak out of there. Now, let’s see if Georgia Southern can hire a better coach than Sewak. I think not.

Good luck to GSU. Good luck to Brian Van Gorder. I am a Falcons fan. As a Falcons fan, I am happy that he is coaching the linebackers…who are talented and deep. Otherwise, we might be in trouble.

By Jeff Swiderski

January 17, 2007 04:17 PM | Link to this

Ding Dong the witch is dead. The worst thing to happen to GSU football is gone. Even with a new offense how can you take a team that had a decent season last year and only get 3 wins this year? I consider his leaving a late Christmas gift. I just hop ehe does not poison the Falcons players like he did the GSU players.

By EaglesFreakin'Rule

January 17, 2007 04:32 PM | Link to this

BadgerDawg, you are a moron. Lots of people from metro Atlanta go to Georgia Southern and FYI…it was my first and ONLY choice! I didn’t even consider going to Athens with all the other jackass teeny-boppers from my high school. Hmmm…what school sounds better to you? One that actually has professors teaching the classes (GASOU )or one that lets the teachers assistant teach (UGA) A class with 30 people (GASOU), or a class with 500 (UGA)? Yeah, that’s what I thought. All of my loser friends from UGA are stuck waiting tables at the pink pony for a living.

Who’s house? Our house! Don’t run your mouth about something you know nothing about! Go back to UGA and makeout with one of your fellow frat boys. Did the Allman Brothers ever write a song about Athens? Hell no they didn’t.

PS…Van Gorder sucks!!!!!

By dawglover 1980

January 17, 2007 04:49 PM | Link to this

dawg lovers, please let go. this is not about you. you guys are jealous of any kind of national title because it has been a while and erk was the only reason you won the last one. go back to the dawg vent and thank the lord for chan gailey. maybe in another 100 years you will win another championship. until then, stay out of georgia southern’s business!!!!!!

By steverino

January 17, 2007 04:56 PM | Link to this

ummm…the Allmans didn’t write that song, Blind willie McTell did and the name of the song is Statesboro Blues, as in , this places sux, I’m leavin and I’m goin’ to the country.

By Georgia boy

January 17, 2007 05:31 PM | Link to this

Lets not blame Sam Baker because VanGorder is a colostomy bag. The only bad Coach he has ever hired has been VanGorder. By the way what makes him such a good linebacker coach? Look at the talent he had a Georgia. That’s like saying Joe Torre is a great coach.

By GSUEagle1994

January 17, 2007 06:05 PM | Link to this

Is that cigar smoke I smell coming from heaven? Something tells me Erk just lit one. Good riddance, VG. The Falcons deserve you.

By Mike

January 17, 2007 06:50 PM | Link to this

BVG=SOB, Long Live GSU!!!!!!!!

By BigErk

January 17, 2007 07:46 PM | Link to this

I REALLY FEEL SORRY FOR VAN GORDERS CHILDREN AND WIFE. THEY HAVE TO LIVE WITH THE FACT THAT THERE DAD AND HUSBAND IS A SCARED COWARD, NOT TO MENTION A LOSER. HIS WIFE IS NOTHING BUT A W*******. I HEARD A FEW GUYS HERE IN THE BORO GANG BANGED HER STANK ARSE. ROT IN HELL YOU P** OF SHAT SPINELESS COWARD. YOU GET WHAT YOU DESERVE IN HOTLANTA YOU QUEER BAG F* LOSER!!!!

By BigErk

January 17, 2007 07:57 PM | Link to this

HEY YOU SCUMBAG COWARD PRICK, THAT’S RIGHT VAN GORDER, I HEARD THERE WAS A POSSE HEADED UP TOWARDS HOTLANTA TO FIND YOUR CANDYASS SINCE YOU HOT FOOTED IT OUT OF THE BORO LIKE THE LITTLE PUSS THAT YOU ARE. YOU RUINED TOO MANY PEOPLES LIVES AND IT LOOKS LIKE IT MAY COST YOU YOURS. GOOD LUCK AND RIP!!

By John

January 17, 2007 08:42 PM | Link to this

I don’t understand why Petrino is bringing him in, If he had an exceptional record, OK hire the guy. But looking ahead at the (http://stargazersfalcons.com=)[2007 schedule] for the Falcons. There should be no problems finding a coach with a better overall record to take the position.

By UGA Red necks and @$$ holes $ux

January 17, 2007 08:47 PM | Link to this

The UGA red neck neck@$$holes are happy to have this piece of $hit for a coach on this team. He is just like some there fans dumb and clueless as dirt!

By LilErk

January 17, 2007 10:09 PM | Link to this

I think BigErk needs to put down the meth. Easy bro. I wasn’t happy with BVG, but GSU will be fine with any of the candidates they are looking to hire. Relax and watch GSU return to the top of the SoCon in two years and win a Nat’l Championship by 2010. BVG leaving now is the best thing that could have happened. Good luck with the Falcons BVG, but lose the porn stache. That is embarrassing. PS to next coach: Put Jason Foster back at QB please.

By Kill'em

January 17, 2007 10:19 PM | Link to this

To Jay, steverino, and everyone else who is bashing Georgia Southern, get a clue. I really don’t care who was the first GSU. Georgia Southern won 6 Division I-AA titles, NOT Bush-League titles. Yes, we are Division I. Just in case folks were not aware of this, we are a Carnegie Research Institution, not a junior college. One doesn’t have to go to Athens or Atlanta to get a good college education. As for who cares about Georgia Southern, lots of us do.

By max

January 17, 2007 11:37 PM | Link to this

This Jus On The 1100pm News 1-17..Michael Vick Under Investigation For Drugs At The Miami-Dade Airport..Found In Some Sort Of Secret Compartment..Just More Fuel To The Fire Of His “Thug” Like Appearance..Or..Could It Be The Pressure Of Knowing He Will NEVER “”Get” Bobby P.’s Play Book!!..Or..Knowing Both D.J. Shockley & Matt Shaub Will Beat Him Out For The Position In The Pre Season Drills?? I Mean, Here’s A MoFO Making Millions Of Dollars A Year That Acts Like He’s Still In The GHETTO!!!! As The Saying Goes, You Can Take The MoFo Out Of The Ghetto But You Cant Take The Ghetto Out Of The MoFo..Arthur Blank Are You Listening????

By Braves fan 202

January 17, 2007 11:56 PM | Link to this

This is about the Falcons not Southern. When it comes to college every1 cares about UGA, remember, the 1A school? Ne ways this seems to be good 4 the Falcons. Hopefully Petrino can work with vick, i agree he should be traded but he brings the fans so we need to find a way to win with him. And for the first time in franchise history, the Falcons should begin to become a good team, as long as they get dwayne jarret in the draft.

By JIM MORA

January 18, 2007 12:15 AM | Link to this

Hey Bobby, Welcome to my nightmare!

By T

January 18, 2007 09:11 AM | Link to this

I played at GSU under Johnson and the traditions fuel the team and campus. The football team is part of GSU’s pride. For Van to come in and make such drastic changes his first year speaks volume of his character. I hate what he did to the Eagles. But, Tracy and Rusty are not right for the job either. The best coach for the job head coaching position is Smith. He relates well with players and he knows the game. He has coached defense and offense. Tracy is only offensive minded and not a proven successful head coach. Rusty is completely defensive minded and too much of a hard a*.

By T agree

January 18, 2007 10:12 AM | Link to this

T, you’ve convinced me. Giff Smith it is. Just bring back the triple option, which as we Eagles know if properly run, CAN make spectacular comebacks. The dude who earlier said it can’t is obviously unfamiliar with Southern history. But … what about that four-year starter who followed Tracy Ham? He’s a college coach isn’t he? Ok T, either Giff Smith or Raymond Gross. Let’s go! GATA!

By CK

January 18, 2007 10:18 AM | Link to this

Kinda torn here as a GSU grad plus Falcons Season Tix holder - BVG changed TOO much (the offense, the busing to the games, fencing the practice field, etc.). Now he leaves at the height of the recruiting war. What’s next? Since BVG started a pro offense, Hatcher could be considered. If we go back to the triple-option its another step back. - I honestly do not know what to think. BVG is probably better suited for an assistant type role - Falcons gain? BVG leaving GSU - Eagles gain? I vote for the latter.

By WTF

January 18, 2007 12:18 PM | Link to this

What’s wrong with people? What part of 300 yards rushing and 30 points a game don’t they understand? How is returning to the triple option a step back? A step back to a winning forumla, maybe, but then wtf is wrong with that? Jesus, people, the sun don’t rise and set on the corner grocery, er, rather “pro-style” offenses.

By GSU_FlyHigh

January 18, 2007 12:20 PM | Link to this

Good Luck to you BVG, thanks for ending the nightmare! This past season was beyond belief, watch our school suffer the indignity of losing 8 games, not to mention having to watch BVG on the post game show. Most supporters of the program knew early on this was not going to be anything like the previous years that brought so many national championships to the Boro. Heck, it would have been a miracle just to win the SoCon. Fortunately it was only one season, it can be fixed. Sam Baker has a rare opportunity to get this trainwreck back on the tracks. The next head coach will need to do accomplish many tasks but there has been one quality missing, class. Most Eagle fans remember Erk for the National Championships, but Erk’s main asset was “class”. He walked tall and stood behind his word, and yes he made mistakes along the way but he first accepted responsibility for the failures and then went about the business of correcting these issues. Business is really what this is all about anyhow, the financial impact on the school and the community is enormous. And the writer who wrote ” Erk is gone, get over it”, ask BVG if that is the case. There are many reasons to put the triple-option back in the playbook but one only has to take a look at the Naval and Air Force Academies. Both of these institutions run some version of the triple-option whether it is called “veer” or “the bone” in the end it is the option and it works. It sure would be nice to hear Tracy Ham is new offensive coordinator. The best defense is a good offense, one that runs the ball.

By dog-dawg

January 18, 2007 12:29 PM | Link to this

Inside scoop from statesboro (2nd hand). BVG’s family was very unhappy in the boro…especially his wife. Ever heard the expression…If mama ain’t happy..ain’t nobody happy!!! Perhaps this is just a rumor, but heard it from a couple of teachers who taught the kids. Working in Flowery Branch; easy commute from Athens. Just a thought..

By Chip

January 18, 2007 02:49 PM | Link to this

Thanks you Falcons…for getting this bum out of Statesboro! Maybe he can coach 8 LBs, but VG IS NOT a head coach. I’ve never seen a poorer excuse for a head coach at any leval. In oneyear he did more to damage the Eagle program than anything I’ve ever seen in football. He refused to take any responsiblity for any of the teams loses and failures. And he had the nerve to brag about all of the positive changes he made while at GSU.

One question. What can he possibly teach Brooking and the rest of the LB’s? How to make excuses, pass the blame? Pathetic.

Thanks Arthur and Bobby on behalf of Eagle fans everywhere.

By GSU_FlyHigh

January 18, 2007 02:55 PM | Link to this

Triple Option, why does it work? GSU knows it can not compete with UGA and the SEC for all the blue chip players in the SE. This puts the school in the position of having to recruit players that would have to walk-on at the larger schools. This is not a bad thing as most of these players either are just not quite the physical statue desired or they run a 4.5 instead of a 4.3. But what these players bring to the table is very good fundamentals, a willingness to learn and more important a desire to play within a team structure. The team becomes the overriding focus not the player. The ability to come back from a 2 touchdown deficit in the forth quarter is an issue but the solution to this quandry is to hit the field at the start of the game and play hard. The team must be a sound defensive team if it is to see success with the triple-option. When GSU announced the hiring of BVG I was elated, bringing in another version of Erk and let the good times roll. Memories of Adrian stomping down the sidelines, leaving defenders sprawled about hapless in his wake, this vision was too good to be true. Paul Johnson took the triple-option with him to the Annapolis, as he was faced with some of the same recruiting issues GSU sees here in the South. I am convinced Sam Baker has two main issues to consider. First, getting a known leader to take over and second, getting the triple-option back into the play book. One only has to look to our neighbor to the north. South Carolina has been the doorstep in the SEC since it arrived there from the ACC where it annually finished in the cellar in that basketball conference. They started turning things around when they hired Lou Holtz and now they have got the ole ball coach himself, Super Steve. There’s nothing wrong with hiring an unknown but without name recognition it will take time for the Eagles to resume their position atop the conference. One only had to look at BVG’s record and it screamed quitter, disloyal, gutless. For anyone to believe this coach is a defensive genius surely did not see what Erk did at UGA (and if the truth is told, he made the dawgs into a defensive powerhouse)and GSU. I sure hope Sam and Bruce is reading!!! Go Eagles !!

By GSU_FlyHigh

January 18, 2007 04:33 PM | Link to this

WTOC did an interview with BVG after he took the Falcons job, in this interview he stated “if the Eagle nation and community were better educated they would understand the changes”. Not an exact quote but close enough. This is what I mean about class, here’s a guy who has had very limited success at any level and the day he departs he’s bashing the community that was willing to take this bumpy ride with him. The damage has been done. During his stay here in the boro he managed to alienate many, including the players on his squad when he told them at halftime of one game, “I have coached at UGA and the NFL and I know talent when I see it and there’s not one bit of talent in this locker room”. Anyone who has followed the NFL will tell you the Falcons are about as sorry as it gets. This team has placed all it’s hopes on the ability of one player and granted this player is an extrodinary player but in the last couple of years he has suffered injuries that has slowed him down. This past year I saw linemen tackle him from behind, something that was unheard of when he came into the league. It will be great sport watching how BVG will get the linebackers to raise their level of play. In the NFL it is all about the playoffs and most experts believe this year was the Falcon’s high water mark. Some are predicting 3 to 4 wins next year. At least BVG will have 5 more games next year to see if they can match the 3 win season he was able to accomplish with GSU. Yes, the NFL is the pinnacle of the football profession but last time I looked they were not big on longevity, especially if you are unable to get the players to perform. I can see it now, by mid-year next season the same suspects will lay down and just go through the motions. It appears Coach Hatcher will be named the next head coach, at least this time we are getting a coach that brings with him a winning record and lets hope he has the class that was so apparently absent from BVG.

By AAARRGH!!!!

January 18, 2007 05:36 PM | Link to this

Great, instead of Erk lineage, we go with Hal Mumme lineage. Fan-freakin’-tastic. Another good hire Sam Baker. That guy’s got to go. Yeah, he won a national title. So did Giff Smith and Raymond Gross _ at Georgia Southern. Sorry, but I like my GSU football how I like it and Mumme ball ain’t it.

By angry eagle

January 18, 2007 06:01 PM | Link to this

bvg WAS a great defensive mind which he will always carry with him. his not however a part of the men that he was always preached he wanted his players to be like. he made the entire athletic program buy into his scheme and now he has totally destroyed a program and years of tradition. the only upside to this is to know that we have players that are more prolific then our previous coaches. van gorder is dead to eagle nation now and theres nothing left to do but pick up the shambles and get back to winning. GO EAGLES!!

By Jay

January 18, 2007 06:09 PM | Link to this

Im JAy and Im GAy…… GoUGA

By Kill'em

January 18, 2007 08:21 PM | Link to this

Chris Hatcher is a good choice. GO EAGLES!

By Vic

January 18, 2007 10:51 PM | Link to this

Rusty Russell SHOULD be Head Coach….but Sam Baker is a stubborn moron and would never go that route. The best thing Bruce Grube could ever do for GSU is fire Baker. If only we still had Bucky as AD : (

By dogeagle

January 18, 2007 10:55 PM | Link to this

obviously a bad fit for BVG and the Boro..He went to NFL to pick up coaching expertise and perspective not quite as available even at a uga quality team and staff…many,many do it for the experience and resume(Kirby Smart)…Brian probably should have stayed at Jax…must have thought he could get more NFL potential athletes with a new type “O”…just served to really upset the Eagle nation..will do well coaching backers for Atlanta and should strive to become a pro DC, before going back to a D1 HC job maybe down the road….But, any of you guys don’t think he could DC with the best OC’s in the SEC, were not paying attention and probably don’t understand that level of ball coaching quite well enough….many football saavy folks around the SEC know his strength at DC was his ability to adjust quickly during the game, same as a Spurrier does as OC…not just assessing and making adjustments at halftime…Martinez is getting better at this as he goes, but Richt knew BVG came to UGA one of the best at doing it….so maybe he’s too rough and hard to be a HC in the Boro, but LB for Falcons, later DC in NFL is definitely on th agenda for him…possibly HC at a high speed D1, not sure on that…but not a better quick minded DC anywhere….just a gruff guy…great defensive mind, strong football coach and UGA calibre D1’s like a tough a* coach to prepare them for the success something like 65 of them are having in the NFL now….BVG is a Parcells, Bellichick, Saban type…not a gee whiz nice guy, but one hell of a tough football coach…Like Shaun Payton, ala Parcells when he chewed out Reggie Bush for leaving Drew Brees hanging instead of improvising on a late game pass route that could have sealed the game for the Saints instead of the nailbiting finish after only a field goal at the time….Payton got in the phenom’s face over and over cause he almost cost them a shot at the Super Bowl with a dumb play….Parcells does that, Bellichick does that,Richt does that, Tuberville does that Saban does that, Muschamp does that.. McDuffie did that, Dooley did that…most tough coaches do that…BVG definitely does that, but BVG is as quick a mind on “D” as Spurrier and Richt are on “O”…and sorry he’s jumping around and hurt the Eagles…but they will be back soon under Hatcher and BVG’s skills will keep him as one of the best defensive coaches in the bigger leagues…I notice he’s staying near a lot of southern speed….even though he’s from the north, he doen’t need to be told where the real speed lives…..bad fit for Eagles…but one hell of a good “D” coach

By whit-dawg

January 19, 2007 07:34 AM | Link to this

BVG…your 15 minutes was up once you lumbered out of Athens and now it’s just plain embarrasing to us ‘dawgs, jags, eagles and falcons. What’s next on your train that has no “stops” (only slow-downs for “points of interest”), maybe a 3 games with the Georgia Force or a 3rd quarter with the Georgia Xtreme?? Hello, just like I tell my dog, “Sit Still!”

By Baker's really brave

January 19, 2007 12:06 PM | Link to this

Damn Sam is so accountable, his e-mail isn’t listed in the campus directory.

By Shonda

January 19, 2007 12:06 PM | Link to this

JUST REPORTED ON “ESPN SPORTSCENTER”

AP MIAMI: Ron Mexico has just announced his defense team for the upcoming drug trial slated for later this month in Miami-Dade County. It appears Johnny Cochran is being dug up and airlifted so he can represent Ron in what is being called “Dream Team II”. Assisting Johnny will be Jesse Jackson, Cynthia McKinney, Rev Al Sharpton, F. Lee Bailey, Spike Lee and yes, none other than OJ.

Representatives from the Cochran Law firm have indicated that Johnny will “Pull Out The Race Card” and claim that Ron is a black athlete who is being falsely accused of all accusations. Ron as most corrupt black athletes who emulate “Gangsters” and “Gang Bangers” are not required to follow the same laws as the rest of society. Johnny will show that Ron had a rough upbringing so it cannot be his fault. This poor boy is only 26 years old and how could he be responsible for having failing grades in school, infecting innocent women with herpes, allowing his friends to carry/use drugs in a car registered to him, have multiply children out of wedlock, enjoy hanging out at hip-hop clubs all hours of the night during the NFL season, showing an obscene jester to his loyal fans of all colors, dressing up and representing himself to the public as a “thug,” running around town with posse members who have criminal records, and last but not lease, having to continually post bail to get his brother Marcus out of jail.

See Johnny will show that Ron is a wonderful “role model” to all kids of the world. Ron Mexico is Superman, Not Superfly!!. Hey its ok to do drugs kids, its ok to break the laws & rules of society, its so “Cool” and “Hip” to dress up and act just like Gang Bangers, Graffiti Artist, Rap Stars, and Thugs who carry guns and spill blood/violence in your neighborhoods; and hey, why should a kid need to read when we have video games.

“If the thug image don’t fit, than you must acquit”

In a surprising move it appears Johnny will introduce to the stand the following “Character Witnesses” to show that Ron is a good member of society, a law abiding citizen with high morals, character, and represents his team and the NFL as a total professional on and off the field. He will show that Ron has the up most respect for the game and to all those who preceded him. This list of well known and respected citizens will include, but not limited to: Terrell Owens, Dennis Rodman, Randy Moss, Charles Barkley, Ron Artest, Whiney Houston, Bobby Brown, Ray Lewis Flavor of Love, Carmelo Anthony, Eminem, Queen Latifah, Kanye West, Darryl Strawberry, Snoop Dogg, Ice T, Allen Iverson, Michael Irvin, Ricky Williams, Tim Robbins, members of the Ziggy Marley band, membes of Ron’s posse, P-Funk, Terrance Moore, Barry Bonds, Howard Stern, Cheech and Chong, Ted Kennedy, Vanialla Ice and without saying, Marcus Vick. Videos of Tupac Skakur, Mizelli and Notorious BIG will be shown during intermission.

In another developing story, CNN has reported that the Miami-Dade County DA office is compiling a list of “Character Witnesses” themselves whom they hope will show that no matter what the color of your skin may be or how you were raised; you and you alone are responsible for your actions and how one represents themselves, their family, and their employer in society. The DA will try to show how very very sad it is how a group of individuals (i.e. trash, hoodlums) can allow their race to always take tow steps back with every step forward. So far we have learned this character list consist of: Tiger Woods, Bill Lester, Hank Aaron, Colin Powell, Condoleezza Rice, Terry Holt, Marvin Harrison, UN President Annan, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Oprah, Warren Dunn, Senator Obama, Doug Williams, Bill Cosby, Steve McNair, Steve McNabb, Carl Lewis, Mike Singletary, Deacon Jones, The wife of the great Arthur Ashe, Sylvester Crooms, Lovie Smith, Michael Jordan, Denzall Washington, Lynn Swann, Jerry Rice, Serena Williams, Ali, Tony Dungy, Mark Jackson, Desmond Howard, Isaiah Thomas, Grant Hill, Derrick Jeter, Edwin Moses, Bo Jackson, Barry Sanders, Reggie Miller, Oscar Roberson and Jackie Joyner-Kersee.

www.renewlasercare.com

By Tag Applied For

January 19, 2007 03:58 PM | Link to this

Michael Vick is a waste of human flesh has made me ashamed of both my nation AND my race……

• The FALCON Nation

• The HUMAN Race

By Lane4411

January 19, 2007 04:25 PM | Link to this

Rumor, heard BVG was forced out!!!!

Very quick hire, anyone to confirm this rumor. BVG, probably saw the handwriting on the wall!!!

By GSU_FlyHigh

January 19, 2007 05:46 PM | Link to this

Now for the fall out! I understand the head coach has fired the entire staff. This is the ugly side of the business, one weak individual can destroy many lives without even batting an eyelash. I am sure there are some quality coaches that are now left in limbo and this falls at BVG’s doorstep. With the parting comments BVG made with the WTOC exit interview it sealed the fate of these folks. One of them might survive but this is still up in the air. The new guy in town has already started repairing the damage left in the wake of this fiasco. He has made the rounds at Snooky’s, in the Boro this will help heal some wounds. The Eagle nation can now get on with the business of rebuilding the program. Someone asked about was if BVG was forced out. It appears BVG’s wife left town a couple of weeks ago and demanded her husband do likewise. Someone please post their address, I would like to send her some flowers.