As it seems just about every day lately Virginia Tech is picking up another player at a position of need in the portal, my conspiracy theory imagination has come alive.
My spidey sense is that something is going on. And it’s something very good and very needed.
You see, back in the Beamer days of glory the program reached a point that was more than just a bunch of coaches going out and recruiting players. Frank was a rock star and if he or one of his associates called you on his behalf, you dropped what you were doing and answered the phone. Usually with an answer that included “sure Frank, whatever you need.”
This was an army of businessmen, former players, alumni, etc. that just wanted to help. Money, putting a word in with a high school coach, anything…people would do. We were all just so elated with the heights the program had soared, we literally became the “it takes a village crowd” to make sure the program kept going.
Justin Fuente killed that for some odd reason, choosing to go to war with the program’s past instead of romancing its aid. Brent Pry started the process of repairing those relationships, but after three seasons he hasn’t done that well on the field, and there is one truth none of us can deny: Virginia Tech cannot afford to miss on two consecutive football coaches.
So I get the feeling the village is back in business lending a hand, whether it’s Bud Foster in the press box, Bruce Arians behind the scenes, or when an assistant line coach who can bring in an entire new offensive line better than what we have is available, a few alumni say “tell me what you need and go get him.”
This program was at its best when a lot of people far beyond the sidelines were involved 20 years ago to help. Call me crazy, but I just have this feeling that’s going on again. A lot of people know what’s at stake and they’re quietly giving money, making phone calls and tugging on relationships to get the ship back afloat talent wise.
Which if true, would be some kind of wonderful…
I really hope you are correct.
I do too 🙂