Barrel of Rum: Some thoughts....

about our coaching situation. Losing a coach for these reasons is never pleasant. We may be better off for it but it's certainly not something to celebrate: people's families are hugely effected by this decision. Frank brought up a great point in a conversation earlier today: this must be more of a philosophical decision than anything else. No, the defense didn't play well this year. But after losing three linemen to the NFL, you have to give the guy a chance. Wommack is out because his philosophy didn't mesh with CPJ. All season we heard CPJ saying we needed to "simplify" things on defense & halfway through the year we scrapped Wommack's 3-3-5 in favor of what we now think was a CPJ mandated 4-3. So between differing philosophies and a tough season for our defense on the field there was certain to be change. We're glad we can move on.

We now need two coaches, one on the offensive side of the ball (a-backs) & a defensive coordinator. Remember that a new defensive coordinator may bring in his own staff & that other coaches may also be gone. One coach who will remain in his current role on the staff is defensive line coach/ recruiting coordinator Giff Smith. Smith will not interview for the DC job but is untouchable & will remain at Tech according to sources on North Ave. (you know the drill: divining rods, ouija boards, shamans, Jobu, we use 'em all). Smith remaining on staff is paramount to our success. He's a great recruiter & hugely important to the future of the program. It will be interesting to see if Charles Kelly takes over Special Teams with Monken's departure. We hope Brian Jean Mary sticks around. So who takes over for Wommack? We'll give you three early names:

Al Groh. The former UVA head man has been contacted about the job, according to some reports. A relationship does exist between CPJ & Groh as both are friends of Bill Belichek. It must be noted Groh took in an Orange Bowl practice earlier this December. But Groh is 65 & owed $4 million dollars by UVA. Why would he want to coach again? Especially as a coordinator & not a head coach? We're interested to see how this plays out as Groh is a 3-4 guy. We concur with Mr. Swindle that Grohmentum would be a good move for Tech....

That stony glare, that menacing visage.....

Tim DeRuyter. Associate head coach & defensive coordinator, Air Force. Worked for two seasons with CPJ at Navy. Led a very good Air Force defense this year (AFA finished 10th in scoring defense at 15.7 per game & 11th overall in scoring defense). Deruyter's MO is that he's aggressive & like's to bring pressure & dictate. Sounds like an ideal fit for our program. Several other "name" programs are evidently pursuing his services.

DeRuyter may fly under the radar down South but he's a great DC.....

Reggie Herring. Current Dallas Cowboys linebackers coach & former Arkansas defensive coordinator. Played at FSU & has coached in the ACC at Clemson & NCSU. Sources around Herring have said he desires to return to the college game & his wife's home state of Georgia. His son also plays at Auburn so the desire to be in this area of the country might lure him. A proven commodity with a solid track record.

A red herring....maybe so or maybe he really is interested....?

A couple dark horse candidates: Middle Tennessee defensive coordinator Manny Diaz (long shot) and South Carolina DC Ellis Johnson, CPJ's original 1st choice at Tech who turned us down (wishful thinking)....