Collegiate Times Picks Up the Hokie Guru and FBS

Thanks to Mainaman for making the Hokie Guru aware of the Collegiate Times article on Bryan Stinespring.

Interesting fact in the article: Beamer even successfully lobbied for a five-year contract for Stinespring several years ago.

Interesting stats in the article:

Since Stinespring's first season as offensive coordinator in 2002, Tech's total offensive numbers have slowly declined. The Hokies have only had a top-40 offense once in the last seven years and ranked 99th and 100th nationally in total offensive yards in 2006 and 2007, respectively. Because the Hokies' offense featured several NFL-caliber players such as wide receivers David Clowney and Eddie Royal and running back Branden Ore in the past two seasons, much of the blame was placed on Stinespring for poor statistics.

"A lot of people pay attention to stats and where you are in comparison to other teams," Stinespring said. "All I really get caught up in, though, is how we're doing record-wise. If you're doing a nice job on offensive, defense and special teams, then the only stat that really matters is the final outcome of the game."

This season, however, the offensive numbers have been even lower than the average under Stinespring. Currently, Tech is ranked 113th out of 119 Division I-A teams in the country with 280 yards per game of total offense. The Hokies have also averaged 120 passing yards, good for 112th in the country.

"I think the reason for the poor statistics from the offense is that we're not getting yardage in chunks," Stinespring said. "We've had a tough time coming by the big plays -- whether it's running the ball, throwing the ball or yards after catch. We've only had a few plays this season that have gone for 20 or more yards. I think some of it is due to inexperience and injuries, and some of it is due to our inability to explode. When you're not capitalizing on those big time plays, I think those absence of yards adds up."

Sigh.

Ed Lupien, Collegiate Times sports reporter, also asked for the Guru's input for the story.

One of the most influential sources of criticism toward Stinespring has been a Web site bluntly titled "Fire Bryan Stinespring" (FireByranStinespring.blogspot.com). The site has been dedicated to critiquing the weekly performance of Stinespring,
while suggesting more suitable coaches for the job of offensive coordinator.

The "Hokie Guru," a Tech alum and football season ticket holder, is the site's creator."If we want to get beyond a 50-50 shot of getting into the ACC title game (much less win the title), Bowl Championship Series (BCS) [Bowl] games, and
potentially the national championship game, we have no choice but to replace our
offensive coordinator, Bryan Stinespring," said the Hokie Guru, who wished to
keep his identity concealed.

The site was created in January on the night the Hokies lost to the Kansas Jayhawks in the 2007 FedEx Orange Bowl. It has since gained exposure from several sources of media, especially from those who wish to cite an example of the pulsating support for Stinespring's resignation or termination of his contract. "I honestly don't even keep track of how many hits the site gets," the Hokie Guru
said. "I do know that my site is the first one that comes up when one searches
on 'Fire Bryan Stinespring.' It was also mentioned in the Lincoln Star Journal."

The site has strongly grown in popularity since the 2008 season started, with the Hokie Guru posting more because of what he considers to be unacceptable offensive performances.

"In our game against Western Kentucky University this year, we managed only 243 yards total offense," the Hokie Guru said. "Western Kentucky University is a team in its first year in the Football Bowl Subdivision (formerly Division I-AA). Also, in our losses to Boston College and Florida State, Tech's offense managed only 240 and 243 yards, respectively. Tech has also not had a wide receiver catch a touchdown pass this year."

Stinespring's most dedicated critic did, however, commend the offensive coordinator on his recruiting skills. Prior to becoming the team's offensive coordinator, Stinespring was the Hokies' recruiting coordinator for eight years.

"If the Hokies replace Bryan Stinespring, the offensive coordinator, they also have to replace his ability to recruit," the Hokie Guru said.

But the Hokie Guru believes the burden that Stinespring bears as the team's offensive coordinator outweighs the success he's had as a recruiter.

"Tech has the single most predictable offense in the country," the Hokie Guru said. "Stinespring clearly does not change schemes from week to week. The misdirection in the Florida State game was one of the rare changes I have seen this year. Tech's offense is the easiest offense to prepare for in the country. It seems that it is based on a mobile QB running for his life.

"When something is working, however, like the running game did against Kansas in the second quarter of the 2008 Orange Bowl, Stinespring abandons it."

Billy Hite, however, made this unfortunate comment.

"In our last six games last year, when we started to protect up front better, we threw the ball pretty well," Hite said. "We have a young group of receivers right now. Everything is not going to be perfect. But a year from now, we're going to be a heck of a lot better. Some of those people complaining right now will stop soon because it's not going to be this way next year."

What planet is he on? In 2007, Virginia Tech's passing offense was ranked #85. I guess that's much better than #111 (sarcasm). However, National Football League wide receivers Eddie Royal (potential rookie of the year), Josh Morgan, Josh Hyman, and Justin Hamilton were on this team. What does this tell you? The National Football League knows that there is offensive talent on Virginia Tech football teams; it's just being underutilized (like this year).

Sigh.