Hokies have to make changes; and the time is now

Let me start by saying this. There was not another coaching staff in America that could have done the job Virginia Tech’s did this season. And the following is not a snap reaction to the Hokies’ debacle in Monday’s Orange Bowl.

Virginia Tech destroyed everything in its path in the 11 games leading up to the Orange Bowl, despite a disastrous 0-2 start. The Hokies dominated the ACC en route to a perfect 9-0 record against the league. It got so bad that quarterback Tyrod Taylor even started drawing seemingly valid comparisons to Michael Vick.

But once again, the Hokies met up with an elite foe and fell miles short.

Stanford outclassed Tech 40-12 Monday night in every way fathomable. Sure, Andrew Luck torched a young Tech defense for 287 yards and four touchdowns. That’s not a danger sign; he’s a once-in-a-generation prospect.

Tech got out-coached, and believe it or not, that’s acceptable. It happens. But the environment in the Tech program now is one that shows a maxed-out potential from the current coaching staff.

Yet again, Tech stepped out of the conference Monday night and met up with the powers of the sport, and the Hokies got flat-out exposed.

Alabama, Boise State, Stanford, LSU, Nebraska for 58 minutes, and Georgia all dominated the Hokies where it matters most: in the trenches at the point of attack.

Since 2006, Tech has averaged 165.7 rushing yards per game. Against the six teams listed above, the Hokies ran for 76.2 yards.

In those games, Tech was persistently manhandled on the line of scrimmage. The Hokies’ offensive and defensive lines lack the size to compete against the nation’s elite. Not only was Monday an indictment on the Hokies on a national scale, but it sends a strong message on how far behind the ACC is compared to the rest of the BCS leagues.

The ramifications of this game could go a long way in changing the landscape of Virginia Tech football. It’s apparent the Hokies have absolutely hit a ceiling as a program. There’s no arguing it anymore. They’ve been the class of an ACC that’s had no real challenger in seven years (nobody else in the league has finished in the top 12 of the AP Poll since the Hokies joined).

Florida State, fresh off a 26-17 win over SEC runner-up South Carolina in its bowl game, is on the rise under Jimbo Fisher. The Seminoles are dominating the recruiting landscape, and Fisher has a staff in place that is one of the best in the country. The Seminoles are on the verge of re-asserting themselves as the class of the ACC. It’s Virginia Tech’s job as the resident dynasty now to keep up.

Just up the road in Charlottesville, Mike London is starting to seep into the in-state recruiting stronghold that Frank Beamer built over the last decade. To say the Cavaliers will threaten the Hokies on the field in the next year or two is senseless, but London is inevitably building a deeper talent pool than anything that program has seen in some time.

The trademark of Virginia Tech football has been continuity. Of the nine current assistant coaches, five have been with the program at least 15 years. That’s unheard of in this day and age. Beamer is loyal to a fault; he’d rather go through back-to-back-to-back-to-back root canals than usher any assistant out the door.

At this point, Beamer can basically make one of two choices that will speak volumes about how far he thinks this program can go. He can keep the current make-up intact, saying he’s satisfied with being solid but not spectacular. Or he can make some subtle changes and prove his commitment to make a run at a national championship. It’s a fine line.

There have never been more worthy choices available to join Beamer’s staff than now.

Beamer’s son, Shane is an assistant under Steve Spurrier at South Carolina. Shane has more experience as a defensive back coach, but he worked with running backs at Mississippi State in 2006 and is regarded as one of the most promising recruiters and football minds in the country. He’s said before he’d like to coach with his dad if the timing was right.

Ralph Friedgen is a close friend of Frank Beamer’s dating back to their days as colleagues at The Citadel. When asked if he would like to add Friedgen to his staff, Beamer said, “Well, yeah, I mean, if the situation was right to do it… think that’s — any time you’re with your staff, it’s got to be the right situation at the right time. And my wife keeps talking about…Shane. But it’s got to be at the right situation at the right time. That’s the way that should work.”

Former Tech offensive coordinator Rickey Bustle, who guided the Hokies’ offense during their 1999 run to the national championship game, was fired last month as Louisiana-Lafayette’s head coach. It doesn’t seem likely he’d come back to Blacksburg, but you never know.

Here’s the situation. Bryan Stinespring had a good year as offensive coordinator. He also had the undeniably most talented stockpile of talent to ever wear that maroon (or sadly, orange) helmet. There were times this season when he looked brilliant, but he has a pattern of questionable play calling when games hang in the balance late.

Stinespring was spectacular as an offensive line coach before becoming tight ends coach and coordinator. Given the Hokies’ struggles on the offensive front since Stinespring gave way to Curt Newsome, that unit is a logical focal point to spark the staff’s re-shuffling.

Imagine, for a moment, Stinespring working with the offensive line where he’s had the most success, and Friedgen, one of the best offensive minds in the game, in the fold. That’s as radical of a move as you’ll get from Beamer, but it no doubt could make a difference in games like the one Monday night.

Running backs coach Billy Hite just finished his 32^nd season at Virginia Tech. His health has become a question mark this season, and it’s been rumored by more than one source that he’s considered retirement.

Another coach he may consider walking away could be Jim Cavanaugh, who works with the outside linebackers and strong safeties (whips and rovers). He is getting up in age as well, and is the Hokies’ go-to recruiter. It’s feasible to envision Beamer reaching an agreement with “coach Cav” to gracefully part ways. Enter Beamer the Son.

Other names of coaches with Tech ties who would love a homecoming include Cornell Brown, currently the defensive line coach for the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League. He was a graduate assistant coach at Tech in 2007. Also, Kevin Lewis, a 2005 graduate and former Tech defensive tackle, is an rising star as the defensive line coach at the University of Richmond. He’s got tremendous recruiting ties to Richmond, particularly Varina High School – a perennial power in Virginia.

There are names out there that would energize a program and a fan base that needs some hope right now. There’s a distinct sense around the program right now that the Hokies have hit a wall.

Beamer already has cemented his legacy as the greatest coach in the history of the program. If he wants to become one of the all-time greats in the sport itself, he’s got to make a change, and there’s never been a better time to do so than now.