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Virginia Tech managed to end the disappointing 2014 season on a high note by dismantling the Cincinnati Bearcats in the Military Bowl.
Hokie fans now turn their attention to the real drama, which focuses on the Hokies’ inept offense and the need for a major overhaul. Everyone around or associated with the Hokie football team knows that changes need to happen to prevent this season’s disaster from happening again. The question is, what will these changes be?
Head coach Frank Beamer is all but certain to return, and defensive coordinator Bud Foster just signed a five-year extension. That only leaves the offense, which has struggled under second year offensive coordinator Scott Loeffler as much as they did with previous coordinator Bryan Stinespring.
What makes the situation more difficult is the massive amount of injuries Tech has had to deal with this season. They lost their top four running backs and a handful of offensive lineman, neither of which helped Loeffler’s job security. The injuries hindered the offense’s ability to effectively run the ball. The general consensus has been that Loeffler, who came to Tech after one season as an offensive coordinator at Auburn, in which the Tigers were winless in SEC play, is not the right person for the job.
Tech looks to be loaded on paper next year with their whole defense, all offensive skill players and quarterbacks returning. If the Hokies can get their offensive line issues patched up, they would seem to be a 2015 preseason top-10. With all of this talent returning, would it make sense to change offensive coordinators and risk disrupting any cohesiveness that has developed this year? Beamer and Loeffler have allegedly not been on the same page with this pro style offense, which makes it seem logical that a change will take place. When Stinespring was demoted two years ago, the Hokies struck out on all their major targets prior to hiring Loeffler.
Now, with a new athletic director who is determined to do whatever it takes to win, are they willing to open the checkbook again and let Beamer recruit a top level candidate? More importantly, will Beamer be willing to set aside his pride and let a coach have the authority that would be required to lure a top notch offensive mind to Blacksburg?
