New Special Teams Coach: Ricky Brumfield

[NJCuse97]

I don’t believe the program is as well positioned financially as many think they are and I think the lack of portal activity is a huge mistake.

No problem with you having the opinion you have, and I can easily understand where it comes from. It’s a fair analysis give what we “know”. I think many others have the opinion we should give the coaches the benefit of the doubt given their recruiting prowess, and last season’s results. I think I am more in the latter camp, but I too agonize over every transfer that doesn’t make it to the visit, or chooses somewhere else. I am absolutely concerned about the narrative that we aren’t competing in the NIL game, but I also believe there is some legitimate strategy (about how we spend what we have). I just wish we didn’t NEED to utilize strategy like this. That said, if we don’t have the money, as you say, then there is no mistake to make.

 

[orangepassion]

Well clearly you have an issue with the way the team is being built, and Fran is the one building the team, so therefore you do have an issue with Fran.

I don't think it has to be all or nothing. Unless you're part of a DART cult, you can appreciate and admire what Fran did last year and also be objective about what you think is or isn't a good move (It is a message board). Remember everyone thought Dino could do no wrong after his 10-win season with an excellent QB?

 

[SuFTW]

I don't think it has to be all or nothing. Unless you're part of a DART cult, you can appreciate and admire what Fran did last year and also be objective about what you think is or isn't a good move (It is a message board). Remember everyone thought Dino could do no wrong after his 10-win season with an excellent QB?

No it doesn’t have to be all or nothing, but the claim was no issue whatsoever, which really doesn’t seem quite accurate.

 

[NJCuse97]

Exact same take. It’s amazing how people get all worked up with this. Everyone loves Fran but not acknowledging that the approach from 2024 recruiting to 2025 changed is a bit weird. He totally crushed it in 2024 in a very short time . Nobody is saying to pound the portal but not recognizing that we may need at OT and a couple LB’s is putting a lot of trust in a HC and program that we have had over the last 20 years. I love the culture Fran is implementing but we also had one of the best QB’s in the country and still had to fight and scrap for a 9-3 regular season record with a very manageable schedule. Whoever the QB is next season you can pretty much guarantee it’s going to be a step back. It also seems like people are punting on next season because of the brutal schedule and numerous roster question marks. Fran doesn’t seem like a guy who would punt on anything. The portal OT that Maryland bought and multiple LB’s that were bought shows that we are not even close to compete in the current NIL landscape. Fran obviously identified those are positions of need or he wouldn’t have went after them. All i’ve ever wondered is if we went away from a recipe that worked last season on purpose, or because of NIL competition. Also, not being able to admit this class, HS/Portal combined, has taken a step back. I’ve also never heard a HC who said he wasn’t excited with the guys he currently has signed and on the roster. Again, I love Fran, but if we didn’t have Kyle we probably win 6 games this year with one of the more manageable schedules we’re going to see. There were huge questions on defense and special teams that I really didn’t see fixed. Expecting next year is going to be a developmental year in todays CFB landscape is wishful thinking. We finally have some momentum. Being able to follow up on that to show it wasn’t a fluke or just because of Kyle would go a long way.

Again, all good with the big picture of your take, and your want for a balanced view of last year to this, but I think there is a lot of contradiction in your post. You say we are a 6 win team against an easier schedule without a unicorn like Kyle, but we somehow need to show it wasn’t a fluke by hitting the portal harder to find another unicorn? I’m sure you’re thinking “I didn’t say we need a unicorn” but at its core, that is what you’re saying. If Kyle was the difference in 4 more wins, what is an LB or an OT going to do? Maybe it was a fluke to do that well, but maybe it gave Fran more time to establish a culture and depth that will get us 2 wins above that same Mendoza line.

 

[Idiocuse22&]

Im with all of you on the dip in portal recruiting compared to what was done when Fran first got here. NIL is $, $ is something you just cant worry over...Action is what is needed and if this program cant produce that action, ~shrug~ We are what we are, maybe thats why we hired the best recruiters bc NIL is our weakness.
But,
Im thinking that the team Fran inherited and the team we have now are 2 very different things. When he first arrived he had a ton of work to do to get us àn actual P4 roster.
We kept the quality core, worked portal hard and worked on HS recruits. We have a huge class coming in, continue to flip over whats needed and get what we can from the portal.
HCFB specifically said he would be workîng the portal carefully, Year 1 obviously would be somewhat differént than hopefully all years moving forward based on the roster he inherited. Now retention becomes most important if we are seriously lacking in the NIL funds. Its a tug o war thats never been tugged. I trust Fran to be successful figurîng all that stuff out.
Im chilling now, if being worried becomes a thing...it wont be until this coming December 2025.

All hands on deck raising NIL funds.
JW i believe will do the best job possible. Also, Im a very loyal, committed fan that has given to NIL funds. However, the only support I can give from now on is buyîng tix etc and cheering them on. Any actual NIL funds donated from me would have to be from somethîng creative. I would never expect more from the typical loyal fan that doesnt use cash for kindling. Im not just throwing cash at the players like I did for the season ticket lottery takeover event. FuForget that.

 

[OrangeTarheel]

Fran made a comment in one of his late season press conferences about he needed his coaches to stay patient, that they didn’t need to hit the portal right away this year. Must be a strategic consideration in part. Also we still have players entering the portal from playoff teams still … and JUCO as well right?

 

[djorange1989]

Fran made a comment in one of his late season press conferences about he needed his coaches to stay patient, that they didn’t need to hit the portal right away this year. Must be a strategic consideration in part. Also we still have players entering the portal from playoff teams still … and JUCO as well right?

Just OSU and ND guys can still portal from the CFP teams ant this point. Juco guys usually become more clear in the spring when their grades/eligibility become more known. Also, if a head coach leaves then all players on that team are eligible to portal. Then there is the spring portal too. Hopefully we get the guys we need to fill some holes through all these possibilities

 

[kcsu]

I want everyone who has posted in this thread to take a deep breath

 

[Idiocuse22&]

no issue with Fran whatsoever, who would? but what I don’t like is reading posts here regarding recruiting and the NIL coffers that I do not believe are true. I don’t believe the program is as well positioned financially as many think they are and I think the lack of portal activity is a huge mistake. we have 3 of the best recruiters on staff in the country but we can’t grab a few difference makers in the portal? Please. Why do you think that is? Because some 2.5 star LB from Batavia is ready to play immediately? It’s delusional nonsense and seen it too many times. The all these guys have measurables, bigger, faster stronger, blah blah unti they aren’t. That’s what I am tired of. Love the freshman classes but not backfilling with a few key pieces is crazy, that's my whole issue here

The GT special teams stats before he was removed from the program were not good at all. It's in the article above.

I could be wrong but excuses given after GaTech game concerning our bad STs play was that GAtech had great special teams play.
Obviously it was only the 2nd game? My memory is not good. Very early at least so their great STs play mustve been based on last year when i think i remember among best in nation.
After further research, STs were really good last year at GAtech which resulted in RB getting a big raise and promotion to AHC.
I dont wanna go here but GAtech is a well documented historically racist institution. Even now its Only 34% white yet still only 5% black and 90% of those play sports.
Coach Key is a dumbass and his coaching staff looks like a kkk rally. Obviously a couple exceptions need to be had nowadays for recruiting and perception.
IMO he is an old school cracker and that is why Im thinking he was so disrespectful to Fran and possibly why our new STs coach left. He IS a black man married to a white woman which I support & give no thought to unless provoked.
I mean what the flippin heck was Keys response to a question in regards to crossing paths with HCFB? "~¤~other side of ball, lived in a lean-to trailer type thing met a panther~bla bla jibberish~¤~" No respect! JMO and Im right unfortunately. Research it up.
Rivalry has definitely been solidified as long as these 2 coaches stay in place.

 

[richmondcuse03]

I want everyone who has posted in this thread to take a deep breath

Some odd takes. People don’t need to trust folks on the board. Just listen to what Fran says. He was very clear about what he was doing from day one. He had to clear and turn over the roster last year. He needed guys to buy in. Last spring was a struggle as guys adapted to a very different style of coaching. And the portal guys we did get by and large took less because of the coaching staff. And it seems like none of them regretted it based on all their comments.

Of course we’d love to get the kid who went to Maryland but shockingly, we weren’t paying the 900k that it took. But Fran still tries because he can get guys for less. Not every time though. Everyone knows we can’t compete with sec and big ten schools if it’s about money. Nobody is saying we have an amazing NIL position but it’s far better than what it was.

But this is also why we went heavy on HS. and we got guys in the HS class who could have gone elsewhere for guaranteed money who didn’t. Because they buy into Fran’s approach and they know if they perform he will reward them. Samuels is exhibit A.

I despise Dan Hurley but he has a system and gets guys for it. Fran is building something that goes beyond just 2025 season. He needed to take advantage of the first year for recruiting purposes. He thinks he did and more importantly thinks it sets us up very well for this next recruiting class. There’s always a lag with wins and recruiting results. I know the star hunters on here think otherwise but we will see when guys hit the field. That’s all that matters.

Even the most ardent FB supporters (and I am certainly one) expect a step back next year in terms of wins and losses. But I still expect a fun competitive team that thinks it can win every game. Everyone expects 2026 to be much different though. And the recruits are being sold on that potential.

and I still expect a LB in the spring portal period. And a few other pieces. The coaching staff isn’t done trying to improve the team.

 

[Idiocuse22&]

Exact same take. It’s amazing how people get all worked up with this. Everyone loves Fran but not acknowledging that the approach from 2024 recruiting to 2025 changed is a bit weird. He totally crushed it in 2024 in a very short time . Nobody is saying to pound the portal but not recognizing that we may need at OT and a couple LB’s is putting a lot of trust in a HC and program that we have had over the last 20 years. I love the culture Fran is implementing but we also had one of the best QB’s in the country and still had to fight and scrap for a 9-3 regular season record with a very manageable schedule. Whoever the QB is next season you can pretty much guarantee it’s going to be a step back. It also seems like people are punting on next season because of the brutal schedule and numerous roster question marks. Fran doesn’t seem like a guy who would punt on anything. The portal OT that Maryland bought and multiple LB’s that were bought shows that we are not even close to compete in the current NIL landscape. Fran obviously identified those are positions of need or he wouldn’t have went after them. All i’ve ever wondered is if we went away from a recipe that worked last season on purpose, or because of NIL competition. Also, not being able to admit this class, HS/Portal combined, has taken a step back. I’ve also never heard a HC who said he wasn’t excited with the guys he currently has signed and on the roster. Again, I love Fran, but if we didn’t have Kyle we probably win 6 games this year with one of the more manageable schedules we’re going to see. There were huge questions on defense and special teams that I really didn’t see fixed. Expecting next year is going to be a developmental year in todays CFB landscape is wishful thinking. We finally have some momentum. Being able to follow up on that to show it wasn’t a fluke or just because of Kyle would go a long way.

I agree with pretty much everything you said except...
One of the more manageable schedules we will ever see...
Before the season started it looked like a possibly easyish schedule but it by no means turned out that way at all!
This coming year looks tough now but lets wait and see...
Its an old and lazy take I am sick of hearing.
Go to past years schedules and compare...no difference. Possibly even tougher in 2024.

 

[sutomcat]

I like the Brumfield hire a lot. Coach Vollono tried his best but was in over his head. There is a reason he was at Troy State and is likely headed to another school like that for his next job.

Brumfield is considered one of the top special teams coaches in the country.. GT was leading the country in blocked kicks when he was replaced. His other units was pretty bad but a lot of that is on the PK and punter he inherited. He has had special teams units in the past who have led the country in KO return yards and led the ACC in punt return defense. He has had a bunch of kickers and punters nominated for the Groza Award, etc.

He did well his first year at GT, greatly improved their awful special teams units and got a big raise and promotion. He was really well paid there ($425K/year I paid post promotion). And not only is he known for being a top special teams guy, he is also known for being a top recruiter.

This is a huge upgrade for the staff. Guessing he probably got double what Coach Vollono got. Props to John Wildhack for continuing to provide more money to improve the program.

I think we will see a marked difference in the play on the field. When was the last time we blocked a kick?

Georgia Tech 2024 Position Preview Series, Special Teams: Yellow Jackets Return One of The ACC's Top Units

For a number of years, Georgia Tech was a disaster on special teams. Whether it was missed field goals, blocked punts, or any number of mistakes that affected t

www.si.com

 

[orangenauburn]

Fran made a comment in one of his late season press conferences about he needed his coaches to stay patient, that they didn’t need to hit the portal right away this year. Must be a strategic consideration in part. Also we still have players entering the portal from playoff teams still … and JUCO as well right?

This is my take.

The first wave passed. Teams rushed and some programs likely rushed in and blew their wads on guys that they may have overspent on just to secure a commitment.

There will be good players available after spring in the second portal. This buys the program time to continue building any NIL it can, review game tape from potential portal kids, and then address team needs after our own spring sessions.

We can assume the areas of weakness are with the team, but I'm sure the coaches do believe some kids who got little to no run last year can compete this year. Waiting gives them time to see the maturation of those players and if they are ready. If not, then you address those positions.

It happens every spring. Starter or perceived starter gets beat out or passed over by transfer or new shiny recruit and they enter spring portal. There will be plenty of talent available in the spring to address needs

 

[Whitey23]

What salary offset?

He was let go with 2 years left on his 425k a year contract.
Typically with coach's contracts this means GT will owe him the difference between what his next contract and 425k.
(i.e. Cuse pays him 100k GT owes 325k, etc.)

 

[hoopsupstate]

I don’t think you’re going to see players giving discounts anymore. It’s all about the money and little else. I’m sure there’s connections to coaches and schools, but that’s not going happen much. Just look at Lafew in basketball. He committed to his former coach at SU and bolted in a heartbeat when someone offered him $200 thousand more money. Money talks. It looks like prices are going up. It appeared donors would have come up with whatever it took to keep Kyle, but that money isn’t going into the till for other players. I’m sure Fran has a plan, but the bottom line is talent wins. We have a lot of potential players being drafted this year. I’m trying to think who on next year’s team will get drafted. Talent and a lot of leadership are gone. Will there be replacements? Sure, but there’s a lot of major questions to be answered. Spring football will tell us how ready some of these younger players are and who steps up as leaders. Players still win games. Frans not throwing or catching the ball and he’s also not tackling. A lot of players will have to step up to keep the momentum moving. Hopeful, but nervous for major slippage from this past season.