Mailbag 2/7

Let’s talk about Tech’s new DC!

Skiles85: There is a scheduled baby crawl race during halftime of Tech’s basketball game vs. Cal next week. Some of us remember the Bobby Cremins lookalike contests and attempts at half court shots. What is your favorite basketball halftime promotion memory?

Rob: I don’t have too many basketball halftime promotion memories which probably means most of them were pretty awful, but I do specifically remember this one, which was pretty awesome.

gtbadcarma: Last season was the first time in a long time, i felt the defense went out and won games. With Santucci going to the ravens, any lines on who may be his replacement? Any worries that next season, even with a relatively easy schedule, will be a down year?

Ben: I’ll get to replacements in a second since someone else asked about that. But I think that right now, it’s tough to say what the defense is going to do. There will be new faces at key positions plus at defensive coordinator. There’s no telling what will happen next year.

TkTheGoat: What will, or what has vegas set our win totals at for next year?

Ben: I don’t know that Vegas has set anything yet, but my guess would be 5.5-6.5.

TkTheGoat: Biggest D coordinator candidates? Do we promote someone or go after someone in the carousel? Will we see any defensive decommits from this?

Ben: Weird that you mention that. I have a VERY reliable source telling me that Georgia Tech is hiring Blake Gideon as their new defensive coordinator. He was the safeties coach at Texas last year. For real, though, I think this has the chance to be a really good hire. Texas’s defense was very good, and Gideon was a big part of that. I’m curious to see what comes of the rest of the defensive staff. Any departures, I think you’ll see after the Spring.

TkTheGoat: Is out basketball team officially back or are we just gonna go lose 4 in a row and be back to square 1

Rob: It feels like they’ve turned a corner, but history says we should be cautious. Every time this program gives us hope, they seem to find a way to let us down. That said, the end-of-season schedule is very favorable, so if they’re truly “back,” there’s no excuse not to finish strong. The big concern is the heavy minutes guys are logging—could they wear down just when we need them most? Your guess is as good as mine, but let’s just say I’m cautiously optimistic for a strong finish.

GTSMURF: Are there any new student athletes who signed for each of our teams today?

Ben: Yes! Kicker Landon Shaffer signed his LOI this week.