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Well this is as close as I am going to get to a true WFU football post and even though this isn’t about possible future WFU quarterbacks, I heard a story that might interest “Deacon-dom”. I was watching “Lombardi” the HBO special this week while out of Town.  A biographer appeared on camera in the first 30 minutes who had researched Lombardi’s life and relayed an interesting tidbit. I apologize to all who may already know this.

It seems Lombardi was the assistant under the legendary Red Blake at Army and was chafing to get a head job, I believe the biographer said this was about 1949.  He interviewed once down south at a college and was the only person under consideration there at that time. However by the time he got back to Westpoint, he received a call from that school saying in effect, that the time was not right there to hire a head coach whose last name ended in a vowel.  This was an obvious reference to his Italian heritage. Disappointed he stuck it out a couple more years at West Point and was hired on with the New Giants as an offensive coach. His counter-part on the other side was a guy named Tom Landry, whose name you may have heard before.  He stayed there more than two years as NY won two NFL championships.

Finally in about 1958 a second team called him and this time he was given his first head coaching job. This was of course the Green Bay Packers and as it is said, …the rest is history. His accomplishment were enough that the Super Bowl Trophy is named after him. I thought it was pretty significant he never coached outside the state of New York until Green Bay called him and the only other school outside New York to have considered him was that southern college which demurred.

Oh by the way, the southern school that first passed on him mainly because of his heritage (as alluded to by the biographer) was…yep….. Wake Forest.  It makes you think what might have been.

pensive1 on 02/04/2011 (10:55 am)

Just to piggyback off what Dan said about the number of recruits. First if the red-shirt program works WFU by theory should only get around 15 a year. (counting you have a walk on or two that earns a scholarship such as the case with Popham) Second a lot of “bigger programs” over recruit and a year later there are a lot of hurt feelings. Some coaches that will remain nameless on this board recruit 25 players every year no matter what, but an athletic scholarship is only good for one year.  Therefore, the next year if that certain team finds a bigger, stronger, faster six million dollar man they then tell the first athlete there is no longer room for him to have a scholarship but if he would like he can stay on the team and get “beat-up” for nothing.  WFU ( Grobe) does their best not to treat young athletes in such a manner. Yes sometimes it is not a perfect world and a scholarship may be revoked but at least WFU coaching staff can look the kid in the eye and explain the situation with dignity and class.( I really want to sling a name here look between the West border of Georgia and East border of Mississippi for the main culprit of hoarding players for personal gain)

Doug on 02/04/2011 (8:40 am)

For John and Michael, The size of a recruiting class is dictated, in large part, by the size of the senior class that just departed. Wake had an abnormally small senior class in 2010. There were several rising seniors (Jones, Brown, Popham and Britt) who have already decided not to play their senior season at Wake, so I also expected a few more than 14 in this class. But Grobe said he’s still looking for a kicker/punter, and he may have another plan or two for the available scholarships.

Dan on 02/04/2011 (12:00 am)

Hi Dan,

I have a simple question for you.  Why are there so few recruits this year? Every other ACC school, save Miami, had 20 or more.

John Sanders on 02/03/2011 (11:44 pm)

Frankly, I’m not worried about the Price vs. Sousa debate at all.  The goal of a cohesive program is not to start a true (or redshirt) freshman as quarterback.  Everyone seems to agree that Sousa is a bit raw in terms of fundamentals, making a redshirt year even more likely despite his notable talent.  Presuming Price continues to develop, then Sousa will only have two seasons as a backup (and it’s nice to have such a talented option in case Price hits a plateau).  The best case scenario would involve him playing Tim Tebow to Price’s Chris Leak during his redshirt freshman and sophomore seasons.  Then he will have two years of eligibility left to be the man.  Based on what he’s said so far, it sure seems like Kevin Sousa understand the wisdom behind such a scenario.  Of course, all of this is speculation at this point since Sousa hasn’t even practiced yet.  So it’s probably appropriate to hold off on the quarterback controversy for a little while.

DC on 02/03/2011 (11:12 pm)

Dan - going back to the whole Price v. Sousa thing.  I’m so psyched that we got Sousa, but is there a concern that our arguably our top recruit for 2 years running is at the same position?  Not that I’m complaining.  I’m just really curious as to how the coaches see it all playing out.  I’m glad both of them are here!
Also - to echo somebody else’s comments - is 14 a good number of recruits to get?  Or is that a little light?  And if so, is that cause for concern?

Michael Barnwell on 02/03/2011 (8:36 pm)

I certainly don’t know much about the current life of Riley Skinner. My bet would be that he works hard at his job, hangs out with his buddies, has to beat the women off with a stick; in short, the life he deserves. He probably has wonderful memories and keeps close tabs on Wake. However, I bet he has moved on and probably doesn’t live in his Wake Forest past.

Jerry on 02/03/2011 (7:49 pm)

I agree with Doug about Riley & can be done without offending Tom. It might help bring back our glory days.

memphisslim on 02/03/2011 (6:33 pm)

With all due respect to Tom Elrod. If I was the head coach of Wake Forest Football I would take a little change off my salary drive to Charlotte ask this young guy down there “hey I can give you a little part-time change if you could come up on weekends and work with Kevin Sousa and Tanner Price teach them by your experience” , The young man in Charlotte his name is Riley Skinner.

Doug on 02/03/2011 (10:00 am)

Dan, I too am concerned about our NG position.  With the NG being so critical in a 3-4 defense, why was one not recruited or did we miss out on them?  Nikita is a superb kid, but regardless of his heart, etc., he is too small for a major college NG on a every down basis.

Jim on 02/03/2011 (9:45 am)

Dan, I heard you in the background at the Jim Grobe recruitment press conference asking the questions. (via tape delay) Again from all of us on this board Thank you , Thank you , Thank you for covering the Deacs for us.  Man I can’t say it enough.

Doug on 02/03/2011 (7:24 am)

For Michael and Memphis Slim,
What I picked up about Y-loo was he wanted to be a bigger part of the offense. He led the team in catches the last two years, but his stat fell from 61 receptions in 09 to 39 last fall. Of course he played with maybe the best QB in WF history in 09 and with a freshman in 10. Also he plays in what might be the most stacked position in the program, with Givens and Campanaro. I hate to see him leave, cause he was always good to me. But I’ve heard he wasn’t happy, and I’d rather him be.

Dan on 02/03/2011 (2:55 am)

also, i agree with the above writer’s inquiry about Devon Brown. We really need him back.

memphisslim on 02/03/2011 (2:42 am)

we only signed 14 to LOI.FSU #1,Clemson#8,& Notre Dame #9.Chapel Hill #15, per ESPN.How did CH get that many top recruits after their scandals & NCAA investigation? Who would sign with them? Is the investigation closed? UVA #15 top recruiting class per ESPN. Sousa is by far our top recruit. Per ESPN, we were in the running for another top recruit, but he is not listed as a Wake signee.Has Wake’s recruiting class been rated? It can’t be very high with only 14 guys.One guy we signed was not recruited by anyone but us, per the Wake website.We only got 3 from NC. I don’t like seeing all the top recruits from NC going to Chapel Hill, or VaTech, or MD, etc. But we have to believe Grobe will find a way, despite the last two years’ stumbles. But Sousa’s remarks are refreshing particulary after all the slamming we’ve heard about our basketball coach & team. Dan, please fill us in after Jim’s gameday signing luncheon.

memphisslim on 02/03/2011 (2:40 am)

Dan,

We certainly like people who say the right things, and Kevin Sousa seems to be doing that so far.  I sure hope that he pans out.  I am certainly glad that he will be in Winston soon and wish him all the best. 

Just to follow up on a prior question, isn’t there still a hole at nose tackle for our 3-4 defense?  Even if you concede that Nikita Whitlock is an every-down option (which I don’t!), it still makes sense to get some depth at the position, right?  Is there a reason to expect Souza and/or Booi to step up this Fall?  Was there any effort to recruit players there? 

And who is going to kick???

Thanks as always.

DC on 02/02/2011 (11:41 pm)

Dan, nice post. Absolutely thrilled to have Kevin signed up. He appears to be a class act. The Deacon family warmly welcomes him and the rest of the signees. Go Deacs!

Jim R on 02/02/2011 (10:58 pm)

Dan - what’s the real story, so far as you feel comfortable in telling, about Devon Brown.  I thought he was regarded as one of our Kenny Moore-like weapons?
Also - any thoughts of Sousa v. Price?  Is Sousa expecting that Price is locked in for the next year, or what?  I’m excited about both!

Michael on 02/02/2011 (10:14 pm)

While I am proud of Sousa and his words to all Deacons, they are just that….words. He needs to come in, do what he’s saying and prove to everyone that he is indeed intent on turning our recent football fortunes around. I’m all for you, Kevin, I just want you to do what you say you will….and thanks for joining the Black and Gold! I look forward to seeing you on the field!

Ken Green on 02/02/2011 (9:58 pm)