When Claiborne left VT, the program was weak and not a good look. President Hahn wanted a new look, lots of offense, and wanted VT not to look like a bunch of hicks.
They got this crazy offensive guru Charlie Coffey. At the time, there was no restrictions on recruiting, freshman could not play. etc. He changed the VT logo to orange with checkerboard end zone like Tennessee. Instead of cheerleaders that look like rags from the fifties, we went to hot pants and provocative shirts. When VT went to the NIT in 73, all CBS did was talk about our cheer leaders. VT never got that much attention. Coffey found Don Strock sitting on the bench, and claiborne wasn't using him. Coffey converted our team to total offiense, one of the highest passing teams in the nation, there was no defense. During this time, Coffey ruffled alot of feathers with the good ole boys in blacksburg, the old givers, who didnt like this change. After Coffey had that 2-9 season, losing to VMI, they fired him. The good ole boys, took charge of the hiring and got Jimmy Sharpe, the young OC for Bear Bryant. He never had a job, and found out he drank heavy, lots of roughnecks. He was fired after 1977.
President Lavery took over the next hiring, and the AD and football coach had to be replaced. The preeminent program in the region was UNC under Bill Dooley, He won by dominating recruiting in Va and especially Tidewater. VT made the offer, give him the AD and Football coach to get things right. He did and transformed VT football and the program. He brought lots of his UNC proteges. Being an outsider, he ruffled the good ole boys, and finally things caught up with him and was ask to leave in 1986. However, Dooley was the one who changed the logo to VT versus the old TV motif. He was the one who focused on being called hokies versus gobblers, he was the one who emphasized maroon and white versus the orange..... All help improved the VT brand.
We are ready for restructuring in 2021, Coach Pry and team going to have to rebuild the brand. He's got a great team, and foundation.
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