Get ready for a rollercoaster ride. For the next 4-6 weeks, we’ll experience a football coaching search for the first time since 1986. It’s an experience we aren’t used to, so let’s walk ourselves through the process.

First off, I recommend reading this transcript of Whit Babcock’s press conference that outlined his search plan for Tech’s men’s basketball coaching position. I’m sure Whit’s philosophies for football aren’t much different than they are for basketball. There are lots of key things in there to focus on, but I want to start with this one…

“I would caution our fan base, however, not to put too much merit in “leaks” or sources. I’ve done this enough to know, and I want to warn them or at least let them know, any time you have a leak, it’s done with a motive. Sometimes it’s a blogger or reporter throwing names up on the wall to see what sticks, and I guess the motive will be entertainment, or seeing if they get lucky on that.

“Other times, I’ve seen agents on purpose who will leak the name of their candidate, and associate it with your job for a variety of reasons. Sometimes they’re trying to leverage us here, and a lot of other times they’re simply trying to leverage the school their coach is currently at, or they’re also trying to leverage a school that is also open in the marketplace. So leaks always have a motive.

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