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That's about it, which is needed at most schools for sure. I was never impressed with his play calling and he couldn't hold the last few WR classes together and in fact lost a number of them that just quit. But his loyalty to TECH was tops.Originally Posted by revf
Apparently very good at managing student-athletes in their classroom duties. I think Conroy hurt himself by staying at Tech so long. Sometimes you need to mix things up and try something different to get better. Conroy was so loyal to Tech that it may have affected his overall coaching ability because he was so ingrained in the "Tech Family". I think the verdict is still out on his ability to coach. Odd to say, but he needs a different environment to really see if he can succeed.
Please explain.
Why would his being loyal to Tech have anything to do with his coaching ability? Because he never coached anywhere else? Does that mean you think Dr. Reneau is affected by his ability to be president because he is so "ingrained" in the Tech Family? He has never been president at another university.
I do. Well, not president at another university, but at least having learned from how other university presidents run their schools. In fact, I'd have to say the reason our athletics are in the shape now is because Dr. Reneau took too long to realize how important the athletics side of the university is to the academic side. For years, unknown, as well as well known, schools who suddenly experienced success whether in football or basketball have had their presidents' documented as saying how that success had directly led to improved enrollment and student population. Unfortunately, Dr. Reneau was tuned out. So, to answer your question yet again, I say emphatically YES.
Now on Conroy's situation, there are many succesful coaches who run and approach their programs differently. In the last 15 or so years, coaches at Tech have had to work within a certain framework because of how our past AD set them up. By having worked under different coaches in athletic departments that are set up for success, Conroy would have been exposed to new ideas and methods which could have benefitted him as well as Tech.
Appreciate the response. Good point on Dr. Reneau now seeing that athletics success is a priority. I think though it would be a tougher argument on the academic side to question his leadership.
Anyway, back to Conroy. I know first hand about working at different schools and seeing how things are run, etc. Yes, there are many positives going that route. Coaches also attend yearly coaching clinics, have meetings with other staffs in the off-season, etc. so they are exposed to different techniques and methods. If you want to say the admin and some of his head coaches he has worked for have held him back then I will agree with that. Some posters have gotten upset about players they point out to him that he doesn't sign but they also need to remember who has the final say on the offer.
I guess I just have a hard time with making loyalty a major negative. It seems like some people need to see him go be successful somewhere else to validate his coaching ability.
Last edited by TexDawg77; 03-16-2010 at 07:32 PM.
I agree. In my opinion, loyalty isn't a negative trait and was one thing I admired most about Conroy.
From what I understand, Conroy was an academic adviser to many of our athletes, but his #1 priority was as a football coach... I'm not trying to discount Conroy's off the field accomplishments because I don't know what all he's done... But Missy Farrar (with her GAs and student workers) work hard everyday tutoring, teaching, reviewing, advising, scheduling classes, checking grades, tracking academic progress with professors, making sure our athletes are in class, and much more to help our student-athletes excel in the classroom and remain eligible to play...
All of that may be true, but there are "documented" cases of Conroy getting to an athletes room, waking them up, making them get dressed, and getting to class. The "documented" is Conroy telling me personally about it.
Texdawg77...my comment wasn't a slight against Conroy. Just an observation. Loyalty is certainly a good thing...but sometimes it can get in your way of taking advantage of opportunities that can help you grow as a coach, employee, etc. It's easy sometimes to stay too long where you are at because you're comfortable and loyal. Not all the time...but many times...that hampers your ability to grow professionally. Experience new ways of doing things, thinking about things. Sometimes you're better off for it. Sometimes it's a huge failure...but you don't know unless to take that risk and make the change. I just think Conroy could have helped himself more if he had made a move sooner in his career...forced or otherwise. Just my opinon...
I do believe you can create an "inbred" mentality. Doesn't matter if it's the president or not. Sometimes things need to be shook up to get the blood flowing again. Dr Reneau has done a wonderful job for the university as a whole...but as DirtyDawg pointed out...he just about killed our athletic programs at one point. He couldn't see a bigger picture. Someone from another institution might have been able to come in with a different perspective on how athletics is a window to the world for the university...whether the academic side likes it or not, it''s a fact. Thank goodness he finally had a "revelation" and came to his senses.
Ok, thanks for the explanation. Most of the time people are upset at the lack of loyalty in coaching and sports in general.
Yes, he could have taken other jobs and furthered his career for himself. But his love for Tech and not wanting to uproot his family are the reasons he never left sooner. I think he will be missed and I hope he has success in the future.
I applaud Missy and her GAs and student workers for doing an outstanding job, but someone had to make sure the players were taking advantage of the services that Missy and her staff offered.
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