1969 13th (?) ranked Alabama came to Lane Stadium to play Jerry Claiborne's Hokies. VPI had winning seasons the previous 6 years. Tech played in the Liberty Bowl in two of the three previous years (lost to Archie Manning/Mississippi in 1968). Even Bill Brill had picked a win for VT .

Alabama won the game 17-13. The wheels came off. The Hokies lost the next 4 games (including the Alabama game, those 5 loses were by a total of 19 points). Claiborne was back for 1970 but: The damage was done with another losing season. He was let go but went on to a successful run at Maryland and some (more modest) success at Kentucky.

The Wilderness years (Charlie Coffey, Jimmy Sharpe, Bill Dooley/issues) followed.

CJF is an honest man who cares about the players, VT and Blacksburg (as did Coach Claiborne). This situation appears to be beyond salvaging. A change is no guarantee of success. But the longest journey starts with the first step.

Any old Hokies recall Claiborne's quote in 1969 after the five losses? Was kinda to the effect "Something bigger than Providence is after us now?"


[Post edited by Casual Fan at 10/23/2021 5:31PM]