How To Ruin a Legacy It Took 35 Years To Build

11/20/09, Bleacher Report

When Bobby Bowden was hired to be the head football coach at Florida State, I was about 12 years old. In my short lifetime, I didn't recall Florida State doing anything. I don't think they ever beat anybody to speak of. I don't recall them ever playing in a bowl game. If they were ever on TV, it was rare. They didn't seem to have any fans. Nobody I knew was a fan of the Seminoles. ACC ISP Sports Network National Affiliates: NC State at Virginia Tech

11/20/09, The ACC.com

ACC ISP Sports Network National Affiliates: NC State at Virginia Tech on Saturday, November 21 Senior Send-Off

11/19/09, Florida State Team Site

Defensive coordinator Mickey Andrews isn't the only one who will walk the Doak Campbell Stadium sideline for the last time Saturday. It's also the final home game for 18 seniors.

> Bert Reed Video > Justin Mincey Video > Kendrick Stewart Video

Kirk Herbstreit: UM fans, be patient with Jacory Harris

11/19/09, Sun Sentinel

Bill Hass on the ACC: Hokies' Cody Grimm a Tireless Hybrid at Whip Linebacker Spot

11/19/09, The ACC.com

The Grimm football family has gone from a Hog to a Hybrid. The Hog? That would be Russ Grimm, former offensive lineman for the Washington Redskins. The Hybrid? That would be his son, Cody Grimm, who plays "whip" linebacker at Virginia Tech. Andrews, FSU seniors to savor home finale

11/19/09, Tampa Bay Online

TALLAHASSEE - Defensive coordinator Mickey Andrews will share the stage with 17 seniors prior to Saturday's home finale against Maryland. There will be an ample supply of emotions during the pregame sendoff, but as the retiring Andrews has said many times, it's not about him. ACC needs staff stability

11/19/09, ESPN - ACC Blog

Boston College coach Frank Spaziani and Clemson coach Dabo Swinney are both in their first full seasons as head coach. Georgia Tech’s Paul Johnson is in his second. So is David Cutcliffe at Duke. Miami coach Randy Shannon is wrapping up his third, as are Tom O’Brien and Butch Davis, who, considering the transition in the league, seem like longtime neighbors at their respective schools after just three seasons.

That’s more than half the conference that has made a head-coaching change in the past three seasons, and there could be as many as three more at the end of this year, though it’s more likely there will be one or two. While coaching carousels have become more common as the pressure and paydays to win have increased, the ACC seems to have dealt with an unusual amount of turnover in recent years, and it’s a trend that’s likely to continue if high-ranking officials at Virginia, Maryland and Florida State decide it’s time for a change.

The least likely early exit would be Maryland coach Ralph Friedgen, as his $4 million buyout would put the athletic department in a serious bind, and possibly cause the elimination of some nonrevenue sports. FSU coach Bobby Bowden has indicated he’d like to return, but he and Virginia coach Al Groh might not have a choice.

The lack of staff stability is one of the most glaring yet overlooked reasons as to why the conference has struggled to develop much consistency. It affects recruiting, it affects in-house relationships, and it affects Saturdays. The one program that has been the ACC’s rock since it joined the league has been Virginia Tech, and it’s no coincidence considering the tenure Frank Beamer has held and the loyalty his assistants have to him. The same can be said at Wake Forest, where Jim Grobe has turned down more lucrative offers because unless his whole staff goes, he stays.

Different coaches bring different philosophies and different schemes, which makes what Johnson has done at Georgia Tech in just two seasons even more impressive. The same can be said for Boston College, where Spaziani, Jeff Jagodzinski and O’Brien have all had an opportunity to put their stamp on the program while still managing to contend for the ACC title.

What the ACC needs now is for those programs to do what’s necessary to keep those coaches in place to help build their programs and develop identities. It’s starting to happen at Miami, but with two new coordinators and a young roster that still needs more time to develop. Progress is also evident at Duke, which is still in the midst of its most successful season since 1994. Mission accomplished for Swinney and Spaziani, who have both put their programs in a neck-and-neck race for the Atlantic Division. Davis is on the right path at North Carolina, where recruiting is going well and he’s in a position to increase the win total again. And O’Brien is a proven veteran with a winning record who still needs more time.

But change -- wanted or not -- continues to be imminent in this league. The new offensive scheme at Virginia didn’t work. The coach-in-waiting plans at Florida State and Maryland are backfiring. For better or for worse, it’s time for those programs to follow their counterparts and decide which direction they want to go. Because right now, the rest of the conference has a one-to-three year head start.

BC: Texas Longhorns are real McCoy

11/20/09,Boston Herald

CLEM: Spiller to light up Death Valley one last time

11/20/09,AP News

Duke: Football Game Notes: at Miami, Nov. 21, 12 PM, ESPNU

11/20/09,Football

GT: Georgia Tech Football: Top Ten Games of the Last Ten Years

11/20/09,Bleacher Report

MARY: FSU's Ponder has successful surgery

11/20/09,ESPN - ACC Blog

MIAF: Miami, Duke QBs have some personal history

11/20/09,AP News

UNC: ACC ISP Sports Network National Affiliates: NC State at Virginia Tech

11/20/09,The ACC.com

NCST: PEELER: View From the Press Box

11/20/09,Football

VA: ACC's lunchtime links

11/20/09,ESPN - ACC Blog

VT: FSU's Ponder has successful surgery

11/20/09,ESPN - ACC Blog

WF: Tar Heels hang on to beat pesky Buckeyes

11/20/09,Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), NRCOM, New York