In the business world, young innovators have changed the world with companies like FaceBook, Netscape and Microsoft.  In Pro Baseball, young GMs have orchestrated amazing turnarounds on behalf of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays and Texas Rangers.  And in Pro Football, coaches like Mike Tomlin, Josh McDaniel, and Jon Gruden have challenged the norm with success at a relatively young age.

Could we be seeing a similar phenomenon with our Red Raiders?

In the game last night, the blend of runs, screens, and passes was extremely effective.  And then there were new wrinkles that were introduced.  How about that flea flicker that would have went for a TD had Austin Zouzalik not stumbled on his way to the endzone?  How about the formation where Detron Lewis lined up in the backfield and ran down the seam for a 37 yard pass?  Not bad young Coach Riley.  Not bad at all.

It makes me wonder.  What if Tech could find the equivalent of Lincoln Riley on the Defensive side of the ball?  Is there some prodigy out there that has quietly stood behind Brent Venables or Will Muschamp with a mind full of innovation that the public hasn't seen yet?  What if there is and he can recruit 18-year old talent the way Lincoln Riley can?

How good could we be if we had:

1) Ruffin for a head coach that plays the Delegator role with his assistants, the Closer role in bringing in recruits, and the Figurehead role with the media and boosters

2) Lincoln Riley that heads up Offensive Xs and Os and Offensive Recruiting

3) Defensive equivalent of Riley that heads up the same responsibilities for the Defense

Who's to say we can't have an even better next 10 years?  And who's to say we don't already have 2 of the 3 major pieces to the puzzle in-house?

After what I saw in the Alamo Bowl last night, I would be hard-pressed to name a more intriguing Offensive Coordinator candidate than Lincoln Riley.  And what if his alter-ego on Defense is out there just waiting for the same opportunity?