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The other day at Georgia football practice, Cavan, now a Bulldogs staffer, was speaking with Josh Lee, another former Valdosta State coach: He was the quarterback coach on the 2004 championship . 2 Blazers beat Argos in South Regional, POLING: Standers to the front of me, sitters in, By Shane Thomas [email protected]. They didnt a few years earlier when Hal Mumme, Guy Morriss, Dana Holgorsen and a certain mad scientist offensive coordinator were around. Team 3 hot start! They had to help with the laundry, lead study hall or hand out Chick-fil-A sandwiches to players at lunch. I love Valdosta State University and the Valdosta community as much as anywhere I have coached so it means a lot to me that Gary is now the VSU head coach, Leach said, who currently is the head coach at Washington State University. He is the driest, funniest individual I think Ive ever met. Subscribe to The Athletic for in-depth coverage of your favorite players, teams, leagues and clubs. These awards show our hard work is paying off one way or another, Gruber said. It just wasnt the right fit. Most of all, we'll have a defense that can prevent free points and take the football away to give our offense better opportunities. Hatcher was the 1994 Harlon Hill Trophy winner. Start fast, finish faster than that!! But above all, Valdosta has been defined by football. Ryne Strickland. Classes resume Jan. 10 and Jackson has already made considerable efforts to connect with the team. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. In the Blazers first season, under the direction of Head Coach Jim Goodman, the team finished with a 551 record. Jackson comes to Titletown from Colorado Mesa University where he was the head coach the past two seasons. I have for years kind of snickered when people talk about Miami of Ohio as the cradle of coaches. Goff began as a walk-on for the Blazers in the spring of 1993 after transferring to VSU from the University of Mary in Bismarck, N.D. VPD arrests former business employee for burglary - Valdosta Today [11] Dean left the Blazers to coach a single, unsuccessful year as co-offensive coordinator at FBS program Georgia Southern; both co-coordinators were fired after one year. 'Titletown High': What to Know About Valdosta and Coach Rush Propst Which I did at various times.. Hatcher was also Valdosta State's head football coach from 20002006 and amassed a 6810 record with one national championship and four conference crowns during his six-year tenure at Valdosta State.[4]. In 1994 the Blazer won a school record 11 victories and Quarterback Chris Hatcher won the Harlon Hill Award as player of the year in NCAA Division II football. And off the field, Leach brought his wit and wisdom to anyone who wanted it. Herb Reinhard, Valdosta State athletic director, 1992-present. I knew I was young to be in the profession. If they really wanted to do it, they would have to do it themselves. I am honored and humbled to be named the Head Football Coach at Valdosta State University, Jackson said. Communications and Media Relations Coordinator. Which, again, means football. I am very excited to have Coach Gary Goff join our team and I am confident he is going to be a great addition to Blazer football, the university and our community, Reinhard said at Goffs introctory press conference. This was her first time participating in the Georgia College Press Association Better Newspaper Contest, and as newsletter editor for The Spectator, she said she was quite surprised by a photography award. When asked what brand of football Blazer fans can come to expect, Jackson promises to bring a style of play that isn't too far removed from what fans have been accustomed to seeing in recent years. It is my intent to continue and enhance the storied tradition of Blazer football for many years to come. He led his 2021 Valdosta team the NCAA Division II Football Championship Game, where they lost to Ferris State. He had one of the top offenses in country in 2016 averaging 434.5 yards per game, while his quarterback Antonio Pipkin was a Harlon Hill nominee and was named GLIAC Player of the Year. GBI investigating body found in Cook County lake, Valdosta man faces drug, firearms charges, Court advocacy group opens new headquarters. Sign up now to get our FREE breaking news coverage delivered right to your inbox. Former Samford coaches include Bobby Bowden (later head coach at West Virginia and Florida State), Wayne Grubb (who led Samford to the NCAA College Division West Region II Championship in 1971), and Terry Bowden (later head coach at Auburn, North Alabama and Akron). Category:Valdosta State Blazers football coaches - Wikipedia Valdosta State begins its search for their next head football coach - WALB (Ronald Martinez / Getty Images), Chris Hatcher went 76-12 and won the 2004 D-II National Championship in seven seasons as Valdosta States head coach from 2000-06. 2 Ferris State, Blazer Head Coach Kerwin Bell Accepts Offensive Coordinator Position at South Florida, Former Blazer Gary Goff Named Valdosta State Head Football Coach, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Valdosta_State_Blazers_football&oldid=1150310740, American football teams established in 1982, 1982 establishments in Georgia (U.S. state), Articles with dead external links from March 2023, Articles with dead external links from February 2022, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2010, 2018, 2019, 2021, NCAA Division II Team Playoff Participants, 1994, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2021, This page was last edited on 17 April 2023, at 11:56. Dana Holgorsen, who had played for Mumme at Iowa Wesleyan, arrived in Valdosta in 1993 as a graduate assistant, then moved up a year later to coach quarterbacks and receivers. Coach Goff spent the last three seasons as the Blazers head football coach. Kentucky hired Mumme as head coach after the 1996 season. I was single, young, I was probably three years difference from the players. Then there were the coaching connections: Will Muschamp was friends with Hatcher through several personal relationships. I think the individual awards gave the winners a lot of motivation by proving that they can do anything they set their minds to. All rights reserved. Its good people. Under their leadership, the Wildcats won six national titles, 21 of their 23 state titles and 282 Cleveland Field victories. Offensively, the Mavericks put up 33.7 points per game, placing them among the top 35 best offenses in Division II. Assistant Offensive Line Coach / Study Hall / Equipment. It was that way with laundry, too: At the bigger school, everything would be handled by equipment managers or janitorial staff. College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Harley Langdale, Jr. College of Business Administration, James L. and Dorothy H. Dewar College of Education and Human Services, University Advising & Student Transitions, VSUs Spectator Wins Big at Collegiate Better Newspaper Contest, https://gapress.org/georgia-college-press-association/, 2023 Valdosta State University A Comprehensive University of the University System of Georgia, Office of Communications Earle Solomonson accomplished this at North Dakota State University in 1985.[7]. In 2006, ESPN would proclaim the city to be Titletown, USA, and the locals collectively shrugged as if to say: Well, of course.. I was humbled by the job, Smart said. The Spectator finished third in the Best Editorial or Editorial Series (Group II) category and second in the Best Campus Community Service: Editorial (Division A) and Best Campus Community Service: News (Division A) categories. He's picked four guys to go and compete for national championships and I thought to myself, if he picks me, I must have a chance.". (229) 333-5897 or 5477. After beginning the year unranked, the Blazers rose as high as No. In 2003, the Blazers finished the season with a 102 record and an NCAA playoff berth. In 1996, with quarterback Lance Funderburk, the blazers spent a week ranked No. Tremaine Jackson was formally introduced as the 11th head football coach in school history Thursday afternoon. The schools enrollment has actually dropped from 15,000 to 13,000 in the past few years, which cuts down on student fees to athletics. Valdosta State begins its search for their next head football coach, Teens arrested after 11 injured in South Carolina park shooting, Turner Co. Sheriffs Office to reward $1K for information on fireworks incident. But now hes entering his 28thyear in the job. Volunteer Football Operations. In his first year Dean's Valdosta State team won the 2007 Division II National Championship. The award-winning design, a front-page cover, was created by Gavin Ponder, an art major from Augusta, Georgia, who serves as graphics editor for the newspaper. Smart was hired anyway. Valdosta State Blazers football - Wikipedia "The people here are very genuine. Head Football Coach [email protected] (229) 333-5970 (229) 333-5970: Trent Earley: Assistant Head Coach / Linebackers / Special Teams / Strength & Conditioning Liaison The new coaches noticed right away. Copyright 2022 WALB. Herb Reinhard drove in on a January day in 1992 to interview for the newly vacant job of athletic director at Valdosta State. VPD arrests Brooks Co. man for narcotics during traffic stop He then earned a scholarship culminating in being named a team captain in 1996. Both were now part of the Saban tree, where they were indoctrinated in a philosophy of run-oriented, physical football. I absolutely can not think of a better coach than I couldve had hereto deal with what we dealt with over the last three years. They were big, massive people and youd end up going through chairs pretty quickly, Leach said. Graduate Assistant Quarterback's Coach / Equipment. David Dean is only the second head coach to lead his team to a national championship in his first season. (229) 333-5897 or 5477. In 1994 the Blazer won a school-record 11 victories, and with quarterback Chris Hatcher, played in the program's first national football tournament. During Jacksons tenure at Colorado Mesa, he went 10-3 in his two seasons, including 8-2 this season, and posted a thrilling 26-21 victory over then-No. High school football: Roberts replaces Kells as University head coach Massillon, Ohio football to play Valdosta, Georgia in 2023 [5] That year the Blazers missed the playoffs for the first time in the Chris Hatcher Era, despite an 82 record and a top-ten ranking. During his time at Hoover High School in Alabama, he was accused of changing students' grades in order to allow them to remain eligible to play football. VSU was 11th nationally in rushing offense at 260.2 yards on the ground per game, while it was 12th nationally in passing efficiency at 162.12. What everyone remembers is that it was hard work, but also fun. Fourteen practices later, and spring ball wrapped up Friday night with practice number fifteen, the Blazer's annual spring game. Kerwin Bell, 54, who coached Valdosta State to the national championship last year, is now the South Florida offensive coordinator. You didnt have planes. That opportunity came through the mail one day in the form of a videotape: Hal Mumme, then the head coach at NAIA school Iowa Wesleyan, sent Reinhard the tape of his offense, throwing the ball up and down the field. The two seasons were a part of a GSC record 35 straight regular season victories. Jacksons team went 2-1 in the spring of 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic. VSU's Spectator Wins Big at Collegiate Better Newspaper Contest Seth Emerson is a senior writer for The Athletic covering Georgia and the SEC. There are three main things that attracted me to Valdosta State, (1) the history, tradition and brand of VSU football, (2) the chance to compete on the national stage every year, (3) the chance to be coached by a seasoned Athletic Director like Mr. Reinhard.. [14] The Blazers were the highest scoring team in Division II, totaling 728 points for an average of 52 points per game. While at VSU, Goff and his teammates helped lay the foundation for where the VSU football program is today. What is your favorite part of The Valdosta Daily Times? Feb 15 No surprise here @phillipstarks25 ! While the team never saw the field in 2020 due to the pandemic, Reinhard said it was one of Goffs most successful years. Among those countless resumes was Jackson's, which Reinhard said he put in the "good stack" with the other top candidates. Steel's Jewelry Blazer Athletes of the Week, Director of Internal Operations and Compliance, Director of Ticketing and Game Operations, Executive Assistant to the Director of Athletics, Assistant Athletic Director for Communications (Football, Women's Basketball, Men's Golf, M&W Tennis), Graduate Assistant (Athletic Communications), Assistant Athletic Trainer (Volleyball, Men's Basketball, Cheer & Dance), Assistant Athletic Trainer (Women's Basketball & Men's and Women's Cross Country ), Assistant Athletic Trainer (Football and Baseball), Assistant Athletic Trainer (Soccer and Men's Golf), Graduate Assistant Athletic Trainer (Football, Men's and Women's Tennis), Sports Performance and Emotional Wellness Counselor, Graduate Assistant (Speed, Strength & Conditioning), Assistant Head Coach / Linebackers / Special Teams / Strength & Conditioning Liaison, Offensive Coordinator / Quarterbacks / Academics, Graduate Assistant Tight Ends / Recruiting Coordinator, Assistant Offensive Line Coach / Study Hall / Equipment, Wide Receivers Coach / Community Service / Financial Aid Liaison, Defensive Line Coach / Film Coordinator / Assistant NFL Liaison, Running Backs / Athletic Training Liaison / Travel Coordinator. According to the Blazers' new leader, the goal for the returning Blazers is to finish the mission they fell short of in the national championship game. He also served as co-offensive coordinator and receivers coach at New Mexico State for four seasons as he helped lead the team to second nationally in passing offense and total offense. [6] This was the third straight championship appearance by the Bearcats, also the third straight time the Bearcats have lost the national championship game. So moving up to Division I just isnt feasible. Mumme's record at Valdosta State was 40171. Seven different Valdosta coaches have gone on to become head coaches at an FBS school: Smart, Muschamp, Leach, Holgorsen, Morris, Mumme and Cavan. They care about Valdosta State and they took the time during bowl preparation to reach out because they had a message that they wanted us to hear.". You might find that weird, but I truly, truly love you. The VSC/VSU Football program began in 1982, and its first coach was Jim Goodman. At quarterback, Hatcher led the Blazers to their first-ever playoff appearance in 1994 and won the Harlon Hill Trophy, the Division II version of the Heisman. The other day at Georgia football practice, Cavan, now a Bulldogs staffer, was speaking with Josh Lee, another former Valdosta State coach: He was the quarterback coach on the 2004 championship team. Head Coach Gary Goff begins his third season at the helm of the VSU Blazers. I believe that the players, I hope that the players have enough trust in us and have seen our track record that we have had some success bringing in good, quality coaches that they will give us the opportunity to do what we need to do before they let emotion have them make a decision in regards to the transfer portal, said Reinhard. He called up Joe Kines, who had been his DC at Georgia, who told him: Theres no book for that. Not just football: What were the people like? So you had to sit in there and had to run the study hall and make sure they behaved and had their stuff in there.. Goff was hired as the tenth head coach in Blazer football history announced Jan. 25, 2019, by VSU Athletic Director Herb Reinhard. Jackson comes to Valdosta from Colorado Mesa University, where he led the Mavericks to a 10-3 record over two seasons including an 8-2 record this past season. Tucked in the lowest, central part of Georgia within miles of the Florida line Valdosta is only the 14th-largest city in the state. Austin Bruce, a mass media major from Quitman, Georgia, finished second in the Best Column (Group II) category. Under Dean the Blazers also won the 2012 national title. Laying the foundation for what this Blazers program can be moving forward. You have permission to edit this article. BREAKING: McNeese hires Valdosta State's Gary Goff - American Press Jessica Pope There was the gym without air conditioning, less than ideal in south Georgia. "Both of those individuals, while preparing for a bowl game, reached out to us and said, 'You need to take a really good look at Tremaine Jackson,'" Reinhard said. But they had also seen how the Air Raid worked at Valdosta State. His Colorado Mesa team put lots of points on the board and was very stingy on defense. For the 2006 Season the Blazers wore silver helmets to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the VSU football program. 17. But Reinhard wanted something different. I'm just honored to be the coach here and the reception I've gotten on social media, in person it's all been positive in the same. "This is special," Jackson said. Jackson becomes VSU's first Black head football coach, BUSH: Staying on top of 401K can pay dividends, Carvalho, No. He told me about how his life was changed through football and how his goal and why he does what he does is so he can change the lives and improve the lives of young men through the game of football.". 1 even with the upsetting finish. 1991-94: Valdosta State COACHING EXPERIENCE 2010-14: Murray State, Head Coach 2007-09: Georgia Southern, Head Coach 2000-06: Valdosta State, Head Coach 1999: Kentucky, Assistant Coach Quarterbacks/Wide Receivers 1997-98: Kentucky, Graduate Assistant Quarterbacks 1996: Central Florida, Assistant Coach Quarterbacks/Tight Ends The opposition scored just 18.5 points per game on the Blazers for 23rd nationally and tops in the conference. As a player, Jackson began his college career at Louisiana-Monroe before transferring to Texas Southern for his final junior and senior seasons. They get jobs that are 0-for the year before and get told to fix it. Sorry, there are no recent results for popular commented articles. David Dean is the only football coach in Valdosta State history to win two national championships. . There had been people on social media wanting him ousted early in the season, so the column was me taking a stance, saying that he shouldn't be fired but should be given some leeway since he didn't exactly inherit a perfect situation.. The two high school powers didnt produce an eye-popping number of household names Jay Ratliff, Randall Godfrey and Kenny Moore are among the recent pros but nearly everyone played football, and did so very, very seriously. Its just a great town. I am so glad that the staff was able to make Spectator history and rightfully earn the General Excellence award. Rick Bowie (@RickBowie2) / Twitter Valdosta is a South Georgia city located in Lowndes County, where football is everything. This news comes just after the Blazers fell in the Division II national championship game. The event is free and open to the public and features the live performance of a different . Grit. UA 16 2 1 - Valdosta State University Welcome to the job, now hire a football coach. Valdosta might be a 24-time state football champ, but lately its program has been rocked by a racial discrimination lawsuit filed by a former coach, the hiring of controversial coach Rush Propst . And I really enjoyed it., (Top photo of the 2000 Valdosta State coaching staff courtesy of Valdosta State Athletics). VALDOSTA The Spectator, the unfiltered, uncensored voice of the students at Valdosta State University, recently earned seven 2023 Georgia College Press Association Better Newspaper Contest awards, including five staff and two individual recognitions. The record had them finishing 5th in conference, a unusually bad finish for them. Goff came to VSU from NCAA Division II Tiffin University in Tiffin, Ohio, where he has been the head coach of the Dragons for the past eight seasons. The Blazers play in BazemoreHyder Stadium in Valdosta, Georgia, which has a capacity of 11,249. When practice would end during camp at a big school, even Kentucky in the 1990s, players would go to the cafeteria and food would be waiting for them. Paul Leavy | Special to the TimesNew Valdosta State head football coach Tremaine Jackson embraces VSU Director of Athletics Herb Reinhard during an introductory press conference Thursday. In 2004, the Blazers returned to the National Championship, this time defeating Pittsburg State University 3631. Valdosta posted an 83 record in 2010 and lost in the first round of the playoffs. My hope is that it also proves to VSU that we are here, and we mean business.. Those guys busted their humps. The Georgia College Press Association is comprised of 12 member newspapers The Stallion at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, The Bell Ringer at Augusta University, Campus Carrier at Berry College, Six Mile Post at Georgia Highlands College, The George-Anne Statesboro at Georgia Southern University, The George-Anne Inkwell Edition at Georgia Southern Universitys Armstrong Campus, Technique at Georgia Institute of Technology, The Cluster at Mercer University, The Roar at Piedmont University, The Red & Black at University of Georgia, The West Georgian at University of West Georgia, and The Spectator at Valdosta State University. They had more responsibilities. He amassed a 22-3 record, one national championship appearance, and one conference title. The Spectator was honored at the 2023 Georgia College Press Association Press Institute in early April. I am very excited to have Tremaine join our Blazer family, Reinhard said. They learned things they wouldnt have if they had started at a larger school. Goff, who has served as offensive coordinator for three teams, also was offensive coordinator at Iowa Wesleyan University (2002-03) and coached at Southeastern Louisiana, helping it to lead the nation in total offense. 1 in the polls. How he handled the COVID year with our football team is something I am most appreciative of, said Reinhard. Theres an appreciation at this school for who they are. Valdosta State Blazers football - American Football Database Journalists do their job every day because they help to ensure that the public is informed and that those in power are held accountable for their actions.. Valdosta State head coach takes coaching position at McNeese State - WALB Graduate Assistant Athletic Trainer (Football, Men's and Women's Tennis) [email protected].