Mumme wanted the ball back.. "Tremaine told me very early in the interview that the reason he coaches is to change lives. (229) 333-5897 or 5477. They soon learned that it had been stolen to be used as the getaway car for a jewelry robbery. Goff's first season saw the Blazers record an undefeated regular season, a second consecutive GSC championship and extend their winning streak to 25 consecutive games before being upset in the second round of the playoffs by West Florida, 3835. High school football: Roberts replaces Kells as University head coach 1 for four weeks but finished with a 93 record and their fifth straight playoff berth. Chris Hatcher - Football Coach - Samford University Athletics In Coach Bell's first season, 2016, the Blazers finished the season 83. 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. [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. 3-ranked Colorado School of Mines on Oct. 23 for Homecoming. Id like to thank Athletic Director Mr. Reinhard and President Carvajal for the opportunity to lead the Blazer football program. Graduate Assistant Athletic Trainer (Football, Men's and Women's Tennis) jballow@valdosta.edu. The work of journalism, including that of student journalists, is essential to a functioning democracy and well-informed public. There, he helped guide the team to a massive turnaround as it was 2-8 in 2009 and went 9-2 in 2010, tying for the most wins in school history. Better than they were a month ago, and most certainly a year ago. What is your favorite part of The Valdosta Daily Times? Rounding out the top three were The Red & Black at University of Georgia in first place and Technique at Georgia institute of Technology in third place. And I really enjoyed it., (Top photo of the 2000 Valdosta State coaching staff courtesy of Valdosta State Athletics). At his interview, Smart went up to the drawing board and designed a brilliant defensive scheme. VALDOSTA, Ga. The program needed new lockers. There was broken glass on the ground where the car had been parked. He played for former Blazer head coach Hal Mumme and former offensive coordinator Mike Leach at Valdosta State and graduated in 1996. Grit. I was very surprised, he said. They had to help with the laundry, lead study hall or hand out Chick-fil-A sandwiches to players at lunch. The Spectator finished second in the General Excellence (Division A) category. VALDOSTA - Valdosta State football coach Gary Goff announced Sunday that he has taken the head coaching job at Division I and Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) member McNeese. David Dean is only the second head coach to lead his team to a national championship in his first season. There's a lot of other guys that haven't gotten this opportunity that deserve it. 2004 Plaque on Bazemore-Hyder Stadium 2004 Renovations [ edit] #DOG #RLW Quote Tweet "We'll have a defense that loves to run around and hit people and knock people completely out. Valdosta Daily Times. But in time he would still end up in Valdosta. He is credited with being a part of the team that laid the foundation for the schools great history of winning. And as he filled out his defensive staff, Muschamp brought down one of his former Georgia teammates, Kirby Smart. The Sandcrabs won . Valdosta would prove to be a great experience for the young staff, especially someone like Smart, who had played at a big-time school. What everyone remembers is that it was hard work, but also fun. He is the driest, funniest individual I think Ive ever met. The first two seasons the offensive line coach was Guy Morriss, the future Kentucky and Baylor head coach. The opposition scored just 18.5 points per game on the Blazers for 23rd nationally and tops in the conference. He said Goff wasnt looking for another job, but he was presented with an opportunity he couldnt turn down. And earlier this summer, Leach called Goff at midnight eastern time, because Leach is now at Washington State. Goff continued on the outstanding tradition of VSU football as the Blazers won their first ten games of the season, ranked #1 nationally throughout the regular season and a berth in the second round of the NCAA Division II Football playoffs. 4 in the AFCA poll[10] in the first weeks of the 2011 season. Number one, here are individuals that I respect. I was humbled by the job, Smart said. 'For the culture': Jackson becomes VSU's first Black head football coach. Carpentry, connections and Chick-fil-A: How D-II Valdosta State became How he handled the COVID year with our football team is something I am most appreciative of, said Reinhard. . Every one of us, we were all in there hammering away with the hammers and nails.. Im also excited about the opportunity to bring back to VSU a Blazer alum. "This is special," Jackson said. He was named the new head coach after last season. [13] Bell was formerly the head coach for the Jacksonville Dolphins, prior to joining Valdosta State. Leach was quoted in the Valdosta State news release announcing Goffs hiring. In 2006, ESPN would proclaim the city to be Titletown, USA, and the locals collectively shrugged as if to say: Well, of course.. He guided Washington State to a 55-47 record and took the Cougars to a . I had the linemen. And off the field, Leach brought his wit and wisdom to anyone who wanted it. I have for years kind of snickered when people talk about Miami of Ohio as the cradle of coaches. At least they had air conditioning. 2 Blazers beat Argos in South Regional, POLING: Standers to the front of me, sitters in, By Shane Thomas shane.thomas@gaflnews.com. More important than the on-field product, Jackson brings a reputation as a star recruiter and a champion of academic excellence. He then earned a scholarship culminating in being named a team captain in 1996. They were young coaches on the cusp of a revolution, but nobody realized it, including the coaches and players themselves. Volunteer Football Operations. In his first year Dean's Valdosta State team won the 2007 Division II National Championship. "The people here are very genuine. For the 2006 Season the Blazers wore silver helmets to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the VSU football program. It is fantastic to know that the Blazer football program will be led by Gary and I look forward to watching him build on VSUs incredible tradition of success.. The official Baseball Coach List for the Valdosta State University Blazers. Reinhard said theres no timeline on the coaching search, but revealed hes already received tons of interest in the position. He hasnt changed a lick.. Those guys busted their humps. Valdosta Main Street hosts Brown Bag Lunch Concert Series VSC had its first winning season in 1986 with a 92 record led by All-American Jessie Tuggle. [12] David Dean is the only football coach in Valdosta State history to win two national championships. Like he did with Mumme in 1992, Reinhard went out of the box again, this time by reaching back to the Mumme-Leach tree. The high school, which is home to the Wildcats, has garnered national attention for its football team . Hatcher left VSU after the 2006 season to be the head football coach at Georgia Southern University, he left Valdosta State with a 7612 overall record, a .864 winning percentage, and was the winningest coach in Blazer history. 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. I want to thank Dr. Carvajal and Mr. Reinhard for the opportunity to lead my alma mater. 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. In 1996, with quarterback Lance Funderburk, the blazers spent a week ranked No. "Grid Times" Valdosta State University Football Preview 2006. Because it was such a big step up, Mumme was able to lure most of his top assistants north, including Leach. 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. Following a two-year stint coaching Valwood High School (1998-99) in Valdosta, Georgia, Miller returned to the collegiate ranks at Washington and Lee University, serving as the wide receivers coach. But now hes entering his 28thyear in the job. He didnt have many connections to Valdosta State or Mumme. But Reinhard wanted something different. "About three weeks ago, I stood before a group of young men in the aisle on a plane and told them that they had my word and the word of the university that we would go and aggressively and boldly look for the finest head coach to come lead the program and build on the foundation that Valdosta State University Blazer football has," Reinhard said. Running Backs / Athletic Training Liaison / Travel Coordinator. Seth also covered South Carolina for The State from 2005-10. Years before the existence of offseason workouts and football generally becoming a year-round game, they were doing that in Valdosta. Theres photo evidence for a story about Muschamp that also became legendary around the school. Gruber, an English major (focus in journalism) from Baxley, Georgia, joined The Spectator about 18 months ago, starting as a reporter and working her way to campus life assistant, entertainment editor, and now editor-in-chief. Leach, who moved to the town in his early 30s, found it to have a lot in common with his native Wyoming. While the team never saw the field in 2020 due to the pandemic, Reinhard said it was one of Goffs most successful years. Nice to meet you. Bailey Wilson of Glennville, Georgia, finished third in the Best Photo Essay (Group I) category for her coverage of VSU Housing and Residence Lifes annual Hallaballoo event on the Front Lawn. They helped lay the groundwork for what was to come at Valdosta State: In 2002, the year after Smart left, the Blazers reached the Division II championship game, where they fell to Grand Valley State, whose head coach was now-Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly. All rights reserved. Jacksons team went 2-1 in the spring of 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic. He is an incredible coaching talent who truly cares about VSU. Communications and Media Relations Coordinator. Getting an opportunity at a place like this with the tradition we have here, it's just not normal. We ask that you consider turning off your ad blocker so we can deliver you the best experience possible while you are here. Sanders, Publisher. (Cavan would later become SMUs coach, too.) Chris Hatcher (American football) - Wikipedia 3 Blazers Claim Fourth National Title with 49-47 Thriller over No. There was the gym without air conditioning, less than ideal in south Georgia. 7 in the AFCA coaches poll, before finishing the regular season ranked No. Chris Hatcher was named the head coach of the Blazers in 2000. The Mavericks finished 10th in total defense at 258.2 yards per game and 16th in total offense at 452.0 yards per game. The Blazers and Director of Athletics Herb Reinhard moved quickly to find their next head coach following former coach Gary Goff's sudden departure for Division I McNeese State less than 24 hours after the Blazers' 58-17 loss to Ferris State in the NCAA Division II Championship game Dec. 18. Prior to his two-year head coaching stint at Colorado Mesa, Jackson was thedefensive line coach at Texas State and defensive coordinator at Abilene Christian in 2017-18. Kerwin Bell era: 2016-2018 [ edit] Kerwin Bell was named head coach of the Blazers on January 22, 2016. "I stand before you today very confident that we have found that gentleman. Posted at 12:07 AM, Apr 22, 2023. and last updated 9:07 PM, Apr 21, 2023. Massillon, Ohio football to play Valdosta, Georgia in 2023 As fate would have it, as the Cougars were preparing for the Birmingham Bowl against Auburn, Jackson happened to be in Houston watching the Cougars practice when Belk asked Jackson if he would be interested in the Blazers' head coaching job. The event is free and open to the public and features the live performance of a different . This Blazer team looks a lot different, but in looking to build on last year's five win season, coach believes they're on the right path to doing just that. I am honored and humbled to be named the Head Football Coach at Valdosta State University, Jackson said. "We're going to be physical, we're going to be hard-nosed, we'll have an offense that can still light up the scoreboard," Jackson said. (Valdosta State Athletics). The VSC/VSU Football program began in 1982, and its first coach was Jim Goodman. And it was. His Colorado Mesa team put lots of points on the board and was very stingy on defense. "What's been impressive is the text messages that they've sent me wanting to finish the mission. Marty McGhin. Mumme brought with him Leach, who had worked with him since 1989. I guess the fans and all the other coaches thought: Those guys are kind of crazy.. This was serious business. [3] In 2007, the Blazers defeated Northwest Missouri State University 2520 for their second national championship title. Obedience. Doscher, the strength and conditioning coach, said he knew back then Muschamp and Smart were going to be successful. Assistant Offensive Line Coach / Study Hall / Equipment. Thats real, Reinhard said. Theres an appreciation at this school for who they are. We physically did it, he said. Steel's Jewelry Blazer Athletes of the Week, Assistant Head Coach / Linebackers / Special Teams / Strength & Conditioning Liaison, Offensive Coordinator / Quarterbacks / Academics, Wide Receivers Coach / Community Service / Financial Aid Liaison, Graduate Assistant Tight Ends / Recruiting Coordinator, Graduate Assistant Quarterback's Coach / Equipment, Assistant Offensive Line Coach / Study Hall / Equipment, Defensive Line Coach / Film Coordinator / Assistant NFL Liaison, Running Backs / Athletic Training Liaison / Travel Coordinator, Graduate Assistant Athletic Trainer (Football, Men's and Women's Tennis). But everything was fun when they were winning. 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. It focused on encouraging students to exercise their right to vote. 2023 Football Roster - Valdosta State University Athletics [16] Goff, a former Blazer captain and 1996 graduate of VSU, had gone 23-10 the prior three seasons at Tiffin. What was the atmosphere like? That season, Goff also had the programs first Academic All-American as 74 players finished the 2016 fall semester with a 3.0 grade point average or higher. Colton Bowser. 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 . Even during a national championship run last year, Valdosta States average attendance was about 6,100. Because thats Valdosta, Bonner said. He called Muschamp in the top three of the most intense coaches Ive ever met. Then there was Smart, who arrived as a recent first-team All-SEC player but didnt carry himself that way. The record had them finishing 5th in conference, a unusually bad finish for them. Kerwin Bell, former Florida Gator quarterback, led the Valdosta State team that won the 2018 Division II National Championship. They were just trying to build a program and get the locals to watch someone other than the two high school powers. High around 80F. I cannot wait to get to Titletown USA to meet the local community and begin our work on the 2022 season! 1 even with the upsetting finish. The Blazers have won a total of four Division II National Championship titles (2004, 2007, 2012 and 2018).[2]. In 2002 VSU made its first national championship appearance with a 3124 loss to Grand Valley State University. 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. Powell Hall West, Suite 1120. Its good people. In 1994 the Blazer won a school-record 11 victories, and with quarterback Chris Hatcher, played in the program's first national football tournament. Feb 15 No surprise here @phillipstarks25 ! Goff was named Gulf South. . Goff is a native of Picayune, Miss., and he and his wife Tiffanie have two children, Tyler and Audrey. The "Hatch-Attack" completed its first season 102, and were Gulf South Conference Champions with an 81 conference record, a dramatic improvement from their previous 47 season. Both were now part of the Saban tree, where they were indoctrinated in a philosophy of run-oriented, physical football. Smart was hired anyway. It was that way with laundry, too: At the bigger school, everything would be handled by equipment managers or janitorial staff. He rushed for 106 yards and two touchdowns during the 2012 season for the four-time NCAA Division II national . Fourteen practices later, and spring ball wrapped up Friday night with practice number fifteen, the Blazer's annual spring game. Offensively, the Mavericks put up 33.7 points per game, placing them among the top 35 best offenses in Division II. 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. It was a great leap of faith by Reinhard, but he found a lot to like about Hatcher, including his connections. Oh, and the meeting rooms didnt have enough chairs. Bonner had transferred from Kentucky, so he had seen the differences in resources, which were glaring. Cavan and Lee are two of the most important advisers now to Smart. Tucked in the lowest, central part of Georgia within miles of the Florida line Valdosta is only the 14th-largest city in the state. Not just football: What were the people like? In 2009 and 2011 the Blazers had 64 seasons and missed the Division II playoffs. 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. In 2002, the Blazers went to their first national championship game against Grand Valley State, losing 3124. Madison Gruber, editor-in-chief of The Spectator, said this was the first time VSUs college newspaper earned General Excellence recognition. Earle Solomonson accomplished this at North Dakota State University in 1985.[7]. Two years later the Blazers won the national championship, and they have won three more since then, including last year. David Dean, former VSU offensive coordinator, is the current football head coach at Valdosta State University. 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. I'm really excited about where we are going, not anywhere near where we need to be but so far, leaps and bounds beyond where we were and so we want to be able to build on that.". Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. [1] [2] Goff served as the head football coach at Tiffin University in Tiffin, Ohio from 2011 to 2018 and Valdosta State University in Valdosta, Georgia from 2019 to 2021. They looked good! Bonner said. Tremaine Jackson - Head Football Coach - Football Coaches - Valdosta Naturally friendly people, Leach said. The Blazers then capped off the season with an eight-game winning streak and their second national championship title win against Northwest Missouri State University, 2520. Once that project was completed there was still more work to do. Carry the boards, get the boards here, remembered Kirby Smart, back then the new secondary coach one year removed from college himself. Smart was elevated to defensive coordinator, thrust into a job running a defense just three years out of college. The new coaches noticed right away. Valdosta State wraps up spring practice with annual spring game Friday The offense had been the dominant feature in the 1990s, and Hatcher was a key part of it. You dont get ready for that. The riding on buses. Where Is Coach Rush Propst From Valdosta High Now? (EXCLUSIVE) Two notable alumni are Jessie Tuggle, National Football League linebacker from 19872000 playing his entire career with the Atlanta Falcons, and Chris Hatcher was quarterback in the programs first national football tournament in 1994 and was that year's Harlon Hill Trophy winner. 18. A triumvirate of power at one of the national powers, who can all pull from Valdosta experience. Jackson comes to Titletown from Colorado Mesa University where he was the head coach the past two seasons. These awards show our hard work is paying off one way or another, Gruber said. Official Account of Valdosta State University Football 4x National Champions | 9x GSC Champions Head Coach: Tremaine Jackson #KTF #DOG #RLW 17. But it was still a third wheel locally to the high school teams, a sleepy college football program that befitted the sleepy Spanish moss trees that dot the campus. Valdosta State Blazers football - American Football Database She is an English major (focus in journalism) and a political science minor. There was a problem saving your notification.