valdosta state football coaches

"I also wanted to be here because you have a chance to compete for national championships year in and year out. He then reunited with his old college football coach and helped Hal Mumme start the Southeastern Louisiana University football program from scratch. And yet the football is the best in the state: Valdosta High School has won 24 state titles, Lowndes High School has another five, and the private Valwood School has six. He called up Joe Kines, who had been his DC at Georgia, who told him: Theres no book for that. 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. Smart was hired anyway. Valdosta Daily Times. He amassed a 22-3 record, one national championship appearance, and one conference title. Gary Goff is an American football coach. (Valdosta State Athletics). Earle Solomonson accomplished this at North Dakota State University in 1985.[7]. 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. The Blazer defense held teams to 124.4 yards per game on the ground for 44th nationally. None of us saw this coming. following his conversation with now-former head football coach Gary Goff when he told him he was leaving for McNeese State. Goff came to Tiffin after a highly successful 2010 season at West Virginia Wesleyan where he was the offensive coordinator and quarterback coach. He was named the new head coach after last season. It just wasnt the right fit. The football programs he has been associated with have had great success on the field. During Goff's playing days he led the Blazers to their first ever championship in 1996. Wells earned American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) All-America honors, was a finalist for the prestigious Harlon Hill Trophy and recently named the GSC Offensive Player of the Decade. The opposition scored just 18.5 points per game on the Blazers for 23rd nationally and tops in the conference. Leach, who moved to the town in his early 30s, found it to have a lot in common with his native Wyoming. In 2009 VSU finished in 3rd in the Gulf South Conference and 4th in 2011. The Blazers are a member of the Gulf South Conference (GSC) in NCAA Division II. 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 Reinhard gets asked all the time: Why not move Valdosta State up a level? 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. We ask that you consider turning off your ad blocker so we can deliver you the best experience possible while you are here. What everyone remembers is that it was hard work, but also fun. And when I say they I mean Kirby, Muschamp, Hatcher, all those guys walking up the hallway passing out Whoppers or Chick-fil-A sandwiches or whatever, Bonner said. I knew it was a learning experience for me. More important than the on-field product, Jackson brings a reputation as a star recruiter and a champion of academic excellence. Doscher, the strength and conditioning coach, said he knew back then Muschamp and Smart were going to be successful. They had more responsibilities. The official Baseball Coach List for the Valdosta State University Blazers Skip To Main . That mad scientist would try to run offensive meetings in a room so hot it was hard to keep players awake. Published: Jan. 3, 2022 at 11:45 AM PST. 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. They have strong ties to Valdosta State. Kemp signed an undrafted free agent contract with the Tennessee Titans of the NFL in April. "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. 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.". This news comes just after the Blazers fell in the Division II national championship game. VSC had its first winning season in 1986 with a 92 record led by All-American Jessie Tuggle. The previous staff did an excellent job with this team, which is full with talent and potential. Welcome to the job, now hire a football coach. Bigger schools eventually offered Smart, who ended up at Georgia. I am very excited to have Tremaine join our Blazer family, Reinhard said. In 1994 the Blazer won a school-record 11 victories, and with quarterback Chris Hatcher, played in the program's first national football tournament. announced the forming of a football team, VSU president Hugh C. Bailey called an early morning 1981 meeting which included VP for Business Sam Brooks, Athletic Director Billy Grant and coach Dave Waples. They had to help with the laundry, lead study hall or hand out Chick-fil-A sandwiches to players at lunch. Mike Leach came to Valdosta State University Athletics in 1992 to work with newly hired Blazer Football head coach Hal Mumme; the duo had been at Iowa Wesleyan College where they set numerous offensive records. In 2002, the Blazers went to their first national championship game against Grand Valley State, losing 3124. "Just really proud about the growth and proud of our coaches, for going and getting better players," he said. Valdosta would prove to be a great experience for the young staff, especially someone like Smart, who had played at a big-time school. The work was tough. What is your favorite part of The Valdosta Daily Times? 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. Team 3 hot start! I think the individual awards gave the winners a lot of motivation by proving that they can do anything they set their minds to. The use of software that blocks ads hinders our ability to serve you the content you came here to enjoy. Last season, Jackson's Mavericks allowed only 15.6 points per game, good for 13th in the nation. It is 100 percent true. I wanted to experience that. As the team flew back to Valdosta empty-handed and disappointed, Reinhard made a promise to the players. On November 28, 2022, at approximately 8:27 am., a Valdosta Police Officer responded to a commercial business in the 1600 block of Clay Road after the owner called E911 to report a burglary. Goff and the Blazers went 35-13 during his career at VSU under Mumme earning letters in 1995 and 1996. "I think what impressed me, even more so than the football coach, is what else he brings to the table. They learned things they wouldnt have if they had started at a larger school. 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. Smart did very well, and a year later he was on the move himself, taking a graduate assistant job under Bobby Bowden at Florida State, before rejoining Muschamp at LSU in 2004. The things you had to do with the players because they didnt have as much. The only way you get ready is you take the job, and you sink or swim.. Despite the demands for a team, Valdosta State University, then Valdosta State College, did not form a football team Bama Adams Boys and Girls Club attend Braves game to honor Jackie Robinson. They wouldnt have made them in an SEC locker room, but at the same time, from a players perspective, thats pretty cool when your coaches are making lockers. Theres an appreciation at this school for who they are. 7 in the AFCA coaches poll, before finishing the regular season ranked No. 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. Im also excited about the opportunity to bring back to VSU a Blazer alum. However, former Seabreeze coach Pat Brown, who departed on Feb. 8 to become the wide receivers coach at NCAA Division II powerhouse Valdosta State, righted a once wayward ship. In 2021, Jackson coached two Academic All-Americans as well as one AFCA Second Team All-American. Smart now recalls watching that Valdosta State defense and its defensive coordinator. They didnt have too much money in those days, so everything was precious. (He has argued the story didnt happen exactly that way, but Muschamp is adamant: That is 100 percent right.). The Mavericks finished 10th in total defense at 258.2 yards per game and 16th in total offense at 452.0 yards per game. Steel's Jewelry Blazer Athletes of the Week. There could be others coming down the pike: Hatcher, still only 46, is now at Samford, an FCS school. Hatcher was only 26 years old. 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). [13] Bell was formerly the head coach for the Jacksonville Dolphins, prior to joining Valdosta State. Its good people. 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. Jessica Ballow. 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, former VSU offensive coordinator, is the current football head coach at Valdosta State University. Prior to Goffs arrival in 2011, Tiffin University was a combined 2-31 from 2008-2010. Junior long snapper Pippin Davis was named Second Team Academic All-America by CoSIDA. 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. 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. Madison Gruber, editor-in-chief of The Spectator, said this was the first time VSUs college newspaper earned General Excellence recognition. Good news came within a few minutes: The car was found on the other side of the mall, still running. In 2018, Goff had his best season at Tiffin as he guided the Dragons to a 9-2 campaign and a 6-2 record in the Great Midwest Conference as the team began the season 9-0. They didnt a few years earlier when Hal Mumme, Guy Morriss, Dana Holgorsen and a certain mad scientist offensive coordinator were around. "Tremaine told me very early in the interview that the reason he coaches is to change lives. In 2006, ESPN would proclaim the city to be Titletown, USA, and the locals collectively shrugged as if to say: Well, of course.. Herb Reinhard drove in on a January day in 1992 to interview for the newly vacant job of athletic director at Valdosta State. High around 80F. Were gonna be pretty good if we play with 12!, The room laughed. There is a long answer, and a short one. They didn't like what happened to them on the 18th, but they're willing to go back through the process day-by-day, welcome us and our new staff into helping them get back to that point. It's my responsibility to help them finish that mission. Reinhard said he did not know prior to Saturday that Goff was leaving. 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 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]. . But in time he would still end up in Valdosta. Mumme took over as head coach at Valdosta State University in 1992. Follow Seth on Twitter @SethWEmerson, Mike Leach served as Valdosta States offensive coordinator for five seasons from 1992-96. And earlier this summer, Leach called Goff at midnight eastern time, because Leach is now at Washington State. You dont get ready for that. The Blazers were fourth nationally in completion percentage (.701), while finishing 14th nationally in first downs gained (276). Jackson becomes VSU's first Black head football coach, BUSH: Staying on top of 401K can pay dividends, Carvalho, No. Why not try to capitalize on all this success and notoriety? Tremaine Jackson - Head Football Coach - Staff Directory - Valdosta State University Athletics Tremaine Jackson Title Head Football Coach Email football@valdosta.edu Phone (229) 333-5970 Discipline. Volunteer Football Operations. We're going to try to do an excellent job because I'm not the best one. He hasnt changed a lick.. 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.. VALDOSTA, Ga. - Valdosta State Director of Athletics Herb Reinhard announced Monday Tremaine Jackson as the 11 th head football coach in Blazer history. After three years, he was gone. All rights reserved. Red versus black, and the red squad, won 28-24. He didnt have many connections to Valdosta State or Mumme. Wilson joined The Spectator staff two years ago. What should WTXL be covering in this community. CMU finished in the top 20 nationally in both total defense (10th 258.2 ypg) and total offense (16th 452.0 ypg). Marty McGhin. 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. But Reinhard wanted something different. 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. I want to thank Dr. Carvajal and Mr. Reinhard for the opportunity to lead my alma mater. Copyright 2021 WALB. On January 25, 2019, VSU announced former Tiffin head coach Gary Goff as the tenth head coach in program history. Defensive Line Coach / Film Coordinator / Assistant NFL Liaison. VALDOSTA, Ga. (WALB) - On Monday, Valdosta State University (VSU) Athletics Department announced a new head coach to lead the Blazers in the upcoming season. I think that's going to get us off to a good start.". Fourteen practices later, and spring ball wrapped up Friday night with practice number fifteen, the Blazer's annual spring game. Which, again, means football. The 2005 season saw the first time the Blazers started the season ranked No. Graduate Assistant Athletic Trainer (Football, Men's and Women's Tennis) jballow@valdosta.edu. The majority of VSU students voted for the team and an increase in student fees. 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). In Coach Bell's first season, 2016, the Blazers finished the season 83. This was Division II football. "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. 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. She said it was exciting to celebrate the history-making moment with her advisors, Dr. Ted Geltner and Gregory Brown, and her team of student journalists, designers, photographers, and editors. 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. Head Coach Gary Goff begins his third season at the helm of the VSU Blazers. The same way we coach players and take a lot of pride in their development and their growth is the same responsibility I feel like I have with that. The win gave VSU its third Division II National title in eight years. The stadium is also the home of the historical Valdosta High School Wildcats. Shane Thomas | The Valdosta Daily TimesValdosta State Director of Athletics Herb Reinhard speaks to reporters following an introductory press conference for head football coach Tremaine Jackson Thursday. Doc Holliday is reputed to have spent part of his childhood in Valdosta before heading out west to join Wyatt Earp. Because thats Valdosta, Bonner said. If they really wanted to do it, they would have to do it themselves. On January 10, 2019, Bell left Valdosta State to accept the offensive coordinator position at South Florida.[15]. Luke Hayes Assistant Coach J. Norwood Assistant Coach S. McCurdy Assistant Coach Latest Updates Zack Poff Apr 26, 2023 Big out-of-state football games for 2023 A look at over 60 matchups sure to have an impact on the MaxPreps Top 25 next fall. In the Blazers first season, under the direction of Head Coach Jim Goodman, the team finished with a 551 record. 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. Even during a national championship run last year, Valdosta States average attendance was about 6,100. Tiffin was ranked as high as No. Absoooooluuuuuuutely, Smart said, drawing out the word for emphasis. Fourteen practices later, and spring ball wrapped up Friday night with practice number fifteen, the Blazer's annual spring game. He also had coaching stints at Woodstock (Ga.) High School and Cherokee (Ga.) High School. I hate comparing it to that but it was more of what I was raised in, because my Dad was a high school coach, and its closer to the form of high school coaching, at least it was then. Under Goffs guidance, the Blazers continued their outstanding offensive play as the team finished second nationally in third down conversion percentage at a .528 clip. During our search process, I had numerous Blazer football alums reach out in support of Coach Goff. 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. There was a problem saving your notification. During his time in Titletown, Goff helped lead the Blazers to their first Gulf South Conference title in 1996 and the first two NCAA playoff seasons in program history in 1994 and 1996. Theres photo evidence for a story about Muschamp that also became legendary around the school. I guess the fans and all the other coaches thought: Those guys are kind of crazy.. Valdosta State was the first school to offer a safety at Bainbridge High School named Kirby Smart, and at one point Leach thought they were going to get him. 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. I beat Kirby more than he beat me, Muschamp said. Bell was also the starting quarterback for the Florida Gators from 1984 through 1987. I am very excited about working with these young men in pursuit of another championship.. It was truly an honor to win this award., The column was a sports column about the football team, with the focus being on Coach Tremaine Jackson, he said. If Penn State manages to finally break through and topple Ohio State and Michigan, Singleton, who ran for 1,061 yards and averaged 6.8 yards per carry as a freshman, will likely be a focal point. Bruce has worked for The Spectator since fall 2020 and currently serves as the sports editor. Head coach . VALDOSTA, Ga. (WTXL) One month ago, the Valdosta State football team kicked off spring practice. Goff, who was a receiver for Mumme, Leach and Holgorsen in the 1990s, is also back. For me then, it was very much what I grew up with. Now Reinhard looks to hire his seventh head football coach. Bonner paused a moment. The team is division two of the Gulf South Conference. 2004 Plaque on Bazemore-Hyder Stadium 2004 Renovations [ edit] Naturally friendly people, Leach said. Jacksons team went 2-1 in the spring of 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic. I was lucky because there are a lot of guys my age who were GAs (graduate assistants) and things, and I had a full-time job. Colton Bowser. Jessica Pope Coach Goff spent the last three seasons as the Blazers head football coach. The team was ranked nationally for the first time and broke 12 offensive school records. All rights reserved. Its impossible for me to answer that question without talking about football. A triumvirate of power at one of the national powers, who can all pull from Valdosta experience. Execute Command Minecraft Generator, Articles V