1980 Dawgs -Revisited
From the website for 1980 Dawgs – The Inside Story of The National Championship Season™: A new documentary film produced in a 2 DVD, Collector’s Edition set. Contains over 3 1/2 hours of behind the scenes stories, including some never heard before and exciting game footage that fans will treasure. Over 25 Players and coaches relive the season with emotions that bring that special season back to life. more…
A Weekend to Remember
As I mentioned last Thursday, the 1980 National Championship Bulldogs had a 30 year reunion this weekend. It’s always amazing to see this group of ultimate winners, and continue to learn what made this team tick. I wish I could have videotaped several of the after dinner conversations that went in the wee hours Saturday morning, but alas I was ill prepared.
Hugh Nall was able to attend his first reunion ever because he had always been coaching on the collegiate level somewhere at each of the other three reunions. Since he no longer coaches, but runs a trucking company in Albany, he had time and it was great to be with him again. I had seen Hugh at coaches clinics and the like, but this was the first time I had been around him for a prolonged period.
The coolest thing for me personally was something David Chandley of all people had for me. You may know David as the weather guy on Channel 2 in Atlanta. Well in 1980, David was a freshman student trainer at Georgia. I was talking to a couple of people Friday night and could see David out of the corner of my eye, like he was waiting for me to finish so we could talk.
He explained that as a student trainer you don’t get much love. He said from time to time, you might go ahead and “keep some stuff”. He said he had a box of “stuff” in his basement for nearly 30 years and just a couple of years ago realized he had something I might want.
I have had numerous people ask me over the years, if I had my old jersey or my old helmet. I never even considered taking either of those items because equipment manager Howard Beavers was a crotchety old cuss that had me thoroughly intimidated. I would not even think to ask much less just keep a jersey.
Well Friday night after 30 years, I received my old jersey. Better late than never!
Thanks David! You da man!
National Camp Series Event
I have been asked to run another camp for Michael Husted of National Camp Series. The event will be held at Roswell High School on December 4th, 2010.
We will test participants in field goals, kick-offs, punting and also long snapping. Grades 9-12 are welcome.
Coach Richt, RTK and Down 34
I had a great time at the Georgia Kicking Camp last week. I saw Dax Langley and Billy Bennett as well as many young kickers I have met over the last few years. I am hopeful I will be able to be involved in the camp more in the future. One of the interesting developments of the day was seeing Coach Mark Richt for the first time since I started this blog.
As you may or may not know, as last season wore on, I had posted some controversial comments that got me in hot water with some fans. I wanted to make sure CMR knew where I was coming from. When I asked him about it, he said he had heard a little about it. We were interrupted before we could get too deep, but we talked about meeting down the road to finish the conversation. He certainly does not owe me anything, but it’s important to me have the discussion.
I saw several players while in Athens. Drew Butler looks like a decathlete. He spoke to the campers about the process he has a gone through as a player and young man. He did a great job. I met Richard Samuel for the first time. He is more beastly than ever before. He is up to 233 lbs. Brandon Boykin, Baccari Rambo and A.J. all look great. I met and spent a good bit of time talking to Coach Van Halanger. He was effusive in his praise of the work the guys have done this off-season.
Last and least is my continued effort to get back in shape. I had plateau’d between 25-30 lbs for several weeks. A trip to Jacksonville and the lure of great seafood did not help. I am happy to report that I now have broken through to a new and seemingly legit loss of 34 lbs.
My workouts have been slowed a bit the last week because of a strained flabdominal, but my daily walk is up to 3.5 miles and I’m just being consistent with moving forward, even when making eating mistakes. You can’t let a mistake derail you. Just keep going!
Have a great week folks!
Former Players Must Remain Mum?
A truly hot topic today is the brewing verbal sparring match between former Chicago Bears greats, Gale Sayers and Mike Ditka and present day stand-out Brian Urlacher. Sayers was speaking to a group in Nebraska earlier this month, and pointed out some question marks for the Bear’s 2010 season. Namely Jay Cutler’s sub-par year and Urlacher’s return from off-season surgery on his wrist. Urlacher took exception(click here).
Instead of answering the specific questions Sayers posed, Urlacher went on the offensive. “How many championships has he won?”, speaking of Sayer’s career, etc, etc. If you listen to the video or read the article linked, you will probably understand that Sayers was not taking cheap shots at his old team, but based on last year’s performance, speaking the truth. But does speaking the truth even matter in this situation?
Many of you realize that I got into some hot water last season by choosing my words carelessly in some blog posts. In my situation as well, I felt strongly that some of the negatives I pointed out were true, but many Georgia fans feel I as a former player should never, ever speak ill of the program. I don’t think that’s fair. As long as the statements are based in reality and are not some inflammatory position taken just to recieve page-views as some bloggers are wont to do, then it’s all good.
I have learned a lot in my year of blogging, but I will always try to be honest. I may lose some fans, but maybe I will gain a few in the process as well.
At the risk of opening old wounds, what say you Dawg fan?
Doing The Right Thing
The last few days have reminded me of how important doing the right thing really is. I played in yesterday’s Boy’s and Girl’s Club fundraising golf tournament which is obviously fun but a more than worthwhile group to support. I was tempted at one point though, to do the wrong thing.
A group ahead of us, included an Auburn fan who left his ball marker on the green. As a Dawg, my first impulse was to skip it across a nearby lake. I did resist and as it turns out, one of my playing partners works with said “Tiger” and introduced us after the round. Based on some preliminary discussion, I may be able to do some business with them.
The right thing was rewarded.
My son recently wrote an interesting post about how video games can be a reflection of your innermost self. As they say, character is what you do when no one is watching. Click here.
Which brings me to Zach Mettenberger. I don’t know any more details than any other fan. My Blackberry was blowing up with questions, but all I can say is this. It must be pretty bad. Between being a leading candidate to be our quarterback to having a mom working at UGA, this could not be something borderline. Mark Richt does not do anything rashly. His decisions are always thoughtful and balanced. So my thoughts could be summed up this way.
Mark Richt chose to do the right thing because Zach Mettenberger refused to. Period.
Gem City to Classic City and Back
The next few days in the Dawg Nation will be ones to remember. I can’t remember a stretch over a weekend with such promise. The Rotary Club of Marietta Park to Park Fun Run is the first of what I hope will be many race tee shirts for me. The starting line is at the First United Methodist Church in Marietta and begins at 8:00 AM.
After that, we’ll head to Athens to meet Chris Troxel of the Retractable Awning Canopy Company to see a great product that I hope to at least promote if not sell through Total Team Sports. Chris will be at the Tate Center Parking lot before the game and East Campus after.
Look for him!
We may have to stop by Glory Glory in Lawrenceville on the way to see the Lewis’. I can never drive that close to such a great selection of Dawg Stuff and not stop in. We may try and run by The Blind Pig Tavern to see the DawgVent folk. They kinda scare me so that is subject to change.
Oh yeah, then the G-Day Game!
After the game, I need to run by and see some old team mates at the Lettermen’s Bar-B-Que, but I want to go see the baseball game. Tomorrow, Chance Veazey is throwing out the first pitch. You should all come support the Diamond Dawgs and Chance. I know a lot of you are planning to anyway.
As Ole Lady Luck would have it, both of my sons will be in Athens tomorrow. Ryan lives in Athens and works for UGA, Sean will be coming up from Milledgeville(Georgia College and State University). I may get the see them as well.
How’s that for a Saturday.
Sunday, I will be out with some kickers in the afternoon. I start with a new kid from Wheeler HS. I’m looking forward to seeing what he can do.
Monday, I will be playing in The Boy’s and Girl’s Club Golf Tournament at The Marietta Country Club. You may want to avoid the vicinity. My old room/team mate, Frank Ros is playing this year.
Have a great weekend Dawgs! As the kids say, it could be epic!
Time For A Change
This is a totally personal blog post. It’s time for me to make some changes. As of today, I will be implementing what I will call The GOYA Plan. Look for the book and infomercial to come. I am in about the worst shape of my life. You could say I have been doing the P90Rex plan for years, which means I have been busy doing a whole lotta nothing. Let’s call it a fatness regimen.
Starting a new business in 2009 has had me totally focused on that. Not that I was working out before that. It’s just that as things grow and I’m getting busier, I need as much energy as I can get.
I don’t think I’ll be doing any before pictures. I wouldn’t do that to my worst enemy. I want to lose 55 pounds. I will be updating you on my progress toward that goal. Basically, I want to try and develop just a couple of new habits. The name GOYA stands for Get Off Your Ass. That is paramount. I’m not training for a marathon, unless you call LIFE a marathon. I just want to get in the habit of walking.
The other thing is just a few tweaks to my eating. A little less of everything. A little less eating out. A little less portions. A little less eating a night and believe it or not, a little less computer time.
Yes, this laptop has become one of the enemies as well.
A Miss Georgia You Never Heard Of
For the sake of doing something different and positive for Georgia Bulldog fans, here is Miss Georgia 2004, Salome Chikviladze. We’ll call her Sally.
The fact that this is the country of Georgia matters not to me. See her profile here and by all means see her swimsuit pic below. I swear I’m not going to do a “Babe of the week” like my son does on his blog.
I just ran across this profile while doing a very innocent search for a University of Georgia background on Google. I love me some Google, don’t you?
Go Dawgs!
St.Patrick’s Day Greetings
I just wanted to wish you all a happy and safe St.Patrick’s Day today. If you celebrate it like only a true Dawg fan can, be careful out there! Especially you Bernie! The thing is the whole country celebrates this day, which just happens to be my birthday as well.
Yep, 51 years old today. Somebody slow this thing down, please. I just realized how much I look like St. Patrick. Holy crap.
Are You a Disney Dawg?
I guess this terminology originated on the The DawgVent…www.ugasports.com. You know the type. Zippity Doo Dahz all the way through life, not even considering that there could be something wrong with our beloved Dawgs. You can’t even say a glass half full kind of person. They would insist the glass was too small to begin with.
As I have dipped my toe into Fandom and seen both sides of this equation, I have questioned which is worse, the Disney Dawg or the guy who’s never satisfied with anything but a Mythical National Championship.
Those guys can only be represented by the two old guys from the Muppet Show, Statler and Waldorf. See below. Look, they are on the Dawgvent as we speak.
Statler and Waldorf want Mark Richt fired…right now. Nevermind that he has taken dramatic steps to improve our defense. The mistakes of the past can never be rectified by any measure of success.
Check the comment posted here by BuLLdawg.
Neither end of this pole is productive. We have to be realistic. You can’t put your head in the sand like a Disney, but give Coach Richt his due when he does something right. Do we have work to do? Absolutely. Work resumes today in Athens, and I can’t wait to see the product this fall. G-Day is fun, but will not give a great picture of what is to come.
Go Dawgs!
Mettenberger Sacked
I hate to see it, but apparently Zach Mettenberger was arrested over the weekend for underage drinking among other things. His bid to become the man come September may have taken a serious hit, and might also give Aaron Murray the opportunity to solidify his place as the team’s starter. Most people thought it would end up like this anyway, but as a coach you want that true open competition to ensure all the contenders are working their hardest.
If Zach misses one or two games, it might be too much to overcome. At the same time, I hope he doesn’t let this derail him long term, we may need him down the road.
New Poll on RTK…Who will…
Who will be the quarterback in Athens this fall?
Vote in the RTK Poll to the right.
Spring is In The Air, Sort of
What’s that noise Georgia fans? I hear there are Georgia Bulldogs stirring in the deep recesses of the Big BM. That’s the Butts-Mehre building for those of you in Phenix City. Mat drills are over. Optimism abounds. Willie is free. Life is good.
Spring football is starting in Athens and the Dawg Nation searches for signs that the upgrades continue. New blood on the staff should equate to a new attitude, not just on defense, but across the board. After all, it was the offense that ranked near the bottom in the NCAA in turnovers and penalties.
I think I am ready for the Aaron Murray watch. Many assume he’s the man. I wonder what Zach Mettenberger thinks about that? I’m going to put my considerable weight behind Zach.
Zach is the Cinco Grande, the future of the Georgia 5′s.
I am implementing the new “Vick logic”. He wants to go to Carolina because he like the uniforms. My heart is in the number 5. Seriously, I hope that one of these red-shirt freshman is ready by fall. Our season depends on it.
All-American Kickoff
I am very proud to announce that I will be partnering with Michael Husted of National Combine Series and Football University in coordinating the All American Kickoff combines in Atlanta, Birmingham and Nashville for 2010. NCS is providing input to Football University(FBU) in choosing the kickers for the Army All-American Bowl Game. I will continue to work with kickers on a small group and one on one basis in Marietta. In addition I may be doing a weekend camp at Irmo HS in Columbia, SC this summer.
The Atlanta camp will be at Mountain View HS in Lawrenceville, Georgia on April 30 – May 2.
The Birmingham area camp will be at Spain Park HS in Hoover on June 4-6.
The Nashville camp will be held at Father Ryan HS on June 25-27.
Go to the FBU website and nominate yourself or someone you know!
Of course, you can always call me at 404-455-0393 if you have questions.
Rex
College Football and Social Media
There are quite a few Georgia Bulldogs who jumped in the deep end of social media in 2009. From Facebook to Twitter, and probably some Myspace thrown in for good measure, being “social” with friends we don’t know has become all the rage. Although, I can see some positive aspects to this phenomenon, the negatives keep piling up in my mind’s eye.
Going back to last year when I jumped in the pool myself, it was interesting to connect with so many Dawg fans of all ages. As a former player, it was fun and a little bit of an ego boost to be perfectly honest. I can’t even imagine how crazy it could get for a present day player….wait, yes I can.
I have followed Jeff Owens and Mike Moore from the beginning of the 2009 season. I added Darryl Gamble, Tavarres King, Neland Ball, Bacarri Rambo, Drew Butler and AJ Green. Along the way I picked up on some players from other teams as well. I’m going to hold off on their names, you’ll understand shortly.
On the surface one would think it would be great to follow and understand the day to day routine of a college football player. At times it was true, but there were other times it was disappointing. When the season did not go according to plan, it gave over zealous fans the ammo they needed to criticize some players. It was ugly.
One in particular was Jeff Owens, who tweeted early and often about his daily grind, never missing an opportunity to let his followers know when he got his grub on. Jeff received some some serious heat after the Florida game, I believe it was. In addition, none other than David Pollack was relentless in in the fall, telling #95 to try a salad from time to time. Sometimes brutal, sometimes funny, but #47 was really just trying to help I think.
This has been a bad week for college players and social media. Elijay Fields of the Pitt Panthers was dismissed for pictures he posted on Twitter (click and also see picture below). If thats not enough, try Oregon’s Jamere Holland, upset because he thought,(mistakenly) that one of his boys had been kicked off the team for a DUI. He let loose on Facebook and now he’s the goner(click).
Like I mentioned earlier, I have been following some players from other schools besides Georgia and I have seen Tweets about partying, getting high and even one guy watching his room mate having sex in the room. It’s crazy. It’s like these kids think the only ones reading it are their friends and or team mates.
Another example is the fan pressure exerted on Facebook pages during recruiting season. Da’Rick Rogers was supposedly bombarded by Georgia and Tennessee fans. Now Rogers and Baccari Rambo have had a verbal sparring match online. It seems to have subsided for now, but I have a feeling it’s not over(click).
All in all, as a fan I think social media is cool. It gives you an unequaled access to players and their thoughts day to day. But the abuses are so numerous, if I were a coach, I would want my players to steer clear. I think any player willing to risk exposing himself to the fringe that exists out there, better be thicked skinned, because people will put you on blast in a hurry. And by all means watch the “Twitpics” and keep your mouth shut!
My own personal time on Twitter and Facebook has been dwindling because of having to devote more time to my business, but I feel sure when the season gets here, I will be among those barking…
Gooo #Dawgs!
New Series – Old School/New School
Hey you Georgia Bulldog fans, I am considering a series called Old School/New School where I will travel around Georgia and meet the 2010 signees, at least as many as possible. I want to try and approach it differently than most “reporters” might. If you think you would like this idea, what questions would you want answered? I am open for suggestions.
From Rivals.com:
| SIGNED LETTER OF INTENT | Pos | Stars | Ht | Wt | 40 | RR | Video | Enrolled | Hometown |
| Demetre Baker | LB |  |
6-0 | 200 | 4.45 | 5.7 |  |
Orange Park, FL | |
| Brent Benedict | OL | |
6-4 | 278 | 5.07 | 5.9 | |
Jacksonville, FL | |
| Michael Bennett | WR | |
6-3 | 186 | 4.55 | 5.7 | |
Alpharetta, GA | |
| Brandon Burrows | DE | |
6-3 | 240 | 4.7 | 5.7 | |
Marietta, GA | |
| Marc Deas | DB | |
6-0 | 185 | - | 5.6 | |
Kissimmee, FL | |
| Jalen Fields | DE | |
6-5 | 250 | 4.65 | 5.8 | |
Dalton, GA | |
| Kenarious Gates | OL | |
6-5 | 300 | 4.9 | 5.5 | |
Greenville, GA | |
| Jakar Hamilton | DB | |
6-2 | 196 | 4.4 | 6.0 | |
 |
Milledgeville, GA |
| Kolton Houston | OL | |
6-5 | 270 | - | 5.7 | |
|
Buford, GA |
| Ken Malcome | RB | |
6-0 | 213 | 4.54 | 5.8 | |
Decatur, GA | |
| Hutson Mason | QB | |
6-2 | 190 | 4.89 | 5.6 | |
Marietta, GA | |
| Dexter Morant | DE | |
6-7 | 240 | 4.9 | 5.8 | Manning, SC | ||
| Alec Ogletree | DB | |
6-3 | 210 | 4.55 | 6.0 | |
Newnan, GA | |
| Alexander Ogletree | RB | |
5-9 | 205 | 4.55 | 5.6 | |
Newnan, GA | |
| Lonnie Outlaw | WR | |
6-6 | 200 | - | 5.2 | Rochelle, GA | ||
| Derek Owens | DB | |
5-11 | 180 | 4.45 | 5.7 | |
Jacksonville, FL | |
| Garrison Smith | DT | |
6-4 | 250 | - | 5.9 | |
Atlanta, GA | |
| T.J. Stripling | DE | |
6-6 | 215 | 4.64 | 6.0 | |
Decatur, GA | |
| Mike Thornton | DT | |
6-2 | 280 | 4.8 | 5.8 | |
Stone Mountain, GA |
Racing to the Finish
The show “Full Color Football” was on the NFL Network over the weekend. One episode points out the fact that as recently as 1963, the NFL was not exactly an open door when it came to African-American players. Right off the bat, I was taken aback by the statement that if an NFL team did have black players it was a small number like 2 or 4, never 3 or 5. That way, with an even number, the black players could room together on the road.
The AFL on the other hand, was slightly more flexible. Partly because of the need for players, but also because they wanted to get the best players possible. They might sign as many as 15 black players, but only at certain positions. Weak safeties, middle linebackers and of course, quartebacks had to be white because of the mental demands of the position. Wow.
At this point you may wonder why I am even discussing the issue, after all, this was nearly 50 years ago. Well, each example of racism listed above, is of a subtle variety. In a sense, even the supposedly progressive AFL was saying, we will give you an opportunity, but it will always be the opportunity we choose. By the way, can you name the player to the right? He was the first Black player ever drafted number one overall by either league.
Obviously things are much different in the NFL, but what about the real world, where you and I live.
I grew up in west Marietta, Georgia near where several black families lived. They were sometimes my only friends, because there were no other white kids my age in the neighborhood. That fact and playing baseball and football with numerous black players as a kid, I didn’t have a racist bone in my body. Fortunately, my family didn’t foster any such bigotry. Living with players at McWhorter Hall at UGA only deepened my affection for all people, well except this one guy we called THE FUNK. He was white, but from Alabama…nuff said.
Because of those relationships and spending time out in the world with my team mates, I have witnessed the subtle prejudices perpetrated against them. It doesn’t have to be as ominous or violent as days gone by to damage the psyche and the soul.
Something as innocuous as a double take and stare when an old team mate visited me in the Dunwoody Townhome Complex where I lived in 1995-96, can cut deeply. Since apparently no black families lived in the complex, my friends presence could only mean he was there with bad intentions. Holy crap.
Sure we have an African-American man in the white house, but that doesn’t change the realities on the street. Whether subtle or not, things have not changed as much as we think.
Do you agree?
Just One of The Greatest Generation
Today is the 65th anniversary of the U.S. landing on Iwo Jima(click here). My Dad was there. I found out yesterday that he did an interview down in Panama City, Florida for the local newspaper’s website. See the video here. He lived there with his second wife for almost 20 years. I actually learned things last night that I didn’t know about my 84 year old father. Growing up, I really didn’t want to know the details of war. You will hear how my Dad’s best friend was killed on Iwo Jima. My brother Allen is named after him. When I was between the ages of 8 and 12, Allen was in the Navy during the Vietnam conflict. All of them made sacrifices so I didn’t have to.
I am thankful and proud today. The Greatest Generation, indeed.
Sebastian JaniWOWski
Oakland Raider’s kicker Sebastian Janikowski is a happy man today. I doubt he was bummed anyway, but the Raiders have seen fit to make him the highest paid kicker since King David kicked butt in the Old Testament.
Janikowski is coming off the best season of his 10-year career. He made 26 of 29 field goals, with his only misses coming from 45, 57 and 66 yards. He made six kicks of at least 50 yards, including a 61-yarder that was the fourth longest in NFL history(click).
That ain’t bad folks.
Some will question why the Raiders would go to these lengths to keep their free agent kicker. Well, the answer is as simple as looking at some of the top teams in the NFL. Just when you think you are poised to make a run for the Super Bowl, the kicking game lets you down.
Oakland is not that far from San Diego(click).
Let’s Play Some Golf!
If you are a Georgia Bulldog fan that plays a lot of golf, check out my latest advertiser, Golf Card International. No matter where you are there is a chance you can benefit from this program. I don’t play as often as I would like, and played so poorly in 2009, I swear I quit 5 times.
I actually need some instruction and to get fitted for my clubs…
I usually only get to play in charity events and fundraisers for customers. The Golf Card provides opportunities for discounted greens fees at hundreds of courses all over North America, Puerto Rico and Costa Rica. If you get a card, let me know and give me some feedback on this service. It almost sounds too good to be true!
While we’re talking golf, if you need any golf balls with your company or high school logo on them let me know. I now do all kinds of promotional items for businesses and booster clubs.
Memories of Mel, and The Other 1980
When I hear the word Olympics, it takes me way back. Once again back to early1980 and a stolen opportunity for so many phenomenal athletes who had dedicated themselves to reach for the Rings. The boycott of these Summer Olympics in Moscow was a travesty (click). One of the athletes most affected was a Georgia Bulldog, Melvin Lattany (click). I had the unique pleasure to watch Mel, one of the top athletes in any sport to ever attend the University of Georgia.
I have attached links to some great stories, that tell the tale much better than I ever could, but suffice it to say, Mel was awesome. Between the present Olympics being underway and two plaques that are on my wall, Mel came to mind today.
About this time of year in 1980, the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame held it’s award banquet, just as it does to this day. I was nominated for amatuer athlete of the year in 1980 and 1981, an award that was for any athlete of any sport at any college in Georgia. That’s right….me…a kicker.
Only one problem. In 1980 so was Mel and in 1981, so was Herschel. D, JD.
Here are the two guilty parties at a meet in Athens. Notice how Mel sort of left HW in the dust? Herschel weighed nearly sixty pounds more than Mel though. Herschel at 222, and Mel at 165. That fact was far more amazing to me than any football accomplishment of #34. Mel told me that at age 50 he weighs 195. He trains five days a week and can still run a 4.7 40. Wow.
Mel lives in London now. I reconnected with him about 2 months ago. In researching my first post on Herschel’s MMA debut, I read an article that Mel actually commented on. The “intrawebs” made it very easy to find him and trade emails within hours.
1980 has vastly different memories for Mel and I. Both historic, but on different ends of the emotional spectrum. I, along with my team mates found the ultimate in joy and triumph. Mel and his Olympic team mates saw only frustration and disappointment. Let’s hope no aspiring Olympian has their hopes dashed by politics ever again.
Turnover Bug Spreads in Athens
The virus that plagued the Georgia Football Bulldogs has migrated from the Butts Mehre building to the Stegeman Coliseum. Turnovers are everywhere, and they’re not just for breakfast anymore. The Dawgs rank 319 out of 332 Division I programs in turnover margin(click). Sound familiar? I don’t write much about basketball and it’s for good reason. I never played and don’t watch very often. But the little I have watched, this common theme jumped out at me.
I believe many of the Dawgs turnovers this past fall were as a result of Joe Cox trying to do more than he was capable. If we had developed our running game early on, Joe could have played within himself and the Dawgs probably win two or three more games. The Dawgs of the round ball variety seem to try to make passes that just aren’t there as well. It’s not a lack of effort, as Fox and his Hounds have played hard and even upset the likes of Tennessee and Vanderbilt.
To lose to a mediocre Auburn team 82-63 is frustrating, but the Dawgs are still learning. Learning to win is one of the hardest thing to do. Many of UGA’s losses have been games where we jump out to big leads, just to see them vanish in to thin air.
At this point, it is a struggle for players to not expect that other shoe to drop in games. This psychological monster is a tough one to kill. Mark Fox is obviously a great coach that has his guys motivated and at times over-achieving. A (10-12) overall record and (2-7) in the SEC is hard to call it overachieving but, how many of our opponents are starting a former walk-on shooting guard? I don’t know, I’m asking.
I believe Mark Fox has the program going in the right direction. Maybe he will be the coach that breaks the cycle of Georgia being just a football school. I hope so.
What do you think?
McCollum Comes Home
As I stated in an earlier post, my old friend and team mate Andy McCollum might be up for a position at the Trade School. He has indeed been asked to join the Georgia Tech Football Staff. He interviewed on Friday and the announcement that he had accepted the offer came this afternoon. McCollum will act as recruiting coordinator and could coach linebackers or defensive line, depending on who else is hired to flesh out the defensive staff.
I wish Andy well, but only to an extent. He can have all the success in the world in the ACC, but he should always remember.
WE RUN THIS STATE!
Tell me what you really think!