Reinhard drove back to his home in Tallahassee, Fla., and his home phone rang from a prospective candidate, the defensive coordinator at Army, who had tracked him down. Jackson also served as assistant head coach, defensive coordinator and defensive line coach at Sioux Falls from 2013-16. Dusty Bonner, the former Valdosta State quarterback who was born and raised in Valdosta, was asked what it was like to grow up there. And if anyone fell asleep it was understood that I was going to go over and dump it on their heads. "It's for the culture and we take a lot of pride in that. The team was consistently ranked in the Division II top 20 and was ranked No. I was very surprised, he said. Id like to thank Athletic Director Mr. Reinhard and President Carvajal for the opportunity to lead the Blazer football program. They were just trying to build a program and get the locals to watch someone other than the two high school powers. 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. 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. Valdosta State University has had a football team since 1981. Copyright 2021 WALB. 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. "I stand before you today very confident that we have found that gentleman. Few people, relatively, were watching. But they had also seen how the Air Raid worked at Valdosta State. 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. VSC had its first winning season in 1986 with a 92 record led by All-American Jessie Tuggle. In 2004, Hatcher led the Blazers to their second national championship appearance with and a 3631 win over Pittsburg State University for the National title. Jackson becomes VSU's first Black head football coach, BUSH: Staying on top of 401K can pay dividends, Carvalho, No. It just wasnt the right fit. Herb Reinhard drove in on a January day in 1992 to interview for the newly vacant job of athletic director at Valdosta State. The official Football Coach List for the Valdosta State University Blazers Skip To Main . Valdosta and Lowndes developed a famously fierce rivalry over the years, one that one alum compared to the Hatfields and McCoys. (Valdosta State Athletics), Kirby Smart served as Valdosta States DB coach in 2000 and was promoted to defensive coordinator in 2001. The players would leave the hot practice field and be handed a peanut-butter sandwich and a banana, and then had to lie on the floor inside to try to get cool. [12] David Dean is the only football coach in Valdosta State history to win two national championships. 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. #DOG #RLW Quote Tweet Wilson joined The Spectator staff two years ago. You're giving me an opportunity to come coach you,'" Jackson said of his first message to the team when he was hired. The two seasons were a part of a GSC record 35 straight regular season victories. "I feel like I have a responsibility as a coach to speak truth into people's lives. 1 in the nation in Division II for part of the 1996 season when they won their first Gulf South Conference championship. He is the head football coach at McNeese State University in Lake Charles, Louisiana, a role he assumed in December 2021. 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. 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 State in Lake Charles, La. Classes resume Jan. 10 and Jackson has already made considerable efforts to connect with the team. I started each meeting with a huge Big Gulp full of ice water, Mike Leach recalled. Those are a couple things that you guys can expect to see us do.". Seven different Valdosta coaches have gone on to become head coaches at an FBS school: Smart, Muschamp, Leach, Holgorsen, Morris, Mumme and Cavan. Jackson's coaching career spans 16 years, having started as a defensive line coach at Texas A&M-Kingsville in 2006. You dont get ready for that. [6] This was the third straight championship appearance by the Bearcats, also the third straight time the Bearcats have lost the national championship game. 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. Bazemore-Hyder Stadium Weekly Previews FloSports FAQ Tremaine Jackson Title Head Football Coach Email football@valdosta.edu Phone (229) 333-5970 Discipline. Thats real, Reinhard said. He was kind of a wild guy, blitz all the time, Smart said. 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 is a native of Picayune, Miss., and he and his wife Tiffanie have two children, Tyler and Audrey. They lost in the first round of the NCAA Division II playoffs to UNC-Pembroke 2421. The Mavericks finished 10th in total defense at 258.2 yards per game and 16th in total offense at 452.0 yards per game. As a player, Jackson began his college career at Louisiana-Monroe before transferring to Texas Southern for his final junior and senior seasons. Coach Goff spent the last three seasons as the Blazers head football coach. Sanders, Publisher. This category is for college football coaches at Valdosta State University.. Like he did with Mumme in 1992, Reinhard went out of the box again, this time by reaching back to the Mumme-Leach tree. 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. He is the head football coach at McNeese State University in Lake Charles, Louisiana, a role he assumed in December 2021. We did a lot of other jobs that a lot of these guys that were Division I coaches their whole lives, they have no idea what all we did.. 2008 saw the Blazers make it to the second round of the playoffs and a 93 season. We didnt know anything different, said Gary Goff, then a Valdosta State receiver. Kerwin Bell era: 2016-2018 [ edit] Kerwin Bell was named head coach of the Blazers on January 22, 2016. You didnt have planes. I had the linemen. Smart was hired anyway. They had more responsibilities. Personal life After three years, he was gone. He then served as offensive coordinator, wide . With classes still out for the winter break, Jackson has not been able to meet the team he inherited Thursday outside of Zoom meetings. 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. Goff, who was a receiver for Mumme, Leach and Holgorsen in the 1990s, is also back. Assistant Offensive Line Coach / Study Hall / Equipment. 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. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Running Backs / Athletic Training Liaison / Travel Coordinator. He led his 2021 Valdosta team the NCAA Division II Football Championship Game, where they lost to Ferris State. Every one of us, we were all in there hammering away with the hammers and nails.. First Amendment: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. Once that project was completed there was still more work to do. Posted at 12:07 AM, Apr 22, 2023. and last updated 9:07 PM, Apr 21, 2023. Three words that Valdosta State University Head Football Coach Tremaine Jackson lives by that have become fundamentals in his coaching philosophy. These awards show our hard work is paying off one way or another, Gruber said. Good news came within a few minutes: The car was found on the other side of the mall, still running. Welcome to the job, now hire a football coach. Most of all, we'll have a defense that can prevent free points and take the football away to give our offense better opportunities. The official Baseball Coach List for the Valdosta State University Blazers Skip To Main . Goff and the Blazers went 35-13 during his career at VSU under Mumme earning letters in 1995 and 1996. Subscribe to The Athletic for in-depth coverage of your favorite players, teams, leagues and clubs. In 2009 and 2011 the Blazers had 64 seasons and missed the Division II playoffs. In his first year Dean's Valdosta State team won the 2007 Division II National Championship. David Dean is the only football coach in Valdosta State history to win two national championships. Low 51F. I think the individual awards gave the winners a lot of motivation by proving that they can do anything they set their minds to. 2022 Valdosta State Blazers football team, List of Valdosta State Blazers football seasons, NCAA Division II National Football Championship, "The Official Site of Valdosta State Blazers Athletics", "Wins, losses in Winnersville in '06 Valdosta Daily Times: Sports", "Valdosta State Blazers Athletics CHAMPIONS AGAIN", http://vdtvarsity.ourvarsity.com/schools/school-article-profile.php?Article_ID=2017, "Gulf South Conference Official Site 201011 GSC Championships", "Few Changes in AFCA Division II Coaches' Poll", "Gulf South Conference Official Site Valdosta State Wins 2012 NCAA Football Title", Georgia Southern fires offensive coordinators Dean, Gillespie, Kerwin Bell Named Valdosta State Head Football Coach, No. Gary Goff is an American football coach. "I said, 'Well, I'd walk backwards from Houston to Valdosta, Georgia if (they'd have me)," Jackson said. Hatcher was the 1994 Harlon Hill Trophy winner. 3-ranked Colorado School of Mines on Oct. 23 for Homecoming. 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. I said, 'I don't even know you yet, but I love you. Getting an opportunity at a place like this with the tradition we have here, it's just not normal. The things you had to do with the players because they didnt have as much. 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. Better than they were a month ago, and most certainly a year ago. Under their leadership, the Wildcats won six national titles, 21 of their 23 state titles and 282 Cleveland Field victories. He wanted Valdosta State football to build its own identity. Among those countless resumes was Jackson's, which Reinhard said he put in the "good stack" with the other top candidates. They like to hunt and they like to fish. 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. Seth joined The Athletic in 2018 from The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, and also covered the Bulldogs and the SEC for The Albany Herald from 2002-05. The team was ranked nationally for the first time and broke 12 offensive school records. Goff earned his bachelors degree in business administration from VSU and holds a masters degree from Tiffin. He didnt think he was ready. They didnt have too much money in those days, so everything was precious. The only way you get ready is you take the job, and you sink or swim.. In 1996, with quarterback Lance Funderburk, the blazers spent a week ranked No. For the 2006 Season the Blazers wore silver helmets to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the VSU football program. They learned things they wouldnt have if they had started at a larger school. I was trying to learn some new things and develop., After one season, Muschamp moved on to LSU, where Nick Saban hired him to be the linebackers coach. Holgorsen currently serves as the head coach at the University of Houston, while Belk serves as Holgorsen's defensive coordinator. 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. He is an incredible coaching talent who truly cares about VSU. 1 in the polls. The team is division two of the Gulf South Conference. 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. He said Goff wasnt looking for another job, but he was presented with an opportunity he couldnt turn down. VALDOSTA -- Former Valdosta State football assistant coach Mike Leach was named head coach at Mississippi State, becoming the third former Blazer football staffer to be named a . A graduate of rival DeLand High, Roberts played quarterback at Valdosta State. I was appreciative. Along with Wells, senior offensive linemen Adonis Sealey and Brandon Kemp earned All-America honors. The Blazers started the season ranked No. Naturally friendly people, Leach said. But Reinhard wanted something different. His first season got his era off to a great start with them starting off ranked No. 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. So maintaining continuity was difficult, and Reinhard decided to look outside the program for Valdosta States next coach: Mike Kelly, who had been the offensive coordinator for the CFLs Winnipeg Blue Bombers. "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. Mumme's record at Valdosta State was 40171. The hours and the intensity. Smart was elevated to defensive coordinator, thrust into a job running a defense just three years out of college. Then theres the short answer: Didnt winning those four national championships feel good? Absoooooluuuuuuutely, Smart said, drawing out the word for emphasis. Mostly sunny skies. I was a manual labor guy. Colton Bowser. "What's been impressive is the text messages that they've sent me wanting to finish the mission. Jackson comes to Titletown from Colorado Mesa University where he was the head coach the past two seasons. In addition to his on-field football success, I am very impressed with what Gary has done with his teams off the field, particularly in the area of leadership development.. Valdosta Daily Times. All rights reserved. We ask that you consider turning off your ad blocker so we can deliver you the best experience possible while you are here. (He has argued the story didnt happen exactly that way, but Muschamp is adamant: That is 100 percent right.). Valdosta would prove to be a great experience for the young staff, especially someone like Smart, who had played at a big-time school. They didnt a few years earlier when Hal Mumme, Guy Morriss, Dana Holgorsen and a certain mad scientist offensive coordinator were around. The use of software that blocks ads hinders our ability to serve you the content you came here to enjoy. Grit. They had just left happy hour at a Ruby Tuesday at the mall when they discovered that Doschers wifes car was gone. 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. Seth also covered South Carolina for The State from 2005-10. Goff was named Gulf South Conference Coach of the Year in 2021, and Co-Coach of the Year in 2019. Oh, and the meeting rooms didnt have enough chairs. Which I did at various times.. Valdosta State announces new 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, Instant replay coming to Ga. championship football games, Photos: Atlanta Braves host Cairo Boys & Girls Club, Cairo-Grady Co. Leach spent the last eight seasons as head coach at Washington State and was the head coach for Texas Tech from 2000-09. For me then, it was very much what I grew up with. Now Reinhard looks to hire his seventh head football coach. 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. (Valdosta State Athletics). 1 for four weeks but finished with a 93 record and their fifth straight playoff berth. Goff coached the nations top receiver, two-time All-America selection Chris Williams, who signed with the Cleveland Browns. 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. In 2006, ESPN would proclaim the city to be Titletown, USA, and the locals collectively shrugged as if to say: Well, of course.. David Dean, former VSU offensive coordinator, is the current football head coach at Valdosta State University. Follow Seth on Twitter @SethWEmerson, Mike Leach served as Valdosta States offensive coordinator for five seasons from 1992-96. Throughout his long and storied high school coaching career, Coach Propst has been involved in various scandals. The Blazer defense held teams to 124.4 yards per game on the ground for 44th nationally. Not just football: What were the people like? (Football & Baseball) bcostello@valdosta.edu (229) 333-5897 or 5477 (229) 333-5897 or 5477: Footer It is 100 percent true. Looking back, yeah, we were at the cutting edge of the Air Raid offense and throwing it all over the place. I guess the fans and all the other coaches thought: Those guys are kind of crazy.. It focused on encouraging students to exercise their right to vote. 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. One was with players: Hatcher had been Mummes quarterback coach at Kentucky, where Dusty Bonner had lost his starting quarterback job to Jared Lorenzen, so Bonner was willing to return home to Valdosta and be Hatchers quarterback in 2000. Tremaine Jackson was formally introduced as the 11th head football coach in school history Thursday afternoon. The riding on buses. 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. While the team never saw the field in 2020 due to the pandemic, Reinhard said it was one of Goffs most successful years. He previously earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from VSU in 2022. In 2002 VSU made its first national championship appearance with a 3124 loss to Grand Valley State University. The Blazers are a member of the Gulf South Conference (GSC) in NCAA Division II. "Normally, people that look like me unfortunately get broken jobs. And as he filled out his defensive staff, Muschamp brought down one of his former Georgia teammates, Kirby Smart. Goff had 16 Dragons named to G-MAC All-Conference teams in 2018. VSU head football coach Gary Goff . And off the field, Leach brought his wit and wisdom to anyone who wanted it. Start fast, finish faster than that!! 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. Carry the boards, get the boards here, remembered Kirby Smart, back then the new secondary coach one year removed from college himself. "Why I wanted to be here was because of the brand, the history, the tradition, the name recognition of Valdosta State. There is a long answer, and a short one. Head coach . Tremaine also has an impressive track record of his teams excelling in the classroom and playing a prominent role in the community. The annual Press Institute offers collegiate journalists from across the Peach State a day of learning and discussion with instructors and professional journalists, with a focus on helping the student journalists improve their craft and make connections. 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 [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 take a lot of pride in what they do.. There will be an official introductory press conference for Jackson on Thursday at 2 p.m. in the arena of The Complex. [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. The Blazers were also GSC Champions in 2004 after an 111 regular season. He rushed for 106 yards and two touchdowns during the 2012 season for the four-time NCAA Division II national . I was sitting in my office, talking on the phone, going through countless e-mails, looking at countless resumes, going through who in the world are we going to bring here to keep this thing going.". Bell was also the starting quarterback for the Florida Gators from 1984 through 1987. 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. After the game, second year head coach Tremaine Jackson said the point of this night? 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.. Coach Goff spent the last three seasons as the Blazers head football coach. It was the Mavericks first victory over a top 5 opponent since they became an NCAA Division II school in 1994. Pipkin tallied seven Tiffin career records and four GLIAC records, ranking 13thall-time in career total offense, 19thin total offense per game, 27thin career passing yards, and is only the third quarterback at the Division II level to ever accumulate at least 2,000 rushing yards and throw for 10,000 passing yards in a career. Bruce has worked for The Spectator since fall 2020 and currently serves as the sports editor. Mumme brought with him Leach, who had worked with him since 1989.