Published: Jan. 3, 2022 at 11:45 AM PST. I was single, young, I was probably three years difference from the players. 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. He previously earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from VSU in 2022. 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. Tiffin was ranked as high as No. Id like to thank Athletic Director Mr. Reinhard and President Carvajal for the opportunity to lead the Blazer football program. Boys and Girls Club attend Braves game to honor Jackie Robinson. Start fast, finish faster than that!! Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way. I was appreciative. 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. 1 in the nation in Division II for part of the 1996 season when they won their first Gulf South Conference championship. The things you had to do with the players because they didnt have as much. He wanted Valdosta State football to build its own identity. You didnt have planes. 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. Its impossible for me to answer that question without talking about football. At his interview, Smart went up to the drawing board and designed a brilliant defensive scheme. 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. I came here because of Mr. Reinhard. 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. (Cavan would later become SMUs coach, too.) 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. Grit. Sitting now in his spacious office at Georgia, Smart makes clear that the story is not a myth that grew over these 19 years. It focused on encouraging students to exercise their right to vote. As a player, Jackson began his college career at Louisiana-Monroe before transferring to Texas Southern for his final junior and senior seasons. Valdosta State is a relatively new school: It was founded as a womens college in 1906, began accepting men in 1950 and then became a university in 1993. Sign up now to get our FREE breaking news coverage delivered right to your inbox. Damn! 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. The first athlete from the VSC football team to play professional football was Jesse Tuggle. They learned things they wouldnt have if they had started at a larger school. I am honored and humbled to be named the Head Football Coach at Valdosta State University, Jackson said. Obedience. All rights reserved. And earlier this summer, Leach called Goff at midnight eastern time, because Leach is now at Washington State. Valdosta State is the second football program to make a historic coaching hire in the last two months as Jackson joins Valdosta High School head football coach Shelton Felton as the. The Blazers were also GSC Champions in 2004 after an 111 regular season. 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. Pages in category "Valdosta State Blazers football coaches" The following 33 pages are in this category, out of 33 total. 7 in the AFCA coaches poll, before finishing the regular season ranked No. Leach served as offensive coordinator and offensive line coach from 1992 to 1993. On April 27, 2023, at approximately 1237 am., a Valdosta Police Officer conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle traveling in the 1500 block of North Ashley Street, for not having working taillights. Pickups. In 2003, the Blazers finished the season with a 102 record and an NCAA playoff berth. I started each meeting with a huge Big Gulp full of ice water, Mike Leach recalled. Goff coached the nations top receiver, two-time All-America selection Chris Williams, who signed with the Cleveland Browns. So moving up to Division I just isnt feasible. Delta State University defeated the Blazers 3531, despite being down 28 points at the beginning of the second half. Under their leadership, the Wildcats won six national titles, 21 of their 23 state titles and 282 Cleveland Field victories. Valdosta State University has had a football team since 1981. He would go on to become West Virginias and Houstons head coach. There's a lot of other guys that haven't gotten this opportunity that deserve it. Valdosta and Lowndes developed a famously fierce rivalry over the years, one that one alum compared to the Hatfields and McCoys. Mason Miller - Football Coach - Mississippi State