Rance Draws Raves At Valdosta

((HT: Valdosta Daily News/McDonald))

Former Georgia Southern OC Rance Gillespie is now the new head coach at Valdosta High School. He succeeds Rick Tomberlin whose contract was not renewed after the 2009season.

"Since I was old enough to remember, Valdosta has always been the pinnacle of high school football," Gillespie said. "I've worked very hard my whole career to get to the top, and I can't wait to start working at Valdosta High School as the leader of this program. I thank you for the opportunity. And I can say this, I can say this: I promise what you will get from me is a guy that will go to work each and every day to make this the premier program, not only in this state, but in this country, just like it used to be."

Here's Gillespie's introduction at the Valdosta Board of Education...


The HQ knows all too well the buzzsaw that is Valdosta Wildcats football. They were recently chronicled in a New York Times article written by Drew Jubera.

It's the winningest high school football program in the country. Tomberlin went 7-4 in the 2009 season, but the blowout loss to cross-town rival Lowndes led to the non-renewal of the contract.

Mike O'Brien went 70-20-1 but was let go...
Rick Darlington came up from Florida and lasted three seasons after abandoning history as part of his coaching philosophy. That didn't sit well.
Tomberlin came in, knew what he was getting in to, and was let go after four seasons. The HQ has had past players tell it straight to its face that it's not about wins and losses, but about developing quality young men.

Shenanigans... the desire is to maintain the level of success from the past- which is impossible under the current atmosphere and county dynamic.

When we approached Gillespie at the state championships- hearing he had taken another job- he admitted that talk was premature. Gillespie has won state titles in his high school career and has the pedigree.

The biggest question will be whether or not Gillespie has to listen more than he has the opportunity to get the job done his way.

We wish him nothing but the best...