Richt Makes Honorary Bulldog In Valdosta

((HT: Valdosta Daily Times/Malone))

A lot of times, we get wrapped up in the whole idea of someone doing something just to get their name out there in a blatant swing of self-promotion.

Georgia Bulldogs head coach Mark Richt is not, and has never been, one of those guys.

Valdosta High ((GA)) senior James Eunice was a two-sport player at VHS. He had talked about trying out as a walk-on in Athens to Richt himself as two teammates, Jay Rome and Malcom Mitchell were heading that way as well.

Eunice drowned while duck hunting last month.

At his memorial service, Rome and Mitchell opened a box that contained a UGA jersey in it. It had Eunice's name and number stitched on the back. Richt had, posthumously, given James Eunice a spot on the 2011 roster ((the jersey is pictured on the right, held by James Eunice's father, thanks Valdosta Daily Times)).

Absolute class...

From Malone's piece... Rome and Mitchell now know another way that they're playing for a great man...

“I’m going to play for an incredible man,” Rome said. “Coach Richt is just incredible. He’s the best. Just to know that he had that in his heart, just to do that for James and his family, means a lot to me, and I know it means a lot to the family.”

“He cares about (people),” Mitchell said. “I don’t know how well he knew James, but just to do something like that, not really even having a full (knowledge) of who the person is, shows that he cares about people, and just is a caring person.”

The story by our friends at WALB-TV in Albany on when Eunice's body was finally found is hyah...

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...