13 months ago
The calendar says June, and that means the college football season isn't that far off.
Tuesday, coaches from around the state descended on Central Georgia to talk up their teams.
It was a meet-and-greet of the Georgia football minds.
Players and coaches from around the state answered all of the media's questions on getting ready for the season, and after talking to the group, it seems they all agreed: they can't wait for kickoff.
From Yellowjackets to Eagles, Wildcats and Bulldogs, Blazers and Braves in between, they all have something in common: kickoff for their football seasons is just a few short months away.
Coach Chris Hatcher and his Georgia Southern squad are looking to rebound from their 6-5 season last year with returning leaders like quarterback Lee Chapple.
"Focus in the fourth quarter and winning the tight ball games will make us better," said Chapple.
The Rambling Wreck of Georgia Tech is ready to build upon its 9-4 season, which landed head coach Paul Johnson "Coach of the Year" honors. Johnson says there's always room for improvement.
"We want to win more ball games, and that's what we are trying to do. We have to get more efficient in running the ball. Get better on defense. We kinda didn't finish like we would have liked, and improve on special teams, so,.. a lot to improve on," said Johnson.
It's a new day in the Valley with new head coach Dan Pittman. The Wildcats underachieved last year and replaced Deondre Clark with the former Albany State Offensive Coordinator. His players say this year, the sky is the limit.
"We've done well recruitiing. We have great players and great coaches, and I think we will have a good chance of winning this year," Pittman said.
In Milledgeville, Bert Williams and his Georgia Military Bulldogs are looking to build more on their 18 years of tradition on the gridiron. Last year, the team finished 7-3, but a youth movement will be the name of the game this season.
"We have two new quarterbacks, brand new receiving corp, so were gonna have a lot of fresh faces on the field who haven't played a lot of ball with us. We have a lot of speed, a lot of talent, just not a lot of experience," Williams explained.
The top Dogs are looking to break the ceiling in the SEC without standouts Matt Stafford and runningback sensation Knowshon Moreno. The Dogs have their hands full, but are hungry for the challenge.
"It will be interesting to see how everybody steps up. We're excited. I think we did things right to prepare. I think camp will tell us how ready we are when the season starts," said coach Mark Richt.
Lastly, we stop with the team that has yet to lose a game, or play one, for that matter. Head coach Bill Curry is helping build the Georgia State Panthers program from the ground up. He says even though they don't play until 2010, he hasn't had a problem recruiting, and the challenge of coaching again has rekindled his desire with the Xs and Os.
By coaching in my hometown and having a bunch of great athletes that want to play for you, and they obviously want to, because they have already signed, is just about as good as it gets," said Curry.
And just think, he has to wait a whole year to coach in a real game.
You can hear it in all the coaches' voices: they are ready.
The college season kicks off in less than three months.
