What was the interview process like for you?

“It was the most first-class, professional experience of this type that I have ever seen. I’ve had some opportunities to go to some great programs in this state as a head coach. But I wouldn’t leave the Golden Hawks for anybody but the Valdosta Wildcats.

“The way they did it, bringing you in, putting you in a motel, showing us around, the questions they asked, they sincerity of the questions, in both interviews, was excellent.”

When would you like to be started in Valdosta?

“March 1 is my target date. But that’s a little bit out of my control. If I could be here tomorrow, I would be. But I’m under contract to Washington County, and I can’t legally break that. The principal and the superintendent there are great friends of mine. They’re in a little bit of uncharted territory, because neither one of them has ever hired a football coach. I’m helping them with the process, they trust me, and I think they want me to be here by March 1, and that’s my target date.

“Right now, I need to get with the coaches that are here, and brainstorm with them a little bit. We’ve got several openings, and I’ve got to see about hiring and completing our staff. My thinking is, to get them in and get implemented what I want to implement, we’ll probably have spring practice the first week of May.

“To do that, we won’t interfere with track or baseball; we’ll work around that. I’d like to have all the players there, but I will meet any coach over halfway. I’d like the players there for at least part of it. If region baseball or track gets in the way, we’ll make it up in the summer.”

You were the coach at Lowndes from 1989-91. But that was 14 years ago. How much better a coach are you now?

“When I got the Lowndes job, I was 31 and hadn’t won a region championship. I think I still had some of the goals and ideals and philosophies I have now. I’ve held on to some of those over the years. But I don’t think there’s any teacher like experience.

“I’ve been really blessed, in terms of learning from my mistakes, learning from my defeats, learning from the victories. The players have taught me hopefully as much as I’ve taught them. I don’t think there’s any doubt I’m in my prime. I’m in great health. I’ve got a burning desire to be successful, and to help young men and women develop to their optimum.

“I’ve got a renewed enthusiasm — not that I ever lacked enthusiasm — to help rebuild and restore the Valdosta program. I don’t think the Valdosta program is as down as a lot of programs. I think the elements are there. The building blocks are there to build on that tradition that Coach Bazemore and Coach Hyder firmly established. And I certainly don’t want to change any of that. All I want to do is start another legacy, and let’s move on with the Wildcat tradition. There won’t be any changes to the tradition. I’m going to come here, and I bleed black-and-gold-and-white, and the traditions Valdosta holds dear are now my traditions.”

How excited are you about the challenge of trying to get Valdosta football back to where it once was?

“That’s a tremendous motivator. That’s why I’m going to get up early in the morning and work hard. I’ve had an opportunity to play for five state championships. Unfortunately, they were all on the road. But there’s nothing like the experience. You can’t explain it. There’s nothing like arriving for warmups, and the stadium’s packed. You get a standing ovation when you go out to warm up. You’re out there, and you know you’re playing for a state championship. That’s a great feeling, to know you’re playing for it all, that’s you’re going to let it all hang out, so to speak, and give it your all. You’re going to do your best as coaches, and you know the players are going to do their best.