GHSF Daily's Four Questions feature historically poses the same questions to a different Georgia head coach each issue. This season, head coaches are being asked Four Questions tailored to current events. Today's interviewee is Greene County head coach Larry Milligan, whose team defeated Tattnall Square 35-10 last week to win the Region 7-A championship. The title is Greene County's first since 2005, during Milligan's first tenure as the Tigers' coach. That team reached the Class AA semifinals with QB Josh Nesbitt, who would lead Georgia Tech to its most recent ACC title in 2009. This season, Milligan became the 15th coach in Georgia history to win region titles during separate stints at the same school. Nesbitt has joined him on his new staff as quarterbacks coach.
Larry Milligan, Greene County head coach
1. What was the significance of the win over Tattnall Square and the region title, and how has the school and community responded to that? "Getting Greene County back into the state playoff conversation was one of the top priorities. [This is Milligan's first season back.] Bringing the region title back to Greene County for the first time since 2005 has brought the community and school pride back. Our fans, teachers and administration play a key role in supporting these athletes."
2. What did this team have that put it over the top with a region title this year, and were there some things that you and the staff did that was particularly helpful? "We have a group of seniors that bought into a new coaching staff and style that is comprised of hard work and discipline. I have a great coaching staff that is a mixture of youth and experience. Having been at Greene before, a lot of people in the community played for me or had relatives that did. This is a definite advantage coming into a new job." [Four members of Milligan's staff have coached with him previously, and his quarterbacks coach is Josh Nesbitt. That led to a follow-up question on what Nesbitt brings to the staff. "Josh is a legend in Greene County and brings great QB and offensive knowledge to the program," Milligan said. "Josh always carries himself the way we want all Tiger players to do."]
3. What brought you back to Greene County, and was it a mistake to leave? "I came back to Greene County to take care of unfinished business. I would like to bring a state title to Greene County. All coaches leave programs for different reasons. I left Greene County because I felt that the leadership in the school system was headed in the wrong direction. We now have great leadership from top to bottom in our system."
4. That part of the state seems to be undergoing change in the balance of power as schools such as Warren County, Hancock Central and Greene are much better and not only getting historic wins against Lincoln County and Washington-Wilkes, but also doing well versus the private schools. What's happening there? Is it different than when you were at Greene before? "I think the changes you are seeing at Hancock and Warren are a tribute to the coaches those teams have. Greene, Lincoln and Wilkes all have strong traditions, but in small town Georgia you are going to have up and down years. In Class A public football, we have to play with the athletes that grow up here. I am sure those teams will bounce back fast. The future of Greene County football will be determined like it was the first time I was here, in the weight room and through hard work."
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