Georgia State's football to-do list for 2009

By STEVE HUMMER

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

The Georgia State Panthers won't hit the gridiron until next season. Until then, coach Bill Curry has no time to waste in preparing his team for 2010 debut.

Here are some priorities for 2009:

• Build an identity, a sense of mission.

• Remain patient while workers are finishing permanent practice field, locker room and meeting facilities. It's nothing that a sense of humor and power tools can't overcome.

• Break up the monotony of practice. "We've got to go out there some days and say, 'OK, we're going to play touch today, do something that's fun, things players like to do," GSU coach Bill Curry said.

• Install a system and a style of play: "aggressive, fun, go-for-it, " Curry said.

• Involve the students, faculty, alumni and any stray fan who wanders past campus.

• Reinforce the academic support system to accommodate the added weight of football.

• Establish a wieldy number for that first-year roster, as well as a workable balance. "Never enough big guys," Curry said.

• Keep recruiting like your program depends upon it – because it does. Become a credible player with Georgia high schools.

• Continue raising money and piquing interest.

• Round out the 2010 schedule. OK, Alabama is set, now how about some games that don't have such a slaughterhouse ambiance?