Georgia fans like what they see in Fox debut

By Lori Johnston

For the AJC

ATHENS -- Coach Mark Fox’s debut Friday showed Georgia Bulldogs fans what type of coach they can expect this season.

“He’s not yelling constantly,” said Derek Eberhart, a season-ticket holder. “He will pull them aside and coach them.”

An announced crowd of 4,580 watched Georgia’s 87-53 victory against North Georgia in an exhibition game at Stegeman Coliseum. The Bulldogs' Travis Leslie scored 21 points, and Chris Barnes posted nine rebounds.

Fox, who replaced Dennis Felton in April, spent much of the game standing or crouching on the sidelines and briefly sitting alongside his assistants. Starting with his arms crossed, he often made wide-armed motions to players or pointed to spots on the court where his players should be positioned.

Fans, including some students who stood the entire game, seemed energized by the new coach and new season.

“When I came to the arena, it was a special feeling,” Fox said. “But during the game it’s basketball. Once the ball goes up, it’s just competition. But it was different, and it felt good to pull up to the arena knowing that I had come in to be the coach of Georgia.”

Fans stood and cheered as Georgia scored early points on their way to a 45-20 lead at halftime, and they applauded the couple of times Fox caught overthrown balls while standing on the sidelines. No special introductions of Fox were made before the game, except for a video message from the new coach.

At times, Fox could be heard shouting instructions to players across the court, followed by grimaces when shots failed. He chatted with officials, often with arms crossed, at times throughout the exhibition.

“It looks like they’re learning, and I see him coaching them, so there’s room for improvement,” said Robert Tobin, a Georgia graduate who lives in Winder.

Eberhart, a UGA employee, said the players appeared more disciplined, which he credited in part to Fox.

“They look more athletic and slimmed down,” he said.

Last season, the Bulldogs finished 12-20, with a 3-13 record in the SEC. Felton was fired in late January, and Pete Herrmann finished the season as interim coach. At the time of the firing Georgia was 9-11, 0-5 in the SEC.

“My job is to teach them, so we’re trying to make them better, and that will be a continuous process the entire season,” Fox said. “There might be a time or two I get mad at them, and there were tonight. But they’re doing what we want them to do right now, and I’m real pleased with that.”

The team’s regular-season opener is Nov. 13 against New Orleans in Athens.