Four Questions: A recap of the coaches' answers

2. High school coach - At least 12 coaches mentioned their high school coaches. We got a laugh out of the response from Amos McCreary of Whitewater, whose high school coach in Evarts, Ky., was named Charlie Hunter: "He taught me to keep going even though the road may have a few bumps," McCreary said. "One of his favorite sayings: 'Life is like a beautiful bird - until it poops on you, and then you must wipe it off and keep on going.'"

3. Jimmy Dorsey - McEachern's athletics director, who won 237 games in a 27-year coaching career that ended when he hung up the whistle in 2008, has several former players and assistants who are now head coaches in Georgia. One is Prince Avenue Christian coach Jeff Herron, who joined Dorsey's staff at McEachern in the mid-1980s. "He taught me every phase of football,"' Herron said. "He taught me about people and relationships. He took a chance on hiring me right out of college, and I will be forever grateful." Other former Dorsey assistants or players who remembered Dorsey in Four Questions were Scott Hamilton of Paulding County J.B. Arnold of Jefferson County, Mark Myers at Dutchtown and Chris Brown of Hiram.

4. Dan Pitts - Pitts has been retired for 17 years, but the influence of Mary Persons' legendary coach remains strong. "Nobody was going to outwork Coach Pitts," said Sandy Creek's Chip Walker. Vidalia's Lee Chomskis: "His ability to take less talent and win was undeniable." Lee Belknap of McIntosh: "He was an exceptional teacher." Pitts won 346 games in a career that spanned five decades.

5. Rodney Walker - Walker won 300 games at nine Georgia schools over a career from 1972 to 2011. Decatur's Scott Jackson said, "Coach Walker taught me everything I know about defense, practice plans and how to fund your program." Added Baldwin's Lee Hannah, "He taught me that nothing beats character, discipline and hard work."

Others - Al Hughes, Alan Chadwick, Billy Henderson, Bob Sphire, Buck Godfrey, Buzz Busby, Conrad Nix, Crawford Kennedy, Dave Hunter, Ray Lamb, Frank Barden, George Maloof, Jeff Herron, Jeremy Williams, Luther Welsh, Milt Milner, Ray Manus, Robert Davis, T. McFerrin and Vince Dooley.

Who is the best Georgia player you ever faced?

1. Greg Reid - Reid, a halfback, defensive back and deadly return man, was part of Lowndes' 2007 state-championship team and was the 2008 all-classification player of the year. He was named the No. 1 choice by six coaches and a strong honorable mention by another. "The speed, acceleration and field vision that he possessed was unlike anything I have seen at the high school level," said Shaw's Kyle Adkins, who faced Reid while an assistant at Ware County. Said Prince Avenue's Jeff Herron, "He could change the game on offense, defense, or special teams, and he cost us [Camden County] two state championships!"

2. Eric Berry - The current Kansas City Chief and former Tennesee Volunteer was Georgia's all-class player of the year in 2006. He was the No. 1 choice of five coaches and co-No. 1 with two others. "As head coach at Riverdale in 2006, he beat me single-handedly 28-0," said Mount Zion's Kevin "Bull'' Jones. "He had an 80-yard TD run, threw a TD pass and ran a punt back 88 yards for a TD. It made ESPN highlights because he took off from the 15-yard line and flew into the end zone. And he tried to throw another pass for a touchdown, but the receiver kept dropping it, so Coach [Kevin] Whitley called timeout, put Berry at wide receiver, and then Creekside's backup quarterback threw a 40-yard TD pass."

3. Jamal Lewis - Lewis, later a 2,000-yard rusher in the NFL with the Baltimore Ravens, brought Douglass High back to prominence in the 1990s and later was a star for Tennessee. Lewis was mentioned by seven coaches, although usually as "one of the best" and not their absolute No. 1. Steve Davenport of Woodland said, "He was big, explosive and fast." John Ford of Roswell added, "Unbelievable combination of size and speed."

4. Takeo Spikes - Spikes, a recently retired 15-year NFL veteran linebacker, was Georgia's all-class player of the year in 1994 with Washington County. He was named the No. 1 choice by four coaches. J.B. Arnold of Jefferson County: "Just dominating on both sides of the ball. Played with great intensity that he still has today." Scott Jackson of Decatur: "He was a man amongst boys and played the game with relentless abandon."

5. (tie) Nick Marshall - Auburn's current quarterback led Wilcox County to a Class A championship in 2009. He was named as the best player by two coaches, and one of two best players by two more. Said Savannah Christian's Donald Chumley, "'We played Wilcox in the 2009 state championship game. His ability to prolong the play with his athletic ability at the QB position was like nothing I had ever seen. You combine that with the arm strength and accuracy he had made him by far the toughest player I ever tried to defense. I do not feel as bad now as I did then because they still cannot defend him in college, not even in the SEC."

5. (tie) Rennie Curran - Curran was all-state for Brookwood in 2005 and 2006 and became an all-SEC linebacker at Georgia. He was the No. 1 choice of three coaches. Dade County's Bradley Warren, who faced Curran while at Central Gwinnett, said, "I joke sometimes and say, 'Rennie beat me out of two region championships.' He was a special player that I enjoyed seeing play beyond the high school level." Allatoona's Gary Varner, who faced Curran while at Roswell, said, "The speed at which he played high school football was very unusual. Most kids take plays off and don't play with the speed and passion that he did play after play. He made plays that high school kids don't make."

5. (tie) Tray Blackmon - Blackmon, a linebacker, was the all-class player of the year for 2004 state champion LaGrange. Like Curran, Blackmon was the No. 1 choice of three coaches, including Manchester's Tanner Glisson. "He would line up all over the place and you could never run away from him," Glisson said, "I don't think we saw a film where he didn't have 15-plus tackles. I was an assistant at Shaw at the time, and we were ranked No. 2 while LaGrange was No. 1. Blackmon was playing inside linebacker and we threw a bubble screen that the running back cut back, and Blackman almost broke the kid's sternum. The game was delayed about 10 minutes. I've never heard a hit like that since."

Others - Champ Bailey (2), DeEric Bell, Alrenzo, Omar and Vince Blasingame, Reggie Brown, Thomas Brown, Brenston Buckner, Joe Burns, Tim Byerly, Ahmad "Batman" Carroll, Lorenzo Carter, Quincy Carter (2), Nick Chubb, Chris Conley, Dwight Dasher, James Davis (3), Charlie Dean, Xavier Dickson, Brenden Douglas, Stacy Driver, Terrance Edwards, Kevin Ellison, Cameron Erving, Jay Finch, Jarmon Fortson, Jayson Foster, Jeff Francoeur (2), Nate French, Cody Getz, Donquell "Gator" Green (2), Terry Harvey, Josh Harvey-Clemons, Garrison Hearst, Taylor Heinicke, Cameron Heyward, Josh Holsey, Rodney Hudson, Trey Jackson, Bennie Jones, Brad Lester, Hutson Mason (2), Jerick McKinnon, Sean McVay, Warren Newson, Robert Nkemdiche, Alec Ogletree (2), Malkom Parrish, David Pollack, J.K. Sabb (2), Richard Samuel, Brandon Smith (2), Timmy Smith, Chase Thomas, Josh Thompson (2), Derrick Tinsley, Robert Toomer, Stephon Tuitt, Nick Turner, Lemuel Walker, Tim Walker, Charlie Ward, Hines Ward (2), Deshuan Watson (2) and Stanley Williams

What is the best team you ever faced as a coach?

1. 2000-02 Parkview - Five coaches picked one of Parkview's three consecutive Class AAAAA championship teams, and a couple of others mentioned them as honorable mention. "They played football like it was supposed to be played, tough and disciplined," David Bruce of Veterans said, "They were relentless on both sides of the ball." Wendell Early of Heritage of Conyers: "Take your pick as to what year [2000-02]. Very disciplined, tough, strong up front with excellent skill players. Executed to perfection." Brookwood's Mark Crews: "They won 46 consecutive games and three consecutive state championships in Georgia's largest classification. I hope people realize how awesome a task that was for them to accomplish."

2. 2008-10 Buford - Eleven coaches selected one of Buford's 10 state champions since 2001 as their No. 1 choice. We ranked Buford second because there was no consensus on which one team, or series of teams, was the strongest, but three did pick the 2008 squad. "They blended size and speed on the offensive side of the ball, with Cody Getz leading the charge," Dublin's Roger Holmes said. "Their O-line averaged about 265 pounds across the front. Their defensive side of the ball had eight players that signed to play at the next level, most of them at the D-I level. Combined with the great coaching of Jess Simpson and his staff, they would be the best."

3. (tie) 2004-05 Lowndes - Lowndes' consecutive Class AAAAA champs got four first-place votes. Wesley Tankersley of Gilmer, an assistant at Central Gwinnett then: "That was the most physical football team I have ever seen." Chris Parker of Pickens, an assistant at Sequoyah in 2004: "They had no weaknesses. We lost by three touchdowns, and that may have been the closest game they had all year." Louis Lambert of Lambert, also at Sequoyah then: "They were extremely fast and physical on both sides of the ball."

3. (tie) 2012-13 Norcross - The Blue Devils won back-to-back AAAAAA titles and sent more than a dozen players to Division I football programs. Four coaches named either the 2012 or the '13 team. Heath Webb of Winder-Barrow, an assistant at Peachtree Ridge in 2013: "You couldn't find a weakness anywhere. Loaded with talent." Kevin "Bull" Jones of Mount Zion, who was Lovejoy's defensive coordinator for the 2012 title game: "I heard an SEC coach say during pregame warmups, 'I've never seen so many D-I ball players on the field at one time for a state championship game.'"

3. (tie) 2006-07 Northside of Warner Robins - Northside's first two state titles were won under 300-game winning coach Conrad Nix. "They were complete at each position, Jarrett Laws of Griffin said, "And their chemistry was undeniable." Alan Chadwick of Marist: "Northside was just a very explosive team. We hung with them a little better than [we did with] Buford, but then they just took it to another level." Jim Showfety of Dunwoody, Chadwick's assistant at the time: "We hung tough for a half, but in the second half, they just dominated."

3. (tie) 1996-97 Washington County - The Golden Hawks won back-to-back titles with Terrence Edwards under center. Four coaches tabbed the Golden Hawks. Eastside's Rick Hurst, then at Americus as an assistant, said, "They had 10 or 11 D-I players on that team. We had run through the playoffs with ease. They came out and played our spread offense with a 5-2 Cover 3 and never got out of it. Their front five controlled the line of scrimmage, and we could not run in the second half to seal the win when we had the lead. They were fast and physical."

Others - Benedictine (2012), Brookwood (2002, 2011), Camden County (2003, 2008), Carver of Columbus (2007, 2013), Charlton County (2004-06), Chattahoochee (2010), Collins Hill (2013), Colquitt County (2013-14), Creekside (2005, 2013), Dublin (2005), ELCA (2010-11), Gainesville (2012), Grayson (2011), Greene-Taliaferro (1993), Griffin (2013), Hawkinsville (2004), LaGrange (2001-04), Lincoln County (1989), Lovejoy (2011-12), Lowndes (2007-08), Marist (1989), Mount Paran Christian (2014), North Cobb (2007), Northside of Warner Robins (2001), Peach County (2009), Peachtree Ridge (2008), Sandy Creek (2009-10, 2012-13), Shaw (2000), Southwest DeKalb (2009), Statesboro (2001), Thomas County Central (1997), Thomson (2002), Tucker (2011), Valdosta (1991-92), Washington County (1994), Walton (2011), West Rome (1982) and Wilcox County (2010)

If you were Gary Phillips, the new head of the GHSA, what would be the first rule that you would try to change?

1. The public/private debate - Small rural schools forced the GHSA's hand in 2012 and got a split of public-school and private-school state championships in most sports. Eight coaches brought this up as their main concern, and that was before six of the 12 semifinalists in classes AAAA, AAA and AA were private schools this season. Temple's Seth Rogers: "The public/private issue is still a hot topic, not only in Class A, but AA as well." Bacon County's Ken Cofer: "I don't want to totally disrespect the private schools, but some of these places have all-star teams. Definitely not a level playing field vs. rural South Georgia, especially in AA ball now." Lamar County's Jamie Abrams: "I just don't feel like we are on a level playing field year in, year out." Macon County's Larry Harold: "Separate private schools/magnet schools to participate in two divisions with their own championships. Two leagues of a big private league, and a small private league."

2. Transfers/recruiting - "Recruiting and lying to move across town has become an epidemic," Wendell Early of Heritage of Conyers said. Another seven coaches wanted stricter rules or better policing of transfers and alleged recruiting. Mark Myers of Dutchtown: "There are just way too many players transferring schools these days and finding loopholes to do it." Jeff Carlberg of Centennial: "It is too easy for kids to move from school to school and hurts the continuity of schools, programs and communities." Jim Showfety of Dunwoody: "We frequently hear of kids living in one county and playing in another. Parents come up with bogus paperwork. It's hard to police." Terry Herrod of Riverdale: "All transfers students would be required to sit out one year regardless of transfer."

3. (tie) The six-quarter rule - Six coaches were on board with changing this. Current rules allow players to participate in no more than six quarters of football per week, varsity and junior varsity combined. Greg Moore of First Presbyterian: "There are too many kids that do not get to play on special teams or in varsity games because they can only play six quarters. I just don't think the intent of the rule was to penalize kids from getting a chance to play." Chris Brown of Hiram: "I think not counting Friday night special teams toward the six quarters would allow for better sub-varsity play and also allow coaches to reward younger kids on Friday nights." Todd Wheeler of Coosa: "Special-teams plays should not count as a quarter played."

3. (tie) The 25-second clock - Six coaches said they wanted to see 25-second clocks in high school stadiums. "Because you just don't know," Gainesville's Bruce Miller said. "You're going on when the referee puts the ball in play. I know it would be expensive to implement and it might cost $5,000 or $10,000, and I don't know if small schools could afford that. But it would take so much guesswork out of what's going on."

3. (tie) Put the semifinals back in the Georgia Dome - The Dome has been the site for the state finals since 2008. Six coaches said the No. 1 change they'd like to see is a return to the Dome semifinals. "That allows more teams to compete [in the Dome], and it seemed to give teams and communities something to look forward to," Bainbridge's Jeff Littleton said. "That would allow us to also return the state championships back to hometowns." This is mostly a rural Georgia phenomenon, but not entirely. "Reaching the Dome was a shining moment in my coaching career [Decatur in 2003]," said Woodland of Stockbridge coach Steve Davenport, "and I recall how it brought that community together."

3. (tie) Let's scrimmage in spring - Several coaches wanted a true spring game against another school. "I think this would put excitement back in spring football as well as possibly serving as a fundraiser for some schools," said John Bowen of Hephzibah. Added George Collins of Rutland: "I would allow a controlled scrimmage for football in the spring. It could be based on a certain number of plays. It would really benefit the teams that have depth issues. It would put more excitement into spring football."

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