GHSF Daily asked Georgia head coaches to answer these four questions. We'll report from a different head coach each day.
Earthwind Moreland, Grady
1. What is the most memorable game you've been a part of as a player or coach?"Even though I had been part of a Super Bowl, I think my most memorable would be winning a national championship in college [at Georgia Southern]. The reason why is the year before we went to the national championship game and were 14-0 and played UMass and lost. We came back the next year and beat UMass in the playoffs, and then we actually beat Jim Tressel's [next-to-last] Youngstown State team before he went to Ohio State. It wasn't even close. We pretty much shut down their receivers, and we probably racked up 500 or 600 yards on offense." [Georgia Southern won 59-24. Five years later, Moreland, a cornerback, was a member of the New England Patriots' 2004 team that won Super Bowl XXXIX.]
2. Which high school coach would you want your son to play for, and why?"I can't say a particular coach, but I'd love for him to play for someone who is coaching the game the right way, teaching him proper technique and not just letting him do whatever and rely on talent. This is not necessarily a high school coach, but I was able to play for Paul Johnson [at Georgia Southern] and Bill Belichick [with the Patriots]. I'd like for him to play for a coach like that. Another is my offensive coordinator, Terry Jones. He's also very knowledgeable about the game and played in the NFL."
3. What is your pet peeve as a coach or favorite saying/motto?"My motto would be the same as Bill Belichick's - 'Do your job.' You can't make it any simpler than that. If everybody just does his job, we'll be fine. My biggest pet peeve would be taking the game for granted because everybody doesn't have the same ability to play. There are tons of people who would love to do what you're doing. Don't take it for granted."
4. Which GHSA policy or high school football rule would you most like to see changed?"I would like for the playing field to be leveled for public vs. private schools. Private schools can offer scholarships, so even if you don't have the funds to go there, you can go. Even if you have the funds, you can go and don't have to live in the district. The same kid who wants to come to your school has to move."
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