GHSF Daily asked Georgia head coaches to answer these four questions. We'll report from a different head coach each day.
1. Who is/was the most influential person in your coaching career?"Jim Scroggins was/is the most influential person in not only my career, but to be honest, in my life. Coach Scroggins was my high school coach [Miramar, Fla.], and I had the honor of coaching with him for six years as an assistant coach in Florida. Jim is a strong Christian man and was a huge reason why I am where I am today. My parents were divorced, and Coach Scroggins was my surrogate dad. My father flew out of town each week, and if not for Jim, I may have gone an entirely different direction. He taught me strong, Christian values and a work ethic second to none."
2. Who is the best Georgia player you ever faced?"Brad Lester, a running back at Parkview in 2003. Wow, he was something special. We were not very good that year, but Frank Bendin, our defensive coordinator [at Berkmar], game-planned him well. We had him corralled nearly every time, but that guy would get yards anyway. Tough, strong, fast. He was the whole package."
3. What is the best team you ever faced as a coach?"Have to be Parkview. Take your pick as to what year [2000-02]. Very disciplined, tough, strong up front with excellent skill players. Executed to perfection."
4. If you were Gary Phillips, the new head of the GHSA, what would be the first rule that you would try to change?"Easy: The transfer rule. Personally, I believe there should be a mileage requirement. If a youngster transfers to another school within, say, 50 miles, he has to sit out a year. Recruiting and lying to move across town has become an epidemic. Some coaches believe great coaching is recruiting great players. I saw it almost ruin high school football in Florida, and it is now infecting Georgia."
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