GHSF Daily asked Georgia head coaches to answer these four questions. We'll report from a different head coach each day.
Craig Chatman, Lithia Springs
1. Who is/was the most influential person in your coaching career? "I have been very fortunate in my short time in coaching to be able to work with some outstanding coaches that taught me something in each area of the game. C.W. Campbell was a stickler for the details and being very specific in the daily operation of a program. Al Hughes taught me so much about how to handle people and situations. He was the master of dealing with players and personalities/egos. Al was also about 10 years ahead of everybody else with his devotion to the spread offense. Clint Burton with his creativity and Kevin "Bull" Jones with his aggressive style are other coaches that I have learned a great deal from. Obviously, the person with the most influence would be Coach Hughes. I worked with him for 15 years and he gave me the responsibilities that prepared me for my current job. Coach Hughes saw something in me early that he liked, and without his confidence in me, I probably wouldn't be at Lithia Springs today."
2. Who is the best Georgia player you ever faced? "Easy, Hines Ward, Forest Park. Unbelievable athlete. Morgan Burnette, North Clayton, was the best I have coached against."
3. What is the best team you ever faced as a coach? "2011 Tucker Tigers. Played them in the Class AAAA finals. Excellent team with great speed and discipline. 2012 Norcross Blue Devils. Played in the Class AAAAAA finals. Explosive team with size and speed. I mean, both teams won 15 games. How do you choose?"
4. If you were Gary Phillips, the new head of the GHSA, what would be the first rule that you would try to change? "I am sure that Dr. Phillips is probably tired of hearing about the acclimation practices, but the one thing I would change would be the escalation of the acclimation practice. Start a week earlier, go four days in helmets for two hours, then three days in shells for 2.5 hours before you get into full gear. It would allow for the players to acclimate over a longer period and in specific steps. I believe we have to look at this due to the shrinking summer vacation and the limits placed on padded practices."
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