GHSF Daily asked Georgia head coaches to answer these four questions. We'll report from a different head coach each day.
Nick Bach, Mountain View
1. What is the most memorable game you've been a part of as a player or coach? "When I coached outside linebackers at the University at Buffalo, I witnessed Khalil Mack single-handedly take over a game vs. the University of Massachusetts and inspire his team to a much-needed comeback victory. The guy was all over the place with incredible effort. I think he finished the game with 15 tackles, three TFLs, two sacks and two forced fumbles or something like that. His will and drive to win that game were extremely memorable to me." [Mack is an All-Pro defensive end/outside linebacker for the Oakland Raiders. He holds the NCAA record for forced fumbles in a career.]
2. Which high school coach would you want your son to play for, and why? "My first choice would undoubtedly be Lou Tepper, who is semi-retired from the college ranks and currently assisting at Greene County High School here in Georgia. He is my mentor in life and in football. I just hold him in such high regard for his work ethic, his faith and his love for those around him. He's also one of the greatest linebacker coaches in the history of the game. But I would also add that Gwinnett County is so loaded with excellent coaches, that I'd be very happy to have my son play for any of the men around here." [Tepper, 71, is a former head coach at Illinois and was defensive coordinator at Buffalo when Bach was there. Tepper recently moved to Lake Oconee.]
3. What is your pet peeve as a coach or favorite saying/motto? "That's easy - 'Hard Work Pays Off.' That's what we say around here at Mountain View. I got that one from Khalil Mack himself, and he is proving it to be true right now in the NFL."
4. Which GHSA policy or high school football rule would you most like to see changed? "It already happened - when the GHSA's executive committee adjusted bylaw 2.62-b and added that 'member schools shall compete, practice or scrimmage only against other member schools, or against schools who are full members, with no restrictions of the State Association in their respective states.' My hope is that the GHSA not only enforces this, but works to strengthen it. If they don't, then more schools like IMG will be established around the country, and the traditional high school football competition will become a second-rate product over time, and that would be very unfortunate."
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