This week, our Four Questions feature will be answered by some of Georgia's best-known retired coaches. We begin with Dave Hunter, who retired after the 2001 season with a record of 176-52-1 (.771) in 19 seasons as a head coach. He spent his final 15 seasons at Brookwood, where he won five region titles and one state championship. Hunter co-founded the Corky Kell Classic in 1992 and remains its executive director. He served for 25 years on the executive committee of the Georgia High School Association until retiring this year.
Dave Hunter
1. What is the most memorable game you've been a part of as a player or coach? "Three games. No. 1, Brookwood's victory over Clarke Central in 1987 at Clarke, 6-3, the first Gwinnett school to beat Clarke. They had thumped Gwinnett teams for years. No. 2, in the 1996 Corky Kell Classic, Brookwood lost to Valdosta 31-28 on last play of the game. Even though this was a loss, it proved to our boys that they could play with anybody. No. 3, Brookwood won the 1996 state championship in Valdosta 45-24, and it wasn't that close. This is No. 1 because it was the state championship, in Valdosta, and on statewide TV for the first time on Channel 11." [Brookwood was the first Gwinnett County Schools team to win a state championship. Starting with that one, Gwinnett teams have won a state title in the highest classification 10 of the past 20 years.]
2. Which high school coach would you want your son to play for, and why? "There are lots of young men coaching that played for me. However, two stand out in my mind - Andy Dyer at Archer and Tommy Jones at Dacula. They are solid men of great character, outstanding coaches that are better men. You do not hear poor language on their practice field, don't see negative coaching or berating of players. They express caring and concern for their kids. Any kid would benefit from playing for these guys."
3. What is your pet peeve as a coach or favorite saying/motto? "I could not stand poor effort, making excuses or anyone putting themselves above the team. I had a couple of sayings that I remember. 'Play all out and a little bit more!,' meaning that mental fatigue always precedes physical fatigue. Concerning behavior, I told players and others, 'If you aren't sure whether it's right or wrong, it's wrong!'"
4. Which GHSA policy or high school football rule would you most like to see changed? "I'm sure like a lot of coaches I am very concerned about players and families moving from one school to another without regard to their home school. It appears that team loyalty was dropped at the bus stop. My suggestion is some sort of a mileage rule requiring a move of greater than let's say 40 miles. If they don't move greater than 40 miles, they have to sit out. Of course you need appeals. There will be lots the first year, but that will quickly be reduced in the near future. Another issue for our game is the concussion problem. We need to solve this. Rule changes have made a small difference; however, I think that for this to cease being a problem, then the coaches will have to get in the middle of it."
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