GHSF Daily asked Georgia head coaches to answer these four questions. We'll report from a different head coach each day.
Jimmy Fields, Whitefield Academy
1. Who is/was the most influential person in your coaching career? "My mom and dad. The most important quality I saw firsthand growing up was their faith in action. Words like perseverance, commitment and integrity I saw the both of them live out before me. My mom and dad were genuine in their faith in that they shared their weaknesses and failures where I knew that they were not perfect people. I was blessed with some awesome coaches along the way, also. Coaches like David Nelson in high school [at American Heritage in Columbus, Miss.] and Billy Brewer, Robert Youngblood, Carl Torbush and Ron Case in college [at Ole Miss] helped reinforce what my mom and dad had established at home. Our culture today has it so backwards for the kids we coach. Culture expects coaches to try to establish these foundational principles in young people. Of course coaches can and will have a profound impact on their players; however, by the time a coach reaches a kid, a lot of wasted time and garbage has piled up in that kid's life. Only by God's grace can a parent or coach make a difference that goes past the football field."
2. Who is the best Georgia player you ever faced? "Robert Toomer, Worth County High School. While serving as an assistant coach under Sam Barrs at Dublin in 1991, we faced Worth County in the state quarterfinals. Robert was an amazing player with a rare combination of speed and power. Ironically, I observed Robert's speed and power in 1989 while serving as an assistant under Milt Miller at Worth County. Robert was an outstanding player who is currently coaching high school in Texas."
3. What is the best team you ever faced as a coach? "While serving as an assistant under Milt Miller at Lowndes, we faced a Valdosta team that went on to have a 14-0 record and the USA Today National Championship. I've never seen that much team speed. Their managers ran 4.4 (forty)."
4. If you were Gary Phillips, the new head of the GHSA, what would be the first rule that you would try to change? "Two answers: No. 1 - Our student-athletes are being pulled to play on teams not associated with our high schools or the GHSA. Whether it is AAU or other organizations, we have some kids playing one sport 12 months a year. Of course some of these players are being told or sold the idea they are preparing for their professional career. We have principles set in place that declares a student-athlete to be eligible by GHSA standards. These standards should address how much participation outside the high school or GHSA will be allowed. No. 2 - What to do with the private school vs. public school issue? Currently, single-A schools can play private-public in regular season and compete in the same region but go separate in state playoffs. In AA, AAA and AAAA, public and private schools compete in regular season and state playoffs. Neighboring states have struggled with this issue, also. The GHSA will need to find a solution - not just a short-term fix, but a real solution across the board. I am optimistic that it can happen. If not addressed, then there is a long list of possibilities that will eventually occur."
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