Bill Curry named Georgia State football coach

Sports

Bill Curry named Georgia State football coach

Former Georgia Tech, Alabama and Kentucky coach Bill Curry will be Georgia State's first football coach.

Curry comes home: Atlanta area native Bill Curry speaks to the media June 12, 2008, after being named the first football coach for Georgia State University's upstart program, slated to begin play in 2010. Curry, 65, is no stranger to the tough task of building up football programs.

Taking over at Tech: In 1980, Curry was tapped to bring winning ways back to his alma mater, Georgia Tech. Curry's success was lackluster at best. During his 1980-86 tenure, Tech went 31-43-4 and appeared in only one bowl, the Hall of Fame Classic.

1984: Georgia Tech quarterback John Dewberry gets a hug from Curry and a piece of the famed Sanford Stadium hedges following Tech's victory over Georgia in Athens. The Jackets also topped UGA in 1985.

A fine year: Curry was named the ACC Coach of the Year in 1985 by the Associated Press and the ACC Sports Writers.

1982: Curry, himself a former Tech standout at center from 1962-64, finally turned the Jackets' fortunes around as the team posted its first winning record (6-5-0) since 1978. 1982 was Tech's final year as an independent before joining the ACC.

1985: Curry gets the victory ride on his players shoulders after the Jackets' 20-16 win over Georgia. It was the 2nd year in a row that Tech defeated the Bulldogs.

1980: As a newly-minted Georgia Tech coach, Bill Curry celebrated a tie vs. rival Notre Dame with Jackets cheerleaders.

1986: Curry affirms a job well done to junior quarterback Rick Strom during a Grant Field scrimmage. The Jackets posted a 5-5-1 record in '86, underwhelming after the previous season's 9-2-1 performance.

1986: Curry watches players move to the next phase of practice at Grant Field. In what would be his final year coaching at his alma mater, the Jackets went 5-5-1 and were 4th in the ACC.

1985: Curry rides off the field on the shoulders of of his victorious Yellow Jackets after beating Wake Forest 41-10. Linebacker Pat Swilling (left) gives the #1 sign.

1983: Curry (left) reminisces with his former coach at Georgia Tech, the legendary Bobby Dodd, at the Atlanta Touchdown Club.

1984: Curry winces as the game vs. ACC rival Clemson gets out of hand. The score was Clemson 24, Tech 7, but the Jackets rallied before losing 28-21.

Great expectations: Former Georgia Tech football coach Bobby Dodd shakes hands with Georgia House Speaker Tom Murphy as then-Tech coach Curry (behind Murphy) watches in this 1980s photo.

1987-89: After Tech, Bill Curry took over as head coach at Alabama. His short tenure was marked by controversy involving his relationships with players and the university, culminating in his eventual resignation. Curry's Tide teams went 26-10-0.

1990-96: Following his exit from Alabama, Curry remained in the SEC, this time taking over at Kentucky. The Wildcats went 6-6-0 in 1993, earning a Peach Bowl berth, but Curry's teams never posted a winning record, going 26-52 overall, and he was asked to step down after the '96 season.

2004: Wes Durham, Bill Curry, former Georgia governor Roy Barnes, Al Pearson (brother-in-law of Kim King and childhood friend) and David Butler (left to right) all bow their heads in prayer during the public memorial service held at Alexander Memorial Coliseum to honor former Yellow Jackets quarterback, radio color analyst and athletics department supporter Kim King, who died of leukemia.

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Curry comes home: Atlanta area native Bill Curry speaks to the media June 12, 2008, after being named the first football coach for Georgia State University's upstart program, slated to begin play in 2010. Curry, 65, is no stranger to the tough task of building up football programs.

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