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Home , Amos Alonzo Stagg, Amos Alonzo Stagg Award, Anthony Midget, Bill Curry, Garrett Wolfe, Gary Reasons

2009 State Football • 1

GENERAL INFORMATION Full Name ...... Location ...... Atlanta, Ga. Founded ...... 1913 Enrollment...... 30,000 Nickname ...... Panthers Colors ...... Blue & White Affi liation ...... NCAA Division I Conference ...... Colonial Athletic Association President ...... Dr. Mark P. Becker Director of Athletics ...... Cheryl L. Levick Athletics Phone ...... 404.413.4000 Mailing Address ...... P.O. Box 3975, Atlanta, GA, 30302-3975 Website ...... GeorgiaStateSports.com First Season of Football ...... 2010 Football Affi liation (2011) ...... NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) Football Conference (2012) ...... CAA Football Home Field ...... Georgia Dome

GEORGIA STATE FOOTBALL STAFF ...... Hired ...... June 12, 2008 Alma Mater ...... , 1965 Record ...... 83-105-4 (17 seasons) George Pugh ...... Asst. Head Coach/Recruiting/Receivers 404.413.4116 • [email protected] John Th ompson ...Asst. Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator 404.413.4111 • [email protected] John Bond ...... Off ensive Coordinator/ 404.413.4114 • [email protected] Anthony Midget ...... Special Teams/Defensive Backs 404.413.4118 • [email protected] Mike Riddle ...... Off ensive Line 404.413.4113 • [email protected] Chris Ward ...... Defensive Line 404.413.4117 • [email protected] Todd Perry ...... Running Backs 404.413.4110 Jason French ...... 404.413.4110 Michael Charlton ...... Special Assistant 404.413.4110 • [email protected] Ryan Zimmerman ...... Special Assistant 404.413.4110 • [email protected] Dave Kaplan ...... Director of Football Operations 404.413.4121 • [email protected] Jessica Pearson ...... Administrative Assistant 404.413.4110 • [email protected] Juliana Koons ...... Administrative Assistant 404.413.4110 • [email protected] Ken Coggins ...... Strength & Conditioning 404.413.4042 • [email protected] Jay Bailey ...... Equipment Manager 404.413.4003 • [email protected] Bob Murphy ...... Assistant AD-Sports Medicine 404.413.4039 • [email protected] Blake Adams ...... Football Video Coordinator 4 • 2009 Georgia State Football 2009 Georgia State Football • 5 6 • 2009 Georgia State Football 2009 Georgia State Football • 7 8 • 2009 Georgia State Football 2009 Georgia State Football • 9 10 • 2009 Georgia State Football 2009 Georgia State Football • 11 12 • 2009 Georgia State Football 2009 Georgia State Football • 13 THE J. MACK ROBINSON COLLEGE OF BUSINESS THE COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES is the prepares students to lead by pursuing ethical, largest college at the University, offering undergraduate innovative and value-enhancing strategies in a and graduate majors in fi ne arts, humanities, natural culturally diverse and technologically advanced world. and computational science and social and behavioral The under-graduate program has been ranked among sciences. the nation’s top 50 business school programs for seven straight years, according to U.S. News & World Report. THE COLLEGE OF LAW promotes legal scholarship Three of the colleges departments-risk management and service that enriches the legal profession and the and insurance, computer information systems, and real community. The college is consistently ranked among estate-also rank among the top 10 in their categories, the top 10 best law schools for the money. while the college’s fl ex MBA program has been ranked THE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION offers compre- in the top 10 in the nation the past 13 years. hensive programs in all areas of teacher education, THE ANDREW YOUNG SCHOOL OF PUBLIC counseling, and education fi elds related to sports. Six POLICY STUDIES educates students to analyze, education alumni have been named Georgia Teacher evaluate and design policies addressing economic of the Year. and social development issues at the local, regional, THE COLLEGE OF HEALTH AND HUMAN national and global levels. U.S. News & World Report SCIENCES offers programs in nursing, physical rankings consistently place the school’s public fi nance therapy, nutrition, cardiopulmonary care, social work and urban management programs among the top 10 and criminal justice that are designed to improve in the nation. health and well-being and address social justice issues in a multi-cultural society. ark P. Becker, the seventh From 1989 to 2000, Becker was president of Georgia State a professor and associate dean for MUniversity, began his tenure academic affairs at the University of on Jan. 1, 2009. Michigan’s School of Public Health. A biostatistician, public health He also has held academic posts at researcher and academic leader, the University of Washington, the Becker, 50, had served as executive University of Florida and Cornell vice president for academic affairs University. and provost at the University of Becker earned his bachelor’s South Carolina before assuming degree in mathematics from Towson Georgia State’s presidency. State University and his doctorate Prior to that appointment, in statistics from the Pennsylvania Becker spent three years at the State University. University of Minnesota as a biosta- As provost at University of South tistics professor, dean of the School Carolina, Becker has been responsi- been involved in several professional of Public Health and assistant vice ble for formulating and implement- associations, including the American president of Public Health, Prepared- ing academic policy, coordinating Association for the Advancement of ness and Emergency Response. the university’s teaching, research Science, the International Biometric and public service programs and Society and the American Statistical allocating resources in all academic Association, where he is a fellow. areas, among other roles. Becker, who is married to Laura Internationally recognized as a Voisinet and has two children, researcher in biostatistics and public Matthew, 22, and Julia, 18, enjoys out- health sciences, Becker has published door activities like hiking and white- more than 40 articles and has been water rafting and “experiencing and principal investigator on research learning about new cultures.” grants from the National Institutes He said he will bring to the of Health and the National Science Georgia State presidency “energy, Foundation and co-investigator on a passion for and a commitment numerous research grants from the to public higher education as well Centers for Disease Control, Agency as signifi cant academic leader- for Healthcare Research and Qual- ship experience in both established ity, and other granting agencies. and up and coming public research During his career, Becker has universities.” 16 • 2009 Georgia State Football 2009 Georgia State Football • 17 18 • 2009 Georgia State Football 2009 Georgia State Football • 19 20 • 2009 Georgia State Football 2009 Georgia State Football • 21

26 • 2009 Georgia State Football 2009 Georgia State Football • 27 A name synonomous with CLASS AND INTEGRITY in the coaching profession, BILL CURRY is the architect and builder of GEORGIA STATE UNIVERSITY FOOTBALL as the program’s fi rst head coach.

he Atlanta native and former head coach at Georgia as well as an All-Pro playing career in the National Football Tech, Alabama and Kentucky was introduced on June League, and, most recently, national notoriety as a college T12, 2008, eight weeks aft er the football program was football analyst for ESPN. offi cially launched on April 17. In the NFL, he participated in three Super Bowls and Curry, who agreed to a fi ve-year contract, is developing two Pro Bowls. As a center, Curry snapped the ball to leg- and directing the football program in every area in prepara- endary quarterbacks and , and he tion for Georgia State’s fi rst season in the fall of 2010. played for two of the most highly-regarded coaches in pro- Curry brings 17 years of experience as a head coach in fessional sports history in and . the and Atlantic Coast Confer- His college coach, Georgia Tech’s , is an icon in ence--including Coach of the Year awards in both leagues-- Southern football annals.

28 • 2009 Georgia State Football GEORGIA STATE’S FIRST HEAD FOOTBALL COACH COACHING CAREER: HONORS: 1976 Assistant Coach, Georgia Tech Atlantic Coast Conference Coach of the Year, 1985 1977-79 Assistant Coach, Southeastern Conference Coach of the Year, 1989 1980-86 Head Coach, Georgia Tech Bobby Dodd National Coach of the Year, 1989 1987-89 Head Coach, Alabama Award (AFCA), 2007 1990-96 Head Coach, Kentucky President Gerald R. Ford Legends Center Award, 2008-present Head Coach, Georgia State 2008 Member of Georgia Tech Athletic Hall of Fame & PLAYING CAREER: State of Georgia Sports Hall of Fame Th ree-year letterwinner (1962-63-64) at Georgia Tech. Team captain in 1964. Played 10 years as a center in the NFL with the Green Bay Packers (1965-66), Colts (1967-72), Houston Oilers (1973) and (1974) Played in three Super Bowls with Green Bay ( I) and Baltimore (Super Bowl III & V) Won three championships (Green Bay, 1965 & 1966; Baltimore, 1970) NFL Pro Bowl, 1971 & 1972 Served as President of NFL Players Association

OTHER EXPERIENCE: Television analyst and contributing writer, ESPN, 1997-2007 Director of Leadership Baylor, Baylor School, Chattanooga, Tenn., 2006-08 Author of “Ten Men You Meet in the : Lessons from a Football Life” Distinguished Executive Fellow, Robinson College of Business at Georgia State University, 2008- present

Full Name: William Alexander Curry Date of Birth: Oct. 21, 1942 Hometown: College Park, Ga. Wife: Married to the former Carolyn Newton Children: Billy and Kristin; Grandchildren: Alex (12), Elliot (10), Evelyn (6), Claire (4), Brett (1). Education: Georgia Tech, 1965 (B.S. in Industrial Management) College Park (Ga.) High School YEAR-BY-YEAR RECORD 83-105-4, 17 years Georgia Tech (31-43-4, 7 years) 1980 1-9-1 1981 1-10 1982 6-5 1983 3-8 1984 6-4-1 1985 9-2-1 ACC Runnerup, All American Bowl Aft er concluding his 10-year play- was a freshman walk-on 1986 5-5-1 ing career as a center for the Green Bay named Ken Whisenhunt, who is now Packers (1965-66), Baltimore Colts the head coach of the Arizona Car- Alabama (26-10, 3 years) (1967-72), Houston Oilers (1973) dinals, and a 24-21 victory at fourth- 1987 7-5 Hall of Fame Bowl and Los Angeles Rams (1974), Curry ranked Alabama the following year. entered the coaching ranks as off ensive By recruiting talents such as all- 1988 9-3 Sun Bowl line coach at Georgia Tech in 1976. He America defensive and future NFL 1989 10-2 SEC Champions, then spent three years as an NFL assis- star Pat Swilling, all-America off ensive Sugar Bowl tant with the Packers (1977-79) before lineman John Davis, record-setting returning to his alma mater as head tailback Robert Lavette, and all-ACC Kentucky (26-52, 7 years) coach in 1980. Ted Roof, Curry’s teams 1990 4-7 Curry took over a Georgia Tech also scored a pair of victories over 1991 3-8 program in transition, moving from nationally-ranked Georgia teams as 1992 4-7 independent status to the Atlantic well as a win over 13th-ranked Clem- Coast Conference while badly in need son that snapped a 20-game ACC win- 1993 6-6 of facilities upgrades. His fi rst two sea- ning streak. 1994 1-10 sons were highlighted by a stunning 3- Curry’s rebuilding eff orts culmi- 1995 4-7 3 tie against No. 1-ranked Notre Dame nated in 1985, when he led Tech to a 1996 4-7 in 1980, in which the Yellow Jackets’ 9-2-1 season for the school’s highest

30 • 2009 Georgia State Football THROUGH THE YEARS win total in two decades and its fi rst guided by the ideal that the education bowl victory in 13 years, defeating and well-being of the student-athlete heavily-favored Michigan State in the is paramount. All-American Bowl. For his eff orts, he In 2007, he was recognized by the was named ACC Coach of the Year. Coaches Asso- Curry compiled a record of 20-11- ciation with the Amos Alonzo Stagg 3 over his fi nal three seasons at Geor- Award, which honors someone “whose gia Tech before moving to Alabama in services have been outstanding in the 1987. He posted a three-year record of advancement of the best interests of 26-10 with the Crimson Tide, capped football.” by the 1989 SEC title and Sugar Bowl In 2008, he received the President Blocking for Johnny Unitas berth. Gerald R. Ford Legends Center Award, In addition to being selected SEC which is presented annually to some- Coach of the Year in 1989, Curry one who has played the center position received the national coaching acco- at the collegiate or professional level, lade named for his beloved mentor, has made extraordinary contributions the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year to his team during his football career Award. and has proven to be an exemplary Curry then spent seven seasons at citizen, philanthropist or leader in the Kentucky (1990-96), highlighted by a business or football community. berth in the 1993 Peach Bowl. At the Curry also serves at Georgia State time, that marked the Wildcats’ fourth University as a Distinguished Execu- bowl berth in 40 years. tive Fellow in the Robinson College of With Vince Lombardi Th rough every stop, Curry has Business. carried an indelible reputation for He is the author of the book, “Ten integrity and class, and he has been Men You Meet in the Huddle: Lessons from a Football Life,” published in 2008. His passion for mentoring TECH OF GEORGIA COURTESY PHOTO young people is also evident in his previous position as the Director of Leadership Baylor at the Baylor School in Chatta- nooga, Tenn., where he served before taking over at Georgia State. Curry attended College Park Coaching at Georgia Tech High School in the Atlanta area (above) and Alabama before going on to Georgia Tech, where he earned his B.S. degree in Industrial Manage- ment in 1965.

He is married to the former OF ALABAMA COURTESY PHOTO Carolyn Newton of Atlanta, a graduate of Agnes Scott College who earned her master’s degree and Ph.D. from Georgia State. Bill and Carolyn have two chil- dren and fi ve grandchildren. Carolyn and Bill Curry

2009 Georgia State Football • 31 eteran coach George Pugh serves as reaching the NCAA Division II playoff s in and then New Mexico (1980). assistant head coach for recruiting and 1991. He then spent one season at Pittsburgh, Vspecial projects on Georgia State’s fi rst In 2007, Pugh served as receivers coach at helping the Panthers reach the 1982 Sugar football staff . He will also coach wide receivers. the University of Houston, helping the Cougars Bowl, before a seven-year stint at Texas A&M In addition to 25 years in college coaching, reach the Texas Bowl and coaching Donnie (1982-88). Th e Aggies won three Southwest Pugh has strong ties to the Atlanta area aft er Avery, who was selected in the second round Conference titles and played in three Cotton serving as the head coach at Columbia High (33rd overall pick) of the 2008 National Foot- Bowls during his time there. School (1978) and Meadowcreek High School ball League draft by the St. Louis Rams. Pugh also coached high school football in (2003-04). As a college coach, he has recruited Prior to that, Pugh served two seasons Alabama at Selma High School (1992-93) and the Atlanta area throughout his career. (2005-06) at UAB. Th at was his second tour of Luverne High School (1994). “George is an outstanding recruiter be- duty with the Blazers, where he also worked A four-year letterwinner as a , cause is highly respected by the high school from 1995-2000, both times working under Pugh played at Alabama under head coach Paul coaches, he has a remarkable personality and head coach . In his fi rst UAB “Bear” Bryant. During his four years (1972-75), he shows an uncanny knack of knowing where stint, Pugh helped the Blazers in their transi- the Crimson Tide lost just one game, high- the players are,” said Georgia State head coach tion to NCAA Division I-A. lighted by a national championship in 1973. He Bill Curry upon hiring Pugh in July 2008. “He He worked as an assistant coach at Arkan- earned his bachelor’s degree in health, physi- knows how to fi nd, sign and develop talent, es- sas in 2001-02. cal education and recreation from Alabama in pecially if they are wide receivers.” Pugh began his coaching career in 1976 as 1976. Pugh also has head coaching experience, an assistant coach at Columbia High School in Pugh is married to the former Lelettrice directing the Alabama A&M program from Decatur, Ga., where he served one season as Hines. Th e couple has three daughters, Stepha- 1989-91. In his three seasons, the Bulldogs an assistant coach and one year as head coach. nie, April and Brittany, and three sons, Marcus, posted a 19-10 record, winning three Southern He then moved to the college ranks, serving as Michael George and Joshua. Intercollegiate Athletic Conference titles and receivers coach at UT-Chattanooga (1978-79)

32 • 2009 Georgia State Football ohn Th ompson, Georgia State’s assistant defensive coordinator aft er they couldn’t move he served from 1983-86, and again from 1988- head coach for scheduling and strategic the ball on him. He fi nds a way to convey a 89 aft er spending the 1987 season at Alabama. Jplanning and defensive coordinator, pos- defense that is simple to our players but utterly In 1990, he became the defensive coor- sesses 26 years of college coaching experience, confusing to the opposing off ense. We’re going dinator at Louisiana Tech for two seasons including 22 seasons as a coordinator and two to need to that, especially early on.” before moving to Southern Miss as defensive years as the head coach at East Carolina. Th ompson came to Georgia State in July coordinator in 1992. He was given additional Th ompson previously worked one season 2008 aft er spending the 2007 season as defensive responsibility as assistant head coach in 1993. with Panthers’ head coach Bill Curry as line- coordinator and defensive backs coach at Ole In Th ompson’s seven seasons at Southern Miss backers coach at Alabama in 1987. Miss. Th at followed a one-year stint as athlet- (1992-98), the Golden Eagles won or shared Recognized as a top defensive mind, ics director at his alma mater, the University of two Conference USA titles, twice ranked Th ompson has worked as defensive coordina- Central Arkansas, which he guided in its move among the top 25 nationally in scoring defense tor or co-coordinator at Southeastern Confer- to NCAA Division I. He served as co-defensive and made two bowl appearances. ence schools Mississippi, Florida, Arkansas and coordinator at South Carolina in 2005. In one season at Memphis in 1999, his South Carolina, as well as at Memphis, South- As the head coach at East Carolina in 2003- Tiger defense ranked 11th in the nation in ern Mississippi, Louisiana Tech and North- 04, he coached three fi rst-team all-conference scoring defense and 23rd in total defense. western State. players and seven all-freshman selections. A native of Forrest City, Ark., Th ompson As a defensive coordinator, Th ompson Th ompson was the defensive coordinator at began as a high school coach in 1977 while pur- has seen more than 40 of his defensive play- Florida in 2002, when the Gators’ pass defense suing his bachelor’s degree at UCA. He contin- ers draft ed by, or sign with, National Football was ranked seventh in the nation, allowing just ued to coach prep football until moving to the League teams. Forty of his defenders earned 162.4 yards per game. He also spent two years college ranks in 1982 as a graduate assistant at all-conference honors, fi ve were named all- at Arkansas, serving as co-defensive coordina- Arkansas, where he worked under . America, and one, former Northwestern State tor in 2000 and then defensive coordinator in A high school quarterback, Th ompson linebacker Gary Reasons, has been inducted 2001. In 2000, the Razorbacks were second in was inducted into the Forrest City High School into the Hall of Fame. the nation in pass defense while leading the Hall of Fame in 2006. His playing career also “John was with us at Alabama as a very SEC in pass defense and total defense. Th e fol- includes two seasons as a defensive back at Cen- young coach but an outstanding one, and we lowing year, Th ompson helped lead Arkansas tral Arkansas. He earned his bachelor’s degree have stayed in touch through the years,” said to the 2002 Cotton Bowl. in physical education from UCA in 1978. Curry. “He has coached at all those places Th ompson’s fi rst position as a defensive Th ompson and his wife, Charleen, have because people have sought him out to be their coordinator came at Northwestern State, where two sons, Cabe and Hays.

2009 Georgia State Football • 33 ired as Georgia State’s fi rst off ensive “When I was with ESPN, I covered some of sive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for coordinator, John Bond is a 23-year John’s games at Northern , and I saw an his fi nal three years (1997-99). Th e Redbirds Hveteran of college coaching who spent off ense that was so well conceived,” said Georgia ranked in the top 10 in the nation in scor- 11 seasons as an off ensive coordinator at Geor- State head coach Bill Curry. “No matter what ing his fi nal two years. In 1999, Illinois State gia Tech, Northern Illinois, Army and Illinois the defense did, the off ense had an answer, and reached the NCAA I-AA national semifi nals, State. it wasn’t just Garrett Wolfe running the ball all and Bond was a fi nalist for the American Foot- Before joining Bill Curry’s Georgia State over the place.” ball Coaches Association’s Assistant Coach of staff in 2008, Bond served the 2007 season as Before going to Northern Illinois, Bond the Year award. off ensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach served four seasons (2000-03) as off ensive His coaching background also includes at Georgia Tech, where his off ense was led by coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Army, two seasons as a student assistant (1983-84) all-Atlantic Coast Conference running back where he fashioned a wide-open off ense that and one year as a graduate assistant (1985) at Tashard Choice, the ACC rushing leader who broke 35 school records. his alma mater, Arkansas, where he worked was draft ed by the . Bond’s fi rst full-time coaching position under Lou Holtz and Ken Hatfi eld. He spent the previous three seasons coaching was at Southwest Missouri State, where he A native of Rogers, Ark., Bond was an all- one of the nation’s most prolifi c rushing attacks as served as running backs coach and recruiting state quarterback for his father, Gary Bond, at off ensive coordinator at Northern Illinois (2004- coordinator from 1986-90. Th e Bears won two Rogers High School. Th e elder Bond is a mem- 06). All-America Garrett Wolfe led the nation in conference titles and reached the NCAA I-AA ber of the state’s high school federation Hall of rushing in 2006 aft er ranking second as a junior playoff s twice, advancing to the quarterfi nals in Fame, and John was inducted into the Rogers and fi ft h as a sophomore. Th e third-round draft 1989. High Hall of Fame. pick is now with the Bears. He served as quarterbacks coach at UTEP Bond, 45, who played one season at Bond helped Northern Illinois to two from 1991-93 and then as quarterback coach Arkansas before a career-ending injury, earned Mid-American Conference Western Division and passing game coordinator at Delta State in a bachelor’s degree in physical education in titles and two bowl games, highlighted by a 9-4 1994-95. 1985. record in 2004, when the Huskies ranked 11th From there, Bond moved to a four-year He is married to the former Jennifer in the nation in rushing, 14th in scoring and stint at Illinois State, serving as wide receivers Wilder, and the couple has two daughters, 14th in total off ense. coach in 1996 before he was elevated to off en- MacKenzie and Mallory, and one son, Brody.

34 • 2009 Georgia State Football nthony Midget, a former all-Amer- to four straight bowl games, capped by an Following his senior season, Midget ica at Virginia Tech and an Atlanta appearance in the BCS National Champi- was selected in the fi ft h round of the 2000 AFalcons draft pick, coaches special onship game following the 1999 season. draft by the teams and defensive backs on the fi rst He earned third-team all-America . He also spent time with football staff for Georgia State and head honors from Th e Sporting News as well as the . coach Bill Curry. fi rst-team all-Big East accolades in 1999. A native of Clewiston, Fla., Midget Midget came to Georgia State in 2008 Th e Dean’s List student also made the Big graduated from Virginia Tech in 1999 with aft er spending the 2007 season as a gradu- East All-Academic Team. a degree in sociology. He has a daughter, ate assistant at Virginia Tech, helping the Anaiya. Hokies to the Atlantic Coast Conference title and a berth in the Fed Ex Orange Bowl. Midget also served fi ve years (2002- 07) coaching at Lake Worth High School Drafted by in Lake Worth, Fla., where his positions the Atlanta included assistant head coach, defensive Falcons,

coordinator, defensive backs coach and BUCCANEERS BAY OF TAMPA COURTESY PHOTO Anthony running backs coach. He also coached Midget also track, weightlift ing and and spent time taught physical education. with the A four-year letterwinner (1996-99) and three-year starter at cornerback at Tampa Bay Virginia Tech, Midget helped the Hokies Buccaneers.

2009 Georgia State Football • 35 hris Ward, a former all-Southeast- tant coach in 2005 and then was elevated work from Kentucky in 1997. ern Conference player with coach- to defensive line coach in 2006. He and his wife, Erika, are the parents Cing experience in NFL Europe, In 2007, he joined the startup All- of twins, Evan and Ava, who are nearly joined the Georgia State football program American Football League as Manager of three years old, and one-year old son as the defensive line coach on head coach Player Personnel and remained there until Dallas. Bill Curry’s staff . the league ceased opera- An Atlanta native, Ward played at tions in May 2008. Southwest DeKalb High School under leg- “Obviously I coached endary coach Buck Godfrey. He went on Chris Ward and I recruited to play for Curry at Kentucky, where he him from Buck Godfrey’s lettered four years as a defensive end and great program at South- earned second-team all-SEC honors in west DeKalb,” said Curry. 1996. “He stayed in touch with Ward, a seventh-round draft pick of me, and I followed him the in 1997, spent time as he coached in NFL on the Ravens’ roster as well as that of the Europe. He has a passion before playing in NFL for coaching the defensive Europe with the Scottish Claymores, for line, for recruiting and for whom he served as team captain. Follow- football in his hometown. ing his playing career, he served intern- And he’s an outstanding ships with the Claymores (2003) and human being.” Berlin Th under (2004). He moved to the Ward earned his Cologne Centurions as a defensive assis- bachelor’s degree in social

36 • 2009 Georgia State Football ike Riddle is the off ensive line 98). He was honored as the Wildcats’ Scout coach on head coach Bill Curry’s Team Player of the Year in 1996 and earned Mfi rst Georgia State staff . a scholarship for his fi nal season (1998). Riddle, who played under Curry at “Mike was walk-on for us at Kentucky, Kentucky, joined the Georgia State staff in and I’ve always thought walk-on football 2008 as director of football operations, but players are some of the fi nest human beings he will now concentrate on coaching. because it’s so hard to do,” said Curry. He came to State from Riverside Mili- “Th ey come to practice and work hard tary Academy in Gainesville, Ga., where he every day, and they may never get to play served as line coach in 2007 before being but they beat the stuffi ng out of the start- elevated to off ensive coordinator. ers. Mike Riddle was one of those guys, He previously spent four seasons at and now I’m very pleased to have some- Indiana, serving as a graduate assistant one as smart and detailed as Mike on our and off ensive quality control assistant. staff .” Before going to Indiana, Riddle Riddle earned a bachelor’s degree in coached three seasons of high school social studies from Kentucky in 1999 and football, working with the off ensive line added a master’s in secondary education at Colerain High School in Cincinnati, in 2000. Ohio (2000) and Lexington Catholic High A native of Cincinnati, Ohio, Riddle is School in Lexington, Ky. (2001-02). married to the former Brandee Lampley, Riddle joined the Kentucky program and the couple has one son, Landon. as a walk-on and lettered four years (1995-

2009 Georgia State Football • 37 ormer National Football League player ing off ensive lineman his junior and senior Todd Perry joined the Georgia State seasons. Ffootball coaching staff as running backs He was selected in the fourth round of the coach in 2009. 1993 NFL draft by the Bears, for whom he played Perry played for Georgia State head coach eight seasons (1993-2000), including six years as Bill Curry at Kentucky before an 11-year career a starter. He received the team’s Brian Piccolo as an NFL off ensive lineman with the Chicago Award as an outstanding rookie in 1993. Bears and . Perry, who started a total of 144 NFL Since his retirement from the NFL, Perry games, concluded his career with three seasons has spent the last three seasons coaching on the (2001-03) in Miami, where he was a member of high school level, working with the junior var- an off ensive line that blocked for NFL rushing sity programs at Alpharetta and Milton High leader Ricky Williams in 2002. Schools in metro Atlanta. “I fi nished playing pro ball fi ve years ago, “For Todd to want to coach and want to but football kept pulling me back,” said Perry. come to Georgia State at this time is a huge “Having played for Coach Curry at Ken- bonus for us,” said Curry. “As someone who tucky, I have the utmost respect for him as a recently played football at the highest level, he coach and as a person. To have the chance to will have instant credibility with our players. make this transition from playing to coaching “Todd was an immediate contributor for by learning under him at Georgia State is the us at Kentucky, and he was one of those players perfect situation, and I’m extremely thankful it was a privilege to work with on the practice for this opportunity.” fi eld every day.” A three-time member of the SEC Aca- A native of Elizabethtown, Ky., Perry was demic Honor Roll, Perry earned his bachelor’s BEARS OF CHICAGO COURTESY PHOTO an all-Southeastern Conference guard for Ken- degree in biology from Kentucky in 1993. tucky in 1992. He lettered four years for the He and his wife, Heidi, have three chil- Todd Perry enjoyed an 11-year Wildcats and was named the team’s outstand- dren: Tyler (12), Alexandra (11) and Kiley (5). career in the NFL.

38 • 2009 Georgia State Football JJASONASON FRENCHFRENCH LINEBACKERS

ason French, a former professional He ranks among the Roughriders’ career Jplayer in the League, Top 20 in receptions and receiving yards. serves as the linebackers coach on Georgia A native of Montreal, Canada, French State’s fi rst football staff . was selected by Saskatchewan in the sec- French, who retired in 2008, played ond round of the 2001 CFL draft out of eight years in the CFL as wide receiver with Murray State University, where he played the (2001-06) two seasons. He also played two seasons at and the Hamilton Tiger-Cats (2007-08). Middle Georgia College. His top seasons were 2004 and 2005 French and his wife, Amber, have a with more than 50 receptions each year. daughter, Ryan Michelle.

MMICHAELICHAEL CCHARLTONHARLTON SPECIAL ASSISTANT

ichael Charlton enters his second dent assistant with the football program Myear with the Georgia State football and completed an internship in the athlet- program aft er serving as an intern in 2008- ics director’s offi ce. 09. He also worked as a graduate assistant A native of Radford, Va., Charlton in Georgia State’s student-athlete develop- earned his bachelor’s degree in business ment program the last two years. administration from Emory & Henry in Charlton played college football at 2006. He received his master’s degree in Emory & Henry College, an NCAA Divi- sports administration from Georgia State sion III school in Emory, Va. While at in May 2009. Emory & Henry, he also served as a stu-

RRYANYAN ZIMMERMANZIMMERMAN SPECIAL ASSISTANT

yan Zimmerman serves as a special Before coming to Georgia State, Zim- Rassistant on the Georgia State football merman served as a registered invest- staff . ment advisor for W.A. Griffi n Financial He has previous coaching experience Services. at the high school level, working with the A native of Gainesville, Ga., Zim- programs at West Hall High School (1999- merman attended Piedmont College in 02), his alma mater, and East Hall High Demorest, Ga. (2005).

2009 Georgia State Football • 39 DDAVEAVE KKAPLANAPLAN DIRECTOR OF FOOTBALL OPERATIONS

ave Kaplan, formerly executive direc- 1972-73, and sports information director Dtor and tournament director for the from 1974-76, including one year while Atlanta Classic Foundation, Inc., was Curry was an assistant football coach. named Georgia State’s director of football Active in the Atlanta community, operations in July 2009. Kaplan is the treasurer on the Gwinnett Kaplan directed and managed Atlan- Convention and Visitors Bureau Board of ta’s former PGA Tour event, most recently Directors and also serves on the Children’s known as the AT&T Classic, from 1983 Healthcare of Atlanta Sports Network through 2008. Advisory Board and the First Tee-Atlanta Before his long stint with the Atlanta Board of Directors. Classic Foundation, Kaplan served as the A 1970 graduate of the University of manager of public relations for Six Flags Florida, Kaplan is married to the former Over Georgia and as coordinator of spe- Marcia Phillips, and the couple has one cial promotions for Lake Lanier Islands son, Chandler, who will graduate from (1977). the University of Mississippi in December, Kaplan was the assistant sports infor- 2009. mation director at Georgia Tech from

JJAYAY BAILEYBAILEY EQUIPMENT MANAGER

eorgia State’s fi rst equipment man- Gager, Jay Bailey brings nearly 20 years of experience managing and maintaining football equipment at the collegiate level. JESSICA PEARSON Bailey joined the Georgia State staff Administrative Assistant in 2009 aft er three seasons as equipment manager at Illinois State. He previously spent 10 years as the athletic equipment supervisor at Cincinnati. Before Cincinnati, Bailey worked as the assistant equipment manager at Georgia Tech and as head equipment manager at Southeast Missouri State. Bailey attended Auburn, where he served as a student manager for the foot- He earned his bachelor’s degree in ball program. He originally joined the criminal justice from Auburn in 1988. team as a walk-on player before a career- Bailey and his wife, Melissa, have two ending injury. children, Justin, 9, and Travis, 7.

JULIANA KOONS Administrative Assistant

40 • 2009 Georgia State Football KKENEN CCOGGINSOGGINS STRENGTH & CONDITIONING

eorgia State head strength and condi- Coggins, 48, earned his B.S. degree in Gtioning coach Ken Coggins possesses fi tness management and exercise physiol- more than two decades of experience devel- ogy from Mississippi State University in oping collegiate and professional athletes. 1986. Coggins joined the Georgia State staff in A member of the Collegiate Strength & May 2008 from Charleston Southern, where Conditioning Association, he is certifi ed by he was the program’s fi rst full-time strength the National Association of Speed-Strength and conditioning coach and worked with & Conditioning and the International all sports in one year there. Sports Association (Speed-Strength Cer- He previously worked as head strength tifi cation) and is a graduate of the Speed- and conditioning coach at Jackson State Strength & Quickness Training Seminar at (2003-07), Belhaven College (1999-2003), the Sports Conditioning Institute. Southwest Missouri State (1995-99), Ar- He has also traveled extensively to kansas Little Rock (1990-95) and Delta broaden his knowledge, studying at the State (1988). He also served as an assistant Lenin Institute for in Mos- strength and conditioning coach at Mem- cow, Russia; the German Institute of Physi- phis State (1988-90). cal Culture and Sports Science in Leipzig, Coggins has worked with high-profi le Germany; and the Bulgarian Institute of professional athletes, including NBA stand- Physical Culture and Sports. out Derek Fisher of the Los Angeles Lakers, Coggins and his wife, Tina, have a 14- with whom Coggins worked at Arkansas year-old daughter, Lauren. Little Rock. BBOBOB MMURPHYURPHY ASSISTANT ATHLETICS DIRECTOR FOR SPORTS MEDICINE KEISHA JONES Assistant Director of ob Murphy, assistant director of ath- Student-Athlete Development Bletics for sports medicine, is in his third year at Georgia State. He originally came to Georgia State in 2007 as head athletic trainer and was elevated to assistant in 2008. He previously worked directly with men’s and women’s basketball programs. and treasurer for the College Athletic Murphy joined the State staff from the Trainers’ Society. United States Military Academy in West Murphy earned his bachelor of science Point, N.Y., where he served as assistant degree in sports medicine at Marietta Col- athletic trainer, working with the football, lege in 1998, and then he completed his men’s basketball and teams. master of science degree in exercise sci- He previously taught pharmacology to ence at Syracuse in 2000. undergraduate athletic training students at A native of Cleveland, Ohio, Murphy is Dominican College. He serves as secretary married to the former Josephine Lee. BLAKE ADAMS Video Coordinator

2009 Georgia State Football • 41 CCHERYLHERYL LL.. LLEVICKEVICK DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS

heryl L. Levick brings a resume of experience and success from presti- Cup titles. She oversaw the gious athletics programs across the nation to her position as Director addition of three women’s Cof Athletics at Georgia State University. She is charged with leading sports, increasing partici- Panther athletics in an era of unprecedented exposure and opportunity with pation from 600 to 800 the launch of Georgia State football and the continued growth of the overall student-athletes. program. She was the WCC Levick came to Georgia State from the University of , where representative to the NCAA she served as chief of staff /executive senior athletic director, overseeing Management Council and daily management of 27 sports programs, a 180-member staff and an annual completed a term as chair budget of $51 million. of the NCAA Committee on Her impressive career is highlighted by a total of seven years as the Women’s Athletics. Levick director of athletics at Santa Clara University and Saint Louis University and served on the board of direc- also features nearly two decades in senior administrative positions at Mary- tors for the San Jose Sports land and at Stanford University as well as stints with the Pacifi c 10 Confer- Authority, the organizing ence and the NCAA headquarters. committee for the Bay Area’s “Cheryl Levick is widely considered one of the best collegiate athletics bid for the 2012 Olympics, and the Pacifi c- administrators in the country,” said Georgia State President Dr. Mark Becker 10 Conference Council. She chaired the as he introduced Levick on Feb. 25, 2009. “Her dedication to excellence Local Organizing Committee for the 1999 both on and off the fi eld made her the obvious choice to lead the charge for NCAA Women’s Basketball Final Four, exciting change in athletics here at Georgia State University.” which was hosted by Stanford and held at A recipient of numerous awards for her work in athletics, Levick was the San Jose Arena. named the 2001 Division I Athletic Administrator of the Year by the National In 2001, Levick was honored with a Association of Collegiate Women Athletic Administrators (NACWAA). In Bay Area Woman Achievement Award. 2005-06, she received the General Sports TURF Systems Athletic Director She is an active speaker on issues of sport of the Year Award for the NCAA Division I Central Region, and she was and leadership, professional development recognized in both 1998 and 1999 as one of the nation’s Top 25 Female Sports and gender equity, and she has served as Executives by Street & Smith’s Sports Business Journal. Levick is also a past an executive mentor in the NCAA Fellow- president of the NCAA Division I-AAA Athletic Directors Association. ship Leadership Development Program. Before going to Maryland in August 2007, she served three years as Prior to her time at Stanford, Levick athletics director at Saint Louis (2004-07), where she led the transition from was an assistant commissioner of the Pac- Conference USA into the Atlantic 10 Conference for the 18-sport program. 10 Conference, an assistant director of Not only did she lead fund-raising eff orts for the school’s new $80 million communications and women’s programs on-campus arena, but she was responsible for the design and layout of the at the NCAA, the women’s 10,600-seat Chaifetz Arena and the adjacent practice and offi ce complex. coach and associate athletic director at In addition, she served on the 2005 NCAA Men’s Basketball Final Four Slippery Rock University, and the assis- executive committee and partnered with the St. Louis Sports Commission to tant gymnastics coach and synchronized serve as host for the 2006 NCAA Men’s Soccer College Cup. She was honored swim coach at Indiana University. Levick with the 2006 Carl O. Bauer Award, presented by the Missouri Athletic Club, began her career at Pattonville Senior as the top amateur sports fi gure in the St. Louis area. High School in St. Louis, Mo., where Before joining Saint Louis in June 2004, Levick spent four years as the she coached gymnastics and assisted in director of athletics and recreation at Santa Clara University, a 17-sport coaching the women’s track team. program in the West Coast Conference. She also was a senior administrator Levick is a 1974 graduate of the at the 8,000-student, Jesuit Catholic university. University of Missouri, and she holds a In her fi rst three years at the Mission Campus, Levick reorganized masters degree in athletic administra- the department’s administrative staff and oversaw a major renovation of tion from Indiana University. She has two the Broncos’ basketball arena while securing approval for a $42.75 million daughters: Heather, who is married to commitment within the University’s capital campaign. Michael Klass, and Melissa. During that time, the department added new athletic scholarships, sold out and managed the 2002 NCAA Men’s Basketball West Regional, won the school’s fi rst NCAA title in a women’s sport with the 2001 soccer championship and successfully completed an NCAA certifi cation process. Prior to Santa Clara, she spent 12 years at Stanford as the senior associate athletic director and senior woman administrator. As the department’s chief operating offi cer, she supervised internal operations and served as the primary administrator for 33 varsity sports programs that for more than a decade have been considered the best in the country. She also oversaw student services, NCAA Cheryl Levick with her compliance and eligibility, sports medicine and strength programs, postseason championships and personnel. daughters Heather (left ) During Levick’s tenure at Stanford, the Cardinal and Melissa and son-in- won 44 national championships and six straight Sears law Michael Klass.

42 • 2009 Georgia State Football GGEORGIAEORGIA SSTATETATE UUNIVERSITYNIVERSITY ATHLETICS DEPARTMENT Mailing Address: P.O. Box 3975 Atlanta, GA 30302-3975 ADMINISTRATION Assistant Strength & Conditioning Coach: Jamal Terry 404.413.4042 [email protected] In Person: Sports Arena Faculty Athletic Representative: Andrew Sumner Equipment Manager: Jay Bailey 125 Decatur Street, Suite 130 404.413.4764 [email protected] 404.413.4003 [email protected] Director of Athletics: Cheryl L. Levick Atlanta, GA 30303 404.413.4005 Phone: 404.413.4000 • Fax: 404.413.4001 Assistant to the Director of Athletics: Courtney Lovely COACHING STAFF 404.413.4005 [email protected] Baseball Head Coach: Greg Frady GeorgiaStateSports.com Administrative Coordinator: Beverly Caston 404.413.4077 [email protected] 404.413.4000 [email protected] Baseball Assistant Coach: Brad Stromdahl 404.413.4078 [email protected] Football Assistant Coach: Todd Perry Executive Senior Associate AD: James Greenwell 404.413.4110 404.413.4007 [email protected] Baseball Assistant Coach: Blaine McFerrin Football Assistant Coach: Jason French Senior Associate AD - External Aff airs: Kosha Irby 404.413.4078 [email protected] 404.413.4018 [email protected] Men’s Basketball Head Coach: Rod Barnes 404.413.4110 Senior Associate AD - Development: Todd Reeser 404.413.4050 Football Assistant: Michael Charlton 404.413.4016 [email protected] Men’s Basketball Assistant Coach: Paul Graham 404.413.4110 [email protected] Associate AD-Finance & Administration: Marvin Lewis 404.413.4053 [email protected] Football Assistant: Ryan Zimmerman 404.413.4012 [email protected] Men’s Basketball Assistant Coach: William Small 404.413.4110 [email protected] Assistant AD-Business: Awilda Ragland 404.413.4052 [email protected] Football Director of Operations: Dave Kaplan 404.413.4015 [email protected] Men’s Basketball Assistant Coach: Scepter Brownlee 404.413.4121 [email protected] Senior Accounting Assistant: Latoria Harris 404.413.4055 [email protected] Football Video Coordinator: Blake Adams 404.413.4013 [email protected] Men’s Basketball Director of Operations: Jeff Conarroe 404.413. Associate AD/SWA: Gail Barksdale 404.413.4054 jeff [email protected] Football Administrative Assistant: Jessica Pearson 404.413.4008 [email protected] Men’s Basketball Asst. Dir. of Operations: Christopher Jordan 404.413.4110 [email protected] Assistant AD-Student-Athlete Development: 404.413.4056 [email protected] Football Administrative Assistant: Juliana Koons Dena Freeman-Patton Men’s Basketball Admin. Melanie Fields 404.413.4110 [email protected] 404.413.4045 [email protected] 404.413.4050 mfi [email protected] Men’s Golf Head Coach: Joe Inman Asst. Dir.-Student-Athlete Development: Joanna Harris Women’s Basketball Head Coach: Lea Henry 404.413.4065 [email protected] 404.413.4046 [email protected] 404.413.4058 [email protected] Men’s Golf Graduate Assistant: Ben Moody Asst. Dir.-Student-Athlete Development: Keisha Jones Women’s Basketball Assistant Coach: Bridgette Gordon 404.413.4065 [email protected] 404.413.4047 [email protected] 404.413.4062 [email protected] Women’s Golf Head Coach: Cathy Mant Student-Athlete Development Advisor: Dusty Bennett Women’s Basketball Assistant Coach: Dee Dee Merriweather 404.413.4066 [email protected] 404.413.4043 [email protected] 404.413.4063 [email protected] Men’s Soccer Head Coach: Kerem Daser 404.413.4074 [email protected] Student-Athlete Development Graduate Asstistants: Women’s Basketball Assistant Coach: J.B. Barbaree Stephanie Gonzalez, Nicole Jameson, Michael McCree, 404.413.4061 [email protected] Men’s Soccer Assistant Coach: Brett Surrency Patrick Orie Women’s Basketball Admin. Asst: Kelcey Roegiers-Jensen 404.413.4074 [email protected] Assistant AD-Facilities, Ops & Events: John Portland 404.413.4058 [email protected] Women’s Soccer Head Coach: Domenic Martelli 404.413.4006 [email protected] M&W Cross Country Head Coach: Sylvia Kamp 404.413.4075 [email protected] Facilities Superintendent: Paul Bender 404.413.4070 ath @langate.gsu.edu Women’s Soccer Assistant Coach: Mandy Schneider 404.413.4006 [email protected] M&W Track & Field Head Coach: Eric Campbell 404.413.4087 [email protected] Director of Operations/Sports Arena: Christe Rink 404.413.4076 [email protected] Soft ball Head Coach: Bob Heck 404.413.4009 [email protected] Women’s Track Asst. Coach: Heather Atkinson 404.413.4085 [email protected] Director of Operations/Panthersville: Cliff Ford 404.413.4076 [email protected] Soft ball Assistant Coach: Roger Kincaid 404.413.4092 [email protected] Football Head Coach: Bill Curry 404.413.4085 [email protected] Assistant AD-Compliance: Robert Slavis 404.413.4110 Soft ball Assistant Coach: Christine Sheridan 404.413.4010 [email protected] Football Assistant Head Coach: George Pugh 404.413.4085 [email protected] Compliance Coordinator: Dominique Holloman 404.413.4116 [email protected] Men’s Tennis Head Coach: Chase Hodges 404.413.4011 [email protected] Football Asst. Head Coach: John Th ompson 404.413.4073 [email protected] Development Coordinator: Ford Williams 404.413.4111 [email protected] Men’s Tennis Assistant Coach: Rob Nunnery 404.413.4017 [email protected] Football Assistant Coach: John Bond 404.413.4073 Development Assistant: Melissa McArthur 404.413.4114 [email protected] Women’s Tennis Head Coach: Miha Lisac 404.413.4024 [email protected] Football Assistant Coach: Anthony Midget 404.413.4072 [email protected] Assistant AD-Marketing: Kevin Olivett 404.413.4118 [email protected] Volleyball Head Coach: Michael Webster 404.413.4022 [email protected] Football Assistant Coach: Christopher Ward 404.413.4067 [email protected] Ticket Manager: Bobby Lindsey 404.413.4117 [email protected] Volleyball Asst. Coach: Ada Bazin 404.413.4021 athtrl@[email protected] Football Assistant Coach: Mike Riddle 404.413.4068 [email protected] Marketing Coordinator: Carlos Diaz 404..413.4113 [email protected] 404.413.4023 [email protected] Marketing Graduate Assistants: Elizabeth Messer, Kyle McKeon SPORTS COMMUNICATIONS STAFF Assistant AD for Sports Medicine: Bob Murphy 404.413.4039 [email protected] Associate AD-Communications: ...... Head Athletic Trainer: Kristen Wilkey Allison George ...... O: 404.413.4032 C: 678.595.7728 [email protected] 404.413.4038 [email protected] Assistant AD-Communications: Head Athletic Trainer: John Anderson Charlie Taylor ...... O: 404.413.4031 C: 404.556.2295 [email protected] TBA Assistant Director: Mike Holmes...... O: 404.413.4033 C: 404.259.9716 [email protected] Sports Medicine Graduate Assistants: Aya Ieki, Vanessa Graduate Assistant: Russell Dorn ...... O: 404.413.4034 C: 864.980.5396 [email protected] Norman, Elise Anderson, Matthew Piechoski, Amanda Leyrer Graduate Assistant: Cavan Fosnes ...... O: 404.413.4034 C: 615.708.1985 [email protected] Strength & Conditioning Coach: Ken Coggins Graduate Assistant: Justin Glover ...... O: 404.413.4034 C: 609.214.9088 [email protected] 404.413.4042 [email protected] Broadcast Coordinator: Dave Cohen ...... O: 404.413.1434 [email protected]

2009 Georgia State Football • 43 MMEETEET TTHEHE PPANTHERSANTHERS GEORGIA STATE’S FIRST RECRUITING CLASS

for High Achievers ... National Honor Society, NATHAN ANTHONY HARRISON CLOTTEY National Honor Roll and National Society of SB • 5-8, 185 OL • 6-6, 296 High School Scholars. Conley, Ga. Loganville, Ga. (Columbia) (Grayson) RAMELL DAVIS Member of the Atlanta Off ensive line pros- OL • 6-7, 210 Journal-Constitution’s pect with good size St. Matthews, S.C. (Calhoun County) Georgia 150 ... All- and skills ... One of county selection at the cornerstones of a Th ree-year letterman on the off ensive line Columbia High School line that paved the way for Calhoun County High ... Led his team in ... Rushed for 1,525 for Grayson’s wing-T pancake blocks ... Also lettered three years in yards and 15 touch- off ense to run for more basketball, helping his team to Class A state downs, averaging nine yards per carry ... Also than 3,800 yards and produce more than 4,000 titles in 2007 and 2008 ... Also competed in had seven receptions for 200 yards ... Top yards of total off ense ... Helped the Rams to a track and fi eld. single-game eff ort was 313 yards on 22 carries 13-1 season and a berth in the state semifi nals versus Druid Hills ... Named Back of the Week ... Played for coach Mickey Conn ... Developing for his performance against Towers ... Played player who did not play organized football until TRAVIS EVANS for coach Kevin Latham ... Honor roll student. his senior year of high school. SB • 5-10, 178 Williston, Fla. FRED BARNES EDUARDO CURRY (Williston) FS • 6-0, 174 NG • 6-2, 295 Area Co-Off ensive Ellenwood, Ga. Charleston, S.C. Player of the Year by (M.L. King) (West Ashley) the Gainesville Sun ... Rushed for 1,662 yards Versatile athlete for Th e fi rst player to and 17 touchdowns coach Corey Jarvis at commit to Georgia State on just 166 carries as a M.L. King High ... All- ... Defensive lineman senior at Williston High region and all-confer- who collected 50 tackles ... Averaged 10 yards per carry ... Top single- and four sacks as a ence ... Recruiting game performance was 303 yards with two senior ... Credited with analyst Scott Kennedy touchdowns on just 17 attempts against P.K. 67 tackles, six sacks and said, “An extremely Yonge High ... Gained 287 yards and scored 20 tackles for loss as a junior ... Played for coach physical safety with a great frame, Barnes six touchdowns against Sante Fe ... Topped 150 supports the run like a linebacker and oft en Bobby Marion at West Ashley High ... Also yards in fi ve games ... Also averaged 35 yards on plays close to the line of scrimmage. He has participated in track and fi eld and wrestling. kickoff returns ... Added 1,207 yards and nine excellent change of direction and relishes touchdowns as a junior. contact. He has the frame to add 25-30 pounds of bulk throughout his college career.” ... Also MICHAEL DAVIS played baseball ... Honor roll student. OL • 6-3, 315 ROBERT FERGUSON Lithonia, Ga. LB • 6-3, 210 SAM BURKHALTER (Chamblee) Belle Glade, Fla. RB • 5-10, 205 Th ree-year letterman (Glades Central) on the off ensive line Roswell, Ga. Th ird-team all-state for coach Mike Collins (Blessed Trinity) selection ... Tabbed one at Chamblee High ... of the Top 25 prospects Helped Chamblee to Honorable mention in Palm Beach County back-to-back playoff all-state selection in by the Fort Lauderdale appearances in 2007-08, Class AA by the Atlanta Sun-Sentinel ... Selected including a berth in the Journal-Constitution ... to play in the Outback 2007 Class AAAA state semifi nals, aft er a 22- Rushed for 1,662 yards Steakhouse Treasure Coast All-Star game ... year playoff drought ... Received Coach’s Award and 19 touchdowns as a Recorded 90 tackles with 10 tackles for loss, fi ve as unsung hero of 2007 season ... Named Player senior ... Helped Blessed forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries as of the Week by CSS ... As a sophomore, his off en- Trinity to a 7-3 mark in 2008 ... Named Back a senior ... part of a defensive unit that ended sive line blocked for all-time leading rusher in of the Week by the Atlanta Touchdown Club the regular-season ranked fi rst overall in Palm DeKalb County (Roddy Jones, now at Georgia for his performance against Buford ... Played in Beach County Class 3A-2A-2B-1A-1B, giving Tech) ... Outstanding student who graduated the GACA North-South All-Star Game at the up an average of only 138.3 yards per game Georgia Dome in December 2008. with honor and distinction in Magnet Program

44 • 2009 Georgia State Football MMEETEET TTHEHE PPANTHERSANTHERS GEORGIA STATE’S FIRST RECRUITING CLASS

... Helped his team to an 11-1 record in 2008, KELTON HILL defense that helped the Yellow Jackets to a 9- including an undefeated regular season, an 11- 2-1 record and a victory in the 1985 All-Amer- 2 mark in 2007, and the Class 3-A state title in QB • 5-11, 173 ican Bowl. 2006 ... Coached by former NFL receiver Jessie Lithia Springs, Ga. Hester. (Lithia Springs) DARRIS HUGHES Athletic quarterback SB • 5-9, 175 JORDAN GILES who was tabbed to Clewiston, Fla. WR • 6-3, 195 the Atlanta Journal- Constitution’s Georgia (Clewiston) Columbia, S.C. 150 ... First-team all- (Spring Valley) state selection in Class First-team all-state AAAA by the AJC ... (Class 2A) running back Caught 57 passes for Accounted for 30 touchdowns (rushing and ... All-area selection by 750 yards as a senior, passing) as a senior ... Passed for 2,149 yards the Palm Beach Post following 20 receptions and rushed for 1,012 yards, both school records ... Rushed for 84 yards for 300 yards as a junior ... As a junior, completed 160 of 240 passes for in the Outback Steak- ... Top single game 1,844 yards with 15 touchdown passes while house Treasure Coast was eight catches for rushing for 676 yards and nine scores ... Played All-Star game ... Rushed for a school-record 115 yards ... Broke the for coach Steve Horton at Lithia Springs High 2,041 yards and 20 touchdowns as a senior at school’s receiving record that was previously ... First-team all-region as a senior ... Off ensive Clewiston High ... Averaged 8.7 yards per carry held by Michael Boulware, who went on to play Player of the Year in Douglas County ... Top ... Top performance was 352 yards with three at Florida State and in the NFL ... Named to the game was against McIntosh, when he amassed touchdowns against Glades Day ... Added 1,047 midseason All-Midlands team by the Columbia yards rushing and 11 touchdowns as a junior State ... Also competed in basketball and track. 349 yards passing and 168 yards rushing and accounted for fi ve touchdowns ... Four 300-yard ... Career totals of 4,095 yards rushing and a passing games, fi ve games with at least 100 yard school-record 45 touchdowns. SIDNEY HAYNES rushing, and three games with fi ve touchdowns ... Th ree-time all-county selection ... Coca-Cola WR • 6-3, 208 Golden Helmet Award for accomplishment in BEN JACOBY Suwanee, Ga. academics and athletics ... Four-year letter- OL • 6-2, 272 (Peachtree Ridge/ winner in football, basketball and baseball . . Buford, Ga. (Buford/ UCF) . Also had scholarship off ers in baseball aft er Ball State) earning all-county honors Transfer from the Enrolled at Georgia State University of Central MARK HOGAN for the fall of 2009 aft er Florida who enrolled at transferring from Ball Georgia State for the fall SB • 5-11, 190 State ... Has two seasons of 2009 ... Has two years Matthews, N.C. of eligibility begin- of eligibility beginning in ning in 2010 ... Spent (Lincoln-Sudbury, two years at Ball State, 2010 ... Played in eight games as a sophomore Mass.) in 2008, catching three passes for 10 yards... including a redshirt year in 2007 ... Reserve off ensive lineman on the Cardinals 2008 squad Had one receptions for 38 yards in 2007 as a Th e Panthers’ fi rst true freshman ... Member of state champion- that won the MAC West Division title and scholarship football played in the GMAC Bowl ... Saw action in six ship team (Class AAAAA) at Peachtree Ridge player who enrolled at in 2006 ... Top 50 in Georgia by the Atlanta games in 2008 ... All-Gwinnett County selec- Georgia State in January tion in 2006 ... Prepped at Buford High School, Journal-Constitution ... Honorable mention 2009 ... As a senior in playing for coach Jess Simpson. all-state selection by the Atlanta newspaper 2007, accounted for following his senior year ... Also tabbed to the 1,500 yards of off ense with 12 touchdowns, AJC’s all-region squad ... Th ree-time all-Gwin- along with three interceptions on defense ... nett County honoree ... Caught 48 passes for Tabbed to the Super 26 Massachusetts All-State 700 yards and fi ve touchdowns as a senior ... team ... Off ensive Most Valuable Player of the Added 34 receptions for 668 and six scores as Dual County League ... Th ree-time all-county a junior ... Played for coach Blair Armstrong selection ... Participated in the Shriners Bowl ... Also lettered in basketball and earned all- all-star game ... Father, Mark Hogan, Sr., played county honors. football at Georgia Tech under current Panther head coach, Bill Curry. ... Th e elder Hogan was a starting safety on Tech’s 1985 “Black Watch”

2009 Georgia State Football • 45 MMEETEET TTHEHE PPANTHERSANTHERS GEORGIA STATE’S FIRST RECRUITING CLASS

GRANT KING in both categories; also stands third in career a senior ... Scored touchdowns on runs, recep- TD passes with 85 ... Owns two of the top tions, returns, kickoff returns and inter- OL • 6-4, 255 single-seasons in Georgia history with 3,172 ception returns ... Regarded as one of the most Columbia, S.C. yards in 2007 (seventh all time) and 3,024 yards dangerous kick returners in the state ... Played (Spring Valley) in 2008 (15th all time), making him the only wide receiver and defensive back for coach quarterback in state history to top 3,000 yards Oliver Davis at Spencer High ... At 2009 state All-region off ensive in multiple seasons ... As a senior at Henry track meet, he placed fourth in the 100 meters lineman ... Selected County High School, completed 192 of 326 (10.87) and 200 meters (22.25) and fi ft h in the to play in the South passes and accounted for 37 touchdowns with 4x100 relay. Carolina North-South only eight interceptions ... Th rew six TD passes All-Star game ... Team vs. Monticello High School (11/8/08), and fi ve captain and most valu- vs. Howard High (10/31/08), when he played ALLEN MCKAY able off ensive lineman only one half ... Led Henry County to back-to- LB • 6-3, 210 for coach Quay Farr at Spring Valley High ... back region titles, the fi rst in school history ... Buena Vista, Ga. Graded 94 percent with 57 knockdowns ... Top As a junior in 2007, he passed for 3,172 yards single-game performance was 13 knockdowns (208-for-351) with 35 TD passes and 41 total (Marion County) versus Lexington High ... Helped Spring Valley touchdowns ... Passed for 514 yards vs. Perry to region title in 2007. Honorable mention all- High School (9/28/07), the second-best single- state selection by the game total in Georgia history ... Played in in Atlanta Journal-Consti- PARRIS LEE 10 games as a sophomore and passes for 1,896 tution ... Named area yards with 22 total touchdowns . off ensive player of the RB • 5-9, 185 year by the Americus Jacksonville, Fla. JEREMY LITTLE Times Recorder ... (Fletcher) Rushed for 1,596 yards OL • 6-5, 302 and 16 touchdowns as a senior ... Averaged Tabbed to the Florida Grayson, Ga. 7.8 yards per carry ... Set a school record with Times-Union’s (Grayson/Austin over 3,200 yards in his career ... Named all-area preseason “Super 11” and Best Back in the Chattahoochee Valley by and postseason “Super Peay) the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer as a junior ... 24” ... Also tabbed to Transfer from Austin Also a standout in basketball ... Given name is the newspaper’s All- Peay who enrolled at Demetrius Allen McKay. First Coast second team Georgia State in the ... Played slot receiver as a fall of 2009 ... Has three senior and compiled 700 yards receiving and seasons of eligibility K.J. MORTON 850 yards rushing ... Helped Fletcher High to a beginning with the DB • 5-9, 170 perfect regular season ... Coached by Joe Reyn- 2010 season ... Spent one year at Austin Peay Warner Robins, Ga. (Northside) olds ... Played at Sandalwood High as a junior ... Saw some game action as a reserve off ensive and had 920 all-purpose yards (520 rushing, lineman as a true freshman in 2008 ... Helped First-team all-region selection in 1-AAAAA, 400 receiving) with nine touchdowns. Grayson High School reach the state quarter- perhaps the toughest region in the state’s fi nals in Class AAAAA in 2007 ... Played for largest classifi cation ... Named to the GHSA coach Mickey Conn ... Named Off ensive Player All-Middle Georgia fi rst-team and honor- DREW LITTLE of the Week for his performance against South able mention all-state team ... Had 51 tackles QB • 6-5, 250 Gwinnett ... Member of all-state chorus. and fi ve interceptions as a senior ... 2007 Class McDonough, Ga. AAAA GHSA fi rst-team all-state selection as (Henry County) a junior ... Helped Northside-Warner Robins DARREN MCCRAY to state titles in 2006 and 2007 ... Scouts, Inc., One of the most prolifi c SB/KR • 5-8, 150 says, “ . . he is a well-rounded corner with good speed and quickness ... plays physical ... Very passers in Georgia prep Columbus, Ga. history ... Member of the smooth in his footwork, hips and turns.” Atlanta Journal-Consti- (Spencer) tution’s Georgia 150 ... Two-time member of Honorable mention all- the Columbus Ledger- state selection in Class Enquirer All-Bi-City AA by the Atlanta newspaper as a senior aft er team ... Accounted for earning fi rst-team all-state honors as a junior 2,440 all-purpose yards ... Amassed 9,003 yards passing and 105 total and 23 touchdowns as touchdowns (rushing and passing) in his career to rank second in Georgia high school history

46 • 2009 Georgia State Football MMEETEET TTHEHE PPANTHERSANTHERS GEORGIA STATE’S FIRST RECRUITING CLASS

JUSTIN ORR PARKER STEVENS KARL WILLIAMS LB • 6-1, 215 DB • 6-1, 180 LB • 6-3, 220 St. Mary’s, Ga. Katy, Texas (Taylor) Covington, Ga. (Camden County) (Eastside) Two-time, fi rst-team Member of undefeated all-district selection at First-team all-region Class AAAAA state Katy Taylor High School ... Named Defensive championship team at in suburban Houston ... Player of the Year by Camden County High ... Recorded 59 tackles as the Covington News ... Linebacker who played a senior with eight pass Had 10 sacks to tie for just three games in his breakups, one intercep- the county lead ... Also senior season before he tion and two blocked credited with 76 tackles, was sidelined by a knee kicks ... Also returned 11 tackles for loss, three injury ... Totalled 61 tackles and 32 assists with kicks ... Helped Katy Taylor to its best season in forced fumbles and one defensive touchdown two decades as the Mustangs (8-5) made it to the 17 tackles for loss in his career, along with three ... Against Oconee County, he sacked highly- third round of the playoff s for the fi rst time since sacks, fi ve caused fumbles and three fumble regarded quarterback Zach Mettenberger, a 1986 under fi rst-year coach Flint Risien. recoveries ... Played for coach Jeff Herron. Georgia signee, three times and forced a fumble ... Missed his junior season ... 2009 state cham- ROSEVELT WATSON pion in the 100 meters (Class AAA) with a time BO SCHLECHTER of 10.66. SB • 5-10, 215 QB • 6-2, 182 Lake Worth, Fla. Wellington, Fla. (Lake Worth) BLAKE WYATT (Glades Day) LB • 6-3, 190 Running back who Strong-armed quar- Fayetteville, rushed for 1,125 yards in terback for coach Pete 2007 as a senior at Lake Ga. (Landmark Walker at Glades Day Worth High School ... Christian) School . . . Passed for Earned all-county and 1,600 yards and 10 all-conference honors Two-way standout at touchdowns as a senior ... All-area selection by Land-mark Christian aft er throwing for the Palm Beach Post ...... First-team all-region 2,000 yards as junior Averaged 10 yards per carry ... 17 touchdowns selection in 2007 ...... Starting quarterback in the Outback Steak- ... Played for coach Eric Lowe. Region 5-A Coaches’ house Treasure Coast All-Star game ... Member MVP Award in 2008 ... of state championship team in 2006 ... Dean’s As a senior made 80 tackles with six intercep- List student. DANNY WILLIAMS tions, including one returned for a score; also had one tackle for loss, a forced fumble and a WR • 6-3, 185 fumble recovery ... On off ense, he had 23 recep- DEMETREIOUS SHORTER Orlando, Fla. tions for 464 yards (20.2 avg.) and three TD ... DE • 6-2, 182 (Boone) Made 132 tackles, three interceptions and three Cordele, Ga. (Crisp fumble recoveries as a junior, and 108 tackles, Honorable mention County) four interceptions and two fumble recoveries as all-state in Class 6-A, a sophomore ... Also a standout in basketball Honorable-mention all- Florida’s largest clas- and track ... Th ird in the state in 4x400-meter region selection at Crisp sifi cation ... All-county relay as a junior ... Homecoming King, member County High ... Cred- and all-Central Florida of Beta Club and recipient of 2008 Chick-fi l-A ited with 69 tackles, 14 ... Had 35 receptions Student Leadership Award. tackles for loss and six for 660 yards and seven sacks from his defensive touchdowns as a senior, end position. following 31 receptions for 560 yards and six scores as a junior ... Helped Boone High School to an 11-3 record as a senior, following a 14-1 mark in 2007, when the school’s only loss was to nationally-ranked Miami Northwestern in the state title game ... Coached by Phil Ziglar.

2009 Georgia State Football • 47 MMEETEET TTHEHE PPANTHERSANTHERS ALPHABETICAL ROSTER

No. Name ...... Pos Ht Wt Cl. No. Name ...... Pos Ht Wt Cl. No. Name ...... Pos Ht Wt Cl. Hometown (High School) Hometown (High School) Hometown (High School) 35 Cole Abernathy ...... TE 6’3 180 Fr. 21 Travis Evans ...... SB 5’10 178 Fr. 66 Nicholas Nesmith ...... OL 6’2 245 Fr. Palmetto, Ga. (East Paulding) Williston, Fla. (Williston) Cumming, Ga. (Forsyth Central) 1 Nathaniel Anthony ...... SB 5’8 185 Fr. 83 Akeen Felder ...... DB 6’1 195 Fr. 88 Emmanuel Ogbuehi ...... TE 6’2 214 So. Conley, Ga. (Columbia) Perry, Ga. (Perry) Buford, Ga. (Mill Creek) 52 Rontaverous Aribo ...... ILB 5’9 203 Sr. 10 Robert Ferguson ...... LB 6’0 205 Fr. 80 Justin Orr ...... LB 6’1 215 Fr. Stone Mountain, Ga. (Stone Mountain) Belle Glade, Fla. (Glades Central) St. Mary’s, Ga. (Camden County) 24 Fred Barnes ...... FS 6’0 174 Fr. 8 Jordan Giles ...... WR 6’3 195 Fr. 29 Joe Perry ...... LB 6’1 176 Fr. Ellenwood, Ga. (Martin Luther King) Columbia, S.C. (Spring Valley) Conley, Ga. (Cedar Grove) 58 Brandon Berry ...... ILB 5’9 212 So. 61 Sheldon Grant ...... NG 5’10 284 So. 25 Rodriguez Price ...... DB 5’9 170 Fr. Douglasville, Ga. (Chapel Hill) Brunswick, Ga. (Glynn Academy) Union City, Ga. (Creekside) 49 Charles Borowsky ...... K 5’11 181 Sr. 19 Sidney Haynes ...... WR 6’3 210 Jr. 22 Connell Reddick ...... DB 5’9 174 Fr. Decatur, Ga. (Princeville) Suwanee, Ga. (Peachtree Ridge/UCF) Hephzibah, Ga. (Hephzibah) 63 Michael Brandenburg ...... RT 6’1 215 Jr. 4 Kelton Hill ...... QB 5’11 173 Fr. 12 Bo Schlechter ...... QB 6’2 182 Fr. Atlanta, Ga. (Whitewater) Douglasville, Ga. (Lithia Springs) Wellington, Fla. (Glades Day) 87 Justin Brown ...... WR 5’7 165 Jr. 23 Mark Hogan ...... SB 5’11 190 Fr. 13 Demetreious Shorter ...... DE 6’3 240 Fr. Marietta, Ga. (McEachern) Matthews, N.C. (Sudbury Lincoln) Columbus, Ga. (Crisp County) 44 Sam Burkhalter ...... RB 5’10 205 Fr. 2 Darris Hughes ...... SB 5’9 181 Fr. 36 Kail Singleton...... DB 6’2 195 Fr. Alpharetta, Ga. (Blessed Trinity) Clewiston, Fla. (Clewiston) Temple, Ga. (Bremen) 47 Brad Bush ...... FS 5’10 173 Jr. 62 Ben Jacoby ...... OL 6’2 275 Jr. 85 Ethan Souther ...... WR 5’11 190 Fr. Riverdale, Ga. (Sandy Creek) Buford, Ga. (Buford/Ball State) Murrayville, Ga. (Chestatee) 30 J’mal Carlisle ...... SS 6’0 200 Jr. 20 Brandon Jones ...... DB 5’11 185 Jr. 31 Parker Stevens ...... CB 5’11 180 Fr. Stockbridge, Ga. (Dutchtown) Decatur, Ga. (Southwest DeKalb) Houston, Texas (Taylor) 15 Bo Carter ...... TE 6’5 195 Fr. 82 Zach Jones ...... WR 6’2 196 Fr. 71 Bryson Strickland ...... OL 6’3 266 Fr. Cordele, Ga. (Crisp County) Juliette, Ga. (First Presbyterian Day) McDonough, Ga. (Union Grove) 86 Victor Cephus ...... WR 5’10 165 So. 79 Grant King ...... RG 6’4 275 Fr. 56 Robert Truitt ...... OL 6’1 235 Fr. Lawrenceville, Ga. (Berkmar) Columbia, S.C. (Spring Valley) Snellville, Ga. (Southwest DeKalb) 33 Brad Chahoy ...... LB 5’11 202 Fr. 43 Davis Knowles ...... DB 6’2 212 Fr. 46 Iain Vance ...... K 6’2 210 Sr. Dacula, Ga. (Dacula) Fayetteville, Ga. (Whitewater) Duluth, Ga. (Duluth) 65 Kameron Cheatham ...... OL 6’1 260 Fr. 7 Parris Lee ...... RB 5’9 185 Fr. 67 Pax Vestal ...... OL 5’10 235 Fr. Louisville, Ky. (Louisville Male) Jacksonville, Fla. (Fletcher) Atlanta, Ga. (St. Pius X) 81 David Clark ...... K 5’11 177 Fr. 11 Drew Little ...... QB 6’4 275 Fr. 3 Rosevelt Watson ...... SB 5’10 215 So. Warner Robins, Ga.(Warner Robins) McDonough, Ga. (Henry County) Lake Worth, Fla. (Lake Worth) 72 Harrison Clottey ...... LT 6’6 295 Fr. 73 Jeremy Little ...... OL 6’5 300 So. 45 Austen Wiley ...... DE 6’3 230 Fr. Loganville, Ga. (Grayson) Grayson, Ga. (Grayson/Austin Peay) Fayetteville, Ga. (Whitewater) 27 Mark Collins ...... CB 5’10 170 Fr. 89 Brandon Lupo ...... P 6’4 211 Sr. 17 Danny Williams ...... WR 6’3 185 Fr. Roswell, Ga. (Milton) Smyrna, Ga. (South Cobb/Kentucky) Orlando, Fla. (Boone) 14 Matt Collins ...... QB 6’2 220 Fr. 97 Jacorey Maddox ...... LB 6’1 205 Fr. 9 Karl Williams ...... SS 6’3 220 Fr. Powder Springs, Ga. (McEachern) Covington, Ga. (Eastside) Covington, Ga. (Eastside) 91 Eduardo Curry ...... NG 6’2 295 Fr. 16 Brent McClendon ...... WR 5’7 152 So. 34 Anthony Wright ...... LB 5’10 191 Fr. Charleston, S.C. (West Ashley) Atlanta, Ga. (Mays) Montrose, Ga. (West Laurens) 70 Ramell Davis ...... OL 6’7 270 Fr. 6 Darren McCray ...... SB 5’8 150 Fr. 18 Blake Wyatt...... LB 6’2 185 Fr. St. Matthews, S.C. (Calhoun County) Columbus, Ga. (Columbus) Fayetteville, Ga. (Landmark Christian) 68 Michael Davis ...... C 6’3 315 Fr. 32 Allen McKay ...... LB 6’3 210 Fr. 60 Cade Yates ...... OL 6’0 275 Fr. Lithonia, Ga. (Chamblee) Buena Vista, Ga. (Marion County) Roswell, Ga. (Roswell) 69 Terrance Dixon...... DT 6’1 265 Sr. 54 Scott McQueen ...... SN 6’1 245 Fr. Conyers, Ga. (Rockdale County) Buford, Ga. (North Gwinnett) 57 Trey Ennis ...... LB 6’1 225 Fr. 5 K.J. Morton ...... CB 5’9 169 Fr. Ivey, Ga. (Georgia Military College) Northside (Warner Robins, Ga.)

48 • 2009 Georgia State Football