VALDOSTA, Ga. (WTXL) - On Thursday, Valdosta State celebrated the football team's National title. On Monday, a new era officially began, as Gary Goff was introduced as the new head coach of Valdosta State.
Goff, making his return to Valdosta State. The former receiver suited up for the Blazers in the mid 90's, helping the team to their first Gulf South Conference Championship in 1996.
That winning tradition is already in his blood. Coach admitted Tuesday that being back where it all began was a little surreal, but he's excited, and knows what's expected in TitleTown.
"From the outside, I can see how people would say he's following a Championship team, that has to be a lot of pressure, but it's expected and it'd be expected to win a National Championship here even if they didn't have success here," he said Tuesday. "I don't think it has a whole lot to do with last season even though it was great and they did an unbelievable job, but it's about doing the best possible job you can day in and day out and trying to be 1-0 each week. If you worry about those things, at the end of the year, you have a chance to win a National Championship."
Goff knows how to win. He turned a struggling Tiffin program into a contender in Ohio, and for those closest to the hire, it was a no brainer.
"I became very comfortable with him on the field but boy I got excited about some of the initiatives he's done with the young men that he's had under him at other institutions," said Valdosta State Athletic Director Herb Reinhard. "I thought wow, those are some things I'd really like for us to do here and so that was exciting."
Goff said he still has to finalize his staff, but will call his own plays on offense.
