Who will be the next Valdosta HC..

[Matt Witwicki]

Putting the topic out there as I haven’t seen any word about who might be the next coach. Kinda surprised no talk of who’s being rumored and such..

it would seem the athletic administration knew a bit leading up to the departure of TJ..so I’m assuming they’ve made some calls and tried to prepare for this change.

Any names being mentioned yet? I’d heard the Gary Goff name being put out there but I wasn’t sure if that was a knee jerk reaction to him being the last coach and being available now.

Just curious.

[debergfan]

Gary Goff, Trent Earley to stop the bleeding of transfers. Valdosta is a good job for the time being, weaknesses - who are they playing in 2026?

[Rational Observer]

Gary Goff,

I doubt that he is welcome back in Valdosta.

[UNALions]

I doubt that he is welcome back in Valdosta.

A lot of folks said that about Rich Rod in West Virginia, too. Granted, it hasn’t been 17 years like him but a lot of coaches seem to get second chances former jobs recently especially alumni.

[vsuman]

David Dean would be more welcomed than Gary Golf. Whoever it is, it will be a statement as to the direction the administration envisions for the program. Herb is gone so this will be the first major hire for the new AD.

[Rational Observer]

David Dean would be more welcomed than Gary Golf. Whoever it is, it will be a statement as to the direction the administration envisions for the program. Herb is gone so this will be the first major hire for the new AD.

He hired the baseball coach.

[Eagle74]

I've been a fan of the successful VSU football program for several years, and even though the Blazers had a very good year, it now seems like I'm watching a slow train wreck. Hopefully things will start turning around, if not, it could potentially take years to right the ship.

[vsuman]

He hired the baseball coach.

I have very little confidence in our new AD. I’m not sure where he came from or what his views of football are, but at least with Herb, you k ew he was going to hire the best available to lead this program. There should be be names floating around by now.

[Rational Observer]

I’m not sure where he came from

According to the VSU Athletics web page, he came from NWMSU:

https://vstateblazers.com/staff-dire...troy-katen/462

Christmas being in the middle of the week probably has slowed things down some.

[Larold]

A lot of folks said that about Rich Rod in West Virginia, too. Granted, it hasn’t been 17 years like him but a lot of coaches seem to get second chances former jobs recently especially alumni.

So Goff is "2nd chanced" and stays a couple of years until "2nd chanced" by a D1 team and leaves in the middle of the night again. If VSU does that, their program of "swinging door hires" will be their method, not their solution.(and their demise)
RIP VSU football.

[Fan_the_Flame]

I’d love to see them bring Dean back for 2-3 years and Graham Craig remain OC (he was Dean’s OC at UWG and also played for Dean-they work well together).

Dean would work to prep Craig, who would become the HC at that time. Dean’s also exceptionally well respected among high school coaches-would be a big recruiting asset.

If not then plug Craig in now ( great guy-high character-great coach).

[Mouth of the South]

At first I was hearing this was an in house hire.
I believed it would be Branden Anderson (DC) job to turn down.
however Trent Early(LB coach) becoming the interim HC was an interesting move.

Over the last week with the mass exodus of this roster I don’t think there is a chance that they hire someone in house.
this will be a completely new staff with a completely new roster.
i don’t know if there is a 2 deep player left on this roster at this point.

A few very interesting names that I’ve heard from a very reliable source have been contacted by VSU as potential candidates.

Ashley Ingram- Carson Newman HC
David Dean- former VSU HC
Todd Coley- Delta State HC.
Kaleb Nobles- UWF HC
Brett Gilliand- UWA HC


VSU needs to act fast…

[vsuman]

I thought Will Hall would be in the mix but he took an OC job in Div 1 (Probably a smart move). Does anyone remember who was in the mix last time? I heard one of the Ferris State coaches was in play last time. Mason Miller is another interesting name to watch for.

[Blazer88]

Someone from Ferris would be great since they have had our number for the last two attempts. But really, what's it gonna take to be able to get a great coach? Of course money but how?

[vsuman]

From footballscoop.com:

Prairie View A&M (FCS - TX): Per source, Valdosta State (D-II - GA) defensive coordinator Brandon Andersen has been named to the same post at Prairie View A&M. Also coming from Valdosta State are Trent Early, who will be co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach, Darren Garrigan as defensive backs coach and Brice Carlson as offensive line coach and run game coordinator.

Meanwhile back at Valdosta Sate: .....???