Southeast Georgia high football coaches have known for years that the third Thursday in June they had better figure out a way to end workouts early or hopefully don’t end up in passing league that one night. The schedule adjustment is certainly worth it because coaches get to see one another away from the field, renew old friendships, and are given amazing hospitality and the best local seafood at CrabDaddy’s from Josh Williams and his family.
CrabDaddy’s started out as the host restaurant for SEGA In the Game Magazine and it remains the favorite still. Over time, many coaches have shared a table, great meal and splendid conversation during the past eight years at CrabDaddy’s. During the dinner, coaches had the chance to catch up on how spring football, camps and 7 on 7 tournaments were going and what each of them thought about the upcoming season. In the Game Radio hosted by Rob Asbell and John Wood gave coaches an opportunity to chat about their programs.
“Only two of the original head coaches that are still at the same school and were at the first kick off dinner, are here tonight. Mark Walker from Brantley County and the dean of the Georgia High School football coaches, Rich McWhorter of Charlton County,” SEGA ITG Publisher Shawn Smoak said. Smoak and his wife Kim have been creating a great opportunity for the schools of southeast Georgia to showcase their programs, athletes, and communities.
A total of nine new coaches were in attendance for this year’s event including Sean Pender, a fixture at Pierce County, who is now at Brunswick High. Also swapping teams was long time Appling mentor JT Pollock who has traded the Pirate red for the Columbia blue of Long County. Jason Strickland left the wild chickens that stamper the streets of Fitzgerald to assume the mantle of the Pierce County Bears, Bradwell Institute brought back its former coordinator Ross Couch for his first head coaching job and Wayne County went across the border to get Bluffton head coach Ken Cribb.
“I’m really enjoying Wayne County. Jesup fits me well because it’s like the town a grew up in Georgetown, South Carolina. It’s amazing to see how loyal and excited the fans are about the season,” Cribb said.
Also at CrabDaddy’s was new Appling head coach Jon Lindsey from East Paulding and Camden’s new coach, Bob Sphire. Originally from Kentucky, Sphire made a name for himself at Lexington Catholic with the quickness of the air raid offense when everyone else was still living the ground game.
“Kentucky is a basketball state pure and simple. But we were ahead of the curve there and we had that same beginning at North Gwinnett. We learned to create an atmosphere where we could control the tempo and in turn limit a defense. The offensive quickness created a faster attacking defense,” Sphire said.
Sponsors for this year’s Coaches’ Kickoff Dinner included Gibson Animal Clinic, the Georgia Bone and Joint Institute which has always sent doctors to make sure that coaches know that they are ready to step in and help any Saturday morning that a player needs them. Coastal Pines Technical College has been helping student/athletes for the last eight years. Dr. Glen Diebert has brought the Move on When Ready program into Southeast Georgia schools and is helping record numbers of students earn transferable college credit while still in high school. Woody Shellnut came from Coastal Charters Trailways, as did Dr. Denny Carter from Southeast Georgia Health System.
The annual Coaches’ Kickoff Dinner is put on by “In The Game” Southeast Georgia as a way to let coaches get together talk football before the season gets going. CrabDaddy’s is located at the corner of Ocean Boulevard and Arnold Road near the entrance to The King and Prince Beach & Golf Resort on St. Simons Island. CrabDaddy’s is open every evening from 5-10 p.m. For catering, call (912) 634-1120.
Eighth Annual Kickoff Dinner a Success
By W. John Wood
Photography by Michael Brinson
