GHSF Daily asked Georgia head coaches to answer these four questions. We'll report from a different head coach each day.
Tim Hardy, Greater Atlanta Christian
1. What is the most memorable game you've been a part of as a player or coach?"My most memorable game would have to be when we played at Fitzgerald in the semifinals in 2014. It was an absolute battle. They had a tremendous team, but we found a way, kicking a field goal as time expired to win 44-41. I was so proud of how our players competed for 48 minutes. Guys fought through injury, sickness and cramps to beat an outstanding Fitzgerald team."
2. Which high school coach would you want your son to play for, and why?"There are so many excellent high school coaches in Georgia that do a great job developing young men through the game of football. Jimmy Chupp at King's Ridge is truly gifted in his ability to inspire and motivate young people. I have seen first-hand the way he can build up a player to believe in himself and achieve what once seemed impossible. Gwinnett County is also filled with so many good coaches. I have great respect for Shannon Jarvis at Mill Creek and Andy Dyer at Archer. Both are men of outstanding character that invest in their players, pushing them to be their absolute best on the field and in their personal lives."
3. What is your pet peeve as a coach or favorite saying/motto? "Keeping perspective as a coach and player is always a challenge. In response to most games, I often say, 'You are never as good as your think you are; you are never as bad as your think you are.' Reality is some point in between. We want to build off our successes but also take an honest look at areas for improvement. We try to remind our players to not get too high or too low."
4. Which GHSA policy or high school football rule would you most like to see changed?"In so many ways, high school football is in a great place. Georgia has proven itself as one of the very best states in the nation. The GHSA and the official associations around the state really do a nice job. I would like to see a 25-second clock at all schools so it is consistent in all games. Though I like all the efforts to protect players, the targeting rule is very subjective and hard to enforce consistently without the benefit of instant replay. I am not sure of the solution, but a more uniform enforcement would be good."
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