Southwest DeKalb’s Godfrey to retire
By Score Atlanta
After 30 seasons and 273 wins, Southwest DeKalb’s Buck Godrey will step down as head coach of the Panthers program. According to Georgia Public Broadcasting’s Gil Tyree, Godfrey made the announcement at the Panthers’ award banquet, ending a tenure that began with a 10-3-1 season in 1983. Godfrey took seven teams to at least the semifinals and went 1-1 in state championship games. His 1995 squad defeated Parkview 14-7 to give the Panthers their first state crown since 1972.
Last year, the Panthers went 7-4, falling to Kell in the first round of the postseason. Godfrey never had a losing record in his 30 seasons at Southwest DeKalb and missed the postseason just three times. He sits in 16th place all-time in wins according to the Georgia High School Football Historians Association. A replacement has not been named and attempts to reach Godfrey Sunday night were unsuccessful.
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58 comments Add your comment
Five Four
February 13th, 2013
2:27 pm
F.R.O.G. man I thought you fell off the face of the earth…. its your boy from that Morehead state!!!
Noneya
February 13th, 2013
2:46 pm
If Coach Godfrey would have won 2, people would say he should have won 3. Keyboard Cowards are always so critical. He did a wonderful job helping shape the lives of young men and has been a mentor to several coaches around the area. He has also helped inspire several young men to join the greatest Fraternity in the world.
The success of a high school coach should not just be measured in titles. Enjoy your retirement Coach.
Crash001
February 14th, 2013
10:03 am
Mighty Mighty Wildcats – I disagree with your comments – Buck G. he did less with Talent than ANY coach in GA. HS history. Have you heard of Stephenson HS and Ron G.?
G-dub
February 14th, 2013
1:02 pm
Crash how many kids did Ron G get into college. Would you rather your son win a state title and get no scholarship. All those years of playing football and nothing to show for it.
Left Coast Dawg
February 14th, 2013
7:31 pm
So many close minded people on here. If you are satisfied with getting to the playoffs and losing every year, great. If that is the barometer by which you judge a coach to be great then that’s your prerogative. I am an individual that prefers excellence, so not only getting to the playoffs would satisfy me, winning it all is the preference. This isn’t to say that was not Buck’s intent because it should be every coaches. As fans who don’t agree that he should have been able to accomplish more is basically lowering your standards. Doing such doesn’t diminish what he accomplished, it only addresses the reality. I bet Buck will even tell you he should have done more. As for telling him to his face, I have no problem with that given the opportunity. I fear only God my friend.
Left Coast Dawg
February 14th, 2013
7:35 pm
Crash001 – I know Coach G personally and beginning to think you’re right, not quite where I think Buck is with the wasted opportunities but getting close. The reason I say this is because unlike Buck, Gartrell has stiff competition in county from MLK, SWD, Tucker, and now Miller Grove. Buck didn’t have that level of county competition.
rwdekalb
February 16th, 2013
11:21 am
Coach Godfrey has had a great career and touched so many lives in a positive way.
rwdekalb
February 16th, 2013
11:23 am
Does anyone know who is being considered as the replacement coach.