Bill Curry learning some things hard way at Georgia State
Bill Curry's team already has lost as many games this year (1-5) as it did last season (6-5).
Five straight losses, but not one person has thrown a brick through Bill Curry’s window. There’s a reason for that.
“I don’t think they know where my window is,” he said, smiling.
Obscurity has its advantages. But it’s Season 2 at Georgia State, and reality has hit Curry over the head like a sledgehammer. He turns 69 years old Friday. Football has consumed his post-crawling life, and when he first took on this project he figured there was little left to learn. But there he was Tuesday, using words like “blindsided” and “stunned” when answering questions about his fledgling program’s season. A five-game losing streak wasn’t on the blueprint.
“It’s been a quantum leap in learning for this old guy,” Curry said. “But we’re living in America. We’ve got to win.”
In the shadows of the SEC, ACC and almost everything else, Georgia State has followed a 6-5 first season with a 1-5 start this year. Saturday’s game against South Alabama is homecoming. The fact attendance at home games also has dropped off might be a bigger concern than the product itself, but Curry can’t fix everything. This team poses enough problems.
After an impressive first season, he anticipated the Panthers were ready to step up in competition and face more experienced teams. He was wrong. It mostly has shown in key moments of games, particularly in the fourth quarter. That State has been outscored 57-7 in the final quarter isn’t mere coincidence.
If you’re a proud and competitive individual like Curry, you don’t take this reality well. Maybe a torch-carrying mob hasn’t shown up at his front door or thrown a rock through his window (as one Alabama knucklehead did after only one loss, not five, in 1988). But this has kind of been a shot to his ego. He prides himself on reading people and situations and certainly knowing football.
“I would’ve prepared the guys entirely differently,” he said. “I just believe if I could have anticipated some of these things, I could’ve headed it off. Practicing situations: ‘It’s the fourth quarter. We’re being manhandled. What are you going to do about it?’ It never crossed my mind.”
Curry is taking one for the team. Great coaches do things like this. Fact is, no matter what Curry did, most of these growing pains were inevitable. The Panthers are so early in the building process and they’re working with athletes who are in this program for a reason. Maybe a more established team thought they were too small, or too slow, or not smart enough. Maybe there was a question about toughness, resolve or leadership.
That’s not meant to be a knock at the players. Every team has them. The difference at major programs is they’re mixed among the elite. There are others to lead them. There are others to say, “Hey, this is what we did four years ago.” There are alumni to say, “This is what we did back in ’62.”
Curry has more stories than anybody. He has stories spanning Bobby Dodd to Vince Lombardi. But without a program resume to draw from, run-through-a-wall speeches about potential have their limitations in Year 2.
It was a good start. Georgia State opened the season with a 41-7 win over Clark Atlanta. But then came a pounding in the Georgia Dome by Old Dominion 40-17. The Panthers played the Monarchs last season, and they’re only in their third season themselves. Two weeks later, State was leveled by Houston 56-0, but Curry lamented: “We were really stunned before we ever get to Houston. We were stunned by Old Dominion. Our confidence was shaken. We’re still fighting out of that.”
The old coach added, “We will learn how to win again.”
He says he’s not going anywhere. His five-year commitment to the start-up program runs through next season, and he said nothing that has happened changes that.
“I’ll be 70 next year, but I don’t feel old. I feel good,” he said. “I still get up at five and go to work. I’m not going to tell you that it hasn’t been surprisingly difficult, but it’s been so worth doing.”
A win would make him feel better. Somebody may find his office one day.
By Jeff Schultz
Follow me on Twitter (@JeffSchultzAJC). Friend me on Facebook (Facebook.com/JeffSchultzAJC).
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211 comments Add your comment
Southern
October 19th, 2011
2:09 pm
To Panthers Rule!!
At least we don’t have to go to class at Southern after all what’s the point.
The degree and the education is fake anyways.
6 Flags over Statesboro
October 19th, 2011
2:10 pm
Looks like a Ga Stat troll is trolling himself.
State Senior
October 19th, 2011
2:11 pm
I heard Ludacris is going to be at the game……..SO to my homies LUDA!!
Ghetto State
October 19th, 2011
2:12 pm
Time for the Ghetto to get to the dome dis saturday!
Ghetto State
October 19th, 2011
2:12 pm
LUDA DAWG!
PantherStudent2012
October 19th, 2011
2:14 pm
As a student, I must agree- we need to close down operations on football. Just taking up too much time and money. Focus on basketball! We have a great new head coach and the program can be like other CAA teams- making it far into the big dance!
Sorry for those who don’t want to hear it but our team is no better than West Georgia, Valdosta State, etc. right now.
Georgia( you might get shanked) State
October 19th, 2011
2:14 pm
Free tickets! Thats how we fill the stadium! Under 11,000 at a homegame… HAHAHAHAHAHA!
PantherStudent2012
October 19th, 2011
2:15 pm
LOL at the Georgia State troll aka ‘Southern’
Georgia( you might get shanked) State
October 19th, 2011
2:16 pm
Basketball.. now you talking!
Sorry
October 19th, 2011
2:16 pm
Very immature. I have heard of Robinson, Terry, Goizueta, and Coles Business Schools. Does Ga Southern have a business school?
GSUAlum89
October 19th, 2011
2:17 pm
Actually, Rick Ross was scheduled to perform this weekend at Homecoming but even he cancelled on us
GaSouthernEagle
October 19th, 2011
2:18 pm
I got my business degree at Georgia Southern. Now I manage at least 3 Georgia State grads. Life is good.
State Senior
October 19th, 2011
2:18 pm
Rick Ross is a punk…LUDA dis da DAWG and he gonna bring it…..
Georgia( you might get shanked) State
October 19th, 2011
2:20 pm
At State you learn how to throw dice… dats business..
OutSTATED
October 19th, 2011
2:21 pm
@ GaSouthernEagle, Look up the chain child, bet you’re being managed by a GSU Grad, you’re either too low to see it or to stupid to know. Anyway at least you’re smart enough to know good talent. Enjoy riding their backs, they’ll cover your inadequacies nicely.
ERK GATA
October 19th, 2011
2:21 pm
For all you State fans out there who think that Southern is afraid to play your beloved Panthers y’all are absurd. My eagles would absolutely rock you. You can’t beat south carolina state you can’t beat jacksonville state. Face it, you are not the 3rd best college football team in the state. Heck, you probably aren’t even the 4th best, I bet Valdosta would crush you too.
PantherStudent2012
October 19th, 2011
2:22 pm
What’s the difference between a degree from University of Phoenix and one from Southern not much except the University of Phoenix student went to class.
6 Flags over Statesboro
October 19th, 2011
2:22 pm
I’m a Finance Major from Southern and I am doing very well!
6 Flags over Statesboro
October 19th, 2011
2:23 pm
@PantherStudent2012 great punchline!
Geaux Panthers
October 19th, 2011
2:24 pm
To GaSouthernEagle
Now back to reality. Too funny, but love how in your dream world you have talented folks working for you
Footballer
October 19th, 2011
2:24 pm
Kelton Hill is starting this weekend? Hide the laptops!
Georgia( you might get shanked) State
October 19th, 2011
2:25 pm
Comuter Skool!
GSUFan
October 19th, 2011
2:28 pm
Georgia Southern: Currently #1 in the nation
Georgia State: Currently 1 win…vs. a D2 team
Panther Student
October 19th, 2011
2:28 pm
When will housing let me and my 3 chillin live in the dorms?
JERK Russell
October 19th, 2011
2:28 pm
Can’t wait for Southern to get blanked by Alabama. Bet you won’t even score a FG.
KH4isdaBomb
October 19th, 2011
2:33 pm
@GaySoutherneagle… Why would you get a business degree from a cow college? That’s like saying “I got my engineering degree from SCAD….
6 Flags over Statesboro
October 19th, 2011
2:34 pm
Duh… its Alabama.. we know our own strength and this game does not help our goals of a National Title. So while you can’t wait for this to happen, your team’s only win is against CLARK ATLANTA!
Georgia( you might get shanked) State
October 19th, 2011
2:35 pm
DICE CLASS!! Dats where da money’s at!
JERK Russell
October 19th, 2011
2:37 pm
I will enjoy tweeting (as if I’m one of your loser athletes) all week to the Alabama players prior to your game. I want to thank all of the obnoxious GSCollege fans on this site for providing me with their venom to use.
Eagle1
October 19th, 2011
2:41 pm
Jerk… like they don’t get that from EVERYONE. How creative!
Eagle1
October 19th, 2011
2:49 pm
This is sad…
“The awards program is designed to reward the resident hall with the most attendance at Georgia State football games”
http://www.georgiastatesports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=12700&ATCLID=205303779
PantherStudent
October 19th, 2011
2:55 pm
I live in the old Wingate hotel, now GSU dorm. I hope we win. We have 15 plann on coming!!!
JERK Russell
October 19th, 2011
3:00 pm
JayBo… Who in their right mind would name their young’un that.
JERK Russell
October 19th, 2011
3:00 pm
You know I only touched a few of them boys…. How is that a crime?
TheOne
October 19th, 2011
3:02 pm
Panther Trolls have arrived.
Georgia Dome
October 19th, 2011
3:07 pm
I didn’t realize Georgia State played inside of me, I though I was having diarrhea the past year
Billy Curry Spy Cam Live in office
October 19th, 2011
3:09 pm
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Amused
October 19th, 2011
3:09 pm
I love the people calling Georgia State, “Ghetto State”. I was recently in Statesboro for the 1st time and wish to never go back. Georgia State is not surrounded by ghetto housing, Georgia Southern is. Anybody who has actually been to both areas recently would agree. Didn’t anyone ever tell you people not to cast stones from a glass house?
Georgia State will be fine so people need to stop over reacting about a bad season. Bad seasons happen to everybody and it’s not a reason to shut down the program. Attendance will come with winning and more time as Georgia State continues converting from a commuter school. This is Atlanta where people are only entertained when you win.
Billy Curry Spy Cam Live in office
October 19th, 2011
3:11 pm
“RUN your routes and hol..d.. o….n…..zzzzzzzzzzzzzz” “i think coach fell asleep again, quick get his wallet again”
Billy Curry Spy Cam Live in office
October 19th, 2011
3:15 pm
” Secretary … can you order my depends again for the game…. i like yellow ones”
JERK Russell
October 19th, 2011
3:17 pm
You know I’m senile and dyslexic, I thought it was Georgia Athletic Tech Assoc….Now I GATA pee.
Billy Curry Spy Cam Live in office
October 19th, 2011
3:18 pm
” He did what again?… fine… get him another check for the baby momma”
Jeff Monken
October 19th, 2011
3:27 pm
Don’t tell anyone this but I thought Erk was SEXY… His wrinkled leathery skin just gave me goose pimples…
Jeff Monken
October 19th, 2011
3:41 pm
At Georgia Southern College Our attitude is we fear everybody; we respect nobody. We will play, anywhere, anytime with any body”
Hail Southern!
October 19th, 2011
3:44 pm
HAIL SOUTHERN!
GSUEagle
October 19th, 2011
4:36 pm
Jeff Monken, much like Erk Russell, is a classy individual. He has led the Eagles to a playoff appearance, a victory over a #1 ranked team, 3 playoff victories and has won 12 of his last 13 games in a year and a half as head coach.
What has Bill Curry done in the last 2 years? Beaten Clark Atlanta and Lambuth? Oh wait, scratch that second one.
Sluggo
October 19th, 2011
7:10 pm
Why do the Georgia Southern fans continue post here? How long will it take them to realize that the AJC no longer covers Georgia Southern beyond a game story in the Sunday paper? Eagle fans should be reading and posting on the Savannah Morning News site. That is the paper that covers Georgia Southern. You’re undefeated and ranked #1 in the FCS poll but still they come to the AJC online to read about Georgia State. I don’t get it…
Jeff Monken
October 19th, 2011
8:11 pm
@GSEagle I am the head coach not you!! I don’t need you defending me I can defend myself. I’ve already planned my speech after we lose the SoCon for the 6th straight year.
To Sluggo
October 20th, 2011
7:32 am
No one cares about Southern in the metro area other than students and alumni. Since there are very few articles written about Southern in the AJC they have to create their own media buzz through chastising a 2nd year program about their record. State just got another verbal commitment today. That bring the total to 14…I guess the recruits are reading the AJC, but not the blogs. I think this is why Southern fans are so upset. For years they have been put down because they are not a FBS/D-1 program and probably never will be. I graduated from UGA and got my MBA from State. I like States football team because it is inspiring to see coach Curry take on such a huge challenge, but to me all of Southerns championships mean absolutely nothing. Southern can’t beat a real school and they know it so even if they make it to the playoffs to me that means nothing, but starting a program at GSU, I find that very inspiring.
Southern’s record against FBS schools
2004 UGA = Loss
2007 Colorado State = Loss
2008 UGA = Loss
2010 Navy = Loss
2011 Alabama = Loss
Now where is a Tech fan that I can argue with…..
GSUEagle
October 20th, 2011
8:08 am
How many FBS teams has Georgia State beaten? Playing up a division and winning hardly ever happens. There were dozens of FCS vs. FBS games this year and only 7 FCS teams came out on top. Very rare. Can’t judge whether a team is good or not based on that. Not to mention we only lost to Navy last year by 6 points with a team that was in its first year running a brand new offense.
Oh and by the way, Georgia Southern is a D-1 program.