From walk-on to head coach, newly hired Gary Goff comes full circle in Valdosta.

VSU will formally introduce Goff Tuesday, Jan. 29 at an introductory press conference at 11 a.m. The conference will be held at The Complex.

The press conference is open to the public

Goff, a VSU graduate of 1996, comes to back to VSU from NCAA Division II Tiffin University in Tiffin, Ohio, where he has been the head coach of the Dragons for the past eight seasons.

Last season, Goff lead the Dragons to a 9-2 record and 6-2 in the Great Midwest Conference as the team began the season 9-0.  Tiffin was ranked as high as No. 15 in the American Football Coaches Association Top 25 in 2018.

Goff had 16 Dragons named to G-MAC All-Conference teams in 2018, the most ever in the Goff era.

Although Kerwin Bell left for the University of South Florida, Goff is hopeful to continue the Blazers winning ways.

“The previous staff did an excellent job with this team, which is full with talent and potential,” Goff said to VSU Athletics. “I am very excited about working with these young men in pursuit of another championship.”

Goff played for former Blazer head coach Hal Mumme and former offensive coordinator Mike Leach in 1996. While playing in Valdosta, Goff helped lead the Blazers to their first Gulf South Conference title in 1996 and the first two NCAA playoff seasons in program history in 1994 and 1996.

He walked-on for the Blazers in the spring of 1993 after transferring to VSU from the University of Mary in Bismarck, N.D.  He was named a team captain in 1996 after earning an athletic scholarship.

The Blazers, with Goff, went 35-13 during his career at VSU under Mumme earning letters in 1995 and 1996.

He earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration from VSU and holds a master’s degree from Tiffin.  Goff is a native of Picayune, Miss., and he and his wife Tiffanie have two children, Audrey and Tyler.

Goff expressed excitement for being able to come back to his athletic roots as head coach.

“I am truly honored and blessed to return to VSU and carry on the rich tradition of success that has been established within this football program,” Goff said to VSU Athletics.  “I want to thank Dr. Carvajal and Mr. Reinhard for the opportunity to lead my alma mater.”

Written by Prince Robinson Jr., Sports Editor. Photo courtesy of Tiffin University. 

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