MOULTRIE – It was almost an afterthought that made Greg Robinson send his resume to Houston County to apply for its vacant head coaching job.
“I really didn’t think I had a chance at it,” the former Colquitt County High quarterback and Dodge County head coach said.
But at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, Robinson received a call at his Eastman home telling him he was the new head coach of the Bears.
And he knew exactly when he would be facing his alma mater.
“Saturday night, Nov. 1,” he said of the date the Bears will play host to the Packers in a Region 1-AAAAA game.
Robinson, who had been the head coach at Dodge County the last six seasons, was one of four finalists for the head coach at athletic director job at Houston County. He won out over interim coach George Collins, Perry offensive coordinator Chad Alligood and Rutland assistant Ben Maddox.
The jump from Region 4-AA to Region 1-AAAAA will be big one and Robinson knows it.
“I know what’s ahead,” Robinson said. “I respect the coaches and the teams in that region. There’s a lot of work to do. We’re just going to roll up our sleeves and go to work.”
Houston County 1-9 last season under Collins, who was named the interim coach after Doug Johnson resigned in July. The Bears did not win a region game.
Robinson was the Packers starting quarterback from 1977-1979 and as a senior completed 63-of-128 passes for 1,107 yards and 10 touchdowns as the Packers went 5-5 under Bob Griffith.
Robinson later was an assistant under Griffith at Effingham County before going to Eastman to serve as an assistant under John Peacock.
When Peacock retired from coaching in 2001, Robinson took over and led the Indians to a 38-27 record over six seasons.
But Dodge was 9-3 each of the last two seasons and 32-13 over the last four. Despite making the playoffs the last three seasons and advancing to the second round the last two, Robinson was let go after last season.
Not having his contract renewed was a shock, he said.
“Sometime the Lord closes one door, but opens another,” said Robinson, who added that there were just “a handful of people” who apparently wanted him out of Dodge.
Robinson sounded pleased with his dealings with the Houston County people.
“From the first interview, I was at ease there,” he said.
Part of the evaluation process for the Houston County job was a public forum in which all four candidates were allowed to speak about their background and coaching philosophy.
“I got a chance to show people what Greg Robinson is all about,” he said.
And while Houston County was down last year, Robinson is looking forward to working in a county that also includes traditional power Warner Robins and Northside-Warner Robins, the winner of the last two Class AAAA state championships.
“It’s a great football county,” he said. “It’s like Valdosta and Lowndes. The kids take so much pride in football there.”
Robinson was considered for a number of jobs this winter, including the one at Howard, a new high school in Macon, and at Colquitt County, a position that was filled two weeks ago when Rush Propst was hired.
Robinson said he would have enjoyed coaching at his alma mater.
“I’m a Packer,” he said. “Who wouldn’t want to come back home?
“And I will. I’ll just be wearing black and silver instead of black and gold.”
Local Sports
Robinson named head coach at Houston County
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Swimmers and divers head to state
Five swimmers and three divers are in Atlanta today to compete in the Georgia High School Association’s 2012 State Swimming and Diving Championships at the Georgia Tech Aquatic Center Friday. The Class AAAAA diving championships will begin at 9 this morning. The Class AAAAA swimming prelims will start at 6:30 p.m. today. The finals will begin at 6 p.m. Saturday. Representing Colquitt County High are, front, from left, divers Anastasia Jimenez, Elizabeth Ann Kirkland and Haley Goodman; back, swimmers Peyton Childs, Austin Vines, Ethan Sobalvarro, Cole Wilkes and Austin Hawkins. The swimming and diving finals will video stream live on GHSA.tv.
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Cokely to take over Marianna football program
Former Colquitt County head football coach Tim Cokely is leaving Greater Atlanta Christian to take over the program at Marianna (Fla.) High.
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Tennis teams to open seasons today in Tifton
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Middle school soccer sweeps openers
Olivia Griffin connnected on a penalty kick in overtime to give the Colquitt County middle school girls soccer team a victory over Lee County in their season-opener in Leesburg on Thursday.
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Peach signs with Thomas University
Cook High senior Kaitie Peach signs to play softball next season at Thomas University. She is the daughter of Wesley and Sheila Peach, formerly of Moultrie. She is granddaughter of Darrell and Gayle Burgess and Thomas and Helen Peach, all of Moultrie. She was a first baseman for Cook the last four seasons, was an all-star for Adel-Cook for five years and plays travel softball for CHOAS. Shown with Kaitie as she signs are, front, from left, Wesley Peach, Sheila Peach and Thomas University coach Bill Wilson; back, Cook head softball coach Scott Ray and assistant coaches Christy Duke and Paula Simmons.
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10-and-under champions
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Heading to Arkansas State
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Conference champions
The Colquitt County seventh-grade girls basketball team celebrates its South Georgia Athletic Conference championship. The team includes, front, from left, coach Sheila Williams, Za'Nautica Downs, Akia Sutton, Ty'Asia McNeal, Shy Seay; and back, Sydnee Dalton, Shay Stanfill, Kiarra Lovett, Abiyah Spencer, Coach Jon Scroggins, Angel Kinchen, Chyna Calhoun, Michaela Bennefield, Istajhe Johnson, Ashuntee Stewart and Ja'nysia Brown. Not shown, Coach Tamika Seay and Emily Dozier.
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Lady Pack clinches top seed for region tournament
Makeba Ponder’s free throw with 6 seconds remaining gave the Colquitt County girls a 55-48 victory over Lowndes on Tuesday on the William Bryant Court at the Gladys Espy Gymnasium and ensured the Lady Packers would have the top seed in next week’s Region 1-AAAAA tournament at Tift County.
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