About ‘Hatch Attack’

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Chris Hatcher is synonymous with football success and his leadership abilities helped get him there. Hatcher was a decorated quarterback at Mount de Sales High School in Macon, Ga., but when his days with the Cavaliers were over, only NCAA Division II Valdosta State offered a chance to continue playing in college. And that offer came as much as a courtesy to his father/coach, Edgar, as Chris’ athletic talents.

Unfazed, Hatcher reported to Valdosta State where he found himself seventh on the depth chart. It was only a matter of weeks, however, before Hatcher found himself under center as the Blazers’ starting quarterback. He quickly became the player others wanted to follow, and as the team’s unquestioned leader, the school realized more football success during his record-setting four-year career than it had ever experienced.

VSU became a perennial conference and national championship contender, and Hatcher was named winner of the Harlon Hill Trophy given annually to the top player in Division II. Success followed Hatcher into the coaching ranks, first as an assistant at Central Florida and Kentucky, where he worked with the likes of Daunte Culpepper and Tim Couch, both former first-round draft picks in the NFL.

Then, Hatcher’s alma mater turned to him to continue building on its winning tradition, and just as he had done as a player, the coach took the Blazers to new heights. With players possessing the same leadership qualities as their coach displayed, Hatcher guided VSU to its first national championship. Now, he’s using the same formula at Georgia Southern in his quest to return the Eagles to national prominence in the NCAA’s Football Championship Subdivision.

Sports writer Daniel Shirley, whose association with the coach began during Hatcher’s playing days at Valdosta State, presents this journey in “Hatch Attack.” From personal contact with Hatcher as a reporter and interviews with family, friends, former teammates, charges and coaching colleagues, Shirley details in “Hatch Attack” a trail of success that some predict will reach the pinnacle of college football.

136 pages
6 x 9 softcover and hardcover – $15.95 and $22.95 retail
Vendor discount of 40 percent.

Contact:
Daniel Shirley – meloncu@yahoo.com or (478) 973-5606

Available Oct. 24, 2009