One of the legends of Georgia football died today.  The story is here.  If you took a poll he’d easily be the most beloved Bulldog assistant ever.  Erk Russell coached Georgia’s defense from before I was born until I was in my mid-teens,  and when I think of him I always think of waiting for the team buses by the railroad tracks before they enclosed the East end of the stadium.  He was the one coach who was unmistakable:  completely bald with a face that looked like Georgia’s mascot.  He’d get off the bus to the cheers of the crowd with his game face on and looking like he’d kill somebody if they’d let him suit up.  As an 8-15 year old he scared me to death and I never got within 20 feet of him.  He was famous for butting heads with the players in pre-game; they’d have helmets and he’d have a bloody head.

 

After beating Notre Dame to win a national championship at Georgia, he became head coach at Georgia Southern, starting the program from scratch and winning a handful of national 1-AA championships.  The stories by and about him are legion, but the funniest one I’ve heard is one he told in a book.  He was recruiting in this small town, and came to a light where an old lady in front of him had a bumper sticker that said “honk if you love Jesus.”  Erk said “I do so I did.”  He said she got out of her car and started walking back to his, and he thought, “This little old lady’s going to thank me for loving Jesus.â€?  He rolled down his window and the old lady said “You bald headed so-and-so, can’t you see the light’s red!!!â€?

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