Monday, August 6
The actual actual announcement was a while ago.
But only now is Jay Clark actually leaving Athens after two decades with UGA's gymnastics program. Clark is staying in the SEC. Yes, the top assistant during Suzanne Yoculan's reign is now taking a spot on D-D Breaux's staff at LSU as associate head coach and recruiting coordinator.
There haven't been many personnel shake-ups among the coaches during Greg McGarity's two years in charge of the athletics department. But the most high-profile one was Clark, who was ousted (publicly, it was called a resignation) as the Gym Dogs coach after three seasons in charge. Results hadn't been what the most successful program on UGA's campus had been used to. Recruiting was looking up for the future, but after the Gym Dogs fell three times on balance beam and missed the Super Six just down the road in Gwinnett County, you began to get the sense that a change would be made.
LSU's program, a traditional also-ran in the SEC, now benefits.
"I am thrilled that Jay is going to wear purple and gold," Breaux said in a statement, "because he represented the University of Georgia with such love and respect, and I know he will bring that same character and quality to LSU. He not only brings championship-level experience to the table, but he also brings a recruiting confidence because he is very well-respected in the world of developmental gymnastics and the age-group clubs where we recruit.
"We are excited to have him at LSU, and I am confident he is going to come here and make a difference."
It will be strange to see him at LSU. Given the fact that Breaux is 35 years into her tenure at LSU, it wouldn't be a shock to see Clark eventually take over for her there.
Clark has graciously -- but consistently -- declined comment to me since news broke that he was no longer UGA's coach. That was odd, considering I've known him for more than a decade, and he was easily one of the most accessible, easy-to-get-along-with coaches I've ever encountered. This couldn't have been easy. Clark was as true a Georgia Bulldog as any coach on this campus. He'd always ask me about other sports teams like football and basketball, not for gossip but because he was a fan and he genuinely wanted to know like anyone else.
On Sunday he tweeted, "Saying good bye to family, friends and lots of great memories. Thanks to ALL who have been part of our lives over the years! See you soon!"
He then added this picture ...
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ON THE AGENDA
Preseason practice rolls along Monday morning as Georgia's team puts on full pads. The workout is set to begin around 8:45 p.m.
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LINK(S) OF THE DAY
Big props to my pal Seth Emerson for his tremendous work on this site filling in during my paternal absence of recent days.
In honor of that, our links of the day for the upcoming week will include his work.
Here is a good read on center David Andrews and Seth's latest blog on the preseason tailback competition.
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TWEET(S) OF THE DAY
Great when a coach takes time to let you knw how your kid is doing. Not req bt a class act. #Todd Grantham . Recruit/Parent pay attn UGA!
Ronald Jenkins (Jordan's dad)
Ain't no mo off days!!
DB Bacarri Rambo
Sometimes progress can be a slow process. Stay calm, keep grinding!
WR Justin Scott-Wesley
The music at the Georgia Center Hotel sounds like Kids Bop ha
LB Christian Robinson
Goodnight everyone time to rest up long day a head of me tomorrow.#CampLife
RB Todd Gurley
Can't even describe how much better it feels to be in a meeting and actually know what is going on. #camplifepart2
OL Watts Dantzler
Convincing r bus driver, Giovanni, 2join the DAWG NATION! Was fan of a team he took last yr. Will have him in rosso (red)& nero (black) soon
UGA hoops coach Mark Fox from Italy
Congrats to Allison Schmitt on winning gold and representing for the US and the Georgia bulldogs #godawgs
Former UGA hoops player Travis Leslie
Don't count on no one to do something for u.....
DB Branden Smith
After seeing the soccer girls tweets/instagrams I believe they have a different idea about what #camplife really is. I still love y'all.
FB Dustin Royston
- Gentry Estes
- Georgia Insider - Dawgs247