Baldy
January 25th, 2007, 09:37 AM
Haven't seen this posted anywhere, yet.
Durden Sticking With Dukes (http://www.dnronline.com/sports_details.php?AID=8413&CHID=3)
"HARRISONBURG – James Madison assistant football coach Jeff Durden turned down a chance to coach in his home state, rejecting an offer from new Georgia Southern coach – and longtime friend – Chris Hatcher to take over as the Eagles’ assistant head coach and offensive coordinator, Durden said Wednesday.
"It was a very difficult decision because that’s my home and awfully close to my family," the 41-year-old Durden said. "But I didn’t feel like it was the right time. He offered me a great deal, but I couldn’t pull the trigger on it."
Durden, a Dublin, Ga. native, said he flew to Statesboro on Monday to interview with Hatcher and meet the staff he’s already hired at Georgia Southern, traditionally one of Division I-AA football’s strongest programs.
Durden said Hatcher originally offered him the position – twice – by phone, but he turned it down.
"Two days later, he called me back and now the thing gets a little more interesting financially," Durden said.
Durden declined to divulge how much Georgia Southern offered or if James Madison gave him a pay raise to persuade him to stay.
"JMU and coach [Mickey] Matthews have been great during the whole process and they made it hard for me to leave," Durden said.
Matthews also declined to comment on Durden’s compensation, though he called Georgia Southern’s offer "substantial."
Durden Sticking With Dukes (http://www.dnronline.com/sports_details.php?AID=8413&CHID=3)
"HARRISONBURG – James Madison assistant football coach Jeff Durden turned down a chance to coach in his home state, rejecting an offer from new Georgia Southern coach – and longtime friend – Chris Hatcher to take over as the Eagles’ assistant head coach and offensive coordinator, Durden said Wednesday.
"It was a very difficult decision because that’s my home and awfully close to my family," the 41-year-old Durden said. "But I didn’t feel like it was the right time. He offered me a great deal, but I couldn’t pull the trigger on it."
Durden, a Dublin, Ga. native, said he flew to Statesboro on Monday to interview with Hatcher and meet the staff he’s already hired at Georgia Southern, traditionally one of Division I-AA football’s strongest programs.
Durden said Hatcher originally offered him the position – twice – by phone, but he turned it down.
"Two days later, he called me back and now the thing gets a little more interesting financially," Durden said.
Durden declined to divulge how much Georgia Southern offered or if James Madison gave him a pay raise to persuade him to stay.
"JMU and coach [Mickey] Matthews have been great during the whole process and they made it hard for me to leave," Durden said.
Matthews also declined to comment on Durden’s compensation, though he called Georgia Southern’s offer "substantial."