RON SEIBEL: ‘Liars’ Club’ always a fun time

The plate-and-a-speech circuit can make for some fun times.

Whether it’s a local Touchdown Club or a service organization, those weekly gatherings are an opportunity for coaches to let loose for a bit, tell some tales and enjoy a few laughs while sharing the story of their respective teams. It’s a lot of networking combined with a solid meal and a touch of good humor.

The Touchdown Club of Atlanta is this state’s big club, and they bring in the big names and hand out the big awards each year. The Macon Touchdown Club, which has been around for three-quarters of a century, still holds its own, with coaches and other college football figures giving talks after the pork chops, picks contests and crying towels are dispensed with.

The Exchange Club of Albany has its own run of football meetings in August each year at its weekly Friday lunch gatherings. This year, the four-week series started Aug. 3 with GHSA Executive Director Robin Hines paying a visit, followed by the annual visit last Friday of Dougherty County School District head coaches. The private schools have their turn this week, wrapping up a week from Friday with Lee County.

The Dougherty County coaches’ visit is an extra special meeting. A tradition started 25 years ago by the county athletics director at the time, Ferrell Henry, that meeting is known as the “Liars’ Club” meeting, a forum in which what’s said by the coaches might be gospel … or maybe stretched, shaded or slanted just a wee little bit.

It’s a fun experience for those involved. County athletics director Lea Henry, the niece of Ferrell Henry, made her second appearance in that role Friday. Dougherty head coach Damien Gary and Westover head coach Olten Downs, both in their first seasons with their respective programs, took to the podium for the first time.

Here’s a recap of what was said, mixing in some news nuggets and words of wisdom with the obligatory humor:

Practice field progress: Henry said ground will begin to move this week to install artificial practice fields at Dougherty and Westover.

The projects were initially scheduled to take place during the summer but were delayed. Both Dougherty and Westover are having to find temporary practice facilities, one of which is Albany High.

“The process has to happen through funding and appropriations, approvals and scheduling,” Henry said. “It’s not perfect timing, but I think Coach Downs and Coach Gary understand that this is a big deal. They’re making adjustments in the best way they can.”

Athletics investment: Henry said both Dougherty and Westover will receive new all-weather tracks as part of the practice field project, with those tracks installed in early 2019.

Also, the district is committing to redevelop each of the high school weight rooms after the first of the year.

“We’re working hard to improve all of our facilities,” said Henry, who added each high school has a $100,000 budget for the weight room project. “Kids want to be proud of what they’re doing, and they want to feel like they’re appreciated. The big commitment we’re trying to make is to make sure they’re proud of their facilities.”

Wanting a promotion: Longtime Monroe head coach Charles Truitt played right along with the “Liars’ Club” theme.

“I’d like the Exchange Club to take a vote,” Truitt said jokingly as he was introduced. “It feels like, since I’ve been here for 15 years, I should have graduated from the Liars’ Club to the Truth-Telling Club. I’m glad I’m (speaking) first, because these young coaches they are coming in now, they’ve got 15 years of lying they need to tell in order to catch up. So everything I’m going to tell (Friday) is going to be the truth.”

“Dating” advice: Downs shared what he tells players about the college football recruiting process.

“I tell our guys, ‘(College coaches’) interest is like dating. What have you done for me lately?’ ” Downs said. ” ‘You’ve got to do some things to make yourself stand out. People want to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars, you’ve got to do some things to make them feel good about writing that check on you.’ “

Any more eligibility?: Gary signed at least one Georgia helmet Friday, a connection to his legacy as the Bulldogs’ all-time punt return leader.

At the start of his talk, Gary pondered if he still could break a long return some 15 years after his collegiate playing days.

“I think I’ve got one more good one left in me,” he said jokingly. “But it’s probably going to be a fair catch these days.”

Contact sports editor Ron Seibel at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @RonSeibel.