One Old Dawg's Tailgate with Barry Wilson

 

As we continue to celebrate the 1964 Georgia Bulldogs from Vince Dooley’s first team coaching at the University of Georgia, One Old Dawg, Jerry Varnado, is back with his second interview of the fall season with Barry Wilson. Barry was a senior and captain of the team in 1964, and also received SEC honors that year. He went on to be an assistant coach at Georgia, Ole Miss, Georgia Tech, Duke, Florida, and in the United States Football League. He was head coach at Duke from 1990-1993. Pull up a chair, Barry, and have some barbecue as we welcome you to One Old Dawg’s tailgate.

 Tell us how you got started in football and a little about your high school career?

I played football from the fifth grade through high school. The head coach of my high school in Savannah, Georgia saw me throwing in grade school and suggested I stay with it. I did and earned a scholarship to Georgia, but never played quarterback, my position in high school.

What is your most memorable play from the 1964 season?

Lots of them. But, maybe my most memorable is when I intercepted a pass against Clemson and ran it back for a touchdown!

Barry Wilson speaks at fiftieth anniversary gathering of the 1964 UGA football team

Can you remember anything amusing that happened in 1964?

When we were in El Paso at our Sun Bowl team meeting on Christmas Day, Coach Russell (playing Santa Clause) opened the players’ presents and came across a name he didn't recognize as it was one of our cheer leaders. His famous hilarious line as he opened the card and present, “"Ho, Ho, Ho . . . “ He paused a moment. “Who . . . is Patty Tumlin?!!! She was in fact the captain of the cheerleaders. (Note from Old Dawg: Coach Russell’s comment was edited a bit because this site has a G rating. LOL).

What is one important lesson you learned from your time as a college athlete?

I learned good organization,  good coaching and hard work pays terrific dividends!!

Who were your inspirations or role models in your college career?

Coach Russell and Coach Dooley

What advice would you give to someone just beginning their college football career?

It will be tough, but stick it out. You'll be glad you did.

What are your thoughts on the Dawgs this season?

I hope we are as good as the pre-season hype, while facing a VERY tough schedule! Looking forward to an injury free season - for a change. Go Dawgs!!

Thanks so much, Barry for spending time with us here! 

Ends on the 1964 UGA team, Barry Wilson, Pat Hodgson, George Nowicki, Jerry Varnado

Now, One Old Dawg weighs in with a few thoughts:

“Barry and I were about the same size, which was a bit small for defensive ends. In fact, we were the smallest in the SEC (except for one at Alabama our size). One sportswriter labeled us Georgia’s “Wee Ends.” I didn’t consider that very flattering and Barry probably didn’t either, but he was a senior, I was a sophomore. I was afraid I’d have to live with that handle for two more years. God bless Dan Magill, he wrote an article in which he referred to us as “Mighty Mites.” I could live with that!

“In scripture God constantly used the small and weak to humble the big and powerful. There was the shepherd, Moses, who overcame Pharoah, ruler of the most powerful nation on earth. The shepherd boy, David, killed the nine-foot giant Goliath, who defied the living God. Gideon and three-hundred men routed a Midianite army of thousands. When you surrender your life to God you receive into yourself the same power that raised Jesus from the dead (Romans 8:11). That is why Jesus said to us: 'I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard see, you can say to this mountain, "Move from here to there" and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you' (Matthew 17:20). That's a pretty good trade.

"About the game this week. I know from my experience as a player and coach you should never take victory for granted. Every year teams lose to teams that should not be able to beat them. I know very little about Tennessee Tech except they are brave to play the Dawgs. The Dawgs win by a lot!"

Thanks much, One Old Dawg! If you’re at the UGA-Tennessee Tech game this weekend, watch for a bunch of old Dawgs as the 1964 team is introduced on the field at half time in celebration of the sixtieth anniversary of that team. One Old Dawg along with his teammates will be waving at you! Go Dawgs!! 

Who is One Old Dawg?

Jerry Varnado played defensive end at the University of Georgia on Vince Dooley’s first three teams, which included an SEC championship in 1966, placing Georgia fourth in the nation. He helped coach the UGA football team while in law school, and practiced law for over a decade. Later, after a series of tragedies, he gave his life to Jesus Christ. After much soul searching, he left his law practice and has preached the gospel for forty years. He’s still at it every Sunday.

Inducted into the Valdosta/Lowndes County Sports Hall of Fame, he is also the recipient of the Athens Athletic Hall of Fame Fosky Henderson Award for community service. He is a past president of The Athens Touchdown Club and is now the chaplain. He has been an FCA chaplain for the Athens Academy Football Team for ten years.

He is the proud father of four children, and one sweet girl now with Jesus, as well as Bapa to two of the best grandkids ever.

Check in every Wednesday through football season or better yet sign up to receive these posts in your inbox HERE. You don’t want to miss any of his mostly true Bulldog lore.