By By Jeff Byrd / staff writer
July 1, 2002
Mississippi State head football coach Jackie Sherrill apologized on Saturday for not being able to headline the Bulldog Family Celebration set for Meridian Tuesday night at Mississippi State-Meridian.
Sherrill, a 24-year coaching veteran, is hoping to use this month as a rest period before starting his 12th season as State's head coach. He is 70-56-2 at Starkville and remains one of only a handful of coaches in the country who has won at least 175 games in his career.
Thirteen of the new Bulldog freshmen participated in the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star game this past June in Mobile. Sherrill said he is looking forward to seeing his new talent.
When fall practice does begin in August, Sherrill said his staff must go to work to shore up the team's defensive line.
Ironically, one of his former defensive linemen was playing in the Walker Tournament in Tampa Bay's Ellis Wyms. The Bulldogs lost another one to the pros when Dorsett Davis was picked by the Denver Broncos in the April NFL draft.
One area where there is no concern heading into fall is at quarterback. The job belongs to Moss Point's Kevin Fant.
The Bulldogs are coming off a disappointing 3-8 season. But Fant did lead them to a satisfying win over Ole Miss in the Egg Bowl.