Reeves joins GSU's football exploration

By BILL SANDERS
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 04/12/07

Georgia State is turning to former Falcons coach Dan Reeves as the university decides if, when and how to launch a football program.

It's expected that Reeves will serve initially as a consultant and chief fund-raiser. Bringing the Pro Football Hall of Famer aboard doesn't mean the Panthers are committed to starting a football team. It does mean, though, that they very much want to test the interest level of the community and Atlanta-based businesses.

"The potential for partnership is wonderful," Georgia State athletics director Mary McElroy said. "If we cannot generate interest with him helping us, it probably means we're not intended to have a team. His connections in the business, plus how well known he is, all plays a part in why he's the right guy."

Reeves wouldn't comment on his new assignment when contacted Wednesday, saying he understood there would be a news conference this morning and "you'll have to wait till then."

If Georgia State launches a Division I-AA program, Reeves would likely at least have some say in the hiring of a coach.

"We haven't entered into that discussion with him yet, about who we should consider for a coach, but with his credentials, we'd certainly be open to it," McElroy said. "That'll be up to him."

McElroy said Tuesday that if the Panthers play football, as was discussed during two town-hall-style meetings on campus that day, their games would be at the Georgia Dome. She estimated that it would cost close to $8 million to start a program and an additional $6.5 million for a practice facility.

That's where Reeves, the coach, the pitchman and the traveling speaker, comes in.

The All-American Talent and Celebrity Agency lists Reeves on its Web site as being a $20,000- to $30,000-a-talk speaker.

He has done national television campaigns and been an ambassador for the sport since his days at the University of South Carolina.

The 63-year-old Americus native also coached the Dallas Cowboys, Denver Broncos and Falcons. In December 2005, the struggling Houston Texans hired Reeves as a "special consultant."

When told Wednesday of Reeves' new gig, close friend and Georgia Tech coach Chan Gailey said GSU had done a smart thing.

"He'll be a great sounding board for them," Gailey said. "He'll tell them what it takes to be a successful football program because he knows what it takes."

The Panthers are at least three years away from fielding a team. It would be 18 months before they could raise student fees to help pay for the program, then 18 months after that to get a staff in place.

But the more funds Reeves can help generate, the less Georgia State would have to increase student fees.

GSU's athletics department has shown over the years it has no aversion to trying big things.

The Panthers have made splashes in basketball, hiring Hall of Famer Lefty Driesell in 1997 and last month bringing in former Ole Miss head coach Rod Barnes.

— Staff writer Mike Knobler contributed to this article.