Despite finishing last in the SEC East with a losing overall record, eyebrows were raised around the conference by the job Georgia head coach Mark Fox did in the 2009-2010 season. His team was especially impressive at home, defeating SEC powers Florida and Tennessee and finishing with a respectable 5-3 conference record in Stegeman Coliseum.
Fox spent much of his time after being hired on changing the attitude of the program.
"We spent a lot of energy in the first year on trying to create the attitude that we want," said Fox today on a conference call. "I think our team is excited about the upcoming season. We have some experience we didn’t have a year ago and will actually be able to play more upperclassmen that we didn’t have before."
The team certainly took to Fox’s system during SEC play, when the Bulldogs led the league in field goal percentage, three-point percentage and assists. It is rare for a team with a first-year coach to have such success in those categories, as new systems typically take time for teams to fully grasp.
"When you come in as a new coach, you (have to) teach 15 players a new system," said Fox. "I do think there’s some truth in the fact that we were much more comfortable offensively when it came to league play and we got better results."
The team also came close on several occasions to winning on the road in the conference, but were unable to close the deal in any of the eight such games they played. Nevertheless, Fox has commitments from Mr. Georgia basketball in Westlake’s Marcus Thornton as well as two-sport sensation Nick Marshall of Wilcox County and power forward Donte Williams of Miller Grove.
The commitments have had a positive effect on the Bulldog Nation and on the perception of the Georgia program.
"(Thornton) was a young man who we didn’t even have a chance to recruit at all before he made his Clemson decision," said Fox. "We were excited to have a chance to recruit him. He’s a terrific player, he’s a terrific student, and really just a winner in a lot of ways."
Another bright spot for the program was the return of rising junior Trey Thompkins, who was a certain NBA Draft pick.
"I met with Trey and his family and talked about the process and what was important to them and to Trey and what I thought we should look for," said Fox. "I think he knows he can improve and he’s working hard to do so."
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I’m really looking forward to the 2010 bb season. It will be a great one for the Dawgs. I hope another school does not come after Fox after the season. But, i”m getting ahead of myself. )).