By Jim Johnson
SouthernPigskin.com

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Chris Hatcher is bringing his high-powered spread offense back to Southern Conference.

Chris Hatcher has been named as Samfordxe2x80x99s new head football coach. He has big shoes to fill, taking over for the legendary Pat Sullivan. However, with as much success as Hatcher has enjoyed, hexe2x80x99s somewhat of a legend in his own right.

Hatcher, a graduate of Valdosta State, is the winningest head coach in the history of his alma materxe2x80x99s football program. He led the Blazers to a national championship in 2004 and mentored quarterback Dusty Bonner, a two-time Harlon Hill Trophy winner.

In 2007, he left Valdosta for Georgia Southernxe2x80x99s head coaching job, where he was let go after a relatively poor, albeit respectable, few seasons. From there, Hatcher made his way to Murray State, where he led the Racers to their first winning season since 2004. Most of those sqauds were ultimately held back by their defenses, but Hatcherxe2x80x99s high-powered offense led the FCS in several categories over his five seasons there.

Hatcher will look to bring that sort of high-powered, fast-paced attack to Birmingham. His philosophy centers around getting the ball into the hands of playmakers and running the ball effectively. With his focus being mostly on the offensive side of the ball, he said he will begin working hard to get the right defensive coaches in place in order to maximize the Bulldogsxe2x80x99 success.

Samfordxe2x80x99s offense finished this season ranked 59th in passing offense. Hatcherxe2x80x99s Racers finished second. Whether or not he will be able to replicate the great Pat Sullivanxe2x80x99s success is yet to be seen, but itxe2x80x99s a pretty safe bet that theyxe2x80x99ll, at the very least, be the SoConxe2x80x99s most exciting team to watch next season.