For the past three years, that voice inside the head of Thomson Defensive Coordinator John Barnett during football games has been one he trusts and respects immensely.
During the coming season, he will have to learn to listen to a new one. Defensive Line Coach Rodney Garvin has accepted the position of defensive coordinator at Region 4-AA Vidalia next year.
"Obviously, I'm sorry to see Coach Garvin go," Coach Barnett said. "He has done an excellent job coaching the defensive line and works hard both on and off the field. I'll also miss him because he has become a close friend."
Thomson's Head Coach Luther Welsh echoed those thoughts on Coach Garvin.
"He's a hard worker, very disciplined individual, and all the players respect him and like him, and they do what he tells them to do," he said. "So, yeah, we're going to miss him. ... He's one of the better (assistant) coaches that I've had since I've been a head coach."
But those on the Thomson coaching staff recognize that the new job is the next stepping stone toward a career as a head coach.
"I understand that this is the best move for him, career wise, and for his family. If it weren't so, he wouldn't leave because I think he has enjoyed his time here," Coach Barnett said.
Coach Garvin came to Thomson from Evans in 2004. Coach Welsh said the next step in filling that slot is to look for a defensive line coach outside the McDuffie County school system.
"I really need a great deal of experience there if I can find them because that's a key situation for us." Coach Welsh said.
