Valdosta State Blazers Football - Chris Hatcher Era: 2000-2006

Chris Hatcher Era: 2000-2006

Chris Hatcher was named the Head Coach of the Blazers in 2000. The "Hatch-Attack" completed its first season 10-2, and were Gulf South Conference Champions with an 8-1 conference record, a dramatic improvement from their previous 4-7 season.

In 2001 and 2002, the Blazers went undefeated during the regular season, and were GSC Champions for the third year in a row. The two seasons were a part of a GSC record 35 straight regular season victories. In 2002 VSU made its first National Championship appearance with a 31-24 loss to Grand Valley State University.

In 2003, the Blazers finished the season with a 10-2 record and an NCAA playoff berth.

In 2004, Hatcher led the Blazers to their second National Championship appearance with and a 36-31 win over Pittsburg State University for the National title. The Blazers were also GSC Champions in 2004 after a 11-1 regular season.

The 2005 season saw the first time the Blazers started the season ranked No. 1 in the polls. The Blazers started the season ranked No. 1 for four weeks but finished with a 9-3 record and their fifth straight playoff berth.

To recognize the 25th anniversary of the VSU football program, the Blazers wore silver helmets and pants in 2006. That year the Blazers missed the playoffs for the first time in the Chris Hatcher Era, despite an 8-2 record and a top-ten ranking.

Hatcher left VSU after the 2006 season to be the head football coach at Georgia Southern University, he left Valdosta State with a 76-12 overall record, a .864 winning percentage, and was the winningest coach in Blazer history.