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Head coach Clay Helton had his best season yet at the helm of the Georgia Southern football program. After back-to-back 6-7 seasons to start his tenure with the Eagles, Helton let his squad to an 8-4 record this time around. In return, Georgia Southern earned a spot opposite Sam Houston in the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl on Dec. 19.
The Eagles headed down to New Orleans for practice this week. But before they could play the game, one big matter got in the way: graduation. And Helton, as well as one of the school’s donors, went above and beyond to ensure that none of Georgia Southern’s players had to miss that occasion.
One final assignment 🎓#HailSouthern pic.twitter.com/OhemM8XmJK
— Georgia Southern Football (@GSAthletics_FB) December 17, 2024
A member of the Georgia Southern communications team told BroBible that a donor provided a private jet so that seven players could attend Tuesday’s commencement ceremony. The players left early on Thursday, attended graduation and then returning before team meetings and bowl activities.
Derwin Burgess Jr. (Interdisciplinary Studies – Public Health)
LV Bunkley-Shelton (Interdisciplinary Studies – Culture & Society)
Jalen White (Interdisciplinary Studies – Kinesiology)
TJ Smith (Interdisciplinary Studies – Culture & Society)
Tyrell Davis (Marketing)
Justin Rhodes (Interdisciplinary Studies – Coaching
Marques Watson-Trent (Interdisciplinary Studies – Business)
At a time where everything in college sports seems to focus around NIL and the transfer portal, it’s a nice reminder that these guys are, after all, students. And it’s a remarkable display of priorities from Helton to allow his players, with a big game just two days away, to briefly step away and experience a moment they may never get again.
Helton is quietly establishing Georgia Southern as one of the Sun Belt’s best and most consistent programs, and he’s doing it with a level of class that all college coaches should aspire to.