Teams are often a reflection of the man at the helm. That would mean the three-time national champion Appalachian State University Mountaineers are skilled in so many areas that it is hard to tell what they will do next.
Appalachian State University head football coach and Bonham native Jerry Moore captivated a crowd of friends, family and admirers that filled the Bailey Inglish auditorium Monday to welcome home one of the best-known college football coaches in the nation.
Moore obviously has all the motivational tools, as evidenced September 1, 2007 when he brought the Division I FCS Mountaineers into Michigan Stadium, the largest college football-only stadium in the world, and guided Appalachian State to a 34-32 win in a game many call the greatest upset in NCAA history.
Moore has a reputation as an inspirational speaker and he found time in his busy schedule to address audiences at First Baptist Church in Bonham this past Sunday.
But Moore also has the innate timing of a polished comedian.
Put those three gifts together and it is easy to see how Moore can hold the attention of a hometown crowd brimming with pride or a group of young men facing the challenge of their lives.
As would only be fitting on Jerry Moore Day, the ceremony began with several presentations. State Representative Larry Phillips presented Moore with a flag that had flown over the state capitol in Austin. District Judge Lauri Blake, pointing out that Coach Moore has a remarkable recipe for success, handed over some of her famous turtle bars.
Fannin County Judge Butch Henderson was on hand to "proclaim February 18, 2008 as Jerry Moore Day throughout Fannin County."
Bonham Mayor Roy Floyd gave Moore a key to the city.
"It is great to represent the city that Jerry calls home," Mayor Floyd added.
Fannin County Sheriff Kenneth Moore presented Coach Moore with a coupon for a free weekend at the somewhat exclusive health center operated by the Fannin County Sheriff's Department. This tempting and totally inclusive offer comes with either valet parking or transportation provided to the facility by a friendly deputy, free meals, a tailor-made wardrobe consisting of figure-flattering orange and white jumpsuits, not to mention an opportunity to meet new and exciting friends.
Randy Pendergrass was up next, and Moore was given a lifetime membership at Legacy Ridge Country Club.
"This is awesome," Moore responded. "Without my relationship with Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, none of this would have happened."
Moore recalled a childhood that centered around the football field and school, with occasional trips to McKnight's Drug Store for a milkshake with an egg added to help him get bigger. Like so many boys in town, Moore grew up idolizing Roy McMillan and Bill Svoboda, local athletes that went on to have distinguished professional careers.
Looking back over his own career that includes head coaching stints at Texas Tech and the University of North Texas before guiding the program at Appalachian State University into the national limelight, Moore reflected gratefully, "God has blessed me in so many ways."
Moore told how the streets of Boone, North Carolina were lined with fans after the win at Michigan, even though it was after midnight when the team got home.
This year ended with a thrilling national championship victory over Delaware, the record-breaking third consecutive Division I FCS title for the Mountaineers. A media frenzy followed and it was 3:00 a.m. when an exhausted coach and his dedicated wife finally stepped into the peace and quiet of their hotel room.
Moore said that for a moment the mind-boggling events of the year, particularly the amazing win at Michigan and the unprecedented third national championship, almost seemed too good to be true.
With the audience hanging on every word, Moore said he asked his wife, Margaret, if she ever, in her wildest dreams, envisioned the level of success he was enjoying.
She said, "Jerry...you're not in my wildest dreams," Coach Moore said with a laugh.
Like the wily coach he is, Moore had the crowd looking for a sweep when he pulled a reverse out of his bag of tricks.
Following the witty speech, many of Jerry Moore's friends and admirers had a chance to visit with the 1957 Bonham High School graduate and then everyone enjoyed a delicious meal courtesy of Bonham ISD and the Purple Haze Cafe, an enterprise of Stacy Hunnicutt's food processing and management services class.
