STATESBORO - Early in 1981, the decision to begin a football program at Georgia Southern had been finalized with an exciting, but unsure future ahead.
A mid-spring day in 1981 changed all that, when Erskine "Erk" Russell called college President Dale Lick from a payphone to let him know that he would come to Statesboro. Conversations had taken place on numerous occasions, but Russell had a lot to think about. He was comfortable in Athens, about to begin his 18th season as the defensive coordinator at Georgia, but he was looking for a new challenge.
On May 23, 1981, with more than 500 fans and members of the media gathered in Hanner Fieldhouse, Georgia Southern Football announced its new head coach and Russell put the Eagles on course to become one of the elite teams in its division.