When I knew Dabo was the right coach for the program. It was his very first game against Georgia Tech in 2008. I had watched Tommy Bowden squander great players, and lapse in great moments, and sometimes pull off a miracle here or there, but it was never consistent. I don't remember if it was Maners or Zimmerman, but they had a horrible punt in the middle of the game, and kind of half trotted off the field --- before he could make it to the sideline Dabo met him halfway and pointed back out to where he kicked the punt and made him run back to it, and then run off the field. It was hustle, desire, and proving that the players better have a will to do it the right way. No slouching, no excuses, and certainly no breaks.
I will never forget that moment. For me, that was the sign that we had the right guy. It reminded of my coach on a very successful soccer team that would have done the same thing.
Anybody else remember that or have a moment besides the obvious ones this season.
"There's something in these hills and I suspect that's what it is - the ability of an institution through the unending dedication and greatness of its people - its administration, its faculty, its staff, its students and alumni - to impart to all it touches a respect, an admiration, an affection that stands firm in disquieting times when things around it give impressions of coming unglued." - Joe Sherman '34