Chad Lunsford released a letter to GS University and Eagle Nation this afternoon, Tuesday, September 28, 2021, by way of his personal Facebook and Twitter accounts.
The letter is classic Lunsford and reminds us all why this community loved him and his family so much.
The Grice Connect family sends our gratitude and thanks to the Lunsford family for all they have done for the Georgia Southern and Statesboro Community. Their futures are bright. We look forward to continuing to follow their journey.
Below is the letter transcribed in its entirety:
GS UNIVERSITY AND EAGLE NATION, WE ARE THANKFUL AND GRATEFUL FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE SERVED AT GS. THIS PLACE IS VERY SPECIAL TO ME AND MY FAMILY.
EVEN THOUGH I NEVER ATTENDED GS AS A STUDENT, I HAVE ALWAYS FELT THAT GS WAS MORE THAN A JOB.
TWO SEPARATE STINTS AND A TOTAL OF 12 YEARS, STATESBORO HAS BECOME OUR HOME.
I NEVER IMAGINED THAT A SMALL TOWN, SON OF A STONE CUTTER, NORTHEAST GEORGIA BOY, WOULD GET TO BE THE HEAD FOOTBALL COACH AT SUCH A GREAT UNIVERSITY.
WHEN THE OPPORTUNITY PRESENTED ITSELF, ALL I KNEW TO DO WAS TRUST GOD AND G.A.T.A.
I CAN HONESTLY SAY I GAVE EVERYTHING I HAD AND MOST CERTAINLY HAD A BAD CASE OF THE WANTS. MY FAMILY POURED INTO THE UNIVERSITY, THE PROGRAM, AND OUR GS MEN. COLLEGE FOOTBALL IS A BUSINESS, BUT TO US, IT TRULY WAS A FAMILY BUSINESS. THE BROTHERHOOD AND THE TRADITIONS THAT COACH RUSSELL AND EAGLE GREATS STARTED AT GS WERE SOMETHING WE TOOK VERY SERIOUSLY.
AS A STAFF, WE WERE INTENTIONAL TO TEACH OUR GUYS WHAT IT MEANT TO BE A GS EAGLE AND A GS MAN. WE PROMOTED BROTHERHOOD, HONORED TRADITIONS, AND CONTINUED TO BUILD ON B0TH. IN NO WAY WOULD I, NOR WOULD I ALLOW ANYONE TO COMPROMISE THOSE THINGS.
SOME MISTAKES WERE MADE, AND FOR THAT, I AM DEEPLY SORRY BECAUSE THAT WAS NEVER THE INTENT.
WE UNDERSTOOD THE EXPECTATIONS AT GS. WE EMBRACED THEM, AND WE WORKED TO EXCEED THEM. UNFORTUNATELY, UNDER MY WATCH, WE DID NOT MEET THOSE EXPECTATIONS, AND A CHANGE WAS MADE.
I HAVE ALWAYS BELIEVED I WAS THE RIGHT MAN FOR THE JOB, BUT AS IT TURNED OUT, I WAS ONLY THE RIGHT MAN FOR THE JOB AT THE RIGHT TIME.
FROM OUT OF THE DARKNESS OF A 2-10 2017 SEASON, WE WENT 10-3 IN 2018. THREE STRAIGHT BOWL GAMES, TWO BOWL VICTORIES, TWO TOP 25 WINS, AND A NICE DUB UP ON THE MOUNTAIN. ENERGY WAS RESTORED BACK INTO OUR PROUD PROGRAM.
ALL THESE ACCOMPLISHMENTS WERE BECAUSE OF OUR DEDICATED GS MEN THAT BOUGHT INTO THE EXPECTATIONS AND WORKED THEIR BUTTS OFF TO MAKE THE UNIVERSITY AND FAN BASE PROUD.
WE ARE SO THANKFUL FOR THE GUYS. THE STAFF, AND GS UNIVERSITY FOR WHAT HAS BEEN ACCOMPLISHED AND THEIR LOYALTY TO OUR FAMILY.
TO THE TEAM, COACH WHITLEY, AND STAFF - FINISH (HIGH FOURS). THAT STARTS THIS WEEKEND WITH THE POWER OF PAULSON.
WE ARE GOING TO MISS ALL THE GREAT THINGS THAT COME ALONG WITH BEING PART OF GS FOOTBALL AND THE STATESBORO COMMUNITY.
HOWEVER, OUR TIME HAS COME TO AN END. GOD ORDERS OUR STEPS. NEW ADVENTURES AWAIT, AND MUCH MORE IMPACT IS TO BE MADE.
GOD IS GREAT - ALL THE TIME.
THANK Y'ALL AND G.A.T.A.
CHAD LUNSFORD