Jan. 14, 2010

GREENVILLE, S.C. -- Former Furman head football coaches Art Baker and Dick Sheridan will serve as honorary coaches during Furman's spring football game, slated for Apr. 17 at Sirrine Stadium in downtown Greenville, Paladin head coach Bobby Lamb announced today.

"We're very excited coach Baker and coach Sheridan have agreed to come back, put on head sets, and coach the squad for our spring game," said Lamb. "The tremendous success and reputation Furman football has enjoyed over the past 35 years is due in large measure to their abilities as coaches, their overall character and influence, and the respect they continue to command to this day among former players and alumni."

Baker is credited with laying the groundwork for the unparalleled success Furman football has enjoyed over the last four decades. In 1973 his inaugural Paladin squad posted a 7-4 record and was recognized as the most improved team in the country after going 2-9 the year before. Besides quickly turning Furman football into a winner, the Sumter, S.C., native also stamped the program's future by hiring assistant coaches, including, among others, Sheridan, Jimmy Satterfield, and Bobby Johnson -- all of whom later directed Furman football to impressive success.

Sheridan, who succeeded Baker as head coach in 1978, is considered the architect of Furman's football championship tradition after leading the program to its first Southern Conference title in his first season. He would go on to guide Furman to six league championships and establish Paladin football as one of the nation's finest NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (I-AA) programs. In eight seasons the North Augusta, S.C., native posted a 69-23-2 record and coached Furman to three playoff appearances, including a national runner-up finish in 1985. In addition, Sheridan's Paladin teams reeled off consecutive victories over South Carolina (1982), Georgia Tech (1983), and North Carolina State (1984 & `85). He was named SoCon Coach of the Year three times and Kodak National Coach of the Year in 1985.

Sheridan's direct influence is still visible in the Paladin program as current head coach Bobby Lamb and offensive coordinator Tim Sorrells both earned All-SoCon honors as quarterbacks under Sheridan, who also served as Furman's athletics director for four years (1982-85).

Kickoff time for the Furman spring game will be released at a later date along with a complete practice schedule. NCAA spring practice rules allow schools 15 practice sessions within a 30-day period.

Sirrine Stadium was the home of Furman football from 1936-80. In its last football game in the facility, the Sheridan-coached Paladins defeated arch-rival The Citadel, 28-15, to claim the 1980 SoCon championship. In 1981 Furman began play on campus in then-newly constructed Paladin Stadium.