Editor’s Note: Below is a new column the Dispatch will be running each Tuesday called “Coach’s Corner.” Sports editor Josh Koehn and former Gavilan coach Bob Garcia will talk about all things football and then the discussion will be posted to our new sports blog, www.GarlicSports.com. Check in each Tuesday throughout the football season to read Garcia’s thoughts and feel free to comment or ask a question that can be answered in future articles.
Koehn: They took different paths to become the starting quarterback of the San Francisco 49ers, but how much does the situation involving current starter J.T. O’Sullivan remind you of when your son Jeff took over the team as a virtual unknown?
Garcia: In a sense, yeah, but it’s taken O’Sullivan a little longer (to get his shot). The thing that O’Sullivan has going for him is he knew the offense. By being in Detroit last year with (offensive coordinator Mike) Martz, the Niners said they signed him as an afterthought. But knowing that offense (has helped him) and knowing full well, whether you like it or not, that (Alex) Smith has struggled, O’Sullivan deserves it.
He’s just one of those feel-good stories where the kid sticks in there, never quits and then the door opens. That’s Jeff’s philosophy, it’s always been his philosophy. O’Sullivan could have said, ‘The hell with it. I’ll just go get a regular job.’
The sad thing about Smith is every year it’s been a different system. (more…)