By Chris Goltermann
The Times-Herald
It's a much different kind of football sideline this year for Chris Hanson, one -- at least for now -- that doesn't include wearing pads.
Instead of sharing the locker next to Pro-Bowl quarterback Tom Brady, the veteran NFL punter has traded an NFL jersey for a red polo shirt and a visor at the Heritage School as an assistant football coach.
His boss, however, remains one as familiar, though.
Hanson is one of two former East Coweta players who jumped at the opportunity to join head coach Danny Cronic's staff in his return to coaching with the Hawks. While it's been 16 years since he last paced the high school sidelines within the county, he's made the most from a current break from the NFL.
"I've enjoyed it," said Hanson last Friday during a lightning delay that ultimately canceled the Hawks scrimmage after one quarter. "It's been different being on this side. It's fun, though."
Heritage begins the season Friday at home in Cronic's official debut with the program against Dawson Street Christian School in a non-region game.
Dawson Street, out of LaGrange, will also be playing its first game under new coach Kenneth Griffin. The Wildcats play in Class A, the smallest classification in the GISA. Griffin told the LaGrange Daily News this week that he's still learning the names of his players.
Neither team will have much to work with from the other, as far as preparation. The Hawks played roughly 15 minutes last Friday with only a couple of series on offense and defense. It's equally been hard for Cronic to find out much about Dawson Street, even after obtaining a game film.
"They came here (Tuesday) to give us a film, but they must have been on a boat while they were playing," said Cronic, "because (the screen) never stayed still."
Nevertheless, Heritage's staff has continued to work on getting the Hawks ready for Friday after not being able to see much of themselves on film so far.
"Yes, it hurts, but we saw enough that we were able to work on correcting some of our mistakes," said Cronic.
Hanson, who has taken over special teams and conditioning in addition to working with receivers and cornerbacks, has been an unrestricted NFL free agent during the offseason after the New England Patriots decided to draft rookie Zelton Mesko in the fifth round of last spring's NFL Draft.
Not long afterwards, Hanson and Cronic, who had agreed to come out of a short retirement to coach again, talked about a different opportunity.
"It wasn't long after the draft that we talked to one another about it," said Cronic. "Right now I think it's a good fit and we're thrilled to have him. We know something else could come up at anytime. I'm actually shocked that it hasn't come sooner."
Both Hanson, who is coaching receivers and defensive backs on top of handling special teams units, and Heritage defensive coordinator JP Weaver, both wore purple and gold before playing in college. Hanson went on to punt at Marshall University on teams including fellow future NFL players Byron Leftwich, Chad Pennington and Randy Moss.
Weaver was a Big South All-Conference linebacker at Gardner-Webb after playing at East Coweta from 1999-2003. He had previously helped coach some of East Coweta's ninth grade teams with his dad, but never expected to one day become Cronic's defensive coordinator.
Weaver is now in his first year at Heritage as a physical education teacher joining a staff that also includes John Gray, who played for Valdosta State during Cronic's college coaching years at West Georgia.
"Honestly, I never thought I'd ever coach for him, but you never know," said Weaver during Friday's scrimmage of Cronic. "I'm very happy to be here, happy to be a part of 'The Heritage Nation.'"
An 11-year NFL veteran, Hanson, like any professional punter, knows about opportunity. He fought to make a full-time NFL roster after playing at Marshall, eventually establishing himself with Jacksonville en route to a Pro Bowl season in 2002. He was cut twice in 2007, first by the Jaguars and in August during a brief stay with New Orleans.
Three days later, however, on Aug. 31, 2007, Hanson was picked up by New England, where he spent three full seasons including a run to Super Bowl XLII in 2008.
"I enjoy being with the kids and coaching the kids, not just in football but in life," said Hanson. "But this I feel like, was pretty much God-led. This is what I'm supposed to be doing."
Hanson, 33, said he'll continue to keep all his options open, having always stayed close to home. His wife Kasey is from Fayette County where the two first attended church together as teenagers. The oldest of the couple's three children, Christian, began school in the county last year.
"We'll pray about it, and if it's the right opportunity, then we'll do it," said Hanson, whose enjoyed being around his two sons and daughter Kylie more often. "If not, than we'll see."
Weaver acted like he had already seen the crystal ball, regarding his coaching colleague.
"He's staying," said Weaver toward Hanson with a smile, "He likes coaching with me."
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