National Football Foundation

A four-year starting quarterback for Valdosta State (Ga.), Chris Hatcher led the Blazers to a 30-12-2 record and an appearance in the 1994 Division II Playoffs. The team leader in passing and total offense all four years, he holds school records for single-game pass completions (45), consecutive completions (20), consecutive passes without an interception (56), longest completion (90), single-season completions (367), single-season passing touchdowns (55) and career total offense (11,024). A three-year team captain, Hatcher was a three-time All-Gulf South Conference selection and seven-time GSC Player of the Week, earning the honor four times in the 1994 season.

The 1994 GSC Offensive Player of the Year, Hatcher completed 1,047-of-1,529 passes for 11,363 yards and 121 touchdowns in his Blazer career, all school records. A two-time All-American, he twice received the Gulf South Conference Commissioner’s Trophy as the conference’s top male student-athlete. Hatcher won the 1994 Harlon Hill Trophy as the Division II Player of the Year after throwing for 4,076 yards and 55 touchdowns while completing 367 of 508 passes. He led Division II in passing efficiency during the regular season and directed VSU to its first Division II Playoff appearance.

He was inducted into the Valdosta State Athletics Hall of Fame in 2001 and the Division II Football Hall of Fame in 2005.  Hatcher is a member of the GSC 1990s All-Decade team and the GSC Team of the Quarter Century (1971-95), and he was named the GSC Offensive Player of the Quarter Century (1971-95). A two-time Academic All-American, he compiled a 3.74 GPA in physical education and made the Dean’s List all but one semester.

Hatcher took over as the coach of his alma mater in 2000 and had as much success on the sidelines as he did on the field. He compiled a 76-12 record, seven Division II Playoff appearances, four GSC titles and a Division II National Championship in 2004. A three-time GSC Coach of the Year, Hatcher was named the AFCA Division II Coach of the Year following the 2004 championship season. The winningest coach in school history, he also holds school coaching records for overall winning percentage (.864), conference victories (56) and conference winning percentage (.903). Hatcher was named the GSC’s Coach of the Decade for the 2000s.

He was named the head coach at Georgia Southern in 2007 and recorded an 18-15 record in three seasons at the helm. Hatcher also coached five seasons at Murray State, going 27-30 from 2010-2014. He is currently the coach at Samford. Entering the 2017 season, Hatcher’s overall coaching record is 134-67.