The Peripheral: FOTOBALL: coach this

It took me a couple seasons of shooting football to learn this lesson: shoot the friggin' coach! Now I try to make it my goal to get at least one coach shot every game. Coaches are as plentiful and varied as the fish in the sea. There are intense sideline stalkers who simmer quietly before exploding, rare calm Jesus-like coaches that you forget are even there, and of course there are the ones that yell from kickoff until the clock runs out. Sometimes you hear coaches scream things at young athletes that you wouldn't say to the thug that mugged your mother. Then there are the inspirational ones that give epic movie-like speeches attempting to instill confidence in a team losing hope.

I've had way more interaction with high school coaches than college. I'm frequently out at practices during the season to shoot sportraits and away from the Friday night lights a lot of these guys are completely different. Most of them are welcoming or at least tolerant of my presence, but a handful are just big fat jerks. Some coaches are never satisfied with the coverage the paper gives their team. Some are thrilled by it and treat me with the reverence of a Sports Illustrated staffer or NFL scout. There are moody ones who love you one day then treat you like dog shit the next. Others act like you are an unwanted sneaky demon. It is always interesting, that's for sure.

New Cedar Shoals coach Xarvia Smith, front, leads his team out onto the field for the first time for the Jaguars' Region 8-AAAA season opener against Habersham Central Friday Aug. 29, 2008, at Cedar Shoals.

Cedar Shoals coach Xarvia Smith calls out to his players in the 2nd quarter of the Jaguars' match-up with Rockdale County Friday Oct. 10, 2008.

Cedar Shoals head coach Xarvia Smith talks with player Deunta Jennings after the Jaguars' 29-7 win over Winder-Barrow Friday Sept. 12, 2008, in Winder.

Athens Academy coach Michael Gunn yells to players on the field in the second half of the Spartans' 19-13 win over the Commerce Tigers Friday Oct. 3, 2008, at Slaughter Field in Athens.

Coach Michael Gunn talks with his players seconds before the Spartans' 14-13 win over Brookstone Friday Nov. 30, 2007, at Athens Academy.

Clarke Central coach Leroy Ryals yells to his team during warms up before the GHSA class AAAA playoff game against the Sequoyah Chiefs Friday Nov. 14, 2008, at Billy Henderson Stadium in Athens.

Clarke Central head coach Leroy Ryals picks up John Wilson after his interception and touchdown in the 2nd quarter in the Gladiators bout with the Madison County Red Raiders Friday Sept. 28, 2007, in Danielsville.

Jefferson coach Bill Navis tries to motivate his players on the sidelines of the Dragons' 34-24 loss to the Lovett Lions Friday Nov. 21, 2008, at Memorial Stadium in Jefferson.

Apalachee head coach Shane Davis tries to motivate his players on the sideline of the Wildcats' 17-12 loss to Loganville Friday Oct. 17, 2008, in Winder.

Former Cedar Shoals Coach Wilkins

South Caroline coach Steve Spurrier

South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier reacts after a call penalizing his team in the first half of the Gamecocks 14-7 loss to the Georgia Bulldogs Saturday Sept. 13, 2008, at William-Brice Stadium in Columbia, SC.

Coach Nick Saban tries to pump up his players as the Florida Gators beat the Alabama Crimson Tide 31-20 in the SEC Championship Saturday, Dec. 6, 2008 at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta.

Alabama coach Nick Saban, center, observes the play action while assistant coaches signal to players as the Florida Gators beat the Alabama Crimson Tide 31-20 in the SEC Championship Saturday, Dec. 6, 2008 at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta.

LSU coach Les Miles talks to a referee during the #7 Bulldogs matchup with the #13 LSU Tigers Saturday, Oct. 25, 2008, at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, LA.

Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville

Auburn head coach Tommy Tuberville talks with a referee during the Tigers' loss to the Georgia Bulldogs Saturday November 10, 2007 at Sanford Stadium.

Georgia head coach Mark Richt glances up at the scoreboard near the end of the 4th quarter in the Bulldogs' game against the Oklahoma Cowboys Saturday Sept. 1, 2007, at Sanford Stadium.

Georgia's head coach Mark Richt talks with Asher Allen during the Bulldogs' 44-34 win over the Troy Trojans Saturday November 3, 2007 at Sanford Stadium.

Georgia Head Coach Mark Richt appears to look to the score board during the first half of the University of Georgia Bulldogs game against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets Saturday November 24, 2007.

Coach Mark Richt talks with a referee during the Bulldogs' 41-10 win over the Hawaii Warriors Tuesday at the Allstate Sugar Bowl at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, LA.

Georgia coach Mark Richt reaches to high-five kicker Blair Walsh after he kicked a field goal in the Bulldogs' 45-21 win over Georgia Southern Saturday Aug. 30, 2008, at Sanford Stadium.