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I hung up the phone on George Quarles the first time we spoke after I became The Daily Times’ sports editor in spring 2002.

It was accidental, of course, and I’m not sure I’ve ever shared this information with anyone other than my brother, who ceded his bed and slept on a futon while I transitioned into my new job from his apartment. As a sports department staff six years ago, we were doing the first of what now has become a traditional week-long recap of spring football, and I thought it would be a good idea for me to better get to know the head coach of the two-time defending state champions. Who knew there would be five more titles?

New on the job and still crashing with Thomas, now a successful business manager here in Maryville, while my lovely wife, Diane, stayed behind to sell our home in Chattanooga, I naturally marked that mishap as Rule No. 1. Never hang up on a coach. Especially one who hasn’t yet had reason to chew you out.

Rule No. 2 was switching cell phone carriers after I suffered the dropped call.

And Rule No. 3 was appreciating the fact that Quarles, who likely doesn’t even remember the whole awkward exchange, never once busted on me for allowing my introductory phone call to end so abruptly.

So I guess I get the last laugh in that regard since I have resigned as sports editor to become the senior writer for Volquest.com, part of the Yahoo!-owned Rivals.com network. The great thing is that I don’t have to move and thus keep some of the best neighbors — Josh Helton, David Allen, Joyce and David Spence — anyone could ask for, not to mention surrogate neighbors like Mr. and Mrs. A.P. Spence.

When I decided to write this column, I knew it would force some perspective for the good fortune and (mostly) better times I’ve enjoyed at this paper. In six years, I’ve covered nine state champion football teams; a state champion basketball team (Mark Eldridge, that was the most deserving coach of the year honor I’ve seen); eight Mr. Football winners; a Mr. Basketball winner (Lee Humphrey); and two Miss Basketball finalists in Angela Puleo and Cait McMahan, both of whom happen to rank as arguably the two greatest women’s basketball players in Blount County history.

Among other highlights I’ve covered six consecutive seasons’ worth of Tennessee football games and three Southeastern Conference championships. Additionally, I’ve twice wrangled one-on-one interviews with Peyton Manning, including once in the weeks leading into his Super Bowl MVP 2006 season, and early last summer sat down with Joe Montana.
If I stayed in this job longer, I’m sure I would see Tony Ierulli keep Maryville College football on its path to the NCAA Division III playoffs. And then I could get some of the greatest quotes ever from a supremely nice guy.

Likewise, I’m glad to have seen Scott Meadows completely overhaul William Blount football, and for the friendship we’ve formed along the way.

I owe Rick Tinker, who twice set me up for exclusive interviews with Richard Petty — still the face of NASCAR and as classy a superstar as anyone will ever meet. Think I haven’t told a few people he concluded our interview last month by wishing me and my colleagues a “Merry Christmas?”

Yet more importantly, I’ve created friendships that I hope will always remain in place. By mentioning any names, I’m guaranteed to leave someone out. But to not mention names would be to discount the kindness of so many people. With that in mind I’ll apologize in advance, and say briefly:

Thanks to everyone who ever participated in The Daily Times’ Picking Panel and subjected themselves to my playful taunts. I’m particularly grateful to Jennie Bounds, Melissa Copelan and Tammi Ford, among others, for taking “the big leap.” And for Leslie Quarles, who early on served as a guest selector.

Thanks to Doug Overbey, for being a great friend to both Diane and me, not to mention for all the wonderful work he does here in Blount County. For his class and compassion, I know many are grateful.

Thanks to Haywood Harris, who has had a tremendous impact on me personally. I’ve never told Haywood, but when he started greeting me by saying “John, boy, how are you?” in his gravelly voice, it always put a smile on my face.

Thanks to Joe Gallagher, who first made covering Smokies baseball fun and then simply made our friendship a great thing.

Thanks to Kenny Coulter, a class act who not only befriended me but also my father.

Thanks to Bill Thomas, and he knows why.

Thanks to so many wonderful people who have worked side by side with me at The Daily Times, and for Max Crotser and Larry Aldridge for believing in me from the outset. I greatly appreciate the friendship and steadying influence of Leonard Butts, a friend before I ever moved here. Marcus Fitzsimmons already had a job in which he excelled at The Daily Times, but chose to join the dark side of the sports department. I hope he found it more rewarding. And Alan Yarbrough, I hope it was worth moving from one end of the state to the other. Remember, we’re on Eastern Time here. Frank Trexler, I’m glad our working relationship blossomed late. I’m obviously extremely grateful for all the folks who have worked with me in the sports department and for correspondents like Ryan Callahan, Glenn LaFollette, Jeff Haws, Pete Herbert, Austin Price, Wesley Rucker, Joe (Nation) Kennedy and Scott Simmons (my homeboy!), as well as several others, who eschewed greener pastures (or paychecks) from other media outlets because of our loyalty and friendship.

I’m also very grateful to Amanda Greever, who continues to design excellent sports pages, be a good friend and, lest she remind me once more, relishes being the final regular season picks panel champion. The Daily Times also is lucky to have so many talented photographers, and Tom Sherlin and Joy Kimbrough have been particularly nice to me. Don’t ask me why.

An overwhelming thanks to Joe Black, who has been a great friend and much more. Joe has been kind with his praise but also very candid. If he felt The Daily Times’ sports coverage was out of whack, he didn’t hesitate to inform me. That’s been much appreciated as we tried to mold the sports section into the best we could. Joe offered an insider’s outside opinion, and he never once told me to stop complaining if things went awry.

Thanks to (future coach) Derek Hunt, Brandon Waters, Tommy Spears, Stephen Shiver, Randall Cobb, Kyrus Lanxter, Katie Brooks, Andrew Hodge, Ted McCloud, Jason Adams, Brian Nix, Gary Rankin, Jimmy Gaylor, Charlie Puleo, Terri Bradshaw, Robbie Bennett, Tony Hardin, Steve Bright, Tonia Gay, David Ellis, Mike White, Joe Pinkerton, Joe Robinette, John Painter, Bud Ford, Craig Pinkerton, Tom Satkowiak, David Baumann, Ken Hawkins, Jerry Thompson, Lynn Brown, Bob Weber, Pat and Chuck Pollock and everyone else I’m leaving out strictly because of space.

I guess I’ve probably called George Quarles a couple hundred times — or more — since that initial conversation six years ago. Only right now Quarles is calling me.
Never mind. He hung up the phone.

One of these days, I’ll give him a call back.

John Brice has been Sports Editor at The Daily Times the past six years and wishes to thank all the athletes, coaches, athletics directors and countless others who have made this the most rewarding time of his journalism career. He will occasionally be a freelance contributor to The Daily Times.