Ranch fundraisers draw big names Slade Gilmer

By Staff
For the FCT
The Quinn's Ranch boy's home in Red Bay is selling tickets and tables for two events featuring head football coaches with SEC ties.
First year Mississippi State head coach Dan Mullen will be appearing at the Red Bay Arts and Entertainment Center on Friday, March 27, while Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney will be speaking at Calvary Baptist Church in Russellville on Thursday, April 16.
Mullen has spent the last four seasons as the offensive coordinator at the University of Florida, where he helped the Gators win two national championships. Before that, Mullen was the offensive coordinator at Utah, where he worked with eventual No. 1 draft pick Alex Smith.
Mullen was hired as Mississippi State's head coach on Dec. 10, replacing former head coach Sylvester Croom.
Dabo Swinney was a member of the 1992 Alabama national championship team under Coach Gene Stallings. After his playing career was over, he served as an assistant coach at Alabama for eight seasons.
The first three years were spent as a graduate assistant before he was promoted to full-time assistant in 1996. As the receivers coach, he helped develop Freddie Milons into one of the best receivers in the SEC.
Swinney left the Crimson Tide in 2000 and worked in private business until 2003 when he joined the Clemson staff. While at Clemson, Swinney had three receivers lead the ACC in receptions, including current New York Jet Chansi Stuckey.
Swinney was named interim coach at Clemson after Tommy Bowden resigned on Oct. 14. Swinney led the Tigers to a 4-2 record in their last six games, including a 31-14 whipping of South Carolina in the regular season finale.
Also expected to be in attendance at Calvary on April 16 are many of Swinney's former teammates, including Roger Shultz who was featured in the NBC reality show "The Biggest Loser."
Proceeds raised from the event are used to operate the boys' home near Red Bay, which has served the area for more than five years.
For more information on tickets or tables call (256) 356-8900 or (256) 810-4908.
Long-Lewis Ford of the Shoals helps sponsor the event.