Mark, this story you're about to share with us begins at a restaurant off of I-75 in Georgia.

What exactly were you doing there?

I was going to meet a man named Michael Nob Nelson, and I knew if our lunch meeting was nearly as good as my previous telephone conversations with him.

I was going to have one hell of a story.

Mark Schlebeau covers high school and college football for ESPN.

Tell me about the first time you talked to Nubb.

It was several weeks ago.

He had secretly recorded one of the most successful and controversial coaches in the country.

Vaudaa high school football coach Rush Probst.

A secret audio recording provided by a former Valdosta school official says it contains Wildcats Head Football Coach Rush Probst, requesting, quote, funny money for potential recruits and personal expenses.

I called Melvin Nelson one evening around dinner time, and he answered the phone, and I introduced myself.

You know, he seemed irritated.

At the time, Pablo, I was not aware of his nickname.

I asked him a few questions, and he said,

Some of you guys were calling me from all over the damn place, I'm in here with one arm trying to fry some chicken.

Right.

Okay.

I grew up in Georgia, and I know there are a lot of strange sayings in the southern part of the state.

I thought that was his way of telling me, man, I'm busy. I don't have

time to talk to you. And so I asked a few follow-up questions. And finally, Pablo, he says, no,

really, I've only got one arm and I'm trying to fry chicken. Can you call me back? At the time,

he said he was more comfortable meeting me in Ashburn, Georgia, which is about

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