Hesson quits as NZ coach
OPINION: Making it through one year, let alone six, was the burning Mike Hesson question for starters. Now it's difficult to imagine someone else at the helm of New Zealand's cricket team, such is the assured polish Hesson applied, the consistent results they produced and the respect he earned around the world.
For longevity and success, his six-year Black Caps reign will probably not be bettered in a sport where international coach turnover is high and the brutal schedule takes a toll on everyone.
Hesson was easy to underestimate in the early days after succeeding John Wright. Also a former opening bat, Hesson never played first-class cricket and appeared to be learning on the job, but he showed a steely edge and backed his judgment.
His biggest call was just months into the new job when he told Ross Taylor in Sri Lanka he would recommend a change of captain amid unrest within the team.
Under Brendon McCullum they rose to new heights but the timing was poor and some higher than Hesson in the New Zealand Cricket food chain were more culpable in the public relations disaster.
When they were bowled out for 45 in South Africa in January 2013 they hit rock bottom, as a wounded McCullum and Hesson resolved to instil a new culture. They proved a good match.
McCullum was attacking and innovative on the field, the players idolised him and developed a swagger as they built a reputation as good guys who actually won. Hesson planned meticulously, months in advance, and plotted that campaign to the nearest day.
Selection was another Hesson strength and, particularly late in his tenure, he rarely got one wrong. He saw Colin de Grandhomme as a notable success story as the allrounder rose to a first choice in all three formats.
With only 20 full-time cricketers in New Zealand the talent pool isn't deep and Hesson invariably stayed loyal to the incumbent.
Sometimes he held on too long but he refused to be swayed by flavour of the month selections. With Kane Williamson he also made some tough calls, notably dropping senior man Tim Southee for the Dunedin test against South Africa.
In new skipper Williamson he found another meticulous cricket brain who worked overtime to improve. Hesson took on more responsibility to ease the burden on Williamson and immersed himself in the job even more, eventually being hit by the realisation he couldn't go on one more year.
Hesson's reign coincided, and was assisted, by the rise of Williamson, Taylor and Trent Boult to the top few in the world in their respective crafts.Hesson got around his players in the nets and hit the slips catches but he was essentially the equivalent of a football manager. He fought for his team, and wasn't scared to storm the match referee's office if he felt technology or a decision had gone against them.
With the media he kept his guard up but in time he lowered it, offering insights, authoritative opinion and increasingly honest assessment of his players.
Making the World Cup final in 2015 and the World Twenty20 semifinals a year later after a stunning campaign in India were two highlights.
And he ended on a high, the rare 1-0 test series win over England lifting them above Australia to No 3 in the rankings.
Test wins in Australia, South Africa and India were elusive, and missing the semifinals of successive Champions Trophy tournaments in England stung.
But if the success of a coach is judged by leaving a team in a better state than he found it, Hesson gains a tick in bold print, and for his successor is a very tough act to follow.