Jacob Huesman ready to assist dad
I remember the first time I met Jacob Huesman. It was at Mocassin Bend Golf Course and he was preparing for his junior year of high school.
It was not long after his dad Russ had accepted the job at his alma mater, UTC.
Young Huesman was respectful, as you would expect. We talked football, and golf.
I had no idea the impact each would have on Chattanooga football since that summer day more than a decade ago.
I remember thinking, “that’s an impressive kid.” I was right then, and now, the former Baylor School and UTC star quarterback and former UTC assistant coach is joining his dad’s staff at Richmond as the Spiders’ QB coach.
When Russ — who may be the only person who likes the NFL draft, and the accompanying movie “Draft Day” as much as I do — got back to me earlier this week about adding his oldest son to his staff, the excitement was clear, both as a dad for his son’s next step forward and as football head coach who was adding a young coach whose best days are in front of him.
I asked Russ if I could ask him a few questions, and here’s our text exchange.
From me: “Coach, congrats on adding Jacob to your staff. Hope all is well.”
Russ: “Excited to have him. He is staying with us until (the) end of February. We watched “Tombstone” the other night.”
(Side note: Russ said “Tombstone” was his favorite movie when he was asked on the radio several years ago. It made quite the impression on him. He recently told me it has been replaced on his list by “Moneyball.”)
Me: “First thought… Hiring your son is cool, but as the head coach you have to know that every coach you hire you may have to fire. Have you thought about that, and what would momma say?
Me: What is Jacob’s ceiling as a coach?
Me: There is no possible way that Kevin Costner pulls off the last-minute trades in”Draft Day” right?
Russ: “I thought you said
two fun questions. Number
1 is not a fun question. Number 2 is also not that fun, but here goes. Whenever you hire someone, you never think you will have to fire that person. As long as they are working hard and coaching their position the right way, you won’t have to let them go. Jacob has always been a hard worker and a competitor. He will have some learning curves, but we don’t play for six months.
Russ: “All young coaches strive to move up the ladder. I have no idea what his ceiling is. It is totally up to him. How much knowledge does he absorb on a daily basis? Does he love being in the office?
I do know that he is a sharp person who will do whatever it takes to win.”
Russ: “Not sure if Costner could pull that off on draft day. What made my head explode was his mom wanting to spread the ashes one hour before the draft. I think the day before the draft would have been better, but I don’t write movies. Jacob and I watched that one Saturday. Always love chatting with you.”
No, the Huesmans don’t write movies.
They coach football. And they are pretty dang good at it too.
This fall, though, they will do it together now.