Wiedmer: Huesman's UTC staff its own alumni club

Russ Huesman insists his University of Tennessee at Chattanooga football coaching staff isn't overflowing with former Mocs only because they're former Mocs.

"It's like I tell people who want us to recruit local kids," said Huesman, class of 1983. "If you're good enough to help us win championships, we want you no matter where you live. But being local is a bonus. And when it comes to hiring coaches, being an alum is a bonus."

Huesman's first staff last fall included former Mocs Russ Ehrenfeld (class of 1981) and Tony Coode (2001). When spring practice began Sunday afternoon at Finley Stadium that duo was doubled by Jimmy Lindsey (2000) and Geep Wade (2002). Counting Huesman, that's now five former Mocs on the 11-man staff.

"I didn't hire Geep or Jimmy because they were alums," said the second-year coach. "I hired Geep because Sat (offensive coordinator Marcus Satterfield) recommended him. I hired Jimmy because I'd known about him for a long time. I think both additions are fantastic."

Satterfield's opinion was clearly important to both hires, since he was the offensive coordinator at UT-Martin before joining Huesman at UTC a year ago, and both Wade and Lindsey coached at Martin, though Lindsey and Satterfield never coached in a game together.

But Satterfield has long known them both and he and Wade have been close for years. Wade even followed in Satterfield's graduate assistant steps at Tennessee long before the two were reunited at UT-Martin.

"It's great being back with Sat," said Wade, who will serve as recruiting coordinator for the Mocs.

"We'll run pretty much the same two-back sets that (Phillip) Fulmer and Randy Sanders ran at Tennessee. Sat's offense averaged 200 yards rushing and 200 yards passing with that system at Martin and it's going to do the same thing here."

As for Lindsey, who will work with the defensive line, his friendship with Coode was a major drawing card.

"Tony and I were linebackers here together," said Lindsey. "We talked now and then after that, just former players keeping in touch."

But as last year's stunning 6-5 record unfolded, Coode began telling his former teammate more and more about Huesman, the staff and all that was being accomplished.

"I've just been around him a couple of weeks, but it's clear that Coach Huesman has a plan and a vision," said Lindsey. "It's also clear that everyone has bought into his system. I've never before seen this much excitement in the community for UTC football."

Added Coode, "With all three of us (Coode, Wade and Lindsey) being in coaching, we've tried to stay in touch over the years. But it's been great getting back together again. And this is a great time to be coaching at UTC. I haven't seen the town this much behind a UTC team since the basketball team went to the Sweet 16 in 1997."

Here's a couple of more reasons to get excited about the new staffers. Lindsey was on Vanderbilt's radar when he was hired by the Mocs, which means Huesman isn't the only one who sees something special in him.

Then there's Wade, who already knows enough about his alma mater regarding non-football matters that when he gets inside a recruit's home he tells them, "We've got the 82nd ranked business department in the entire country"

Of course, Huesman also lets them know that being an alum also carries a few extra responsibilities.

"We had a coaches meeting the other day, and I was all over Geep about alum giving," said Huesman with a slight smile. "I told him he had the worst class in the school. I don't know if that's true or not, but I wanted him to know that we really need him to call his former teammates and get them to send us some money for the program. They don't have to send a lot, just something. I was on him pretty good."

Said Wade, still not sure how serious Huesman was about him taking on the added responsibility of fundraising, "Coach is a no-nonsense guy. You're always on your toes as an assistant. You don't want complacency on your staff. You don't want to be just glad to be here, just glad to go down to Big River at night. You want to do your best every day."

As he spoke, Wade looked around the Finley stands, the ones visited by fans during the first practice of spring.

"There were 50 people here today to watch," he said. "When I played there may have been three. It's all being done the right way this time."

And that's something no one could appreciate better than an alum.