Wiedmer: UTC's Huesman says he won't be happy again until autumn

UTC head football coach Russ Huesman warms up his arm during the Mocs' football practice on Wednesday, March 25, 2015, in Chattanooga.
UTC head football coach Russ Huesman warms up his arm during the Mocs' football practice on Wednesday, March 25, 2015, in Chattanooga.

Wednesday afternoon was the kind of early spring day that can lead folks to play hooky. Abundant sunshine. Temperature in the 70s. A breeze as sweet and soft as a baby's breath. Casablanca, the Beatles and a half-frozen bottled Coke all rolled into one might be less perfect.

So where would University of Tennessee at Chattanooga sophomore defensive back Trevor Wright have been if he hadn't been working his way through a spring practice atop Scrappy Moore Field?

"Probably asleep," he grinned. "Or maybe looking out my dorm window at the pretty day."

And to think they say youth is wasted on the young.

Not that every Moc saw it that way. Senior offensive lineman Synjen Herren, his rebuilt knee still limiting his contact work, figured if he'd had the day off, "I'd be in a swimming pool or on a boat."

But you don't build the foundation needed to defend your Southern Conference championship for a third year in a row by swimming, boating or sleeping.

You do it in the weight room, in the class room and on the practice field, beginning in the spring, all of which caused seventh-year head coach Russ Huesman to note, his tongue perhaps only partly in his cheek, "I'm not happy anymore. And I won't be happy again until we're winning games."

Deep down, most coaches who win in any sport feel the same. Especially in high-profile sports such as football or basketball. And as every coach will tell you, staying there is more difficult than getting there, though the fact it took the Mocs 30 years to return to the FCS playoffs they first reached in 1984 certainly makes Moc Maniacs everywhere hope that repeating last season's third-round playoff run doesn't take three more decades.

"We've already talked about guarding against complacency," Huesman said. "We've got to keep a close eye on the psyche of this team. And it's not just about spring practice. The guys seem excited about the spring. But complacency can set in anywhere. In the classroom. In the weight room. In the film room. Their personal behavior."

Not that Huesman has witnessed any complacency this semester.

"No," he said. "It's been pretty businesslike so far."

This is what every football coach hopes for this time of year. Maturity. Pride. Determination to take the next step up the program-building ladder.

"We played all last year with a chip on our shoulder," said Herren. "We were determined to go to the playoffs. I see that same mentality this time. We want to win three Southern Conference titles in a row. And we want to try and win the (FCS) national championship."

Herren believes that mentality even helped recruiting this past winter.

"When recruits used to come in, we'd sell them on how much better the city of Chattanooga was than other places," he said. "After making the playoffs, the program pretty much sells itself now."

Added Wright, "You already see a better attitude. We've seen what we have to do to get a national championship and we're willing to do more to make sure we get where we want to go."

Of course, this also being the height of March Madness, Herren, Huesman and Wright were all asked how their NCAA Tournament brackets were faring as the Sweet 16 round is played tonight and Friday night.

"Unless it's the Mocs, I don't watch much basketball," said Herren.

"My bracket was busted after the first game when Iowa State lost to UAB," Wright said. "But I had Kentucky, Louisville, Duke and Wisconsin going to the Final Four, so I'm still perfect there. I'm pulling for Louisville to win it all."

Added Huesman, "I've watched some of it. I was really happy for UAB after all they went through by dumping their football program."

Having coached his son Jacob these past three seasons - with one more autumn to go - he was also excited to see Georgia State's RJ Hunter hit a 3-pointer to give his coaching father Ron an NCAA win over Baylor in the opening round.

"Their father-son dynamic was pretty cool," Huesman said with words we all might echo.

But the sun beating down on him, the air more suited to golf, swimming, tennis or boating than the necessary drudgery of spring football, the coach was also asked what he'd be doing if he didn't have a practice to run.

"I'd probably leave the office at 4:30 or 5," he said. "Then I'd drive home, sit in my chair and watch (younger son) Levi play basketball or maybe play some (baseball) catch with him."

And no matter what he says to the contrary, the smile on Huesman's face as he considered those options was a sure sign that he'll find happiness at least some of the time before the Mocs are again winning football games.

Contact Mark Wiedmer at mwiedmer@timesfreepress.com.

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