UTC players, and coach Russ Huesman, center, with son Levi Huesman, sing the alma mater after defeating Indiana State Saturday at Finley Stadium.After guiding the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga football team to unprecedented success and attention last season, and having just completed the program’s second straight nationally top-rated recruiting class, head coach Russ Huesman has earned a little down time.
But that will have to wait a bit longer.
Mayor Andy Berke will honor Huesman during today’s weekly Mocs Quarterback Club luncheon by declaring it “Russ Huesman day” in the city.
“We’re excited to do something special for him because of everything Russ has done to elevate the program,” said Quarterback Club president Doug Dyer. “The fact that he’s one of our own makes it even more special.
“It’s even more appropriate to honor him and let him enjoy this while (son) Jacob is still on the team, playing for him. From the Quarterback Club’s perspective, Russ has always been gracious with his time and with making his assistants available to participate in our meetings.”
In his sixth season as head coach Huesman, a 1983 UTC graduate and former Mocs defensive back, guided the team to its second straight Southern Conference championship, a program record 10 wins, its first playoff appearance in 30 years and first playoff win.
Huesman has 41 career wins in his tenure, 10 more than UTC had won in the nine years prior to his hiring, and has had a winning record in five of his six seasons with the Mocs.
The Mocs, who also finished a program-best No. 8 in national polls after its playoff quarterfinal loss, rewrote the school record books last season.
They have had at least seven players named to the all-conference team since Huesman has been the coach.
Longtime Quarterback Club member Bob Maffett approached Dyer with the idea of honoring Coach Huesman, who’s been named SoCon Coach of the Year three times.
“Whatever recognition I get is a reflection of what our team and coaching staff did,” Huesman said. “Those guys are the biggest part of why we were successful. They should honor the players moreso than me.”
Contact Stephen Hargis at shargis@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6293.