Sexy Sexton, The Pioneer

The man responsible for the coach-in-waiting theory

It’s sexy. It’s trendy. It’s now protocol at multiple big-time Universities. The ”it” is Jimmy Sexton’s head coach-in-waiting idea.

It is said to have originated at the University of Oregon when Rich Brooks pleaded that then Assistant, Mike Belotti be named his successor. What a great idea. This allows for continuity, eases tension with recruits, and keeps the players happy. Right? Not so fast my friend.

It worked out great for Oregon. There was no waiting, no lingering. This was no 79 year old trying to break records (see Bobby Bowden.) Belotti went on to lead Oregon to 12 bowl appearances in 14 seasons and six Top 25 finishes in the last 10 seasons. Last year Belotti decided to step down and pass the torch to Chip Kelly, providing continuity once more. Kelly has excelled, rebounding from the LeGarrette Blount fiasco and taking his team to 12 in the country.

Where does Jimmy Sexton come into play? Well he is the other side of the equation. He is the Ari Gold for head football coaches. He represents Saban, Parcells, Spurrier,  both Kiffins, and Nutt – to name a few. He is also known as the facilitator in transitioning assistants to head coaches. He represents Jimbo Fisher and Will Muschamp – both of whom are head coaches in waiting for FSU and Texas respectively.

Of course, you already knew that. Everyone does. Bobby Bowden is holding on for dear life (literally and figuratively), hoping that the NCAA’s stripping of victories does not uphold. Guess what Robert?  It will and “Joe Pa” is the winner in the pathetic game of who can last longer. He may have a fake hip and not know what a text message is, but he certainly isn’t 2-4 with a coach-in-waiting breathing down his neck and an indignant Board of Trustees.

There is the good and the bad. How about the in between? Will Muschamp is the coach-in-waiting at Texas. Well Champ, feel free to kick back and relax. Mack Brown is as healthy as ever, monopolizing recruiting in Texas, 3 in both polls, and happy as can be. But if you’re a Texas fan - so far, so good. You have managed to hold on to a great assistant while keeping the head honcho happy.

The jury is still out in other places as well. Joker Phillips will be the second African-American coach in the SEC when Rich Brooks leaves Kentucky (talk about a perfect PR storm). If James Franklin doesn’t succeed Ralph Friedgen at Maryland he will receive $1 million strong. Danny Hope is now the head coach at Purdue after being named the coach-in-waiting, and he believes there is an advantage to it. "The biggest advantage of being the coach-in-waiting is you get to do an inventory of the program from an in-house perspective," Hope said.

You can bet the house that this trend will be around for a while. Jimmy Sexton will continue to foster this idea to big-time Universities like Ari Gold fosters Vinny Chase, and unless more Bobby Bowden situations come about, it may be the sexiest route after all.

-rw