Getting A Leg Up: A TCY Dynasty

[duckman]

This is the story of Kevin Heath, a highly regarded offensive coordinator for the Green Bay Packers. Kevin has been the Packers offensive coordinator for the last eight seasons and has been quite successful. Under his supervision, he has turned the Packers into a formidable offensive team.

Despite the success, Kevin has not been on a hot head coaching candidate. He’s never been interviewed for a job or even received a phone call about a position. He’s not even gotten a feeler from any club, college or profession, since turning around the Packers offense. He has sent out numerous resumes to different football clubs, but he has only received form letters telling him that they’re not interested. The reason for the exclusion is because Kevin is disabled.

You see, Kevin has been crippled by a direct hit to his right leg while playing for the Dallas Cowboys causing irreversible nerve damage. Doctors told Kevin that he would never put on a football uniform again. Determined to get back into the sport he loves, Kevin spent two years rehabilitating his leg so that he could go into coaching. Despite his best effort to get to full strength, Kevin still has to walk with the help of a cane.

Frustrated, Kevin has given up on the dream about becoming a head coach in the college or professional level. His agent told him that the head coaching job is a very public position and some owners and athletic directors feel that a disabled person would look like a sign of weakness. Kevin has resigned to the reality that he may have hit the "glass ceiling". However, glass ceilings are meant to be broken.......

[duckman]

The Phone Call

Kevin, tired from looking at video footage of last season’s only playoff game, was getting very hungry. He had been looking at the tape for some time and was frustrated by the lack of production by his offense in the second half. Carolina had figured out something in his play-calling and Kevin wanted to correct it before the season started. Things like these bothered Kevin very much because he was a staunch perfectionist. Failure was not an option for him.

Deciding to take a quick lunch break, he went to the refrigerator in his office looking for something to eat. He had not eaten since six o’clock this morning because he was caught up in the video footage and had not realized that eight hours had went by. This was not an unusual habit for him to go hours without eating. Kevin always told himself that he would eat more regularly, but he never did.

Kevin became very angry after opening the door and only finding some old cold cuts and spoiled milk. He usually kept a stocked fridge, but he had forgotten to go shopping. Sometimes, his assistant would run errands like that for him.

"Damn, I guess I’ll call in some pizza."

As he was making his way back to his desk, the phone buzzed at him. He was startled because he was reaching for the phone. His heart still beating heavily, he pressed the intercom button.

"Yes, Maria."

"Coach Heath, Mr. Bingham is on line one."

Tim Bingham was his reliable agent. He had known Tim since they were teammates at Oklahoma. They became best of friends while rooming together as freshmen. Kevin was a strong safety and Tim was a high school All-American flanker. They were very competitive on the field and inseparable while off it. They were the truest of friends and they remained so after college.

Tim became a successful lawyer after graduating from college and had worked for large firm in Dallas for several years. When Kevin began receiving offers about being an offensive coordinator in the pros, Tim took over negotiations, so he could concentrate on football. He was a big help in getting Kevin the best possible deal, and Kevin was very grateful to his friend.

Tim saw the chance to make it big in sports agency, hence he began his own agency. He now represents about sixty athletes covering from football to tennis. Tim had become so good at dealing with sponsors and general managers that he became the premiere agent in North America. He was making millions from his clients.

Tim: "Kev, how are you my friend?"

Kevin: "Pissed. I’m starving and I have no food in the fridge. I’m also looking over the Carolina tape."

Tim (laughing): "You’re probably more pissed at the tape than your stomach!"

Kevin (laughing): "You’re probably right."

Tim: "Maybe I can take your mind off that tape."

Kevin: "How is that?"

Tim: "I just got a call from Mississippi State. They want you to come in for an interview for the head coach job."

Kevin: "You’re full of shit, Tim. I’m not in the mood for jokes right now."

Tim: "Dude, it’s not a joke! They want to talk with you!"

Kevin collapsed in his chair. He was in complete shock and couldn’t muster the strength to talk. There was several seconds of silence before Tim spoke up.

Tim: "Are you there?"

Kevin: "Yeah."

Tim: "Jesus, you scared the shit out of me! I thought you had a heart attack or something! Look, I need you on a plane to Starksville by tonight. They are supposed to interview you tomorrow. I’ll have a private plane waiting for you at the airport by seven tonight. Hello? Are you listening to me?!"

Kevin: "Yeah, I was just taken aback by the news. I’ll be on the plane tonight."

Tim: "That’s what I want to hear! I’ll be there with you tomorrow. You’re going to do great, Kev. I know you can do it!"

Kevin: "Tim."

Tim: "Yeah, Kev?"

Kevin: "Thanks a bunch!"

Tim (laughing): "No problem, my friend! Just make sure your ass is on that plane by seven. Okay?"

Kevin: "Okay!"

With trembling hands, Kevin placed the phone back on the jack. Overwhelmed, he sat there for several minutes crying like he hadn’t in years. It was the best of releases for him. He knew that he could get the job if they would allow him to make a good impression. He was all set to take the NCAA by storm. Suddenly, food didn’t seem all that important to him.

[fantastic flying froggies]

Looks very promising, monsieur le Duck!

[duckman]

Looks very promising, monsieur le Duck!
Thank you, sir. I am still writing up the next part of this dynasty. I will post it probably after I drop off the kiddo tomorrow.