If you can .... gold star and an elephant stamp for you, but the point is that not too many folks remember the guy who comes after a legend.
That is the quandary that newly announced Perth Wildcats head coach Trevor Gleeson finds himself in as he tries to lace up the boots formerly filled by predecessor Rob Beveridge.
Beveridge made it clear after missing out on the Australian Boomers national team gig to the man that had denied him the NBL title for three straight years, Andrej Lemanis of the NZ Breakers, that he was seeking a new challenge.
“I had a dream and a vision that I publicly stated from day dot that I want to be the head coach of the Boomers,” Beveridge said when announcing his departure from Perth.
“Unfortunately, I didn’t get the Boomers job, and over the last six weeks in particular, it was ‘OK, what am I striving to do in my life?’
“I have had some great opportunities in the past to coach internationally, and it’s something that I need to tick a box.
“I believe that now is the right (time) to go and pursue those international opportunities.”
So Beveridge departed the Wildcats, leaving behind an amazing legacy of success.
In his four seasons with Perth 'Bevo' led the team to the Grand Final three times, including delivering the proud club its first championship since 2000. Beveridge's 'worst' performance was a Semi-Final berth in 2010/11 where the 'Cats lost in the maximum three games to eventual champions New Zealand. That was of course despite losing marquee star Shawn Redhage to a season-ending injury.
For a franchise accustomed to being part of the post-season, Bevo had ensured that the Wildcats were nothing less than leading contenders in every year of his tenure. It is no wonder then that the flame-haired coach is hugely popular in Perth. So much so that the announcement of Gleeson as his replacement was met with a level of animosity amongst certain quarters.
Yet Gleeson is no rookie head coach. He has a wealth of experience in both the NBL and internationally and a Coach of the Year award sitting snugly on his mantlepiece.
Gleeson took Townsville to five consecutive playoff appearances during his time with the Crocs. After joining the Melbourne Tigers for the 2011/12 season he also had his new club at the top of the NBL ladder before the departure of superstar Patty Mills and a series of injuries saw the Tigers stumble. The fallout of that slump ultimately led to Gleeson being shown the door by team management, leading to a small blemish on what has otherwise been an immaculate coaching record.
Despite having the stigma of being a coach that got punted mid-season, it is a measure of the respect with which Gleeson is regarded around the league that he snared the NBL's most prized coaching gig in Perth.
He joins the league's most successful team, playing in the country's newest arena for an owner in Jack Bendat who will ensure that Gleeson can recruit the players he wants to the full extent of the salary cap.
That last factor will be important, as the Wildcats need to find two quality imports and two key Australian players to finalise their roster for the new season.
Could Gleeson's dream job in Perth however actually turn into a nightmare?
With the coach's clipboard in Perth also comes the weight of expectation. This is after all a team that has made the post-season in each of the past 27 seasons. On-court success isn't just a hope for the members of the Red Army; they consider it their birthright. The coach that presides over the team that eventually breaks that string of playoff appearances is likely to be chased all the way back across the Nullarbor Plain by a very angry mob.
Does that mean Gleeson will be that unfortunate coach? Of course not, but he wouldn't be human if the manner of his departure from the Tigers didn't play on his mind somewhat. Coaching is just as much a confidence game as playing and Gleeson will need to push the memory of his firing in Melbourne to the back of his mind and try to ignore the heavy expectations that will hang over his head like the sword of Damocles in Perth.
Yankee Stadium was renowned as the house Babe Ruth built but for many people out West the Wildcats' have been filling their new home at Perth Arena due in a large part to the success which Beveridge brought to the proud franchise. Whilst the vision and cojones of club Managing Director Nick Marvin arguably had just as much to do with it, there is no doubt that Bevo's presence will continue to be felt in Perth Arena long after he's left town.
No one remembers the guy who comes after the legend. So Gleeson better make darn sure he writes his own glorious chapter in Wildcats history.
Could Gleeson's dream job in Perth however actually turn into a nightmare?
With the coach's clipboard in Perth also comes the weight of expectation. This is after all a team that has made the post-season in each of the past 27 seasons. On-court success isn't just a hope for the members of the Red Army; they consider it their birthright. The coach that presides over the team that eventually breaks that string of playoff appearances is likely to be chased all the way back across the Nullarbor Plain by a very angry mob.
Does that mean Gleeson will be that unfortunate coach? Of course not, but he wouldn't be human if the manner of his departure from the Tigers didn't play on his mind somewhat. Coaching is just as much a confidence game as playing and Gleeson will need to push the memory of his firing in Melbourne to the back of his mind and try to ignore the heavy expectations that will hang over his head like the sword of Damocles in Perth.
Yankee Stadium was renowned as the house Babe Ruth built but for many people out West the Wildcats' have been filling their new home at Perth Arena due in a large part to the success which Beveridge brought to the proud franchise. Whilst the vision and cojones of club Managing Director Nick Marvin arguably had just as much to do with it, there is no doubt that Bevo's presence will continue to be felt in Perth Arena long after he's left town.
No one remembers the guy who comes after the legend. So Gleeson better make darn sure he writes his own glorious chapter in Wildcats history.
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