BLUFF CITY, Tenn. (WCYB) — In the late 1990's, the name Hal Mumme was one of the hottest buzz words in the world of college football - leading the Kentucky Wildcats as the head football coach and creating a legacy of crafting the so-called 'air raid' offense.
Not only that, but along with it came Mumme being coined as the 'Godfather' of this new and exciting offensive system.
"I think it was 97-98 we (Arkansas) played at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock when he was at Kentucky and I went and watched that game. I was blown away," said Stan Bedwell. "Watching them throw it all over the place, it was like a video game. I was enamored by it.”
Despite garnering just a 20-26 record over four years at the helm in Kentucky, it was Mumme's innovative mind on the offensive side of the ball that made him a wanted coach for another 20 years - coaching in several places including Southern Louisiana, New Mexico State, SMU and a couple pit stops at the Division III and NAIA level, along with the AAF and XFL.
But after not being on the sideline for two years, Mumme found a temporary home in Bluff City to join the Sullivan East Patriots in 2024 - rekindling a coaching relationship with offensive coordinator, Stan Bedwell.
“I’ve pretty much worked with coach in one form or another since 2015. Before that, I idolized him for years," added Bedwell. "It was a dream come true getting on staff with him in 2015 and building a relationship with him to where not only is he a mentor, but I consider him one of my best friends.
Having him here now for me is normal. It almost felt weird last year not having him around."
For Mumme, it was time to get back on the sideline and give himself another challenge - taking on the high school level while finalizing a move to theInternational Football Alliance as GM and head coach San Antonio in 2025.
“We’ve been working on this for about two years. Lining up franchises and putting the league together. If you want to get back in the swing of things, high school football is great to work," said Mumme. "You have to work on fundamentals and techniques and that’s what I wanted to do. We’re looking forward to that, but I’m going to enjoy this experience first.”
It's an experience that Mumme will also once again share with Bedwell - who will be his offensive coordinator in San Antonio. So for Bedwell, it's another opportunity to continue working with one of his favorite colleagues and friends. But for now, it's focusing on Sullivan East and everything he can do for the program in 2024.
He’s a players coach all the way. He’s laid back and doesn’t really lose his cool.
Whatever he says, his words probably go farther than anyone else’s and they should because he’s kind of done it all," said Bedwell. "I think the kids know that when he tells you something he has some experience to back it.
It's also a giant help to head coach, JC Simmons, who helped lead the best season the Patriots have had since 2016 this past year - finishing with a winning record and playoff appearance in 2023. But it came with losing almost every single yard of their offensive production in that season.
“It’s not just an opportunity for my team, but myself personally," said Simmons. "How lucky am I to get a guy like that? And Coach Bedwell here. If I’ve got a question about being a head coach, who better to ask? If I have a question about offense or defense or anything, what better guys to ask?"
So as the days flip and we near towards the kickoff to the new high school football campaign, Mumme is soaking in his new experience - relishing in what it means to continue coaching the game he loves.
It gives you a chance to influence people. It’s not always about the x’s and o’s and the game," said Mumme. "Sometimes it’s just about the personal relationships.