Henry Mason stood up from his position on the living room sofa at the home of the latest recruit he was determined to bring to Wisconsin. Having concluded his talks with the 17-year-old junior, who happened to be a highly prized target by many for his speed and size, Mason paused, looked into eyes that bore the look of someone who had just discovered a new meaning in life, and knew that he had the young man's trust.
Like so many recruits before, and so many after this particular one, Mason strove to find more than just a good player, he strove to find — just as the recruits and their families wanted — a friendship, and above all, trust.
For 13 years Henry Mason has been with the University of Wisconsin, and for 13 years the football program has been able to produce talented players, especially at the wide receiver position. In fact, Mason has developed five of the top eight receivers in school history, including Miami Dolphins' All-Pro Chris Chambers, Biletnikoff Award finalist Lee Evans and 2005 second-team All-American Brandon Williams.
In all, six Wisconsin receivers under Mason's watchful eye have gone on to be drafted, and seven have played in the NFL (Jonathan Orr is on the Tennessee Titans' roster but has yet to play a down).
Just as impressive as the work he has done with those who have gone on to play professionally is the work he has done with some of the lesser-known players.
Faced with a receiving corps with less career catches among them than Brandon Williams or Jonathan Orr typically got in a game, Mason went to work last fall and produced two reliable options in Paul Hubbard and Luke Swan.
Hubbard finished the season with 38 catches for 627 yards and found paydirt a team-high-tying five times. Swan, an ESPN the Magazine Academic All-District and Academic All-Big Ten selection, also scored five touchdowns and caught 35 balls for 595 yards.
For his continued success on and off the field as a recruiter and coach, head coach Bret Bielema gave Mason another title — associate head coach — this past spring.
But a spinal cord injury related to a past problem sustained several years ago, indifferent to the needs of the team or the health of Mason, tore the longtime coach away from the job he so dearly enjoyed.
"It's a challenge because as we all know Henry is a very good football coach; I made him associate head coach for a reason," Bielema said. "The personal struggle for me is that he's a very good friend."
The injury hospitalized Mason for a time and will prevent him from acting in his full capacity for at least six months. While Mason recovers, the well-tenured DelVaughn Alexander will assume wide receiver coaching duties. Alexander coached with current Wisconsin offensive coordinator Paul Chryst at San Diego and Oregon State, so his practices should align quite nicely with what the offense will be looking to do this fall.
"I couldn't have asked for a better situation than to bring DelVaughn into here as soon as Henry's situation arose," Bielema said.
As much as the players already like DelVaughn, Mason is missed. Swan, one of the unknown wonders of the Wisconsin sidelines prior to last season, acknowledged the great deal of respect he has for his coach and mentor.
"Mason was a great guy, a guy we had a lot of respect for," he said. "He really knew how to coach the position, how to get us ready for a game."
Although you may have never heard of Mason until now, be sure that you get to know him because a man like that doesn't come around often. A man who understands what it means to the recruit looking up at him with the realization that there is someone out there that can be trusted and can make things right; a man who can make magic without use of a wand; and a man who can above all be your friend — now that's something to be valued. And cherished.
Kevin is a senior double majoring in journalism and economics. Feel free to contact him at [email protected].
