Brady Hessbrook knows his coach singles him out and criticizes him more than the other Ithaca players.
But he’s used to it since he’s had the same coach since fifth grade. Plus, he can’t exactly complain to his dad.
Brady Hessbrook is capping his high school football career as a dual-threat quarterback for Ithaca, which is undefeated, finished the season as the No. 1-ranked team in the state in Division 7 and has advanced to the regional final thanks to a Covid-related forfeit by Pewamo-Westphalia.
His coach … and father … is Terry Hessbrook, who has led Ithaca to seven state finals, winning five Division 6 state finals. And Brady has been there for every stop at Ford Field since 2011, when he began his job as the Ithaca ballboy.
When his dad was still his boss.
“Coaching Brady is absolutely one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever done,” Terry Hessbrook said. "It’s also one of the most difficult things I’ve ever done. You think about the great experiences and the memories you’re able to make on the field with your son … and not all of them are positive.
“But the experiences include the adversities we’ve faced together, and there’s that pride that comes over you when you see your son accomplish something.”
Ithaca High School's head coach Terry Hessbrook holds the 2010 Division 6 State Championship trophy in the air moments after defeating Monroe St. Mary's Catholic Central High School at Ford Field.The Saginaw News
Brady Hessbrook, who has been on the varsity since his freshman season, admits there have been challenges.
“There are good and bad things about it … probably the bond we create working together is the best thing about it,” Brady Hessbrook said. "But it’s also difficult at times, being his son. He knows he can be harder on me than the other players. And we try to keep football on the field and not at home, and usually we’re pretty good about it. But not always.
“It’s never about a game or if I did something wrong. It’s more just talking about certain plays, like asking me what I saw.”
This season, Hessbrook has completed 102 of 150 passes for 1,657 yards and 27 touchdowns with just three interceptions. He has also run for 363 yards and eight touchdowns.
For his career, Hessbrook is 245 of 385 passing for 3,746 yards and 46 touchdowns. He has also run for 1,966 yards and 30 touchdowns.
“When you’re on the field, you’re the coach,” Terry Hessbrook said. "At home, you’re the dad. Sometimes, that doesn’t always go together. Sometimes the coach comes out at home, and sometimes the dad comes out on the field.
“Whether that’s fair or unfair, I don’t know. Brady has dealt with the situation since the fifth grade, when I started coaching this group of players. Some people have told me I’m not the nicest person to be around sometimes. Brady might say that too.”
Brady Hessbrook, who has committed to play for Wayne State, has more than just his father to follow. His uncle, Todd Hessbrook, and cousin, Jordan Hessbrook, are on the coaching staff. Another cousin, Logan Hessbrook, is on the Central Michigan University coaching staff.
Ithaca coach Terry Hessbrook gives backup quarterback and nephew Logan Hessbrook a hug following Ithaca's third-straight Division 6 football title at Ford Field.
“As a coach and a dad, you’re naturally harder on your own son,” Terry Hessbrook said. "He’s had to do things better because of who he is, who his uncle is, who his dad is, who his cousins are. He’s in a tough situation because of family members who have come before him.
“But he’s handled it with what I consider tremendous poise. He goes with the flow. He doesn’t get too high or too low, which is how a quarterback has to be.”
Brady Hessbrook is another top quarterback in a long line of great Ithaca quarterbacks, from Josh Brehm to Alex Niznak to Travis Smith to Jake Smith to Joey Bentley.
“The thing that he has is the ability to run and throw … it’s something he’s had since he was a young guy,” Terry Hessbrook said. “He’s always had the ability to throw the football, plus the ability and willingness to get the tough yards and run like a fullback. He’s been healthy this year, so he’s been able to show that he can throw the football. Last year, with his shoulder injury, he wasn’t able to do that."
Hessbrook has no problems scouting his son, the football player. But he’s also able to give a scouting report on his son … as a son.
“He’s a very polite young man, very respectful,” Terry Hessbrook said. “Does he always do the right thing at home? No. Does he make me mad sometimes? Yes. He’s a teenager. He’s a good student,and does all those things that make parents proud. He’s pretty quiet, like his mother (Kristy) in a lot of ways. That’s probably a good thing.”
Brady Hessbrook also gave a scouting report on his dad … and his coach.
“As a coach, he stays close to the players,” Brady Hessbrook said. "He’s always going to give it his all … 100-percent effort. Every Saturday, after a game, he watches film all day long. Then he starts watching film for our next game. He is absolutely committed.
“As a dad, he does a lot of things. I know he’s always there for me. He’s hard on me, but that’s because he’s always pushing me.”
For Terry Hessbrook, the 2020 team is special not just because his son is the starting quarterback. He has coached most of the players since they were in the fifth grade.
“I love this group of guys,” Brady Hessbrook said. “We know each other so well because we’ve been playing together since fifth grade, and my dad has been coaching them since the fifth grade. We’re running the same stuff we ran back in the fifth grade. You should be pretty good at it if you’ve been doing it that many times.”
Terry Hessbrook is counting on it.
“Brady is the quarterback, but everybody around him has done a great job this season,” Terry Hessbrook said. "The offensive line, the receivers … it’s such a team game.
“Football is the ultimate team sport. We’ve got a lot of great players, great kids … Brady just happens to be my son.”
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