PETTINE

Central Bucks West coach Mike Pettine stands next to his team's championship trophies before giving his retirement speech on Thursday, Jan. 13, 2000, in Doylestown, Pa. After 33 years as one of the state's most successful coaches, Pettine, 59, finished his career as one of only two Pennsylvania high school football coaches to win 300 games. On Thursday, his son was named head coach of the Cleveland Browns.

(AP)

BEREA, Ohio – Mike Pettine Sr. violated one of his biggest rules on a golf course Thursday morning: He left his cell phone on after teeing off.

Nothing irks the legendary high school football coach like a member of his foursome chatting with a relative or client while he’s trying to play a round. But there was Pettine Sr., at Northdale Golf Club in Tampa, Fla., checking his messages and carrying on conversations by the third hole.

His buddies cut the 73-year-old some slack. After all, how many times does your son get named head coach of an NFL team?

As it turned out, Mike Sr. learned that Mike Jr. was about to become the Browns' new coach while carding an 83.

“I kept apologizing to the others, but they didn’t seem to care,” the dad said in a phone interview. “I usually find cell phones on the golf course irritating, but I actually shot pretty well.”

Pettine Sr. and his wife, Joyce, were able to watch part of their son’s introductory news conference on television. They were overjoyed and flooded with memories. Fifteen years ago, father and son were coaching prep football against each other in suburban Philadelphia. Dad won all five meetings. Now, the boy he simply calls “Junior,” holds one of the 32 most prestigious jobs in the sport.

“It’s hard to put into words,” Mike Pettine Sr. said. “His mom and I were watching TV and she turned to me and said, ‘Can you believe this?’ He’s accepted a head coaching job in the premier sports league in the country.”

The father retired from Central Bucks High School West in 1999 as the winningest coach in Pennsylvania prep history. He captured four state Class AAAA championships, amassing a 327-42-4 mark.

Dad’s presence and his teachings played a central part in the son’s introductory news conference Thursday in Berea. Browns owner Jimmy Haslam mentioned him in his opening statement – taking a playful jab at his new coach by referencing the 5-0 record compiled by Pettine Sr. in the family battles.

The Browns coach thanked NFL mentors John Harbaugh, Brian Billick, Rex Ryan and Doug Marrone, but reserved the most praise for his father.

“I think all of my roots, all of my foundations still goes back to my dad,” the new coach said. “He was a guy that, to me, just understood football from A-Z. He wasn’t an offensive specialist, a defensive specialist, he was just pure football through and through.

“Playing for him was a rough experience. I really wanted to get away from football after I was done playing for him, but after a while ended up circling back and just fell in love with the game. That’s what I’m most passionate about and it’s something that, again, he gave me the advice that I think a lot of good parents give: Find a job that you love and you’ll never work a day in your life. I’ve been fortunate to pair my passion with my profession.”

His dad heard the remarks and felt honored. It didn’t stop him from cracking jokes, though.

“He’s made me very popular,” Pettine Sr. said laughing. “It’s very rare when he throws the old man some bones.”

Father and son spoke briefly Thursday morning before news became official. The Browns coach called back after signing a five-year deal.

“It was special,” the son said. “It didn’t last very long because he knew I had a lot of stuff to get done. My poor mom answered the phone and he said, ‘Is that Michael?’ He ripped it out of her hands. They were both excited and knew how much work it went into this.”

His parents are snowbirds who spend winters in Tampa before returning to Doylestown, Pa.

Browns fans might get the chance to meet the coach who passed his tough-minded philosophies to his son. He’s been attending NFL camps since his boy broke into the league with the Baltimore Ravens in 2002.

“When it looked like this might happen with the Browns I said, ‘Junior, are you ready for this?’” the father recalled. “At first, he was kind of insulted I asked. ... But it’s a great opportunity and I know he’s ready.”