American Idle: Adams, Brooks & Perry Shed Head Coaching Rust & Cobwebs

Mark Adams (Texas Tech) Alvin Brooks (Lamar) and Leonard Perry (Pacific) each were in NCAA Division I head-coaching mothballs at least 15 seasons until hired this year. Adams and Brooks returned to their alma maters. The trio of returnees are atop the following list of eight active head coaches serving in non-college head coaching capacities at least 10 seasons before returning to the DI level as a bench boss:

Active Coach Current School (Years Away) Previous DI Position (Seasons)
Mark Adams Texas Tech (24) Texas-Pan American (1992-93 through 1996-97)
Alvin Brooks Lamar (23) Houston (1993-94 through 1997-98)
Leonard Perry Pacific (15) Idaho (2001-02 through 2005-06)
Joe Dooley East Carolina (14) East Carolina (1995-96 through 1997-98) before hiring by FGCU
Rob Lanier Georgia State (14) Siena (2001-02 through 2004-05)
Keith Dambrot Duquesne (11) Central Michigan (1990-91 and 1991-92) before hiring by Akron
Tim Jankovich Southern Methodist (10) North Texas (1993-94 through 1996-97) before hiring by Illinois State
Bobby McCullum Florida A&M (10) South Florida (2003-04 through 2006-07)