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WHERE ARE THEY NOW? In 1993, Bevell was a sophomore who went 5-5 in his 10 starts the year before. He was 23 and the only married player on the team. A transfer from Northern Ari- zona, he had spent two years on a Mormon mission in Cleveland. In 1998, Samuel was a fifth-year se- nior and two-year starter who had guided the Badgers to a 16-10 record overall and postseason appearances in the Copper and Outback bowls. He was also 23 and un- commonly strong for his position group, benching 355 pounds. In 1999, Bollinger was a redshirt fresh- man who had been named the Scout Team Player of the Year for his work in practice simulating the opposing quarterback for the No. 1 defense. He was 18 and listed as the backup to senior Scott Kavanagh. What they became was historic. Bevell, Samuel and Bollinger led their respective teams to the Big Ten championship and victories in the Rose Bowl; the only quar- terbacks in school history to do so. What was the common thread in their success? “We were all on really good football teams,’’ Bollinger said. “The common thing between all those teams was very strong leadership and a great core of tough, physical football players.’’ Bevell took it one step farther. “It’s kind of cliché but a lot of times, ‘So goes the quarterback, so goes the team,’’’ he said. “As a quarterback, you “As a quarterback, you have to be able to lead your team to wins – by whatever means that may be. I was able to do that, Mike was able to do that, Brooks was able to do that. We were all able to find a way to win. Somehow, whatever your abilities are, whatever the intangibles are, you lead them to wins.’’ — Darrell Bevell have to be able to lead your team to wins – by whatever means that may be. “Sometimes that’s handing it off to the running back; sometimes you’re going to have to throw it. Either way, you’re going to have to be able to guide your team to victories. “I was able to do that, Mike was able to do that, Brooks was able to do that. We were all able to find a way to win. It doesn’t have to be pretty; it doesn’t have to be Peyton Manning-style. “Somehow, whatever your abilities are, whatever the intangibles are, you lead them to wins.’’ Samuel capsualized it from his per- spective in ‘98. “When people put their mind to some- thing, you can achieve success and great things,’’ he said. “We had a focus and a drive and there was nothing that was going to deter us from our goals. “Anything is possible when you believe in yourself.’’ Bevell, Samuel and Bollinger each have Big Ten/Rose Bowl rings as reminders of what their teams accomplished. Speaking for Bevell and Bollinger, Samuel said, “There’s not a whole lot of occasion to wear the ring. But if there’s a fire in my house, it’s one of the things I’m going for first.’’ Where are they now? Where you would expect them to be – in the coaching profes- sion. Darrell Bevell, 41, is the offensive co- ordinator of the Seattle Seahawks. Mike Samuel, 36, is the quarterback coach at Father Judge High School in Philadelphia. Brooks Bollinger, 31, is the head coach at Hill-Murray High School in Maplewood, Minn. Each followed their instincts, and heart.