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Greg and Scott Heyne. Courtesy photo (February 2, 2013) |
Greg Heyne will watch today's Super Bowl with empathy for the Harbaughs, knowing firsthand what it's like to coach against a brother.
"We hate losing to each other more than anybody else," he said of his brother Scott Heyne. "But after the game, you still respect each other and what they managed to accomplish."
Greg Heyne, coach of the Herreid-Selby Area boys' basketball team, has faced-off against Scott Heyne, coach of the Ipswich boys’ basketball team, twice since January 2012. Tonight, the Baltimore Ravens, coached by John Harbaugh, will face the San Francisco 49ers, who are coached by John's younger brother, Jim Harbaugh, in Super Bowl XLVII.
Greg Heyne is pretty confident the Harbaughs will be thinking more about trying to win than their family connection.
"I'm sure when they're coaching, their minds are running a 1,000 miles a minute trying to figure out how to gain an edge and managing their teams," he said. "You really don't have time to think about who's on the other sideline."
Greg Heyne and the Wolverines beat Ipswich 75-41 on Jan. 7, 2012, but Scott Heyne and the Tigers came back this year with a 75-62 victory on Jan. 5.
The Harbaughs' teams have played each other once before. The Ravens defeated the 49ers 16-6 on Thanksgiving Day 2011.
Greg, 30, and Scott, 31, are the sons of James and Rose Heyne of Roscoe, The brothers said it's more stressful for their father to watch the game when the brothers face-off than it is for them to coach against each other.
Their father attends many of their games against other teams and cheers them on, Greg Heyne said.
James Heyne can usually be seen wearing Herreid-Selby or Ipswich clothing, but when the brothers face-off it's different, Scott said.
"He usually tucks himself in the corner and tries to stay as neutral as possible,” Scott Heyne said.
"He is much quieter when our teams play each other."
The Harbaughs' parents probably will feel even more stressed out, given the huge stakes of the game, Greg Heyne said.
Jackie and Jack Harbaugh, parents of John and Jim Harbaugh, were miserable watching the Thanksgiving game because they knew one of their sons had to lose, according to an article on espn.com.
Scott Heyne said he is a very competitive person, as is Greg Heyne, so he enjoys their coaching matchups and does all he can to win, but afterward there is mutual respect. He said the Harbaugh brothers probably feel the same way.
"It's fun. We're both competitive, so I'd want to beat him in anything," Scott Heyne said. "I'm sure it's the same for them; they're brothers at the end of the day."
The Heyne brothers said they do everything they can to win, but it's not just about them. Their players are the ones who go out and win the game.
The same principle applies for the Super Bowl, Scott Heyne said. It's the Baltimore Ravens against the San Francisco 49ers, not Jim versus. John Harbaugh.
The Heynes see each other every couple of weeks, but when the two meet up, they don't bring up the sport during basketball season, Scott Heyne said.
"I see him every couple weeks," Scott Heyne said. "We're brothers. We have plenty of stuff to talk about besides basketball."
Being brothers, they root for each other's success when they aren't playing each other, Scott Heyne said. He was excited for Greg Heyne when the Herreid-Selby Area Wolverines went to regionals last year, although he was a bit envious.
"I was proud of him, but I wanted to be there," Scott Heyne said. "I'm sure he'd feel the same way."
Greg Heyne said the Harbaughs probably have a similar sentiment.
"If someone else besides me has to win the championship, I'd probably rather it be my brother than anyone else," Greg Heyne said.
