OXFORD, Ohio— On a beautiful afternoon at Yager Stadium, Sean McVay became the newest inductee into the Cradle of Coaches Association Saturday, unveiling his statue in the plaza at the stadium's south end.
The standing-room-only ceremony included remarks from Miami University President Greg Crawford, Cradle of Coaches Committee chairperson Lori Brown, Director of Athletics David Sayler, sculptor Kristen Visbal, and McVay himself.
"It's an amazing honor to be here," McVay told the crowd. "You're so reminded of what makes this place so special, and it's all about the people…
"To be inducted into the Cradle of Coaches, it really means a lot to me."
McVay, who last year became the youngest head coach in the history of the National Football League to win a Super Bowl, credited his many career accomplishments to not only the coaches and players he's worked with, but his family legacy—including three generations of Miami Football alums.
Sean's uncle John McVay '75 was in attendance, and an empty chair was reserved for Sean's grandfather John McVay '52, who oversaw five Super Bowl championship squads with the San Francisco 49ers and passed away in October 2022. All three men earned letters with the Miami Football program.
In fact, as Sayler pointed out, Sean McVay and his grandfather are the first family members to be inducted into the Cradle of Coaches Association, which now numbers 82 honorees.
"When I think about my grandfather's seat right there, I think about Love and Honor and how much he epitomized those things," Sean said. "You talk about Love and Honor, and what it really means to me is the most important things that last in life. He always used to teach me that character and relationships are the only things that last, and he epitomized that.
"I think that's a good way of being able to say 'Love and Honor'…my grandfather did such a great job of modeling the way, and what it meant to be a leader."
Earlier Saturday, McVay met with local media and also spoke to the current Miami University football team. Although he said the idea of being immortalized in bronze hadn't really sunk in yet, it was clear McVay understood the importance of being part of Miami's famed 'Cradle' tradition, which had intrigued him as a recruit and continues to be a draw for the RedHawks' program nearly two decades later.
"When you walk through these facilities, you see the tradition. You see the history, and that's what it's about. You want to continue to make sure that you uphold your part of the bargain," McVay said.
Although McVay never dared to dream as a student-athlete that he would one day have his own statue in the plaza, he knew even then that incredible things in life, and specifically in football, were possible for Miami alums. "I did know that this was a place that a lot of great people had been that really set a foundation for special things to occur," McVay explained.
"I know a huge part of a lot of good things that have occurred in my life are a result of being here for the four years that I was."
And as the ceremony wound down in the plaza, both McVay and Sayler addressed the question on many fans' minds: Who will be the next member of the Cradle to get a statue, and when? Sayler said one former student-athlete handed him an index card at graduation with a reminder to reserve a pedestal for him, just in case. McVay mentioned the multiple former RedHawk teammates on his staff with the Rams, including Chris Shula and Joe Coniglio, who have bright futures in the profession.
Regardless of who earns the honor next, it's an inspiration and motivation to members of the Miami Football family –not only past and present, but future ones as well—to know there's a chance they could one day see their own statue erected in the Cradle of Coaches.
"Oxford is a special place with great tradition," said McVay. "It's only going to continue to grow from here, and you see all the people that have had positive influences…
"So, let's go, Miami!"
Miami Football will open the home portion of its 2023 schedule on Saturday, Sept. 23 at Yager Stadium vs. Delaware State. Season tickets for the upcoming campaign are available to renew or purchase now.
