For the first time this season Eastern acting head coach Mark Hutson will look across the field and see someone he can relate to this Saturday.

Tennessee Tech and its acting head coach Doug Malone have been in a similar situation as the one Hutson has dealt with in Charleston.

The only difference is the win totals of the two schools.

“Obviously, it’s still hectic as ever,” Malone said. “At this point in time, we’ve got it down to a routine.”

Malone’s routine has included an up-and-down 3-6 record, which has included three straight non-conference losses, a dramatic win at home against Ohio Valley Conference favorite Eastern Kentucky and a three-game losing streak again.

“Winning is awesome and this is what you work for but what I’m most proud of the way they’ve stayed together,” Malone said after Tech’s 20-14 win against Samford last Saturday.

Tech was hit with a coaching controversy this summer after Golden Eagles head coach Mike Hennigan resigned July 6.

He then rescinded it eight days later in order to receive a medical leave of absence under the Family Medical Leave Act.

“I’ve approved Mike’s rescission of his resignation, and his medical leave of absence will also be approved upon his providing the appropriate documentation required by university policies,” Tennessee Tech director of athletics Mark Wilson said in July.

Hennigan has been around the facilities in Cookeville, Tenn., but the 45-year-old Malone (TTU’s offensive coordinator for seven years) has total responsibility for the program along with still being the Golden Eagles offensive play caller.

“Until you live through it, it’s hard to explain what it really is,” Malone said. “You’re responsible for everything a coordinator does. It makes for some longer nights.”

With a 6-4 record and 5-1 in OVC play, Eastern’s staff obviously has a more upbeat way of looking at the coaching switch.

“I’ve gained a lot since coach Spoo allowing me this opportunity,” Hutson said. “The midnight phone calls you just accept.”

Spoo’s illness has kept the Panthers all-time leader in wins away from the program in his milestone 20th year.

“Things have been a little better because Coach Spoo has been in the office over the last week,” Eastern defensive coordinator Roc Bellantoni said.

Until last week, Eastern had not gotten the opportunity to go face-to-face with Spoo, who attended Eastern’s 29-3 win against Tennessee State and sat in the press box.

Both schools have split up the responsibility between both sides of the ball.

“It’s not like that everywhere else,” Bellantoni said. “Coach Spoo gives his assistants freedom to coach.”

After naming Hutson associate head coach last year and having a veteran coach in Bellantoni on defense, Eastern felt prepared for the day-to-day craziness.

“After the first game and all the things that went into that, it’s been a great experience,” Hutson said. “I’m fortunate to be a part of such a great staff.”

Hutson has faced interim or acting head coaches in the past but never in this instance.

“Usually this is the time of year it’s possible when they terminate coaches but I can’t remember this ever happening,” he said.