Few knew what to expect from Kevin Sumlin and Texas A&M three years ago when he was hired and the Aggies ventured into the mighty Southeastern Conference.

Great recruiter. Tons of charisma. Innovative offensive philosophy. But there were questions about whether or not that style could succeed in the defensive, rugged SEC.

Well, three years later and now we’re talking about Sumlin as an elite head coach in the league. He’s 25-7 in College Station, beat Alabama in his first year and that overflowed into two consecutive top-1o recruiting classes and likely a third this year.

Success is not unfamiliar to Sumlin.

He coordinated an Oklahoma offense that dominated the Big 12 and played for a national championship. His Houston teams stormed through the Conference USA, shattering all kinds of offensive records. He, along with star quarterback Case Keenum, led the Cougars to its first undefeated season in school history. Even as a player, Sumlin was one the top tacklers in Purdue history, ranking fifth in the Big Ten with 114 tackles as a senior.

It’s been a long journey for Sumlin. Though he grew up in Indiana, Sumlin’s family roots trace back to the pine trees and fields of south central Alabama. The 50-year-old was born in Brewton, which sits along to Florida-Alabama state line and is some 80 miles east-northeast of Mobile. Sumlin’s father, William, was the head football coach at Booker T. Washington High School.

The elder Sumlin remembers what life was like growing up in Brewton during the height of segregation, and he admits he never thought his son would be a head coach in the SEC.

“I never thought he’d be a head coach in Texas, either,” Bill Sumlin said an interview with ESPN.com. “I never thought he’d be a head coach anywhere in the South.”

Just two years after Sumlin was born, Bill moved the family to Indianapolis. Both Sumlin’s father and mother attended graduate school and went on to become educators. Indiana offered opportunities for Sumlin’s parents — and himself — that Alabama didn’t in 1964.

“Segregation was still there,” Sumlin said, “and he was just tired of trying to do things and get things done. You travel with the teams and you had to plan the stops. You couldn’t stop here and eat. Guys couldn’t go the bathroom … You got kids on the bus, and you got to figure out where you’re going to eat, where you’re going to stop. He was just so tired of it.”

Life has come full-circle for both Sumlins, however. As a football player coming out of high school, the SEC refused to recruit Bill Sumlin in 1954.

Now, his son is in his third season in college football’s premier conference at one of the premier schools.