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Sydney Sixers coach Greg Shipperd, having helped improve players ranging from Ricky Ponting to Josh Philippe, has enhanced his status yet again this summer.
Aged 64 and yet again proving to be one of Australia's best coaches, the Big Bash League's "Wayne Bennett" shows no signs of slowing down as he prepares for yet another final.
Sydney Sixers coach Greg Shipperd's CV is littered with eye-catching accomplishments.
He started coaching Victoria after the shock death of David Hookes in 2004 and proceeded to help deliver four Sheffield Shield titles, plus four of the first five Twenty20 crowns in the state-based incarnation of the Big Bash.
Shipperd is the man who identified Shane Watson's talent as a teenager, recruiting him to Tasmania, while he was one of three mentors that Ricky Ponting highlighted as having a major influence on him.
Twenty20 cricket is littered with recently-retired players; former captain Adam Voges was a hallmark of Perth Scorchers' golden era under Justin Langer then replaced him as coach.
That Shipperd, a dour batsman in a first-class career of 112 games that ended 30 years ago, has bucked the trend by not only keeping pace but setting it while adapting to new rules this summer is remarkable.
Sixers' prized recruit Dan Christian, who reignited his career in 2013 after joining Victoria at Shipperd's invitation, jumped at the chance to link up with the much-respected coach this summer.
"Shippy is almost like the Wayne Bennett of cricket. He's been coaching for so long and been able to adapt with the game," Christian told AAP.
"He just knows the game so well. Very much someone you can learn off.
"Even though he is a bit older than other coaches, he's such as student of the game. He loves talking about cricket, he's brilliant to sit down with and have a coffee or beer with.
"What's made him so successful is that he's willing to keep trying to improve as a coach ... he's always analysing, watching how other teams go about things."
Christian has experienced Shipperd's evolution from old school to new school.
"He used to blow up a little bit. When I first moved to Victoria, thankfully I only caught the very back end of him being a bit of a grumpy bum. He's mellowed out a lot these days," the allrounder said.
"He's much more relaxed and chilled out, doesn't get too emotional."
Shipperd, Delhi's inaugural coach in the Indian Premier League, has been calling the shots at the Sixers since Trevor Bayliss departed to start England's white-ball revolution in 2015.
It is the renowned tactician's determination to get better that also stands out to Sixers spinner Steve O'Keefe, who like Christian is in the midst of his 10th BBL season.
"I can't speak more highly of the coach. I've been around for 20 years and played under some good ones," O'Keefe said.
"Shippy is probably the best in the way he can manage players, expectations and gets a group going together to a common goal.
"Every meeting there is something new. He's getting better as he gets older."
Shipperd has shepherded the Sixers through the most unique title defence in BBL history, with border closures meaning his team's first home game will be Saturday's final.
He made it clear they will be "hunted" as defending champions, and has since dropped plenty of 'F words' to motivate while keeping the mood upbeat.
One of the Sixers' themes this summer has been Shipperd finding a word starting with F to get various points across - fun, forensic, first impression, fire and flexibility have all got a run.
The fact the BBL's player of the tournament, 23-year-old Josh Philippe, views Shipperd as a trusted sounding board outside the season is telling of the coach's ability to relate to young and old cricketers.
"He's been a massive help for my game," Philippe said.
"I've often found I can get overloaded with feedback, try to take everything onboard, but he just comes in when I really need something.
"He's always been a phone call away, even when I haven't been in Sydney. He keeps it super simple and allows me to play with freedom.
"He's a great player manager, keeps everyone happy."
Shipperd is proof of the value of experience and third chances - the former Melbourne Stars coach was shown the door by both Cricket Victoria and Cricket Tasmania prior to landing the Sixers' gig.
You are unlikely to find him dancing in the rooms should the Sixers triumph, as Bennett memorably did after masterminding Queensland's State of Origin win last year.
But he and his players will enjoy a post-match laugh and drink - alcoholic or otherwise - as they have regularly done while in the biosecurity bubble.
