Toronto Argonauts new general manager and former head coach Jim Barker attends a press conference to announce Scott Milanovich's appointment as head coach , in Toronto on Thursday December 1, 2011. The controversial XFL kicked off its first -and only - season 15 years ago Wednesday but Toronto Argonauts GM Barker has nothing but fond memories of his days as an offensive co-ordinator in the league. THE CANADIAN PRESS/ Chris Young

The XFL made a lasting impression on Jim Barker in its one season of existence.

The spring league, the brainchild of controversial wrestling guru Vince McMahon, began its inaugural season Feb. 3, 2001. Barker, the Toronto Argonauts GM, earned a championship ring as the Los Angeles Xtreme's offensive co-ordinator while also discovering a head coach in waiting.

The Xtreme's backup quarterback that year was none other than Argos head coach Scott Milanovich, the first player taken in the 2001 XFL draft. Milanovich played sparingly behind league MVP Tommy Maddox, but according to Barker he was instrumental to Los Angeles's success.

"Tommy had a great year but Scott had a lot to do with that," Barker said Wednesday, the 15th anniversary of the XFL's debut. "He would simplify things and make it so easy for Tommy.

"Even though he didn't play much he was so valuable as a backup and a guy who could have a great relationship with Tommy and basically kick off his coaching career."

Milanovich was also a reluctant storyline prior to Los Angeles's 39-32 overtime win over Chicago the second week of the season. Milanovich's wife, Jaime, was overdue with their first child and the XFL had a helicopter on stand-by just in case. Fortunately, no emergency flight to hospital was required.

"Vince McMahon did things the right way," Barker said. "Now, he would've televised (the helicopter ride), he would've made it into a big deal and Scott isn't the type who wants that kind of thing but they had it ready to go."

More important than the theatrics, Milanovich gained Barker's trust that season.

"My offence was my thing and Scott was one of the first people I ever trusted it to," Barker said. "There are very few people in this business that you truly put your heart on the line for and he's a guy that I've always felt that for.

"I've always felt he's had my back and again it's kind of rare in sports to have the kind of relationship and it's something that makes what I do right now so special. I really enjoy the time I have with him."

Barker first met Milanovich the night before the Xtreme's mini-camp and knew immediately he was destined to become a coach.

"We did a presentation of the offence before the start of mini-camp," Barker said. "At the end of it, Tommy and Scott came up and said, 'Hey, can we ask you a few questions?'

"Well, they went on for six hours about protections and Scott basically led most of it. Now that I know Scott, he probably got to Tommy and said, 'Hey, let's make sure this guy is going to be able to protect our asses.' I guarantee you Tommy didn't instigate that meeting . . . from that point forward, Scott was always to me a coach on the field."

Barker, as Calgary's head coach, brought Milanovich to the CFL in '03. The plan was for Milanovich to be the third quarterback behind veteran Marcus Crandell and Kevin Feterik but injuries to both forced Milanovich under centre shortly after his arrival.

It was a baptism by fire as in three appearances with Calgary, Milanovich completed 40-of-72 passes for 521 yards with a touchdown and seven interceptions.

"Everything happened so fast for him," Barker said. "So he retired and I kept him on as a coach and towards the end of the season promoted him to offensive co-ordinator.

"He's just that bright."

In December 2011, Barker gave Milanovich his first head-coaching job in Toronto. Milanovich rewarded that faith by leading the Argos to victory in the historic 100th Grey Cup game that season.

Milanovich has guided Toronto to the playoffs in three of his four seasons. He has a 38-32 regular-season record and is 3-2 in the playoffs.

"He's one of those guys who commands respect," Barker said. "He has that quality to lead and for me he's the perfect head coach."

The XFL kicked off in '01 as a 50-50 partnership between McMahon and NBCUniversal. The eight-team league operated as a single entity with uniform player salaries —quarterbacks made US$5,000 weekly, $500 more than uniform players while kickers earned $3,500. Players on winning teams received a $2,500 bonus during the season and $7,500 for playoffs.

Players were permitted to put colourful nicknames on the back of their jerseys — the most imaginative being Las Vegas running back Rod Smart's "He Hate Me." And when Los Angeles beat San Francisco 38-6 in the XFL final, its players and coaches split the $1-million winner's share, roughly $26,000 apiece.

Despite its attempts to be different, the XFL folded after one year as NBC and the WWE each reportedly lost $35 million. But that has not diminished Barker's impression of the league.

"In terms of pure coaching, it was perfect because there was motivation every week for players," Barker said. "They tried a lot of things, they weren't afraid to take chances.

"In the beginning I'm not sure Vince McMahon understood it couldn't be wrestling in terms of all the storylines because football players are looked at differently than wrestlers are. But towards the end the football actually got real good.

" I loved the guys I worked with, I loved the players. It was truly one of the greatest years I've ever had coaching."

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