Great Article on What to Look for in a HC

Kazu2324

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Found an absolutely fantastic article on what we should be looking for in a HC and a lot of great research into what has been said by some of the greatest coaches ever.

Very worth the read and highly recommended, though it is a long read. Also, this was written for the Lions' HC search but applies to all teams.

https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2018...oll-parcells-shula-walsh-jimmy-johnson-landry

For those who are too lazy to read, the TL: DR version:

Starts with why it's not the best idea to fire a coach mid-season and the need for stability (doesn't quite apply to the Bears since Fox sucked and stability on sucking is pointless). Talks about the Steelers' extending Cowher in 2004 despite 2 years left on his contract. Rooney is quoted explaining how changing coaches may set you back 2 years and when you're continually doing that every 3 years, you'll never make it anywhere.

Then a bunch of stuff on Caldwell that can be skipped.

Then gets into the meat of the article.
First part explains what makes HC different compared to just being a coordinator.
  • Talks about Sean Payton going to Dallas and what he learned under Parcells.
  • It wasn't all about Xs and Os.
  • Payton didn't just get good as a coordinator under Parcells. He learned a lot about things like personnel evaluations in order to become a good HC.
Levy is then quoted on what makes a good HC. He says HC need the following qualities:
  1. Work ethic, wanted to be there and loved their jobs;
  2. excellent teachers;
  3. work well with others within the organization. "Those autocratic types who went strutting around as if they knew it all were destroyers of unity and morale."
Second part goes into obtaining buy-in from players and other coaches.
Talks a lot about different ways coaches get players to buy in.
Jimmy Johnson's start with the Dolphins is detailed.
  • He changed them from a finesse team relying on Marino's arm to one that could out condition the other team.
  • Changed practices to full contact, etc.
  • He stated that it wasn't just winning the first game but how they win and putting his team into winning position that validated their philosophy and work so that the players bought in.
Also describes Bill Parcells and the Patriots.
  • Aaron Jones, the DE, was quoted saying that Parcells told them "This is how it should happen" and then everything that was said came true, building confidence because the coach knows what he's talking about. That's how Parcells gained trust and built confidence among everyone in the organization.

Third Part is about coaches being teachers
Tom Landry's playing time is talked about and how being the smartest guy in the room as a player wasn't nearly as important as helping the other players apply that info.
  • Being the smartest player or coach isn't everything. When Landry was a player, he earned the respect of his teammates, not by being the best player or the smartest, but by spending hours studying film and then using that information and helping not just himself, but the rest of his team, apply it.
Even Chuck Noll, known as a brilliant innovator, preferred to downplay his innovations and would rather focus more on the teaching aspect.
  • Tony Dungy credits 95% of what he's learned about being a coach to Noll. He explained how Chuck was explaining things about being a gunner and blocker and the importance of state of mind. Made Dungy buy in completely.

Part 4 is about getting the best out of everyone around you
Bill Walsh and Jimmy Johnson both stated as saying Xs and Os aren't as important as chemistry among the staff.
  • Johnson details his experience with University of Miami and how it took time to get the coaches he wanted in there rather than just the egos that were brilliant with the Xs and Os.
  • Knowing the technical parts is different than knowing the organization and running organizations is more a matter of knowing people than knowing the mechanics of the game.

Last part is about Responsiblitiy for everything
  • HC will deal with a crap load of stuff like PR, equipment and facilities, offseason workouts, etc.
  • Lots of Jimmy Johnson's SB experiences that were well outside of what he expected, things like getting tickets for families of players, etc.

Then there's a part about what's best for the Lions that could be skipped over.

Sorry for the super long post but really interesting read and something to consider while thinking about the next Bears' HC
 

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