A Tale of Two Coaches

by John B on Dec 14, 2009 9:30 AM EST Comment 5 comments

Watching the game yesterday, I couldn't help but think of the contrast between the two rookie coaches. One has his team in the Playoff hunt. The other has his team in the hunt for the first pick in the Draft. There's no doubt the talent on the rosters has a lot to do with it, but I think the paths these guys took also plays a role.

One coach studied at the feet of one of the game's greatest innovators who happened to be his father. He spent a decade in the NFL paying his dues, learning his craft, and slowly climbing the coaching ladder. He gradually took on greater responsibility through the years. When opportunity knocked, he had a plan on how to improve his new team, and he executed it.

The other never had responsibility greater than running the defense of a middle of the pack Big XII team in college for one year. He was a position coach for two before taking over. He fired one coordinator before his first season even started. He fired the other during that first season due in part because his philosophy didn't mesh with that of his coordinator.

Does this mean if you put Rex Ryan on the Bucs they would be 7-6 and fighting for a Playoff spot? Probably not. There's little talent on that roster. Would the Jets have more than a single win if Raheem Morris was the head coach? Probably. I don't think they're in contention, though. I also think the Bucs would be showing more progress with Rex.

Watching the Bucs, I was astounded. Rich Gannon discussed during the broadcast how little he thought of their practices. He also took to task their offensive line's technique. One thing that stuck out to me was how Tampa never adjusted its blocking schemes by sliding protection or going max protect even though the Jets kept overloading the same side. I also couldn't figure out why Tampa didn't even attempt to establish the run with a raw rookie quarterback coming off a rough game facing an elite pass rush.

A lot of teams are looking to catch lightning in a bottle going as young as possible. I can understand that. It sure worked for the Steelers with Mike Tomlin. A resume isn't everything. Look at how Romeo Crennel failed as a head coach even with an incredibly distinguished track record as an assistant. You can apply this to any aspect of life. John Quincy Adams was as qualified as any to be President, yet many historians compare him a poor one. Abraham Lincoln was our least qualified President ever, yet many consider him the greatest. I'm just happy the Jets found a guy who was ready to be head coach. We learned how tough it is when you don't with Eric Mangini. Tampa fans are going through that right now.

How important do you think past experience really is for a head coach?

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I don’t think their is any particular model for a great coach, I think experience is always preferable though, the more they have been around NFL teams the more they pick up, on everything from how to run a good practise to game time situations, how to handle certain situations that arise etc, no offence to any Bucs fans that are reading this, but I don’t think many coaches could get much out of that team so it’s really hard to judge Morris right now.

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by David_Wyatt on Dec 14, 2009 10:52 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

The big mistake with Tampa was that they suddenly changed everything on offense and defense.

Rex learned from last year that continuity is important. He urged B-Schott and Callahan to stay, as well as Westhoff, and even kept Bob Sutton as LB Coach. For the new system on defense he acquired one guy for the seconday (Leonhard), one in the middle (Scott), and one up front (Douglas).

and the home of the... JETS!!!

by dvdvil on Dec 14, 2009 3:11 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Good point. Continuity is important...

But also, he came in with a proven system thats worked exceptionally well for years. Its easy for the players to be buy in under circumstances like that. They know that if they do as theyre told they will be successful.

But with a guy who has no track record and thats as young as some of the guys he’s coaching, I would imagine him not having the credibility with the players to right the ship when things go wrong. It would be tough to gain respect without winning immediately.

by Crackback on Dec 14, 2009 3:43 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

two different coaches.

I don’t think Raheem Morris was ready to be a head coach. He only spent one year as a co-ordinator in college. Tampa was afraid they were going to lose him to another team. I would have given Jon Gruden one more year. Then again they are rebuilding. This will take time. Remember The last time the Jets were in the Super Bowl was over 40 years ago. Look at the Saints This is only the second good year they have had in 43 years.I hope Tampa has some patience.. They will get one of the top 3 picks in the 2010 draft and that is where it begins . Let us not forget the Patriots they went through decades of losing until they started winning.

by nyfan in fl on Dec 14, 2009 5:48 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Funny Thing

Gruden had the Bucs at 9-3 before losing the last 4, now they are a joke. I am starting to wonder if they hired Raheem as a stop gap until one of the big guys(Holmgren,Cowher,Shanahan) is interested. You figure they will have a top 3 pick, and some good young players, which might appeal to one of them. Rookie coaches have bad days, but that team looked lost yesterday. He doesnt seem to know how to prepare the team.

by YankeesJets on Dec 14, 2009 8:47 PM EST reply actions 0 recs