First, a head coach must be able to lead – not just a locker room, but an entire building. Most look to the HC to set the tone. Questions that seem minor at first glance can have a big impact on Sunday’s result. Things like, what to serve in the cafeteria; how long to practice and at what time of day; Dress for travel; who plays and who doesn’t; whether to challenge a call or go ahead on the fourth descent; should a player be disciplined and, if so, how severely? Some questions may not be weighed by themselves, but the burden can be heavy when combined with others.
“With experience, you learn a lot, so I think it helps to have that experience,” said Chargers defensive coordinator Gus Bradley, who was 14-48 years old as a Jaguars coach in 2013-16. “There are things that you go through for the first time that I don’t know how you prepare for that, from managing the game to finishing situations, building a team within finishing, to situations that arise within the team. I went looking for how , I am in charge of leading 30 guys in defense and now there are 60 guys. It is the same leadership. But, obviously, there are other things that follow on a daily basis. “
“It’s a great job,” said Joseph. “You don’t know how big it is until you get the job done. You have been in the league for a long time and assume that you have seen other coaches do the work, but the things behind the scenes that are so important to building culture and winning games – you you have no idea of that, unless someone actually guides you through the process. “
These words may be selfish, but that doesn’t make them any less true. The reality is that none of this matters if the coach and the front office are not on the same page. In fact, this was the guiding thread in discussions with former coaches, that the vision of how to proceed should be shared – and genuine – at all levels.
Joseph did not find this in Denver. He had an established general manager with a particular vision of how to build the team, so he chose not to speak up early, when he realized the flaws in the project. He trusted Elway more than himself at the time, aware that the Broncos was just one season away from winning the championship.
“This is the biggest regret I have in Denver, for not using my voice enough to help us choose better players to make our team better,” said Joseph. “That part is a learned behavior that comes with the time and confidence of a GM. But when you have a guy in the job for a long time, you kind of trust your process. It was never my process, so I think I definitely should talk more about the staff (in the future) because it’s a team-oriented league, and to build a football team according to your vision and image, you need to have the right players intact. That part in Denver I don’t finish in time keep my job I was naive to think that the job was not broken I was naive to think that someone else can choose your players from top to bottom and you have no voice in it It’s impossible to win like that because your main role as coach is football. You are the football expert, not the GM, so to speak. So you need to have a voice in the people who will make your systems work.
“You have to go in and know what is important, and the first thing that is important in this league is the season of choosing players. How do you get your players? Obviously selection and free agency, but you have to have a voice in that as a coach of football, because it’s your experience to be put on the team to succeed. And if you can’t, as Bill Parcells used to say, have a say in choosing groceries, you’re going to have a hard time making dinner. But the football part, when it comes to training the team and the attack and defense and special teams, I don’t regret that part. Leading men, I don’t regret leading men. But I’m sorry I don’t have such a voice strong in the choice of players. Do not force it; just be more persistent in having a role in that. That part, I’m very sorry. “
Joseph, Morris, Bradley and Allen hope to have a second chance, but they also recognize that it must be the right fit because a third chance is unlikely. Jim Caldwell is also open to another opportunity after successful spells in Indianapolis, where the Colts went to the Super Bowl, and in Detroit, where Lions went to the playoffs twice in four seasons, after advancing only once in the previous 14 years. .
“I didn’t have time to sit and talk to Jim Caldwell,” said Bradley, “but if you talk to people I speak to in the NFL, people consider you very well and there’s a lot of respect for him. Sometimes you scratch your head and say , ‘Why wouldn’t he have another chance?’ He is very respected, a strong leader, has a presence in the room and develops people. Why wouldn’t Jim Caldwell have another chance? I don’t know why, but maybe he will. You kind of pull on it. “
Morris did a remarkable job after inheriting a 0-5 Falcons team this year. Atlanta recovered to win four of the top six under his direction, but has dropped four in a row since, all by five points or less. He had a formal interview for the Falcons’ full-time job on Friday, by colleague Ian Rapoport. Bradley, for example, believes that Morris has clearly demonstrated that he deserves another opportunity. But he also points out that rookies can also succeed, pointing specifically to Sean McVay of Rams. The main point, he argues, is that the door must be open for everyone.
“I don’t know if one way is better than the other, but you don’t discredit a guy who’s been through it and maybe not so successful the first time,” said Bradley. “There are valuable lessons that they have learned and I think part of that should be appreciated.”