| Subject: Coaching Carousel |
Author:
Teller
|
[
Next Thread |
Previous Thread |
Next Message |
Previous Message
]
Date Posted: 15:04:46 01/01/03 Wed
It says in my newspaper this morning that Mike Holmgren has stepped down as GM in Seattle, to keep his head coaching job. I admire his comments: "I think the biggest title you can have is Super Bowl champion. It wasn't a particularly difficult thing for me. My No. 1 goal is winning." Holmgren also fired his entire defensive coaching staff. He said these coaches were his friends, and firing them wasn't fun.
The sceptics will say that Holmgren did what he had to do to save his head coaching position, but I think his decisions took great courage and a healthy dose of humility. Professional sports is filled with big egos...with men who think they are too big to give up authority or admit to being wrong. Holmgren was able to step back and look at what was best for the team...that success might best be attained through a means he hadn't originally envisioned.
Here in San Francisco, the rumor is that some egos are bent out of shape in the front office because their coach isn't their hand picked guy. After a 12-4 season in 2001, many argue that Walsh and Donahue, while surprised at the success, wanted to push Mariucci out so that they could name a head coach. That is the kind of ego that can set back an organization for a decade (witness Jerry Jones dumping Jimmy Johnson).
I don't know why this 2002 49ers team frustrates me so, with all the same coaches, same starting players, they don't seem to play a fourth quarter (offensively or defensively) that they can be proud of. The easy answer is blame the coach, who has done a remarkable job the previous five years. It is more difficult to blame the players, who we grow attached to and secretly wish we could be ($$$, fame and playing our favorite game for a living; rather than driving a truck, auditing expense reports, feeding livestock, studying for exams, filling out forms, meeting a sales quota, etc.).
All summer I read the optimistic reports that this team was new and improved. I believed it when they said Sean Moran could upgrade the LDE position. I believed it when they said that JJ Stokes was hungry and improved. I believed it when they said Mike Rumph would solidify the nickel back and Jeff Chandler was worth a fourth round pick. I expected all that work that Stubblefield did would improve the defense from 10th or 11th to 5th or 6th in the league.
But, when it comes right down to it...this team has the same imperfections in 2002 that it had when it ended 2001. The SAME problems! 1. Pourous nickel pass defense, 2. Lack of consistant pass rush, 3. No big play threat opposite Owens, and, 4. An offensive line that makes Garcia feel insecure. I know everyone loves the o-line and Garrison Hearst, but the 49ers rushing game which used lead the league is now ranked 11th or 12th in 2002.
I know TANK has been critical of the front office, but I think he was being more sarcastic, trying to make a point that aggressiveness needs to start at the top, from ownership and the front office. If I mischaracterized your thoughts TANK, I apologize. All I am trying to say is, the organization needs to think this season through, look at all the symptoms and causes for a frustrating season. They have to set egos and friendships aside, like Mike Holmgren. Admit their errors in personnel evaluation...admit their errors in play calling...admit their lack of preparation on special teams...admit some players don't have what it takes.
Oh yeah, Mornhinweg and Millen are doing that as we speak, and the Detroit ownership isn't ready to make a change this winter...they will wait for Mariucci another day.
I hope Jacksonville hires Dennis Green, but I expect they go with Nick Saban. Dallas with Parcells will be interesting to watch. Cincinnati won't give up the #1 pick for Mariucci, so this idea of getting an early draft pick for our coach is going nowhere fast. Donahue will be forced to extend his contract or release Mooch. Knapp looks like a goner. Any idea who we can replace him with? Tyrone Willingham has already been contacted by "the NFL front office on behalf of several NFL teams," and he gave an emphatic "NO THANK YOU!"
Happy New Year! Beat the Giants!
[
Next Thread |
Previous Thread |
Next Message |
Previous Message
]
| |
Feedback: 