Qualities of a Successful NFL Coach

 Hoosierteacher wrote a reply to a post I made to his "MHR Chalk Talk" that got me to thinking...what are the qualities of a successful coach? He said:

A big myth is that coaches "specialize". The truth is, any coach that is HC, OC, or DC material can coach OC or DC. I never had a passion for offense, but I could run one as good as a defense.

This post is more a collection of random thoughts than a well thought out article.  However early it is to be crowning a new king of coaches in Denver, I think McDaniels and the Broncos' coaches are certainly on track. Major kudos to Pat Bowlen (including Xanders, Ellis, and the dearly departed Goodmans) for going after a coach first and McDaniels for assembling a talented group of coaches.

The team released a lot of players and acquired many new ones.  It can easily be said that we are both a rebuilding and an expansion team. Yet we cannot say that simply changing the player personnel has made all the difference in this year's team. Credit must also be given to the large turnover in coaching staff.

I read an article on the worst coaching hires in Sports Illustrated (Eric Mangini being the worst ever).  There are quite a few guys we could have hired, but did not: Raheem Morris, Spagnuolo, Rex Ryan, Rick Dennison, Schwartz, etc. Instead of going for instant credibility with the fans Bowlen went with long-term building and ability. So far, I don't think anyone can reasonably say that Bowlen made a bad hire.

Why was Shanahan fired?  Many think it was because he would not fire Slowik or give up GM responsibilities.  I believe it was because of his personality.  It was Shanahan's way or the highway.  An easy arrogance lording over his domain.  Sounds to me like Mangini fits that mold.

I re-read Hoosierteacher's article "On Field Ramifications of Head Coaching Change" for more insight. I also looked at what little info there was regarding McDaniels' interviews. Another great article is Hoosierteacher's article "System Issues and the 2008 Broncos"

There are two goals for a system to be effective.  First, it must be executed better than the opposition runs their system.  Second, it must not fall into a predictable pattern (even while staying in the bounds of a set system). ... I found that I could take complex systems (be they math, science, or the run contain) and break them down into bite sized pieces for scholars or athletes, get the information across, and motivate them to execute....basics come first.  Along with the basics, the team needs an identity.  Beyond that, everything else is just icing. 

I learned that identity builds cohesiveness.  We can bring our own individual traits to the table (he was intense, I was calm), but we shared a common bond.  Our job wasn't to build character, but to reveal it.  Our job wasn't to win games, but to teach the kids to win games.  Our job wasn't to out-coach the other team, but to beat them on the field with sound skills. ...We taught the kids to play every play as if it was the only play that mattered. ... Is this just another play in practice, or are you playing this drill as if your family's life depends on it

Most people recognized that a major flaw of the 2008 Broncos was the defense.  It made sense, superficially, to hire a new head coach that was a defensive coach.  But I buy in to Hoosierteacher's explanation that any coach can coach either offense or defense as long as he is teaching the basics and building a team identity.  What are the qualities of a successful coach?  Here is a tentative outline of random thoughts:

• Good teacher - can communicate to the players how to institute the game plan and how to carry it out/ covering material for the say the offense as a whole and then going back to each individual or the individual and his position coach to fine tune the bigger concept./ coaches that could relay information in simple and logical terms.
• Good strategist - game planning/ Creates an environment of success:
• Good tactician - flexible enough to change the game plan to adjust to the opponent/ breaks down plays into its individual components/puts his players in positions where they can succeed. Doesn't make bone-headed play calls.
• Good student - can break down film/ researches and keep educating himself/ attention to detail and thoroughness./ ability to analyze a player's strengths and weaknesses
• Good leader - Clearly identifies and communicates the team's identity/ enjoys having great coaches around him/ puts the players first, sets them up for success/ Trains to compete and competes how they train/ good delegater/ continiity of system/ does not live on his reputation. I recommend re-reading boydy2669's post "From Another Coaches Perspective"

What are "The Basics" for this team?

• Ball Control - Avoid turnovers, preach YAC & Tackling (correct angles, get as many guys to the ball as you can), everyone plays their part, demand excellent field position, manage the clock...
• Force Turnovers - drills
• Aggressive defense (not run contain or pass prevent) While we appear to have a base 5-2 defense, I am reluctant to apply any kind of scheme label to it because I have seen it go to 4-3, 3-4, and other formations.  Players I anticipate always being on weakside playing on strongside make an easy label impossible.
• Conditioning - from better nutrition to more running to yoga, A to Z, the Broncos made a point this year to get the players in better physical condition.

Template Coaches (see NFL Hall of Fame ) Here are some of my favorites:

• Bill Belichick - Patriots
• Bill Parcells - Giants
• Bill Cowher - Steelers
• Chuck Noll - Steelers
• Tom Landry - Cowboys
• Don Shula - Colts & Dolphins
• Bill Walsh - 49's
• Vince Lombardi - Packers
• George Halas - Bears
• Paul Brown - Browns

Ranking NFL Coaches links

• "ZEUS analysis"
• "Top 2009 Coaches"
• "Bleacher Report Top Coaches" (McDaniels is ranked the absolute worst)

In summary, I love what I have seen from the new Broncos coaching staff thus far this year. How about you? What is their "identity?"