When Coordinators get hired to be a Head Coach

[Utah John]

Speaking of delegation:  McDermott has figured out how to be a good HC, and I think he's probably delegated some of THOSE duties to others so he could do a good job as DC as well as HC.  It seems to be working.  It could turn out that if the Bills lose a few more games they should have won (e.g., the Jets) the team will start to question the current arrangement, and McD might not be in a strong position to address the situation, not with his DC duties eating up time.  But for now, I'm happy.

[SoCal Deek]

One of the advantages of being in a leadership position in a business like professional football is that it works to a REALLY strict annual calendar. So while during your first year I’m guessing everything is coming at you pretty fast, by the time you get a few seasons under your belt you get very accustomed to the rhythm of it all. (Not all that different from being a rookie QB where the game slows down.) So I’m pretty sure McD is now more than ready to take on the added responsibilities of DC. He probably couldn’t have done it a few years ago. My management journey was exactly the same even though my annual calendar wasn’t quite as stable. 

[Ridgewaycynic2013]

6 hours ago, Just in Atlanta said:

A fantastic example of the Peter principle.

 

[Augie]

3 hours ago, SoCal Deek said:

One of the advantages of being in a leadership position in a business like professional football is that it works to a REALLY strict annual calendar. So while during your first year I’m guessing everything is coming at you pretty fast, by the time you get a few seasons under your belt you get very accustomed to the rhythm of it all. (Not all that different from being a rookie QB where the game slows down.) So I’m pretty sure McD is now more than ready to take on the added responsibilities of DC. He probably couldn’t have done it a few years ago. My management journey was exactly the same even though my annual calendar wasn’t quite as stable. 

 

A few years ago McD had a former HC and a future HC working for him. Wise move to surround yourself with minds like that, especially in his early years as HC. Now, could he use some more brain talent around? Of course. I love what the D has looked like, but I worry about him being stretched too thin.  🤞 

 

 

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Edited September 26, 2023 by Augie

[Don Otreply]

8 hours ago, Magox said:

When a Defensive or Offensive Coordinator gets hired to become a head coach of an organization, presumably its because that coordinator excelled in that role.   It never made sense to me that as soon as they are hired that they pretty much give up what they were good at, outsource it to a new coordinator who often times they don't have previous working relationships with.

 

I think if you see guys like McVay and Reid to name a couple, these guys still have very active roles in where they made their living and they've had good results doing so.

 

I think we are beginning to see that with McDermott, yes its early to make any final proclamations but McD was a hell of a Defensive coordinator and I think you are seeing his style of defense playout with how the Bills have played the past few weeks.

 

I think if I were the GM or owner of the organization and I were to make a new hire for head coach I'd want him to play a more involved role on what got him hired than what we traditionally see from head coaches.

 

Thoughts?

In my work life I have seen organizations promote there best sales people into management roles and then watch their sales drop,  the right talent in the right roles is very important. 

[eball]

This is a great discussion.  I think that for first-time HC hires in the NFL, the coach often thinks he has to step back from his coordinator role so that he can “oversee” the entire operation he is now responsible for.  That’s why many coaches fail…they lose sight of what got them there in the quest to become master of everything.  The best ones are great delegators and surround themselves with people who want them to succeed.

 

One thing is certain, however — you are either a leader or you aren’t.  Leadership skills can be strengthened but you just “know” if someone can inspire others to follow.  McD has that.

 

I think the change this year has rejuvenated McD.  I think he’s having more fun, and from some of the comments I’ve read from players on the defensive side of the ball they respect him even more now that they feel like he is “one of them.”

 

If this season goes the way I hope it does, I don’t think we’ll see McD step away from leading the defense again for the rest of his tenure.

 

[SoCal Deek]

1 hour ago, Augie said:

 

A few years ago McD had a former HC and a future HC working for him. Wise move to surround yourself with minds like that, especially in his early years as HC. Now, could he use some more brain talent around? Of course. I love what the D has looked like, but I worry about him being stretched too thin.  🤞 

 

 

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It’s a balancing act for sure and different for every ‘boss’ in every industry. I always felt like I was wasting my time just walking around checking on other middle managers all day. Once you have the Process set, there’s more than enough time in your day to jump in and actually get things done. As far as I can tell McD is ready to take the next natural step. 

[LABILLBACKER]

7 hours ago, Virgil said:

My only question is, if they act as a coordinator, then what things aren't they doing that a HC should be doing during the offseason, practices, and games?  

 

If it's negligible, then I don't know why I would care what they do.  But if they are clearly not involved in aspects of the team that affect performance and team atmosphere, then it would be a concern for me.

I don't care if some of their HC duties fall off a little.  It doesn't seem to effect Reid or McVay during their championship seasons. So far Sean has this D flying around and Von's not even back yet. I'll trust him to call a more aggressive version of Leslie's gameplan and not lose sleep if a couple negligible HCing details get missed.  Too bad he didn't make this change in 21.

[ChronicAndKnuckles]

9 hours ago, Heavy Kevi said:

Core competency.

 

I talk about it with my staff all the time. It's great to excell and move into a new position, but we can't forget or leave behind our core competency.

 

I own 3 restaurants and am currently building out a 4th... And I still cook every day. As good as I like to think I am in business, my core competency is cooking and managing a kitchen and I'm the most value to my own business when I do that.

 

It also gets you respect from staff (or players in Sean's case) when they see you leading from the front. I have been very lucky to maintain an amazing staff but you can't hold on to people if they don't respect you or believe in your justification of authority.

 

Sean is doing what he's best at, which also makes him a better HC and I'm sure the players feel he is more "in it" with them as opposed to them being "in it" for him.

 

My $.02 anyway...

Sheesh. I wish my boss had this same philosophy

[LeGOATski]

Hey guys. Is this the thread where I can not-so-subtly indicate to you all that I'm a super successful manager of a business?

 

Cuz I am.

 

So I get it. I get ALL of what this is.

[SoCal Deek]

3 minutes ago, LeGOATski said:

Hey guys. Is this the thread where I can not-so-subtly indicate to you all that I'm a super successful manager of a business?

 

Cuz I am.

 

So I get it. I get ALL of what this is.

I’m guessing you’re more comfortable with people giving opinions with absolutely no personal experience whatsoever. You do you! 😉

[LeGOATski]

2 minutes ago, SoCal Deek said:

I’m guessing you’re more comfortable with people giving opinions with absolutely no personal experience whatsoever. You do you! 😉

Maybe some people are just meant to post emojis or gifs.

 

When they get promoted to opinion-giving, they become incompetent.

 

IDK, just my .02 from my vast experience in high level posting.

[SoCal Deek]

52 minutes ago, LeGOATski said:

Maybe some people are just meant to post emojis or gifs.

 

When they get promoted to opinion-giving, they become incompetent.

 

IDK, just my .02 from my vast experience in high level posting.

As I said…you do you. I’m going to read and listen to those on here who are sharing something constructive from their professional experience on the topic. 

Edited September 27, 2023 by SoCal Deek