Several weeks ago I did an article on qualifications of a general manager. Not only was it well received, many readers have asked for an article on qualifications of a coach. Some even thought that the qualifications of the GM should also fit the coach. Here is my take based on a recent professional coach hiring.
When evaluating a coach or when a team is ready to select a new coach they typically look at whether the coach was successful in his previous (present) position. In addition they often look at:
- whether he employs a successful strategy
- whether he gets along well with players and has good rapport
- whether he surrounds himself with good coaches
- related items
Some new criteria appear to have been introduced that are considered to be very important. First and foremost appears to be whether the coach has detailed plans. This means whether he has schedules worked out for organized team activities, for the minicamps, how the players are going to eat during training camp, times of practices, how they are going to go on the road, if they are going to the East Coast, if they are leaving on Friday or Saturday for road trips, etc.
It was these detailed plans that most impressed the management and the fact that he had a good work ethic and had never been fired from a position, led to his being hired.
In my opinion because the coach must have excellent players to carry out his strategy, it is critical that the selection of players be foremost in the coach’s mind. Thus any detailed plans that he has should include the following sample evaluations of the players.
Player A — needs work on making sharp cuts (to be a successful running back)
Player B — too slow getting started. Needs to improve his acceleration
Player C – Good speed but poor changes of direction. Needs to be taken down a notch in his self-evaluation
Player D — not consistent in his passes. Looks like a shot putter on intermediate throws. Will need more work
Player E — has good forward acceleration and power. Needs to improve on moving laterally
Player F — good speed, good cuts, definitely a starter
Player G — good hands, make great catches, needs a little improvement on getting free.
The list can go on but I think you can see the difference in this type of evaluation or detail that addresses player ability and needs. If the team does not have personnel on board that can make some of the needed improvements, then they should bring in specialists to help in these areas.
These are the kind of details that I believe will make a successful coach. He knows the type of player he needs to carry out his strategy and can either select or fine tune his present players so that they can perform as needed.
Understand that the number of very talented players in the professional leagues is not many. The number on any one team can usually be counted on one hand. They are easy to spot in a game if you look at execution of the skills such as running, quick and sharp cutting actions, leaping, catching, eluding, etc.