Preston Williams and why it matters

[ClearwaterVol]

Robert Neyland, Woody Hayes, Bear Bryant, and a host of other "old guys" take exception to your first sentence.

Come to think of it, maybe this is a generational shift. "My way or the highway" was the common attitude for hard-nosed football coaches from the inception of the game up through the mid 1900s. But you're right, in recent decades a kinder, gentler version of the successful head football coach has come into being.

Then again, there's Nick Saban.

So maybe things haven't changed as much as all that.

Those guys operated in an era where they had unlimited schollies to give. Bear used to take guys he didn't want to prevent his rivals from getting them.

 

[Ten_Titans]

Love how we like to degrade people abilities when it doesn't follow the prescripted narrative.

IT'S HAWAII!

lol.

 

[VFL-82-JP]

Those guys operated in an era where they had unlimited schollies to give.

Nick Saban didn't. And he's just as dominating as any of those other hyper-successful coaches were.

I know, you're gonna say, "he's unique, he can get away with stuff no one else can, because he's super-successful."

Well, sure. But the point is: he's super successful. And he squashes big egos just like the old-fashioned coaches used to.

Which means others could, as well. So that proposition of yours (that good coaches manage egos) remains flawed.

 

[VFL-82-JP]

[double post]

 

[ClearwaterVol]

Nick Saban didn't. And he's just as dominating as any of those other hyper-successful coaches were.

I know, you're gonna say, "he's unique, he can get away with stuff no one else can, because he's super-successful."

Well, sure. But the point is: he's super successful. And he squashes big egos just like the old-fashioned coaches used to.

Which means others could, as well. So that proposition of yours (that good coaches manage egos) remains flawed.

There is more than one way to skin a cat. You have to be true to yourself. Saban is of a dying breed. Now things like this seem to go in cycles, so the ultra disciplinarian may come back around, but there is no denying that it has been on the decline for some time. And the many of the guys I named allow big egos but acknowledge that with such freedom comes the responsibility to lead correctly.

And I should have named Fulmer on my list as well

 

[VFL-82-JP]

There is more than one way to skin a cat. You have to be true to yourself. Saban is of a dying breed. Now things like this seem to go in cycles, so the ultra disciplinarian may come back around, but there is no denying that it has been on the decline for some time. And the many of the guys I named allow big egos but acknowledge that with such freedom comes the responsibility to lead correctly.

And I should have named Fulmer on my list as well

Yes, exactly. There is more than one way to lead. And things like leadership style ebb and flow. I wouldn't be so quick to write it off for a future resurgence.

As for Saban being a dying breed, I'm sure he will be mortified to hear that. Lord knows there are plenty of younger coaches (including one in Knoxville right now) who seem to be emulating him.

 

[ClearwaterVol]

Yes, exactly. There is more than one way to lead. And things like leadership style ebb and flow. I wouldn't be so quick to write it off for a future resurgence.

As for Saban being a dying breed, I'm sure he will be mortified to hear that. Lord knows there are plenty of younger coaches (including one in Knoxville right now) who seem to be emulating him.

They are emulating him to a degree. Nobody has nor will anyone be given the level of control that Saban has in Alabama.

 

[VFL-82-JP]

They are emulating him to a degree. Nobody has nor will anyone be given the level of control that Saban has in Alabama.

Sure, but we're not talking about control over the program as a whole. We're talking about leadership of the players. Every coach is free to lead the players and assistant coaches his way. At least, I know of none whose leadership prerogatives have been fenced.