The term "player's coach" is typically used to describe a guy who is easy to get along with and is "chummy" with the players. I'm not sure how "chummy" Dave Wannstedt was with the players, but I'd say in some ways he was a player's coach -- he typically backed his players and stayed with them through thick and thin.
This was also his downfall for reasons I'll explain below.
I think one of DW's primary mistakes as a coach was that he was too much a player's coach. He stayed with guys too long. Although it created a feeling of loyalty between him and the players, which was positive, I think it also created a feeling of unaccountability among the players, which was negative.
For example, how many times do you think the good players (Zach Thomas) became frustrated that, no matter how many times other guys made mistakes, they were hardly ever benched? In other words, how'd you like to be a good player and have your solid efforts (and those of the whole team) continually undermined by guys who aren't held accountable for their poor play?
Saban does the opposite of this. He finishes the season and says publicly that we need an upgrade at QB. You think Wannstedt would've ever done that? He brings in Mike Mularkey and, regardless of how accomplished Mularkey is as a coach, says Mularkey will use the Dolphins' system, not his own, so that the players can have more continuity. He benches first-round picks like Vernon Carey and free agent signings like Stockar McDougle when they aren't playing well. He cuts Heath Evans and brings in Darian Barnes for toughness on offense. He says he'll be using the rest of a trashed season to evaluate guys to determine if they're Miami Dolphins material. And the list goes on.
These kinds of moves, however subtle, IMO create a feeling of excitement among the good players, the players who go out and give their all and truly want a Super Bowl ring, no matter what they're paid -- the players who put the team in front of their individual accomplishments.
By contrast, although Wannstedt could be called more of a player's coach in the traditional sense, I think many of his moves created a feeling of safety and security among the bad players on the team. No matter how poorly they played, they were typically assured their same role on the team. Unfortunately I think that sapped the resolve of the good players after a while. You can only have your efforts undermined for so long without seeing a change before you basically throw in the towel.
The take home message is that I think we got a real winner here guys. I can only imagine how excited the Zach Thomases on the team are about next year. I know I am.
This was also his downfall for reasons I'll explain below.
I think one of DW's primary mistakes as a coach was that he was too much a player's coach. He stayed with guys too long. Although it created a feeling of loyalty between him and the players, which was positive, I think it also created a feeling of unaccountability among the players, which was negative.
For example, how many times do you think the good players (Zach Thomas) became frustrated that, no matter how many times other guys made mistakes, they were hardly ever benched? In other words, how'd you like to be a good player and have your solid efforts (and those of the whole team) continually undermined by guys who aren't held accountable for their poor play?
Saban does the opposite of this. He finishes the season and says publicly that we need an upgrade at QB. You think Wannstedt would've ever done that? He brings in Mike Mularkey and, regardless of how accomplished Mularkey is as a coach, says Mularkey will use the Dolphins' system, not his own, so that the players can have more continuity. He benches first-round picks like Vernon Carey and free agent signings like Stockar McDougle when they aren't playing well. He cuts Heath Evans and brings in Darian Barnes for toughness on offense. He says he'll be using the rest of a trashed season to evaluate guys to determine if they're Miami Dolphins material. And the list goes on.
These kinds of moves, however subtle, IMO create a feeling of excitement among the good players, the players who go out and give their all and truly want a Super Bowl ring, no matter what they're paid -- the players who put the team in front of their individual accomplishments.
By contrast, although Wannstedt could be called more of a player's coach in the traditional sense, I think many of his moves created a feeling of safety and security among the bad players on the team. No matter how poorly they played, they were typically assured their same role on the team. Unfortunately I think that sapped the resolve of the good players after a while. You can only have your efforts undermined for so long without seeing a change before you basically throw in the towel.
The take home message is that I think we got a real winner here guys. I can only imagine how excited the Zach Thomases on the team are about next year. I know I am.
