Thoughts On Tony Sporano

[So Be]

Ya gotta love the guy and what he's done, and is doing. He will pat players on the back, and rip their heads off. In many years of watching many coaches, not many can do that.

Does he remind you of anyone, or how would you describe him?

 

[moe]

This team has lacked strong leadership at the HC position for a llllooooooong time. I didn't know jack about the guy when we got him, but I couldn't be happier. A lot of people give the credit for this team's improvement to BP, but I think Tony is the major reason for this team's success when it comes to non-player leadership.

 

[TheDon74]

Closest I can think of in recent years would be Cowher. It's not easy to balance being hard and somewhat of a players coach at the same time. The players have to have a lot of respect for you and feel like they are being dealt with honestly in order for that to occur. I think in Parcells later years of coaching he may have lost that balance a little and it cost him some locker rooms and maybe some wins.

 

[So Be]

Closest I can think of in recent years would be Cowher. It's not easy to balance being hard and somewhat of a players coach at the same time. The players have to have a lot of respect for you and feel like they are being dealt with honestly in order for that to occur. I think in Parcells later years of coaching he may have lost that balance a little and it cost him some locker rooms and maybe some wins.

Cowher is a VG choice. He was the one who came to mind in recent history.

 

[LANGER72]

Sparano is doing a fantastic job. Credit Parcells with assembling this coaching staff.
Without quality coordinators and position coaches, I dont think we are having this discussion. Sparano seems to have the right combination to be a great coach.

 

[malzacher]

Ya gotta love the guy and what he's done, and is doing. He will pat players on the back, and rip their heads off. In many years of watching many coaches, not many can do that.

Does he remind you of anyone, or how would you describe him?

You wouldn't know it, but Sparano reminds me of my olf high school football coach in the keys. Short and fat, he gets on your butt when you mess up but it motivates you at the same time.. Outside of football, he can be yur best friend and you feel you can go to him for whatever you need. These type of guys are what you need for a coach imo

 

[DFJR88]

spell his name right.

 

[Vaark]

Ya gotta love the guy and what he's done, and is doing. He will pat players on the back, and rip their heads off. In many years of watching many coaches, not many can do that.

His no-nonsense style of tough love and immediate personal accountability generously reinforced by positive strokes when deserved was/is just what this team needed. While at this point in TS's HC career, there might be more astute HCs available, I honestly don't believe we could have found a more appropriate one who's own professional growth is capable of developing in lockstep with the team's.

Does he remind you of anyone, or how would you describe him?

"A spicy little meatball"

 

[So Be]

spell his name right.

GREAT POST, thanks for playing. LOL

 

[So Be]

You wouldn't know it, but Sparano reminds me of my olf high school football coach in the keys. Short and fat, he gets on your butt when you mess up but it motivates you at the same time.. Outside of football, he can be yur best friend and you feel you can go to him for whatever you need. These type of guys are what you need for a coach imo

You bring up a good point. I had the same in HS but, he was not fat, was a DI in the Marines. He used to kill me in games and practice but, was a good friend off the court.

Tuff thing to do.

 

[So Be]

His no-nonsense style of tough love and immediate personal accountability generously reinforced by positive strokes when deserved was/is just what this team needed. While at this point in TS's HC career, there might be more astute HCs available, I honestly don't believe we could have found a more appropriate one who's own professional growth is capable of developing in lockstep with the team's.

"A spicy little meatball"

I like my wife's description of a Teddy/Grizzley Bear.

I would not tell her anthing different. She's about the same. LOL

 

[burghPhinFan]

he was quite the contrast to the Bucs coach the other night. Geesh, so some emotion, will ya?

 

[Dolphins7273]

Who's this "Sporano" guy people keep mentioning around here?

 

[Tigers2003]

Closest I can think of in recent years would be Cowher. It's not easy to balance being hard and somewhat of a players coach at the same time. The players have to have a lot of respect for you and feel like they are being dealt with honestly in order for that to occur. I think in Parcells later years of coaching he may have lost that balance a little and it cost him some locker rooms and maybe some wins.

Yes I can see the Cowher correlation. Especially how he will get in a player's face to make a point and how he does it. Admire his love and enthusiasm during the waning moments of 4th qtr preseason. Sends the message that all the effort counts for something and to care as a professional. He exudes leadership and after Wanny, Saban ( a leader/dictator suitable for young impressionable college kids not for grown men), and Cam much needed.

 

[So Be]

Yes I can see the Cowher correlation. Especially how he will get in a player's face to make a point and how he does it. Admire his love and enthusiasm during the waning moments of 4th qtr preseason. Sends the message that all the effort counts for something and to care as a professional. He exudes leadership and after Wanny, Saban ( a leader/dictator suitable for young impressionable college kids not for grown men), and Cam much needed.

Tony also reminds me some of Saint Vince. Sometimes a friend, sometimes in your face, and telling you, man to man, that if you do not perform you are gone. Players appreciate that.