Criteria for the new coach--Harbaugh style

[MHS831]

Needs to be familiar with the 4-3 to match our defensive personnel. (Vic Fangio was Harbaugh's DC and is credited with much of Stanford's success. He implemented a hybrid defense, one that shifted from the 4-3 to the 3-4. With players line Everette Brown and Eric Norwood, along with 2 top tier MLBs, are the pieces in place here to bring Fangio back to Carolina as Harbaugh's DC?)

Needs to be a "players' coach." JR saw a few things this year. He saw a 2-13 team playing their butts off for Fox. He also saw teams where the coach has disconnect with players flounder this season (San Francisco, New York Giants, Denver). Harbaugh is the quintessential "player's coach."

Needs to be able to develop QBs. Jake was a lucky break. He peaked and fizzled here. In 9 years, did we ever develop a QB? Have our QBs improved? Have we been able to draft or sign a QB in the past 8 years? Can you win consistently in the NFL without a QB? Harbaugh solves this problem.

Needs to be someone to uplift the fans and show that there is a restored committment to winning. Sorry, but Russ Grimm, Marvin Lewis, etc. do not send this message. Harbaugh is a proven winner on the college level. You could argue that Spurrier was an ex-NFL QB who won at Duke, but there are differences, and with any coach there is risk. If signing Harbaugh guarantees (almost) that Luck comes out as well, it is a "2 fer." You just put your franchise in a position to win for the next decade. With our young core, I would not bet against the Panthers.

[Mother Grabber]

Not too concerned about the player's coach thing. It's amazing how many players like their coach when you're winning, regardless of style. I doubt if you'll find Bellichek having too many BBQs with his boyeez.

[MHS831]

Not too concerned about the player's coach thing. It's amazing how many players like their coach when you're winning, regardless of style. I doubt if you'll find Bellichek having too many BBQs with his boyeez.

I thought of him when writing this, but I have seen film of him at practice and he is yucking it up with them. I think you are right--when you win. Coaching is needed most when you don't. I think Gruden suffered because his players didn't like him. Remember a long time ago when Frank Kush brought his boot camps to the Colts? Coughlin's struggles are not due to his football IQ--the man is brilliant. In fact, he made a pact to "loosen up" the year they won the Super Bowl. I want my players willing to die for me when I need them to. If they like and respect you because they feel you like and respect them, they will. It is just like a family, and overbearing, indifferent coaches tend to produce dysfunctional families. Sure the talent can help you overcome adversity and win in the short term, but the mark of a good coach is how well you rebound from losing. BB is the exception, because Brady appeared out of nowhere to save his butt. He is tolerated for that reason. Would BB be there today without Brady? Who knows.

[theyhateme45]

Not too concerned about the player's coach thing. It's amazing how many players like their coach when you're winning, regardless of style. I doubt if you'll find Bellichek having too many BBQs with his boyeez.

I disagree with this.... there could be growing pains and you don't want the wheels falling off after a bad season

Also see Shannahan in Washington, or Childress in Minnesota.

[Herb]

Tom Coughlin has never been a players coach and he was great at Jacksonville and with the Giants and won a Super Bowl.

You don't ever need someone to be a players coach. If they're a good coach that's all that matters.

[Mother Grabber]

I'm not saying to be a complete dickhead and treat your players like animals. The head coach has to command the respect of his players, however. If they think of him as an equal, you get Wade Philips and Norv Turner. The head coach has to be the captain. His word is law. Otherwise, you get a disorganized mess.

[MHS831]

Tom Coughlin has never been a players coach and he was great at Jacksonville and with the Giants and won a Super Bowl.

You don't ever need someone to be a players coach. If they're a good coach that's all that matters.

Being a good coach includes a rapport with the players. Can you be a good coach without it? NO.

Coughlin was successful in Jacksonville, then why is he in NY? In NY, why is he about to be fired? Didn't I say that he became less rigid and more player-centered when he won the super bowl? He proves my point, not yours.

[MHS831]

I'm not saying to be a complete dickhead and treat your players like animals. The head coach has to command the respect of his players, however. If they think of him as an equal, you get Wade Philips and Norv Turner. The head coach has to be the captain. His word is law. Otherwise, you get a disorganized mess.

And player's coach doesn't mean best buddy. Your wording, never inferred by me or anyone else. We agree that there is a happy medium. How can you pump up your players with no emotional attachment to them? The best coaches are inspiring. Think of a general in war who doesn't care about the best interests of his troops. The die, but not for him. I want players charging into battle on my command because the respect me and know I respect and care about them. Not to sound like a know it all because both kinds of coaches have had success on various levels, but football is an emotional game. I played in college, and we had a coach who had a terminal disease. We loved him. He knew all of our names, our hometowns, our majors, etc. When he spoke to you, you listened. When he asked you to do something, you wanted to please him and make him proud. Funny, 20,000 people in the stands and I didn't think about pleasing them. I cared about the guy on the sideline. I did not want to let him down.

A guy who is great with x and o's can get you so far, but the greatest leaders in war and football care about their troops and players, and the players and troops sacrifice all for them. That is human nature.

[DevilCat]

Not too concerned about the player's coach thing. It's amazing how many players like their coach when you're winning, regardless of style. I doubt if you'll find Bellichek having too many BBQs with his boyeez.

^ How True!

Bellicheck is like a darn "Panzer Leader" from WW2.

Bellicheck to his offense: "Vee vill crush zee opposition..ja?"