Build the role of the coach, don't roll him
Grant Thomas | May 27, 2007| The Age
IT IS around this time of year that the jungle drums start to resonate to the cry of "sack the coach". So far, Neale Daniher, Dean Laidley, Chris Connolly, Kevin Sheedy, Mark Thompson, Denis Pagan and Terry Wallace have had their turn in the firing line.
We are good at highlighting deficiencies and sometimes better at inventing them. I was told a long time ago by a great industry leader that people don't fail, organisations fail. In essence, once you have selected someone as the right candidate you actually take on the responsibility of guaranteeing that they grow and develop in the role, something football clubs are not very good at. Of course, the coach also needs to accept responsibility for his progress and development.
The question is how much time, effort and development has the club put into the coach to ensure he grows with the game and his influence and effect dramatically increases over time.
Terry Wallace was regarded as one of the best coaches some time ago but now is in the crosshairs of many footy followers. Terry would be the first to admit the strategy the Tigers are employing now should have been instigated when he arrived in 2005. The Tigers have effectively lost two years but they are at least on the right path. Plough is media savvy, innovative, tactically astute, a very good communicator and is able to motivate people. Richmond should ensure it spends the next two years developing the areas that both the club and Terry outline as to be improved.
Terry is already a highly regarded coach and I am suggesting a two-year development program running alongside his existing skills would deliver a vastly improved coach who will be at the club for a sustained period.
In summary, there are many quality individuals at the helm; hopefully their decision-makers appreciate their strengths and provide the support that will lead to them becoming premiership coaches. Sometimes it is better to improve the devil you know.
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