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Jack Welch
Over the last couple of weeks, head coaches have been firing assistant coaches at an alarming rate. This is troubling to me. Why are head coaches firing so many assistant coaches? Is it because the assistant coaches are inept, not producing quality results, or have their bosses instructed them to fire assistants?
A few years back I had a boss suggest I fire one of my coordinators. I asked him if his bosses asked him to fire his top assistant, even if he thought the assistant was a great employee, would he do it. He said he would. I told him I could never be that gutless. I would not save my job at the expense of others. I have learned a lot by working with people in leadership. I learned who I could count on in times of trouble and people I could not count on because they were only interested in saving their own skin. Weak, gutless leaders will get you in a jam if you follow their leadership. Yes, maybe you will get fired, but if you do the right things, then eventually right will prevail. You might lose your job but you will not lose your dignity. Why did Cowboys Head Coach Mike McCarthy fire six assistant coaches? It makes me question whether something else is going on behind the scenes. Do you think owner Jerry Jones has a replacement for the head coach? Do you think Jones told McCarthy to fire the assistants?
Coach McCarthy, whose job apparently is secure per owner Jerry Jones, parted ways with running backs coach Skip Peete, senior defensive assistant-linebacker coach George Edwards, offensive line coach Joe Philbin, assistant defensive line coach Leon Lett, assistant head coach Rob Davis and quality control analytics coach Kyle Valero. All were members of McCarthy’s initial staff when he was hired in 2020. What did they do or not do to warrant being fired?
The biggest thought might be McCarthy inherited these coaches and because their contracts are expiring this year then it is time to clean house. That theory can be thrown out the window though, because Philbin had a long history with McCarthy. He previously served as McCarthy’s offensive coordinator in Green Bay during two different stints, first from 2007-11 and then again in 2018.
Consequently, it makes me wonder what the real reasons are for firing these six coaches. Was McCarthy told to fire the coaches by owner Jones, or did he make the choice on his own? Certainly it is not because the assistant coaches were inept because he had a history of working many years with some of the fired assistants.
There is one thing I know. Just like with the coach I was encouraged to fire. Coaches are better when they have great players. It is not always the X’s and O’s but the Jimmy and Joes.
Thought for the week — “Few are born to lead.” Tracy Welch
Dr. Jack Welch is an educator and college football coach. His doctorate is in educational administration, and he has been an educator, administrator, and football coach, mentoring young minds, for over 40 years. He is also the author of Foundations of Coaching. He can be reached at jackwelch1975@gmail.com.