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Jack Welch
For the majority of people, it is hard to understand how one of the most successful coaches in NFL history has not been hired after parting ways with the New England Patriots in January. This storied coach enjoyed an enormous amount of responsibility with his previous team serving as General Manager and Head Football Coach. This structure is a rare find but Belichick was able to use this structure to his advantage. He became the second-winningest coach in NFL history. Obviously, he proved he understood how to serve in both capacities successfully.
I understand fully how a person with his ability is not being hired for other ball clubs. This coach has the unique ability to wear more than one hat. He understands leadership and management. He cannot be micromanaged.
A person with Belichick’s ability is a threat to leadership above him. He understands the in and outs of how to run the entire program. He is not easily influenced. Although he has had some interviews, it is reported the owners were concerned he would overhaul the leadership structure and change the order of command.
It takes a strong and confident leader to hire an experienced coach. The main reason is because an experienced head coach knows how and what to do in operating a program. Their track record is obvious whether they have been successful.
Experienced coaches have more than a plan. Their results demonstrate they know how to operate and execute. They do not allow their superiors to micromanage their leadership.
I was impressed to see Lovejoy High School recently bring a legendary high school coach out of retirement to serve as their athletic director and head football coach. Todd Dodge was hired to lead Lovejoy after having a very successful high school coaching career. Over his career he won seven state championships at two different schools, four at Southlake Carroll and three at Austin Westlake.
For the board of education and superintendent of schools to hire a person with a won-loss record of 233-72 says it all to me. They want to win and will allow their coach to run the program. It also tells me the leadership is not intimidated by having a well-known person with extreme popularity to be in charge.
I have seen so many school districts and universities be intimidated to hire experienced successful people. These kinds of administrators know they cannot run over and intimidate these coaches. They feel like they are relinquishing their power structure as a leader to hire someone understanding all the ins and outs of how to operate a program.
Traditionally winning programs usually hire experienced head coaches or assistants in the previous successful program to continue the tradition. They want a winner and embrace strong coaches as leaders. Traditionally downtrodden programs get lucky from time to time like a blind hog finds an acorn but usually hire inexperienced whipper snappers and continue the downtrodden ways.
By the way, Lovejoy is a traditionally winning program.
Thought for the week:“Leadership is based on inspiration, not domination; on cooperation, not intimidation.” William Arthur Wood 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.