Photo sourced by nfl.com
By Lucy Coleman December 1, 2022
Great athletes don’t usually make good coaches. Exactly why this is the case is still open for constant discussion. There is no doubt that great athletes possess knowledge of sports that are often unrivaled. Star players who retire from active football and decide to embark on coaching immediately garner respect and guarantee the promise of victory during their tenure as they have enjoyed successful careers before retirement and are in a better place to understand the sport, the club, the fans and how to win a match.
In the world of tennis, former star players dominate the coaching field with the likes of Carlos Moya, Ivan Lendl, and Goran Ivanisevic who used to be tennis greats. However, what is the chance that former star players become equally successful coaches in top-level sports? Should a professional playing background be the sole standard for becoming a successful coach?
HIRING FORMER ATHLETES ISN’T A BAD IDEA – IS IT?
The practice of hiring former sports stars to be coaches isn’t exclusive to tennis alone but is practiced in other sports. While we are not discounting the idea of hiring a retired athlete to coach, it is important to note that playing differs from coaching, much as studying differs from teaching. To be a coach doesn’t necessarily require an individual to be a great athlete, rather, coaching involves instincts and the type of charismatic presence that boosts the confidence level of players. Most importantly, it is all about knowing how to win games and not just having the athletic ability to score games yourself
Does this mean playing experience isn’t important?
It is. Having playing experience gives players a good opportunity to learn about sports-specific knowledge from their coaches. However, these experiences provide only a partial view of coaching, and not the entire extent and depth of the role of the coach. Having previous playing experience doesn’t guarantee a stellar coaching career. Coaching requires more brain work in planning, preparation, patience, and having an in-depth analysis of your team at all times. This may be the reason why retired players who switch to coaching positions often struggle as they are more used to using physical strength rather than mental.
While football greats are insanely competitive, they are notoriously impatient and sometimes difficult to work with. With that in mind, here’s a look at some great footballers who have succeeded at the highest level during their playing careers and failed during their coaching careers.
SOME FOOTBALL GREATS TURNED INTO BAD COACHES
Mike Singletary
Mike Singletary is another Hall of Fame player who quickly crashed and burned as a head coach. After 12 outstanding seasons with the Chicago Bears which included 10 Pro Bowl appearances and a Super Bowl ring, Singletary finally retired in 1992. He returned to the NFL as a linebackers coach with the Baltimore Ravens in 2003. Singletary joined the 49ers coaching staff as an assistant head coach and linebackers coach. Despite his efforts, he was unable to secure himself a head coaching position; however, in 2008, San Francisco hired him as interim head coach after Mike Nolan was dismissed. Although he briefly managed to improve the team, Singletary also managed to upset a lot of players, staff, and fans. After another two seasons of mediocrity, he was fired and denied a head coaching job ever since then.
Herm Edwards
Herm Edwards was a defensive back during his playing days who was most commonly remembered for scoring the stunning touchdown to complete “The Miracle at the Meadowlands.” It seemed only natural that he would end up coaching the Jets. Although his run started well, his motivational tactics soon wore off. He was eventually traded to Kansas City, where early success gave way to failure.
Some Top Coaches Who Never Played Professionally
Vince Lombardi
Vince Lombardi is a stunning example of a top coach who never played pro football. The man who most consider the greatest football coach of all time, who has bagged NFL Championships and Super Bowls, never played professional football. Lombardi never played football professionally but that didn’t prevent him from leading his team to consecutive victories.
Bill Belichick
Bill Belichick is one of the most notable coaches in the National Football League. He is reputable for having a mind for the game and together with quarterback Tom Brady, he led the New England Patriots to six Super Bowl wins in 2002, 2004, 2005, 2015, 2017, and 2019. This is the record for Super Bowl titles for an NFL head coach. It might come off as shocking that Belichick has never played in an NFL game himself. While attending Wesleyan University, he briefly played football and other sports, such as squash and lacrosse. Although the fact that he captained the lacrosse team could be a contributing factor to helping him become the successful coach he is today.
Todd Haley
The current head coach of the Tampa Bay Bandits Todd Haley has never played elite football.
In college, he played golf, and Haley’s father worked with the Pittsburgh Steelers and might have gotten football knowledge from his father. When he launched his career as a scouting assistant, he quickly moved up the ladder and became the head coach of the Kansas City Chiefs in 2009. Haley is known for his aggressive style of coaching but insists it is part of his motivation tactics. Due to the success he has had with this method so far, Haley is not likely to change it up any time soon.
As the list above indicates, just because a footballer excelled in the sport does not mean that he can coach without getting more qualifications and experience, in the same way, being good as a student at school does not mean a student can become a great teacher without gaining a teaching degree and engaging in professional development. To become a successful coach, it is important to be an open communicator, foster strong relationships with and within the team, and possess organizational skills. These skills could be learned whether or not you have previous playing experience.
