A Tale of Two Coaches

The NFL head coach is a creature of great curiosity in today's league. Some coaches are heralded simply because their players are good enough to compensate for the coach's poor decision making (Brad Childress). Other coaches become the town scapegoats because of the front office's bone-headed off season strategy, and the players are not talented enough, or in one case disciplined enough, to execute the coach's game plan (pre 2009 Marvin Lewis). Some are fired 3 weeks into a somewhat promising season because the team's owner is stage 3 or 4 Alzheimer's (Lane Kiffin). No matter how the economy fluctuates, an NFL coach has almost no job security.

11 teams made coaching changes this offseason, one of which was the New York Jets, who fired head coach Eric Mangini. Although Mangini had led the Jets to 2 winning seasons in 3 tries, New York's front office decided to move in a different direction.

Enter Rex Ryan, former defensive coordinator of the Baltimore Ravens. Ryan brought with him a few former Ravens defensive starters and his trademark "Organized Chaos" defense, but those pale in comparison to his most valuable contribution to the team: a winning attitude.

There was no talk of rebuilding in New York, and to be fair a lot of the pieces were in place before Ryan came to town. But at the very least most expected rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez to hold the clipboard for at least half a season. Sanchez started from Day 1, and has yet to lost his first NFL game. On the other side of the ball, the Jets defense looks every bit as good as Baltimore's defense last season.

The Cleveland Browns were another team looking to move in a different direction following last season's dismal 4-12 showing. They saw Eric Mangini as the antithesis of previous coach Romeo Crennel. Crennel was seen as a player's coach. Hardly a disciplinarian, Crennel motivated his players with encouragement and positive reinforcement. If his play-calling and game management skills were half as good as most Madden NFL 10 players, he might still have a job.

Although Mangini and Crennel both coached under the mastermind Bill Belichick, only Mangini follows the Belichick coaching model. The Belichick coaching model is simple: draft well, game plan better than anyone else, and be a total d*** about it. If the three guidelines don't work, then cheat. The three guidelines typically work alright, but Mangini's only good at one of them.

The reason the Belichick model works in New England is because it has proven very successful. The players don't question it because it has proven to be a winning formula. The New England players have faith in Belichick's ability to build a competitive team. Nobody in Cleveland, fans or players, have a shred of faith in Eric Mangini's ability and for good reason.

Rex Ryan's Jets are the perfect contrast to Mangini's Browns. The Jets are 3-0 with a rookie quarterback and every player on the team is 100% behind the coach. Ryan's team always plays at a high level because he has spent the off season convincing them that they really are a great team, and he expects a lot out of them just as they should expect a lot out of themselves.

Mangini's approach in Cleveland has already cost him his job. Mangini's attempt to change the culture has been an utter failure. He has fined players upwards of $1,000 for such atrocities as forgetting to pay for a $3 water bottle at a hotel. As of now, 5 players have filed grievances with the league concerning Mangini and the team looks to be headed for full-fledged mutiny. All this because Mangini wanted to be seen as a hard-nosed football genius whose no-nonsense approach will create a winning atmosphere. Mangini's career as an NFL coach may be finished, so this piece of advice is to other would-be Mangeniuses. Look at Bill Belichick as you would a chainsaw juggler; with admiration of the unique talent, and knowledge that you do not possess it.