What does it take to be a great coach?

77blueuk

Junior
Sep 4, 2007
208
236
0
Outside of the obvious (leadership, recruiting ability, game management, knowledge of the offense AND defense, good staff, etc.), what is it that separates the best from the rest? What are the main things the best coaches do different than Stoops?
 

Kai Slater

All-American
Jan 30, 2015
1,762
5,710
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Having freak athletes with strong work ethic who are also smart enough to grasp whatever system is in place. You got to have a bunch of those kind of players.
 

77blueuk

Junior
Sep 4, 2007
208
236
0
So, do you think Stoops would be successful with those type of players; same staff in place?
 

maverick1rw

Senior
Dec 18, 2006
6,845
527
0
Be:
A good manager / strong leader
Organized, plan and be able to react
Command respect
Bold, can't be afraid
Genuine
Have a clear vision, not wishful thought
Able to network and sell, sell,sell
 

Kai Slater

All-American
Jan 30, 2015
1,762
5,710
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So, do you think Stoops would be successful with those type of players; same staff in place?
I do, yes....successful being at least having a winning season/bowl. I'm sure we do have some of these types of players, but the really top teams seem to have them 2 or 3 deep, so that they're not as adversely impacted by having to make substitutions, etc...
 

HiStepper

All-Conference
Aug 1, 2001
4,435
1,841
113
Great coaches have a deep understanding of their sport from a performance and development standpoint. They use very good practice plans that emphasizes fundamentals and what the player actually needs to learn to be successful. Each week of practice builds on the previous weeks goals which helps to lead to peak performance during the season.
 

domino79

Senior
Feb 2, 2008
46,122
665
0
A good coach gets his team to perform better than what they should on paper by making them believe they can do things they didn't think possible.
I think it's more an art than anything. Players have to buy in, which means you have to know the technical side.
But you also have to be a leader and a strong person than can relate to each player individually. So you have to be strong but adaptable to each person in order to instruct them. You have to know what motivates each person individually as well as the collective group.
Just my opinion.
 

73Card

All-Conference
Sep 4, 2006
1,994
1,774
111
Going along with what domino79 posted. Just wanted to add.Recognition that a Zero -1-2 Star recruit has the tools/ability to become an impact player.
 

NCukcat62

All-Conference
Jul 22, 2007
8,893
3,671
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A good question would be as well is would Stoops be able to lead Alabama to a championship such as last year?
 

HiStepper

All-Conference
Aug 1, 2001
4,435
1,841
113
"A good coach gets his team to perform better than what they should on paper by making them believe they can do things they didn't think possible."

I believe what you say is true but disagree how you stated it. No coach can give a player talent that they do not possess. A good coach can however develop whatever talent the player has to its maximum potential. This leads to a performance that may not otherwise appear on paper or possible. Belief and hard work does not overcome talent and hard work when talent is coached and developed properly.
 

olblue

All-Conference
Aug 17, 2011
3,129
1,383
113
Outside of the obvious (leadership, recruiting ability, game management, knowledge of the offense AND defense, good staff, etc.), what is it that separates the best from the rest? What are the main things the best coaches do different than Stoops?

Whatever it is, it is a special gift because there are so few of them in every sport.
 

law1127

All-Conference
Dec 20, 2004
2,737
2,886
0
Be able to distinguish between a 3 star athlete and a 3star football player!
 

Bluetick2100

All-Conference
Apr 15, 2007
5,654
3,681
113
The best example, to me, is a team that is playing better at the end of the season than at the start of the season.

And as much as I don't care for BP, this is exactly what he does year in and year out.
 

Kingebeneezer

Sophomore
Sep 9, 2016
174
119
0
Well one thing is certain. You can't be a nice guy. You need your players to respect and fear you. College kids just don't respect or fear nice guy coaches.
 

Mr Schwump

Heisman
Nov 4, 2006
29,563
23,097
18
A good question would be as well is would Stoops be able to lead Alabama to a championship such as last year?

Comment from long ago was a good coach "can take his and beat yours and take yours and beat his."

Simplistic answer but Bryant once said what motivated him was he was afraid to lose.
 
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