As I prepare to start another AAU season, I can’t help but to think about my responsibilities as a coach. I obviously owe a great deal to the young people I work with; I must be: trusting, trustworthy, present, a man of integrity, someone who stands on and keeps his word, patient, inspiring and knowledgeable enough to grow each player’s individual ability in our time together this season. Then…I still have my responsibilities as a father, musician, brother, son, and friend. The one characteristic that stands out and looks the same in all my roles, is being a man who stands on and keeps his word. This past week we saw a three-time Super Bowl winning assistant coach balk on his word, as a head coach – Josh McDaniels of the New England Patriots.
Last week, McDaniels recoiled on his acceptance of the Indianapolis Colts top coach slot, a day after the Super Bowl. That’s a big deal because he had already identified some assistant coaches who left their current posts with plans on joining him in Indy. Some of these guys could have remained where they were or taken positions with other incoming coaching heads. This also left the Colts in a bad position as they were no longer wooing coaching candidates, and let’s face it, if you were worth having, you had a job or didn’t want one, leaving the office in a tough spot. McDaniels had not signed a contract, but had given Indy his word. He cited family stability as his main reason for reneging on his verbal contract. I don’t buy it!! His family situation, didn’t exactly do a 180 over the post-season. My guess is he is skeptical about taking on the responsibilities of head coach again or he hopes to slide into Belichick’s spot when he leaves.
Whatever his given or real reason, for accepting and then turning down the job, you should wonder what his word will mean to those who will work with him next year and the years to come. I would!!! Is he capable of saying what he means and meaning what he says? The Patriots probably feel like they can trust him, but I’m sure the Colts felt the same way in January. The Patriots are a great organization and must remember that you are only as strong as your weakest link and you are best known by the company you keep. New England’s regular practice, of trading perceived weak links and relentlessly ridding themselves of bad company, is somewhat infamous around the league. So, is keeping McDaniels around a sign that the Pats have lowered the bar or do they all have questionable integrity? Time will tell…
In the meantime, fatherhood and coaching bring out the best in me and have given me some of the best moments of my life. I have grown and changed, for the better, because of both roles and the responsibilities there-in. Two ways that I have grown, is that I am more mindful of what I say I will do and all about getting whatever, I say I will do – done!