Hambone wrote: ↑Thu Nov 09, 2017 9:46 am
DanoT wrote: ↑Thu Nov 09, 2017 9:09 am
The problem with Wally returning for another season is that with the coaching staff that he has assembled, missing the playoffs for 2018 is a distinct possibility. And if June Jones returns to Hamilton there may not be a western playoff crossover.
Wally could stay on and replace some assistants but a somewhat new batch of assistants might need more than one season to right the ship. So, another reason for Wally to say good bye.
Wally's ego cannot stand another loosing season and while one loosing season in 2017 does not really damage his legacy, a second loosing season (or third?) could. At age 67, Wally needs to retire now and he knows it but is reluctant to admit it.
I'm not saying it's not time for Wally to move on as I do think it's time for new younger blood. What I'm curious about is why names like Hufnagel (66 now) and Jones (65 in Feb) are getting so much cred as possible replacements given they are basically the same vintage as Buono. If Wally does decide to call it a day I certainly hope his positions are replaced by guys who can be long-term solutions. For sure whomever takes the VP or GM jobs should be somebody the organization envisions being here for at least the next decade. One would hope for the same for a HC however it seems to be more the exception than the rule for a HC to last more than 4 or 5 years.
Wally's chronological age has never been a factor to me. Yes, Hufnagel and Jones are the same 'vintage' as Buono, as you note Hambone, in terms of their chronological age. Pete Carroll of the Seahawks is the oldest coach in the NFL, I believe (or one of the oldest ones anyway)
But no one has ever accused Peter Carroll of being 'old'. Hufnagel does not come off as 'old'. To me, Buono does.
I posted once before that, for each person, there is a chronological 'age', a physical 'age', intellectual 'age', an emotional age (EQ) and a spiritual age.
Take Pete Caroll. He is old in years. But he runs around like a teenager and is in good shape physically. He looks much younger than his years. He is considered very bright and always learning. His emotional age is sometimes much younger than his years but he also takes responsibility for his errors most of the time - for example, when the team was fined and punished for practicing more than allowed, he took responsibility and apologized to the fans. Carroll is also considered young in spirit.
When I consider Wally Buono, he is about Pete Carrol's age. But Buono waddles off the field fairly close to his physical age. He looks his age. Buono's approach, intellectually to the game of football is not a life-long learner approach. He has basically used the same schmes and systems for a very long time. He thought it was a big deal to make a small change to the Leos practice schedule later in the season. He tends to be rigid.
So called 'younger Head Coaches' tend to be more innovative and there has been a trend towards younger coaches in both the NFL and CFL but a Head Coach can be innovative too (young in mind) if he takes an approach to that he doesn't know everything and is adaptable. June Jones demonstrated that in Hamilton this season.
In terms of emotional age, Buono is very young and immature. He is a blamer, a deflector, and he scapegoats. Someone with his previous success and maturity should take more accountability. But Buono, when things don't go well, is like a kid who blames someone else or everyone else when trouble arrives.
Buono had a victim mentality this season. He was the victim of a 'lack of player execution', 'lack of player intensity', 'lack of players not playing angry enough during games', 'lack of players not making plays' , and also a victim of 'player arrogance or stupidity' for creating a fund for players wives to attend the Grey Cup if the team won a berth'. Buono also ensured that he was a victim of a lack of direction in terms of team ownership. Buono also comes across as old in spirit. He is much more negative than positive and he is usually angry when he is coaching, rather than cerebral or encouraging or advising.
Wally, in too many areas is 'old' to me but then again, he has been 'old' for a long time. I could care less about the chronological age of the Head Coach. I would love Marv Levy to unretired and coach this team. I would be happy to have Dave Ritchie here because even though he was curmudgeon at times, he as innovative and players really liked playing for him. If June Jones was our Heac Coach it would please me. He has an attitude that he wants to learn, to listen, and yet he also can be directive and he confident in himself.
Hufnagel has been so successful, not only because of his abilities in assessing talent and game planning but also because of his willingness to adapt and change, as well as mentor his assistant coaches.
If Buono could take his experience and combine that with a different approach to leadership and coaching, we would be in a good place. I don't care what age Buono is. Its his rigidity and approach that makes him 'old'.
"When I went to Catholic high school in Philadelphia, we just had one coach for football and basketball. He took all of us who turned out and had us run through a forest. The ones who ran into the trees were on the football team". (George Raveling)