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Winless In Seattle
Robin PottratzFlexibility got Tomlin and Whisenhunt to the big game.
January 29th 2009 23:57
Mike Tomlin and Ken Whisenhunt have more in common than coaching in Super Bowl 43. They both have a trait very important to their craft, versatility. Neither is stuck to rigid system that they have designed for success. Being a versatile open minded head coach is the wise thing to do in the NFL.
Don Shula is thought by many to be the best head coach in the history of the NFL. What I liked about Shula was his ability to change his system to fit the players. When he had Larry Csonka, Mercury Morris and Jim Kiick the Miami Dolphins were a running team. When Dan Marino came along then Miami threw the pigskin all over the yard.
Lots of coaches spend their career working out “Their System” and will run that system no matter what. Mike Tomlin and Ken Whisenhunt have their systems that got them NFL head coaching jobs, but they have fit them to their teams.
Ken Whisenhunt came to the Arizona Cardinals after being the offensive coordinator of the Pittsburgh Steelers. While coaching that offense he had Jerome Bettis and a power running offense with little passing. Well when Whisenhunt got to Arizona he had old timer of a back in Edgerrin James and great receivers in Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald.
Instead of forcing a power running game on Arizona or waiting until he could get the players to fit his system, Whisenhunt ran with what he had. Inserting Kurt Warner into the lineup at quarterback, he turned loose a high octane passing offense. This versatility in his system allowed the Arizona Cardinals to reach Super Bowl 43.
Mike Tomlin was a defensive coach for the Minnesota Vikings and ran a 4-3 defense there. I am sure Tomlin would have liked to install his 4-3 and his defensive system. But the Steelers had a 3-4 defense installed by Dick Lebeau the best coach of that defense in the NFL.
Rather than spend 2 or 3 seasons acquiring the players to change over to a 4-3, Mike Tomlin trusted Dick Lebeau. That trust paid off with the best defense in the NFL in 2008 and a berth in the Super Bowl against Whisenhunt and the Cardinals.
The ability to put their egos aside makes for a good NFL head coach. This trait will do the two gentlemen in good stead as they continue their coaching careers.
Don Shula is thought by many to be the best head coach in the history of the NFL. What I liked about Shula was his ability to change his system to fit the players. When he had Larry Csonka, Mercury Morris and Jim Kiick the Miami Dolphins were a running team. When Dan Marino came along then Miami threw the pigskin all over the yard.
Lots of coaches spend their career working out “Their System” and will run that system no matter what. Mike Tomlin and Ken Whisenhunt have their systems that got them NFL head coaching jobs, but they have fit them to their teams.
Ken Whisenhunt came to the Arizona Cardinals after being the offensive coordinator of the Pittsburgh Steelers. While coaching that offense he had Jerome Bettis and a power running offense with little passing. Well when Whisenhunt got to Arizona he had old timer of a back in Edgerrin James and great receivers in Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald.
Instead of forcing a power running game on Arizona or waiting until he could get the players to fit his system, Whisenhunt ran with what he had. Inserting Kurt Warner into the lineup at quarterback, he turned loose a high octane passing offense. This versatility in his system allowed the Arizona Cardinals to reach Super Bowl 43.
Mike Tomlin was a defensive coach for the Minnesota Vikings and ran a 4-3 defense there. I am sure Tomlin would have liked to install his 4-3 and his defensive system. But the Steelers had a 3-4 defense installed by Dick Lebeau the best coach of that defense in the NFL.
Rather than spend 2 or 3 seasons acquiring the players to change over to a 4-3, Mike Tomlin trusted Dick Lebeau. That trust paid off with the best defense in the NFL in 2008 and a berth in the Super Bowl against Whisenhunt and the Cardinals.
The ability to put their egos aside makes for a good NFL head coach. This trait will do the two gentlemen in good stead as they continue their coaching careers.
Larry Fitzgerald loves having Ken Whisenhunt as his coach
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