Continuing the discussion from The new Essendon Coach [spec] (Part 1) - #10066 by sausageroll.
Previous discussions:
Wow, we used up a whole thread already.
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It’s still James isn’t it?
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So we should get some good assistant coaches to be good assistant coaches.
Who would have thought.
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So I heard the four candidates have to wear the Skeeta costume over the remaining games to see who can hype up the crowd the most. Any truth to that?
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We should get a good director of vfl coaching for our vfl side.
well there was so much radio silence that all we had was rumours, arguments and shitposts.
That too.
By your own admission - great assistant coaches play a critical role in team success.
I couldn’t agree more.
Imagine how good our team will be with a great leader like James Hird and some great assistant coaches.
Might end up just like those teams whose assistants you froth over…for being great assistants.
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part 2 and we still dont have a coach
I’ve heard Leigh Matthews speak about this a couple of times in recent weeks. I don’t know whether his thoughts are going to change anyone’s opinion or make anyone feel better about things.
Essentially he said that he thinks processes and coaching selection panels are useless. He’s sat on a couple in the past, on both occasions they selected the guy who presented brilliantly, one time it worked out, the other time it didn’t. He gets asked to be a part of these panels often but these days he always says no thanks.
His take is that essentially a selection process with a panel is going to come up with the guy who’s the best at presenting in front of a group and staying calm in a pressure situation. While those qualities are useful for a coach, it only represents a small % of the skills needed to do the job well. The AFL game moves so quickly tactically that nobody on a coach selection panel is likely capable of determining if the people presenting are up with the latest modern trends.
He thinks that ultimately, the choice of coach is always a captains choice (the chairman), as even when its endorsed by the board the chairman almost always controls the board. And you will never know if the guy is capable of doing the job until he’s in position and actually doing it.
So regardless of whether its a full process or a predetermined outcome, the best we can do is just cross our fingers and hope for the best.
That’s Leigh’s take anyway.
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One thing that has been playing on my mind tonight and believe me I have had a few drinks but in the last process from some reports was that Hird was the best candidate but the AFL weren’t having it so got their plant Brad in. We definitely deserve a compensation pick if that was the case.
Now from what I remember we had to convince Brad to coach us. He worked for the AFL but how did that work for us. I remember when Worstfold got the job and he was the one that kept a majority of the saga players together and everyone said that was a great thing he did. I actually thought the same at the time but I reckon that was the time to blow the club up and start again. We have been treading water ever since.
All I’m saying is Fark the rest of the comp and Fark the AFL. It’s time to bring our favourite son home and stick it up every club in the AFL. We have been screwed over now it’s time to screw em back. Now I’m going to get another drink and put my tinfoil hat back on. #bringbackhird
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This is how it is when selecting any candidate for a role in an organisation. A person can blow you away in an interview and say all the right things, but until they’re actually in the role you won’t know for sure if you’ve made the correct choice.
Hird does have coaching history at the club, so we atleast tangible evidence of his capability. I’m sure he’s developed his skill set immensely in the decade he’s been away from the coaches box.
My view is that a great coach needs to be highly emotionally intelligent and should be able to manage people and communicate effectively. By all accounts Hird is a great communicator and is able to connect with players very well.
This quality above all else is what that needs to be prioritised by the club. If the coach cannot connect and inspire the playing group, then they may aswell quit on the spot. No level of tactical brilliance or sophisticated game plan will ever trump being able to instill belief in those around you to achieve a shared vision.
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Gia’s movements in this are interesting(or lack thereof)
He left because that’s what the dees said was missing from his CV. He was/is clearly a senior coach in waiting.
a year in that job and he didn’t get too the last 4 at Carlton’s gig and didn’t apply back for ours.
That might tell you a little bit. I’m gonna be interested if there is a move sideways from a really good club as a result of our senior coach shortlist. If there is a really good Gia replacement that’s a massive vote of confidence in the new coach.
So who might apply for our head of development role?
Not one of Hird’s media buddies. Someone who wants to work at Essendon with our list and is in the system.
If we land someone good in that role they will be asked about the senior coach options. Gia would have been asked about Brad in his exit interview.(you would hope)
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Apparently Gia has made the next step in the Carlton process
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Gia was not happy reading that last night
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There is a lot of truth in this IMHO.
It will be difficult for some people to accept that all the credentials, accreditation and proximity to successful programs may well be overwhelmed by the intangibles that emerge once someone is actually in the gig.
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When selection criteria/ process is biased towards interviews always “Good speakers” get selected.
If the interviews are to further probe the achievements and “Runs on board” end up with best candidate.
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according to the 3aw rumour file they’re doing it for free
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I don’t have experience doing this in a footballing sense, but essentially you’re vetting candidates on competency, cultural fit and to a much lesser extent experience. Back maybe 10-15 years ago it was the opposite, and experience was king.
On the tactics side of things, that’s why we’ve engaged SMEs (Wardrop) on this to help articulate the nuances to the selection panel. This is a good approach by the club.
I think Leigh is being a bit simplistic in this as these types of processes are established to gather as much information as possible to make an informed decision on future performance. If you just want a guy that presents well you’d go and hire Grant Denyer.
He is right about the selection typically being a captains call, though.
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The paragraph about the game moving so fast tactically is one hundred percent why we need a fresh first time coach.
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