Longevity is key to stability
I was glad when I heard Mike Tomlin got reupped. The key to coaching longevity, is found in the stability of the man at the top. And the values he represents. When Dan Rooney said, “Life here is about faith, family and football,” he was also talking about a perfect match in Mike Tomlin.
Head Coaches who succumb to the infamous Dick Vermeil “burnout syndrome,” are victimized because their priorities are out of balance. And those coaches who feel the need to orchestrate stunts, like canceling practice, and riding into the sunset on a Harley, or leaving tickets at the box office for Elvis everywhere they play, they don’t last long because they are posers.
Longevity for a head coach, is all about a continuous, year in and year out testing of who you are, as a man and as a leader. To stand up and be the face of a franchise, to step in front of men each year in the ultimate leadership role, takes consistency of message. Simply put, you gotta be who you are, year in and year out, because if you’re not, time will out you as a poser.
In pro football, it’s all about the “W.” To quote Coach Noll, “Winning begets winning.” Players
