by Wilfred Cook

Created on: August 06, 2008   Last Updated: October 31, 2008

At first glance many unpaid sport critics will take their blame and place it upon the coach no matter what sport is involved. These arm chair coaches who more than likely never laced up a pair of cleats, have no concept of the role a coach really has.
Lets look at football for one. The head coach is responsible for all aspects surrounding their team. If the team losses on a continuous basis is it the coaches fault? I think not. The coach is not the one executing the plays nor is he the one "making the call". Lets keep in mind, he does have veto power, yet he releys on his offense and defense coaches, who sit up in the press seats viewing the field and relaying that information to the sidelines. When that coach sends in a play, he usually sends in an additional play called an audible. It is the Quaterbacks job to survey the defense and adjust his play. If the QB fails to recognize a blitz or panics when rushed by the defense, is it the coaches fault the play went down the tubes?

Yes, it is the coaches main responsibility to select and maintain the most gifted players on his roster. However, unlike the fantasy football league, he is limited to what and who he is allowed to suit up. He must make sure that the cards dealt to him are in the finest shape, are mentally focused, and more importantly, he needs to be the father figure to many of these kids fresh out of school and teach them to be good men, not just football players.
Taking a look at baseball and the role a coach plays there. Many of the decisions are made by the "manager" or head coach. Such as when its time to bunt or steal a base, or placing in a pinch hitter. He also must deceide what players will be in the line up. Which clearly indicates that he must know and understand the opponets strengths and weaknesses. Such as if there is a left handed pitcher, which of his players are better suited to face lefties. Same with his role in making the decision on what pitcher to place on the mound and when to pull him out. Now lets not forget the roles of other players.
The catcher for instance must know every opposing batters weakness and relay that to his pitcher hoping that the end result is a strikeout or a groundout. If the pitcher throws a fastball when a slider was called for, and the end result is the game winning homerun, does the coach take the blame for the pichers mistake? Many will place the blame upon his shoudlers, questioning why he didn't pull the pitcher, and so on. And like a true coach who loves his team and loves the game, he will allow himself to take the blame and never critize his players in the press.
Every coach, no matter what the sport, is of course the one whom becomes the scapegoat and is usually the first one fired if the team does not live up to the owners demands. It is alot easier to fire a coach than it is to trade a player. Especially a player that does not perform to the abilities of a major league franchise.
So, instead of blaming every coach for being brave enough to take on a team with very little talent and failing the first year or two. Lets give credit to these men of men and let them mold their teams into role model form, then players. After all, it is these coaches who will be praised when his team has that winning year.

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