Some people here are totally ignorant as to the role of the coach. It is not like the under 8s that you turn up at training, run a few laps, play a bit of touch, hit a tackle bag, do 15 mins of ball work and then rely on a motivational gimmick before each game to get the players up.
Anyone who has played sport at a decent level will know about skill development, balanced fitness training, development of a style and pattern of play, injury management, analysis of the opposition, team evaluation, drawing up of comprehensive match plans, tactical analysis, recruitment, team morale, player and squad development plus working with the team, both as individuals and as a group. Statistically we are better.
Most interestingly I can tell you for a fact that the players rate Des as a good coach. Sue is right that you also develop and grow as you go and certainly that is the case as well with our mentor and leader.
Many coaches are good at aspects of their job but fall down in other areas. Not many would be the whole package. Why are Canberra so keen to get rid of John Lang? Why do the Roosters dump Ricky if he is so hot?
At my work, the general punter thinks Dessie is a great coach. They rate him as he is a dogged, determined, hard working, no frills and no short cuts sort of guy that they claim coaches the same way he played. He was never say die, gutsy, always gave 100% and he has moulded a team that is starting to play like he did.
He took over the Eagles when we were a shambles, we have improved each year with lots of skills work, some useful recruitment and a developing pattern of play. The players we have let go have done nothing elsewhere, some of the young players are starting to get better and the dressing room shots indicated that the place is pretty happy and up tempo.
Anyone who makes instant judges on coaches has no idea what it really takes to be a coach and win the comp. Even in the mid 90s with Bozo and the possibly one of the best teams ever in League History, we were only able to win 1 comp. Ini the end you need luck, class and everything going your way with injuries, health, bounce of the ball, refs etc.