Zorn: Trend Buster?
“Sportz Assassin” reports on FanHouse today: “Since 1952 — that’s not a typo — the Redskins have had just three coaches with a winning overall record: Joe Gibbs, George Allen and Vince Lombardi. Great names who are all in the Pro Football Hall Of Fame. However, it should be noted that Lombardi coached just one season in D.C. before passing away before the start of the 1970 season and Gibbs second stint saw him finish with a 30-34 record.”
Hmmm…
I remember when Joe Gibbs first came to the Skins as the head coach. I recall thinking, or feeling that it was going to be the beginning of an era. Honestly. Now, it might have been because I was young, and had just started playing pee-wee football myself. But, I knew it in my heart.
Am I prepared to say the same thing about Jim Zorn. Well, not exactly. But, I will say that I do think Zorn has the right stuff. He’s not Joe Gibbs. That’s a good thing. But, already we’ve seen that Zorn likes to pop off at the mouth. He’s got that head-mouth disease. He says exactly what’s on his mind. Some might say that’s a good thing. But, Gibbs, if he was nothing else, was a master of managing the press and public perception.
Zorn however, is trying to temper himself. But, it will take some time. Beginning tonight, he’s about to find out just how little the media and fans will coddle him if he doesn’t learn to win. And, in that crucible of scrutiny, Zorn will rise or falter by how well he manages the media to manage our expectations.
Joe Gibbs began his first tenure as coach with a 0-5 start. He’s been quoted as saying that he believed he would be fired. Melodrama aside, he understood the nature of being an NFL coach. In fact, any executive, whether it’s in the NFL or Corporate America, must learn how to manage expectations while at the same time building and cultivating strong relationships.
There is a saying: A great relationship can overcome poor results. But great results will never overcome a bad relationship. For example, just ask Marty Schottenheimer about his experience with the San Diego Chargers.
Yet, even though Joe Gibbs never had to worry about truly poor results beyond his 0-5 start, he never forgot that critical lesson. And, of course, it shouldn’t go without saying that a great relationship is made even greater when accompanied by great results. And in that regard, Joe Gibbs won three super bowls. He should have had a fourth, but Joe Theisman was playing “drunk” that day against the Raiders.
To be successful, and write his name next to the winning coaches of the Redskins, Zorn has to do what he does best: Put Jason Campbell in a position to succeed. Teach the players well. And lastly, go beyond just calling the right plays. Rather, he must call the right plays at the right time.
Is it game time, yet!!
