Coaches aren't measured by awards. Coaches are measured by wins and titles. This postseason Kelly has won the Walter Camp Coach of the Year Award, after previously being honored by the Football Writers Association and The Sporting News. Kelly also won the AP, the award that has a $25,000 bonus clause in his contract. Gene Chizik won the Home Depot Coach of the Year Award, selected by ESPN and ABC college football analysts.
Let's call it a tie, and count Glendale as the tiebreaker.
I was talking to Richard, one of my wife's coworkers, at the MetroWest Ambulance Christmas dinner, and he remarked on how uptight and rigid Chizik looked at the BCS unveiling on ESPN. He used a colorful expression involving a stick. Chizik does come across as a little robotic and humorless on camera, and the contrast of the quipster Kelly, surrounded by his jubilant players, to Chizik speaking from some sterile glass-brick anteroom, was marked. Hard to think the Auburn coach would inspire much loyalty, confidence and passion in his players, although they've certainly accomplished all their goals to this point.
Chizik reminds me of Tom Landry. Kelly doesn't remind me of anyone. Chizik seems aloof and preoccupied by schemes and matchups, endlessly spouting coachspeak. I'll always remember Kelly's answer to the sideline reporter before the UCLA game, when he was asked about the pressure of the number one ranking, "Pressure is what you feel when you don't know what you're doing. We know what we're doing."
Results are the ultimate measure of a coach, but there isn't any doubt that Kelly is one of the best teachers and motivators in football. His kids believe in him and in each other. I've never seen a coach who could achieve such a balance of discipline and affection, enthusiasm and execution, confidence and humility. The Ducks are the most consistently dialed-in players in the country. They speak with one voice, and practice with relentless intensity. That's a tribute to coaching with a practical focus and true vision.
Chip Kelly is consensus Coach of the Year, with the deciding vote to be cast on January 10th. It won't be a popularity contest.
I think Chip leads the race for COY awards 4-1 over Chizik. Everyone will understand why on Jan 10.
ReplyDeleteAnon--
ReplyDeleteKelly does lead 4-1, but Chizik got the one that was presented on television by the network that broadcasts the bowl season and the BCS, the award voted on by the ABC and ESPN football analysts. It isn't more important; it just makes more noise, and those guys will refer to Chizik as Coach of the Year.
January 10th decides that debate. The game is many things, but one of those is a contrast of two coaching styles. Kelly and his staff will outcoach Auburn. Their players will be better prepared and mentally ready.
Thanks for your comment.
Dale