I lived in Alabama from 1965 to 1978 (minus 2 years). Bear Bryant years at Alabama. I don't ever recall during that time when he ever blamed anyone but himself for an Alabama loss. It was ALWAYS the coach or not having the team properly prepared (coach's fault) that was the cause of a loss. On the other hand, he never took credit for a win. The credit always went to the players and/or his assistant coaches. Interesting concept. :geauxtige
Interesting, but dated. Charlie Mac always said "We dropped the ball" or "We were not in position" assuming some of the blame for not having the right player (or a properly trained player) in the game. But Nick told it like it was and the fans appreciated it. "The cornerback blew his coverage", "the guard did not block his man", or "I didn't have the team ready to play". Honesty is better, the fans are not fooled by false modesty. Don't cover up for players mistakes, nor you own failings, coach. And don't brag for them either. Just tell it like it is.
NEWSFLASH: Bear Bryant died on 1/26/83. http://www.absoluteastronomy.com/encyclopedia/b/be/bear_bryant.htm
One of the rules of good leadership is to "praise in public and criticize in private." If a coach (in this instance) takes responsibility for the loss it disarms most of what we have going on now. Players blow coveage, miss blocks, etc. but what does it accomplish for the coach to throw a player under the bus because of it? Especially in this case when the coach(s) especially needed to do a "Mea culpa" for their part in the outcome of this game. :thumb:
The Bear did not publicly embarrass his players. At practice was the time for that. They loved him and gave all they had. One thing that always impressed me about his tv show where they replayed the game was that he ALWAYS made several comments like "I saw JaMarcus's parents - Connie and Jeff- at the game Sat. Mrs Russell looked good. You know she has been fighting cancer for months now. Fine lady." The whole family felt included. It built a UNITED fan base that felt like family and their tradition continues. I admire that.
I was watching star trek yesterday (no trekky here.. just think shatner is hilarious).. its the one where kirk gets arrested by the klingons... In his trial the prosecutor asks him if he is aware that if one of his crew commits a crime, he is responsible... Same goes for Miles.. if your players were out of place.. if they were missing assignments... take some damned responsibility and stop pointing at the players...
they call that leadership. they call that other thing, finding a patsy. As far as it being the "truth" that a player blew his coverage.. if he gets blamed for it...why not hear his side too? maybe he wasn't coached correctly to "know" that coverage. Blaming players is small. The leader always accepts responsibility that gives HIM the respect from the players and the fan base. Then HE can fix the problem in practice. These are college kids, it's wrong to subjext them to more media criticism. We as fans ALREADY form opinions and criticise enough. I know I do. the least a good coach can do is say "we didn't do this or that" That way it re-assures the fan base that HE can do something about it. I'm sure Coach Miles is just not feeling it is all his as corampant pointed out, sooner or later he'll start using the "we" and "our" term to identify HIS team.
