12/6 Analytical

As I begin to read, Quiet Strength, by Tony Dungy and Nathan Whitaker, I am immediately brought into a side of coaching that my other book did not get into, new management. This means that the team has been struggling and it is time for a fresh face as the helm. A new leadership approach and ethic is usually refreshing for a team and can make them much better, but nobody talks about the flip side of new management, the fact that somebody is getting fired. Unlike in the rest of the work force, when a football coach gets fired it doesn't mean he is a bad coach or lacks the proper mentality, it could be just a bad fit. The book starts out with Tony Dungy being fired from the Tampa bay Buccaneers. Dungy was a world class player, recently being inducted into the hall of fame, and a world class coach. He led many teams to successful seasons and has a few super bowl rings to show for it. When he was in Tampa Bay, it wasn't his skills as a coach that lacked, it was just that the puzzle pieces didn't quite fit together. For a football team to run successfully, every aspect of the team must be on the same page. From the players, to the coaches, to everyone in the front offices, to the field crew. Everyone involved in the program should know what the goal is and how they are going to achieve it. On some teams this is impossible to achieve, because people don't buy in on the goal and process. There has to be 100 percent commitment from everyone involved to dedicate themselves to the plan and do everything they can to achieving their goals not just for them, but for the team, and the city. If there is not, than no matter who's fault it is, the coach is the one blamed and he is the one fired and replaced. This can take a toll on some coaches, but others, like Tony, see it as a chance to improve and learn. He is also a very religious man with strong faith, and he believes that god has a plan for him so he will trust god will get him through any challenge he may face. Something he said that sums up how he faces challenges is, "I reminded myself that it was temporary. I took comfort in the knowledge that this, too, would pass" (Whitaker 6).

This shows that even though he was just fired, meaning the financial stability of his family was in jeopardy, he was still calm, and trusted that gods plan for him would come into play. Having a mentality so free and religious helped Dungy to not only become such a successful coach in the NFL, but it set him apart from all other coaches in the league. This brought a different type of player to Dungy's team, one who would put it all on the line for the team and the greater good. This was the perfect combination to bring Dungy to his great success in the NFL.