A Coaching Sabbatical

[DJ75]

I know this might be seen as a strange move, but I really think it might be a good time for this.

Let Craig go on a Sabbatical. Give him the rest of the season away from our players and let him rejig his thought process. Have Viney take over the reigns but make it very clear that nomatter what happens, Craig will be back as the coach in 2011.

This gives three positives:
Craig gets to spend most of the season observing the AFL and adjusting his gameplan to suit. It is near impossible to do this whilst trying to coach and win a game. Having a look from the outside, and watching a few other teams more often might give him a new idea or two. It will also help freshen his mind.

It releases the pressure valve on the players and allows them to also freshen up. Viney can change the game plan, players can play in different spots and the boys can go out and enjoy the rest of the season. They will also play knowing that Craig is observing and making list decisions.

Viney gets valuable experience as a head coach and at the very least gives himself an audition for the job should Craig eventually go.


The only danger I see is if the players suddenly start dominating and performing exceptionally well. BUT even if this does happen, I think it gives Craig something he can use for the future and perhaps make him adjust trainings and expectations however.

Sabbaticals do happen in business so why not with a coach?

 

[taylor_walker_13]

Ummm NO if Craig needs to spend time away to see whats going on around him, he shouldnt be the coach, coaches need to be proactive and ahead of the game or develop a game plan that suits the players he has available to him, clearly Craig is behind what the rest of the AFL is doing/playing and secondly he is expecting a list he would clearly know has had a poor pre-season fitness base whatever term you want to use for it, yet is expecting the group to carry out a game plan that they are unable to carry out and that he himself cannot even explain.

 

[DJ75]

I can see what you are saying and fully understand your reasoning.
BUT, I think Trigg and Craig are very close, and so I can't see Craig being sacked.
Hence this may be the best way to go forward. I can't see us just going blindly forward at the moment at expect it all to turn around.

Of course if Viney proves to be a brilliant coach the option could be there to move Craig to a consultant position, where he looks at the scientific advantages we may get from around the world??

 

[WALL-e]

Imagine the Rooch! He'd go off.

 

[DJ75]

He certainly would, BUT who cares? He is a tool of the highest order. You can't worry about what a nob with an axe to grind and a keyboard thinks.

My only concern would be the pressure to sack Craig if he took over again at the start of 2011 and we lost the first game or two and the same lack of effort from the players became obvious. Although at least at that point we would have a clear idea as to where to go with Viney as well!

 

[johnnypanther]

We dont know what goes on in the coaches' box, nor how much influence and control the assistant coaches (in particular Viney and zones) are allowed.

Obviously, as head coach, Craig must take the blame, however, in response to the thread question, since it is based on our perceptions and subjective judgements, then my answer would be that Craig takes complete control of the coaching box and all the other assistant coaches can go on a sabbatical instead.

 

[Crow-mo]

um... to what end?

*IF* you believe craig needs a spell, he's gone.

there doesn't seem to be much to gain from this indulgence.

 

[NTRabbit]

Just when you think you've heard them all...

 

[Snatchemstrap]

Just when you think you've heard them all...

Yeah.. it's a stupid idea.. but I kinda like it!!

I like your paradigm breaking thinking DJ!

 

[oldcrowgirl]

I have mulled this over all day. I think it's not such a crazy idea as it may sound. Craig has a reputation as a workaholic. Let him go travelling to study, observe or get involved with training a AAA team somewhere else and take a break from his responsibilities here for a few months.

Possible benefits.

1. Viney gets an opportunity to see what he's made of. This will make or kill his career.

2. Craigy comes back with his batteries seriously recharged and takes the Crows where we all want to go.

3. Craigy realises he doesn't want to coach AFC anymore.

4. Nothing changes and Crows part company with NC at end of 2011.

Possible downside to this idea.

1. ??

 

[The Sloane Ranger]

I have mulled this over all day. I think it's not such a crazy idea as it may sound. Craig has a reputation as a workaholic. Let him go travelling to study, observe or get involved with training a AAA team somewhere else and take a break from his responsibilities here for a few months.

Possible benefits.

1. Viney gets an opportunity to see what he's made of. This will make or kill his career.

2. Craigy comes back with his batteries seriously recharged and takes the Crows where we all want to go.

3. Craigy realises he doesn't want to coach AFC anymore.

4. Nothing changes and Crows part company with NC at end of 2011.

Possible downside to this idea.

1. ??

possible downside

Viney has a 10-4 W/L ratio for the rest of the season

 

[kulak]

That's what annual leave is for!

I agree he does look a bit exhausted by everything right now.

 

[oldcrowgirl]

That's what annual leave is for!

Nope. Annual leave is to get away from it all. Not think about work. Do something completely different.

I see Craig as an intellectual and he needs brain fodder, related to football to stimulate him coaching-wise. My understanding is that he works incredibly hard and I suspect that he doesn't have time to feed himself cerebrally during the season and the pre-season. The admin at the AFC have to force him to take a two week break. If I am right about his nature, then after 5 years I think that he really needs a sabbatical.

 

[swanfan]

That's what annual leave is for!

I agree he does look a bit exhausted by everything right now.

Back to the lab..

 

[Bicks]

As if Craigy would come at this!!!!

How Craigy handles himself for the rest of this season will tell us much more about the man and the coach, we're in the "proverbial", I'm sure he would want and expect the opportunity to work through this tough time in his coaching career, obviously the first time he's been this deep in the "proverbial" in his time at the Crows. It could well be career defining for NC.

 

[Crow-mo]

the real question is why would you go to these lengths?

 

[sydney_crow]

Interesting idea DJ and worth floating but not gonna happen.

I also think that sabbaticals are much more common in academia where Professors have tenure (i.e. work at the same uni for their entire career) than in business where people can and do change jobs regularly and the pressure to perform is higher.