Non Playing Coaches

[scottydeewah]

Other professional leagues around the world are filled with coaches who never played the game at the highest level (some having never played it at any level). These coaches are successful and well respected.

So the question everyone can see coming, why dont we have any non playing coaches in the AFL? Have their been any in the past?

Can anyone list the non--playing senior coaches the other top leagues in the country, (SANFL/WAFL/VFL)?

 

[Neville Bartos]

Neil Craig.

 

[KardiniaPark]

I agree. Mike Sheahan for the tigers job.

 

[Be Aggressive]

Neil Craig.

Incorrect. Surely 300 odd games in the SANFL would count as something.

 

[Mancey]

West Perth - Bill Monaghan (ex Subiaco)
East Perth - Tony Micale (ex East Freo)
Subiaco - Scott Watters (ex Eagles, Freo, Swans)
Swan Districts - Brian Dawson (ex Swan Districts)
Peel - Chris Waterman (ex Eagles)
Perth - Darren Jarman (ex Crows)
South Fremantle - John Dimmer (Subiaco?)
East Fremantle - Shane Woewodin (ex Demons, Pies)
Claremont - Simon McPhee (Caretaker, ex east perth)

Brian Dawson wasn't a player of any note afaik....but he did play a few WAFL games, and McPhee only played ressies but is really only keeping the seat warm anyway.

So yeah, right now all WAFL coaches played at either WAFL or AFL level.

Hard to see it happening at AFL level. Ric Charlesworth was on Freo's staff for a while but didn't coach football skills

 

[Mancey]

Neil Craig.

errr no

 

[The Sultan]

Ex-Carlton coach Wayne Britain, from my understanding, never played AFL/VFL. but looking back that explains alot

 

[Damon_3388]

Neil Craig.

Neil Craig was one of the greats of the SANFL in the 1980s.

And I believe Andrew Jarman (the better Jarman IMO) is coaching Perth.

Here's an obscure one (that I found while looking up Dean Bailey's playing credentials - 53 games for Essendon) - Late 2007 Melbourne caretaker coach (and current Carlton assistant) Mark Riley played juniors for Claremont, but never any Senior football, after a knee injury ended his playing career. He coached Claremont to a Grand Final, and was the caretaker coach of Melbourne for 8 games in late 2007.

 

[Neville Bartos]

Neil Craig was one of the greats of the SANFL in the 1980s.

Yeah but he never played in the VFL/AFL, and that makes him an invalid! HAHAHA Go Victoria!

 

[Tricolours]

Neil Craig.

How embarressing for you. Is that you Jeff?

 

[TheWhiteRhino]

It's a great point. I find this amazing as well.

Just to think of all the coaches out there who have worked their way up from Juniors to perhaps representative footy and even a reserves role - coaches who have devoted their life to understand the game at these lower levels - aren't being given a shot. It's unlike any business in the world, where such people are overlooked at the highest level for ex-players with little to no coaching experience. Is it really the case that only someone who has played AFL at this level can coach? I find it hard to believe.

 

[Mancey]

In a more structured sport where game plans can be formulated using x's and o's, this might be more of an option. AFL is too dynamic, with too many random variables for such things however imo. There's always exceptions to the rule of course, but i really think AFL, right now more than its ever been, is a game where you need someone in charge who knows from first hand experience the subtle nuances and on field realities of the modern game.

It seems the game at the highest level isn't really recognisable to someone who's only experience playing is at grass roots.

 

[Bloods]

I have often wondered the same thing. Being born without a great deal of football talent shouldn't make any difference to your knowledge of the game.

 

[Il Naso De Gastev]

Playing the game is a pre-requisite. To understand what is required to play the game, there is no substitute for having played it yourself. You don't really know, nor understand the spirit of the game unless you have pulled on the guernsey and slugged it out with your mates. This is the reason why 'career coaches' rarely progress any higher than suburban junior level. Having someone preach to a player about the intricasies and courage required to play the game, having never had the guts nor talent to do it themselves, is meaningless and would be resented by the players.

 

[cmndstab]

Yeah but he never played in the VFL/AFL, and that makes him an invalid! HAHAHA Go Victoria!

You'll pay for this NB!!!!


I have often wondered this though. Would the players be able to respect the coach? Would he understand what it's like? Surely the "best" coach doesn't necessarily mean someone who has played before, but you'd have to convince the players of that.

 

[bigpapagman]

didn't allan jeans not play AFL/VFL?

 

[bigpapagman]

don't mind that, it turns out he was just shit. good coach though.

 

[Beckers]

didn't allan jeans not play AFL/VFL?

How embarrasing for you

Always check Wiki before posting:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allan_Jeans

 

[POBT]

Other professional leagues around the world are filled with coaches who never played the game at the highest level (some having never played it at any level).

Are they "filled with coaches" who haven't played? I am thinking of the English Premier League. The top flight managers (to take the coaches of last year's top 7 clubs - Ferguson, Hiddink, Benitez, Wenger, Moyes, O'Neill, Hodgson) are generally more renowned for their coaching than their playing careers but all played some level of professional football, as far as I'm aware.


It would be interesting to see if "non playing coaches" are a regular occurrence in other leagues or if they are still a rarity, albeit more common than in the AFL.

 

[Hawkk]

Neil Craig.

Great troll

 

[Lloydy4Pope]

Playing the game is a pre-requisite. To understand what is required to play the game, there is no substitute for having played it yourself. You don't really know, nor understand the spirit of the game unless you have pulled on the guernsey and slugged it out with your mates. This is the reason why 'career coaches' rarely progress any higher than suburban junior level. Having someone preach to a player about the intricasies and courage required to play the game, having never had the guts nor talent to do it themselves, is meaningless and would be resented by the players.

You idiot, plenty of career coaches make it all the way to any heights they may want achieve.

 

[CarltonSocialClub]

Are they "filled with coaches" who haven't played? I am thinking of the English Premier League. The top flight managers (to take the coaches of last year's top 7 clubs - Ferguson, Hiddink, Benitez, Wenger, Moyes, O'Neill, Hodgson) are generally more renowned for their coaching than their playing careers but all played some level of professional football, as far as I'm aware.


It would be interesting to see if "non playing coaches" are a regular occurrence in other leagues or if they are still a rarity, albeit more common than in the AFL.

Mourinho/"The Special One" only played something like 3rd tier football in Portugal.

Wayne Brittan is the most current AFL example, he's been described as tactically brilliant, especially on match day, but also as almost in awe of his star players (e.g. Kouta) and unable to be really be a leader of men. Maybe having a playing career with people of this caliber first would have overcome that fear for Wayne. I know Brisbane are very pleased to have him.

 

[Il Naso De Gastev]

You idiot, plenty of career coaches make it all the way to any heights they may want achieve.

I patiently await your listing of these career coaches??

It would be extremely rare for any coach, even at suburban/country level let alone any higher, who hasn't played the game. There may be a few in junior comps, but otherwise very rare..... you idiot.

 

[Il Naso De Gastev]

Mourinho/"The Special One" only played something like 3rd tier football in Portugal.

Wayne Brittan is the most current AFL example, he's been described as tactically brilliant, especially on match day, but also as almost in awe of his star players (e.g. Kouta) and unable to be really be a leader of men. Maybe having a playing career with people of this caliber first would have overcome that fear for Wayne. I know Brisbane are very pleased to have him.

Wikipedia - Wayne Brittain:"In his playing career, he did not play in the AFL, instead he played for Zillmere Eagles in the Queensland State League. He eventually suffered a back injury which ended his career. He was an experienced player so the AFL allowed him to take up coaching."

Still played some decent footy, so doesn't qualify as a coach who never played.

 

[CarltonSocialClub]

The QAFL isn't even as good as local football leagues in Melbourne.