Another take on responsibility

So who is ultimately responsible when a fumble/interception/error occurs? Or can 'blame' be solely placed on any individual? Conventional wisdom says it's with the coach or coaching staff. We're not so sure about that but here's another article about this subject.

If mistakes are made, the teaching process is the only answer
Eric Musselman
December 24, 2008

Chuck Knox was an NFL head coach for more than 20 years with the Rams, Bills, and Seahawks, leading his teams to seven division titles.

In the book "The Game-Makers," he outlined his "principles of coaching," which I've listed here:

Inspire learning: "Create within the player a desire to do what is demanded, regardless of what technique is being taught. Enthusiasm is a must."

Concentration: "Learning [a sport] is not a matter of intelligence. It's a question of concentration. Any... player can learn if a coach gets him to concentrate and when a coach finds the secret of how that's done, he'll be a great coach..."

Go here for the remainder.

Is it always the coach?

Eric Musselman's blog is a must-visit for us every morning. More often than not we agree with what he posts and opines but today we are in the opposite camp.

A team plays how they're coached to play

After losing by 10 to Arizona on Saturday in the Las Vegas Bowl, BYU coach Bronco Mendenhall said his team had made a number of mental errors, something for which he took full responsibility.

"Championship teams don't do that," he said. "Championship coaches don't coach a team to do that. I've never shifted responsibility to anywhere other than myself. A team plays how they're coached to play."

Coaches, that is the better coaches, take the hit themselves rather than throw a player or players under the proverbial bus, regardless of who is to blame.

The best coaches do what they can, say what they can, prepare their teams as best they can but ultimately it is up to the players -- prep, college and professional -- to take what is given/offered, add such to their own preparation and perform.

Is a running backs coach, who has taught and drilled his charges how to carry the ball, responsible for a fumble?

Is a quarterback coach, who installs a system and a certain set of plays to take advantage of an opponent's defense and drilled his signal caller on what to do and when, responsible for an interception?

Sure, there is a boatload full of shades of gray in all these equations but the primary variable to us is the human one. Get the 'right' players, with the 'right' level of experience and commitment and teams win.

Coaches certainly have a profound impact on winning and losing -- that's undeniable -- but what they have to work with is of the utmost importance.

Of course, we are open to different takes and interpretations of this matter so have at it if you wish.