2008.12.16

The Washington Redskins head coach, Jim Zorn, feels like the worst coach in America. (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3771345) The Redskins have fallen from the ranks of playoff contender. The Detroit Lions are 0-14. The Cleveland Browns will likely replace head coach Romeo Crennel in the offseason. If I am not mistaken, Crennel has 5 Super Bowl rings. He earned those rings as an assistant coach and as a defensive coordinator.

South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Steve Spurrier is the winningest coach in the history of the Florida Gators. He is "the ball coach". This season, he was dismantled 56-6 by his former team. (http://web.charleston.net/news/2008/nov/16/florida_turns_spurrier_into_gator_bait61916/)

Charlie Weiss at Notre Dame is another prime example. He has plenty of Super Bowl rings. He KNOWS football. Yet, the Fighting Irish finished the regular season at 6-6... which was a significant improvement.

What do all of these coaches have in common?

All of these coaches have been winners. Not just run-of-the-mill winners. These guys have been winners at the highest of levels. Now, all of them are reeling.

Football is a game of moving parts. Football is not just a matter of who has the best "X" and "O" instruction. Football is a game of heart. It is a game of will. It is a game of desire. It is a team sport. Eleven athletes on the field working together toward a common goal.

I am not going to hop on the soap box right now. I will just say, football represents an amazing sociology experiment.