Coaching Director?

[stuie 7,374]

With Neil Craig's role being "Director Of Sports Performance", I'm wondering if we could bolster our ranks by bringing in a "Coaching Director" (think Thompson, Eade) next season? Not only would it add experience to our coaching team, but it gives us another option for an interim coach should Neeld still be struggling.

It seems unlikely we could get someone like a Roos, Sheedy, or even Lethal for the head coach job, but what about as coaching director?

Just throwing around ideas. Thoughts?

[Adam The God 30,261]

I think we've gotta be careful with egos. Too many in the FD could cause divisions once more.

If Neeld is still struggling next year, let Craig see out the year and decide what to do at year's end. It's a no from me.

I don't see the point in hiring someone (probably on big coin and probably with a bloated ego) that could potentially complicate matters. Further, we should not be hiring someone to provide another interim coaching option.

[dpositive 1,665]

If Neeld is still struggling next year,

?????????????

I can accept Neeld struggling this year but I would still expect improvement

[DemonOX 8,791]

If he is struggling NEXT YEAR, shite if he is struggling in two weeks he wont be there.

Like your optimism though.

If Neeld is still struggling next year, let Craig see out the year and decide what to do at year's end. It's a no from me.

[Cheap Seats 3,310]

With Neil Craig's role being "Director Of Sports Performance", I'm wondering if we could bolster our ranks by bringing in a "Coaching Director" (think Thompson, Eade) next season? Not only would it add experience to our coaching team, but it gives us another option for an interim coach should Neeld still be struggling.

It seems unlikely we could get someone like a Roos, Sheedy, or even Lethal for the head coach job, but what about as coaching director?

Just throwing around ideas. Thoughts?

I know it's not exactly the exact role you are pointing out that is at Collingwood or Essendon - but I thought Greg Healy was the Football Director (and hence would be in charge of coaching etc)

Do we need a director of Coaching?? Not sure - I'd assume Neil Craig would be adequate but only the Board would know....

Job for the new CEO?

Edited April 11, 2013 by Unleash Hell

[stuie 7,374]

I know it's not exactly the exact role you are pointing out that is at Collingwood or Essendon - but I thought Greg Healy was the Football Director (and hence would be in charge of coaching etc)

I hear ya, I'm just thinking more about just the coaching side of things. I like Neeld, but he just seems a bit our of his depth and some more experience might be helpful.

[Brian Wilson 331]

With Neil Craig's role being "Director Of Sports Performance", I'm wondering if we could bolster our ranks by bringing in a "Coaching Director" (think Thompson, Eade) next season? Not only would it add experience to our coaching team, but it gives us another option for an interim coach should Neeld still be struggling.

It seems unlikely we could get someone like a Roos, Sheedy, or even Lethal for the head coach job, but what about as coaching director?

Just throwing around ideas. Thoughts?

A reasonable idea. However, I would spend that money on bolstering the assistant coaching stocks. It's very difficult to judge the performance of assistants from the outside but I get the impression that there are some holes.

For example, our backline has struggled since Essendon (quite rightly) spent big cash to recruit Wellman.

I think that Neeld's job would become a lot easier if he had stronger, more experienced line coaches and assistants.

[Captain_Jack 88]

I cannot shake the feeling that Neil Craig, albeit with the best of intentions, is a huge part of the problem.

I think he has too much influence over Neeld and they're too similar in personality and management style. It's like having 2 Gerard Whateley's on AFL360, great as long as you've got the contrast of a Robbo banging the desk and getting fired up but mind numbingly boring and uninspiring as a stand alone proposition.

This Melbourne side stinks of Adelaide in 2011 for mine. An overly complicated, ultra defensive game-plan and good players who don't seem to know how to execute it so playing well below their best - Not unlike, Bernie Vince, Taylor Walker, Ivan Maric and even Patty Dangerfield in 2011.

Ask anyone in South Australia and they'll tell you, Neil Craig is a lovely, hard working bloke but they cannot understand why he's so highly rated in Victoria.

[Brian Wilson 331]

I cannot shake the feeling that Neil Craig, albeit with the best of intentions, is a huge part of the problem.

I think he has too much influence over Neeld and they're too similar in personality and management style. It's like having 2 Gerard Whateley's on AFL360, great as long as you've got the contrast of a Robbo banging the desk and getting fired up but mind numbingly boring and uninspiring as a stand alone proposition.

This Melbourne side stinks of Adelaide in 2011 for mine. An overly complicated, ultra defensive game-plan and good players who don't seem to know how to execute it so playing well below their best - Not unlike, Bernie Vince, Taylor Walker, Ivan Maric and even Patty Dangerfield in 2011.

Ask anyone in South Australia and they'll tell you, Neil Craig is a lovely, hard working bloke but they cannot understand why he's so highly rated in Victoria.

AFL 360 is great?

If you offered me the standard of Adelaide 2004-2011 at MFC for the next eight years, I would take it in a heartbeat. That's why he is highly rated (though I'm not sure that the blanket Vic/SA divide exists as you state).

[stuie 7,374]

A reasonable idea. However, I would spend that money on bolstering the assistant coaching stocks. It's very difficult to judge the performance of assistants from the outside but I get the impression that there are some holes.

For example, our backline has struggled since Essendon (quite rightly) spent big cash to recruit Wellman.

I think that Neeld's job would become a lot easier if he had stronger, more experienced line coaches and assistants.

Maybe that's more of the role that would be helpful then. Maybe one of those experienced guys I mentioned could come in as more of an assistant, even if we can only get them part time, every little bit would help. Not just saying it cos he's former MFC, but I'd love to try and snaffle Junior from GWS to help with the midfield next year, maybe even take over from Royal.

Still think it would be great to get a premiership winning coach onto our staff somehow.

[stuie 7,374]

I cannot shake the feeling that Neil Craig, albeit with the best of intentions, is a huge part of the problem.

I think he has too much influence over Neeld and they're too similar in personality and management style. It's like having 2 Gerard Whateley's on AFL360, great as long as you've got the contrast of a Robbo banging the desk and getting fired up but mind numbingly boring and uninspiring as a stand alone proposition.

This Melbourne side stinks of Adelaide in 2011 for mine. An overly complicated, ultra defensive game-plan and good players who don't seem to know how to execute it so playing well below their best - Not unlike, Bernie Vince, Taylor Walker, Ivan Maric and even Patty Dangerfield in 2011.

Ask anyone in South Australia and they'll tell you, Neil Craig is a lovely, hard working bloke but they cannot understand why he's so highly rated in Victoria.

I get the opposite impression, I feel like Neil Craig is NOT having enough influence on Neeld... I just feel that Neeld seems to be too uncompromising and doesn't strike me as a guy who would take criticism or advice very well.

[Captain_Jack 88]

AFL 360 is great?

If you offered me the standard of Adelaide 2004-2011 at MFC for the next eight years, I would take it in a heartbeat. That's why he is highly rated (though I'm not sure that the blanket Vic/SA divide exists as you state).

I don't dispute that AFL 360 is a quality program, I think you may have missed my point.

My point is that Adelaide, particularly in 2011, when they were playing well below their best and Walker, Vince and Maric spent most of the year in the 2's, were a shadow of what that list was capable of and seemed to have little or no appetite for the contest or understanding of their game-plan.

I'm just saying I find the similarities between that and where we are at, with Craig the common denominator, a little alarming.

[simma02 53]

Best we get a decent coach first, then worry about the Coaches Director role.

[Brian Wilson 331]

I don't dispute that AFL 360 is a quality program, I think you may have missed my point.

My point is that Adelaide, particularly in 2011, when they were playing well below their best and Walker, Vince and Maric spent most of the year in the 2's, were a shadow of what that list was capable of and seemed to have little or no appetite for the contest or understanding of their game-plan.

I'm just saying I find the similarities between that and where we are at, with Craig the common denominator, a little alarming.

Agreed for 2011 (and 2010) but the sustained success of his coaching stint at Adelaide was very impressive, especially when you consider that he came into the position at the end of 2004 and inherited a floundering and under-performing team. He is a very strong individual and I don't think he has the beige of Whately.

[Captain_Jack 88]

Best we get a decent coach first, then worry about the Coaches Director role.

My fear is that sacking the coach might be like changing the oil because you have a flat tyre.

I don't disagree that Neeld needs help, I'm not convinced Craig is the man to provide it. 2 people filling the players heads with statistics and analysis, can only take you so far. At some point, players need to feel inspired and like what they are doing means something beyond the stats sheet.

Brad Scott and Neil Craig or Brad Scott and Mark Neeld as an assistant, would be a very effective combination IMHO.

It's not about the individuals, I think it's about the combination.

[jazza 1,323]

we had a chance 2 years ago for mark williams and passed, such a shame. we appointed an untried to look after a group of boys and are now paying the penalty.williams was ready willing and able. keeping my fingers crossed for next year, he will bring in stern rules and fresh ideas and no rodans for rivers.

If he is struggling NEXT YEAR, shite if he is struggling in two weeks he wont be there.

Like your optimism though.

[stuie 7,374]

My fear is that sacking the coach might be like changing the oil because you have a flat tyre.

I don't disagree that Neeld needs help, I'm not convinced Craig is the man to provide it. 2 people filling the players heads with statistics and analysis, can only take you so far. At some point, players need to feel inspired and like what they are doing means something beyond the stats sheet.

Brad Scott and Neil Craig or Brad Scott and Mark Neeld as an assistant, would be a very effective combination IMHO.

It's not about the individuals, I think it's about the combination.

Geez I would have loved either Scott brother coaching us, didn't like them as players, but they really inspire and earn respect IMO.

Think we've missed the boat with both of them, but a Neeld/Scott/Craig combo would have been pretty amazing.