7 Things You Do Not Know About...

7 Things You Do Not Know About...
Being A NFL Head Coach

By Dennis Green
NC Sports NFL Expert Contributor and former NFL head coach

1) You have the utmost confidence in your coaching abilities.
Every head coach takes a job believing he will be successful, regardless of the odds stacked against him. Then he immediately will start convincing everyone that he can, to reinforce he is correct.

2) Competition with other coaches is required.
Establishing a rivalry with another head coach creates excitement for everyone and can bring satisfaction.

3) It is not all fun and games.
Releasing or cutting a player is a very difficult aspect because you are dashing that player’s dream. Sometimes, they get another chance with another NFL team. Most often it is the end of a dream and career.

4) Get a good start to the week.
During the season, the best decisions are developed on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. During this time you have the most time to evaluate the idea and decide on the solution.

5) Being a head coach is a hands-on job.
As the head coach, I would work the game plan organization for the offensive coaches, defensive coaches and special teams coaches. Once the plan is set, then it is up to our coaches to get the players to understand the plan and to carry out the plan according to the expectations.

6) Put a bed in your office.
In a typical work week, a head coach works 85-95 hours. The video study, player meetings and practice take up most of that time.

7) Family is still the most important thing.
I always made breakfast for my two children and took them to school on Mondays and Tuesdays whether we won or lost the previous game. Tuesday night my wife, Marie, and the kids would come to our work facility for dinner at 6:00 pm. After dinner then they would leave and I would stay and continue working. Then, Thursday night was always dinner with the family at home. Friday night was date night with my wife and we always when out for dinner and relaxed.