An Example of Better “Coach-Speak”

[Bobhaze]

We all know how excruciating it can be to listen to a Jason Garrett press conference. They often last 20-30 minutes without revealing anything. A bunch of “Coach speak” garbage.

The robotic answers, often repeating the same platitudes over and over without really saying anything. “He’s an outstanding football player”, “We did some good things out there”, “We will have to go back, look at the tape, clean some things up”, “...at that point in the football game.” Etc.

I was listening to a head coach speak to the media yesterday in a presser about 5 min, answered at least 6-8 questions in a short, clear and direct way.

The coach is Mike Zimmer of the Vikings.

In his brief press conference, here are some of the questions he was asked and the answers he gave:

• Question: “What went into the decision to release the kicker?”
• Answer: “Did you see the game? He missed three FGs.”
• Question: “How did you feel about the defensive performance yesterday? (giving up 29)
• Answer: “Our defensive performance was unacceptable. It’s as simple as that. Those players know what I expect and that was unacceptable.”
• Question: “Are you happy with the play of your QB (Kirk Cousins) so far?”
• Answer: “Very happy. He’s doing what we ask him to do.”

There were a few other questions, but you get the idea. Straight talk from the head coach. He doesn’t give talk in circles, but is direct and commanding. If these questions were asked of Garrett, we would still be listening to a long droning answer about “football game”, “football player”.

I’m not suggesting that post game press conferences are critical to winning. But I am saying they can provide insight into whether or not a HC has command of the situation. Zimmer clearly does.

 

[Ranching]

We all know how excruciating it can be to listen to a Jason Garrett press conference. They often last 20-30 minutes without revealing anything. A bunch of “Coach speak” garbage.

The robotic answers, often repeating the same platitudes over and over without really saying anything. “He’s an outstanding football player”, “We did some good things out there”, “We will have to go back, look at the tape, clean some things up”, “...at that point in the football game.” Etc.

I was listening to a head coach speak to the media yesterday in a presser about 5 min, answered at least 6-8 questions in a short, clear and direct way.

The coach is Mike Zimmer of the Vikings.

In his brief press conference, here are some of the questions he was asked and the answers he gave:

• Question: “What went into the decision to release the kicker?”
• Answer: “Did you see the game? He missed three FGs.”
• Question: “How did you feel about the defensive performance yesterday? (giving up 29)
• Answer: “Our defensive performance was unacceptable. It’s as simple as that. Those players know what I expect and that was unacceptable.”
• Question: “Are you happy with the play of your QB (Kirk Cousins) so far?”
• Answer: “Very happy. He’s doing what we ask him to do.”

There were a few other questions, but you get the idea. Straight talk from the head coach. He doesn’t give talk in circles, but is direct and commanding. If these questions were asked of Garrett, we would still be listening to a long droning answer about “football game”, “football player”.

I’m not suggesting that post game press conferences are critical to winning. But I am saying they can provide insight into whether or not a HC has command of the situation. Zimmer clearly does.

Garrett doesn't have a clue, that's why he pulls out the old script and keeps it very general and vague.

 

[BulletBob]

And yet, as I recall, there was a tsunami-size movement on these very boards to run him out of town on a rail when he was our DC.

 

[Haimerej]

But I am saying they can provide insight into whether or not a HC has command of the situation

Having command of the situation applies to how you deal with the press, too. Garrett gives non answers by design. He owes them nothing and only talks because he has to.

 

[Dre11]

We all know how excruciating it can be to listen to a Jason Garrett press conference. They often last 20-30 minutes without revealing anything. A bunch of “Coach speak” garbage.

The robotic answers, often repeating the same platitudes over and over without really saying anything. “He’s an outstanding football player”, “We did some good things out there”, “We will have to go back, look at the tape, clean some things up”, “...at that point in the football game.” Etc.

I was listening to a head coach speak to the media yesterday in a presser about 5 min, answered at least 6-8 questions in a short, clear and direct way.

The coach is Mike Zimmer of the Vikings.

In his brief press conference, here are some of the questions he was asked and the answers he gave:

• Question: “What went into the decision to release the kicker?”
• Answer: “Did you see the game? He missed three FGs.”
• Question: “How did you feel about the defensive performance yesterday? (giving up 29)
• Answer: “Our defensive performance was unacceptable. It’s as simple as that. Those players know what I expect and that was unacceptable.”
• Question: “Are you happy with the play of your QB (Kirk Cousins) so far?”
• Answer: “Very happy. He’s doing what we ask him to do.”

There were a few other questions, but you get the idea. Straight talk from the head coach. He doesn’t give talk in circles, but is direct and commanding. If these questions were asked of Garrett, we would still be listening to a long droning answer about “football game”, “football player”.

I’m not suggesting that post game press conferences are critical to winning. But I am saying they can provide insight into whether or not a HC has command of the situation. Zimmer clearly does.

We all know how excruciating it can be to listen to a Jason Garrett press conference. They often last 20-30 minutes without revealing anything. A bunch of “Coach speak” garbage.

The robotic answers, often repeating the same platitudes over and over without really saying anything. “He’s an outstanding football player”, “We did some good things out there”, “We will have to go back, look at the tape, clean some things up”, “...at that point in the football game.” Etc.

I was listening to a head coach speak to the media yesterday in a presser about 5 min, answered at least 6-8 questions in a short, clear and direct way.

The coach is Mike Zimmer of the Vikings.

In his brief press conference, here are some of the questions he was asked and the answers he gave:

• Question: “What went into the decision to release the kicker?”
• Answer: “Did you see the game? He missed three FGs.”
• Question: “How did you feel about the defensive performance yesterday? (giving up 29)
• Answer: “Our defensive performance was unacceptable. It’s as simple as that. Those players know what I expect and that was unacceptable.”
• Question: “Are you happy with the play of your QB (Kirk Cousins) so far?”
• Answer: “Very happy. He’s doing what we ask him to do.”

There were a few other questions, but you get the idea. Straight talk from the head coach. He doesn’t give talk in circles, but is direct and commanding. If these questions were asked of Garrett, we would still be listening to a long droning answer about “football game”, “football player”.

I’m not suggesting that post game press conferences are critical to winning. But I am saying they ca
provide insight into whether or not a HC has command of the situation. Zimmer clearly does.

Why does it matter to fans? If you haven't noticed by now, Garrett doesn't care what anyone outside that organization thinks about him. That's a great trait. He blocks out the noise. Belicheck does the same thing. He gives no answers.

 

[Dre11]

And yet, as I recall, there was a tsunami-size movement on these very boards to run him out of town on a rail when he was our DC.

Exactly the GROZ crew...lol

 

[tico]

He also loves to drive that bus over everyone & hits it in reverse to....He has zero accountability for his mistakes

 

[Maxmadden]

We all know how excruciating it can be to listen to a Jason Garrett press conference. They often last 20-30 minutes without revealing anything. A bunch of “Coach speak” garbage.

The robotic answers, often repeating the same platitudes over and over without really saying anything. “He’s an outstanding football player”, “We did some good things out there”, “We will have to go back, look at the tape, clean some things up”, “...at that point in the football game.” Etc.

I was listening to a head coach speak to the media yesterday in a presser about 5 min, answered at least 6-8 questions in a short, clear and direct way.

The coach is Mike Zimmer of the Vikings.

In his brief press conference, here are some of the questions he was asked and the answers he gave:

• Question: “What went into the decision to release the kicker?”
• Answer: “Did you see the game? He missed three FGs.”
• Question: “How did you feel about the defensive performance yesterday? (giving up 29)
• Answer: “Our defensive performance was unacceptable. It’s as simple as that. Those players know what I expect and that was unacceptable.”
• Question: “Are you happy with the play of your QB (Kirk Cousins) so far?”
• Answer: “Very happy. He’s doing what we ask him to do.”

There were a few other questions, but you get the idea. Straight talk from the head coach. He doesn’t give talk in circles, but is direct and commanding. If these questions were asked of Garrett, we would still be listening to a long droning answer about “football game”, “football player”.

I’m not suggesting that post game press conferences are critical to winning. But I am saying they can provide insight into whether or not a HC has command of the situation. Zimmer clearly does.

He may have phrased it differently but he didn't say anything that anybody didn't already know. I know why the kicker was released, why do I need to hear the coach say it for me? I don't understand why people get annoyed because the coach won't say what we all already know and are thinking.

Does it make him a better coach because he came out and said it publicly?

 

[G2]

Roasting JG for his press conferences is weak sauce. It's like those who use "clapping" as a criticism. Stupid and meaningless.
What, do you WANT for him to be 100% and hand deliver game plans, details about position changes, injuries etc?

Giving up as little as possible is the whole ******* idea. Sorry he's not tendering to your every entertainment need.

 

[Dre11]

Roasting JG for his press conferences is weak sauce. It's like those who use "clapping" as a criticism. Stupid and meaningless.
What, do you WANT for him to be 100% and hand deliver game plans, details about position changes, injuries etc?

Giving up as little as possible is the whole ******* idea. Sorry he's not tendering to your every entertainment need.

Also, he mentions Zimmer a lunatic, IIRC,he chopped heads off stuffed rabbits and poured ketchup on them, then left them in the locker room....lol

 

[DiResta]

Garrett is very good at speaking
if he doesn't tell you anything, it's because he doesn't want you to know
when Wade was coach, the media in Dallas used to bully him

one thing that changed immediately is that Garrett took control and put them in their place, which I liked
I forget the reason, I think early on the press was trying to get smartassed with him and he basically wouldn't answer any of their questions that week or something like that
it was nice after watching Wade sit there facepalmed with them asking stupid questions

there are flaws but speaking isn't one

 

[Stash]

We all know how excruciating it can be to listen to a Jason Garrett press conference. They often last 20-30 minutes without revealing anything. A bunch of “Coach speak” garbage.

The robotic answers, often repeating the same platitudes over and over without really saying anything. “He’s an outstanding football player”, “We did some good things out there”, “We will have to go back, look at the tape, clean some things up”, “...at that point in the football game.” Etc.

I was listening to a head coach speak to the media yesterday in a presser about 5 min, answered at least 6-8 questions in a short, clear and direct way.

The coach is Mike Zimmer of the Vikings.

In his brief press conference, here are some of the questions he was asked and the answers he gave:

• Question: “What went into the decision to release the kicker?”
• Answer: “Did you see the game? He missed three FGs.”
• Question: “How did you feel about the defensive performance yesterday? (giving up 29)
• Answer: “Our defensive performance was unacceptable. It’s as simple as that. Those players know what I expect and that was unacceptable.”
• Question: “Are you happy with the play of your QB (Kirk Cousins) so far?”
• Answer: “Very happy. He’s doing what we ask him to do.”

There were a few other questions, but you get the idea. Straight talk from the head coach. He doesn’t give talk in circles, but is direct and commanding. If these questions were asked of Garrett, we would still be listening to a long droning answer about “football game”, “football player”.

I’m not suggesting that post game press conferences are critical to winning. But I am saying they can provide insight into whether or not a HC has command of the situation. Zimmer clearly does.

I think his honesty and lack of ********ting "skills" may have worked to Zimmer's detriment. He waited a long time for his head coaching opportunity, while some guys who never deserved it to begin with were able to "talk their way" into the job. A classic example of being fooled with style over substance.

 

[Bobhaze]

As I said in the OP, I’m not saying press conference talk make or break you as a coach. But it does reveal your style as a coach. And I’m just saying I would rather a coach have a short and to the point banter with the press.

My problem with Garrett is he’s hard to listen to. After watching “the real Garrett” in “All or Nothing”, I was even more convinced he’s about as inspiring as the milkman.

 

[Bobhaze]

Roasting JG for his press conferences is weak sauce. It's like those who use "clapping" as a criticism. Stupid and meaningless.
What, do you WANT for him to be 100% and hand deliver game plans, details about position changes, injuries etc?

Giving up as little as possible is the whole ******* idea. Sorry he's not tendering to your every entertainment need.

I just want our HC to win. If we win, he can sing songs to the press for all I care. This thread isn’t as serious as some here seem to think. It was just a discussion about style.

 

[Fla Cowpoke]

I think his honesty and lack of ********ting "skills" may have worked to Zimmer's detriment. He waited a long time for his head coaching opportunity, while some guys who never deserved it to begin with were able to "talk their way" into the job. A classic example of being fooled with style over substance.

Zimmer received multiple head coaching interviews before finally getting a head coaching job. The word was that he was abysmal in the interviews...maybe it meant that he didn't say what the people interviewing wanted to hear.

I don't have problems with Garrett's coach speak. I actually think it is one of his better qualities.

 

[Bullflop]

Even Tom Landry was more interesting than Jason Garrett and he surely wasn't especially intriguing, either.

I'd have to say if we're proposing to crown any HC we've had with an entertaining PC, it'd go to Bill Parcells.

For all of the horrendous boredom that any head coach caused, the worst of the lot had to be Wade Phillips.

 

[Praxit]

...Yeah, Garrett is one of those keep it simple, no details type of answers guy. ..lol.. He probably has like 100 alarms in his home. Keeps it simple and safe.

 

[Stash]

Zimmer received multiple head coaching interviews before finally getting a head coaching job. The word was that he was abysmal in the interviews...maybe it meant that he didn't say what the people interviewing wanted to hear.

And the Vikings ultimately benefit. From a guy who walks the walk (coaches) instead of someone who just talks the talk.

I don't have problems with Garrett's coach speak. I actually think it is one of his better qualities.

I'd prefer being able to coach over being able to talk like one.

 

[cowboy_ron]

Garrett doesn't have a clue, that's why he pulls out the old script and keeps it very general and vague.

Yea, the old generic "we just need to do a better job" has kinda run its course.

 

[AsthmaField]

So we’re now upset that Garrett doesn’t divulge much information in his press conferences?

Jesus.