Personally I like Wade and I've always felt that he had the potential to lead us to the Promised Land. I know he doesn't exhibit the personality that we usually see from head coaches, and that he doesn't chew out players publicly or point the finger at players publicly, but I believe that is one reason players respect him and want to play well for him. I am a school teacher and my personality is somewhat like him, in that I'm not a harsh disciplinarian. Instead I show my kids more respect than other teachers do, but I set high standards for them and am relentless in demanding that they live up to them. Never raise my voice or get in their face. Yet I have fewer discipline problems than the other teachers, because the kids know I've got their backs. Early in my career I tried to be like the harsher teachers who seemed so successful, but the kids saw right through me and lost respect.
The point is that I think Wade's way works for him as well as other coaches' ways work for them. We don't need to expect him to be like other coaches. All we need to expect is results.
That brings me to my next point. When Jerry said he was keeping Wade after last season for "continuity" a lot of people on this board and elsewhere had a meltdown because they thought that meant "same methods/same results." In my mind, continuity meant that Jerry knew Wade was trying to build the team his way and that he needed more time to continue to do that. Obviously Jerry didn't extend his contract because he wanted to see if it looked promising. Now we're starting to see the results of Wade making the team over in his image. Eventually coaches get things in place the way they want them, then the success starts. Teams used to know this and give coaches at least 5 years to get it going. Ever since Jimmy came in and blew the curve, everyone expects a super bowl win in three or four years or the bum's out the door for the next flavor. Problem is, every time you switch coaches it's back to square one, bringing in his guys, teaching his philosophy, getting players to buy into it, etc. Takes time folks. Oh sure, you see an occasional quick starter like in Denver, but remember in Wade's first year he had us at 13-3 as well. Parcells first year we went 10-6 and the playoffs. The new change sometimes yields quick improvements, but then things backslide until the coach gets it all built his way. Here's where I'm going with this novel.
I think Wade should get an extension so he can continue to build his program. Teams that are patient with their coaches often reap great rewards down the road. (see Tom Landry).
I'm still driving that bandwagon.
