Bryant; McKay; Robinson; Kapp. There are 4 widely different types for you. A friend who played for Bryant once put off my praise, quietly looking me in the eye and setting down his beer at a b-b-q for emphasis, drawling, "Beah, Bra-ahant waz naught a verhy nace ma-an." John McKay was the ultimate chief executive, assembling talent and giving them a system in which to thrive, while maintaining a wry sense of humor. John Robinson was much the same (also out of that Oregon mold of decades ago, I think) but he always had fun with his players. He once called time out with the Trojans driving for a possible come from behind score. His QB came to the sideline for instructions and Robinson put both hands on his shoulder pads, stared at him intently, and said, 'Hey, I just wanted to share with you, isn't this the most fun anyone could have on a Saturday afternoon?" They both laughed and the qb went back in the game, loose and confident and calmly through a game winning pass. Joe Kapp: No one loved the game or his school more or wanted success for it rather than himself. But up to date knowledge of the game and of the kind of kid in your coaching generation is essential.
You can win with a variety of styles and philosophies. There is no one best way. We don't want Woody Hayes incarnate in Strawberry. We appreciate that recruits come away from weekends full of good reports on the 'family atmosphere'. But we also want leadership, acumen, shrewd football judgment and execution and Boise State style audacity when appropriate. Without all of these, we're not going to be major bowl contenders.