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The UPEI SUN,’Ihursday,March 9,1978,page 14

THE PROS 3' “9””

'Ikaans in professional sport invariably have head coaches. These men either

excellent records, or they find than— selves confronting , immediate menploynent. Failing to satisfy the victory craving of players, fans, and owners, forces them to bear the brunt of everyone's anger. The consequence is a close resenblance between professional coadnery and a game of musical chairs. my should a talented player blessed with a high salary and a long term contract worry about heeding a less prosperous and more insecure man? When such a performer becates unhappy or falls into a slump he can usually pin the blame on his mentor. A coach's job can even be jeopardi- ized by a discontented bench warmer who enjoys favor with owners or fans.

Manager Billy Martin's problems with the New York Yankees show that all this applies to even the best of teams. Last season the Yanks were plagued with continuous internal squabbling and occasional inconsistency on the field. Toe culprits included both stars like mggie Jackson and ' ’Ihurman Munson and lesser lights like lou Pinella and Mike 'lbrrey. 'lhe only head put on the block though, was Billy's. After all, the argument went, wasn't he responsible for controlling the players? Wasn't he the most dispensable man involved? ally the team's victory in the World Series saved him. Few coaches have ’ such luck. .

'lheir plight is that try as they may, they fight a losing battle. 'Ihey acquire grey hair and ulcers, but in the end the slightest setback costs

them'their jobs. Coach

M Kim sugar . :HAILOIITETOWN, Eel.

Riley, fornerly of the Winnipeg Blue Barbers, can tell us all about it. He had a reasonably good year in 77. line Bonbers were right in the thick of their divisional race and were narrowly defeated in the nost exciting game of the playoffs. Almost imrediately Riley was fired. lIleam managerrent declared that he should have won the Grey Cup. Only then could he haVe remained.

George Allan suffered a similar fate. 'lhough chanpionships eluded him, he was long the successful and respected field boss of the Washington Md Skins. His team did well again last season, but it missed the playoffs by a hair. Doing that makes you a failure, and as a coach you can expect only the worst.

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demanded, George was fired. .

Hank Stram didn't often diréct the New Orleans Saints to victory. Yet he probably could have lasted ' last season had his team not becme the

first victims of the Tanpa‘

Bay Buccaneers. .'Ihe Bucs had nothing in twenty-six‘ N.F.L. ganes. 0n Decenber ll, l977.hcwever, they

throttled the Saints 33-14.

How did Coach Stram react? he said. experience of ﬂy coaching ~ career. for our people, our fans, our organization." Little did he realize his night- mare was just beginning. 'lhough he didn't know it, he had coached the Saints

for the final tine. He was

fired several days later. Coaches must often protect their aychecks

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"What a nightmare!" "It was the worst

We're all ashamed-

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:_ ofga .ocach's union. ' claims ‘to have especially

by tolerating aln‘ost ‘ unbearable interference. Owners like Charlie Finley and 'Ied Turner cone to

.mind as being especially

domineering. Finley abused manager after manager while in a farcical effort to end a losing streak; . Turner once high-jacked the job for himself: Ooadaes by such tyrants are caught in a vicious circle on the road to unenplcynent. If they aren't yes nen they will beccme idle nen. __

A few even find them- sele_ criticized by their peers.” Coach McVie of the Washington Capitals is such a man. Don Cherry, ' his counterpart in Bostcn, ' once lashed out' at him, saying that the Caps have a lot of talent and blaming Movie for their pathetic record. Is it possible to succeed when Irenbers of your own group knock you? Probably not! Cherry might as well have personally Signed McVie's walking papers. lIEhe Washington bench * ccnmander's job is probably now nore endangered than. ever. ,

..Phi.lade]-Ph;a Flyer

-’

suggested the posSibi‘li’ty He

strong support from . Scotty Bowman in Montreal and from Bob Pulford in Chicago. It is certainly a much—needed plan, and I wish them well with it. Until such a scheme 'be— comes reality though, coaches remain helpless PUPPetS- L

'Jhe strength of a franchise is now measured by how reapidly it exploits head ccad'les. Iilhe old saying has truth. "Coaches are hired tcbe fired". Wiena team is beaten, we needn't pity the players, the managenent or the fans. 'lhe man who really deserves

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