Keenan Allen spoke with a publication, where he showed some honest insight into former Bears’ offense coordinator Shane Waldron. He mentions that it would be “too nice” if he were to coach him. Ever-sarcastic Keenan Allen states that Waldron’s tactics could be something of a liability as far as leading his team is concerned. Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator Waldron is a step-by-step, player-friendly guy, and there was recent attention paid to his comments. Comments from Allen elicited debate over NFL coaching style and performance at the team level.
Veteran Keenan Allen, one of the league’s top receivers, credited a good, strong coaching style with helping him develop into such a fine player. Allen described Waldron’s style in his Bears role as too soft for his tastes and for many players. “He’s a great guy, but he was just too nice sometimes,” Allen said, hinting that an abrasive, tougher approach might have prevented the punishment and competitiveness Waldron’s team craved.
Allen’s statements epitomized the feeling of some players that there was a tendency of NFL coaches to try splitting respect and authority between two balances, which would then draw out the maximum level of performance. As one of the receivers who have gone through almost all coaching types, Allen has been often speaking to the press on the praises of responsible coaches who push the limit on the performances of the players.
Shane Waldron has grown to be a thoughtful, caring coach who emphasizes communication and interaction with the players. This serves to establish him as a team-minded person seeking a friendly environment within which athletes feel cared for and confronted. The nature of his approach has been very helpful in earning him praise from many athletes, most especially those who tend to do better under less disciplinary forms of coaching.
During his time with the Bears, Waldron was touted as a savvy tactician but softer compared to his peers, and perhaps he may not be right for all players or situations. With the Seahawks, Waldron has found more luck working under an incredibly talented roster of players and a veteran head coach in Pete Carroll, who touts a player-first philosophy. Waldron’s style seems well-suited to Seattle’s culture, with such a high emphasis on player relations and trust.
Allen’s comments do echo the passionate debate that has been going on for years between “good guy” and “hard-nosed” coaching philosophies in major professional sports. Some players are going to react better to supportive and understanding coaches who stress communication, while others are going to thrive under aggressive, no-nonsense leaders who demand tough accountability from their players. In the NFL and any league where high-pressure environments demand accountability, quick adjustments can make all the difference depending on individual team culture and personnel.
A player-friendly coach like Waldron works for some teams, but Allen’s comments suggest that something more might be needed in a tougher or more competitive environment. This tension in terms of coaching style suggests what could work best in an environment where even slight advantages can make all the difference in a team’s season outcome.
Now with the Seahawks, Waldron finally seems to have found a suitable role in implementing a balanced high-paced offensive scheme that fits well Seattle’s roster. His interpersonal skills allowed him to be good in relationship building within the Seahawks and a cohesive offensive unit. With at least one player commenting on drawbacks, Waldron’s success in Seattle speaks of him being effective with the “nice” approach if paired with Carroll.
Keenan Allen’s comments about Shane Waldron’s “too nice” style show the intricacies of NFL coaching, as support and authority need to be balanced just so. Indeed, while Waldron’s approach may have been ill-suited to every situation, his own success with the Seahawks shows that different styles can work in suitable team cultures. A player like Allen, who has seen different coaching influences in his career, also throws up the usual factors of adaptability and assertiveness as defining qualities for coaches who create a competitive edge for their teams.
