Power Ranking the Best Coaching Moments of the Year
This was yet another great and memorable year in sports. Most of the memories start with the product in field, court or floor and that product begins with the coaches.
They shape the identity of their team, prepare them to handle adversity, give them the plays and strategy to succeed and mold the individuals on the roster into one team—a job that is much easier said then done. This slide show will review the 10 best coaching moments in 2010.
It is impossible to mention coaches in 2010 without bringing up one of the most successful and respected coaches in history, John Wooden. Coach Wooden passed away on June 4, 2010 and his mark can be seen and felt across all sports and walks of life.
10. Bob Bradley Keeps Pedal to the Metal After USA Has a Disallowed Goal
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With Bob Bradley's US World Cup Soccer team locked in a 0-0 tie with Algeria and their tournament lives hanging on the line, he kept his players on the offensive. Bradley would not let his team's spirits drop after the referees, for the second time in the tournament, disallowed a US goal.
The match went into extra time and the aggression of the US led to a rebound shot and score by Landon Donovan.
9. Brad Stevens Leads Butler to the NCAA Championship Game
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Brad Stevens' Butler Bulldogs did not win the NCAA Championship, but they came within inches. The Bulldogs defeated all challengers on an improbable run to the NCAA Championship game, where they took on the perennial powerhouse Duke Blue Devils.
Ultimately, they came up just short as a half court shot rimmed off and they fell 61-59, but the tournament run and highly entertaining performance in the final game etched Brad Stevens' job as coach of his underdog Butler squad into coaching lore.
8. Raheem Davis Proclaims Bucs the Best Team in the NFC
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At 9-5, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are one of the NFL's biggest surprises this year. Just don't tell that to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. They feel their record is not as good as it should be.
After the Bucs went 4-2, Morris let anyone who would listen know that the Bucs were the best team in the NFC. While their record does not currently show it, the fact that they could sustain this kind of success following a 3-13 season speaks volumes of the confidence Morris has instilled in his players.
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7. George Karl Begins the NBA Season on the Nuggets Bench
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Denver currently sits with a 16-13 record—a decent record, but their record is not what is impressive. It was back on their opening night tip-off that they scored their most memorable victory. George Karl prepared his team and took the sideline, despite being diagnosed with throat cancer just months before.
Karl missed the end of the 2010 season while battling cancer. He underwent six weeks of intensive treatment during the offseason. Karl's cancer is currently in remission and he is still on the sidelines.
6. Bobby Cox Gets a Standing Ovation from Giants
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Bobby Cox is one of baseball's most successful managers. He is also one of its most respected. At no time was this more evident then them moment his career came to an end as the final out fell upon his Atlanta Braves in the NLDS.
Not only was Cox given a standing ovation by the hometown Atlanta fans, but also the San Francisco Giants players. Each Giant player stood in his position and saluted the deserving skipper.
5. Nick Saban's First Quarter Adjustments in the BCS Title Game
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The Alabama Crimson Tide got off to a slow start in the 2010 title game. At the end of the first quarter, they trailed the Longhorns 6-0. A small deficit, but there were not many signs that Alabama was going to be able to move the ball on offense.
Then Nick Saban helped his team ratchet up the intensity. They outscored Texas 24-0 in the second quarter. The Longhorns attempted to make a second half comeback, but the deficit proved to be to much. The Tide rode their impressive second quarter to their first National Championship since 1992.
4. Geno Auriemma Leads UConn to Record 89 Straight Victories
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When the President of the United States calls you during your postgame press conference, chances are you just had a pretty good coaching moment. Well, that is exactly what happened to Geno Auriemma after his Lady Huskies broke the NCAA basketball record for consecutive wins. Auriemma is the coach that refuses to let his team suffer a letdown.
3. Bruce Bochy Leads the Giants to the World Series
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It was a season of great coaching moments for Bruce Bochy. He led the underdog San Francisco Giants to their first World Series since the franchise had moved to the left coast.
Every move he made seemed to make work. He gave his pitchers four days rest, he moved moved the hot-hitting Cody Ross to the clean-up spot and he brought in closer Brian Wilson in early when he needed to. Everything he Bochy touched turned to gold in 2010.
2. Phil Jackson Lead His Team to Game 7 Fourth Quarter Comeback
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Phil Jackson is no stranger to the NBA Finals. He is a stranger to Game 7 deficits in the finals. His Lakers trailed almost the entire Game 7. The Celtics opened up a lead of double digits several times during the contest. Yet Phil never let his team lose focus and pressed all the right buttons as the Lakers rallied to outscore the Celtics 30-22 in the fourth quarter.
1. Sean Payton's Halftime Decision to Onside Kick
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In what has to be one of the all-time gutsiest coaching decisions, Sean Payton had his New Orleans Saints opened up the second half of the Super Bowl with an onside kick. Had it not worked, Payton would likely find himself on the opposite evil twin version of this slide show.
It did work, however, and Payton earned his spot on this list. The Saints used the extra possession to quickly erase a 10-6 halftime deficit and earn the franchise's first Super Bowl victory.
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