The New Reality of Professional Coaching

These are tough times and job security is paramount. In that case, don’t become the coach of a professional sports team.

The recent firing of Phoenix Suns head coach Terry Porter continued an alarming trend in the NBA.

He was the eighth coach dismissed since the start of this season. This type of coach-killing is usually only reserved for the NHL. (See: Tom Renney being fired from the NY Rangers this morning.) But even the NFL has recently seen a lot more coaches removed than usual.

The new reality is that only one coach’s job is safe after the championship trophy is awarded. When Pittsburgh Penguins coach Michel Therrien can be relieved only eight months after losing in the Stanley Cup Finals, you know patience is at an all-time low. This is the microwave generation where we want everything our way and yesterday.

It’s based on so many factors. General manager thinks the team he assembled is not achieving? It’s the coach’s ass. Having an extended slump? Expect a meeting.

Think your team is cruising into the playoffs with relative ease? Fine. Just don’t think that means your job is safe. In 2000, the New Jersey Devils fired Robbie Ftorek with eight games left. They inserted Larry Robinson, and that supposed spark led them to the Cup. Now all types of GMs pull this stunt hoping for championship results.

The disease has even spread to baseball. Witness the Milwaukee Brewers' firing of manager Ned Yost last season with 12 games to go. End result? They won only one playoff game against the Phillies.

There is nothing wrong with wanting results, but the best ones tend to come from the teams with the patience to stay the course. Axing the coach is the quick fix that almost never fixes the real problems. But I guess GMs can’t fire all the players and won’t commit career suicide themselves.