COMMENTARY: CHANGE IS GOOD

(Listen daily for the RP Commentary on Cat Country 98, Rock 98.5 FM & LTD Radio)

Today’s commentary is brought to you by the letter “C”.

As in, “Coaching”. And the importance of it.

It seems like this season more than ever before, fans are seeing the importance of coaching in sports. Those in the industry have known it for decades, but now it’s on display for all to see.

There is no clearer illustration than Vancouver, where Rick Tocchet has his Canucks in first place in the Western Conference and number two overall in the NHL.

And that’s with virtually all the same players the Canucks have had for years. (In fact less, as disgruntled captain Bo Horvat was shipped out last year and his Islanders lost 4-3 in OT last night in his first return to Rogers Arena).

Same goes for Edmonton, where six weeks ago pundits trumpeted the fact “This is virtually the same Oilers lineup that finished the season last year!”

Six weeks later, Coach Jay Woodcroft was fired.

It’s not just as simple as opening the door and turning them out. And I’ve never thought a bad – or even average – coach can make a good team win, nor vice versa.

But back to Tocchet. Those “not in the know” thought he was fine spending the rest of his years in television on the NHL On TNT panel alongside his pal Wayne Gretzky but they were wrong. Coaches got into sports to coach, not broadcast. Just ask guys like Matt Dunigan, Paul LaPolice, or back to hockey, Barry Melrose.

Just because you’re good at both doesn’t mean you want to do both.

Conversely, I very reluctantly got into coaching only because a great offer was made, and there was a need. But I’d rather broadcast.

But back on topic; this all was made very clear to me after the 2006 Roughriders season when Kent Austin replaced Danny Barrett after a 9-9 season. Star receiver Matt Dominguez said, “This coaching change will result in at least three more wins.”

Wouldn’t you know it – the next season the Riders were 12-6 and won the Cup.

By the way Danny Barrett was last seen in the coaches booth with the up-and-coming Houston Texans of the NFL on the weekend.

This doesn’t mean D.B. wasn’t a good coach but what it does mean is that sometimes a change is needed.

And whether you like it or not, change is good.

That’s today’s Rod Pedersen Commentary

(The Rod Pedersen Show airs daily at 12 pm & 5 pm ET on Game+TV, WQEE Radio, Podcast & YouTube Live)