2007: The Year of The Coach?

In a day filled with resolutions, hangovers, and College Bowl games, the biggest stories of New Year's 2007 have to do with coaching. From Bobby Knight becoming the winningest coach in Men's Division I-A College Basketball to another Bowl victory for Joe-Pa, the headlines were dominated by the men of the sidelines. Those two men stole the spotlight early in the day with Paterno securing his 22nd bowl win before many even got out of bed. At around the same time in Lubbock, Texas, Red Raider nation serenaded Coach Knight with Frank Sinatra's "My Way" to commemorate his milestone. Knight's uncharacteristic show of emotion clearly demonstrated the importance of the victory to family, former players, mentors, and apprentices. Unquestionably his most successful protege and the man most likely to break his record, Coach Mike Kryzewski heaped praise on his former coach. For all the criticism Knight takes about his abrasive ways, it is clear to those around him that it is merely tough love.

While college coaches were climbing new heights, the men of the professional ranks were falling from their perch. The axe fell on NFL coaches Jim Mora and Dennis Green after their teams failed to live up to expectations. Mora's Falcons were a disappointing 7-9 and Green could not get his offensive weapons firing in one of the NFL's weakest divisions. One of their former colleagues, Miami coach Nick Saban, reportedly will receive a formal offer for the vacant Alabama position. Once a coveted position held by such coaching greats as Bear Bryant, Alabama has struggled to find their new head man. It is believed that the compensation should be enough to paint Saban crimson, but no official word has been made. Finally, many in the Steelers organization are suggesting Bill Cowher has coached his last football game. Cowher is the longest tenured coach in the NFL, but many believed that 2006 would be his final season on the sidelines. Crushing division rival Cincinnati's playoff hopes with a thrilling overtime win would be a nice way for Cowher to make his exit.